Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"Nonsense! If you were to harmonize it with Yin Qi, that would only push the Parasol Wood closer to death. What does a mere blacksmith like you know about healing and saving lives?"

The words of the Quasi-Saint had not yet fully settled when a gruff voice rang out, directly refuting him.

"Old Daoist, I may be a blacksmith, but aren't you one too, Murong Di?"

The old Quasi-Saint showed no intention of backing down and retorted immediately.

Meanwhile, Luo Xuan began explaining to Li Mingzhu the identities of the two disputants. The older one was a prominent Loose Cultivator in the Primordial World, a Grandmaster in artifact refining and expert in Fire Daoist Skill. The other, likewise, was a Grandmaster in artifact refining. Neither had ever accepted defeat to the other.

Having both been invited by the Phoenix Clan to Nanli Volcano, the two had been locked in constant debate over these past days.

"Regardless, your claim is utter nonsense. If, as you say, Yin-Yang harmonization is required, let's not even talk about whether the Parasol Wood could withstand it; where on earth would we even source such Yin Qi?"

Murong Di sneered coldly. Given the chance to strike at his old rival, he wouldn't let it slide.

"And what great insight do you have, then?"

The old man stopped arguing and instead asked directly.

"By utilizing Supreme Yang Fire to absorb the violent Spiritual Energy within the Parasol Wood, only then can it be fully healed."

Murong Di said with great confidence. This was also the prevailing view of most experts in this field and the reason why the Phoenix Clan had gone to such lengths to invite practitioners of Fire Daoist Skill.

Murong Di's proposal quickly gained the approval of the surrounding crowd. Most shared this theory. The only exception was Li Mingzhu, who let out a faint smile.

If they followed Murong Di's method, that would indeed doom the Parasol Wood. Though the old man's idea sounded far-fetched, it came much closer to the truth.

"Exactly! Murong Grandmaster is indeed a virtuous high practitioner of the Nine Yang True Fire, unraveling the mystery in a single statement!"

"Precisely! Murong Grandmaster's mastery of the Nine Yang True Fire is just what's needed to save the Parasol Wood!"

"With Murong Grandmaster's assistance, the Parasol Wood will surely be delivered from peril!"

...

The endless flattery filled the air, but Li Mingzhu remained silent.

As a Quasi-Saint and renowned artifact refining master, Murong Di naturally attracted much fawning company across the Primordial World. It was no surprise that sycophants rushed to sing his praises.

"Nephew Mingzhu, what are your thoughts on this?"

Luo Xuan, noticing Li Mingzhu's lack of reaction, assumed he had something certain in mind and posed the question.

In truth, Luo Xuan internally leaned towards Murong Di's approach but couldn't shake a sense of unease. His innate pride, of course, prevented him from joining the flattery.

After all, a Loose Cultivator Quasi-Saint, even an artifact refining master, hardly deserved much consideration in the face of the mighty Jie Sect.

The Jie Sect's pride was no less than the Chan Sect's, though the two expressed it differently. The Chan Sect was outwardly arrogant but, apart from a rare few, were essentially spineless. The Jie Sect's arrogance, in contrast, radiated from within—unshakable like the legacy of the Tongtian Saint.

"All of it is fallacy."

Li Mingzhu spoke calmly, rebutting both Quasi-Saints without a ripple of emotion, his supreme confidence radiating in every word.

"Who is this brat to so boldly refute both Master Murong and Master Lin?"

Though Li Mingzhu's voice was soft, everyone present was at least a Daluo cultivator—no one lesser could have entered this place. Instantly, someone stepped forward to question him, not waiting for the two masters to respond.

"It's Li Mingzhu! The Jie Sect's Li Mingzhu!"

Someone recognized his identity, for not long before, Li Mingzhu had confronted Princess Feng Qian face-to-face.

"Who is this Li Mingzhu of the Jie Sect? When did the Jie Sect produce such a figure?"

"I've heard he's a third-generation disciple, yet deeply favored by the Tongtian Saint, personally taught by Duobao Immortal Venerable, and the sole direct disciple of Wudang Saint Mother!"

"His cultivation may not be high, but his physical body is astonishingly powerful. It's said he once defeated Red Essence before he even became a Quasi-Saint!"

...

The Primordial World, vast yet interconnected, naturally contained rumors of Li Mingzhu's deeds, and several individuals began recounting his background.

Being a third-generation disciple of the Jie Sect alone wasn't remarkable. But the feat of defeating Red Essence before his transition to Quasi-Saint commanded undeniable respect!

After all, in the Primordial World, strength garnered reverence wherever it went.

"Who I am is none of your business. The truth or fallacy of what the two masters have said—what concern is it of yours?"

Li Mingzhu fixed his gaze on the person questioning him, a boundless and domineering aura pressing down upon them, exuding supremacy.

No matter if they were a Daluo Golden Immortal, under Li Mingzhu's oppressive aura, resistance itself became an impossibility in that moment.

"Friend, aren't you overstepping?"

Murong Di finally spoke, intervening to shield the individual from Li Mingzhu's aura. The rescued person let out a breath of relief but shot a look of resentment at Li Mingzhu.

Li Mingzhu showed no concern. If they wished to cause him trouble, they were welcome to try—the consequences, however, were their own to bear.

"I merely speak the truth. If Master Murong cannot accept it, I'll simply take my leave."

Li Mingzhu's tone remained composed, showing no deference despite Murong Di's status as a Quasi-Saint.

On the sidelines, Luo Xuan began to regret his decision. Had he known Li Mingzhu would prove so arrogant and dismissive, he wouldn't have bothered asking him.

"Do you think flaunting your Jie Sect affiliation grants you the right to be so disrespectful and reckless, to spout such absurdities?"

Mentioning the Jie Sect, Murong Di's voice grew increasingly cold—his dislike for Li Mingzhu now nearly palpable.

"Then let this friend explain why he claims we are all wrong. If it makes sense, this old man will admit his mistake!"

Unexpectedly, the artifact refining master surnamed Lin stepped forward, his words clearly aimed to oppose Murong Di.

After all, even if Li Mingzhu were formidable in combat, how could he possibly know anything about this topic?

"As of now, I have no interest in explaining. Should the Phoenix Clan truly wish to save the Parasol Wood, they must first expel this man."

Li Mingzhu pointed a finger, directly targeting Murong Di!

"What arrogance! I'd very much like to see where your confidence stems from!"

Murong Di's anger flared. As a Quasi-Saint and artifact master, who besides other Quasi-Saints and disciples of Saints would dare treat him with such contempt in the Primordial World?

Murong Di extended his hand, summoning nine sparks in the void—the famed Nine Yang True Fire, his signature technique.

"So this is the Nine Yang True Fire, said to be the closest flame to the Taiyang Fire!"

"There are rumors that Li Mingzhu can wield Taiyang Fire itself. I wonder if it's true—if so, he might stand a chance!"

"You believe that? Do you even know what kind of flame the Taiyang Fire is?"

...

"Stand down!"

As the debate grew heated, the Phoenix Clan's Great Elder, who had been sitting silently in meditation, suddenly spoke up to halt the proceedings!