Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Ziya said, "If not for Daoist Brother's salvation, Jiang Shang would not have had any chance of survival."

Guang Chengzi replied, "I was acting under the Teacher's orders, waiting here for a long time. You were destined to face this calamity."

Helping Ziya onto the Four Not Like, Guang Chengzi said, "Ziya, take care as you journey forth!"

Ziya deeply thanked Guang Chengzi, "I owe Daoist Brother for saving my life. This will forever be etched in my memory!"

Guang Chengzi said, "I will now head to Biyou Palace to submit the Golden Radiance Crown."

Parting with Guang Chengzi, Ziya returned to Jiameng Pass. As he was traveling, a fierce gale suddenly arose, uprooting trees and shaking the seas and rivers.

Ziya exclaimed, "How strange! This wind feels as if a tiger has arrived!"

Before he could finish, Shen Gongbao indeed came riding a tiger toward him.

Ziya muttered, "Meeting this villain on a narrow path, what can I do now? Alright, let me hide from him."

Ziya directed the Four Not Like into a thicket, intending to conceal himself, but Shen Gongbao had already seen him. Shen Gongbao shouted loudly, "Jiang Ziya! No need to hide, I've already spotted you!"

Ziya had no choice but to muster his courage, step forward, and bow respectfully. Ziya said, "Where do you hail from, my dear brother?"

Shen Gongbao laughed and said, "I came specially to meet you. Jiang Ziya, today you are not accompanied by the Southern Pole Immortal Elder, and now you are alone and destined to face me! I doubt you can escape my grasp today!"

Ziya asked, "Brother, I hold no grudge against you. Why are you causing such trouble for me?"

Shen Gongbao replied, "Don't you remember what happened at Kunlun? You relied on the Southern Pole Immortal Elder's influence and showed me no respect. First, you ignored my calls; later, you humiliated me alongside the Southern Pole Immortal Elder and even had White Crane Tong'er carry off my head. You aimed to harm me. Isn't this murderous enmity? Yet you claim there is none! Now you hold the Golden Platform ceremony to command armies and relieve the people of their suffering, but I fear you won't make it past the Five Passes. First, you shall die here!"

He brandished his treasure sword and slashed at Ziya. Ziya blocked the attack with his own sword and said, "Brother, you are indeed petty and unforgiving! We were disciples under the same teacher for forty years, yet you show no shred of kinship or sentiment. When I ascended Kunlun, you deceived me with illusion techniques. Then, when the Southern Pole Immortal Elder had White Crane Tong'er confront you, I even mediated on your behalf repeatedly. Instead of gratitude, you take it as enmity. You are truly heartless and unjust!"

Shen Gongbao grew furious, "You two conspired to harm me, and now you use flowery words, expecting to escape my wrath…"

Before finishing, he struck again. Ziya grew angry and shouted, "Shen Gongbao! I let you go earlier not because I feared you, but to preserve the moral high ground so future generations wouldn't say Jiang Ziya lacked integrity. But now, I won't tolerate your bullying any longer!"

Gripping his sword, Ziya fought Shen Gongbao. However, Ziya's wounds were still fresh, leaving him unable to match Shen Gongbao in combat. His body writhed with pain, and he turned the Four Not Like eastward to flee. Shen Gongbao rode the wind and clouds atop his tiger, pursuing him closely.

Shen Gongbao caught up with Ziya and unleashed the Heavenly Creation Pearl, striking Ziya square in the back.

Ziya fell off the Four Not Like and tumbled from the saddle. Shen Gongbao dismounted from his tiger, preparing to kill Ziya. But suddenly, from below the mountain slope, emerged Ju Liusun from Jialong Mountain Flying Dragon Cave. He too was acting under Yuxu's orders, waiting for Shen Gongbao's arrival. Ju Liusun cried out, "Shen Gongbao, cease your insolence! I am here! I am here!" He shouted twice.

Shen Gongbao turned around and saw Ju Liusun, startled. Knowing Ju Liusun's prowess, he thought to himself, "This is bad!"

He intended to retreat on his tiger, but Ju Liusun laughed and said, "No escaping!" He quickly unleashed the Immortal-roping Rope, binding Shen Gongbao.

Ju Liusun commanded the Yellow Turban Strongmen, saying, "Take him to Qilin Cliff and await my judgment." The Yellow Turban Strongmen obeyed and departed with Shen Gongbao.

Ju Liusun then descended the mountain and assisted Ziya, resting him against a stone and leaning him against a pine tree. After allowing him to sit and recover for a brief moment, Ju Liusun produced an elixir pill for Ziya, who upon consumption, regained his strength. Ziya said, "I am deeply grateful to Daoist Brother for saving me! My wounds had barely healed, and once again, I've been struck by another calamity. It appears this is simply one of my trials of seven deaths and three disasters."

Ziya bid farewell to Ju Liusun and mounted the Four Not Like, returning to Jiameng Pass.

Meanwhile, Ju Liusun rode the Golden Light Technique to Yuxu Palace. As he passed Qilin Cliff, he saw the Yellow Turban Strongmen waiting. Ju Liusun arrived at the palace gates, where banners and incense burners were carried by attendants, and rows of Immortals holding feathered fans stood aligned.

The primordial cosmos gave rise to renown, refining the Innate Force to unite the Five Elements. Three streams of energy atop the head ascend toward the northern heavens, five currents within the chest converge upon the southern seas. Among the ranks of Immortals, Yuanshi is revered; in the mysteries of existence, discussions transcend the ordinary. Flowers bloom in fragrance around the celestial carriage; through countless cycles of upheaval, longevity remains eternal.

Ju Liusun then saw the Hierarch emerge from Yuxu Palace. Bowing down at the roadside, he exclaimed, "Master, may your longevity be infinite!"

Yuanshi Tianzun replied, "Very well! You've dispelled the clouds and fog, and it won't be long before you return to the primordial source."

Ju Liusun said, "Under the Master's decree, Shen Gongbao has been apprehended and brought to Qilin Cliff, awaiting judgment."

Yuanshi arrived at Qilin Cliff and found Shen Gongbao captured there.

Yuanshi said, "You wretched foe! What grudge do you bear against Jiang Shang to enlist the help of the Three Mountains and Five Mountains against West Qi? Fate has run its course, yet you continue to harm him on his journey. Had I not foreseen this and made prior arrangements, you'd nearly have succeeded. Currently, the matters of Divine Enthronement require Jiang Shang as my proxy to assist in guiding the Zhou dynasty. And you seek only to hinder him, preventing King Wu from advancing."

Yuanshi then commanded the Yellow Turban Strongmen, "Open up Qilin Cliff and confine this wretch here. Let him remain until Jiang Shang has completed Divine Enthronement, then release him!"

The Yellow Turban Strongmen seized Shen Gongbao and prepared to imprison him under the cliff. Shen Gongbao cried out, "Injustice!"

Yuanshi said, "You clearly attempted to harm Jiang Shang, so what injustice do you claim? Very well, I shall imprison you. If you believe I favor Jiang Shang, make an oath to prove yourself."

Shen Gongbao made an oath, though it was mere words to him, unknowing of the consequences of his declarations. Gongbao said, "If I ever enlist Immortals to obstruct Jiang Shang again, may my body seal the North Sea's abyss!"

Yuanshi said, "So be it. Release him." Shen Gongbao escaped this ordeal and left, and Ju Liusun also departed after paying his respects.

Yuanshi's decision to release Shen Gongbao naturally stemmed from his understanding of Shen Gongbao's role in Divine Enthronement; dealing with him now would not be timely.

At the same time, Guang Chengzi arrived at Biyou Palace to deliver the Fire Spirit Saint Mother's Spiritual Treasure. However, his intentions were less than virtuous, purely seeking to shame Jie Sect.

With such thoughts, Tongtian and Duobao naturally saw through his motives.

As expected, Guang Chengzi faced three ambushes in Biyou Palace. If he hadn't fled quickly, he likely would've been detained.

Tongtian Sect Hierarch declared, "Jiang Shang follows the decree of our Three Sects, assisting the destined emperor. Many figures from all Three Sects are listed on the Investiture of the Gods. Guang Chengzi is also a sect-defying Immortal. He killed Fire Spirit Saint Mother, not because he sought unnecessary conflict, but because you pursued him. All of this is heavenly will. Why must you oppose him and disregard my teachings, bringing disgrace upon yourselves?"

It was Tongtian rebuking Duobao and others, as several disciples had acted improperly by attempting to intercept Guang Chengzi.

The disciples dared not speak, but Duobao Daoist knelt and said, "Master's teachings are supreme, how could we disobey? Yet, Guang Chengzi slanders our sect, arrogantly exalts his Yuxu teachings, and scorns us. How could you be unaware of this? He deceives others with false words, and we can no longer tolerate his offenses."

Tongtian Sect Hierarch said, "'Red flowers, white lotus, and green leaves—the Three Sects share the same origin.' How could he not know this? How dare he spout nonsense and deceive? You must not divide yourselves nor stir conflict unnecessarily."

Duobao Daoist said, "Master, may I speak frankly? It seems you're unaware of the details. The matter has already progressed to this point, forcing me to be upfront. He insulted our sect as a sideline path, disparaging its followers, saying: 'Creatures with fur and horns, beings born in water or through eggs, all belong to the same clan.' He disrespected us completely, claiming only his Yuxu Daoist teachings were 'Supreme.' This is why we must rebel against him!"

Tongtian Sect Hierarch said, "I see Guang Chengzi as a noble and genuine Immortal. Such words are unthinkable. Do not misunderstand him."

Duobao Daoist replied, "Disciple would never deceive the Master!"

The other disciples chimed in, "These words were indeed spoken, and they can be verified face-to-face."

Tongtian Sect Hierarch smiled and said, "I emerged alongside feathers and fur; what of his master? I am feathered and furred, and his master is too of the same ilk. This arrogant creature speaks so frivolously!"

"Master, Guang Chengzi is so insolent. Must we suffer in silence?"

Speaking with urgency was Jin Ling Saint Mother, who was the first to interject upon hearing this.

"Naturally not. Since the words have been spoken, there will be consequences. For now, it's not convenient for me to act directly. You all may take the Four Swords and deploy the Slaying Immortal Formation at Jie Pai Pass to confront the Chan Sect Immortals!"

Tongtian pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, splitting the air. Four treasure swords appeared suddenly—none other than the Four Slaying Immortal Swords!

Tongtian extended his hand and summoned Duobao forward.

"Duobao Daoist, come forth and hear my instructions: Since they ridicule our sect as inferior, take these four swords and set up the Slaying Immortal Formation at Jie Pai Pass. Let us see which Chan Sect disciple dares to enter my formation! If something arises, I will personally intervene."

Duobao Daoist asked the Master, "What are the powers of these swords?"

Tongtian Sect Hierarch explained, "These swords possess four names: The first is 'Slaying Immortal Sword,' the second 'Slaughter Immortal Sword,' the third 'Imprisoning Immortal Sword,' and the fourth 'Severing Immortal Sword.' These swords, suspended at the hall's entrance, unleash thunderous vibrations. When their sword light flashes, even Daluo Immortals face inevitable doom.

Neither bronze nor iron nor steel they are, once buried beneath the Sumeru Mountain afar.

No need for yin and yang alchemical fires, yet quenched in water and flame, sharpness inspires.

Slaying Immortal makes one perish, Slaughter Immortal leads opponents to sorrow.

Imprisoning Immortal scintillates with red light, Severing Immortal brings infinite transformations.

Even Daluo Immortals are dyed in blood when swords abound.

With the unveiling of the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation, it's evident Tongtian was thoroughly provoked. Otherwise, he wouldn't have deployed such a lethal mechanism.

After all, in Tongtian's initial plans, the decisive confrontation with Chan Sect wasn't supposed to happen at this juncture.