Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After the Myriad Immortals Formation, the various Saints returned to their Daoist schools. The Jie Sect suffered heavy losses, and even its leading true disciple, Daoist Duobao, was captured by Laozi.

But this was not the most fatal blow. The most crucial issue was that, without Duobao, the Jie Sect could no longer rally people's hearts. Wudang secluded herself, transferring authority to Li Mingzhu.

Yet Li Mingzhu, merely a third-generation disciple, struggled to win over the masses in a short time.

Meanwhile, the tide of Divine Enthronement proceeded unimpeded. Jiang Ziya swept through with unstoppable force and quickly joined forces with the armies of 800 feudal lords at Zhulu.

At this moment, Li Mingzhu also arrived alone at Chaoge.

Some debts ought to be settled; just because it wasn't handled in the past doesn't mean it won't be accounted for now.

Jiang Ziya, commanding 800 feudal lords under Ji Fa's orders, marched east without pause. Though King Zhou fought valiantly to resist, he ultimately struggled to hold them back. It seemed Chaoge would fall within three days.

While King Zhou had regained his former dominion-like capabilities in these dire times, human effort could not reverse the tides. Even if the Holy Emperor of old returned this moment, it would be impossible to salvage Yin Shang.

Chaoge—a city ancient yet majestic, once the political, economic, and royal center of the Human Clan—now lay in devastation.

Though the flames of war had yet to truly engulf Chaoge, the city's people had long since started fleeing. From high-ranking officials to commoners, everyone was escaping, as though Jiang Ziya's army were wolves, tigers, and leopards.

The truth was, of course, far from this—Jiang Ziya maintained strict discipline within his military. Yet this was human nature.

After all, to the victor go spoils; to the defeated come shame. As those on the losing end, the common folk could hardly bear the thought of facing condescension, nor could they trust their fate would end well.

As Li Mingzhu slowly entered the city of Chaoge, all these sights unfolded before him.

He neither interfered nor extended aid, merely watched silently. Though mortals' lives may falter, they still possess their own brilliance; births, deaths, illnesses, partings, joys, and sorrows all chart their unique paths.

As an Immortal such as Li Mingzhu, one need only observe quietly. For once one begins to intervene—as well-intentioned as those efforts may aim—how could one guarantee their blue skies would not become others' stormy rains?

Li Mingzhu pressed forward, reaching the royal palace in mere moments. By now, Yin Shang's national destiny had collapsed, leaving what remained insufficient to protect this royal palace.

Li Mingzhu radiated his aura, upright and unyielding, yet his focus targeted just one individual!

Lady Xi!

"Nine Heavens Goddess, will you not come out? Must I enter the palace personally to decapitate you?"

Li Mingzhu's cold shout carried solely to Lady Xi's ears.

At this moment, Lady Xi's identity was at last unveiled—she was none other than the Nine Heavens Goddess. After seizing the position of Gouchen in the Heavenly Court, her activities in the celestial realm were far from idle!

This revelation came from investigations by Yaotian in the Heavenly Court. Now, Li Mingzhu sought her life, and with her close ties to Hao Tian, Li Mingzhu had no intention of letting her go!

"Li Mingzhu, do you truly wish to battle this palace?"

As Li Mingzhu pressed forward, Lady Xi could no longer remain in hiding forever. She knew well that evasion was not a solution.

"To the death, without retreat!"

Li Mingzhu had no interest in arguing with the Nine Heavens Goddess. His sole aim in coming here was to claim her head!

"This palace fears you not!"

The Nine Heavens Goddess scoffed coldly, revealing her true form. A shimmering rainbow aura concealed her face while an immense length of silk surged toward Li Mingzhu to entangle him.

The Nine Heavens Goddess was no simple adversary; knowing there was no possibility of reconciliation today, she seized the initiative to attack Li Mingzhu.

"How dare a speck of light contend with the brilliance of the moon?"

Li Mingzhu raised his hand, summoning the Fiery Ribbon. Roaring Taiyang Fire burst forth; though the immense silk was an impressive Innate Spiritual Treasure, how could it resist the Fiery Ribbon?

With one strike, the Nine Heavens Goddess failed, but she did not insist on persistence. Retracting hundreds of feet, she summoned yet another Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Truthfully, the Nine Heavens Goddess was inwardly alarmed. Li Mingzhu, while formidable before, had by no means reached this current magnitude—this mere initial clash already exerted such immense pressure.

For the first time, she doubted her assured victory within this battle. But now, it was no longer her choice.

The Nine Heavens Goddess summoned the Moon Essence Wheel—a renowned treasure from ancient primordial times, originally belonging to the Heavenly Empress Xi He.

That the Nine Heavens Goddess possessed such a treasure naturally reflected Hao Tian's deliberate gifting. The implications behind his actions were far-reaching.

The Moon Essence Wheel glowed sapphire, its light dazzling as it charged toward Li Mingzhu under her command.

Yet faced with this peak-level Innate Spiritual Treasure, Li Mingzhu sneered endlessly. If he could subdue Lu Ya's Sun Essence Wheel, why fear its counterpart, the Moon Essence Wheel?

The Fire-tipped Spear burst forth, its spear-lights streaking the skies and clashing directly against the Moon Essence Wheel!

Dominant spear intent blazed like a fiery sun, smashing against the Moon Essence Wheel with overwhelming might—consistent with Li Mingzhu's fighting style: forceful and tyrannical.

The Moon Essence Wheel, struck by the Fire-tipped Spear, emitted wailing sounds—it was clearly heavily damaged by this single blow.

Li Mingzhu was no sentimentalist. Landing his hit, he advanced further, his spear sweeping out another arc of devastating light.

The Nine Heavens Goddess evaded desperately; though her reaction was swift, she still suffered a grazing strike.

Even a mere graze inflicted significant injuries—after all, any of Li Mingzhu's attacks today were not to be underestimated.

Wounded and perceiving the situation as dire, the Nine Heavens Goddess sought to escape outright. As long as she reached the Heavenly Court, safety would return to her side.

After all, the Heavenly Court remained Hao Tian's domain—it would not be difficult for him to protect her.

"Thinking of escape now? A little too late!"

Li Mingzhu sneered. If the Nine Heavens Goddess had set her mind to flee from the beginning, she might have succeeded—but now, no such opportunity remained.

"Array, rise!"

With a wave of his hand, the River Map and Luo Book ascended. The Celestial Star Battle Formation instantly materialized; unrecognized by others, Li Mingzhu had already inscribed the formation's patterns above Chaoge during their initial engagement.

While Li Mingzhu's overall mastery of array formations lagged behind figures like Yun Xiao and Lei Zhenzi, in terms of the Celestial Star Battle Formation, only Fu Xi, or perhaps resurrected Emperor Jun and Donghuang, could rival him.

Trapped within the Celestial Star Battle Formation, the Nine Heavens Goddess could no longer escape, forcing her to turn and continue battling Li Mingzhu. Yet having exhausted her methods earlier to no avail, how could she hope to prevail now?

Though the Nine Heavens Goddess possessed Quasi-Saint Cultivation, the disparities between individual Quasi-Saints were stark—and she was undoubtedly among the weakest of her rank!

Against her, truthfully, Li Mingzhu found things almost laughably effortless!

"Perish!"