Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The starry sky stretched vast and boundless, and at this moment, Li Mingzhu was traversing through its immensity, until he arrived at a domain of extreme heat.

Above the Taiyang Star stood the Taiyang Palace!

What Li Mingzhu did not expect was that the Twelve Heavenly Palaces had transported him directly to the Taiyang Divine Palace on the Taiyang Star.

However, it was a pity—within the Taiyang Divine Palace, there was no longer a master, and no one capable of unlocking its doors.

To halt before the gates of the Taiyang Divine Palace—there was no denying it was an unprecedented regret.

Theoretically, passing the trials of the Twelve-Layered Heavenly Palace and then being summoned by the Demon Emperor was indeed reasonable.

But alas, this was no longer the Ancient Times, and the Demon Emperor was no more.

Since entry to the Taiyang Divine Palace was impossible, Li Mingzhu did not insist but instead summoned his Starship, preparing to return to the Mortal World.

I wonder how that Old Ancestor of Panshan is doing, Li Mingzhu thought to himself.

Of course, this was merely a passing thought—just an insignificant bond of goodwill. Li Mingzhu didn't truly expect that after obtaining the Fusang Wood, the Old Ancestor of Panshan would still remember him, this small pawn.

Although they shared a common enemy, their levels were too different, ensuring that the two of them could hardly walk on the same path together.

It was akin to a tiger and a rabbit sharing a mutual foe—would they truly unite for it?

Clearly not. Thus, Li Mingzhu dismissed the thought casually, but upon mentioning the Heavenly Court, true killing intent flared within him!

Although, he also knew that with his current power, the Heavenly Court was beyond his reach for the moment.

But this did not hinder his determination to destroy the Heavenly Court. Yes—to obliterate the Heavenly Court!

So what if it was established by the Daoist Ancestor himself? Anyone bold enough to provoke Li Mingzhu must have the consciousness of facing annihilation.

Lacking strength now was not a concern—time would eventually favor him. Li Mingzhu cast a deep gaze toward the direction of the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven Palace.

A gentleman's revenge may wait ten years!

After returning to the Mortal World, Li Mingzhu didn't immediately return to Chentang Pass. Instead, he found a decent cave to begin a closed-door cultivation.

Neither the Spirit Communication Three Volumes nor the Domineering One Volume of Donghuang were skills one could master from a mere glance—they required meticulous study and practice.

When it came to such Divine Techniques that could directly enhance his abilities, Li Mingzhu would naturally not relax in his efforts. The sooner he mastered them, the sooner his power could grow.

Though the Realm was the essence, without protective Divine Skills, even a high cultivation level amounted to nothing—unless one was a Saint!

Li Mingzhu entered seclusion, avoiding all worldly affairs, untainted by the red dust.

Meanwhile, on Jiang Ziya's side, trouble abounded unceasingly.

Ever since Lady Xi branded Jiang Ziya as a traitor with ambitions of rebellion, his life had been nothing but relentless trouble, though he had the foresight to leave Chaoge City in time.

However, the Yin Shang empire's influence was overwhelmingly vast. So long as he didn't hide himself completely, discovery was merely a matter of time.

Whether common folk or street scoundrels, anyone who laid eyes on Jiang Ziya treated him as if he were a sought-after delicacy.

While one or two individuals might not have dared to seize Jiang Ziya outright, as the numbers grew, a rushed and frenzied assault ensued. Even with Jiang Ziya's mastery of Daoist Skill, there was little he could do against such odds.

After all, no matter how advanced his skills, he could not deploy them against ordinary humans!

Utterly helpless, Jiang Ziya decided to flee once again. While this did allow him to shake off the commoners, there remained countless imps and lesser demons relentlessly pursuing him.

Feeling exasperated, Jiang Ziya reasoned he could not slaughter these minor ghosts and demons who hadn't brought harm to the Mortal World simply because they were after him. He had no choice but to fully conceal his presence, employing Earth Escape to race toward the West.

To reach West Qi, however, there was a place he was destined to pass—Chentang Pass.

Li Mingzhu, as early as Jiang Ziya's departure from Chaoge, had already instructed Yang Chan to capture him as soon as he came through.

"Who dares sneak about here?!"

As Jiang Ziya used Earth Escape to sneak past the outskirts of Chentang Pass, a sharp cry from Yang Chan shattered the silence as she shot forth from the rear garden of the General's Mansion.

With that single cry, every inch of land within ten miles of Chentang Pass became impervious to burrowing. Under such immense mana, Jiang Ziya's presence was inevitably forced into the open.

"Fairy, please stay your hand! This humble Daoist is a cultivator under the Yuqing Saint of Kunlun Mountain. I meant no offense and ask for your understanding."

Jiang Ziya clasped his hands and offered a smile of apology.

After all, he was on another's turf. Jiang Ziya had no choice but to lower himself, especially since the young maiden before him clearly possessed considerable Daoist skill.

"A disciple of Kunlun? Among the Twelve Golden Immortals, it seems none bear your name!"

Feigning puzzlement, Yang Chan asked aloud, while mentally scheming how to apprehend Jiang Ziya quickly. Her current friendly demeanor was merely a ploy to lower his guard.

Influenced deeply by Li Mingzhu, Yang Chan believed in expending the least amount of effort when possible.

"The Twelve Golden Immortals are my senior disciples. I, Jiang Shang, have only joined the sect forty-some years ago."

Jiang Ziya explained with a smile. Seeing the young woman visibly at ease reassured him considerably—clearly, the title of Yuqing Sect carried weight.

"Jiang Shang? Jiang Ziya? Well, that settles it!"

To Jiang Ziya's surprise, Yang Chan burst into laughter. With a quick flick of her Seven Stars Chasing Moon Whip, she entangled Jiang Ziya before he could react, binding him like a cocoon.

"Fairy, what is the meaning of this? Why capture me without cause?"

Though caught, Jiang Ziya remained composed, questioning her calmly.

"Jiang Shang, you're a wanted outlaw of the court—what other reason do I need? You'll be delivered to General Uncle!"

Yang Chan replied coldly, producing a talisman from her sleeve and slapping it onto Jiang Ziya's forehead.

Had Li Mingzhu seen this, he would have cursed Yang Chan for being such a spendthrift. This was no ordinary talisman but a sealing charm personally inscribed by Nuwa.

Initially, Jiang Ziya appeared calm and composed. However, the moment the talisman activated, his expression drastically changed.

Though bound by the Seven Stars Chasing Moon Whip, he'd still managed to use the God-beating Whip. But now, completely unable to summon his powers, how could he not be shocked?

Dragging Jiang Ziya behind her, Yang Chan quickly arrived at the General's Mansion, calling out loudly, "Uncle Li! Uncle Li!"

Yang Chan's exclamations soon attracted the household's attention.

Members of the Yin clan, Li Jing, Little Zhu Xiong, and even maids and servants bustled out to see what was happening.

"What is it, Young Lady Yang? Why call for your Uncle Li?"

Smoothing his long beard, Li Jing asked with a smile. His tone toward Yang Chan was far more affectionate compared to Li Mingzhu.

"Uncle Li, look here!"

Yang Chan pointed at Jiang Ziya, her face brimming with pride as if urging him to praise her.

"And he is?"

Li Jing, oblivious to Yang Chan's smugness, simply asked while gesturing toward Jiang Ziya.

"Oh, he's Jiang Ziya, the court's most-wanted criminal. Uncle, aren't you aware?"

"So that's Jiang Ziya? Doesn't seem the part… A traitorous rebel, plotting rebellion—how could he look like this?"

"Who cares what he looks like? Our only job is to capture him. Mingzhu said that as long as we hand him over to Chaoge, the Li Family will reap immense benefits!"

Little Zhu Xiong, ever Li Mingzhu's staunchest supporter, dismissed any concerns—if Li Mingzhu ordered it, that was reason enough.

"Exactly, exactly!"

Yang Chan chimed in, echoing the sentiment without hesitation.

"Husband, I agree with Chan'er and the others. Since it was Mingzhu's request and there are instructions from above, why overthink it? At most, we'll treat him well while he's here!"

Lady Yin added her voice, echoing the shared sentiment: all-out support for Li Mingzhu.

What more could Li Jing say?

"Guards! Take this man into custody and keep him secure. Tomorrow, he shall be sent to Chaoge!"

Li Jing shouted, and immediately soldiers approached, taking Jiang Ziya away.

Poor Jiang Ziya, with his powers sealed and silenced by a spell, couldn't even voice a defense. Thus, his fate was sealed without recourse.