Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After hearing Li Mingzhu's words, Hao Tian was silent, evidently having long anticipated this response from Li Mingzhu.

"Sigh!"

Hao Tian let out a long sigh but refrained from engaging in further verbal disputes with Li Mingzhu, nor did he initiate a grand battle.

At this moment, instead, he saw things more clearly. All the open and hidden strife, the pursuit of power and fame—none of it mattered anymore to Hao Tian.

Shedding his golden robe, Hao Tian, accompanied by the Queen Mother of the West, took a single step forward and ventured into Chaos without further words to Li Mingzhu.

Two former supreme beings of the Heavenly Court now sought nothing else, focusing solely on themselves, and returned to being Daoist children!

Even if the Purple Cloud Palace remained closed, the two still stood guard outside its gates.

Indeed, Li Mingzhu had succeeded in dethroning Hao Tian from his position as the Supreme Ruler of the Three Realms, but had he truly succeeded?

Not really. For in his heart, he had wished to kill Hao Tian!

But Hao Tian's final choice rendered him unable to make his move: "I, Hao Tian, relinquish this throne as the Lord of the Three Realms. Returning to the Purple Cloud Palace to resume my role as the Daoist Ancestor's Daoist child—you, what can you do?"

Yes, indeed. What can you do?

Li Mingzhu appointed Yao Tian as the temporary ruler of the Heavenly Court and returned himself to the North Sea. Thus, the sweeping crusade against the heavens came to an end.

Regardless, Hao Tian ultimately stepped down from the divine pedestal, replaced instead by the Jie Sect's rising prominence within the Heavenly Court. However, none of this concerned Li Mingzhu any longer.

He retreated into seclusion once again, agitated by the circumstances. The thought was clear: If only I had the strength of a Saint, why would I have to overthink so much?

Chaos, Spiritual Mountain!

"Senior Brother, now that Yao Tian completely controls the Heavenly Court, what should our next steps be?"

Zhunti wore a face of worry, sighing repeatedly.

"No matter. Both Primordial and Laozi owe us immense karmic debt. We'll leave this matter to them to resolve."

Jieyin wore an expression of calm detachment, showing no concern whatsoever.

"I hope so!"

Zhunti sighed. "Ah, the talent of the East is infinite!"

"And yet, the Heavenly Dao treats our West so unfairly!"

"Senior Brother, don't you think it's about time we propose the establishment of Buddhism?"

Zhunti asked cautiously; to sever ties with the Profound Sect was, after all, a taboo.

"Agreed!"

Jieyin responded and said no more, entering a meditative state. Zhunti too began to cultivate in silence.

Chaos, Yuqing Heaven.

"Senior Brother, Li Mingzhu acts this way—are we really just going to let it be?"

Primordial complained to Laozi, nearly ready to take action himself.

"How would you intervene? Unless Junior Brother is willing to defy the Master's decree and act, that is. If you indeed have such resolve, I won't stand in your way."

Hearing Primordial's words, Laozi's anger flared. "Utterly foolish!"

"Then what does Senior Brother suggest?"

Primordial, despite his frustration, respected Laozi's strategies and did not refute him.

"Wait."

Laozi offered no further explanation, nor did he pay Primordial any more attention—out of sight, out of mind.

What one doesn't see, one cannot be bothered by!

A hundred years later, on the Western Spiritual Mountain, Zhunti and Jieyin stood solemnly together.

The next moment, their long hair cascaded down, and their Daoist robes transformed into monastic robes. With expressions of devout sincerity, they declared, "Sentient beings are countless, we vow to liberate them all. Endless afflictions, we vow to eradicate them. Infinite teachings, we vow to master them. The unsurpassed Buddha Path, we vow to achieve it.

Honored among all the righteous laws of all Buddhas, we vow to forever take refuge until Bodhi is attained. By our deeds of generosity and virtue...

We vow to attain supreme perfect wisdom. To fully understand the causes and effects of all actions across the ten directions and three times, flawlessly discerning past and future. To benefit all sentient beings universally.

We vow our words to be free of duality, error, or illusion. To possess unimpeded wisdom and find delight in speaking Dharma. To master Form Wisdom, Time Wisdom, and Consequential Wisdom without obscuration or need for protection, invulnerable to criticism. To understand the afflictions and karmic origins of all beings and their cessation, unstained by worldly eightfold concerns. To bear great compassion, saving those in suffering and torment. To fulfill the ten strengths, four fearlessnesses, three mindful compassions, and the dual powers of body and mind. To fully comprehend the general and particular truths of all. To seek enlightenment without relying on hearing, contemplation, or a teacher, and to gain it through practice alone. To fully possess Consequential Wisdom, uprooting all afflictions and habitual tendencies. To resolve doubts relating to karma or the unrecorded with definitive clarity. To cultivate boundless knowledge, never tiring of learning or reflection. To purify both wisdom and action, carrying out an infinite path. To shatter barriers of ignorance and obstruction in an instant, attaining liberation, and fully actualizing the seeds and fruits of wisdom. To universally benefit all sentient beings in true sincerity."

Soon after, the two of them chanted in unison, "Buddhism is established!"

So it had finally come.

Zhunti and Jieyin abandoned the Profound Sect and established the Buddhist path, siphoning off thirty percent of the Profound Sect's Fate. At last, Buddhism was formed.

"With Heaven as witness, I, Jieyin (I, Zhunti), formally sever ties with the Profound Sect to establish Buddhism. Neither do I worship Hong Jun, nor do I follow the Taoist path!"

Their words echoed simultaneously. At that moment, a clap of thunder erupted across the skies, signifying the approval of the Heavenly Dao for Zhunti and Jieyin's actions.

In the Three Pure Heavens, the Three Pure Ones all sighed. Though they had long anticipated this outcome, its arrival still drew inevitable sadness.

Meanwhile, in the North Sea, Li Mingzhu, meditating in seclusion, sneered coldly. "So Buddhism has been founded? I can't wait to see how Zhunti manages it after its establishment."

With the establishment of Buddhism, Laozi too began to take action.

Five hundred years later, the three schools of the Primordial World all aimed their missionary focus at the Earthly Realm, sending wave after wave of Golden Immortals to reincarnate and preach.

For instance, Laozi dispatched his Taiqing Avatar to reincarnate in the Lower Realm, taking on the identity of Laozi.

At that time, the era had already shifted to the Spring and Autumn Period. As Laozi's incarnation gained widespread fame among humans, he awakened his memories and began heading westward.

Seated backward on a green ox, Laozi journeyed at a leisurely pace, unhurriedly making his way west.

As he traveled westward, it was natural for him to pass through Hangu Pass.

This Hangu Pass, located in Lingbao County, Henan, was a place of strategic importance, surrounded by steep peaks and impressive fortifications.

The gatekeeper, Yin Xi, observed the night sky and saw auspicious purple clouds stretching across the heavens, indicating the arrival of an extraordinary figure. He sent messengers far and wide to gather information about any impending travelers to Hangu.

By sheer fortune, news reached him: Laozi had resigned his official post and was preparing to travel to Qin Island to give lectures.

Yin Xi, long admiring Laozi's illustrious reputation, knew of his kind and benevolent nature, his deep care for the people, his profound knowledge of the principles of Dao, capable of understanding heavenly yin and yang, foreseeing mortal calamities and blessings, and comprehending the interdependence and development of all things. Truly, Laozi was a sage of infinite wisdom.

Thus, Yin Xi ordered his gates sealed, raising the drawbridge. Should Laozi approach, Yin Xi hoped to invite him to stay, to write a book that could serve as guidance for self-cultivation, governance, and the education of future generations.

It was indeed a fateful coincidence, for Laozi was also considering leaving a legacy of his teachings. Otherwise, no matter how sincere Yin Xi's pleas, it would have been impossible to sway a Saint.

Events aligned on this day. Suddenly, an otherworldly fragrance spread on the breeze, and radiant clouds illuminated the sky. Laozi, riding his green ox, approached slowly from the horizon.

Reaching the fortress gate, Laozi saw the drawbridge raised, barring his path. Intuitive as ever to his master's intent, the green ox widened its eyes, flicked its tail, and with a stomp of its hooves, conjured a violet cloud. With this, it carried its rider into the air.

Beneath the ox, the cloud swirled and layered intricately, stretching endlessly westward, forming what appeared to be a celestial "Heavenly Bridge" above Hangu Pass.

Thus, Laozi crossed the pass. The green ox descended, resuming its westward trek with its sage rider.

Hearing of Laozi's miraculous crossing over the fortress walls, Yin Xi was astonished. He mounted his white horse, leading his retinue out of the western gate, pursuing Laozi for twelve miles before finally encountering him riding the ox, slowly advancing forward.

Kneeling, Yin Xi dismounted, hurried forward to bow before Laozi, conveying his heartfelt plea and sincerity.

Laozi initially refused but, pressed by Yin Xi's persistent and earnest requests, eventually agreed to author a book, leaving behind a written legacy.

It could only be said that Yin Xi's fortune was extraordinary. After all, this was the sacred lineage of a Saint. In due course, Yin Xi would become Laozi's registered disciple and the future founder of the Shu Mountain Sect.

Yin Xi brought Laozi back to Hangu Pass, offering him utmost hospitality and deep respect—not merely one feast daily, but three, with nine grand banquets every three days. Personally tending to all his comforts, Yin Xi ensured Laozi's stay was pleasant. And during this time, Laozi penned his 5,000-word masterpiece, the Tao Te Ching.

With the text completed, Laozi bid farewell to Yin Xi, mounted his green ox, and continued his journey west.

"Thank you, Teacher, for bestowing the Five Thousand Words of the Tao. I will not fail your earnest expectations and will surely propagate your teachings to their fullest!"

Laozi's figure gradually disappeared into the distance. Yin Xi, kneeling in reverence, called him "Teacher" without concern for Laozi's acknowledgment.

Should his words hold truth, it would indeed be admirable, ensuring the enduring legacy of Laozi's classic teachings. Yet, in reality, the truly complete Tao Te Ching had already been secretly hoarded by Yin Xi—the version passed down through the generations was merely an abridged copy.

Such intentions were condemnable!

Nevertheless, Yin Xi's cunning was undeniable. By the time he had ascended to the rank of Daluo Golden Immortal, Yin Xi brought with him his disciples and followers from the Shu Mountain Sect, ascending together with this inherited legacy. By then, Laozi could hardly punish him outright.

Thus, Yin Xi successfully deceived everyone, enjoying the reputation of being Laozi's registered disciple. Establishing a sect on the Primordial World unopposed, his followers dared not provoke him.

He even took advantage of Zhao Gongming's time of study on Golden Turtle Island to seize Mount Emei from him. If not for Zhao Gongming's exceptional status and power, the long-browed ancestor might have gone even further.

In fact, it's possible he might even have slain Zhao Gongming outright. Ultimately, as compromise, the long-browed ancestor settled for choosing another location, Cangmang Mountain, for his sect's headquarters.

But all this came later. Laozi, of course, remained unaware. Since Yin Xi addressed him as "Teacher," Laozi wondered if he ought to leave him a few parting gifts.

Thus, Laozi gifted Yin Xi two Acquired Treasure Swords, along with the array artifact needed to set up the Liangyi Micro Dust Array—the One Qi Taiqing Talisman.

The Green Rope Sword: its entire body glowed jade green!

The Purple Ying Sword: its entire body shimmered with purple brilliance, forged from the Taibai Essence of the West, impervious to all evil. Together with the Green Rope Sword, they became the Emei Sect's hallmark treasures!

With these, Laozi sent Yin Xi on his way, leaving instructions to return to Taiching Heaven for an audience upon his ascension to the Primordial World.