Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The void rippled intensely under the impact of the Fire-tipped Spear, its killing power evident.

Born out of the destructive energy of the Three Stars and forcibly infused with the Star Soul of the Bi Fang, its ferocity was only natural.

Though lacking the Starship, Li Mingzhu still possessed the Treasure Lotus Lamp, a supreme Innate Spiritual Treasure. Navigating Chaos was no challenge.

As before, upon entering Chaos, Li Mingzhu bowed towards the void.

"Lingzhuzi humbly seeks an audience with Nuwa."

Immediately, a rainbow bridge emerged from the depths of Chaos to escort her. Nuwa's affection for Li Mingzhu was unmistakable; such privileges were unheard of for most.

A Saint's rainbow bridge—a favor unattainable for True Disciples of other sects.

Ascending the bridge, Li Mingzhu reached Nuwa Palace in one step; the Saint's Divine Skills were beyond comprehension.

Within Nuwa Palace, Li Mingzhu was briefly teased by the Golden Phoenix, but it was harmless and her journey proceeded smoothly. She successfully obtained the Three Light Divine Water.

A total of five drops, paired with Innate Loam, was enough to transform North Sea City.

"Lingzhuzi, have you acquired a Heavenly Silkworm Cocoon?"

Nuwa's red lips parted slightly, her tone noble and sacred.

"In response to the question, yes, I have." Li Mingzhu replied respectfully, producing the Heavenly Silkworm Cocoon from the Treasure Lotus Lamp.

"I am aware you narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Undying Heavenly Silkworm, but once the silkworm undergoes Nirvana, it forgets its former existence. It is reborn anew, with greatly enhanced potential. This cocoon in your possession is the last Heavenly Silkworm in existence."

Nuwa explained with a smile, revealing a truth Li Mingzhu had never heard before; documentation on Heavenly Silkworms was scarce.

"I understand now. Nuwa, what should I do with this?"

Li Mingzhu asked, sensing her advice would lead to significant tasks.

"This is your destined opportunity." Nuwa chuckled gently, raising the cocoon into mid-air as a strand of Creation Qi flowed from her finger towards it.

Within the Primordial World, Nuwa's mastery of the Creation Dao was unparalleled.

The strand of Creation Qi fell upon the Heavenly Silkworm Cocoon, and faint signs of life began emanating from it—weak at first, but rapidly growing stronger.

"Blood recognition!"

Nuwa commanded softly. Li Mingzhu dared not hesitate and immediately cut her finger, letting her blood flow onto the cocoon as if it were endless.

Her Nine Revolution Profound Skill had already reached the fifth revolution, making her blood abundant and potent.

As Li Mingzhu's blood soaked into the cocoon, it began to crack open. From within emerged a tiny creature resembling a Golden Crow, crawling out slowly.

Despite just coming into the world, it could fly effortlessly, possessing cultivation at the True Immortal stage—a terrifying start.

The Heavenly Silkworm's innate talent was one factor, but Nuwa's Creation Qi combined with Li Mingzhu's blood vitality undeniably contributed to this marvel. After all, this was the pinnacle transformation: the Heavenly Silkworm Ninth Transformation into the Golden Crow.

"Chirp, chirp~~~"

The little silkworm flitted around Li Mingzhu joyfully, showcasing its attachment. The blood recognition bound it to Li Mingzhu, whom it now viewed as its closest kin.

Truthfully, Li Mingzhu had become its caretaker—practically like a nanny. That said, calling him its "father" wouldn't be far-fetched, as the creature's existence stemmed from Li Mingzhu's blood vitality. Nonetheless, Li Mingzhu would never admit to such a label.

"Excellent. This Heavenly Silkworm is now your closest companion and a powerful ally. Handle the Heavenly Court matters wisely—don't go overboard."

After this final instruction, Nuwa fell silent, and Li Mingzhu took his leave with tact.

Without Nuwa's intervention, Li Mingzhu might have tragically refined the silkworm cocoon, something he would later deeply regret.

As for Nuwa's concluding remark—it implied tacit approval of Li Mingzhu's retaliation against the Heavenly Court. The suggestion of moderation was vague; it practically meant as long as the Heavenly Court wasn't completely annihilated, it wouldn't be considered excessive. The extent of the revenge was left to Li Mingzhu's own discretion.

Nuwa's approval, in truth, reflected the silent consent of all Saints. Though Hao Tian believed his machinations were secret, the Saints understood them perfectly, simply choosing not to interfere.

Now seemed the perfect opportunity to let Li Mingzhu deliver a warning to Hao Tian. The disparity between Quasi-Saints and Saints was insurmountable—a single title defining the difference between heaven and earth.

A Saint remains supreme, the ultimate arbiter of the Primordial World. Without achieving Sainthood, all—even a Quasi-Saint—are but ants.

Li Mingzhu took the little Heavenly Silkworm and departed Nuwa Palace, escorted by Nuwa to the cosmic boundary. In a blink, he surged toward North Sea City at full speed.

Meanwhile, in North Sea City, Ao Yu, restless and eager, took up her sword and strode alone toward the Soul Refining Sect's lair.

Mostly fueled by frustration, since Li Mingzhu had previously rejected her, she now advanced westward with sword in hand.

Soul-breaking Valley!

The lair of the Soul Refining Sect. Li Mingzhu had uncovered its location through a Soul Search on the old Daoist's memories and shared this with Ao Yu. Thus, Ao Yu arrived at Soul-breaking Valley unhindered.

The terrain of Soul-breaking Valley was dominated by withered yellow hues—not a single trace of greenery, likely a consequence of cultivating sinister, forbidden arts.

Upon reaching the valley's entrance, Ao Yu didn't bother announcing herself; why waste breath on formalities when the goal was slaughter? She was far more decisive and domineering than Li Mingzhu.

Sword Light tore through the heavens, as the Immortal Slaying Sword brimmed with lethal intent—a crimson aura of killing energy nearly solidified into substance. One couldn't help but wonder how many lives she'd claimed while following Nuwa's ally, the Demoness of Drought.

Killing intent, after all, increases solely through taking lives—no other method exists.

With one strike spanning three hundred zhang, she cleaved the valley from entrance to end.

Such an overwhelming assault was nearly as formidable as Li Mingzhu's. Ao Yu had embraced the path of a pure Sword Cultivator, and further refined into the Slaughter Sword Sect style.

Draw the sword—kill!

Sword Cultivators of this nature were often one-against-thousands, even tens of thousands.

Ao Yu's sweeping attack, though massive in area, suffered no loss of power. The Soul Refining Sect, despite having some True Immortal experts, was predominantly composed of mortal cultivators below the Primordial Spirit stage.

Ao Yu's single strike eradicated nearly two-thirds of the sect—a feat of pure terror.

"Who dares attack our Soul Refining Sect?!"

Amid the destruction, the surviving cultivators quickly gathered, demanding answers.

Accustomed to unchecked dominance in the region, they failed to see sense. Someone capable of annihilating a sect's foundation with one sword—how could such an existence be interrogated?

A rabble of loose cultivators—even wielding sinister techniques—stood no chance against Ao Yu's unwavering Sword Dao of pure, overwhelming power.

By clustering together, they only spared Ao Yu more effort. She unleashed another strike, a colossal sword aura enveloping the sky and crushing forward.

From start to finish, Ao Yu had not uttered a single word. Bodies fell, sects crumbled, valleys collapsed, swords sheathed!

All completed in a single breath.

By now, Ao Yu wielded a chilling elegance akin to the Demoness of Drought. Yet, compared to her mentor, Ao Yu retained traces of vitality—a hidden liveliness visible only to Li Mingzhu but still present.

This vitality was the source of her rapid progress in Sword Dao. After all, even the Slaughter Sword has its purpose—to protect!

And Ao Yu's protection, without a doubt, was for Li Mingzhu!