Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Let us not speak of Yao Heavenly Monarch exercising his mystical arts; instead, Jiang Ziya sat in the Prime Minister's Mansion, discussing strategies for breaking the formation with the generals, silent and speechless, unable to come up with a single plan.

Yang Jian was by his side, noticing that Prime Minister Jiang's expression fluctuated between shock and confusion, bereft of both strategy and resourcefulness, his demeanor drastically different from before. In his heart, Yang Jian wondered: "Could the Prime Minister, once a disciple of the Yuxu sect, now bearing a supreme destiny, suddenly falter so? Moreover, with Heaven bestowing omens and fate favoring him, how can he lack a means to break this Ten Formation? It's truly perplexing."

Yang Jian grew increasingly concerned. Another seven or eight days passed, and within the formation, Yao Heavenly Monarch used his arts to summon away one soul and two spirit fragments from Ziya.

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, Ziya was irritable and restless, unable to find peace or ease. He was utterly disoriented, neglecting military affairs throughout the day, often lazily sleeping. The gathered generals and disciples could not comprehend the cause—some speculated he had no plan for breaking the formation; others suspected he was deep in contemplation, harnessing his inner energy.

Let us not linger on the various suspicions of those in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Another fourteen or fifteen days passed, and Yao Heavenly Monarch summoned away another two souls and four spirit fragments from Ziya.

By the twentieth day, Yao Heavenly Monarch had completely taken two souls and six spirit fragments from Ziya; only one soul and one spirit fragment remained. That very day, Ziya's last soul and spirit fragment were wrenched from the Mud Pillar Palace within his body, and he died within the Prime Minister's Mansion. The disciples, officials, and even King Wu himself rushed to the mansion, surrounding the body in grief and tears.

King Wu wept and said, "For the nation's sake, the Prime Minister toiled tirelessly, never knowing peace or comfort. To meet such a fate now—how can my heart bear it? Speaking of it breaks my heart!" Upon hearing King Wu's words, the gathered generals could not help but weep in sorrow.

With tears in his eyes, Yang Jian touched Ziya's body and discovered that the area over his heart was still warm. He hurried to report to King Wu, saying, "Do not despair, the Prime Minister's chest is still warm. It is unlikely he has truly died. Let us rest him on his bed for now."

Let us not speak of the chaos overtaking the Prime Minister's Mansion. Meanwhile, Ziya's sole remaining soul and spirit fragment drifted away, ethereal and obscure, eventually heading toward the Sealing God Platform.

At that time, the God of Pure Blessings came to greet him. Upon seeing that it was Ziya's soul and spirit, Bai Jian, the God of Pure Blessings, understood Heaven's will and gently pushed Ziya's spirit away from the Sealing God Platform.

Given that Ziya was a man with profound roots in the Dao, and his mind was ever fixed on Kunlun, his soul and spirit, released from the Sealing God Platform, floated like dandelion fluff on the wind, eventually reaching Kunlun Mountain.

Coincidentally, the Southern Pole Immortal Elder was leisurely wandering at the foot of the mountain, gathering divine mushrooms and refining elixirs. Suddenly, he saw Ziya's faint and ethereal spirit approaching. The Southern Pole Immortal Elder examined it closely and realized that it was Ziya's soul and spirit.

The Immortal Elder was greatly alarmed, exclaiming, "Ziya has truly perished!" Hastily, he rushed forward, grasped the spirit with his hand, placed it inside a gourd, sealed the gourd's opening, and immediately entered the Yuxu Palace to inform the Master of Teachings. Just as he entered the palace gates, someone called out from behind him, "Southern Pole Immortal Elder, do not leave!"

When the Immortal Elder turned his head to look, he saw it was Chijingzi of Yunxiao Cave on Taixu Mountain. The Immortal Elder said, "Fellow Daoist, where have you come from?"

Chijingzi replied, "With no pressing matters, I've come to accompany you in visiting the sea islands and mountains, looking for noble hermits within the immortal realms to watch them playing chess in leisure—what do you say?"

The Immortal Elder said, "Today, I am not free."

Chijingzi replied, "Right now there are no lectures; we are precisely free. When the lectures resume another day, neither of us will have leisure. Yet today you claim not to be free—are you not deceiving me, brother?"

The Immortal Elder said, "I have urgent business and cannot accompany you. It is not a matter of leisure or not."

Chijingzi said, "I already know your matter: it concerns the claim that Jiang Ziya's soul and spirit cannot reenter his body. Do not think I have other intentions."

The Immortal Elder asked, "How did you know this?"

Chijingzi replied, "What I said earlier was merely to tease you. I came precisely for Ziya's soul and spirit. First, I went to West Qi Mountain and heard from Bai Jian, the God of Pure Blessings, at the Sealing God Platform: 'Ziya's soul and spirit had just arrived here, and I pushed it out. Now it's wandered off to Kunlun Mountain.'"

"That's why I rushed over. Seeing you enter the palace just now, I purposely asked you. Now, where exactly is Ziya's soul and spirit?"

The Immortal Elder replied, "While wandering near the cliffs earlier, I saw Ziya's soul and spirit drifting near. Upon closer inspection, I understood what it was. I've since contained it in my gourd and intended to report it to our Master, but I had no idea you'd arrive."

Chijingzi said, "What a trivial matter, yet you've brought it all the way to trouble the Hierarch. Hand the gourd to me, and I will handle the task of saving Ziya myself."

The Immortal Elder handed the gourd to Chijingzi. Chijingzi, anxious and hurried, used the Earth Escape technique to leave Kunlun. In an instant, he arrived at West Qi and stood before the Prime Minister's Mansion. Yang Jian received him, fell to the ground in a bow, and said, "Uncle-Master, you have arrived today, no doubt for the sake of my Master."

Chijingzi replied, "Indeed. Hurry and inform them!" Yang Jian entered and informed King Wu. King Wu personally came out to greet him. In the Silver Peace Palace, Chijingzi saluted King Wu, who treated him with the utmost respect as a teacher and seated him in an honored position.

Chijingzi said, "This poor Daoist has descended the mountain specifically for Ziya. Now, where is he lying after his death?" King Wu and the generals led Chijingzi to the bedside. Chijingzi saw Ziya lying motionless, eyes closed, face up.

Chijingzi said, "Virtuous King, there is no need for grief or panic. His soul and spirit will return to his body shortly; all will be well."

Chijingzi and King Wu returned to the hall. King Wu inquired, "Daoist, if the Prime Minister's life can yet be saved, what medicine will you use?"

Chijingzi replied, "Medicine is unnecessary; it will resolve naturally."

Yang Jian, standing nearby, asked, "When will he be revived?" Chijingzi replied, "By merely waiting until the third watch of the night, Ziya will naturally come back to life."

Everyone rejoiced at this, waiting eagerly until nightfall. When the third watch arrived, Yang Jian invited Chijingzi. Chijingzi adjusted his robes and stepped out of the city. He beheld the Ten Formation, its black mists blotting out the heavens, shadowy clouds hanging overhead, sorrowful winds swirling, and cold fog drifting—a scene of boundless ghostly cries and howls, endless in their lamentations.

Chijingzi observed the formation's peril and used his hand to summon two White Lotus flowers under him, anchoring them as his foundation for protection. He placed his hempen shoes upon the lotuses and ascended lightly into the air. Indeed, this was an immortal's wondrous art.

Hovering in the air, Chijingzi scrutinized the Ten Formation, witnessing its ferocity. Its murderous intent penetrated the Heavenly Realm, and black fog enveloped Qi Mountain.

While Chijingzi observed the scene, he saw within the "Soul-Scattering Formation" Yao Bin, hair disheveled, brandishing a sword, pacing in patterns and stomping symbols at the Thunder Gate. He also noticed atop a straw figure a faint, dim lamp, flickering ominously. Another lamp at its feet burned weakly, halfway extinguished. When Yao Bin struck his command token, the lower lamp snuffed out, releasing one soul and one spirit fragment from the gourd; fortunately, the gourd's mouth was sealed tightly, preventing their escape.

Yao Heavenly Monarch bowed several times, yet the upper lamp did not extinguish.—For after all, while the lamp burns, the soul endures.—Growing frustrated, Yao Bin struck the command token and shouted loudly, "Two souls and six spirit fragments have arrived! Why won't the remaining one soul and two spirit fragments return?!"