Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Seeing Xuanyuan act this way, even Fu Xi could only let out a helpless sigh—what else could be done? After all, the action had already been taken.

Though the three of them were revered as the Holy Emperors of the Human Clan, immortal and undying, with cultivation comparable to Saints, compared to true Saints, their state was akin to confinement.

They resided in the Fire Cloud Cave to stabilize the destiny of the Human Clan. Without their Saint-like presence to suppress and fortify, on what grounds could humanity remain ever-prosperous?

In all things under heaven, gain always comes with loss. Even for the Human Clan, the destined protagonist of this era, exceptions were not made.

In principle, they were supposed to remain indifferent to all external affairs. But who could truly sever all worldly ties?

Least of all Xuanyuan, the Human Emperor with the weakest cultivation foundation. He sent the Xuanyuan Sword to the Lower Realm, naturally to aid Nüba.

After all, the Xuanyuan Sword was not only a sacred sword of the Human Clan, but also naturally amplified human power. In the hands of Nüba, a direct descendant of Xuanyuan's bloodline, it could unleash its fullest potential.

Most importantly, the Xuanyuan Sword's origin was none other than the Witch Slayer Sword, forged by the Demon Clan. Although it had been reforged by Laozi in the Furnace of Eight Trigrams, purging its ferocity and resentful aura, its innate ability to counter the Witch Clan's physical might persisted.

Otherwise, Xuanyuan wouldn't have been able to slay Chi You and prove his Dao. After all, Chi You's undying body was an exceedingly rare divine skill even within the Witch Clan, unattainable even by Quasi-Saints.

At the same time, at the very instant Xuanyuan sent the Xuanyuan Sword down, movements stirred across all the Saints' Daoist schools. The Golden Bell chimed in Yuxu Palace, the Heavenly Flower Falling Banner rose in Biyou Palace, Xuandu emerged in the Eight Sceneries Palace, and the Mystical Sounds rang atop Sumeru Mountain.

The united sects' offensive had begun!

As for why they waited until Xuanyuan sent the Xuanyuan Sword down, who could ever divine the thoughts of Saints? Their plans are inscrutable, their motives beyond comprehension.

All twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect mobilized. From the Jie Sect, Tongtian's numerous true disciples rushed in droves. The Human Sect had only Xuandu as their representative. Meanwhile, the Western Sect dispatched Zhunti's two direct disciples—Pharmacist and Mile—both heading for the Huai River.

This defiant act disrupts the Heavenly Dao—it cannot be permitted!

The wrath of the Saints has summoned the united sects to strike!

Huai River, high above the heavens.

"Three thousand miles of scorched plains!"

Nüba shouted fiercely. Not waiting for Gonggong to finish his words, she had already struck first. Even knowing she was no match, she remained fearless!

Those who insult the Human Clan must die; those who harm humans must also die. Let alone one like Gonggong, who wantonly massacred Humankind—Nüba unleashed her life-bound divine skill without hesitation.

Though Nüba had advanced to Quasi-Saint cultivation, she had yet to cut even one corpse. Her cultivation merely hovered at the Quasi-Saint peak. Even employing her life-bound divine skill, she was no match for Gonggong.

A crimson torrent, like a river of blood, surged forward under Nüba's desperate outpouring of energy. Even though Li Mingzhu had retreated far enough, she could still feel the scorching heat surging toward her.

"Mere trivial tricks!"

Gonggong chuckled coldly, raising his hand lazily. A shimmering blue barrier formed instantly before him. His casual movements exhibited an innate Dao rhythm, faintly tinged with Saintly aura.

The barrier not only blocked Nüba's all-out attack but also reflected it back toward her. While Gonggong could effortlessly parry it, Nüba lacked the power to withstand her own attack!

Just as the beam was about to strike Nüba's body, a golden light descended from the heavens. Carrying an unmatched majesty and the profound essence of the Heavenly Dao, it intercepted the beam.

That golden light was none other than the Xuanyuan Sword, sent by Xuanyuan to the Lower Realm. Its arrival was nothing short of timely, saving Nüba at the very last moment!

"The Witch Slayer Sword!"

"The Xuanyuan Sword!"

Li Mingzhu and Gonggong exclaimed almost simultaneously. Though they named it differently, there was no doubt that Gonggong harbored deep fear toward the Xuanyuan Sword.

Nüba gazed at the Xuanyuan Sword in a trance, her expression brimming with reminiscence. Though she had never truly experienced Xuanyuan's fatherly love, it was undeniable—how many daughters in the world could truly hate their father? Even one as usually aloof as Nüba was no exception.

Nüba fought back her tears, raised the Xuanyuan Sword, and cast a deep gaze toward the heavens. Her eyes were filled with a myriad of emotions!

Resentment, understanding, forgiveness, guilt, and defiance—all these sentiments were understood by Xuanyuan, far away in the Fire Cloud Palace.

"Slay!"

After the Xuanyuan Sword intercepted Gonggong's reflected attack, the sword still radiated residual power. Streams of pure energy flowed naturally to replenish Nüba's exhausted reserves.

In Nüba's hands, the Xuanyuan Sword immediately displayed unparalleled brilliance. Radiant sword light burst forth, its might amplified by the Xuanyuan bloodline, while simultaneously empowering Nüba herself.

Li Mingzhu reached out and tossed the Cheng Ying Sword in Nüba's direction. Clearly, at this moment, the Cheng Ying Sword was an invaluable asset to her.

The two sacred swords of the Human Clan had now converged!

When the Cheng Ying Sword landed in Nüba's hands, it instinctively gravitated toward the Xuanyuan Sword. Nüba, as if anticipating this all along, showed no surprise and decisively merged the two swords.

As the two sacred swords fused, they became one. Combined, they formed the true Xuanyuan Sword.

Witnessing this, Li Mingzhu instantly affirmed his speculation. The Cheng Ying Sword's name, beyond referencing its intangible and formless nature, was inextricably tied to its identity as the "shadow" of the Xuanyuan Sword.

Though the Xuanyuan Sword was forged from the Witch Slayer Sword, it had undergone Laozi's reforging. As the one second only to the Daoist Ancestor, how could Laozi's reforging merely purge its ferocity and grievances?

Seeing the two swords fuse, Gonggong's expression changed drastically. The Xuanyuan Sword, while powerful earlier, had largely relied on Xuanyuan's contributions. But now, this complete Xuanyuan Sword brought significant pressure upon him.

"So what if it's the Witch Slayer Sword? I am no longer merely an Ancestor of the Witch Clan!"

Gonggong sneered coldly, summoning a sword of water that clashed head-on with the Xuanyuan Sword's light. Although the Xuanyuan Sword now approached the echelon of an Innate Treasure, it wasn't one yet and was momentarily forced back by the water sword.

This was merely the result of Gonggong's cultivation power—he hadn't even called upon the full might of his Ancestor Witch body, and already displayed such devastating strength. As he claimed, he was indeed only one step away from Cutting Three Corpses.

Though Nüba was momentarily repelled, she showed no signs of retreat, raising her sword once more to charge into battle.

Li Mingzhu wanted to intervene, but he was utterly powerless. A battle of this caliber was far beyond his reach.

Intervening was out of the question—merely stepping closer would risk death from the residual shockwaves. After all, he only possessed the cultivation level of a Taiyi Profound Immortal, and no matter how resilient his Daluo Golden Immortal physique was, it wouldn't make a difference.

"Reckless fool! Do you think you alone can stop me from restoring the Witch Clan's glory?"

Gonggong sneered coldly. Having tested the Xuanyuan Sword's power moments ago, though formidable, it was insufficient to alarm him.

As for the lofty Saints? While he held some trepidation, he wasn't entirely without measures to counter them.

It was precisely this confidence that emboldened him to act so brazenly, even before completing the Cutting Three Corpses ritual.