Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Zhunti laughed again: "Fellow Daoist, the White Lotus in my palm can support a sword; you must know that ultimate bliss lies in the West. The twenty-four petals of the lotus platform radiate auspicious light, and the blooming sal tree fills the garden with fragrance."

The Clouded Immortal was furious—how shameless it was for a Saint to behave in such a way; truly a rare sight.

"Utter nonsense! Dare you come to deceive me!"

He swung another sword strike. Zhunti pointed with his finger, and a Golden Lotus held the strike at bay.

Zhunti smiled and said, "Clouded Immortal, I am full of compassion and cannot bear to reveal your true form. Were I to do so, wouldn't it shame the cultivation you have worked so hard to achieve, rendering it all in vain? Today, I only wish to teach you the doctrines of the Western Sect, hoping that you turn back before it's too late."

The Clouded Immortal grew even angrier and struck with another sword. Zhunti brushed his horsetail whisk, and the sword in the Clouded Immortal's hand became nothing but an empty hilt.

Clouded Immortal, now wielding the Primordial Hammer, charged forward. Zhunti leapt out of the circle. The Clouded Immortal chased after him. Zhunti said, "My disciple, where are you?" Immediately, a child appeared, dressed in water-patterned robes and holding a bamboo branch.

This person was none other than Zhunti's newly accepted direct disciple, Jin Chanzi, who would later become the Tang Monk during the Journey to the West.

Zhunti instructed Daoist Jin Chanzi, saying, "Use the Six Pure Bamboo to fish for the Golden Ao."

Jin Chanzi raised the bamboo branch into the air, and its infinite rays of brilliant light wrapped around the Clouded Immortal. The Clouded Immortal was now unable to escape showing his true form.

Zhunti laughed and said, "Clouded Immortal, if you don't reveal your original form now, when will you?" Using this maneuver with effortless grace, Zhunti displayed the Divine Skills of a Saint, though shamelessly indeed.

The Clouded Immortal shook his head and transformed into a golden-bearded fish, gliding his tail and spinning his head, hooked by the bamboo pole. The child stepped forward, pressed down on the Clouded Immortal's head, and mounted the fish's back.

Pity the Clouded Immortal, who possessed Quasi-Saint Cultivation, yet was reduced to serving the Western Sect like this; whether he could escape in the future remained uncertain.

In the Eight Virtues Pond, idly at play, the Golden Lotus accompanies him in carefree wandering.

The tale continues as Zhunti captured the Golden Fish and rushed to the Myriad Immortals Formation. Tongtian Sect Hierarch, upon seeing Zhunti, was brimming with rage, his eyes flushed with anger. He fiercely declared, "Zhunti Daoist, you dare to return to my formation today? This time I will not spare you!"

Zhunti remained unmoved and calmly replied, "Clouded Immortal is connected to my fate. I used the Six Pure Bamboo to fish him to the Eight Virtues Pond in the West, where he now enjoys carefree freedom, unencumbered by attachments—far better than you, caught in the entanglements of worldly dust." Indeed, pushing shamelessness to its extreme.

Tongtian Sect Hierarch, hearing this, became enraged and prepared to battle Zhunti, when suddenly, from within the Taiji Formation, a voice sang:

"The Great Dao surpasses the ordinary path; The mysterious depth lies within drawn deeper than deep; Who can perceive its entirety, Sees Innate at mere inches."

From the Taiji Formation emerged the Curled Hair Immortal, sword in hand, declaring boldly: "Who dares enter my formation to contest strength and victory?"

Zhunti stepped forward as Yuanshi Tianzun's envoy, commanding, "Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate, I entrust you to meet this fated guest."

Zhunti pointed to Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate's crown, opening his Mud Pillar Palace, releasing beams of radiance with swirling auspicious energy. Yuanshi Tianzun handed him the Pangu Banner, saying, "This banner can break the Taiji Formation."

Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate took the banner, composed a hymn, and stepped forth:

"Primordial Qi is the root of all, Realm of True Profundity through enduring calamities; Do not say it is ever-changing; Refining mercury and lead brings boundless blessings."

After singing, the Curled Hair Immortal coldly snorted, "Today will determine our teachings and glory. No more words are needed!"

He swung his sword. Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate swiftly parried. Within moments of their skirmish, the Curled Hair Immortal retreated into the formation.

Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate followed, stepping into the Taiji Formation. The Curled Hair Immortal conjured talismanic seals, transforming the formation into an iron wall and bronze fortress, all nearly impenetrable. Manjusri Wide Dharma Heavenly Venerate, unfazed, unfurled the Pangu Banner, subduing the Taiji Formation and revealing one Dharma Body.

Manjusri's Dharma Body already showed signs of the Western Sect's Golden Body, though Yuanshi was yet unaware.

The Curled Hair Immortal was astonished by Manjusri's transformed state. A fragrant wind floated around, jewels adorned him, and a lotus flower supported his feet.

The Curled Hair Immortal, seeing no recourse, intended to flee. Manjusri quickly summoned the Demon Binding Rope, ordering the Yellow-Turban Warriors, "Apprehend him and escort him beneath the reed canopy to await punishment."

Manjusri intended to capture the Curled Hair Immortal, but Tongtian interfered, lightly wielding the Qingping Sword to rescue him.

Though Zhunti glowered, he refrained from further action, having intervened earlier himself.

The formation was breached; Tongtian saved the Curled Hair Immortal but was still infuriated, exclaiming, "Do you dare attempt to break my Liangyi Formation next?"

Within the Liangyi Formation, the Lingya Immortal shouted as he emerged: "Who dares break my Liangyi Formation?" Thus, it was said:

"Within my sleeve, the cosmos turns; In the Liangyi Formation, fates are decided."

The Lingya Immortal stepped out of the formation boldly and demanded, "Who dares face me in the formation?"

Yuanshi instructed Universal Virtue Daoist, "Break this formation as you proceed." He handed him the Taiji Talisman.

Universal Virtue Daoist addressed Lingya Immortal at the formation's entrance, saying, "You've cultivated well to assume corporeal form, but why disrupt balance with undue contests? Fear not revealing your true form in close proximity; you'd regret it too late by then."

Lingya Immortal, furious, brandished two swords to attack. Universal Virtue Daoist swiftly wielded his sword and blocked the strike. Within moments, Lingya Immortal retreated into the Liangyi Formation; Universal Virtue pursued him.

Lingya Immortal invoked Liangyi's Magical Use, employing Jie Sect's Profound Skill to unleash thunder, intending to trap Universal Virtue Daoist. Universal Virtue's Mud Pillar Palace revealed a fierce transformation, matching those seen before.

Universal Virtue Daoist similarly revealed a transformed Dharma Body, no different from Manjusri's earlier manifestation, both showing traces of the Western Sect's teachings.

As Universal Virtue Daoist revealed his transformed body, he subdued Lingya Immortal, again using the Long Rainbow Cable, commanding the Yellow-Turban Warriors, "Apprehend him and escort him beneath the reed canopy to await further orders."

Tongtian, witnessing Lingya Immortal defeated again, intervened once more to rescue him; Yuanshi remained indifferent.

Ultimately, the formations were breached, and Tongtian lost face but saw no reason to escalate further.

Among the Four Symbols Formation, the Golden Light Immortal—enraged at the defeats of his two fellow Daoists—cried out furiously: "Chan Sect followers, dare not boast; now I am coming!" He composed a hymn and emerged:

"Subtle art vast beyond measure, Body and mind blending mercury and lead; Now presiding over the Four Symbols Formation, My Daoist Skill speaks for itself; Two fingers tame dragons and tigers, Twin pupils ponder the farthest profundity; Who among you will meet me, The true Daluo Immortal?"

Yuanshi, seeing Golden Light Immortal's fearless emergence from the Four Symbols Formation, ordered Ci Hang Daoist: "Take the Ruyi and enter the Four Symbols Formation; follow such and such steps, and in countless transformations, the formation will naturally break. This is your destined steed."

Ci Hang Daoist sang as he came forth:

"Under the cliff of Mount Putuo, Resounding in fame; Returning to Jade Capital after resolving calamities, Though the Four Symbols' lore is conquered, Dreams still caution against their armies' fury."

After singing, Golden Light Immortal leapt forth in rage, shouting: "Ci Hang Daoist, with your brazen boasts and reckless actions, how dare you proclaim 'the Four Symbols are conquered'—I fear you'd perish before me! Do not flee; I'll take you down now!"

Brandishing his sword, he lunged straight for Ci Hang Daoist, who quickly matched the attack. Within three bouts, Golden Light Immortal retreated to the Four Symbols Formation; Ci Hang Daoist pursued him.

Golden Light Immortal activated the Four Symbols Formation Talisman, unleashing countless Magical Treasures to trap Ci Hang Daoist.

Within the ever-shifting Four Symbols Formation, Ci Hang Daoist tapped his forehead, revealing a canopy of auspicious clouds above him, shielding his crown. A rumble of thunder sounded, and he manifested a transformed body.

Like Manjusri and Universal Virtue before him, his transformed self again displayed traces of Western truth, yet Yuanshi remained unaware.

Ci Hang's transformed body, combined with the power of the Jade Ruyi, defeated Golden Light Immortal. Just as he was about to capture him, Tongtian intervened once more to save him.

Enough was enough; Tongtian's repeated intrusions naturally drew Laozi's ire.

"Junior brother, your actions seem far too dismissive of us," Laozi stepped forward, regarding Tongtian coldly.

"Yuanshi may command something—I, a Daoist, may command another—what's wrong with that? Is Chan Sect allowed masters, but my Jie Sect excluded?"

Tongtian, having severed ties with The Three Pure Ones, remained unflinching towards Laozi.

"Since you insist, let's not delay any further—show your true abilities!" Laozi, provoked by Tongtian, held back no insults, deriding Jie Sect as full of useless beings.

"Li Ran, dare you provoke me like this? If so, let me show you what true power lies in the Myriad Immortals Formation!"

Tongtian stormed into the depths of the Myriad Immortals Formation, his palm emitting thunder as he roared, "Reveal the Myriad Immortals Diagram!"

A radiant rainbow descended from the heavens—Supreme Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Myriad Immortals Diagram, reappeared in the Primordial World!

The Myriad Immortals Diagram used previously above the Primordial World was but a replica, whereas this item was the genuine artifact. Tongtian had never intended to use it, but Laozi's persistent provocations left him no choice!