Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Jing, well-versed in military strategy, would never commit such a grave blunder.

After annihilating the Yin Shang army near Canglan City, Li Jing immediately led his troops back to the North Sea, extensively sabotaging the postal roads along the way.

Although this wouldn't completely stop Chong Houhu's advance, it could at least delay him for some time.

In truth, if King Zhou had sent Huang Feihu or Wen Zhong to subjugate the North Sea, Li Jing might have believed it impossible to defend. However, since it was merely Chong Houhu, that gluttonous drunkard, Li Jing retained his confidence.

Previously, Li Jing suffered setbacks due to Gao Ming and Gao Jue. But now, with their lives forfeit, he was certain that Chong Houhu couldn't possibly conquer his North Sea City.

This was the confidence of Li Jing!

Upon returning to the North Sea City, Li Jing promptly began fortifying its defenses. Confident, yet not arrogant.

As for Wu Chen, he had taken up residence in Li Jing's Marquis Mansion, settling in a fine courtyard where he meditated on Qi Refinement daily, rarely stepping outside.

That in itself wasn't unusual—what was most curious was that Wu Chen's courtyard was adjacent to that of Nv Ba (the female spirit). Even more baffling, Nv Ba had no objections to his presence.

Since Nv Ba didn't express any discontent, no one dared to question further.

Li Jing, too, paid little mind to Wu Chen. After all, this was a high-ranking expert. Having him stay was a blessing. When Li Mingzhu emerged from seclusion, all would naturally become clear.

Though Chong Houhu's march had been temporarily delayed by Li Jing's destruction of the postal roads, he eventually arrived before the gates of North Sea City with an army of a million soldiers.

After losing Zhang Guifang's 300,000 troops, King Zhou had swiftly replenished them with another wave, revealing his unyielding determination to crush the North Sea.

"Li Jing, surrender the city, and I, your Marquis, can guarantee your life!"

Beneath the towering city walls of the North Sea, Chong Houhu sat astride a massive black steed. His corpulent frame caused the horse to breathe heavily under the strain.

Chong Houhu had once been a capable warrior, skilled in combat. But after years of indulgence and decadence, he had become the man he was today.

Truly, time is the knife that carves pigs and cattle!

"Release the arrows!"

From atop the city wall, Li Jing gave the order with no hesitation. To think Chong Houhu dared approach with words of surrender—what brazenness! Seeking death wasn't enough?

"Heihu!"

As the rain of arrows descended, Chong Houhu, though startled, remained composed. With a soft murmur, "Heihu," Chong Heihu, who stood behind him, immediately moved to shield him from the storm of arrows.

In just moments, Chong Heihu escorted Chong Houhu back to the safety of their formations. Yet, Chong Houhu cursed Li Jing relentlessly for not knowing his place, while Chong Heihu could only offer a wry smile.

Even for a proposal of surrender, there must be more sensible ways to go about it. Besides, if Li Jing were inclined to surrender, would he have lasted until now?

Chong Heihu, far more perceptive than his elder brother, saw the futility of their advances. Still, he held his tongue. After all, Chong Houhu was his elder brother. Whatever decisions he made were final. Chong Heihu's only responsibility was to ensure his safety.

Frustrated and humiliated by his encounter with Li Jing, Chong Houhu resolved to escalate the siege. He immediately ordered an assault on the city.

Yet, rather than attacking all four gates, they focused solely on the eastern gate. Although this allowed Li Jing to maximize his defensive efforts...

Chong Houhu had one unparalleled advantage: sheer numbers. He had no fear of Li Jing devising clever strategies to outmaneuver him.

For months, the million-strong army relentlessly stormed North Sea City day and night. The pressure was beyond imagination.

On Li Jing's side, every effort was made to defend. It was an all-hands-on-deck effort. Those capable of holding a weapon took to the walls.

Only those entirely incapable, such as children or infirm elders, were spared from the battlefield. That said, both Nv Ba and Wu Chen remained entirely unmoved within the city, indifferent to the chaos around them.

Yang Chan and Ao Yu donned armor to join the fight. Though the thick clouds of battle and overwhelming miasma allowed them limited influence...

They nevertheless stood at the frontlines, determined to protect their home.

This was the spirit of every soul in North Sea City—to defend the home they had built with their own hands.

Thus, this struggle between offense and defense dragged on for six months. Half a year passed, with Chong Houhu attacking and Li Jing enduring.

The walls of the eastern gate bore countless scars—cracks and crevices, repeatedly battered and repaired. Over and over, they crumbled and were mended, forming a chaotic tapestry of decay.

Each time, Chong Houhu came perilously close to breaching the city. But "almost" was as far as he ever got, thanks to Li Jing's unyielding tenacity.

Both armies were exhausted—nearly at their breaking points—but neither dared relent.

For Li Jing, retreat was not an option. After defending for so long, could he afford to give up now?

Chong Houhu mirrored this determination. A million soldiers besieging a single city for half a year, only to retreat? Such disgrace awaited none but ridicule in Chaoge. And he himself would face dire consequences.

On this day, just like countless before it, Chong Houhu launched yet another attack on the city.

In his mind, Li Jing surely couldn't hold out much longer. Another month, at most, and the city would fall.

Though Chong Houhu lacked combat prowess, he possessed an unrelenting patience. Could Li Jing outlast him? He'd find out soon enough.

But just as the assault began, the blazing sun above abruptly disappeared, and the world plunged into darkness.

The sun did not vanish entirely; rather, sun and moon hung in the sky together!

"Brother Mingzhu has exited seclusion!"

"At last, he's out!"

...

Yang Chan exclaimed with joy. Everyone who heard her rejoiced, exhaling a collective sigh of relief.

Finally, Li Mingzhu had emerged. Had he waited any longer, they truly wouldn't have held on.

Sun and moon in the sky together—the stars gathered to pay homage!

In the next moment, Li Mingzhu's ethereal form appeared in the skies above North Sea City, as though an emperor walking amidst the cosmos. The Purple Emperor Seal hovered above his head.

Before him, 365 Star Flags materialized, while the River Map and Luo Book transformed into the Yin Yang Map, channeling the energy of the heavens.

The Celestial Star Battle Formation, lost to the Primordial World for tens of thousands of years, was now resurrected.

It had taken nearly a year, but Li Mingzhu had finally refined all 365 Star Flags.

"Taiyang (Sun)!"

Li Mingzhu's thunderous voice echoed as the first Star Flag soared forth, transforming into a miniature sun that aligned with the Taiyang Star in the heavens.

"Taiyin (Moon)!"

After Taiyang came Taiyin—a Star Flag becoming a jade rabbit, striding gracefully through the celestial void and aligning with the Taiyin Star.

Not that it physically reached the Taiyang or Taiyin stars, but their ethereal forms aligned, forming a celestial syzygy. Li Mingzhu was constructing the formation.

Following Taiyin and Taiyang came Ziwei.

After Ziwei was Beidou, and after Beidou was Gouchen. The 365 Star Flags connected harmoniously to the heavens.

When all flags were in place, the starry sky above North Sea City appeared as though a divine masterpiece, an unfurling celestial tapestry. Simultaneously, the Yin Yang Map transformed from the River Map and Luo Book joined the formation as its core.

The River Map and Luo Book served as the array's critical pivot—utterly indispensable.

Thus, the Celestial Star Battle Formation was complete.

Infinite starlight erupted over the North Sea, visible across the entire Primordial World.

In Lingxiao Palace, Hao Tian nearly wept at the sight of Li Mingzhu's completed Celestial Star Battle Formation.

At this point, Li Mingzhu's power had fully matured. Any schemes or petty tricks would now prove futile.