Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Ao Yu destroyed the Soul Refining Sect and thus was allocated three parts of merit, while Wen Zhong merely benefited incidentally, receiving only one part of the merit.

As for Li Mingzhu, there's no need to elaborate; from start to finish, it was he who labored to create the North Sea.

The merit entered his body, but Li Mingzhu didn't use it; instead, he collected it for later use, uncertain of what future utility it might hold.

After pondering for a while, Li Mingzhu still decided to invest the newly gathered merit into the largest statue in North Sea City,

since in North Sea City, it naturally could only be his own statue. Already burgeoning with a hint of spirituality due to the flourishing incense, the statue now became even more spiritual, under the protection of the merit.

Li Mingzhu merely wanted to experiment to see what heights this statue could ultimately reach. Judging by the current signs, achieving a Golden Body shouldn't be too difficult.

As for how great an achievement this Golden Body would ultimately reach, that depends on Li Mingzhu's subsequent handling and management. After all, however good the foundation is, it's just a foundation.

"No need to see me off, senior brother. Whether I can return to North Sea City when I head back to Chentang Pass depends on your maneuvering!"

Li Mingzhu smiled and said to Wen Zhong, who was seeing him off all the way. Anyway, Wen Zhong was already well aware of his requirements, so Li Mingzhu did not hide them and spoke directly.

"Of course, of course. It's only right for Li Jing to be appointed Marquis Beihai, given his talents, he should have been promoted long ago, although....."

Wen Zhong laughed without completing his sentence, while Li Mingzhu knew he was alluding to Li Jing's notorious temper.

"Then I must thank you in advance, senior brother!"

Li Mingzhu laughed heartily, stepping forward and disappearing from sight. Ao Yu on the left, Lei Zhenzi on the right, followed closely, while the female Banshee did not appear, presumably hiding in the shadows.

As they proceeded, Li Mingzhu did not intentionally accelerate the pace. After all, there was no rush; whether he reached Chentang Pass a bit earlier or later mattered little.

Though human suffering existed along the way, more often, people lived in peace and prosperity.

In this self-sufficient agrarian society, it was actually quite decent. Even though this was a mythical era, compared to historical records, there was not much difference in the lives of the common folk.

For Yin Shang to provide such a lifestyle for the people, it was proof enough that King Zhou wasn't completely incapable. Even with flaws, the actual rule of Yin Shang was not problematic.

No matter how you look at it, Yin Shang had not yet reached the point where it must truly decline, but the issue of dynastic change is not up to anyone. When a Saint declares the end of Yin Shang, it must end.

Li Mingzhu also had these reflections after seeing much along the way. Before long, war would ignite, and even if it wasn't a sign of decline, it would still appear so.

Despite having such reflections, Li Mingzhu knew he was powerless. After all, he was just a fleeting presence in this grand era, striving constantly in the currents.

If he couldn't change it, then he should adapt. Who isn't the same in the world?

"Brother Mingzhu, look!"

In midair, Ao Yu pointed to the groups of disaster victims heading north, addressing Li Mingzhu. In truth, Li Mingzhu had noticed long before but had deliberately chosen to ignore it.

After all, if Li Mingzhu were to involve himself in everything, how could he manage it all? Moreover, such calamities were a normal occurrence, and what right did he have to intervene forcibly?

Besides, even if he helped once, could he continue helping endlessly?

"I know, it's just some disaster victims."

Nevertheless, Li Mingzhu replied to Ao Yu, though his voice was tinged with helplessness and indolence, carrying an air of perfunctory action.

Li Mingzhu initially thought he would face a barrage of complaints, but unexpectedly, none came.

"Look!"

Ao Yu tugged at Li Mingzhu's sleeve, pointing at the disaster victims who had died on the journey.

To the naked eye, there was nothing unusual, but the souls of those deceased victims were all flying in one direction. If that direction were the underworld, it would be normal, but the problem was it wasn't.

Furthermore, generally speaking, when someone dies, specialized emissaries from the underworld are supposed to escort the soul.

This follows the normal course of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, yet what Li Mingzhu and his companions saw was different. The souls seemed to be drawn, flying towards somewhere behind these victims.

No matter how you looked at it, the situation suggested something unusual, perhaps not natural calamities, but rather intentional acts by someone.

Li Mingzhu silently thought as he descended from the clouds, opting not to pursue the souls immediately, instead deciding to approach the refugees.

No event occurs without a reason—there's always a cause and effect relationship. Li Mingzhu decided to start by questioning these victims.

He and Ao Yu transformed into a young servant boy in green attire and a maiden in floral garments, respectively, hiding the forms of Little Golden Crow and Lei Zhenzi.

With those mischief-makers, it was wise to keep them hidden to avoid startling the victims and causing chaos, something Li Mingzhu had already experienced significantly.

"Distributing porridge, distributing porridge....."

Li Mingzhu loudly shouted alongside Ao Yu, and in a flash, a porridge distribution tent appeared at the roadside.

The tent housed two large vats filled with hot porridge, not mere illusions by Li Mingzhu but tangible reality. As for their origin, although somewhat unseemly, Li Mingzhu dared claim it was rightful.

This grain was taken from wealthy households in nearby towns, transformed into porridge through Immortal means. Naturally, to question these victims, they had to be fed first!

Only by addressing others' needs could one fulfill their own; besides, Li Mingzhu wasn't in a hurry. If he ignored and bypassed, it wouldn't require so much trouble, but since he decided to intervene, he resolved to do his best.

Ao Yu, though dissatisfied with the guise Li Mingzhu gave her, couldn't change it as Li was already busy.

"Porridge?"

"Where is porridge?"

"It's the fragrance of rice; there's really porridge!"

"Everyone, come quickly, good-hearted people are distributing porridge!"

.....

The famine-stricken victims, numbed by starvation, wouldn't think deeply about why there was a porridge tent here. They cared only about the porridge being provided, entirely indifferent to anything else.

"Don't rush, everyone, there's enough for all!"

"Everyone will get some! One at a time!"

Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu kept calling out, consistently distributing the hot porridge.

Though the victims didn't care much, they maintained order to avoid displeasing Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu.

In truth, their requirements were simple—not necessarily to be full, but just to have sustenance, something that could keep them alive.