Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Kong Xuan!"

When Li Mingzhu and her companions reached the cloud peak, Li Mingzhu led everyone in a respectful salute.

"No need for such formalities. Since I said I'd accompany you to the Heavenly Court, this poor Daoist will naturally fulfill my promise."

Kong Xuan waved dismissively, showing no regard for empty courtesies. However, if anyone dared to disrespect him, the consequences would be entirely different.

Kong Xuan descended and took the main seat on the high platform, while Li Mingzhu stepped down. Today's protagonist was the young Heavenly Silkworm.

Clad in golden robes, the young Heavenly Silkworm stepped onto the high platform. Though appearing only five or six years old, his resolute features and innate authority left no room for doubt!

"Ascend to the Heavenly Court and claim Gouchen!"

The young Heavenly Silkworm bellowed. With a commanding wave of his hand, everyone moved together, heading toward the Heavenly Court.

The young Heavenly Silkworm had now been given a proper name, and this wasn't done by anyone else but Li Jing.

Ever since Li Mingzhu had chosen her own name, Li Jing had harbored dissatisfaction, firmly doubting her naming skills. Thus, the task of naming the young Heavenly Silkworm fell to him.

Since Gouchen's position was linked to the Demon Clan and the young Heavenly Silkworm had neither father nor mother, Li Jing chose "Yao" (Demon) as his surname and gave him the single name "Tian" (Heaven).

This name not only reflected his origin as a Heavenly Silkworm but also alluded to the Demon Clan's Heavenly Emperor.

Though simple, the name carried a sense of dignity. Li Mingzhu did not object to it either.

Thus, the young Heavenly Silkworm came to be known as Yao Tian. While the name sounded somewhat peculiar, it didn't lack grandeur.

Li Mingzhu, Nu Ba, Bo Xun, and Kong Xuan led the way at the forefront. Among the group, these four were the most formidable in combat.

With a Quasi-Saint paving the way, it didn't take long for the group to arrive outside the South Heavenly Gate. Though this wasn't a million-strong Demon Army, they had brought tens of thousands of Demon Clan troops.

The sudden appearance of such a large Demon Clan force outside the South Heavenly Gate inevitably caught attention. The gate's guards, upon seeing the spectacle, were already trembling in fear.

Even without considering the tens of thousands of troops, the intimidating auras radiating from figures like Li Mingzhu were enough to paralyze the guards.

"Tread the Heavenly Gate!"

Yao Tian bellowed, and the tens of thousands of Demon troops surged over the South Heavenly Gate as one.

Passing over the gate without entering, they tread directly across it!

"Hmmm?"

Kong Xuan furrowed his brow in suspicion and shot a beam of Five-Colored Divine Light into the void. Finding nothing, he retracted it.

"What's wrong, Martial Uncle Kong Xuan?"

Li Mingzhu asked. Kong Xuan would never act without reason.

"It seemed someone was spying. Their Dao cultivation is no weaker than mine, perhaps even slightly superior. However, if it came to a direct confrontation, they would still lose!"

Kong Xuan smirked coldly and offered no further explanation, maintaining his air of arrogance.

He wasn't exaggerating. In terms of Dao cultivation, he might fall short compared to figures like Kunpeng, Zhen Yuanzi, or Hao Tian. But in actual combat strength, he was second to none, perhaps even superior.

This advantage lay in his Five-Colored Divine Light and the Innate Five Elements Qi. Such innate gifts were unparalleled and unassailable.

Just as the group crossed the South Heavenly Gate, a figure slowly emerged where Kong Xuan had sent out his divine light moments before—it was Hao Tian.

Although the Saint's Decree prevented Hao Tian from openly opposing Li Mingzhu, he still intended to scheme in secret.

Unfortunately, with Kong Xuan present, Hao Tian's plan was foiled before it had even begun. Were it not for his swift retreat, he would've faced significant embarrassment.

In no time, Li Mingzhu and her companions ascended to the Twenty-Five Layers of Heaven and arrived at the Palace of the Polestar. The Demon Clan troops were ecstatic beyond measure!

Since the ancient battle between the Witch and Demon Clans, they had finally returned. Though their former glory was lost to time, their reclamation of Gouchen's position would symbolize their resurgence.

"Fellow Daoist Hao Tian, why not reveal yourself and meet us face to face?"

Kong Xuan stepped forward, unleashing a wave of overwhelming pressure that engulfed the entire Heavenly Court. In terms of domineering presence, Kong Xuan was no less imposing than Li Mingzhu.

Kong Xuan's domineering nature stemmed from his arrogance and unrivaled strength, whereas Li Mingzhu's lacked the same level of invincibility.

"What brings you here, Fellow Daoist?"

Hao Tian appeared on the golden throne above the main hall, gazing down at the intruding party. Despite his current disadvantage, he carried himself with the unwavering poise of the Three Realms' Supreme.

The commanding aura of a ruler, accrued over countless years, was fully on display.

"Invited by another, I've come to fulfill their trust. Does Fellow Daoist take issue with that?"

Kong Xuan scoffed at Hao Tian, clearly unbothered. If Hao Tian had objections, a duel would settle things.

Kong Xuan was here merely as an escort. If Hao Tian dared to pull any tricks, Kong Xuan was prepared to handle the fight.

"The position of Gouchen has been granted by the Saint's Decree. You may claim it yourselves."

Hao Tian said nothing more, tossing a Great Seal into the air before vanishing from sight.

There was no reason to stay and face humiliation; better to retreat tactfully. Still, he chuckled inwardly, knowing the path to claiming Gouchen's position wouldn't be easy.

The Great Seal hovered mid-air before transforming into a colossal White Tiger, roaring ferociously at the intruders.

"Vile beast! Witness the methods of this poor Daoist!"

Kong Xuan laughed boldly, striking directly at the White Tiger.

The Four Regents represent the four cardinal extremes, each guarded by the sacred spirits of the four divinely-aligned beasts. Though these were not their true forms—which could rival Saints—they were imposing nonetheless.

If Kong Xuan hadn't been present today, Li Mingzhu's group would've undoubtedly suffered, given the White Tiger's dominion over death and destruction.

Typically, assuming one of the Four Regents' positions comes hand-in-hand with a Saint's Decree, ensuring such spirits pose no threat.

However, the prior Saint's Decree had already been carried back into Chaos with the Three Pure Ones, and Li Mingzhu hadn't sought another from Tongtian.

Hao Tian had banked on this fact, granting the Great Seal so "generously."

It was a clever move, almost putting Li Mingzhu in check. Yet it faltered due to Kong Xuan's presence.

With a single palm strike, Kong Xuan sent the White Tiger flying. Though the strike didn't completely subdue it, the beast suffered greatly.

"Roar!"

The White Tiger, enraged, lunged at Kong Xuan once more.

"Excellent! It was a regret not to battle the White Tiger Saint Ancestor in the past. Let's see what you, mere beast, can do!"

Kong Xuan laughed boisterously as the Five-Colored Divine Light in his hand transformed into five sharp swords, which he sent forth one by one.

One Sword Slashes the Form!

The White Tiger's form dissipated!

One Sword Slashes the Spirit!

With the second strike, the White Tiger was eradicated, reverting to the pure white Great Seal of Gouchen. Three swords remained unused.

"Alas, too feeble!"

Kong Xuan lamented. Two swords had sufficed!

"Quickly, now!"

Li Mingzhu shouted at Yao Tian, signaling him to retrieve the Great Seal of Gouchen.

Yao Tian obeyed, leaping forward and grasping the Great Seal. A dazzling radiance descended from Chaos, causing Yao Tian's Dao cultivation to surge upward.

In mere moments, he broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal realm—and still, his ascent continued.