Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Jing sat on the chair, his eyes slightly narrowed, while his left hand repeatedly rubbed the bridge of his nose, as if trying to relieve fatigue.

Although he possessed Primordial Spirit Cultivation, the constant handling of trifling matters in recent days and coming up with those three strategies had left him feeling somewhat mentally exhausted.

Despite the tiredness, he felt satisfied. How could a mere General of Chentang Pass fully unleash his talents without restraint? Even the Marquis Beihai position feels too small to Li Jing.

He believed his abilities could easily qualify him for the role of one of the four major marquises. When ambition arises, one is filled with energy for anything.

"Father's talent is truly remarkable. Assigning him to the Marquis Beihai position is indeed perfect. Haha!"

Li Mingzhu emerged from the shadows, saluting Li Jing. He didn't mind lavishing praise on Li Jing, as the latter indeed had the capability.

"Enough, your father is already exhausted. Since you've returned, let's have a meal together. Though you, as one of the Immortal folk, have already transcended the need to eat the Five Grains, let's consider it a gathering!"

Li Jing said with a smile, perking up immediately when he saw Li Mingzhu return.

Li Jing's immense drive stemmed, in no small part, from his wish to prove himself before his son. With such an exceptional offspring, there was certainly pressure.

"Alright!"

Li Mingzhu naturally wouldn't refuse. The pair went to the back hall together, gave instructions, and preparations began.

Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu subtly released a hint of his aura, believing that anyone sensitive to it should come over.

"Father, I heard all your orders earlier. They were truly impressive. However, relying on nearby cities to purchase more grain may be too slow. I plan to visit the Holy Emperor Palace in Fire Cloud Cave and ask the Shennong Saint Emperor to grant us the Five Grains!"

Li Mingzhu said to Li Jing along the way. This was not only the fastest and best solution but also his chance to see if he could bring the drought demoness (his daughter) to Fire Cloud Cave for a visit.

After all, they were father and daughter, and nothing was insurmountable!

"If you're capable of this, that would be wonderful. But if it's not feasible, don't force yourself!"

Li Jing understood that Li Mingzhu was trying to help reduce expenditures. Money, while not crucial, would still be needed for many things in the days ahead.

The old saying was indeed true: money isn't everything, but without it, you are truly powerless.

The first to arrive was Fu Yao. He still appeared a bit naive, but compared to the first time, he seemed markedly more competent.

Indeed, what he initially lacked was experience and tempering. A piece of raw jade nearly wasted from spending too much time under Kunpeng's control in North Sea.

"Brother Li, long time no see. You're still the same as ever, but as for me... Sigh, better not to talk about it!"

Fu Yao wore a face of grievance. After Li Mingzhu became a hands-off leader and handed over North Sea City to him, Fu Yao struggled miserably without Li Jing's capabilities. He had been in dire straits recently.

"It's all fine now. Sit down. Let's discuss everything over drinks!"

Li Mingzhu laughed heartily. Shortly afterward, Yang Chan and Ao Yu arrived together, their relationship currently excellent.

Li Mingzhu couldn't understand it—two individuals who previously disliked each other had now become close friends.

Afterward, a few younger members and the Yin clan also arrived one after another. Everyone gathered together, as their recent days of traveling had been exhausting. At last, wine alleviated their sorrows.

On this occasion, Li Mingzhu was remarkably generous, offering unlimited spiritual medicines and wine—a gesture that delighted the younger companions.

As for the food, though it was the finest quality in the Mortal World, it failed to catch their refined taste.

The family feast eventually turned into a drinking competition among several men.

When everyone dispersed, Li Mingzhu told Li Jing he would go find the drought demoness and give it a try.

During the banquet, the drought demoness hadn't shown up, which Li Mingzhu understood.

The drought demoness lived in a remote courtyard of the Marquis Mansion. Though not luxurious, it was quiet.

"I, a humble Daoist, wish to visit Fire Cloud Cave to seek the Five Grains. I request Princess's assistance!"

Li Mingzhu didn't enter the courtyard but called out from outside.

With his own reputation and connections, considering the benefit to the Human Clan, asking for the Five Grains shouldn't be difficult. Yet Li Mingzhu still sought the drought demoness's help.

It was an act of offering her an opportunity to rise, but whether she would accept it depended entirely on her.

Having made the request, Li Mingzhu didn't linger and immediately departed.

In a flash, he disappeared, heading toward Chaos.

Compared to a Saint's Daoist School, Fire Cloud Cave was much easier to locate—as it lay at the boundary between the starscape and Chaos.

As for whether the drought demoness followed, Li Mingzhu had no way of knowing. His cultivation couldn't yet discern it.

Despite his sharp spiritual senses, the drought demoness could easily avoid detection if she wished.

With Fire Cloud Cave in sight, Li Mingzhu adjusted his attire and walked forward slowly, guided by starlight.

"I, Li Mingzhu from the Human Clan, seek an audience with the Saint Emperor. I come to request the Five Grains for the disaster victims of North Sea—may the Saint Emperor grant them!"

Li Mingzhu spoke directly. Renowned for their benevolence, Human Emperors tended to favor such sincerity.

"Come in, leave the door open!"

A voice of overwhelming majesty, yet imbued with a spring breeze-like warmth, resonated. If Li Mingzhu had to describe it, one phrase came to mind:

"The thunder and the dew, all are the blessings of the ruler." Such was the feeling.

The Saint Emperor bore the fortune of the Human Clan but simultaneously ruled over all races. This sensation was entirely fitting.

Li Mingzhu continued forward as the grand door of the Holy Emperor Palace slowly opened—resplendent and majestic.

It bore none of the ostentation of the Dragon Clan but rather an aura of supreme dominance, as though the Human Clan was the true protagonist of the Primordial World!

Upon hearing the instruction to keep the door open, Li Mingzhu already understood that the drought demoness had likely followed unseen. Whether she would enter, however, remained uncertain.

Stepping into the palace, he saw three Saint Emperors seated upon cloud thrones. Though all had once been Mortal World rulers, they now appeared more like Immortals cultivating the Dao.

The leader was the handsome Fu Xi Saint Emperor, with the Fu Xi's Zither before him—his treasure of enlightenment.

Next was the humble Shennong Saint Emperor, the most unassuming among the three, resembling a neighborly uncle. Before him lay the Creation and Transformation Cauldron, another treasure of enlightenment.

The last was the most imposing Xuanyuan Saint Emperor, the only one of the trio to have achieved enlightenment through warfare. He sat without an accompanying treasure.

"Whoosh!"

A golden streak shot into the palace from outside—a Holy Sword landing precisely in front of Xuanyuan Saint Emperor.

It was none other than the Xuanyuan Sword. Upon his return to North Sea, Li Mingzhu had already returned the sword to the drought demoness, as it belonged to the Saint Emperor.

"Sigh!"

All three Saint Emperors sighed. The drought demoness's refusal to enter the palace left them helpless, especially Xuanyuan Saint Emperor, who sighed deeply.

Even as beings comparable to Saints, the Saint Emperors of the Human Clan proved powerless—unable even to meet their daughter.

Shennong Saint Emperor empathized deeply. His own unfortunate daughter, now transformed into a Jingwei bird and filling the sea, shared a similar plight.

Even as Saint Emperors, they remained unable to attain true liberation for their daughters!