Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After killing off the loose cultivators, the murderous aura surrounding Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian finally abated somewhat. The two returned to Nine-Headed City.

"Are your injuries serious?"

Yang Jian pulled Yang Chan aside, distancing her particularly far from Li Mingzhu, and asked with concern.

"Second Brother, how many times are you going to say this? If you're not tired of asking, I'm tired of answering. I've told you already, it's nothing serious. Ao Yu did most of the fighting; I was just assisting. How badly could I be hurt? Besides, with you two feeding me spiritual medicine nonstop, I'm going to end up with internal injuries even if I didn't have any to begin with. Don't you know that medicine has its toxicity, even if it's miraculous?"

Yang Chan cast an annoyed glance at Yang Jian, and without paying heed to his objections, returned to Li Mingzhu's side.

Meanwhile, on Li Mingzhu's side, things were much quieter between him and Ao Yu; the two exchanged no words, only gazes.

Nothing needed to be said. I know your intentions, and that is enough.

"Your sword intent has broken through again?"

Li Mingzhu, sensing the overwhelming, cutting aura emanating from Ao Yu, asked joyfully. No wonder Yu Ding regarded Ao Yu so highly.

After a great battle, Ao Yu's sword intent had ascended another level. At this rate, Ao Yu might be the first among their group to break through to Daluo Golden Immortal.

Sword Cultivators were always known for their rapid advancement, but for Ao Yu to ascend to Taiyi Golden Immortal so quickly while advancing his sword intent at such a pace was definitely beyond Li Mingzhu's expectations.

"Yes, it just broke through. I'm still having trouble controlling it!"

The group was now headed toward another major forbidden ground in the Demon Clan's world—the Phoenix Tree. Rumors had it that Yu Ding was here battling against Ming He. This likely explained why Yu Ding was unable to make the trip to find Yang Chan and Ao Yu.

Yang Chan returned to Li Mingzhu's side, remaining silent as the three walked together. Yang Jian, however, flew alone, isolated on the other side.

All four had considerable cultivation, and since the Phoenix Tree was located within the Beiming realm, they quickly reached their destination.

The Phoenix Tree lived up to its name. Although it was a towering tree, its crown at the very top resembled a phoenix spreading its wings, preparing for flight.

As they approached the Phoenix Tree, an overwhelming stench of blood permeated the air—not Ming He's Blood Sea aura, but the authentic scent of rivers of blood.

Underneath the Phoenix Tree lay countless corpses, both from the Demon Clan and the Human Clan. There was no need for guessing; they were all loose cultivators.

The Demon Clan's natives clearly didn't dare get involved here. After all, Ming He alone was capable of challenging the Beiming Imperial City—not to mention Yu Ding's presence as well.

It was evident that these loose cultivators had discovered that the Demon Treasure might lie within one of the ten great forbidden grounds, prompting them to seek fortune. Sadly, they encountered the deadly combination of Ming He and Yu Ding.

Even if the two were in the midst of a fierce battle, they were certainly not targets for these loose cultivators to meddle with.

In fact, these cultivators might have been eliminated by the joint efforts of Ming He and Yu Ding themselves. To beings like them, these loose cultivators were utterly insignificant.

In the Primordial World, some individuals inherently possessed a supreme sense of superiority—born with it, like Ming He, Kunpeng, and Zhen Yuanzi, Innate Great Deities who, despite also being loose cultivators, still looked down upon other loose cultivators.

On another level were the Saint disciples, such as Yu Ding. This arrogance wasn't exclusive to the Chan Sect; all Saints' disciples shared this trait, though the Chan Sect exhibited it most prominently.

Saints regarded all beings in the world as mere ants, and those beneath them held the same view toward those below them.

The Primordial World was simply such a place—a world where strength dictated everything. If loose cultivators were strong enough, they naturally acquired a voice; if not, they were just ants.

This was why loose cultivators risked everything to fight for opportunities. Without fortune, how could they compete against Saint disciples?

Li Mingzhu understood it all but did nothing for these loose cultivators—he saw their plight as self-inflicted.

The cruel laws of the jungle in the Primordial World had long been etched into his heart. Since he couldn't change them, he had to adapt, cultivating a resilient spirit.

The four ignored the corpses, leaping forward and beginning their ascent of the Phoenix Tree.

Climbing along the trunk, they witnessed countless ravines and sword scars along the way.

Clearly, Ming He and Yu Ding had fought their way up. Originally, the climb up the Phoenix Tree should have been hindered, just as when Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian entered the Absolute Heaven Storm.

But the battle between Ming He and Yu Ding had swept away all the obstacles, demonstrating the terrifying power of the two.

With no barriers left, the four quickly reached the treetop.

"Yu Ding, you're already gravely wounded. I advise you to retreat immediately. It wouldn't bode well for a Saint's direct disciple to perish in this small world!"

Upon reaching the crown, the four heard Ming He's cold, chilling voice.

"Come fight!"

Enraged by the taunting voice, Yang Jian, driven by his protective instincts for his master, dashed forward heedlessly.

Li Mingzhu had no choice but to follow and lend him a hand—a favor that Yang Jian had once extended to him. He couldn't abandon him now.

Though Li Mingzhu could have stood by and watched Ming He kill Yu Ding, abstaining from helping Yang Jian—a choice that would align with his allegiance as a Jie Sect disciple—could he truly bring himself to do that?

Helping was also a pragmatic necessity. If Ming He defeated Yu Ding and Yang Jian, could he, along with Ao Yu and Yang Chan, still walk away unscathed?

Not to mention, refusing to assist might lead Yang Chan to resent him for the rest of her life.

"Two juniors approach—perfect timing! My Blood River Master shall resolve you all today!"

Ming He let out a cold snort, his blood-colored Daoist robe transforming into a boundless Blood Sea, blocking Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian.

Though Yu Ding was gravely injured, he was far from dying. And while he was hurt, Ming He wasn't in great shape either—there was certainly some posturing in his dramatic declaration.

Yu Ding, unwilling to let Ming He's arrogance go unchecked, unleashed a sword strike toward the Blood Sea. Though severely injured, he would not allow Ming He this brazen superiority.

The sword light surged like a rainbow, its sword intent vastly surpassing Ao Yu's level, instantly piercing through the Blood Sea.

If Ming He's main form had struck, Yu Ding wouldn't have been capable of such a feat. But against this mere avatar of Ming He, Yu Ding prevailed.

Li Mingzhu and Yang Jian successfully joined forces with Yu Ding. Now, the trio faced Ming He, the animosity between them palpable, though no one made the first move.

This equilibrium lasted mere moments. With Yu Ding's cold utterance of the word "Kill," both Yang Jian and Li Mingzhu struck decisively.

Yu Ding understood better than anyone that if they failed to eradicate Ming He's primary battle avatar here, such an opportunity would be rare to come by again.

This reasoning explained his relentless battle against Ming He for over a month. If they couldn't achieve victory today, then all previous effort would have been in vain.