Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Yuanshi said, "As the ancient saying goes: 'The elder instructs, and the younger follows.' Although I helm this sect, with our elder master before me, how could I overstep alone? Let us wait for our senior brother to arrive; everything will be resolved in due course."

Before his words were finished, celestial melodies resounded in the air, and a faint, otherworldly fragrance permeated. A Saint seated atop the azure ox, led by the Xuandu Great Method Marshal, floated down gracefully. Yuanshi Tianzun, accompanied by his disciples, advanced to greet the arrival.

The mysterious arts beyond duality rise,

Mercury and lead unite to forge immortal guise.

Hair white from birth, in realms divine,

Essence complete before life's design.

In chambers refining the prime elements' will,

Pills surpassing the innate form still.

A guest of Eight Sceneries Palace, far removed,

Mortality's cycles, no longer pursued.

Yuanshi, upon seeing the arrival of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, led his disciples to lower the canopy in welcome. The two clasped hands and ascended to sit beneath the canopy, while the disciples bowed low and stood at attention on either side.

Laozi said, "Worthy brother Tongtian, by setting up this Slaying Immortal Formation, you block the Zhou army, preventing Jiang Shang from advancing east. What intent underlies your actions? That is why I have come, to hear your explanation."

Yuanshi said, "Today, this humble Daoist ventured into his formation, surveying it thoroughly without engaging with him."

Laozi said, "Then dismantle it. If he concedes, let that be the end; but if he refuses, we shall escort him to the Purple Cloud Palace for an audience with our master, and see how he responds to that."

The two Hierarchs sat beneath the canopy, a glorious cloud of auspicious hues connecting to the heavens, illuminating Jie Sect's boundary marker with a radiant crimson glow. By the next morning, Tongtian Sect Hierarch issued his decree: commanding his disciples to lineup and prepare, saying, "Now that our senior brother has arrived, let us see how he argues today!"

Duobao Daoist, along with the disciples, rang the Golden Bell and Jade Chime and stepped out of the Slaying Immortal Formation, inviting Laozi to speak. Nezha relayed the invitation to the canopy. Before long, within the thatched pavilion, curling incense smoke wafted gracefully, and auspicious radiance shimmered. Behold, Laozi rode his azure ox as he arrived.

Riding the ox, distant villages he passed,

Flute notes of the immortals through fields amassed.

He split the heavens and the earth, a Hierarch divine,

From the furnace emerged worlds resplendent, aligned.

As Laozi approached the formation front,

Tongtian Sect Hierarch bowed deeply and said, "Brother Dao, please."

Laozi said, "Worthy younger brother, you and we three jointly established the 'Investiture of the Gods,' to comply with the heavenly mandate and the destined calamity. Why, then, do you obstruct the Zhou army and cause Jiang Shang to defy the will of Heaven?"

Tongtian Sect Hierarch said, "Brother Dao, do not take one-sided actions. Guang Chengzi trespassed into Biyou Palace thrice, dishonored my sect with scornful words, and acted impudently, disregarding proper etiquette. Yesterday, you two brothers solely protected your own disciples, eliminating our kin unrestrainedly. What justice is this? Now, instead of reprimanding your disciples, you come to fault me! What intent is this? If you wish to resolve this grievance, deliver Guang Chengzi to Biyou Palace for me to reprimand, and I shall let this matter rest. However, if a single word is withheld, let us depend on our sects' prowess to settle this decisively!"

Laozi said, "With such rhetoric, are you calling yourself impartial? You heed only the slanderous rumors of your disciples, igniting the fires of ignorance to set this malicious formation, wreaking havoc upon life itself. Even supposing Guang Chengzi spoke those words—which is uncertain—such deeds do not merit retaliation to this degree. The very thought betrays your original vow, defying the Heavenly Dao, forsaking clear precepts, and violating the prohibitions against anger and ignorance. Hear my words promptly: dismantle this formation, return to guard Biyou Palace, and repent for your errors. Only then may you retain leadership over Jie Sect. Should you refuse, I will take you to the Purple Cloud Palace to face our master for judgment, where you will be cast into reincarnation, barred forever from returning to Biyou Palace. By then, repentance will be too late!"

Tongtian Sect Hierarch, upon hearing this, his eyes flared with smoke. Enraged, he shouted, "Li Dan! You and I are of the same root and oversee two great sects. Why do you treat me with such suppression, favoring your own and shielding their faults, while belittling me? Do you think I am unworthy compared to you? The formation is set; I will not yield! Dare you break it?"

Laozi laughed, saying, "What difficulty is there in that? Do not regret your arrogance!"

The Primordial Dao now unfolds,

Unveiling the profound truths of Xuandu Method bold.

Laozi said again, "If the formation must be broken, I shall first enter it. Prepare yourself; I will follow after ensuring readiness, so you are not caught off guard."

Tongtian Daoist, furious, said, "Enter my formation as you wish! I have my means to capture you!"

With those words, Tongtian Daoist turned his bull and entered the Entrapping Immortal Gate. At the base of the Entrapping Immortal Tower, he awaited Laozi. Laozi patted his azure ox and moved westward towards the Duay sector. Arriving beneath the Entrapping Immortal Gate, Laozi urged his ox forward. Vapor of white light and red purple-cloud aura billowed from the beast's four hooves, ascendant. Laozi then unfurled the Tai Chi Diagram, which transformed into a resplendent Golden Bridge, and he strode boldly into the Entrapping Immortal Gate.

"Beyond heaven and earth, I revere the enlightened teacher,

Amidst chaos, I claim my measure.

Five Elements bow to my command,

Through the Great Dao, I ferry the bewildered band.

Serene refinement builds my golden tower,

Leisurely wandering beyond the border's power.

Hands grasp heaven and earth's far expanse,

Within lies Five Mountains and Mount Sumeru in a dance."

Having sung his verse, Laozi entered the formation directly.

Meanwhile, Tongtian Sect Hierarch beheld Laozi striding with imposing grandeur and immediately released his thunderbolt. Its deafening roar shook the Treasure Swords atop the Entrapping Immortal Gate.

When the Treasure Swords quivered, none—human or immortal—could preserve their heads aloft. Laozi laughed heartily, saying, "Worthy younger brother Tongtian, refrain from such discourtesy; behold, my walking staff!"

He struck forward. Tongtian Sect Hierarch, seeing Laozi unassailable within the formation, turned red with rage, igniting fiery energies throughout his body. With rapid speed, he met the strike with the flame of his sword.

Amidst the clash, Laozi laughed, saying, "Without mastery of the supreme Dao, how can one manage to found a lineage?" With another swing of his staff, he aimed directly again.

Tongtian Sect Hierarch, furious, said, "With what Daoist Skill do you defy and strike down my disciples? How would this hatred ever dissipate?" Sword against staff, the two Saints dueled fiercely within the Slaying Immortal Formation, an impasse reached after countless exchanges.

Thus, the two Saints clashed inside the Entrapping Immortal Gate, each unleashing their might. After half an hour, beneath the Eight Diagram Platform within the Entrapping Immortal Gate, a host of Jie Sect disciples glared with wide, fiery eyes. Within the formation, thunder roared, winds howled, lightning flashed blindingly, and fumes blanketed the chaos indiscriminately.