Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Though battered and disheveled, Wen Zhong was still Wen Zhong. Even with his mana sealed and perhaps only moments from death, he stood tall and proud.

He was a disciple of the Jie Sect. He was the Grandmaster of Yin Shang. How could he bow his head?

Seeing Wen Zhong's spine still as straight as a sword, exuding an aura of unyielding righteousness, Li Mingzhu couldn't help but feel admiration surge in her heart.

Some people are born to inspire respect in others, and Wen Zhong was one such person. Even though this was Li Mingzhu's first time meeting him.

"What is your intention?"

Though Li Mingzhu wanted to save Wen Zhong, she asked calmly.

"What intention? You really don't know my meaning? Isn't it said that the Jie Sect disciples are famously united? If you want to save him, then trade the Mixed Heavens Ribbon, the River Map and Luo Book, and the Demon Clan Twelve Techniques for him. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The Flood Dragon Demon King let out a cold laugh. With Wen Zhong in his grasp, how could Li Mingzhu not submit? Unfortunately for him, he underestimated Li Mingzhu.

"He is Master Jin Ling's disciple. What use is it to threaten me with him? I wouldn't care about his life or death. If you want to kill, then kill. After all, it's not me the Jie Sect would pursue for vengeance!"

Li Mingzhu also responded with a cold laugh. A threat only works if the person accepts being threatened. If not, it ceases to have any power.

This was a classic case of reverse psychology. If someone captured someone close to you and used them to threaten you, the pressure naturally lies with you. But by handling it like Li Mingzhu, the pressure immediately shifts back to the Flood Dragon Demon King.

"Do you truly dare disregard this man's life?" The Flood Dragon Demon King asked incredulously.

"Why wouldn't I dare? You want something from me, so why should I bend to your threats? Instead, I advise you to let Wen Zhong go quickly, or face the consequences!"

Li Mingzhu smiled coldly, not only applying her logic to the extreme but also subtly shifting the premise of the debate.

You want what's in my hand, and I want the person in yours. You can threaten me, but I can also threaten you!

For someone not quick-witted, Li Mingzhu's manipulation would easily pull them into her trap.

"Such crooked reasoning! If you won't comply, then I'll kill Wen Zhong first and then take care of you, boy. Do you think I don't dare?" The Flood Dragon Demon King, though not entirely foolish, knew that the initiative remained in his grasp.

By virtue of power, he could determine life and death at will. Even without Wen Zhong, he could still seize the things he coveted.

If his greed had not clouded his mind too much, he likely wouldn't dare think or act this way, as a bit of thought would reveal that both Wen Zhong and Li Mingzhu were not people he could afford to provoke.

After all, he was no Hao Tian. Even Hao Tian would conduct such actions in utmost secrecy, never so openly and brazenly.

"You're welcome to try!"

Li Mingzhu replied with complete composure. Upon hearing this, the Flood Dragon Demon King charged forward, abandoning all pretense and prepared to teach Li Mingzhu a lesson.

"Try, then!"

With a fierce motion, the Flood Dragon Demon King's Big Halberd surged toward Li Mingzhu like a venomous dragon, the Azure Dragon etched into the halberd writhing as if brought to life.

"Ignorant fool!"

Two cold snorts resonated simultaneously. From the void, two overwhelmingly powerful beams of light burst forth—one a chilling, verdant cyan, the other a blistering, fiery red.

A faint smile played on Li Mingzhu's lips, as though she had foreseen this all along. Yet, the cyan attack surprised her slightly.

"Quasi-Saints!!!"

The sight of the two attacks left the Flood Dragon Demon King utterly shaken, his courage faltering as his realization dawned—Quasi-Saints were protecting Li Mingzhu.

Quasi-Saints, also referred to as Quasi-Sect Leaders in Ancient Times, stood just shy of Saints and were some of the most powerful beings in existence.

Only now did the Flood Dragon Demon King awaken to the fact that he had been nothing more than Li Mingzhu's pawn all along—a mere clown to be toyed with.

With Quasi-Saints covertly guarding Li Mingzhu, crushing him would be no more difficult than squashing an ant.

In the Heavenly Palace, Hao Tian continued to observe Li Mingzhu through the Haotian Mirror, his expression one of shock. Even he had failed to detect the two Quasi-Saints hidden in the shadows. Beyond that, he marveled at the level of influence Li Mingzhu wielded.

After all, Li Mingzhu had recently extorted Kunpeng, yet here Kunpeng was aiding her. Evidently, their relationship was not as fractured as it seemed.

Upon reflection, it was no surprise. Kunpeng had allowed his own son to follow Li Mingzhu, so how could he turn a blind eye now?

What truly left Hao Tian astounded, however, was the identity of the second Quasi-Saint, whose background remained a mystery. Nonetheless, now that the Flood Dragon Demon King was killed, Hao Tian felt deeply vindicated. To oppose him was to court death!

Unaware of Hao Tian's role as an audience, Li Mingzhu clasped her hands in salute toward the void, saying, "Many thanks to the Demon Master and the Princess for your assistance!"

Two cold snorts echoed from the void. Two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain, nor can two saints meet eye to eye.

"Brother Mingzhu!"

From the void came a reluctant sigh. Li Mingzhu felt the pressure ease, indicating that Kunpeng had retreated.

Princess Ao Yu flew toward him, her sword carrying both a graceful flutter of a goose-yellow silk dress and a spirited momentum. The wind rippled through her attire, faintly outlining the contours of her body, while her resolute demeanor dispersed any traces of recent gloom.

"Ao Yu!"

Li Mingzhu stepped forward, intent on an embrace, but a small figure darted ahead and clambered onto his shoulder.

"Get down!"

Ao Yu's brows furrowed as she spoke coldly. The little one obediently jumped down, hovering in mid-air. Only two or three years old in appearance, yet capable of traversing the skies.

Once soft and gentle by nature, Ao Yu had grown significantly more assertive, handling the mischievous Lei Zhenzi—a child fit for the terror title "holy terror"—with total authority.

"Step aside; who needs your hug!"

Though Lei Zhenzi backed off, one might have expected an ideal reunion scene between Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu. Yet something changed as Ao Yu turned fiery and irritable. Li Mingzhu found himself once again adrift, unable to read this mercurial Princess's emotions.

"Princess!"

From the shadows emerged Nv Ba, veiled in peerless magnificence even as Kunpeng's departure cleared the way. Her graceful stance remained unmatched.

After Ying Long, who in all the realms could truly deserve this breathtaking Princess?

Like a sacred snow lotus atop an icy peak, her aloof sanctity made her untouchable, her sorrow palpable. Only Ying Long's reincarnation could ever return to her side.

"Pay no mind to him—see to the others."

The Princess nodded faintly, sparing no more words, always few and precious.

"Execution is deserved!"

Li Mingzhu wouldn't hold back. Those who dared to provoke him always met due retribution.

"Let me handle this!"

Ao Yu intervened. Drawing the Immortal Slaying Sword, she unleashed its brilliance like a dazzling rainbow. With a single strike, she executed fourteen pinnacle Golden Immortals among the Great Demons. Swift, precise, inexorable—Ao Yu had mastered the essence of swordsmanship.

"Let's go. Together, we'll return to North Sea City."

With the matter resolved, Li Mingzhu released Wen Zhong, making introductions among the group before speaking.

"Excellent!"