Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Randeng fled back to the pavilion and encountered Ziya, who greeted him and sat down.

Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu, seeing Randeng flee, did not pursue further, for he knew Yuanshi would soon arrive.

Jiang Ziya first spoke, "I didn't expect that our fellow Daoists would be trapped in the 'Yellow River Formation.' I wonder whether fortune or peril awaits them?"

Randeng replied, "Though it's not disastrous, it's truly a pity that this effort has been wasted. Now, I must make a journey to Yuxu Palace. Ziya, guard this place well, and be assured that our fellow Daoists will not be harmed."

Randeng then left West Qi, utilizing Earth Escape to travel swiftly. In an instant, he arrived at Kunlun Mountain's Qilin Cliff; descending from the escape light, he walked toward the palace entrance and saw the Immortal Child of the White Crane guarding the Nine Dragon Incense Chariot.

Randeng stepped forward and asked the Immortal Child, "Where has our Master gone?" The Immortal Child addressed him, "Master has gone to West Qi. You should return to the incense chamber and prepare to greet his arrival."

Upon hearing this, Randeng hurriedly returned to the pavilion and saw Ziya sitting alone. He said, "Ziya, quickly prepare incense and decorations, for the Master is arriving!"

Ziya promptly purified himself, aligned the incense burner, and awaited the chariot's arrival. Suddenly, fragrant vapors drifted everywhere.

Chaos was always mystical in virtue, depending entirely on profound principles to establish mystery. The Supreme Yin-Yang with Four Symbols, Heaven opens in the hour of Zi to take charge.

The hour of Chou sees the land and Humanity in my Master's teaching, "Huangting," two volumes guide the lost. The Jade Capital Golden Palace disseminates to disciples, the Fire Seed Golden Lotus is through me.

Six senses purified, troubles dispelled, the profound method is scarcely known. Two fingers tame dragons and subdue tigers, Heavenly light moves earth and sky.

Auspicious clouds rise thirty thousand feet, his body surrounded by rosy mists, Cai Yun soaring. He leisurely rides the Four Withouts, silently sitting atop the Nine Dragon Incense Chariot.

Flying beasts used as armrests, pleased to hold the Three Jade Ruyi. The White Crane and Azure Luan lead the way; behind, the Red Phoenix dances with the Immortal Robe.

Feather fans part clouds and mists, Immortal Children to the left and right play jade flutes. Yellow-turbaned warriors heed commands, fragrant smoke rolls as countless immortals follow.

Disseminating Daoist Skill, exalting the True sect leader, Yuanshi Tianzun leaves the Jade Pool.

It is said that Randeng and Ziya heard celestial music in the sky, the sonorous sounds soaring. Randeng held incense and kneeled, saying, "Disciple was unaware of your grand arrival and failed to greet you from afar; I beg your forgiveness."

Yuanshi Tianzun descended from the Incense Chariot, accompanied by the Southern Extreme Immortal Elder holding a feather fan.

Randeng and Ziya invited Tianzun into the pavilion and prostrated themselves in worship.

Tianzun spoke, "Rise!" Ziya then respectfully implored, "The Three Immortals Island placed the 'Yellow River Formation,' entrapping disciples in peril. We beg Master to show great mercy and rescue them universally."

Yuanshi replied, "Fate has been decreed; none can undo it. Your words are unnecessary." Yuanshi quietly meditated.

Randeng and Ziya attended to him on either side. By midnight, auspicious clouds appeared atop Tianzun, covering an acre of land. Five-colored divine light emanated from them, millions of golden lamps spread it forth, droplets fell continuously like a stream.

It is said that Yuanshi Tianzun, the next morning, commanded the Southern Extreme Immortal Elder, "Prepare the Incense Chariot. Since I have come, I must enter the 'Yellow River Formation' and take a glance."

Yuanshi arrived before the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation, and Li Mingzhu naturally came out to greet him; for a Saint, respect cannot be neglected.

"Li Mingzhu of Jie Sect greets the Second Grand Master Uncle; long life to the Saint!"

Li Mingzhu respectfully bowed, for he must display the due reverence appropriate for a Saint, at least outwardly.

"Good. I, this humble Daoist, will enter the formation on a brief inspection!"

Yuanshi did not immediately take action; his first priority was to save his eleven disciples.

It is said that Tianzun sat upon the Flying Chair and entered the formation directly. The Incense Chariot floated two feet above the ground, supported by auspicious clouds, radiant light swirling.

Tianzun entered the formation, celestial insight shining forth, and saw eleven disciples lying rigidly, eyes closed. Tianzun sighed, "It is due to the Three Corpses being unsevered and the Six Qi unswallowed—efforts vain over a millennium." Tianzun, moved with compassion, gazed at them and exited the formation.

Seated back in the pavilion, Randeng asked, "Master, you entered the formation; how are the fellow Daoists faring?"

Yuanshi replied, "Their Three Flowers have been stripped, the Heavenly Gate closed; already mortal and mere layfolk."

Randeng added, "Master, you entered the formation earlier; why did you not break it and rescue the Daoists with great mercy?"

Yuanshi chuckled, "Though this sect is under my charge, there are elders above me. I must consult my Daoist Brother before taking such action." Before his words concluded, a deer's call echoed above.

Yuanshi exclaimed, "Ah, the Daoist Brother from the Eight Sceneries Palace has arrived!" He promptly descended from the pavilion to greet him.

Deconstructing chaos unveils the Xuanguang scenery, administering the Five Elements among mortals. Elevating Xuanyuan to reach daylight, magics of Hangguan ensure that the Dao glimmers ever bright.

It is said that Laozi descended on his ox from the sky. Yuanshi greeted him with mirth, saying, "For Zhou's eight-hundred-year reign, Daoist Brother, your arrival is much appreciated!"

Laozi replied, "I couldn't not come." Randeng lit incense to guide him into the pavilion, with the Xuandu Great Method Master following. Randeng saluted him, Ziya bowed low, after which the two Heavenly Venerates seated themselves.

"You're somewhat late, Daoist Brother!" Yuanshi's eyes darkened with anger, clearly impatient to act.

"The formation may be broken, but lives must not be lost!"

Laozi opened his eyes slightly and spoke faintly.

"Why so?"

Yuanshi questioned, pinching his fingers for calculations and uncovering the underlying karmic cause.

"Only so long as there is no death?" Yuanshi asked again.

"Indeed!" Laozi shut his eyes once more, concerned only with sparing Li Mingzhu; the rest mattered not to him.

"Good!"

Yuanshi laughed and returned to the Incense Chariot, proceeding once again to the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation.

"Break the formation!"

Yuanshi roared, his Primordial Jade Ruyi softly smashing down. The seemingly indestructible Nine Curves formation crumbled like paper within moments.

Yuanshi gestured to save his disciples, yet the Jade Ruyi continued its trajectory toward Li Mingzhu.

Though Li Mingzhu knew he wouldn't die, he stood firm in resistance, for facing the power of a Saint was a rare opportunity, especially to remain alive afterward.

Using this proximity to comprehend the Heavenly Dao was a privilege granted to very few.

Seeing Li Mingzhu dare to resist, Yuanshi grew even angrier. "Audacious!"

Unintentionally, the force of the Jade Ruyi surged stronger. If it were to collide with Li Mingzhu, while it wouldn't take his life, his cultivation foundation would surely be obliterated.

Whether Yuanshi intended it or not, it seemed poetic justice: Yuanshi's disciples had their cultivation stripped by Li Mingzhu, and now Yuanshi was smashing Mingzhu's foundation.

"Yuanshi, dare you!"

Earth cleaved and Heaven revealed; truths profound shine in Biyou City. Five Qi Chaoyuan conveys mastery, Three Flowers Gathering at the Top brings deathless art. Gold light bursts into five hues above, Red Lotus treads millions of paths below. Eight Diagrams Immortal Robe emits violet aura, Three-Edged Treasure Sword called Qingping reigns supreme. Taming the Tiger and Subduing the Dragon tops all!

The Tongtian Sect Hierarch had arrived, though his figure hadn't, Qingping Sword had already blocked Yuanshi's Jade Ruyi.

Hovering mid-air, Tongtian glared at Yuanshi in fury.

"Yuanshi, you disgrace your Saintly title by acting against a junior disciple!"

"Below a Saint, all are equal; junior brother, you've fallen into this mindset!"

Yuanshi replied emotionlessly, sending the Jade Ruyi once more toward Li Mingzhu.

This time, however, it wasn't Tongtian but Laozi who intervened, deflecting it with a golden bridge that immediately materialized. Both Saints stepped across no further conflict.

"Greetings to the Eldest Brother!"

Both men saluted Laozi, recognizing him as senior both within the sect and among the Three Pure Ones.

"Confine him to the North Sea for a thousand years!"

Not giving the two Saints further opportunity to argue, Laozi spoke decisively. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent Li Mingzhu back to the North Sea Cave Mansion.

This was hardly confinement, merely a restriction to prevent movement. Yuanshi harbored mild resentment, but considering the eleven Nine Revolutions Golden Cores Laozi handed over, he chose not to pursue the matter.

Eleven Nine Revolutions Golden Cores were sufficient to restore Guang Chengzi and the others' cultivation once more.