Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu blocked the fierce palm strike and retreated while clutching the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Map. Although the formation provided ample defense and prevented the Great Elder from harming him, Li Mingzhu could only engage defensively. Caution was the better approach.

"Hundreds of Birds Worship the Phoenix!"

With a soft exclamation, the Great Elder's originally aged appearance began to transform. Her face, once marked by the passage of time, gradually regained the youthful magnificence of earlier days.

White hair turned jet black, her gaunt visage blossomed into unparalleled beauty. Among the Phoenix Clan, physical allure was a common trait, and the Great Elder was no exception.

A cacophony of bird cries and phoenix songs filled the air as a sphere of golden light enveloped the Great Elder. In the blink of an eye, it coalesced into a golden spear that hurtled toward Li Mingzhu with unstoppable force!

Within the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Map, golden sands swirled and the Yellow River roared. Li Mingzhu summoned all his strength to resist the power of the Great Elder's spear.

Though the Great Elder hadn't achieved the unrivaled might of figures like Zhen Yuanzi or Ming He beneath the Saints, she was not far off. If this blow landed, the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Map would undoubtedly crumble.

Observing the overwhelming aura emanating from the Great Elder, the gathered Daluo Golden Immortals sighed deeply. If only they had known things would escalate like this, why stir trouble from the start?

Could they not have avoided all this by agreeing to heal the Parasol Wood? Nothing would've gone wrong, the Phoenix Clan's friendship would have been secured, and such peril avoided!

Even Luo Xuan lamented for Li Mingzhu, though he was well aware the Phoenix Clan would never kill Li Mingzhu. Nonetheless, punishment was inevitable.

Reflecting further, however, Luo Xuan felt that perhaps this wasn't entirely bad. His junior nephew Mingzhu had always been too overtly ambitious. Such unchecked arrogance in the Primordial World was bound to lead to misfortune eventually. If not now, then someday.

Hopefully, this episode would teach him some humility and temper his actions.

The situation appeared crystal clear—despite the formidable nature of Li Mingzhu's Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Map, it was virtually impossible for it to withstand the Great Elder's spear!

But reality was poised to upend expectations. As the crowd watched, Li Mingzhu threw out a beam of red light that merged with the Nine Curves Yellow River Map. The previously embattled formation suddenly pulsed with newfound vitality and power.

Not only that, the red light infused into the Nine Curves Yellow River Map transformed into a shield that narrowly blocked the earth-shattering strike from the Great Elder's spear!

"The Primordial Golden Bowl!"

Luo Xuan gasped in astonishment. Although he had always known his junior nephew was adept in Divine Skills, he had not expected him to borrow Elder Yun Xiao's Primordial Golden Bowl as well.

On its own, the Nine Curves Yellow River Map might have given Li Mingzhu the appearance of confidence but in truth left him vulnerable. However, with the addition of the Primordial Golden Bowl, the formation now provided him substantial protection.

"Do you think only your Jie Sect possesses Spiritual Treasures?"

The Great Elder, clearly enraged, lost her patience. Being provoked repeatedly by this young upstart was intolerable, particularly because she couldn't overpower him. If word of this spread, how would the Phoenix Clan save face?

A golden feather appeared in the Great Elder's hand, radiating an ancient and majestic aura. This was no ordinary artifact—it was the Phoenix Feather, a Spiritual Treasure inherited from the Phoenix Ancestor!

Comparable to a Supreme Innate Treasure!

When Li Mingzhu caught sight of the Phoenix Feather, his pupils contracted. He could feel an imminent sense of danger emanating from the artifact.

"Strike!"

With a soft command, the Phoenix Feather transformed into a golden Feather Sword and shot straight at Li Mingzhu.

Even with the Nine Curves Yellow River Map enhanced by the Primordial Golden Bowl, it was no match for the Phoenix Feather, which shredded the map like paper within moments!

Just as the Phoenix Feather seemed poised to completely destroy Li Mingzhu's Nine Curves Yellow River Map, a wave of chaotic sounds erupted through the air. It appeared that a powerful enemy had infiltrated the Phoenix Clan's territory.

Before the Great Elder could investigate, several figures were sent flying, crashing directly into Wutong Mountain.

"So the dignified Great Elder of the Phoenix Clan resorts to bullying juniors? No wonder the Phoenix Clan declines day by day, and now even the Divine Wood stands on the brink of withering!"

A proud, cold voice rang out from afar. Moments later, a man clad in a resplendent five-colored Daoist robe descended onto Wutong Mountain.

The Great Elder's attention immediately shifted from Li Mingzhu to this newcomer, her expression one of grave seriousness.

The figures now strewn across Wutong Mountain were no ordinary individuals. As the Great Elder of the Phoenix Clan, she recognized them as three of the clan's Quasi-Saints. Though mere beginners among Quasi-Saints, their power was still formidable.

Yet all three had been hurled away like ragdolls. Clearly, the intruder who had penetrated the Phoenix Clan's domain was a being of extraordinary power!

What shocked her even more was how this person had infiltrated the Phoenix Clan Territory.

For outside the Nanli Volcano lay an array personally set by the Phoenix Ancestor. Even those Quasi-Saints who had undergone Cutting Three Corpses would find it impossible to enter unnoticed!

"Who are you, and why have you trespassed into the heart of the Phoenix Clan?"

The Great Elder had no choice but to ask, although she remained secretly vigilant, prepared for any unforeseen attack.

"And why should you concern yourself with who I am? My reason for coming to the Phoenix Clan was simply to revisit my home, though I must admit the disappointment is profound!"

The speaker's tone was still imbued with arrogance, yet held an air of casual indifference.

"Kong Xuan, Senior Brother!"

From the crowd, Luo Xuan suddenly called out, revealing the identity of the newcomer. He had seen Kong Xuan once when Tongtian imparted teachings to disciples.

Although Kong Xuan hadn't officially joined Tongtian's sect, he had listened to Tongtian's teachings and was considered an honorary disciple.

"Oh? A familiar face. And which fellow Daoist from Jie Sect might you be?"

Turning his attention, Kong Xuan looked over at Luo Xuan.

"Jie Sect disciple Luo Xuan greets Senior Brother Kong Xuan!"

Though usually proud, Luo Xuan dared not display arrogance in front of Kong Xuan. He still vividly remembered Tongtian's assessment of Kong Xuan during those teachings.

"His talent is unparalleled. With opportunity, he could ascend to the rank of Saint. Yet his connection to Jie Sect remains tenuous!"

Luo Xuan didn't fully understand the latter half but engraved the phrase "ascend to Saint" deeply in his heart.

To aspire to be a Saint!

Even the Sect's eldest disciple, Duobao, hadn't received such a sweeping evaluation. Kong Xuan's terrifying potential was evident. At that time, he had already reached the early stage of Quasi-Saint cultivation!

Three thousand years had since passed. Who could fathom just how powerful Kong Xuan had become?

"So, it's Luo Xuan Junior Brother. Come over here, along with your fellow Daoist as well. Given that I am an honorary disciple of Tongtian, those from Jie Sect are under my protection!"

Kong Xuan said cheerfully, appearing pleased to encounter familiar faces.

Li Mingzhu and Luo Xuan approached Kong Xuan together. Li Mingzhu also respectfully bowed to this legendary senior uncle. He dared not show any disrespect.

The first amongst all beneath the Saints!

Universally acknowledged as the leader among those under Sainthood in the Primordial World!

During the Divine Enthronement, Kong Xuan singlehandedly blocked numerous powerful Chan Sect experts at Golden Chicken Ridge. Ultimately, it took Zhunti himself to subdue Kong Xuan.

He was Kong Xuan—the one bold enough to challenge a Saint!

"Has Fellow Daoist grown too dismissive of others? Do you truly see no worth in our Phoenix Clan? Furthermore, what do you mean by claiming the Phoenix Clan Territory as your home? If you fail to provide an explanation, do not blame me for being blunt!"

The Great Elder's voice was icy, suspecting Kong Xuan to be Li Mingzhu's ally and another member of Jie Sect.

In truth, Li Mingzhu was entirely unaware of Kong Xuan's arrival at the Phoenix Clan. Still, Kong Xuan's declaration was not unfounded—he was indeed tied to this lineage, being the child of the Phoenix Ancestor.

The original child of the Phoenix Ancestor, born through the assimilation of the Five Elements Qi!