Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

One person, one sword, the Soul Refining Sect annihilated!

Such a fate was well-deserved for the Soul Refining Sect, and Ao Yu unquestionably possessed the strength to bring it about.

Meanwhile, Li Mingzhu was hastening back from the Chaos, and by estimation, the two should cross paths outside North Sea City.

"Father! Father!"

The little golden crow flew around Li Mingzhu tirelessly, chirping endearingly. At first, Li Mingzhu found it amusing, but later he started to feel irritated.

What's more troubling was that the little golden crow was like a bottomless pit, needing to be fed Spirit Stones constantly. The cache Li Mingzhu had looted from the East Sea was now depleting bit by bit.

Although those treasures were no longer of great utility to Li Mingzhu, his heart still ached seeing them consumed.

"What's this?"

After encountering Li Mingzhu, Ao Yu asked in a surprised tone, her eyes suggesting that without a satisfactory explanation, there'd be consequences.

"The Undying Heavenly Silkworm!"

Li Mingzhu gave a concise explanation of the little golden crow's origins. The clever little creature immediately began calling Ao Yu "Mother," though it wasn't particularly close to Li Mingzhu. This, however, delighted Ao Yu, making her laugh endlessly.

How to put it? The little golden crow currently had the intellect of a five or six-year-old human child, but its intelligence and natural talent were exceedingly high—even its emotional intelligence.

Such talent inspires envy but cannot be replicated.

"Let's head back to North Sea City,"

Li Mingzhu said softly, and Ao Yu responded in a voice so faint it was barely audible. The little golden crow kept teasing her and Li Mingzhu, reducing Ao Yu—now evolved into a strong-willed warrior—to uncontrollable shyness.

Li Mingzhu clearly adored this version of Ao Yu and endlessly praised the golden crow. At the same time, he discovered another of its talents.

'Flirtation!'

Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu walked side by side into North Sea City, and Wen Zhong immediately came forward to welcome them. Wen Zhong now regarded Li Mingzhu highly; in his view, Li Mingzhu's importance to Yin Shang was no less than his own, as Grandmaster.

Not only did Li Mingzhu have powerful backing, but he was also of the same sect as Wen Zhong and the son of a high-ranking court official. If he could fully devote himself to Yin Shang, it would be ideal.

Unfortunately, despite Wen Zhong subtly hinting many times, Li Mingzhu showed no signs of yielding. Instead, he consistently brought up his father, Li Jing, and the vacant position of Marquis Beihai.

Wen Zhong, being a seasoned statesman, understood Li Mingzhu's intent—he aimed to push Li Jing into the Marquis Beihai position.

Wen Zhong decided to oblige and planned to advocate for this upon returning to Chaoge.

"Junior Brother, were you able to obtain the Divine Water?"

Wen Zhong asked with a smile. Although he believed Li Mingzhu wouldn't make empty promises, it was customary to inquire.

"Mission accomplished!"

Li Mingzhu replied with a smile and gestured with his hand, revealing five droplets of Three Light Divine Water glimmering with Treasure Light.

"What's next?"

"No need to rush, Senior Brother; behold as this Daoist performs magic,"

Li Mingzhu laughed heartily and leapt into the air. He unveiled both Innate Soil and Three Light Divine Water.

Wen Zhong, possessing the Daoist cultivation of a Golden Immortal, followed Li Mingzhu into the sky. Though a fellow student of the Jie Sect and also a Golden Immortal, Wen Zhong's knowledge paled in comparison to Li Mingzhu's.

It was his first time seeing such supreme treasures as Three Light Divine Water and Innate Soil. Naturally, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to witness them firsthand. Everything in heaven and earth carries Daoist resonance, especially treasures of such caliber.

Sometimes, simply observing these treasures can lead to enlightenment, though instances of that are exceedingly rare.

While Wen Zhong didn't expect to gain miraculous insight, he couldn't help but hope—a sentiment that was only human.

Ao Yu also ascended to observe.

Li Mingzhu was indifferent; if someone could indeed gain enlightenment, it would only be a benefit and would justify the effort further.

Li Mingzhu first took out three droplets of Three Light Divine Water, casting them high into the air above North Sea City. Immediately, dark clouds gathered, and winds howled.

There was no thunder or lightning, only a nourishing drizzle, like the gentle rain of early spring, soft and revitalizing.

Within the rain, close observation revealed the light of sun, moon, and stars shimmering within. Those touched by the rain felt no dampness on their clothes; instead, the water quickly permeated the earth.

The people upon whom the rain fell were instantly invigorated, their old ailments healed, and their vitality replenished beyond measure.

Where the rain reached the ground, the barren landscape of North Sea City transformed, as vegetation began to sprout visibly. This miraculous act was truly transformative.

Still, it was expected. After all, the Three Light Divine Water could even revive Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots like the Ginsengfruit Tree. Bringing new life to North Sea City was merely a trifle in comparison.

Next, Li Mingzhu took out the Innate Soil and, just as before, dispersed it over North Sea City.

Instantly, the entire city became utterly renewed—the scorched earth and wasteland left by the great calamity were completely replaced.

Although ordinary people couldn't sense the profound changes, in the eyes of Li Mingzhu and Wen Zhong, it was a literal reshaping of destiny. The city not only overcame its deficiencies in nurturing spiritual vitality but witnessed a dramatic increase in Spiritual Energy.

While this Spiritual Energy would gradually dissipate over time, children born in this land would benefit immensely through generations.

Using treasures so precious for the benefit of the common people left Wen Zhong marveling at Li Mingzhu's extravagance. Truly, Li Mingzhu proved himself worthy of being Nuwa's cherished attendant.

Treasures of this magnitude were revered even by Daluo Golden Immortals, yet Li Mingzhu used them so freely.

What could Wen Zhong say? In sum, just five words: envy, jealousy, and resentment.

"Thank you, benefactor!"

...

Every single resident of North Sea City knelt and bowed toward Li Mingzhu's direction. While they didn't know the specifics, Nuwa invoked magic to ensure that the citizens witnessed Li Mingzhu's deeds.

This surprised Li Mingzhu at first, but after a moment of thought, he understood. As a former princess of the human clan, Nuwa wouldn't remain indifferent to Li Mingzhu's actions benefiting her people.

Though she didn't speak directly, she made sure Li Mingzhu's efforts wouldn't go unnoticed, ensuring his generosity was recognized.

As Li Mingzhu prepared to descend from the sky, a golden radiance shot down from the heavens toward him.

"Merit!"

Li Mingzhu exclaimed with delight. While this wasn't Innate Merit from epoch-making acts like Pangu's creation of the world, even Acquired Merit was extraordinarily precious.

Obtaining Merit could be simple or complex—it merely involved doing deeds beneficial to the Heavenly Dao. But what constitutes benefit to the Heavenly Dao? It remains inscrutable.

The golden radiance divided into three parts: six-tenths flowed to Li Mingzhu, three-tenths to Ao Yu, and one-tenth to Wen Zhong.