Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The Taiyang Light pierced through the starry sky, passed through the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven Palace, and crashed toward the East Sea like a meteor exploding.

Its target was not Li Mingzhu, but Panshan Patriarch hidden within the black clouds.

"Panshan scoundrel, how dare you deceive me like this!"

Along with the Taiyang Light came a thunderous roar, unquestionably belonging to Hao Tian. This Taiyang Light, in the Three Realms, could only be wielded by Saints or Hao Tian himself.

Only now did Li Mingzhu learn that the person he had been deeply wary of within the black clouds was, in fact, Panshan Patriarch. But why had Panshan Patriarch teamed up with Hao Tian?

Moreover, based on the recent commands and Hao Tian's reaction, it seemed that Panshan Patriarch and Hao Tian were betraying one another?

Li Mingzhu couldn't figure it out, but his confusion did not stop him from enjoying the spectacle.

"Old Hao Tian, today this Daoist shall see if you're capable of anything without descending into the Lower Realm!"

Panshan Patriarch sneered coldly, and countless insects surged from behind him like moths rushing into flames, all attacking the Taiyang Light.

Panshan Patriarch was the Human Clan's first generation cultivator, who pioneered the Art of Gu and successfully entered the Quasi-Sect Leader realm—an unparalleled talent.

Li Mingzhu had seen him before at Duobao's grand birthday celebration years ago.

Panshan's Quasi-Sect Leader realm was unique; he was either the strongest or the weakest among them. If his Gu insects matched his realm, he'd be the strongest. Otherwise, he'd be the weakest.

Duobao had mentioned these details to Li Mingzhu. Back when Panshan had reached the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, he was crowned the strongest Daluo Golden Immortal, even capable of challenging cultivators who had just entered the Quasi-Sect Leader realm—all through his own ability, not a Spiritual Treasure.

Imagine a Daluo Golden Immortal facing an endless swarm of Daluo-realm insects—what chance of survival would there be?

That's the terrifying aspect of Panshan Patriarch. If his insects could achieve the Quasi-Sect Leader realm, he'd undoubtedly be invincible among them.

But from the way his flying insects were being incinerated into ashes by the Taiyang Light, it was clear the Gu insects hadn't yet reached the Quasi-Sect Leader realm.

The Heavenly Dao is always impartial; there's no simple path to strength—gain always comes with loss.

Panshan Patriarch kept summoning numerous insects in an uncountable swarm, each possessing the cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal. Furthermore, Panshan's own Quasi-Sect Leader realm made these flying insects immune to Heaven and Earth Rules, making them even more formidable.

As Panshan's attack intensified, Hao Tian Great Heavenly Venerate's Taiyang Divine Light grew ever more immense. A battle between two Quasi-Sect Leaders shook heavens and earth!

Fortunately, Li Mingzhu had wisely chosen the battleground over the East Sea from the outset. Had they fought elsewhere, countless innocent lives might have been lost.

As the saying goes, when immortals fight, mortals suffer. Indeed, this was the case.

The Taiyang Light continued to scorch Panshan Patriarch's insects, but the insects, in turn, steadily drained the Taiyang Light's power. Their fight resulted in a deadlock.

If cultivation alone were the deciding factor, Panshan Patriarch could not compare with Hao Tian. Unfortunately, Hao Tian had merely borrowed the Taiyang Star's power for a single strike, not exerting much effort, nor descending into the Lower Realm with his true body.

Otherwise, Panshan Patriarch wouldn't have dared to provoke Hao Tian.

This is the only reason for the stalemate. If Hao Tian had wielded his cultivation and Daoist abilities fully, even if Panshan had elevated his insects to the Quasi-Sect Leader realm, he'd be no match.

This is not an exaggeration but a truth; Hao Tian is, after all, the Daoist Ancestor's attendant and a peer to the Saints across the heavens!

The fierce battle continued, while Li Mingzhu observed, gained insights, and fended off waves of residual combat energy.

Thankfully, Li Mingzhu had several Spiritual Treasures. He used the Treasure Lotus Lamp to block one attack, then the Cheng Ying Sword, the Qiankun Ring, and even pulled out the Hun Tian Scarf.

The latter, once exposed, seemed to absorb remnants of the Taiyang Fire from the impact above, beginning an unusual transformation.

First, it became an enormous crimson cloth, then fell into the sea, seemingly absorbing seawater and solar power alike.

As the Hun Tian Scarf absorbed these energies, its power soared. While Li Mingzhu retained his will, he was unable to control it.

The Hun Tian Scarf rippled like a giant sail in the water. In an instant, the entire sea turned blood-red.

Though dramatic, Li Mingzhu's commotion paled compared to Panshan Patriarch and Hao Tian's earth-shattering battle.

The Hun Tian Scarf grew larger, and the crimson sea expanded, transforming from the color of blood into fire-like hues.

Moments later, it ceased resembling flames entirely and became pure fire.

Thousands of miles of ocean were consumed by Taiyang Fire!

Panshan Patriarch and Hao Tian shifted their Divine Thought to this scene, halting their battle altogether.

The spectacle was too overwhelming—thousands of miles of ocean turned into Taiyang Fire, evaporating all traces of moisture.

If not for Li Mingzhu having reached the fifth realm in Profound Skill, even his physical body would've been vaporized.

"Taiyang Fire?"

Hao Tian exclaimed in surprise. The Taiyang Fire was not rare, but across the Primordial World, the only ones who could summon it besides him through the Taiyang Star were the Golden Crows.

Today, only one Golden Crow remained, and it was unlikely to appear nearby. How, then, had this Taiyang Fire manifested?

Panshan Patriarch gave less thought to the matter, only puzzled by Li Mingzhu's reckless use of such a violent magic—and botched at that!

Li Mingzhu had no time to answer their questions. He focused all his strength on regaining control of the Hun Tian Scarf, but to no avail.

The Hun Tian Scarf, its power amplified, carved out a path through the sea. Its destination was a small island with towering trees.

"Yingzhou Island!"

Hao Tian shouted in shock, his voice edged with fury.

"Ha ha! Yingzhou Island! That's the Fusang Tree! Truly, heaven smiles upon me, Panshan. Hao Tian, just you wait!"

Panshan Patriarch laughed heartily, abandoning his fight with Hao Tian and rushing straight to Yingzhou Island.

Though Li Mingzhu had regained control of the Hun Tian Scarf, he still hadn't grasped what was happening. Before he could ponder it thoroughly, Panshan Patriarch seized him like a chick and took him flying to Yingzhou Island.

"Kid, let's go!"

Panshan Patriarch laughed uproariously, clearly overjoyed at the unexpected fortune.

Panshan Patriarch carried Li Mingzhu to the brink of Yingzhou Island, while Hao Tian, though in hot pursuit, was blocked from crossing the path formed within the fiery sea.

It wasn't a matter of Hao Tian's lack of power but rather Li Mingzhu's refusal. Having regained control of the Hun Tian Scarf, he could govern the island's periphery.

He decided who could enter—and who could not.

"Kid, I only want the Fusang Tree; the rest is yours. After all, Yingzhou Island appeared thanks to your Spiritual Treasure!"

Before entering the island, Panshan Patriarch expressed his terms to Li Mingzhu.

It was prudent to settle the division of benefits beforehand, as Li Mingzhu held control over the island's periphery. If Li Mingzhu denied him entry, there'd be nothing he could do.

"Very well. However, Senior Panshan, may I boldly ask about the enmity between you and the Heavenly Court?"

Li Mingzhu was more than pleased with the deal. Panshan Patriarch could make such a concession, which delighted him.

"It's quite the sorrowful tale—similar to Luo Xuan's story. I may as well tell you!"

Panshan Patriarch sat on a rock, pulling an unsuspected bottle of Heavenly Court Celestial Brew from nowhere. He drank as he began recounting his feud with the Heavenly Court long ago.

Indeed, it was as he said—a tale very akin to Luo Xuan's.

A palace maiden in the Heavenly Palace fell for mortal life, married Panshan, only to have Hao Tian ruthlessly destroy it all—killing her, even the unborn child within her.

Panshan told this tale with harrowing emotion, his voice breaking with grief and hatred. Li Mingzhu was at a loss for words to console him. Truly, this was a heartbroken man.

Animosity rooted this deeply likely drove Panshan Patriarch to feign allegiance to the Heavenly Court—only to assassinate a few Divine Generals.

When hatred reaches its peak, no opportunity to diminish the Heavenly Court's strength is spared.

Yet Yingzhou Island's reveal offered an immense opportunity!