Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu could only choose to turn a blind eye to this matter, letting them do as they pleased.

Li Mingzhu believed that although they were always caught up in petty disputes, when it came to major decisions of principle, they would undoubtedly not let him down.

It was confidence in himself, as well as in them.

Stopping in his tracks, he waited for the two women to catch up, and the three of them continued their journey to Qingqiu together.

In the memories of Li Mingzhu's past life, Qingqiu was actually quite a mysterious place, filled with countless legends, all undeniably tied to the Fox Clan.

Among the common folklore, tales of the Fox Immortals were also abundant. The so-called Fox Immortal referred to foxes who had attained immortality, shedding their mortal pelts. Such foxes could generally be classified as Immortals, leading to the term "Fox Immortal."

These foxes, while not adept at combat, were often individuals with great fortune and deep wisdom, knowledgeable and refined in demeanor.

Hu Mei, though possessing decent cultivation, had not taken this path, which was why her aura of demonic energy remained dense, and she could be manipulated by the Evil Summoning Banner.

Qingqiu was a land where various clans mingled. Although the Fox Clan led the region, most of the inhabitants were peaceful races unskilled in combat, making it a rare haven of tranquility.

Legend held that Yu the Great, one of the five emperors, once met the Tushan Clan near Qingqiu's Tushan. The Tushan Clan was said to be represented by a Fox Immortal, and such karmic ties and merits were the reasons the Fox Clan could live peacefully in Qingqiu for so long.

After all, Qingqiu was a land abundant in spiritual energy, a remarkable piece of Cave Heaven Blessed Land. Though the Fox Clan's overall power was not particularly strong, their occupancy of Qingqiu was not without reason.

"You're here?"

Seeing the two women catch up from behind, Li Mingzhu stopped thinking further—it would all become clear eventually.

"We're here!"

The two women answered in unison, then snorted coldly at each other, starting yet another spat.

"Let's go!"

Li Mingzhu didn't bother explaining further. With a flick of his wide sleeve, the three were transformed into a wisp of breeze, speeding toward Qingqiu.

Qingqiu was situated east of Taishan, stretched across a plain. Though calling it a plain was somewhat inaccurate—it was more like a series of rolling hills.

With the spiritual energy lent by Taishan, the Five Mountains' foremost peak, Qingqiu was rich in spiritual essence. It took Li Mingzhu and his companions only three hours to reach Qingqiu's borders.

If not for the suppression of Heaven and Earth Rules, they would have arrived even faster.

"Young Master!"

"Young Master, save me!"

A feeble, urgent, yet exhilarated voice emanated from a fallen figure, who collapsed unconscious after shouting and began plummeting downward.

.....

Just as Li Mingzhu was about to properly observe the landscape of Qingqiu, a severely battered figure suddenly leapt out from Qingqiu's depths, with several shadowy black figures in pursuit.

Without needing to see who it was, Li Mingzhu instantly recognized the voice and the address—it was none other than Hu Mei.

Before Li Mingzhu could reach the unconscious Hu Mei, Ao Yu moved ahead, catching her in his arms, his gaze filled with hostility.

The hostility wasn't directed at the black-clad pursuers but at Li Mingzhu, which left Li Mingzhu helplessly exasperated.

Li Mingzhu stepped forward to intercept the black-clad assailants. Hu Mei was his servant—daring to chase her down meant they would pay the price, no matter who they were!

"Halt!"

Li Mingzhu let out a low hum. Though he didn't use mana, the sheer presence honed over years of battle and the insight gained observing countless high-level combat was enough to make the three black-clad pursuers hesitate.

"Who are you? This is Black Fox Clan business—step aside quickly!"

The leader of the black-clad group, sensing Li Mingzhu's extraordinary air but determined not to lose face in Qingqiu territory, stared him down with a cold sneer.

"Why are you chasing her?"

Li Mingzhu pointed at Hu Mei, his demeanor icy and radiating killing intent. If the answer was unsatisfactory, he wouldn't hesitate to act—and gain the information he sought by force.

These three were clearly mere underlings. Though their cultivation was decent, Li Mingzhu discerned their low status within their faction.

"This is an internal matter of Qingqiu's Fox Clan—do you, fellow daoist, seek to interfere?"

The leader of the black-clad group revealed an elegant and handsome face, pulling a golden dagger from his sleeve and aiming it at Li Mingzhu.

It seemed Li Mingzhu had underestimated him—a peak-grade Spiritual Treasure forged after birth. This man wasn't just a mere underling after all.

"You pursued my servant, and I naturally will involve myself!"

Li Mingzhu ignored the black-clad man's threats, stepping forward again. This time, he fully channeled the killing power stored in his Fire-tipped Spear!

While Li Mingzhu had taken many lives, the accumulated killing aura within the Spear, gathered over tens of thousands of years, far surpassed his own.

The killing aura coalesced into a fog—scarlet and dense—slowly pressing down on the three pursuers. Even without striking, the overwhelming aura made two of the pursuers' legs tremble uncontrollably.

Though the Black Foxes were more aggressive than the White Foxes, their secluded lives in Qingqiu Mountain meant they had never encountered such concentrated killing intent—it was practically solid.

The leader of the group, though less rattled than his companions, was barely maintaining his composure. To Li Mingzhu's discerning eye, his cultivation ranked even lower than theirs.

"Are you ready to talk now?"

Without anyone realizing, Li Mingzhu had appeared right in front of the black-clad leader, Fire-tipped Spear in hand, its sharp crimson tip resting on the man's shoulder—his voice calm and chilly, akin to a demon from Hell.

"I'll tell you! I'll tell you! … I'll talk!"

The black-clad leader could no longer maintain his resolve. Seeing his life hang by a thread, he discarded any pretense of bravado.

Although the group possessed cultivations nearing True Immortal levels, their lack of combat experience and their underestimation of Li Mingzhu left them utterly outmatched. At this point, rebelling against him was unthinkable.

Such individuals would likely meet their ends against any loose cultivator with even a basic Primordial Spirit tier strength—especially without factoring in that golden peak-grade dagger.

Li Mingzhu couldn't fathom why Hu Mei, given her capabilities, had been pursued to such an extent by these three. There was undoubtedly an untold story lurking behind this.

"Speak quicker!"

Li Mingzhu's voice turned colder as the spear tip advanced by another inch.

"You worthless brat! Do you know who stands before you? He is none other than the Young Clan Leader of the Black Fox Clan of Qingqiu Mountain! If you dare harm him, you won't be able to bear the consequences!"

Suddenly, one of the man's black-clad companions mustered boldness, shouting an empty threat at Li Mingzhu—unfortunately, targeting the wrong opponent.

Li Mingzhu had slain the Third Prince of the Dragon Clan. Would he truly fear a mere Young Clan Leader of the Black Fox Clan?

"Pfft!"

As expected, the Fire-tipped Spear moved like lightning, instantly decapitating the so-called Young Clan Leader.

Perhaps it was the influence of the spear's killing aura, but Li Mingzhu had indeed grown more ruthless in his methods. However, it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

In times of great tribulation, killing intent surrounded every corner. If you didn't kill, others would kill you!

In fact, having heavier killing intent was perhaps better—it would at least deter most people from provoking him.