Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Of course, though the immortals understood, they did not care and chose to keep silent about it.

Within the group, Taiyi Zhenren said, "Fellow Daoists, since the Primordial era, the Dao has upheld its supreme status. However, the Jie Sect has recklessly spread its teachings to unworthy followers. Such efforts are truly wasted—energy spent in vain and heart power squandered. They fail to cultivate the dual path of life and true essence, wasting their entire existence only to suffer the torment of reincarnation. It is indeed lamentable!"

Dao Xing Tianzun also added, "This moment marks the calamity of fifteen hundred years. Opportunities like this are rare and extraordinary. Let us descend to the tent to see for ourselves."

Randeng countered, "We need not go and observe; let us wait for our teacher's arrival. The appointed time will naturally come."

Guang Chengzi rebutted, "We are neither debating with them nor dismantling their formation. A mere distant observation would do no harm."

The group of Daoists unanimously agreed: "Guang Chengzi's suggestion is fitting."

Unable to dissuade them, Randeng reluctantly descended alongside everyone to observe the Myriad Immortals Formation. They saw overlapping gates and a chilling murderous aura. The immortals shook their heads: "Such ferocity! Each person carries an unusual air; all possess menacing forms. There is no intent for cultivating the Dao, only a heart bent on slaughter and conflict."

Randeng turned to the group and asked, "Fellow Daoists, in your view, do they appear to embody the qualities of immortals and true enlightenment?" After observing, the immortals prepared to return to the tent when suddenly a bell tolled within the Myriad Immortals Formation. From it emerged a Daoist, singing:

"People laugh at Ma Sui as a foolish Immortal, yet within his foolishness lies true profundity. Profundity has its path, but none walk it—except I, who seek the peaches of eternity."

After singing, Ma Sui shouted loudly, "Disciples of Yuxu Sect! You dare come here spying on my formation? How about comparing our prowess right here?"

Randeng chuckled, "You merely craved a look at their malevolent formation, causing unnecessary conflict over this matter."

Yu Ding stepped forward: "Ma Sui, do not be so conceited. I won't debate high or low with you now; when the Master Saint arrives, the formation will surely be broken. Why must you rely on brute force and commit atrocities to extinguish our teachings?"

Ma Sui leapt forward, wielding his sword to attack. Yu Ding Zhenren quickly countered with his sword, while Taiyi hurriedly joined in the defense. After only a single clash, Ma Sui summoned a golden hoop and bound Taiyi Zhenren's head.

Unable to bear the pain, Zhenren's head ached terribly. The immortals rushed to save him and all returned to the bamboo tent.

Yet, no matter the method, they were unable to remove the golden hoop from Taiyi's head.

Meanwhile, Yuanshi Tianzun approached the Myriad Immortals Formation, first sending Nanji Xianweng ahead with the Jade Talisman.

Nanji Xianweng rode his crane forward, his presence radiant and ethereal. Seeing Nanji Xianweng, Ma Sui immediately ascended into the air and intercepted him mid-flight.

Xianweng smiled, "Ma Sui, restrain your arrogance. The Master Teacher is here."

Ma Sui intended to confront him further but heard celestial melodies and smelled divine fragrances filling the air behind him. Knowing this meant resistance was futile, he descended to the ground and returned to the formation.

Nanji Xianweng reached the bamboo tent first, leading the immortals in welcoming the Master Teacher. Entering the tent, they seated themselves. The sect disciples bowed in respect and stood on either side.

"Taiyi Zhenren is plagued by the golden hoop," Yuanshi said upon entering the tent. Naturally, resolving the matter of Taiyi's golden hoop became the first priority.

He called out, "Come here."

Taiyi Zhenren stepped closer; Yuanshi pointed a finger at him, and the golden hoop detached on its own.

Zhenren expressed his gratitude, and Yuanshi continued, "Today, you all should seize this opportunity to rid yourselves of this calamity. Return to your cave mansions, cultivate self-restraint, eliminate the Three Corpses, and refrain from inviting trouble from the mortal realm in the future."

"May the teacher's blessings endure endlessly!" the disciples replied, bowing in gratitude.

As Yuanshi meditated quietly, celestial fragrances and music began wafting in from the sky. Already aware of Laozi's arrival, Yuanshi led the disciples in greeting him. Laozi dismounted his cyan ox and walked hand in hand toward the tent.

The disciples saluted and offered their reverence before Laozi seated himself.

"The Zhou Family has an eight-hundred-year foundation, and I have descended into the mortal world three times in total; clearly, destiny cannot be avoided. Why should any immortal or Buddha fear fate?" Laozi lamented.

Yuanshi responded, "The calamities of the mortal realm are unavoidable, even for those gods and immortals who exist beyond it. Our sect disciples, being directly involved, cannot escape this tribulation. Thus, we must endure this cycle of destiny."

By the hour of the second watch, dazzling jeweled lotuses appeared above the sages' heads, auspicious clouds and golden shimmering light filled the air, and boundless divine mist ascended to the heavens.

Meanwhile, Duobao noticed the divine mist and auspicious clouds within the Myriad Immortals Formation, realizing his two elder martial uncles had arrived. He thought, "Today, the Master Teacher has come; my Master must also arrive soon."

By dawn, celestial music resounded in the skies, the jingling of ornamental pendants echoed without pause, and the immortals accompanied Tongtian Hierarch as he left Biyou Palace and approached the Myriad Immortals Formation.

Duobao and Jin Ling Saint Mother, upon hearing this, led the immortals in welcoming their leader, escorting him to the formation's entrance and the Eight Diagram Platform where they seated themselves.

Once all the immortals had paid their respects, Duobao respectfully said, "Both elder martial uncles have already arrived."

"Enough! Now that the moon wanes and cannot be full, having set this Myriad Immortals Formation, I shall undoubtedly face them and decide who the victor is—to establish who will be the supreme. Today marks the gathering of all immortals, as we fulfill destiny's appointed course," spoke Tongtian with unwavering resolve.

He then ordered Chang Er Ding Guangxian, "You shall go to the bamboo tent and deliver this letter to the two elder masters."

"Hold! Pay respects to the Grandmaster first!"

Just as Chang Er Ding Guangxian was about to leave, he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Li Mingzhu, clad in a white robe, stepping forward slowly.

"Li Mingzhu, what business do you have?"

"I seek permission!"

"What permission do you seek?"

"I wish to deliver the letter myself, and furthermore, volunteer to be the first in the Myriad Immortals Formation battle!"

Li Mingzhu's response was neither servile nor overbearing, his demeanor and aura earning the admiration of all the immortals within the Jie Sect.

"Granted!"

Tongtian paused for a moment in thought but ultimately didn't resist, granting the request directly. However, Chang Er Ding Guangxian was displeased—what is Li Mingzhu playing at?

Li Mingzhu, however, disregarded the discontent, hoping that truly his interruption would remind Tongtian of Chang Er Ding Guangxian's dubious intentions.

Taking Tongtian's battle letter, Li Mingzhu headed to West Qi's military encampment, directly delivering it to Yang Jian.

Yang Jian handed the war letter to Laozi and the others, leaving Li Mingzhu with only one piece of advice: on the battlefield, show no mercy!

It seemed Yang Jian had his sights set on Li Mingzhu for tomorrow's battle. Yet, Li Mingzhu was no longer the same person from yesteryears. Though Yang Jian had made significant progress, he still could not hope to rival Li Mingzhu.

The next day, the two Hierarchs led their disciples to observe the Myriad Immortals Formation, descending to its front. Upon seeing it, they exclaimed, "What a formation of myriad immortals!"

A peculiar mist, several blasts of chilling wind. Rainbow-colored light enshrouded in golden radiance, auspicious clouds arose in a thousand blooms of vibrant hues.

In the center stood Daoists who cultivated their way amidst mountains, while to the sides gathered itinerant practitioners from lakes and seas.

Laozi and Yuanshi approached the Myriad Immortals Formation, and Laozi remarked to Yuanshi, "Their sect indeed produces such disciples! From my perspective, they indiscriminately take in followers without regard for aptitude or depth of cultivation. How could these be true immortals or enlightened beings? Within this formation, those who are destined shall distinguish jade from stone, depth from shallowness. Those caught in this calamity, their wasted efforts truly evoke sighs of lamentation!"

As he spoke, Tongtian Hierarch emerged from the formation mounted on his fiery-red qilin ox, dressed in his Big Red White Crane Red Silk Robe, and brandishing his Treasure Sword. Laozi gazed and saw no trace of Daoist spirit within Tongtian—only fierce animosity in his expression.

"The principles of splitting the heavens and opening the earth are clear; teaching scriptures and expounding on the Dao resides in Biyou City. The exquisite methods of Five Qi Chaoyuan and the profound techniques of Three Flowers Gathering at the Top reveal the way of non-being. Golden light radiates above as brilliant hues intertwine; the Red Lotus below traverses myriad spans. The Eight Diagrams Immortal Robe disperses violet mist, while the Three-Edged Treasure Sword calls forth the Green Apple Blade. Taming tigers and subduing dragons as unrivaled tactics, binding demons and capturing monsters with unmatched freedom."

Tongtian Hierarch, upon sighting the two masters, made a gesture of respect and greeted, "Fellow Daoists, my regards!"

Laozi shouted sternly, "Brother, your insolence knows no bounds! Without repentance, how could you remain the Jie Sect Master? At the Slaying Immortal Formation of previous days, we already determined the victor and vanquished. You should have secluded yourself in retreat, correcting past errors—only then could you be a proper sect leader. How dare you persist in your ways, leading immortals to establish such a sinister formation! Will you only stop once jade and stone alike crumble and all living beings meet destruction? Why commit such karmic offenses?"

An enraged Tongtian Hierarch retorted, "You who presumptuously lead the Chan Sect, indulging in pride while letting your disciples act wantonly, ruthlessly slaughtering and disregarding the Dao's principles, yet you stand here deceiving others with cunning words. In what manner am I lesser than you? You dare to belittle me! Today, you further go and invite Western Zhunti Daoist to strike me with the empowerment pestle. Know that his blow upon me equals a blow upon you—how shall this resentment ever be resolved?"

Yuanshi laughed, "There's no need for words—the very act of setting this formation presents an opportunity to showcase your wisdom and skills. Let us settle who reigns supreme."

Tongtian sneered, "Brotherhood among the Three Pure Ones is already severed. The Myriad Immortals Formation shall determine victor and vanquished. Cease your idle chatter, Yuanshi child!"

With those words, Tongtian abruptly entered the Myriad Immortals Formation. As the bell resounded, Li Mingzhu, clad in his white robe, emerged singing:

"Once forged in Nuwa's Qi Refinement, cast into the mortal world to endure slaughter's trials.

Once rejecting Taiyi to honor Wudang, Demon Clan's grand arts held first by me.

River Map and Luo Book arrayed the stars of heaven, deducing endless wondrous truths in precedence.

Within the Myriad Immortals Formation resides the Spiritual Pearl, where all cultivation ultimately turns to dust!"

Li Mingzhu had vowed to take the lead in the Myriad Immortals Formation battle, and he would undoubtedly keep his word. He deployed the Celestial Star Battle Formation, albeit a condensed version!