Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Ying Long held the Qiankun Ring in his hands, laughing uncontrollably, a laughter filled with unbridled joy and exuberance.

In thirty thousand years, there had never been a moment he felt such happiness. To save Nv Ba, apart from seeking aid from a Saint, there was indeed another method. Alas, that method was even more difficult than asking for a Saint's intervention.

It required finding a Spiritual Treasure whose dual polarities could withstand the extremes of water and fire. How daunting a task it was!

Back then, he sought Fu Xi Saint Emperor's calculation for such a treasure. In the end, he only learned the name "Qiankun Ring," but as to its whereabouts, Fu Xi Saint Emperor offered no answer.

It wasn't because Fu Xi didn't wish to tell him, but because Fu Xi himself couldn't deduce its location.

Of course, Fu Xi might have calculated that the Qiankun Ring was in the possession of Nuwa, and refrained from revealing it for fear that Ying Long would relentlessly pester him—after all, the relationship between Fu Xi and Nuwa was a well-known fact in the Primordial World.

"Kid, where did this Qiankun Ring come from?"

While fending off Nv Ba's attacks, Ying Long questioned Li Mingzhu.

"It was bestowed upon me by Nuwa, a protective treasure for my path. In my previous life, I was a child under her tutelage," Li Mingzhu replied honestly. Although he couldn't discern why Ying Long had laughed so wildly earlier, he could guess that salvation was near, and the key lay in this Qiankun Ring.

"Lucky little brat, I'll grant you a stroke of fortune! What impeccable Innate Calculation! Fu Xi Saint Emperor—did you already foresee the circumstances today, thirty thousand years ago?"

Ying Long first addressed Li Mingzhu unenthusiastically, then muttered to himself.

Yet, this way of thinking did Fu Xi an injustice. After all, no matter how brilliant Fu Xi's Innate Calculation may be, foreseeing today's events was simply impossible—it was a matter of serendipity and fortuitous occurrences.

After speaking, Ying Long suddenly reverted to his true form. Letting out a long howl, his colossal figure began to shimmer with traces of starlight.

Not starlight—upon closer inspection, it was starfire!

Ying Long was burning himself, exchanging his essence for power.

By the time Li Mingzhu understood what was happening and wished to intervene, it was already too late. Moreover, even if he desired to stop Ying Long, he lacked the ability to do so.

Most importantly, he still didn't know Ying Long's objective; even if he wanted to help, there was no way to assist.

Ying Long, having reverted to his true form, harnessed newfound strength and hurled the Qiankun Ring with great force, aiming straight at Nv Ba's rampaging path.

The Qiankun Ring shone with boundless brilliance—its might far surpassed anything it exhibited in Li Mingzhu's hands, a comparison akin to heaven and earth, entirely insurmountable.

Whether the treasure had been obscured by dust or the disparity in power between the two was simply too vast, perhaps both factors contributed.

The Qiankun Ring advanced swiftly mid-air, and as it reached directly in front of Nv Ba, its velocity abruptly diminished and it encircled her.

If the chance had landed in Li Mingzhu's hands, he surely would have seized every opportunity to destroy Nv Ba. Yet Ying Long did not act this way. Turning back into his handsome, uncle-like appearance, Ying Long swiftly moved beside Nv Ba, catching her collapsing figure.

Though Nv Ba was subdued, Ying Long did not cease burning himself. The starfire continued to flare brighter and brighter.

"Uncle Ying Long!"

Ao Yu couldn't help but cry out at the sight, but Ying Long paid him no mind, signaling him to stay out of it.

With Nv Ba now in his arms, Ying Long began transferring all his vitality and the power gained from burning himself into her body in its entirety.

Ao Yu attempted to intervene, but Li Mingzhu stopped him firmly—if you tried to interrupt, it'd only lead to certain death!

What's more, Ying Long wouldn't act recklessly without reason. One thing was certain: Ying Long's fate was sealed.

Ying Long gazed at Nv Ba with profound love. Even as he faced a face wan and hideous, he saw the beautiful soul within. Once upon a time, this woman had been a peerless beauty, captivating nations and cities alike!

As Ying Long transferred his power into Nv Ba, the water-fire duality that plagued her life began gradually shifting into the Qiankun Ring. For every fraction Ying Long gave, the water-fire energies of Nv Ba transferred correspondingly.

By this point, Li Mingzhu had grasped the truth: Ying Long was trading his life so that Nv Ba could live without further torment!

No words could fully express the depth of their bond, and their love required no articulation—it had already embedded itself deep within existence.

As the transfer continued, Nv Ba's gaze grew lucid, as if her consciousness was returning.

"Nv Er, you've awakened? Wait just a bit longer... soon... you'll be restored,"

Ying Long spoke in feeble earnestness, his tone riddled with urgency and excitement. Nv Ba's expression turned emotional upon hearing this, as if she suddenly realized Ying Long's intentions. Her face filled with terror, shaking her head in silent protest, unable to form words.

Ying Long, though, refused to let her endure the excruciating agony of watching her beloved fade away. He cast a spell that lulled Nv Ba into deep sleep while proceeding with the transfer of strength.

During this process, the two seemingly unremarkable gemstones on the Qiankun Ring's dual poles radiated brilliance—their hues, one of fiery red and the other of icy blue, continuously absorbing the water and fire energies.

It wasn't until this moment that Li Mingzhu noticed these gemstones' peculiar traits. After all, the terrifying water-fire energies were forces even Ying Long, a Quasi-Sect Leader, struggled to combat, yet here they were, being continuously absorbed by these stones.

In reality, it wasn't too surprising. The Qiankun Ring, bearing the name "Heaven and Earth," could it truly be only an ordinary medium-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?

Its profound mysteries were something Li Mingzhu had never delved deeply into.

Or perhaps the water-fire energies in Nv Ba's body originally belonged to the Qiankun Ring but were divided—one part forming the Water Spirit Pearl and the other embedded into Nv Ba unknowingly.

These secrets, even Fu Xi likely hadn't disclosed to Ying Long, let alone to Li Mingzhu.

Since both energies shared the same origin, using the Water Spirit Pearl to suppress the Fire Essence naturally rendered Ying Long's efforts futile. No one was truly at fault.

Time passed imperceptibly, and Ying Long's body gradually became ethereal, signaling the approach of his demise.

Meanwhile, the gemstones on the Qiankun Ring shone brighter than ever, while Nv Ba's water-fire energies diminished simultaneously.

Changes also began manifesting in Nv Ba herself; her jagged teeth retracted entirely, her pallid face regained its color—not just her face, but her entire body showed signs of normal human hues, radiant and flawless. The hooked claws vanished, leaving behind delicate, jade-like hands.

Finally!

Ying Long's already incorporeal form disintegrated into nothingness, leaving behind only a faint soul wisp drifting in the air. Apart from his Three Souls and Seven Spirits, Ying Long gave all he could to Nv Ba.

Now, Nv Ba resembled a sleeping beauty lying on the ground. Her arched brows, watery eyes, and the flowing white gown she wore shimmered like freshly fallen snow.

As he witnessed this, even Ying Long's faint soul wisp formed a smile—not crazed, not desperate, but tender and gratified.

Without waiting for Nv Ba to awaken, Ying Long's soul departed for reincarnation. Whether out of aversion to lingering separation or fear that Nv Ba might forcibly stop him, Ying Long's journey had concluded.

At the exact moment of Ying Long's departure, a streak of tears streamed beneath Nv Ba's still-closed eyes.

Slowly, her eyes opened, and in the instant Ying Long's soul reincarnated, she had risen, her back turned toward Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu.

"For the Human Clan, Li Mingzhu pays his respects to the Princess!"

Li Mingzhu greeted Nv Ba respectfully, who was, after all, the Human Emperor's daughter, a true Princess.

"No need for formalities. What kind of Princess am I? You've done well!"

Nv Ba smiled forlornly, her voice light and melodious.

"Would you be willing to accompany me for a walk?"

Nv Ba suddenly turned, facing Ao Yu as she softly posed the question.

Though he had already seen the Princess's true visage, Li Mingzhu could not help but be dazzled by her beauty!

Dazzling—that was the word! Though in terms of mere appearance, neither Ao Yu nor Yang Chan fell short, this sensation of awe belonged to her alone.

The poets of later generations often rhapsodize about figures who "dazzle time itself." At that moment, this Princess was just such a presence.

"Thank you, Princess, for your favor. It is Ao Yu's honor," Ao Yu replied hurriedly. From every perspective, he had no reason to refuse.

Even Li Mingzhu envied Ao Yu deeply—why didn't she invite him to join? After all, Nv Ba, having inherited Ying Long's full power, now held the cultivation of a genuine Quasi-Sect Leader!

Even a casual piece of guidance from her would provide rare, invaluable insight!

"If the Princess does not wish to return to Fire Cloud Cave, you are welcome to stay as a guest at the Li Mansion in Chentang Pass,"

Li Mingzhu couldn't resist suggesting, though no reply was forthcoming—whether she took his offer remained unknown.

As the Dragon-breaking Stone gate silently opened upon Ying Long's reincarnation, Nv Ba led the way out of the chamber, followed by Ao Yu.

Snow-white and pale-yellow figures departed side-by-side.