Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot, an ant attempting to shake a tree—you're nothing more than a slightly stronger insect!"

The Heavenly Silkworm stood unmoving, directly facing Li Mingzhu's charging figure, speaking coldly and indifferent.

With disdain—or perhaps contempt—even though Li Mingzhu could now clash with him head-on, it still failed to move him.

He had always thought Li Mingzhu wasn't on the same level, exuding an innate sense of superiority, as though gazing down from above.

Of course, Li Mingzhu wouldn't let the mocking words shake her resolve, charging forward like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

"Xuanwu Transformation!"

The Heavenly Silkworm snorted, remained unshaken, and unleashed the same sword light as before, but this time it morphed into a shadow of Xuanwu.

Ordinarily, Xuanwu, the divine beast of the water attribute, was associated with yin and gentleness. Yet in the hands of the Heavenly Silkworm, it carried an aura of grand righteousness.

Who would have thought that this assassin, who had always hidden in the shadows to ambush, would be even stronger in head-to-head combat?

Li Mingzhu didn't waste words, instead channeling her full strength into the "Domineering" Demon Emperor Battle Skill within her. If the Qiankun Ring couldn't cut it, she abandoned it—barehanded she would tear the heavens apart!

Li Mingzhu's palm, like the colossal grinding stone of the cosmos, descended fiercely, clashing against the Heavenly Silkworm's sword light. Then they swiftly separated, and at the point of impact, a colossal energy explosion bloomed like fireworks, destabilizing the very space around them.

"Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations? I know them too!"

Li Mingzhu spoke at last, and her words were shocking.

The sword techniques the Heavenly Silkworm had been wielding—they were none other than the Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations inherited from his lineage. Yet Li Mingzhu claimed to have mastered them as well—how could one not be amazed?

After all, the reason the Heavenly Silkworm clan preserved this secret art was due to their inherent ability for nine transformations, the ninth leading to the status of a Quasi-Sect Leader.

This was the clan's innate privilege—and one of the reasons for their annihilation in ancient times.

Upon hearing Li Mingzhu's words, the Heavenly Silkworm was unimpressed. If the secret arts of the Heavenly Silkworm could be so easily learned, then their lineage's inheritance would have long lost its purpose.

If others could pick it up merely by observation, there would not be any need for the clan to exist, nor for the immortal Heavenly Silkworm race.

Possibly the last surviving Heavenly Silkworm, this figure in white was incomparably proud, firmly believing in the invincibility of his bloodline and its inheritance!

"Qilin Transformation!"

The Heavenly Silkworm snorted coldly. The Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations continued, its momentum even stronger than that of the preceding Xuanwu Transformation; the unfolding of these Nine Transformations was a process of cumulative escalation, growing stronger with each step.

"Qilin Transformation!"

Li Mingzhu snorted coldly—the truth of combat overpowered all arguments.

An identical sword light emanated from Li Mingzhu's Cheng Ying Sword. Other than the Heavenly Silkworm's momentum being slightly stronger due to its multiple layers of transformations, there was no difference whatsoever.

"Impossible!"

Instantly, the Heavenly Silkworm and Hao Tian, who was observing in the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Heavenly Court, simultaneously cried out—how could this be?

Always believing in the invincibility of the Heavenly Silkworm inheritance and bloodline, the Heavenly Silkworm saw this display and felt as though the strongest bulwark in his heart had been shattered, slipping into utter disarray.

"Nothing's impossible!"

Seizing the momentary lapse in the Heavenly Silkworm's focus, Li Mingzhu's Cheng Ying Sword exuded even greater killing intent. The might of the Qilin Transformation grew increasingly fierce.

One side suffered a loss of control over its Qilin Transformation, while the other increased its power—victory was evident.

And indeed, Li Mingzhu's sword surged unhindered, not only breaking through the Heavenly Silkworm's Qilin Transformation but severing its arm entirely.

This marked the first time Li Mingzhu gained the upper hand in their exchange, yet this one instance almost claimed the Heavenly Silkworm's life. Physical wounds could be healed—but the gaping fissure in his spirit was another matter.

The Heavenly Silkworm's unwavering belief in the singularity of his Nine Transformations and the invincibility of his inheritance had been utterly shattered by Li Mingzhu's display. Such spiritual devastation was not something that could be recovered in mere moments.

If the Heavenly Silkworm failed to overcome this mental hurdle, even if Li Mingzhu spared him this day, his path forward in cultivation would be forever obstructed—perhaps even reversing his Daoist progress.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

Hao Tian, watching from the Heavenly Court, cursed fiercely after witnessing the scene through the Haotian Mirror, the three successive expletives embodying the fury consuming him.

The Heavenly Silkworm had been cultivated painstakingly by Hao Tian, but now it was essentially crippled. How could Hao Tian not feel enraged?

Not to mention, his previous attempt had already failed, yielding neither Li Mingzhu's capture nor a significant opportunity. Now, he had lost yet another important aide.

Li Mingzhu ignored all this. Having narrowly escaped a life-threatening crisis, she remained relentless.

"White Tiger Transformation!"

....

"Golden Crow Transformation!"

Li Mingzhu, now holding the advantage, unleashed four consecutive sword strikes toward the still-dazed Heavenly Silkworm—all advanced techniques from the latter's own Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations, even including the unfinished Golden Crow Transformation.

The Spiritual Nine Transformations allowed mastery over every technique she had observed. At this moment, its potency was fully demonstrated through Li Mingzhu's impeccable display. Although the internal structures may have shifted, their outward semblance was unmistakable.

The already-shaken Heavenly Silkworm watched as Li Mingzhu executed the entirety of the Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations. His hope shattered, sinking into hopeless despair, he didn't even attempt to resist against Li Mingzhu's four strikes.

Once the heart dies, why bother living?

"Boom!"

The four rays of sword light struck the Heavenly Silkworm fully. Though his physical body was equivalent to a Daluo Golden Immortal at the perfect level, without resistance, the strikes reduced him to ashes.

"What's this?"

Li Mingzhu stepped forward, discovering a massive silkworm cocoon left behind upon the Heavenly Silkworm's death. Indeed, the immortal Heavenly Silkworm was not so easy to kill!

Legends spoke of the Heavenly Silkworm's ability to undergo nine Nirvana transformations in its lifetime. Astonishingly, the tales turned out to be true. As it entered Nirvana, the protection woven by Heaven and Earth Rules shielded it. Despite her efforts, Li Mingzhu was unable to execute a permanent death.

"Li Mingzhu!"

High above in the Heavenly Palace, Hao Tian saw Li Mingzhu seal the silkworm cocoon into the Treasure Lotus Lamp, readying it for gradual refinement, and felt an overwhelming urge to descend and slaughter her himself.

Every Nirvana of the Heavenly Silkworm meant a total rebirth, erasing all past memories, necessitating a complete re-cultivation from scratch.

Such a promising opportunity—wasted just like this—by Li Mingzhu?

A newly reborn Heavenly Silkworm, properly trained, was equivalent to a free Quasi-Sect Leader-level soldier!

Hao Tian seethed with rage, his hatred for Li Mingzhu escalating to an unthinkable degree. In his heart, all he desired was her death to quench his fury!

Sensing someone spying on her, Li Mingzhu abruptly turned to glance behind her but found no one.

Still slightly distrustful, Li Mingzhu raised her right hand suddenly, flipping an emphatic middle finger to the air.

"Whoever you are watching—here's my disdain first! Let's see you figure this out!"

As fate would have it, the exact angle of Li Mingzhu's gesture pointed directly at Hao Tian's vantage point. Though Hao Tian didn't recognize what the hand signal meant, her expression conveyed its ill intent loud and clear.

The flames of Hao Tian's previously calmed rage flared up again, his hatred for Li Mingzhu reaching yet another peak.

Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu paid no mind and, after sealing the silkworm cocoon into the Treasure Lotus Lamp, realized she could now control the isolated Void Cage around her.

This particular void held no direct offensive power but could sever space and limit Heaven and Earth Rules—useful on certain occasions.

Li Mingzhu packed away the Void Cage and reemerged into daylight, only to uncover a tense scene before her.

Fu Yao and a group of people had gathered, their emotions running high—on the brink of clashing!