Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The four Daluo Golden Immortals, who excel in combined assault tactics, acted without hesitation. Before Yang Chan and Ao Yu could find their footing, the four joined forces once more, conjuring a light sword that surged fiercely towards the two women.

The Treasure Lotus Lamp stood firm like an indestructible wall, blocking the attack. However, the force of the aftershock still pushed the two back by several dozen zhang. But merely defending was not in Ao Yu's nature.

"Help me!"

Ao Yu locked eyes with Yang Chan, her gaze utterly resolute.

"Alright!"

Although fully aware of the extreme danger involved, Yang Chan had no choice but to agree to Ao Yu's call for aid given the dire situation before them.

The Treasure Lotus Lamp not only served as a source of mana but also possessed the ability to forcibly transfer one's cultivation and mana to another. Yet, this came with enormous risks.

Not only was the recipient endangered, but the one transmitting their power faced equally precarious consequences.

This particular function of the Treasure Lotus Lamp was highly secretive. Even Li Mingzhu, who had used the lamp numerous times, was unaware of it. However, as the lamp's original owner, Yang Chan knew this ability well.

The two had anticipated such a scenario in the past and had even practiced for it—though only in a superficial manner.

After all, practice differed significantly from real-life combat. At least during practice, they wouldn't have to risk everything. In real battles, the uncertainties were infinitely greater.

Especially in such a dire moment, the two knew there was no other choice.

Though the River Map and Luo Book could offer defenses, they were ultimately passive in nature, and the two had not yet reached a point where such measures would suffice alone.

Immediately, a seven-colored brilliance enveloped the two women from the Treasure Lotus Lamp. As the light reached the ground, it split into two distinct beams, falling respectively on Yang Chan and Ao Yu, creating a profound connection between them.

Seizing the moment before the four Daluo Golden Immortals could unleash another joint technique, the pair hastily transmitted mana and cultivation to each other. With Yang Chan's contribution, Ao Yu's aura rose steadily and forcefully.

Originally at the Taiyi Golden Immortal Middle Stage, Ao Yu, bolstered by Yang Chan's cultivation and mana, didn't breach the Daluo Golden Immortal stage but ascended to the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal.

The Daluo Golden Immortal stage was a formidable bottleneck. Surpassing it required far more than an accumulation of mana and cultivation; otherwise, countless geniuses of the Primordial World wouldn't have been stopped in their tracks.

"The sword transforms into an Azure Dragon!"

The process of transmitting cultivation and mana went smoothly, just as they had rehearsed, without any dangers arising.

Ao Yu raised the Immortal Slaying Sword, and a brilliant streak of azure radiance took the form of a dragon, with sword qi surging violently. Her mastery of sword intent was unleashed to its fullest.

The Azure Dragon was merely a manifestation; the essence of the technique lay in the sword intent. Ao Yu's sword intent had long transcended her current cultivation level, and with the enhancements of her peak-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivation, its power was now fully unleashed.

The sword light inevitably struck the four Daluo Golden Immortals. Unyielding, they jointly conjured a protective light shield. Though the sword light was sharp, it couldn't penetrate the shield.

If the standoff continued, neither the four Daluo Golden Immortals could overcome Ao Yu and Yang Chan, nor could the duo defeat the immortals.

However, the immortals could afford to drag out the battle, while Ao Yu and Yang Chan could not!

The disparity in innate magical power between the two women and the four Daluo Golden Immortals was enormous. Their current advantage was only possible due to the aid of the Treasure Lotus Lamp. If this stalemate persisted, defeat was inevitable for Ao Yu and Yang Chan.

The Daluo Golden Immortals, cunning as they were, began to form a prison construct. They didn't aim for a decisive victory but sought merely to trap the two women.

Though Ao Yu and Yang Chan were well aware of the immortals' treacherous tactics, they had no means to evade. The gulf in cultivation rendered any attempt to dodge futile.

Escape was similarly impossible due to their lack of speed. Thus, they could only watch helplessly as the prison descended upon them.

Seeing no other choice, Ao Yu and Yang Chan ceased their resistance. Each retrieved a River Map and Luo Book. Since escape was futile, they would rely on the divine books of defense instead.

The River Map and Luo Book, containing remnants of Li Mingzhu's mana, were their sole hope of signaling her for assistance.

The two books combined, immediately clashing against the descending prison. Yet, the disparity in cultivation meant neither side could force a resolution.

If the mana within the River Map and Luo Book from Li Mingzhu were depleted, Ao Yu and Yang Chan would have to rely solely on their own mana, leading inexorably to their defeat.

"Surrender your spiritual treasure, and we will spare your lives!"

Ao Yu and Yang Chan paid no heed. Even when faced with certain doom, what of it?

"Hurry up!"

Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu, rushing toward Beiming, sensed the activation of the River Map and Luo Book. Alarmed, she urged Yang Jian to pick up the pace.

"What's happening?"

"It's bad. Ao Yu and the others are already using the River Map and Luo Book in defense!"

Li Mingzhu spoke plainly, her words causing Yang Jian's expression to change drastically. Without hesitation, he surged forward with swift urgency.

Li Mingzhu mirrored his speed. Whoever dared harm Ao Yu and Yang Chan would pay with their lives!

Yes, their lives. Dragons have reverse scales—touch them, and you die!

Outside Nine-Headed City, an army of 100,000 pressed forward in unison.

Beyond the suppressive prison, the 100,000-strong demon army launched a coordinated assault. This was no ordinary mortal regiment but a veritable horde of demon soldiers.

Even an unstructured barrage of attacks from such a number was a terrifying force, and Ao Yu and her partner had no opportunity to retaliate.

Previously, Ao Yu had wreaked havoc in the army because the troops couldn't organize a counteroffensive. Once mobilized, the situation changed entirely.

"Boom!"

The first strike fell. Though the River Map and Luo Book bore the brunt, the mana left by Li Mingzhu within them was utterly depleted.

"Die!"

The four Daluo Golden Immortals, seeing that Ao Yu and Yang Chan persisted in their desperate resistance, abandoned their plans to capture them alive. Instead, they unleashed a massive offensive spell together.

A colossal phantom image of a nine-headed serpent appeared in the air, embodying the Beiming imperial family's slaughter skill. The nine-headed serpent, a high-tier demon species, stood as a symbol of power among the Demon Clan.

Though its legacy was incomplete within the Demon Clan's records, its might was undeniable, serving as the crushing blow in this battle. Like the proverbial last straw, it was the deciding factor.

"Nine Lotus Radiance!"

Yang Chan snorted coldly. While the Treasure Lotus Lamp lacked offensive capabilities, that didn't mean it was incapable of attack altogether.

The seven-colored light of the lamp transformed into nine lotus petals that scattered, regrouped into a lotus platform, and finally condensed into a single lotus seed.

The lotus seed shot into the phantom image of the nine-headed serpent like a bullet. Though the serpent was fearsome, its incomplete legacy limited its full potential. The lotus seed pierced its body, causing its aura to diminish.

Despite its power, it wasn't as overwhelming as before. The nine-headed serpent's phantom continued its assault on the River Map and Luo Book.

The books trembled incessantly but barely managed to hold their defense.

As the serpent's relentless attacks pressed on, Ao Yu and Yang Chan coughed blood repeatedly. Meanwhile, the four Daluo Golden Immortals combined forces once more to craft a second phantom.

It must be noted that the combined assaults of these four had even posed difficulties for the likes of Minghe in the past.

Two nine-headed serpent phantoms descended together, hammering down in relentless unison. Although the River Map and Luo Book absorbed another attack, they were now on the verge of collapse.

One more assault, and the defenses would shatter. Ao Yu and Yang Chan, already gravely injured, were likewise at their limits.

Blood dripped from both women. Ao Yu's yellow gauze gown was stained crimson, while Yang Chan's cyan tunic was no better, splattered with scarlet streaks.

"If you remain stubborn, then die!"

The four Daluo Golden Immortals roared in unison. Both nine-headed serpent phantoms crashed down once more, accompanied by a simultaneous barrage from the 100,000-strong army.

"How dare you!"

At that critical moment, a long spear and a long blade descended from the heavens, followed by the Qiankun Ring imbued with the essence of water and fire.

Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian had arrived—though still thousands of meters away, their weapons had struck first.