Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After sending Yi Xi away, Laozi continued his journey westward, leisurely riding in his ox-drawn cart.

Unlike other cultivators who reincarnated into the Mortal World, Laozi personally descended, albeit only as an avatar. Yet, once his memories awaken, his power surges to that of a true Saint, hence the vision of purple aura flowing eastward.

When Laozi finally arrived at the Extreme West, he stopped. Before him lay a great river called Tongtian.

This river stretches eight hundred miles, a trivial distance for cultivators, but undeniably vast in the Mortal World.

The river divides the lands of east and west, and crossing it leads into the territory of Western Buddhism.

"The time has come!"

Laozi murmured softly, raising his hand to summon the Wind and Fire Mat from the Chaos.

"Greetings, Master Uncle!"

From the Wind and Fire Mat emerged Duobao in a black Daoist robe, quiet and dignified. Surrounding him were two streams of Immortal Light: Shangqing and Taiching, both cultivated to their peak.

Though Laozi had taken Duobao back, he had not mistreated him. He taught him the profound arts of Taiching wholeheartedly.

Now, though Duobao still remained in the late stage of the Quasi-Saint Realm, having severed two corpses, his strength was nearly comparable to established Quasi-Saints like Kunpeng, Zhen Yuanzi, and Minghe.

A Saint is a Saint, and each Saint's Daoist laws differ. Duobao had the fortune to learn under two Saints, each providing their full teachings. Coupled with his own exceptional talent, his accomplishments were unsurprising.

Moreover, one day, he would also learn the teachings of Zhunti and Jieyin. Combining the strengths of five Saints, future generations believed that in the absence of Saints, Duobao stood unrivaled—a belief not entirely unfounded.

"Excellent. Are you ready?"

Laozi smiled gently, as if a breeze had washed over him.

"I await your arrangements, Master Uncle!"

Duobao, evidently long aware this day would come, showed no signs of surprise and remained composed.

In fact, it was likely all orchestrated between him and Tongtian beforehand.

"Very well, I shall begin!"

Seeing Duobao prepared, Laozi wasted no words further. He removed the Vajra Mallet from his hand, prepared to carry out a great karmic act.

Duobao shut his eyes, his consciousness seemingly detached, as though everything had nothing to do with him.

His expression was serene, but inwardly, Duobao was more tense than anyone could imagine.

Laozi intended to have him establish the Small Vehicle Buddhism, splitting the faith's karmic fortune. Yet, both he and Tongtian had deeper schemes.

While founding the Small Vehicle Buddhism would indeed divide Buddhism's karmic fortune, Buddhism remained Buddhism. Whatever plans they had, it could not escape the purview of Saints Zhunti and Jieyin.

Thus, in their machinations, if Duobao were truly to establish the Small Vehicle Buddhism, and if Zhunti and Jieyin extended an olive branch to him, he was advised not to reject but accept it outright.

Such an act would make him an unequivocal traitor to the Profound Sect, destined to be disparaged for eternity.

Regret?

Reflecting upon it, Duobao indeed felt traces of remorse. Yet the situation had reached its culmination; regret alone could not alter his course. He could only forge ahead.

Above all, he sensed that his chance to achieve the Dao lay in the West!

Duobao, the Profound Sect's greatest and most cunning infiltrator, was prepared.

The Vajra Mallet churned within the sea of clouds, emanating dazzling golden rays and Taiching Immortal Light. Under Laozi's control, it suddenly descended.

The Jie Sect's first disciple, Duobao Zhenren, perished.

With a wave of his hand, Laozi conjured a portal to the underworld. Enveloping Duobao's soul in the Vajra Mallet, he hurled it into the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

After concluding all this, unusual phenomena arose in the skies. The event was deemed Perfect, and karmic rewards descended.

Buddhism was fated to rise, the central theme of this kalpa. Though Laozi's actions ostensibly divided Mahayana Buddhism's fortune, in truth, whether Mahayana or Small Vehicle Buddhism, both were Buddhism. Laozi's actions ultimately promoted Buddhism's prosperity, earning karmic rewards accordingly.

Zhunti and Jieyin clearly observed this, and as Duobao officially established the Small Vehicle Buddhism, these two Saints exhibited remarkable resolve, ultimately granting Duobao the position of Buddha. Henceforth, both Mahayana and Small Vehicle Buddhism fell under Duobao's governance, with Zhunti and Jieyin retreating to the background.

This shrewd response thoroughly thwarted Laozi's scheme. But this would unfold later.

As of now, after the Vajra Mallet delivered Duobao to the Six Paths of Reincarnation, it jubilantly returned to the sea of clouds.

Under Laozi's meticulous control, the infinite karmic brilliance fell onto the Vajra Mallet, which transformed into yet another karmic treasure.

Though it wasn't as extraordinary as the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Linglong Tower, it remained a formidable karmic artifact with myriad wondrous uses. During the Journey to the West era, Laozi's green ox brought it to the Mortal World, creating untold obstacles for the Hu Sun.

After gazing briefly at the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Laozi retrieved the Vajra Mallet with a smile, then ascended to the Thirty-Three Heavens.

From then on, this avatar resided in the Heavenly Court as Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad.

Laozi believed he had divided Buddhism's fortune while earning a karmic treasure. Yet he was unaware that the Western Sect Hierarchs would eventually turn the tables, leveraging Duobao's cooperation to render his plans fruitless while strengthening Buddhism's framework for free.

This misstep remained one of Laozi's rare defeats in his myriad schemes—a testament to Zhunti and Jieyin's profound wisdom.

North Sea, Star Cave Mansion!

Li Mingzhu sensed Laozi's actions, her expression shifting as unknown thoughts swirled.

In the end, she sighed and ceased to dwell on it. She planned to retreat into seclusion but found her mind restless despite her efforts.

Helpless, she decided instead to leave the Cave Mansion, wandering aimlessly across the Primordial World.

She had no destination, simply roamed freely. Though the Divine Enthronement calamity had ended recently, many Immortals remained in seclusion, hidden from the world. Thus, Li Mingzhu's wandering drew little attention.

Furthermore, it's common for cultivators whose retreats yield no breakthroughs to venture outside, seeking fortuitous encounters.

Even though Li Mingzhu had drawn considerable attention recently, no one cared much about her present actions—not even Primordial, who bore the greatest grudge against her.

Currently, Primordial was overwhelmed by his own troubles. After the betrayals of Randeng, Ci Hang, Universal Virtue, and Wenshu, the Chan Sect was left with precious few key figures.

Those who could shoulder significant responsibilities now were limited to Guang Chengzi, Yun Zhongzi, and a handful of others.

While the Chan Sect appeared as the ultimate victor of the Divine Enthronement, in truth, it was the greatest sufferer.

As for Li Mingzhu, she wandered eastward across the Primordial World, approaching the ruins of the former Buzhou Mountain.

Though her steps seemed aimless, an inexplicable force called her in that direction.

Buzhou Mountain, once adjacent to Kunlun, was the ancestral vein of the Primordial World, formed from Pangu's spine—an emblem of the land itself.

Yet it was ultimately shattered by Gonggong. Now, only its remnants remain as a somber relic for future generations to marvel at—a tragedy without parallel.