Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu remained focused on her cultivation in the courtyard, meticulously planning her next steps, while Lei Zhenzi and his companions had finally arrived at the edge of the East Sea. The three young cultivators were thrilled to have a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy the freedom of the outside world.

Fortunately, these three understood their priorities. Aware of the precious treasures in their possession, they refrained from stirring any troubles.

After all, Li Mingzhu's teachings were deeply ingrained in their minds: until they had absolute power to protect themselves, they must never flaunt their wealth.

Especially when it came to treasures like the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Map and the Primordial Golden Bowl—if anything went wrong, even Li Mingzhu herself wouldn't be able to justify it.

But problems often arise even when one tries to avoid them, and the three young cultivators, despite their swift journey, were already being watched as easy prey.

What was the most notorious presence across the seas of the future?

Undoubtedly, it was pirates. Not only did they exist in modern oceans, but such a trade also thrived in the Primordial World seas.

Unlike the modern-day pirates relying on firearms and cannons, the pirates of the Primordial World relied on their cultivation and deep familiarity with the oceans.

Numerous islands dotted the East Sea—some were Loose Cultivators' cave mansions, others served as Daoist schools for Saints' disciples, trade hubs like Three Mountains Island, and notorious pirate bases.

Giant Turtle Island was one such example, ruled by the Giant Turtle Patriarch, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal stage. His reputation in the East Sea was far from commendable.

The man was utterly unscrupulous—none of the cultivators he robbed ever survived, and he didn't believe in ransoming captives for their treasure.

For Loose Cultivators navigating the East Sea, encountering anyone from Giant Turtle Island was a death sentence. Survival was not an option.

At present, Lei Zhenzi, Golden Crow, and little Zhu Xiong had become targets of the island's second-in-command, Ice Cicada Patriarch, whose cultivation was in the early Taiyi Golden Immortal stage and who was renowned for his ruthlessness.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly, a towering wave surged skyward, and Lei Zhenzi, the most alert of the trio, quickly yanked little Zhu Xiong back, a glimmer of wisdom shining in his eyes.

Among the three, Lei Zhenzi was undoubtedly the most perceptive when it came to formations and decision-making.

His instincts immediately detected something amiss. After all, their journey had been smooth thus far—such sudden turbulence was clearly unnatural.

The giant wave receded, revealing approximately thirty murderous figures ascending from the sea, each radiating with cruel and hostile energy.

"Hand over your treasures, and we may consider sparing your lives!"

The gold-armored man at the forefront wielded a thin-bladed sword, pointing it menacingly at the trio. His followers echoed his demand in unison.

"You must be joking, honored brother. How could insignificant youngsters like us possibly have Spiritual Treasures?"

Lei Zhenzi kept his expression calm, smiling as he replied. Meanwhile, he had already begun inscribing formations in secret.

When faced with malicious intent, all enemies could be killed without mercy!

Though young, Lei Zhenzi had spent years alongside Ao Yu and female demon Nü Ba. In terms of decisiveness and ruthlessness, he was even fiercer than Li Mingzhu.

"Stop your nonsense, brat. Your Grandpa Ice Cicada has seen more people than you've eaten meals. Trying to deceive me? Hand over your treasures quickly—I can already smell their scent!"

The gold-armored man sneered, and with a wave of his hand, all thirty pirates surrounded the trio entirely!

"Attack!"

Lei Zhenzi returned the sneer—he had already determined these were no decent folk.

"Activate the Five Elements Thunder Formation!"

With a wave of Lei Zhenzi's hand, a massive Thunder Formation instantly materialized. Though he wasn't yet capable of setting up formations in an instant, the brief moments prior had been enough for him to complete it.

Multicolored thunderbolts descended from the sky, forming what resembled a great Thunder Pool on the sea, as terrifying streaks of lightning relentlessly struck the pirates.

But the offensive had only just begun. Following Lei Zhenzi's command, Golden Crow, little Zhu Xiong, and Tiger Fool charged headlong into the fray.

Lei Zhenzi, on the other hand, focused solely on directing thunderbolts to strike Ice Cicada Patriarch—the colors of the Five Elements: Jia Wood, Bing Fire, Geng Metal, Kui Water, and Xu Earth—all targeted him alone.

Even an experienced Taiyi Golden Immortal would struggle to repel such lightning assaults, let alone Ice Cicada Patriarch, who had only just reached that stage.

The outcome was unsurprising: the three youngsters, aided by Tiger Fool, wiped out all thirty pirates, and upon learning of the pirates' main base, they went directly for it.

Of course, they didn't act rashly. Under Lei Zhenzi's calculated designs, the trio successfully deployed the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation around Giant Turtle Island.

Though the effort was taxing, they succeeded in the end, although the Primordial Golden Bowl couldn't be activated again for now.

Even so, eradicating the peak-level Taiyi Golden Immortal Giant Turtle Patriarch was effortless thanks to the sheer power of the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation.

The final result proved this point; not a single soul was left alive on Giant Turtle Island!

Initially, the Giant Turtle Patriarch had arrogantly demanded Lei Zhenzi and his companions remove the formation and surrender their treasures to resolve the conflict. One had to wonder where his confidence came from. Utterly greedy and delusional, he was a classic example of a snake swallowing an elephant.

The ruthless measures employed by Lei Zhenzi and his companions not only failed to provoke disdain from the Sea Clan or Loose Cultivators but instead earned widespread gratitude.

Now, wherever the trio traveled across the East Sea, they were treated as esteemed guests, with genuine respect and reverence.

Encouraged by their success, the three young cultivators began to relentlessly hunt down pirate bases, crushing them one by one.

With Lei Zhenzi, a master of formations, among them, escape was impossible for any pirate. Each encounter ended in complete annihilation.

The trio delighted in their task, the admiration and reverence for them growing steadily. Yet, there were those waiting for their downfall. Not all pirates were mere heartless marauders—some operated under specific rules and dynamics.

Much like modern urban gangs collecting protection fees and engaging in brawls—why were they left untouched?

Because they operated within certain established rules. Put plainly, such gang members played dual roles—villains by night and public servants, like city enforcers, by day!

The irony was palpable, yet such was the truth. In every era, these entities existed.

On the ocean, it was no different. Some pirates existed because powerful factions intentionally fostered them.

Their raids increased these factions' resources and provided a means to suppress opposing forces covertly.

Competition was omnipresent, especially in the brutal expanse of the seas, where such agreements and balances had long been established.

The appearance of Lei Zhenzi and his companions had undoubtedly disrupted this delicate balance.

If they had only destroyed Giant Turtle Island, everyone would have rejoiced—it was an unsanctioned pirate base, notorious for taking no sides and respecting no authority.

But other pirates were different—they existed as tools exploited by major powers in the seas.