Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Above the Primordial World, Li Mingzhu, Lady Ba, and Luo Xuan had reached the Upper Pure Heaven—one of the last three realms.

This was a realm where the Heavenly Dao had been established, a self-contained world with its own order and rules, far more refined and powerful compared to the Demon Clan world Li Mingzhu had visited before.

The Thirty-Three Layered Heaven Palace was born of heaven and earth's fortune, and the last three layers were even more extraordinary. If the Three Pure Ones chose to personally cultivate these layers, their achievement would be without limit.

As soon as Li Mingzhu and the others stepped into the Upper Pure Heaven, they were met with an oppressive force of unending constraints, targeting all outsiders without discrimination.

Within a realm, what would be the most formidable power?

Apart from the Heaven and Earth Rules, it would naturally be the power of the Four Elements—earth, wind, water, and fire.

Earth, wind, water, fire—these Four Symbols of Chaos's foundation are the cornerstone of creation.

Now, Li Mingzhu and the trio faced the deadly power of the Four Symbols—earth, wind, water, fire—endlessly transforming chaotic energies into creation, sweeping towards them from all directions.

The Three Pure Heavens, if allowed to evolve naturally, should have become realms of prosperity and life, but in reality, they were forged by Hao Tian into three killing devices filled with death and destruction.

These Three Pure Heavens wouldn't just be enough to deal with Li Mingzhu; even Hao Tian's equals would struggle. That any opponent would warrant Hao Tian invoking these realms speaks to the significance of Li Mingzhu, someone who must be killed.

In truth, Li Mingzhu had already threatened Hao Tian's status, intending to seize two imperial titles from him, including the highly coveted position of Emperor Ziwei.

"Kill!"

Li Mingzhu wielded the Fire-tipped Spear and bore the Primordial Golden Bowl over his head, while the Nine Curves Yellow River Map was given to Luo Xuan for protection.

Li Mingzhu himself charged and battled endlessly amidst the Four Symbols' forces, driving them away persistently—it was the only strategy available.

Otherwise, once the Four Symbols' power intensified and began to evolve into chaos, even with divine capabilities, their fate would be sealed. Without intervention from a Saint, there could only be the path of death.

Luo Xuan, despite his limited strength, kept close to Li Mingzhu, launching continuous attacks.

The main offensive force was Lady Ba. The complete Xuanyuan Sword in her hand transformed into a thousand-zhang sword light, with each strike dispersing endless earth, wind, water, and fire.

Li Mingzhu could only sigh at such power. Each time he believed he had grown strong, someone would appear to shatter his confidence.

Lady Ba had only recently become a Quasi-Saint, yet she had already reached the Quasi-Saint Middle Stage.

Though the three combined their strength to momentarily hold off the Four Symbols' onslaught, it stands to reason that the power of a complete realm would never be so easily resisted.

As earth, wind, water, and fire dissipated, a boundless stream of chaotic energy began to spread—not through transformation from the Four Symbols but directly emerging to suppress them.

This chaotic energy was different from the chaotic energies of disorder found in the primordial chaos. Every thread of chaotic energy within the Upper Pure Heaven was impeccably pure and supremely refined.

Each thread of chaotic energy bore the equivalent force of a Quasi-Saint's strike. Among the trio, only Lady Ba had the strength to counter; Li Mingzhu and Luo Xuan could barely protect themselves using Spiritual Treasures.

Li Mingzhu fared better, thanks to his immensely durable physique, but Luo Xuan suffered grievously, coughing blood with each wave of chaotic energy crashing against him.

After enduring three waves of chaotic energy, Luo Xuan was already critically injured.

Still, only through Lady Ba's timely sword strikes could he cling to survival.

Meanwhile, in the Red Cloud Palace, Hao Tian observed Li Mingzhu's plight through the Haotian Mirror and smiled knowingly. However, he ultimately decided to honor his promise to Duobao and ceased tormenting Li Mingzhu, preparing to withdraw the Three Pure Heavens.

"The Human Sect, Xuandu Master has arrived!"

A voice of announcement resounded, and Xuandu appeared before the three.

"Hao Tian, receive the Saint's Decree!"

Xuandu hovered in mid-air, elevated and towering. Representing the Saints, he naturally carried an air of supreme arrogance.

"Greet the Saint!"

Hao Tian, along with Duobao and Wudang, all knelt immediately, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

To see the Saint's Decree was akin to seeing the Saint himself!

Much like ancient ministers bowing before an imperial edict, Hao Tian and the others bowed reverently to the Saint's Decree without question.

"The Taiqing Moral Saint, Yuqing Primordial Saint, Shangqing Spiritual Treasure Saint, Nuwa Saint of the Demon Clan, Western Saints Zhunti and Jieyin decree:

Hao Tian, recognized as the Three Realms Emperor, abused his authority. The Three Pure Heavens are sanctuaries of the Saints and must not be defiled. Thus, the Three Pure Heavens shall separate henceforth from the Thirty-Three Layers, leaving only Thirty Heavens in the Heavenly Court.

Furthermore, Jie Sect's Li Mingzhu is hereby declared Emperor Ziwei, Heavenly Silkworm as Gouchen, and Chan Sect's Southern Pole Immortal Elder as the Southern Longevity Emperor!

This is the collective ruling of the Saints. Hao Tian, do you have any objections?"

From his position on high, Xuandu coldly stared down at Hao Tian.

Should Hao Tian dare utter a single word of defiance, he would immediately face annihilation by the Saint's Decree.

"Hao Tian dares not!"

Even with boundless anger surging within, Hao Tian dared not show any sign of resistance and could only swallow his rage, putting on a forced smile.

His expression at this moment was as comical as it was pitiful, bringing twisted delight to Duobao and Wudang.

Not long ago, when they bowed their heads to Hao Tian, hadn't it been the same? And now, the tables had turned in a flash.

Seeing Hao Tian yield, Xuandu ceased speaking and flung the Saint's Decree, which descended toward the Primordial Land.

Hao Tian gazed at the decree soaring away, consumed with an overwhelming urge to break it, yet he lacked the courage to act.

He was no longer the fledgling Daoist child who had first emerged from the Purple Cloud Palace. By now, he fully understood that if he dared disobey, he would face eternal ruin.

The will of the Saints could not be defied. Hao Tian had already crossed their limits, leading to today's decree.

What the Saints sought was a compliant Heavenly Emperor, not a Jade Emperor constantly scheming to seize control of the Primordial World!

Hao Tian understood this well but could not accept it. Why should the Saint's disciples dare to show him disrespect?

Duobao and Wudang, seeing Li Mingzhu bloodied and battered, huffed a cold laugh as they exited the Red Cloud Palace.

Hao Tian brought this fate upon himself!

Meanwhile, the Saint's Decree descended from the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven Palace, heading directly toward the Upper Pure Heaven where Li Mingzhu and his companions were trapped. With the combined power of six Saints, rescuing Li Mingzhu and the others was effortless.

Li Mingzhu's situation had grown dire; chaos churned, leaving his body riddled with countless wounds, while Luo Xuan teetered on the brink of death.

Even Lady Ba was far from unscathed. Her white gown was now stained with blood. Given Lady Ba's cultivation, she shouldn't have suffered such severe injuries, but she had to protect Li Mingzhu and Luo Xuan.

Otherwise, she could have ensured her own safety, if not entirely overcome the chaotic energy.