Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"You are no match for me. Do not resist. Lay down your weapon, and let my blade cut you down. That is the proper path!"

The blind Daoist showed not a ripple of emotion after hearing Li Mingzhu's words, as if he were merely speaking an everyday truth.

"Impossible!"

Li Mingzhu raised the Fire-tipped Spear, leaping forward to attack. Even if defeat was certain, he would still fight.

What of Quasi-Saint Middle Stage?

Can you shatter my Nine Curves Yellow River Map?

Li Mingzhu's figure was cloaked in the Nine Curves Yellow River Map, with the Primordial Golden Bowl hovering above his head. He appeared nearly unassailable.

Yet who could say—if Yun Xiao were to witness how Li Mingzhu was wielding the Nine Curves Yellow River Map and the Primordial Golden Bowl in such a manner—whether she might regret lending him these two supreme treasures? After all, these treasures were forged for killing, not for defense.

While it was true that Li Mingzhu had no other choice under the circumstances, even so, using them this way felt like a waste of their grand potential.

"Stepping Heaven!"

Li Mingzhu swung his spear horizontally. After "Through the Ages, None Stand Taller Than I," he advanced his spear technique yet again with a new move: Stepping Heaven!

Though it could hardly be called a complete move—more like half a technique—it was, after all, not yet fully refined.

But even so, despite being incomplete, it surpassed the first technique.

"Your spear technique is decent, but still not enough!"

The blind Daoist drew his long blade. A streak of blade light flashed, slicing through the air before him as if it were mere paper, layer upon layer tearing apart. The blade light instantly reached the Fire-tipped Spear held by Li Mingzhu.

With one slash, the Fire-tipped Spear was sent flying backward. If not for its superior craftsmanship and high grade, it might have been broken in two by that single strike!

This was, without question, a peerless swordsman. Even in the Primordial World, among those of the Quasi-Saint Middle Stage, few could rival him.

Hao Tian must have sought him from afar. Li Mingzhu's thoughts were clouded with doubt.

To cultivate a Quasi-Saint Early Stage was already a daunting challenge, though not wholly impossible, but a Quasi-Saint Middle Stage swordsman of this caliber? The resources and time required were truly immeasurable!

After sending the Fire-tipped Spear flying, the blade light did not dissipate. Instead, it continued pressing down on Li Mingzhu.

It struck the Nine Curves Yellow River Map. Though it caused waves of sharp pain for Li Mingzhu, it ultimately failed to breach the map's defenses.

"The second slash!"

The blind Daoist struck again.

An unnamed second blade light cut forth, tearing space as easily as the first.

Quasi-Saint power was unleashed without restraint, unbound by the limitations of Heaven and Earth Rules. Though Li Mingzhu was shielded by dual defenses, the blade light of the blind Daoist still shook him to the point of spitting blood!

It must be said that Li Mingzhu's earlier victories over Leng Ying and the Golden Lion were due to external aid and no small measure of luck. Otherwise, on the Primordial Land, it was nearly impossible for anyone to slay a Quasi-Saint, let alone overcome one of greater cultivation!

Against the blind Daoist, for instance, even equipped with the Nine Curves Yellow River Map and Primordial Golden Bowl, Li Mingzhu was thoroughly outmatched.

The blind Daoist struck three more times!

The first split the defenses of the Nine Curves Yellow River Map. The second broke through the shield of the Primordial Golden Bowl. The third was aimed at taking Li Mingzhu's life!

Only then did Li Mingzhu realize how laughable his earlier provocations against the Phoenix Clan had been. Their Great Elder possessed Quasi-Saint Late Stage cultivation; had he truly wanted to kill Li Mingzhu back then, it would have been as simple as flicking his finger!

Though Spiritual Treasures were powerful and important, they were not invincible. With the Nine Curves Yellow River Map and Primordial Golden Bowl, he could contend with an ordinary Quasi-Saint Early Stage, but against a Quasi-Saint Middle Stage? He stood no chance.

Such was the lesson Li Mingzhu learned that day: beneath a Saint, all are but ants, and even among Quasi-Saints, some ants are larger than others. A larger ant may challenge a Quasi-Saint Early Stage, but none could challenge a Quasi-Saint Middle Stage!

As the third blade descended, Luo Xuan had already succumbed to despair. He knew Li Mingzhu was finished, and that his own end was close behind.

Quasi-Saint Middle Stage!

For Li Mingzhu to withstand three slashes from such a swordsman was feat enough for pride, but he would still die!

Perhaps he should never have provoked the Heavenly Court?

If only he hadn't crossed Hao Tian, hadn't angered Long Ji, he wouldn't have met Li Mingzhu. If they'd never met, he wouldn't be on the brink of death now!

As death approaches, the mind fills with countless "what ifs." Yet the world offers no such chance for do-overs.

But Li Mingzhu was not resigned to despair. Though the fatal blade was already descending, he believed that before he fell, the blind Daoist would certainly die first.

"Look to the sword!"

Li Mingzhu laughed wildly, pointing eastward. The blind Daoist, however, was unimpressed. Was this the time for jokes?

If you wish to die, I'll grant your wish!

With that thought, the blind Daoist's blade light grew three degrees faster, aiming straight for Li Mingzhu's life.

"Pfft!"

Fresh blood spilled from the blind Daoist's mouth—a sword had pierced through his heart. Before the blade light could strike Li Mingzhu, the Daoist himself had fallen.

As the fatal strike descended upon Li Mingzhu, a sword had simultaneously appeared, arriving of its own accord!

The sword's name was Cheng Ying!

Li Mingzhu narrowly avoided the strike. With the blind Daoist dead, the blade light lost its guidance. Though still formidable, Li Mingzhu managed to evade it.

Not without cost, however; while his vital organs were spared, his shoulder bore a massive gash, with bone visible beneath.

Coming from the east, wielding the Cheng Ying Sword—it could be none other than Nvba.

As the sword light faded, Nvba's figure appeared before Li Mingzhu.

Truth be told, in that fleeting moment, Li Mingzhu truly thought he was going to die. Only when he sensed the familiar aura of the Cheng Ying Sword did he dare breathe a sigh of relief.

But even so, he had come perilously close to being slain.

The blind Daoist, though blind, could not fail to sense an oncoming sword. But that applied only to ordinary swords—Cheng Ying was different.

Formless, invisible, intangible, and entirely without a trace, it was this quality that made its single strike lethal.

Otherwise, in direct battle, even with Nvba's strength, it would take considerable effort to defeat the blind Daoist, let alone kill him.

"I told you to look, yet you doubted me!"

Li Mingzhu stood over the blind Daoist's corpse, grinning mischievously.

"Thank you for your timely rescue, Princess!"

Li Mingzhu bowed to Nvba, grateful for her timely arrival. Without her, he might have truly perished.

No, more likely he would've been inscribed on the Investiture of the Gods. Given his status, he was certainly qualified for the list.

But if it had come to that, all his plans would have been for nothing. Moreover, after being enshrined, he would fall under Hao Tian's authority. That would be worse than death—a complete and utter end!

"The Fu Xi Saint Emperor foresaw that you were in danger and sent me to assist you. Even he didn't expect you'd dare provoke a Quasi-Saint Middle Stage!"

Nvba teased, an unusual expression for her typically icy demeanor.