Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The two of them flew into the Jue Tian Palace and immediately restored their original appearances, no longer hiding their identities.

Now that they had reached the core area, and the loose cultivators outside hadn't noticed, there was no longer any need for pretense.

In truth, if it hadn't been for the intention of easily obtaining control of the Absolute Heaven Storm, they wouldn't have bothered sneaking in. Charging straight through while crushing anyone in their way would have sufficed.

Despite the loose cultivators outside being Daluo Golden Immortals, if a real fight broke out, they wouldn't be a match for Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian at all.

Loose cultivators of the Primordial World—without inheritance and Spiritual Treasures—were leagues behind the disciples of Saints. The disparity was ridiculous.

"Hehe, two more little bugs have come crawling in, hehe, it'll be fun to play with them!"

"Looks like they're decent, two handsome lads, hehe..."

Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian hadn't yet had time to survey the palace when a childish and mischievous voice echoed through the air.

Yang Jian's expression turned dark. He had reincarnated through ten lifetimes, and in one of them, a courtesan had teased him in a similar tone—only for him to sever her head with one strike of his blade!

The proudest of them all—Yang Erlang!

"Who dares trespass?"

Li Mingzhu sneered coldly and unleashed a bolt of Divine Thunder in the direction where the voice had come from.

"Hehe, don't be so aggressive!"

A light laugh followed. Clearly, Li Mingzhu's Divine Thunder had missed its mark.

Li Mingzhu appeared unconcerned, but Yang Jian felt deeply offended by such provocation. A third eye suddenly opened on his forehead, emitting a piercing blue light that cut through everything, leaving nowhere to hide.

A white ethereal silhouette darted swiftly through different corners of the Jue Tian Palace, visible to both Yang Jian and Li Mingzhu.

No doubt, this was the Artifact Spirit of the Spiritual Treasure. Judging by its behavior earlier, the spirit was remarkably intelligent.

Yang Jian didn't bother engaging the Artifact Spirit directly but instead unleashed Yuqing Immortal Light to protect himself. Simultaneously, his Physical Body Divine Domain expanded in full force as he charged deeper into the palace.

Targeting the Artifact Spirit itself was unnecessary—the optimal strategy was to seize control of the treasure directly.

Though annoyed at the Artifact Spirit's earlier antics, Yang Jian knew the value of subduing an Innate Spiritual Treasure in one move.

Li Mingzhu followed Yang Jian leisurely, without putting in any effort. He had no desire for the treasure, so naturally, he had no intention of assisting Yang Jian.

At the palace's core, Yang Jian found a massive iron fan lying horizontally in the hall's center. Its bones gleamed silver-white, materials unknown.

The edges of the fan appeared razor-sharp, and though its power hadn't been demonstrated yet, Li Mingzhu was nearly certain it was an unparalleled Innate Spiritual Treasure.

But the design? That was a bit embarrassing. Just imagine—Yang Jian wielding what looked like a woman's hand-held fan during battle. What a sight that would be!

The thought made Li Mingzhu want to laugh, and Yang Jian shot him a fierce glare, clearly displeased.

Still, even if it wasn't entirely satisfactory, an Innate Supreme Spiritual Treasure was a treasure nonetheless. Yang Jian couldn't possibly let it slip away.

With a leap, Yang Jian reached below the iron fan and yanked it up. Instantly, the fan was his.

Though the fan was large, it was no match for Yang Jian's immense physical strength!

"Put it down immediately!"

A frantic voice burst out as the white phantasmal Artifact Spirit finally revealed its form, exclaiming in fear that Yang Jian might damage its treasure.

"Why should I listen to you?"

Yang Jian sneered. It was merely a Spiritual Treasure—so what if it was an Innate Supreme treasure?

Outraged by its earlier provocation, Yang Jian lifted the iron fan and, without hesitation, began smashing it onto the ground repeatedly.

Li Mingzhu sighed, rubbing his temple—what a violent brute!

"Stop! I told you to stop!"

The Artifact Spirit, now appearing as a twelve-year-old girl, seemed to be on the verge of tears. She stomped her feet in mid-air, utterly panicked, but Yang Jian remained unfazed.

Even as a delicate little spirit girl, Yang Jian showed no mercy. His disdain outweighed any inclination to spare her.

Li Mingzhu observed amusedly but noted that had the girl spoken differently, Yang Jian might not have treated her so harshly. Her impudent tone—she only had herself to blame.

Unbothered by the spectacle, Li Mingzhu muttered inwardly that the wisest course of action was to start refining the treasure immediately. With the treasure in hand, the Artifact Spirit was ultimately irrelevant.

"Ahhh!"

The spirit girl seemed desperately cornered, letting out a piercing cry as the iron fan erupted in endless storm energy—a massive tempest formed from the winds earlier encountered in the cave.

Yang Jian proved his mettle—refusing to release the fan even as the storm intensified and raged. He brandished his Three-pointed Two-edged Blade single-handedly, blocking the tempest head-on.

Li Mingzhu recognized his cue to intervene. If Yang Jian insisted on enduring the storm alone, he, too, would likely end up as battered and bruised as Li Mingzhu had been after emerging from the Absolute Heaven Storm.

No doubt, Yang Jian would suffer grievous injuries. Unfurling his Mixed Heaven Silk, Li Mingzhu neutralized the entirety of the storm with ease.

Ultimately, without someone wielding it, the treasure's unleashed power, while overwhelming, remained limited.

Yang Jian had struggled with the storm only due to his stubborn refusal to back down—if he had dropped the fan and focused solely on defending himself, he could've managed it just fine.

With Li Mingzhu shielding him from the storm, Yang Jian surged forward, overpowering the Artifact Spirit and suppressing it forcibly, then swiftly storing the iron fan away.

Yang Jian didn't intend to refine the Absolute Heaven Fan himself. Knowing Li Mingzhu's penchant for mockery, Yang Jian already anticipated ridicule. Instead, he planned to gift the treasure to Yang Chan.

Though Yang Chan possessed the Treasure Lotus Lamp, her offensive capabilities were somewhat lacking—the Absolute Heaven Fan would complement her well.

However, this arrangement seemed to benefit Li Mingzhu in the end, which left Yang Jian feeling uneasy. Still, he had no choice. His younger sister had grown up and sided with an outsider, especially a fellow disciple—and what could he do?

This was a large part of why Yang Jian was so hostile toward Li Mingzhu—because of his sister, Yang Chan.

Li Mingzhu, oblivious to this underlying tension, merely assumed Yang Jian was naturally antagonistic toward him.

"Hand over the treasure, and we'll spare your lives!"

"Surrender the treasure!"

...

At that moment, a group of loose cultivators burst in. The commotion within Jue Tian Palace was too conspicuous to remain unnoticed. Moreover, the palace's reputation alone made it apparent that its most coveted treasure—the Absolute Heaven Storm—must be inside.

Their earlier inability to detect it was due to infighting upon entry. Now that the treasure had been claimed, the loose cultivators quickly united against the intruders.

"You want the treasure?"

Li Mingzhu intended to respond but was cut off by Yang Jian. Having bottled up his frustration, Yang Jian welcomed these loose cultivators as fodder for his wrath.

As for Li Mingzhu, Yang Jian's expression clearly conveyed that he should stay out of it.

Li Mingzhu glared at Yang Jian but got no reaction—the cold, indifferent stare from Yang Jian seemed to challenge, "If you intervene, we'll settle this ourselves."

Knowing better than to provoke Yang Jian in this mood, Li Mingzhu withdrew and let him show off, while he leisurely set about gathering Star Essence.

No effort was needed, the treasure was his—all he had to do was wait. What could be more delightful?

As for the Absolute Heaven Fan, Li Mingzhu already guessed Yang Jian's intentions, which made him all the more satisfied.

Gifted to Yang Chan—it was practically his, wasn't it?

With nothing done and yet having acquired the coveted Star Essence—enough to begin crafting the 365 Star Flags—and a supreme Innate Treasure effortlessly as well, Li Mingzhu reveled in his success.

Even the trouble afterward had been handled by Yang Jian. When realization eventually dawned on Yang Jian, he'd undoubtedly be simmering with resentment again. Li Mingzhu smirked at the thought.