Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The gates to the Demon Master Palace swung wide open, with Kunpeng's loyal followers stationed on either side. Upon seeing Li Mingzhu and Fu Yao approaching, they slightly bowed in greeting.

Li Mingzhu and Fu Yao also returned the salutation. After all, though their status was noble, those guarding the palace were all Daluo Golden Immortals in cultivation—a reminder that the Primordial World is ultimately a realm where strength speaks loudest.

Although the Demon Master Palace appeared extraordinary, its interior failed to meet Li Mingzhu's expectations of opulent splendor. At first glance, it was even inferior to Ao Bing's dragon boat back in the day.

Still, Li Mingzhu understood that this simplicity was not due to Kunpeng's lack of wealth but rather an intentional restraint. Many seemingly unremarkable aspects radiated subtle signs of greatness.

Take, for instance, the herb garden they had just passed through—it appeared mundane at first glance, yet every single spiritual herb within it boasted thousands of years of cultivation, almost reaching sentience, though Kunpeng's spells concealed their brilliance.

The two attendants tending the herbs were equally extraordinary—a rare sight, being a Ginseng Boy and a Lingzhi Girl. For the untrained eye, they might easily go unnoticed.

Fu Yao led Li Mingzhu to a quieter palace hall, guiding him along a path paved with ten-thousand-year-old glacial ice. At the center of the hall sat a figure atop a cloudbed.

Clad in a dark green Daoist robe, with two small eyes restlessly darting about, his appearance was just as Li Mingzhu remembered Kunpeng to be.

As for his demeanor, however, it was an entirely different story.

Or perhaps one could say it had drastically changed. Previously, Li Mingzhu had always seen Kunpeng as cunning and vulgar, but now he exuded the refined aura of a transcendent master—though, truthfully, he had always been one.

How to put it—Kunpeng used to give off an icy, sinister vibe, which had now entirely vanished.

"Li Mingzhu of the Jie Sect greets the Demon Master."

Li Mingzhu stepped forward and offered a bow.

"Nephew, there's no need for excessive courtesy. You're in my Demon Master Palace—it's no different from being in Nuwa's Nuwa Palace. Of course, my Demon Master Palace pales in comparison to Nuwa's grand residence."

Kunpeng lightly pointed his finger, and two cloudbeds immediately materialized behind Li Mingzhu and Fu Yao. Both of them seated themselves, ready to listen to what would come next.

"Yuan Futong was once a disciple of my Demon Master Palace, though he has long since severed ties and joined the Western sects. The crimes he has committed this time are heinous, and by rights, my Demon Master Palace should bear the blame. Therefore, I propose that Fu Yao accompany you as compensation for his sins—what say you?"

Kunpeng spoke with a gentle tone devoid of emotion, his expression unreadable.

"How can this be acceptable? Brother Fu Yao is a prodigy; how could he be asked to follow a junior like me?" Li Mingzhu hurriedly rebuffed the offer. What kind of joke was this? Who in their right mind would dare benefit from Kunpeng?

Though Fu Yao was indeed a remarkable individual, in this situation, Li Mingzhu could not possibly agree.

"Nephew, don't be so quick to refuse. There's actually a favor I must ask of you in return," Kunpeng interjected, prompting Li Mingzhu's brow to furrow—it was just as expected.

"Demon Master, please speak your request."

Li Mingzhu said, knowing he had little choice. Regardless of the circumstances, Kunpeng was an elder, possessing Quasi-Sect Leader pinnacle cultivation. He was also one of the three thousand attendees of the Purple Cloud Palace, narrowly missing out on attaining a Saint's position.

"I hear you've obtained the Demon Clan inheritance from Fusang Island. As such, I'd like to request that you return it to the Demon Clan. Of course, I wouldn't let you suffer any loss in the exchange. Fu Yao accompanying you would be an advantageous partnership, and even should this arrangement fall through, I am equally willing for Fu Yao to follow you—after all, it's high time he ventured out.

But frankly, my true intention is to exchange the River Map treasure for the Demon Clan inheritance you carry."

Kunpeng stroked his beard and smiled, evidently having calculated everything in advance, his confidence unwavering.

Though he exerted no overt force or intimidation, he was utterly certain that Li Mingzhu would not dare refuse him. The disparity in strength gave Kunpeng exceptional confidence.

To top it off, Kunpeng's offer was undeniably generous. Not only was he offering his Golden Immortal son as a follower, but he was also willing to trade a supreme Innate Spiritual Treasure. Frankly, Li Mingzhu had little reason to decline.

Still, it left a sour taste in his mouth. While surrendering the Demon Clan's Twelve Techniques wouldn't affect him greatly, Li Mingzhu had hoped to initiate the transaction himself and propose his terms rather than being placed in a passive position—even if he wasn't at a disadvantage.

Additionally, Kunpeng's air of unshakable control aggravated him—it felt as though he had already been cornered and checkmated.

The situation was truly frustrating and left him feeling powerless. If he refused, Kunpeng could simply resort to force, and Li Mingzhu would have no means to resist.

This was the crux of his frustration and helplessness—the idea that Kunpeng would graciously offer to trade was merely formality. If he decided against trading and opted to seize the inheritance outright, no one could stop him.

Most importantly, Kunpeng's actions were well-justified. As the Demon Master, reclaiming Demon Clan laws was his rightful prerogative.

"Lingzhuzi, returning the laws of the Demon Clan to their rightful place under the Demon Master's stewardship is proper and fitting. However, Demon Master, perhaps you could offer both the River Map and the Luo Book for the exchange? After all, they are treasures of the Demon Emperor, and Lingzhuzi has received the Demon Emperor's inheritance. Thus, it stands to reason he should inherit the Demon Emperor's treasures as well."

In the midst of Li Mingzhu's deliberation, a radiant figure suddenly appeared in midair—the Saint's arrival.

The Miao Yin Golden Lotus and its sublime fragrance heralded the coming of Nuwa.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Wishing Your Majesty everlasting health!"

Kunpeng, Li Mingzhu, and Fu Yao all rose and bowed in unison.

"There's no need for excessive formality. Regarding my earlier statement, what does the Demon Master think?"

Nuwa gazed at Kunpeng. As with Kunpeng's earlier demeanor, there appeared to be no trace of coercion in Nuwa's tone, but the pressure she exerted was immense—it was simply the nature of a Saint.

Li Mingzhu observed it all clearly. As Nuwa spoke, her seemingly casual words brought visible tension to Kunpeng, whose forehead glistened with sweat. Compared to Li Mingzhu's prior composure during Kunpeng's proposal, Kunpeng now seemed far worse.

Though Kunpeng was the Demon Master, he was vastly inferior to Nuwa—the Saint of the Demon Clan.

The scene mirrored the predicament Li Mingzhu had faced earlier: both situations justified by logic, both capable of taking what they desired irrespective of agreement.

"Very well, but I would ask Your Majesty to formally affirm my title as Demon Master."

After all, Kunpeng ultimately buckled under the Saint's pressure, agreeing to the terms but not without making an ask of his own.

"So be it."

Nuwa's red lips parted ever so slightly, carrying a trace of subtle amusement.

"Lingzhuzi?"

Nuwa smiled at Li Mingzhu, who tactfully produced the jade scroll containing the Twelve Techniques of the Demon Clan.

In return, Kunpeng handed over the River Map and the Luo Book, leaving Li Mingzhu thoroughly satisfied.

After the two exchanged their items, Nuwa suddenly ascended high into the skies above Beiming.

"In the battle of ancient times, the Demon Master preserved the Demon Clan's remaining inheritances—the incomplete Twelve Techniques. Today, they have been restored, and may all demons within the realm heed them!"

Nuwa's voice gently carried through the skies, yet it simultaneously reached the ears of every demon in the world—a demonstration of the incomprehensible powers of a Saint.

After delivering these words, Nuwa vanished, likely returning to the Chaos.

"We bid farewell to Your Majesty!"

Everyone knelt in reverence, and Kunpeng was quick to disappear as well, though it was evident he had suffered losses.

Two supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures—not meant for combat but incomparably precious nonetheless!

"Many thanks for the Demon Master's generosity. Li Mingzhu shall now take his leave, bringing along Yuan Futong's disciple!"

Li Mingzhu bowed toward the Demon Master Palace, hastily suppressing the joy he felt. Yet, no response came.

Initially, Kunpeng had intended to outmaneuver him—had Li Mingzhu refused, Kunpeng might have taken the Twelve Techniques without parting with even a single River Map.

But Nuwa's unexpected arrival meant Kunpeng both lost his advantage and paid the price. Could he still muster the goodwill to respond to Li Mingzhu's departure?

Li Mingzhu couldn't be bothered to concern himself with this matter. Approaching Yuan Futong, he began to activate his Cheng Ying Sword Intent—unleashing one hundred twenty-four strands of divine intent.

Rather than kill him outright, Li Mingzhu let the intent torment Yuan Futong, enduring his wailing cries until he finally had enough. Unable to bear the noise, he ended Yuan Futong's life with the indifferent ease of cutting down roadside grass.

However, Yuan Futong's Divine Soul wasn't spared the same treatment. Li Mingzhu trapped it within the Soul Lamp, tormenting it with True Fire, ensuring its reunion with Yuan Futong's father in the most agonizing manner possible.

Just as Li Mingzhu prepared to leave Beiming, he noticed someone tagging along—a figure clad in a dark green Daoist robe, slender of build, refined yet somewhat naïve and foolish-looking—Fu Yao.

"Why are you here?"

Li Mingzhu asked suspiciously. After offending Kunpeng so thoroughly, how could the latter still send his own son along?

"To roam the Primordial World with you—and also serve as your bodyguard," Fu Yao replied nonchalantly, his demeanor as naïve and sweet as ever.

"Alright then!"

......