Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The two competed fiercely, using their divine skills to capture the small ghosts. In truth, their cultivation levels were very similar, and their innate talents were also close.

While the Little Golden Crow's talent might slightly surpass Lei Zhenzi's, the former had yet to fully awaken the divine skills inherited from the Heavenly Silkworm Clan. At present, they were more or less matched.

Their contest was neck and neck, while Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu relaxed, sipping tea atop the clouds and chatting about life and aspirations.

The number of small ghosts was finite, and with both exerting their full effort, it didn't take long for them to capture them all. The final result, however, was unintentionally amusing.

The number of captured ghosts turned out to be exactly the same. However, Lei Zhenzi claimed victory, since among those he caught was a leader-grade ghost with cultivation at the level of an underworld envoy.

Although the Little Golden Crow didn't want to debate further, matters of pride couldn't be ignored, and he argued back fervently. The two ended up in a heated dispute.

Li Mingzhu eventually had to step in as the mediator, collecting all the captured ghosts into his hand. With a smile, he said, "Neither of you won. Relax—there'll be plenty more chances for this later. But remember one thing: while competition is fine, cooperation between the two of you is crucial."

After all, both would eventually become his most capable lieutenants. Constant rivalry would not be productive.

"Understood!"

They nodded in agreement simultaneously, though it was clear neither was entirely satisfied. One thrived in thunder and lightning, and the other excelled in flames—two forces that were fundamentally uncompromising and oppositional.

Things might improve once the Little Golden Crow mastered the Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations; after all, he wasn't a true Golden Crow. His appearance and abilities were merely the result of his innate divine skills. When he fully grasped the Heavenly Silkworm inheritance, everything would naturally change.

Li Mingzhu waved his large sleeve and separated the leader-grade ghost from the rest, examining its memories with a single mental sweep.

Typically, ghosts like this would be bound by spells cast by their master to prevent soul-searching. But apparently, this behind-the-scenes figure either hadn't considered this possibility or was arrogant enough to simply not care who might discover the truth.

Meanwhile, beneath the Huai River, in an ancient well, a golden-furred monkey suddenly opened its eyes, gazing towards where Li Mingzhu and the others were. Clearly, Li Mingzhu's actions had alarmed the individual manipulating events from behind.

The monkey, realizing that someone had been soul-searching its ghostly pawn, anticipated that his orchestration of the Huai River disaster had likely been uncovered. Erring on the side of caution, the monkey leaped deeper into the well.

Though it had already reached the bottom of the well, it found a hidden realm beneath. The golden-furred monkey continued moving through the underground, eventually arriving at the river's deepest point.

Underneath the river, there was no water—only a volcanic cavern, filled with spreading magma, scorching heat overwhelming.

It was, in fact, the Earth Core's deepest layer. The golden furred monkey trembled slightly, visibly uneasy in the high temperatures.

Being a Great Demon of the Water Attribute, discomfort in such heat was expected.

The origins of this golden-furred monkey were extraordinary. Not only was it a Great Demon King among the Demon Clan in Ancient Times, but it also possessed cultivation at the level of a Daluo Golden Immortal—its physical body equally formidable.

Of course, this alone wouldn't make it terribly remarkable, as Daluo Golden Immortals were abundant during Ancient Times.

What truly set it apart was its lineage: like the later-born Sun Wukong, it was one of the Mixed Four Monkeys, specifically the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey.

During the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Era of the Human Clan, the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey had created floods in the Huai River, only to be subdued by Yu the Great and sealed in a deep well. Now, it appeared the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey had escaped and resumed causing water calamities.

Still, it was unclear why the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey had come to the Earth Core. By nature a Water Demon, such a place would offer no benefits and would instead suppress its cultivation.

The monkey traversed onward and entered a hidden chamber. In this chamber, endless Fire Essences condensed into liquid. The Red Bottomed Horse Monkey dared not touch it.

Standing cautiously at the chamber's edge, the monkey bowed respectfully towards its interior, saying, "Master, the small ghosts I dispatched have all been captured by a high-level individual. It seems they've uncovered the Huai River disaster. I humbly request your guidance."

"No matter. Handle this yourself for now. If you truly can't manage, lure them to this location," replied a voice from within.

Upon hearing this, the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey bowed again, then left the Earth Core, seemingly relieved.

Clearly, it wished to depart from the suffocating depths as soon as possible. Once, as Wuzhiqi, it had been imperious and awe-inspiring. Yet ever since the Witch Demon Era's battles, its fortunes had plummeted.

First, it was subdued by Yu the Great. Then, beneath the Huai River, it encountered this Tongtian-tier powerhouse. Now, it was reduced to servitude, a guard dog—truly a bitter indignity!

But what could indignation accomplish? It couldn't muster even the slightest defiance against the shadowy figure within, whose strength rivaled that of the Demon Emperor himself.

Back on his end, Li Mingzhu, after uncovering everything, was visibly surprised. To find that the mastermind was none other than Wuzhiqi—his knowledge as a time-traveling individual left no room for doubt.

After explaining the origins and lore behind the Mixed Four Monkeys to Ao Yu and the others, they were equally astonished, having never previously heard of such matters.

The enigmatic Princess Nüba, however, bore a clear dislike for Wuzhiqi—given his behavior as a storm-bringer upon the Huai River long ago, it was unsurprising. As a Human Clan princess, it was only natural for her to regard him poorly.

Upon understanding the cause and effect of events, Li Mingzhu immediately decided to travel to the Huai River. Ignoring it previously was one thing; but now that he knew the truth, he felt compelled to act.

Moreover, facing an opponent like the Mixed Four Monkeys—characters akin to Sun Wukong—was irresistible to him. Besides, this occurred in the Mortal World, where the Heaven and Earth Rules imposed limits. Armed with celestial treasures, Li Mingzhu wasn't concerned, even if the enemy was a Daluo Golden Immortal. After all, Daluo-tier opponents were not new to him.

"You two go ahead; I'll be right behind you!"

After some thought, Li Mingzhu decided to send Lei Zhenzi and the Little Golden Crow ahead, using this as a chance for them to hone their skills. Greatness, after all, was forged through trials of combat.

Of course, Li Mingzhu was not stingy. He handed Lei Zhenzi the Fire-tipped Spear and the Little Golden Crow the Treasure Lotus Lamp. While training was important, recklessness was not an option—it would be irresponsible to send them on a death mission.

Wuzhiqi was a Great Demon King from the Witch Demon Era, after all. Who knew what hidden cards he might possess? Though Li Mingzhu had faith in their capabilities, he wasn't willing to take that risk.

While he believed that true strength was born from battle, when matters involved those close to him, he found it hard to steel his heart.

Perhaps this was the plight of all elders. Knowing the need for toughness, yet finding it impossible to enact.