Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Anan and Kasyapa closely followed behind Lu Ya, fearful of losing sight of him. Although this Celestial Star Battle Formation was far inferior to the one during the Ancient Heavenly Court era and wasn't actively operating, its imposing presence still made their hearts race.

Even though they possessed the cultivation of Daluo Golden Immortal, should they truly be trapped within this Celestial Star Battle Formation, escaping unscathed would be nearly impossible.

After all, being one of the three greatest arrays in the Primordial World is not merely an empty claim. At its peak, the Celestial Star Battle Formation, powered by the Celestial Stars, could even withstand Saints.

This was a universally acknowledged fact in the Primordial World, and neither of them wished to provoke trouble.

As the master of the array, Li Mingzhu naturally had a clear understanding of everything that occurred within it. Observing Lu Ya's effortless demeanor, Li Mingzhu was furious but powerless to change the situation.

He was confident that even if he truly activated the array, Lu Ya would have measures to counter it. Moreover, the formation was only intended to slow Lu Ya and his two companions, and its purpose had already been fulfilled.

Li Mingzhu retracted the River Map and Luo Book, causing the Celestial Star Battle Formation to vanish. Lu Ya and his companions' figures appeared before the crowd.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

Li Mingzhu gazed calmly at Lu Ya. Though deeply wary beneath the surface, he maintained a façade of cordiality.

After all, Lu Ya's Immortal Slaying Flying Saber was not to be taken lightly. If given the right opportunity, its lethal strike would be difficult to fend off.

The Immortal Slaying Flying Saber, targeting souls and primordial spirits, has claimed countless True Immortal cultivations. With just the chilling phrase "Treasure, please turn around," it has obliterated years of cultivation, reducing them to ruin.

"Hand over the River Map and Luo Book, and today's matter can be overlooked!"

Lu Ya's tone was cold and arrogant, making it clear he held Li Mingzhu in utter disdain.

"In your dreams!"

Li Mingzhu never expected Lu Ya to be so direct, nor so presumptuous. It was clear that Lu Ya was no longer the Demon Clan Crown Prince of old.

"Then perish! Treasure, please turn around!"

True to his reputation, Lu Ya wasted no time and unleashed his unique magical treasure—the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber. Fortunately, Li Mingzhu had been vigilant all along.

The Immortal Slaying Flying Saber was indeed an Innate Spiritual Treasure, but it had been reforged by Emperor Jun using the primordial energies of Great Witches Hou Yi and Kua Fu, resulting in its present form.

Only a figure like Emperor Jun, with unparalleled cultivation, could have achieved a second ritual refinement of an Innate Spiritual Treasure. After all, once an item attains the Innate level, further refinement is near impossible without reverting to its primal essence. Even Saints would struggle to achieve such feats.

Although the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber was formidable, its effectiveness depended on circumstances. Sudden strikes or ignorance of its mechanics made it particularly fearsome.

Regrettably for Lu Ya, Li Mingzhu not only understood the saber in detail but had also long been on guard against it.

The moment Lu Ya activated the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber, Li Mingzhu immediately triggered the Treasure Lotus Lamp. Its seven-colored brilliance formed a barrier as sturdy as bronze walls and iron fortresses. No matter how intangible or devastating the saber's attacks were, they were repelled by this mystical light.

"Damn it!"

Lu Ya cursed inwardly upon seeing his seemingly invincible strike thwarted. Adding salt to the wound, the opposing treasure was crafted by a Saint of his own Demon Clan, causing him further frustration.

"You have a spiritual treasure to protect you, but they don't!"

Lu Ya sneered, redirecting the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber towards Ao Yu this time.

But once again, Lu Ya miscalculated. The seven-colored radiance continued shielding Ao Yu, nullifying the saber's attack yet again. A period ago, Li Mingzhu might not have been able to wield the Treasure Lotus Lamp to such effect.

However, when Chi Jingzi ascended to the rank of Quasi-Saint, Li Mingzhu gained some insights while refining his own divine skills, allowing the Treasure Lotus Lamp to become an extension of his will. Each of Lu Ya's attacks was impeccably blocked.

"Ants will always be ants. Even if you block the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber, what can you do? Golden Crow True Body!"

Lu Ya still considered Li Mingzhu beneath contempt despite merely being at the pinnacle of Daluo Golden Immortal cultivation himself. He mocked Li Mingzhu while fiercely manifesting his Golden Crow True Body.

He was aware of the Saints backing Li Mingzhu but was utterly unperturbed. His confidence stemmed not only from his inherent talents but also from the fact that two Saints supported him as well.

Upon learning that Li Mingzhu had acquired the River Map and Luo Book, Lu Ya aligned himself with the Western Sect. The two Saints of the Western Sect had offered him generous terms, promising him the position of Vice Sect Hierarch once he attained Quasi-Saint status.

As the Vice Hierarch, his rank would only be subordinate to the two Western Saints. With such enticing offers and his growing need for their assistance, his alliance with the Western Sect was unsurprising.

Lu Ya revealed his Golden Crow True Body, a radiant three-legged golden crow blazing like the Taiyang, emitting scorching Taiyang Fire as it lunged toward Li Mingzhu.

Yet Li Mingzhu remained fearless. His concerns lay not in Lu Ya's cultivation wear but in close-quarter combat, a domain where Li Mingzhu excelled.

"True Dharma Form!"

Li Mingzhu unleashed his Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth once more, enlarging his Fire-tipped Spear, preparing to clash head-on with the Golden Crow.

Although Lu Ya's entire being was enveloped in Taiyang True Fire, Li Mingzhu wielded the Red Ribbon alongside his Fire-tipped Spear. Hence, the Taiyang True Fire that had historically been a weapon of mass destruction was rendered useless against him this time, leaving Lu Ya feeling restricted and unable to gain an edge.

Li Mingzhu and Lu Ya engaged in fierce melee combat, a raw contest of strength where intricate techniques mattered little.

"Golden Crow Transformation!"

Lu Ya roared, transforming into a glowing red sun that began shrinking into an enormous, stone-like orb.

Li Mingzhu dared not underestimate this new form, sensing an overwhelming threat and an extraordinary amount of energy within the orb.

Meanwhile, Anan and Kasyapa, seeing Li Mingzhu and Lu Ya locked in an intense battle, sought out the White Tiger family. Although their cultivation was inferior to the White Tiger Clan, they had brought the Western Sect's rare top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Vajra Pestle.

Though not a Saint's Magical Treasure, its power was ferociously unmatched, especially since it was an authentic slaughter-type treasure. This forced the White Tiger Clan, despite their higher cultivation, into a position where they struggled to fully unleash their potential.

In the Mortal World of the Primordial Era, cultivation alone mattered less. Suppressed by the rules of this realm, differences in cultivation diminished, and the deciding factor often became the spiritual treasures.

The White Tiger Clan did possess Innate Spiritual Treasures, but even their most potent—White Tiger Pearl—was merely a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. This era was far removed from the dominance of the Ancient Three Clans.

During that time, the White Tiger Clan, despite their sparse numbers, were infinitely more formidable than their current diminished state—a stark contrast akin to heaven and earth.