Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu, after receiving the Tai Chi Diagram from Heavenly Monarch Yao, as instructed, walked toward the Chaos.

In truth, the Tai Chi Diagram has always been under Laozi's control. After all, it is an Innate Treasure and a Saint's Treasure; how could it possibly be lost?

If not for Laozi's deliberate consent, Heavenly Monarch Yao would hardly be able to obtain it, and the same applies to Li Mingzhu.

Without Laozi's tacit approval, there would be no chance for the Tai Chi Diagram to fall into Heavenly Monarch Yao's hands.

The Tai Chi Diagram reaching Heavenly Monarch Yao was equivalent to a bond of karma being forged—which, inevitably, had to be repaid. Hence, Heavenly Monarch Yao's later death was only proper.

Now, with Li Mingzhu receiving the Tai Chi Diagram, it was likewise equivalent to her taking on the karma, intending ultimately to deliver it to Tongtian in Upper Pure Heaven, thus transferring this karmic weight once again to Tongtian.

When the Tai Chi Diagram enters Tongtian's hands, the situation changes profoundly.

In the hands of Li Mingzhu and her kind, the bond is forged between them and the Saints. However, in Tongtian's hands, the karmic debt simply shifts—now it is Laozi who owes Tongtian.

These are two vastly different concepts, but at their root, they both stem from strength.

Because of an imbalance in power, Laozi could simply retrieve the Tai Chi Diagram from Li Mingzhu without effort, leaving her burdened with the stigma of coveting a Saint's Treasure.

But with the Diagram in Tongtian's possession, Laozi could only recover it by paying a price.

Laozi's choice not to reclaim the Tai Chi Diagram at this moment showed no intent to punish Li Mingzhu.

In mere moments, Li Mingzhu arrived at the edge of Chaos, crossed through its boundary, and proceeded toward Upper Pure Heaven.

With her current level of strength, traversing Chaos presented no difficulty; she reached Upper Pure Heaven in just a fleeting instant.

Upon arriving at Upper Pure Heaven, a boy emerged to greet her.

"Mingzhu, this way please. Laozi is within the palace."

"Very well!"

After escorting Li Mingzhu into the palace, the boy departed on his own.

"Disciple Li Mingzhu pays her respects to the Saintly Patriarch. May the Saint's longevity endure endlessly!" Li Mingzhu bowed reverently toward Tongtian, seated on his celestial bed, for the Saint's majesty forbade any presumption.

"There's no need for formalities. I already know your purpose. Leave the Tai Chi Diagram here; the Divine Enthronement matters should not be forced."

Tongtian spoke with a smile, then fell silent. Li Mingzhu promptly left the Tai Chi Diagram behind and quietly exited the palace.

As the supreme Saint, Tongtian naturally had his own plans, leaving little left to say.

Li Mingzhu departed the palace, exiting Upper Pure Heaven, and descended toward the Mortal World.

Meanwhile, within the West Qi camp, the Twelve Golden Immortals and Deputy Sect Hierarch Randeng had gathered, excluding the fallen Huanglong.

From Peach Garden Cave of Jiuxian Mountain: Guang Chengzi,

From Yunxiao Cave of Taixu Mountain: Chi Jingzi,

From Flying Cloud Cave of Xialong Mountain: Ju Liusun—later transformed into a Buddha,

From Golden Light Cave of Qianyuan Mountain: Taiyi Zhenren,

From Yuan Yang Cave of Kongtong Mountain: Spiritual Treasure Grandmaster,

From Yunxiao Cave of Five Dragon Mountain: Manjushri Heavenly Venerate—later transformed into Manjushri Bodhisattva,

From White Crane Cave of Jiugong Mountain: Universal Virtue Zhenren—later transformed into Universal Virtue Bodhisattva,

From Luojia Cave of Putuo Mountain: Ci Hang Daoist—later transformed into Guanyin Bodhisattva,

From Golden Radiance Cave of Yuquan Mountain: Yu Ding Zhenren,

From Jade Mansion Cave of Jinting Mountain: Daoist Heavenly Venerate,

From Purple Sun Cave of Qingfeng Mountain: Qingxu Daoist True Monarch.

The eleven Golden Immortals, accompanied by the Deputy Sect Hierarch Randeng, gathered together at West Qi.

Randeng Daoist began discussing strategies for breaking the formation, sighing with dismay: "This calamity will inevitably cost me ten friends."

The so-called strategy to break the formation, as expected by Li Mingzhu, involved invoking arrays to dispel the baleful energy.

At this moment, Grandmaster Wen Zhong summoned the Ten Heavenly Lords to the camp and asked, seated: "Are the ten formations complete?"

Qin Wan replied, "They were completed long ago. We should send a challenge to conclude matters swiftly and prepare for returning home."

Grandmaster Wen Zhong hastily prepared a letter and instructed Deng Zhong to deliver the challenge to Jiang Ziya.

Jin Zha greeted Deng Zhong upon his arrival: "What business brings you here?"

Deng Zhong responded, "I am here to deliver a challenge."

Jin Zha reported to Ziya: "Deng Zhong has delivered a challenge letter."

Ziya commanded, "Bring it forth." The letter read:

"From the Chief General of the West Expedition, Grandmaster Wen Zhong, addressed to Prime Minister Jiang Ziya: It is said, 'All land under heaven belongs to the sovereign.' You have rebelled without cause, offending the world and earning universal condemnation. Despite repeated imperial campaigns, you persist in your crimes, exhibiting unrestrained brutality and murdering imperial forces, disgracing the Court—an unforgivable sin. Now the Ten Extreme Formation is laid; we shall decide victory or defeat. Deng Zhong is entrusted to deliver this message, so a date may be agreed upon for battle. Prepare to vanquish or repel."

Ziya read the letter and replied succinctly: "Three days hence we battle."

Deng Zhong reported back to Grandmaster Wen Zhong: "Three days hence we shall face the formation."

Grandmaster Wen Zhong hosted a grand feast in the camp, entertaining the Ten Heavenly Lords with boisterous rejoicing and heavy drink.

By the third watch of the night, he emerged from the central command tent, gazing across the Zhou army's reed tents. Overhead, auspicious clouds and radiant hues appeared above the Daoists, adorned with golden lamps, sacred leaves, strings of pearls dripping like water from the roof's eaves in a continuous stream.

The Ten Heavenly Lords exclaimed: "The people of Kunlun Mountain are here!"

The gathered forces were startled, returning to their respective formations, alert and waiting. It was already three days hence.

On the morning of the battle, the Tang Camp rang with cannon blasts and shouts. Grandmaster Wen Zhong emerged from the camp gate. The troops divided into ranks: Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao forming the vanguard; the Ten Formation Masters stood at their designated positions.

Across the Zhou army's reed tents, faint banners fluttered amidst radiant clouds.

Randeng, holding command of the forces, led the Immortals out of the tents, arranging them as they marched.

Chi Jingzi stood opposite Guang Chengzi; Taiyi Zhenren faced Spiritual Treasure Grandmaster; Daoist True Monarch confronted Ju Liusun; Manjushri Heavenly Venerate engaged Universal Virtue Zhenren; Ci Hang Daoist and Yu Ding Zhenren challenged Daoist Heavenly Venerate. The twelve Immortals assembled in perfect formation, with Randeng Daoist seated upon a plum deer at the center. Chi Jingzi struck the Golden Bell; Guang Chengzi struck the Jade Chime.

Within the "Heavenly Termination Array," a bell resounded, and the gate of the formation opened. Two banners swayed as a Daoist figure emerged. What manner of person was this? His face was blue as indigo, his hair like cinnabar, and he rode a yellow-spotted deer out of the formation.

Qin Tianjun of the "Heavenly Termination Array" rushed forth from the formation.

Randeng Daoist surveyed the scene, secretly wondering, "No one fated to break this formation has yet appeared..."

Just as he contemplated this, a breeze stirred the sky, and down descended an Immortal—Yuquan Palace's fifth disciple, Deng Hua, wielding a Fangtian Halberd.

They exchanged bows, Deng Hua declaring: "By my master's decree, I have come to break the 'Heavenly Termination Array.'"

Randeng nodded, reflecting inwardly: "The outcome has been predetermined. There is no escaping this doom!" Before he could reply, Qin Tianjun roared: "Who among the disciples of the Kunlun Sect dares challenge my formation?"

Deng Hua stepped forward, proclaiming: "Hold your anger, Qin Wan, and cease your arrogance!" Qin Wan replied: "Who are you to speak so boisterously?"

Deng Hua retorted: "Heedless wretch! Do you not even recognize me? I am Deng Hua, disciple of Yuquan Palace."

Qin Wan replied: "Do you dare confront my formation?"

Deng Hua responded: "Having received the sacred command to descend the mountain, how could I return empty-handed?" Raising his halberd, he charged forward. Qin Wan spurred his deer in retaliation, their movements interweaving as they dueled before the "Heavenly Termination Array."

Within three or five exchanges, Qin Tianjun feigned retreat, tossing aside his mace and heading for the formation entrance.

Deng Hua pursued relentlessly. Seeing Qin Wan enter through the gate, Deng Hua followed inside. Qin Tianjun ascended a platform within the formation—which bore a table and on it the Three-headed Banner.

Gripping the banner, Qin Tianjun spun it repeatedly, then hurled it downward. Thunder roared in unison. Deng Hua, dazed and disoriented, collapsed in confusion, unable to distinguish north from south or east from west.

Qin Wan descended from the platform, severing Deng Hua's head and dragging it out of the formation, shouting: "Who among the Kunlun Sect dares confront my 'Heavenly Termination Array' again?"

Randeng sighed bitterly, witnessing Deng Hua's severed head: "Such a tragic end for years of cultivation!"

Heavenly Monarch Yao, seeing Qin Wan's ruthless act, was also struck with horror; he deeply remembered Li Mingzhu's grave warning: once a killing is committed, the array is doomed to fail!

In truth, the Ten Heavenly Lords were aware of the flaws in the Ten Extreme Formation; under normal circumstances, they would never resort to killing. Yet, amid the calamity, clarity rarely prevailed.

Heavenly Monarch Yao managed to remain clear-headed only because he had delivered the Tai Chi Diagram and received Li Mingzhu's guidance. The others, however, lacked such foresight.

"Who dares test the edge without fear of toil,

Raising the treasured box and dragon-call.

Purple mist three thousand fathoms long,

High clouds towering a hundred feet tall.

In morning halls discussing virtues grand,

At Jade Capital planting celestial peach strands.

Following the master's decree to leave the immortal dwelling,

Taking another turn in the red dust, one more compelling."

As the Daoist song concluded, Manjushri Heavenly Venerate stepped forth, prepared to break the Heavenly Termination Array!