Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Here is the translated text:

At moments like these, whoever possesses greater skill will claim this destiny.

There's a saying: "Each according to their fateful opportunity." But it could be stated more plainly: it's all based on capability.

Clearly, up until now, Li Mingzhu remains the one with the upper hand.

Above the clouds, Li Mingzhu and Yun Zhongzi are still exchanging cups and trading compliments.

This seems like a scene of two unlikely friends in the Mortal World enjoying their time together. But in truth, the two share no real camaraderie. It's a miracle they're not at each other's throats upon meeting.

Moreover, their respective sects are mutually incompatible—Saints at odds, doctrines in conflict.

Initially, their mutual flattery maintained a semblance of peace, but just moments ago, Yun Zhongzi's expression suddenly changed. He attempted to rise and leave, but Li Mingzhu was not about to let him go.

"I've long admired Uncle Yun Zhongzi's unrivaled skill in artifact refining. Now that I have the chance, I must ask you to impart your wisdom generously!"

Li Mingzhu noticed Yun Zhongzi's troubled demeanor. Without needing calculations, she already deduced that Hu Mei must have stolen Lei Zhenzi away. Besides, Hu Mei's own sound transmission had confirmed it.

"Next time, next time when the opportunity arises, I shall teach my artifact-refining craft to you in its entirety, Nephew."

Yun Zhongzi replied impatiently, preparing to leave again, only to be pulled back by Li Mingzhu.

"Uncle, look, although there might be some misunderstanding between our Chan and Jie Sects, those issues are among the elders and have nothing to do with your nephew! Why, then, would you vent your anger on me?"

Li Mingzhu spoke with affected sorrow and anguish, perfectly playing her part. Indeed, life is but a stage, and all comes down to the performance.

Lei Zhenzi was already in her possession, so there was really no need for Li Mingzhu to continue pestering Yun Zhongzi. Yet, finding the old man somewhat entertaining, she couldn't resist needling him further.

Thinking of how she once dealt with Taiyi, had her strength been greater then, she'd have fought him directly. It also showed just how lucky Yun Zhongzi was, though the outcome of a direct battle would be hard to predict.

If Yun Zhongzi knew what Li Mingzhu was thinking, he surely would've exploded in anger. Does she truly think he's so mild-tempered?

"If there's anything, Nephew, feel free to visit me at Zhongnan Mountain's Jade Pillar Cave. I shall take my leave now!"

Without giving Li Mingzhu the chance to speak further, Yun Zhongzi vanished in an instant, his cultivation nearly approaching that of a Quasi-Sect Leader.

Li Mingzhu gazed at the spot where Yun Zhongzi had escaped, feeling a slight regret that she couldn't taunt him more.

But it was only a fleeting sentiment, as she quickly turned to rendezvous with Hu Mei. Lei Zhenzi was the priority—for soon, he would become her ultimate companion.

"Nine-Tailed Fox, surrender the child, and I shall consider sparing your life for the sake of your master and your decision to abandon evil and pursue good!"

This was Yun Zhongzi, who, utilizing his formidable cultivation, found the Nine-Tailed Fox within moments. Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu remained trapped within the boundary.

Upon divining that the Nine-Tailed Fox had stolen Lei Zhenzi away, Yun Zhongzi inwardly rejoiced at having left a small precaution by trapping Li Mingzhu inside the barrier.

Yet, he felt something was amiss—why was he relieved? Why should he fear that brat?

That audacious brat dared to compete with him for the fateful opportunity—intolerable!

Earlier, he had even considered deceiving the boy into leaving. If only he'd known, he would've slapped him away in the first place.

"No!"

Hu Mei answered resolutely, her gaze constantly darting about in anticipation of Li Mingzhu's arrival.

"Don't count on him coming to save you. In truth, you wouldn't need saving—just hand over the child, and I shall guarantee your safety," Yun Zhongzi said kindly, his demeanor contrasting sharply with the cunningness he displayed earlier above the clouds.

"No!"

No matter what Yun Zhongzi said, Hu Mei refused to relent. He could do whatever he liked, because she was prepared to risk everything.

Having just joined Li Mingzhu's ranks, she needed to prove her worth; otherwise, how could Li Mingzhu hold her in high regard?

"Hmph! Preferring punishment over kindness, I see!"

Even Yun Zhongzi's patience had its limits. Frankly, Hu Mei was fortunate it was Yun Zhongzi—otherwise, another Chan Sect Golden Immortal might have already killed her.

"Who are you threatening with punishment wine, Daoist Yun Zhongzi?"

A supremely cold yet incomparably regal voice rang out, filled with violet aura and accompanied by visions of dragons and phoenixes celebrating.

As Yun Zhongzi tried to ascertain the source, the visions abruptly vanished, leaving only two women, one dressed in white and the other in yellow, standing beside Hu Mei.

"Who are you?"

Yun Zhongzi felt the white-clad woman seemed familiar, but he couldn't immediately recall her identity. He did, however, recognize the yellow-clad woman—she was Yu Ding's disciple, Ao Yu of the East Sea.

"Daoist Yun Zhongzi, you truly have a poor memory. Has three thousand years apart caused you to forget this Princess?"

Nu Ba coldly snorted, unleashing her overwhelming Quasi-Sect Leader cultivation, pressing down on Yun Zhongzi so heavily he dared not breathe.

"Princess? Which princess?"

Yun Zhongzi murmured to himself before suddenly slapping his forehead in realization.

"Yun Zhongzi greets Princess. Congratulations on escaping your great tribulation. May I ask why you're interfering with my destined opportunity?" Yun Zhongzi bowed and questioned upon recognizing Nu Ba.

"I find this child promising and wish to teach him personally. Daoist, would you permit this?"

Nu Ba took Lei Zhenzi from Hu Mei's hands, her face calm as she asked. Yet her aura made it clear that saying "no" would mean instant retaliation, devoid of mercy.

"Of course, of course!"

Yun Zhongzi didn't dare utter the word "no" and swallowed his grievances, bitterly accepting the situation.

"Excellent!"

Nu Ba didn't trouble Yun Zhongzi any further. She departed with Hu Mei and Ao Yu, casually pointing a finger to claim Li Mingzhu's Immortal Slaying Sword.

She didn't go out of her way to meet Li Mingzhu. Her sole purpose in coming was to help Ao Yu recover the Immortal Slaying Sword. Taking a promising child under her wing was merely an added bonus.

Thus, Li Mingzhu, having just breached Yun Zhongzi's barrier, found himself alone once more.

Though perplexed at why Nu Ba had brought the Nine-Tailed Fox along, he dared not question a Quasi-Sect Leader powerhouse.

Li Mingzhu found solace in the fact that Nu Ba hadn't entirely forgotten him, as she left him with an opportunity.

"I take your Immortal Slaying Sword; I gift you the Cheng Ying Sword. Retrieve it from the Luoshui River's depths, and it shall be yours."

These were Nu Ba's parting words after claiming the Immortal Slaying Sword, leaving behind the Cheng Ying Sword as compensation.

Regarding why Nu Ba wanted the Immortal Slaying Sword, Li Mingzhu surmised it was related to Ao Yu. As for the intricate cause-and-effect, he remained in the dark.

The sequence of events stemmed from a conversation:

Nu Ba: "Do you like him? Don't think—either you like him or you don't. Trust your first instinct, unclouded by other concerns."

Ao Yu: "I like him!"

Nu Ba: "Then what should you do?"

Ao Yu: "Be with him?"

Nu Ba: "No—strengthen yourself. Only with power can you protect everything, whether it's from external threats or within yourselves."

...

This conversation ultimately forged an unparalleled female Sword Immortal!