Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

It seemed the discussion was over, and Yellow Dragon stepped forward once more, still wearing an unfailing smile.

Yellow Dragon! Once again, it's Yellow Dragon!

Li Mingzhu didn't even know what to say at this point—aware that the so-called senior brothers were merely using Yellow Dragon as a pawn, yet the man remained as he had always been.

Perhaps he'd already grown accustomed to it. That's the only explanation Li Mingzhu could muster; after all, who in the Primordial World could truly be called a fool?

"Nephew Mingzhu, is the sword you're holding the Human Clan's Holy Xuanyuan Sword?"

Yellow Dragon was clothed in a yellow robe, holding a Nine-Colored Duster. He certainly looked the part of a high-ranking figure, but all the Chan Sect Golden Immortals dressed in similar fashion.

"Uncle Yellow Dragon, are you referring to this sword? You are correct, this is the Xuanyuan Sword. May I ask, Uncle, what is it that you intend to do with it?"

Li Mingzhu swished the Xuanyuan Sword briefly in front of Yellow Dragon's face before withdrawing it swiftly. As soon as Yellow Dragon spoke, Li Mingzhu already knew what intentions these Chan Sect Golden Immortals harbored, but he didn't expose them outright.

"Nephew, are you aware of the Xuanyuan Sword's origins?" Yellow Dragon asked knowingly, though Li Mingzhu already understood far more about its history than Yellow Dragon could imagine.

"Uncle, surely you jest? How could I, a humble Daoist, not know its origins? The Xuanyuan Sword was originally the Witch Slayer Sword of the Demon Clan, but it was reforged by my sect master ancestor in the Furnace of Eight Trigrams. Not only did he inscribe the principles of universal enlightenment onto it, but he divided it into two swords: one named Xuanyuan and the other Cheng Ying—one governs enlightenment, the other governs life and death!"

Li Mingzhu responded with a faint smile. Since you want to talk about the Xuanyuan Sword, let's talk, shall we?

To his surprise, Li Mingzhu's explanation actually managed to throw Yellow Dragon off. After all, even Yellow Dragon was previously unaware that the Xuanyuan Sword had been divided into two.

Of course, Yellow Dragon wouldn't let this show on his face. Whether he knew or didn't know ultimately made little difference.

"Nephew, are you also aware that the Human Emperor Xuanyuan was once the disciple of my senior brother, Guang Chengzi?"

Yellow Dragon spoke proudly, thinking he finally managed to seize the conversational momentum.

When talking to others, controlling the rhythm of the discussion was crucial. With rhythm came command, and Yellow Dragon evidently understood this principle, steering the dialogue in his favor.

Li Mingzhu chuckled inwardly. Finally showing your true colors, are you?

Was this not simply an attempt to leverage Guang Chengzi's title as Emperor's Master to draw attention to the Xuanyuan Sword? Li Mingzhu had already seen through it but refrained from calling it out, prepared instead to make Yellow Dragon suffer another blow.

"It's true that Senior Uncle Guang Chengzi was the Human Emperor's mentor, but I've also heard that Senior Uncle Guang Chengzi didn't actually assist the Human Emperor much in those days. Even when Chi You caused chaos, it was myriad forces that worked together to quell it!"

Having anticipated this in advance, Li Mingzhu had already crafted a rebuttal, and the moment these words left his mouth, it naturally managed to offend all of Chan Sect's Golden Immortals.

But Li Mingzhu didn't care at all. Given their strained relationship, adding fuel to the fire hardly changed anything.

Li Mingzhu had reached a point where it didn't bother him—he'd become like a flea-laden dog, unbothered by further bites, or like a pig too numb to react to boiling water. So what could you possibly do to me?

This shameless attitude wasn't something Li Mingzhu had possessed before, but after spending time in the Primordial World, he found that such individuals often thrived.

Truly upright gentlemen and perennial nice guys? Their fates generally weren't enviable.

Seeing the darkened faces of Chan Sect's Golden Immortals, Li Mingzhu felt deeply satisfied.

What could he say? Truthfully, Li Mingzhu held no great vendetta against Chan Sect, except for differing ideological stands.

"The so-called 'different paths, different alliances'—that must be it."

"That's surface-level talk. In truth, my Chan Sect sent all Twelve Golden Immortals into that great battle—how else could the chaos Chi You wreaked have been quelled so quickly?"

Yellow Dragon, despite being verbally sparred down by Li Mingzhu earlier, quickly regained his composure. As one of Chan Sect's most eloquent figures, Yellow Dragon wasn't easily rattled.

"Oh? So according to you, the Human Emperor attaining his path was entirely thanks to the efforts of Chan Sect's many senior uncles?"

Li Mingzhu said with a smiling face that, no matter how one looked at it, seemed dubious.

Yellow Dragon thought little of it, believing Li Mingzhu genuinely bought into his narrative. How naive youth truly was, he thought.

"Indeed, without my senior brother, today's prosperity of the Human Clan wouldn't exist. As such, today I, a humble Daoist, wish to borrow this Xuanyuan Sword on behalf of my senior brother. After all, given my senior brother's position as Emperor's Master, using the Xuanyuan Sword now to deal with Gonggong is perfectly justified!"

Sure enough, just as Li Mingzhu had anticipated, Yellow Dragon was after the Xuanyuan Sword.

"He's unworthy!"

Yellow Dragon was brimming with confidence, waiting for Li Mingzhu to hand over the sword—only for the moment to be shattered by a voice brimming with murderous intent. Initially ready to chastise whoever dared to speak without regard for decorum, Yellow Dragon froze upon realizing the voice belonged to Princess Demon.

Li Mingzhu remained calm, unsurprised by this development. Truthfully, Princess Demon had long since awakened, merely choosing not to make her presence known. Li Mingzhu had been aware all along, using the scenario as an opportunity to orchestrate this act.

Yellow Dragon's attempt to scheme over the Xuanyuan Sword was met with Li Mingzhu's counter-scheme, bolstered by Princess Demon's telepathic assistance.

Even if Zhao Gongming had stepped forward with the same words just now, Li Mingzhu—despite being far weaker in cultivation than Zhao Gongming—would have brazenly rebuffed him. But when the words came from Princess Demon? Li Mingzhu was visibly cautious.

Back then, the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect had meddled, separating Princess Demon from Ying Long. It was they who had suggested Xuanyuan seal Princess Demon for twenty years. And during the chaotic battles with Chi You, Princess Demon had witnessed their embarrassment as they were beaten soundly by the Marquis of Wind and Master of Rain.

Thus, he had absolutely no confidence in facing Princess Demon—with her mere words extinguishing any trace of arrogance he held.

"The Xuanyuan Sword is in my hand. If I give it to you, would you dare take it?"

Princess Demon slowly stepped forward, taking the Xuanyuan Sword from Li Mingzhu's hand and placing it before Yellow Dragon. Not daring to lift a finger, Yellow Dragon remained utterly motionless.

"Daoist Zhao, could you help me suppress him? I simply cannot tolerate him—he disgusts me!"

Princess Demon turned to Zhao Gongming and said. Given that she hadn't yet fully recovered her strength, otherwise she would've dealt with Yellow Dragon herself.

Despite Princess Demon's cold demeanor, she had a fiery temper. Chan Sect's Golden Immortals had long since soured her impression.

Fortunately for them, her strength had yet to return in full—otherwise, none of the eleven remaining Golden Immortals would escape disaster.

"Of course!"

Zhao Gongming responded promptly, unleashing twenty-four Ocean Stabilizing God Pearls. Radiating the power of creation, they descended from the heavens. With a lift of his hand, Yellow Dragon was immediately suppressed.

The disparity in cultivation and Daoist expertise between the two was already vast. Moreover, Zhao Gongming had exerted his full force and used an ultimate Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Ocean Stabilizing God Pearls. Yellow Dragon's swift defeat was inevitable.

"Thank you, Zhao Daoist."

Princess Demon said softly while coldly gazing at the remaining Ten Golden Immortals.

Though upset at Zhao Gongming's suppression of Yellow Dragon, the Ten Golden Immortals dared not react under Princess Demon's sharp glare.

The fear stemmed from both Princess Demon's cultivation and her identity, coupled with their shared shame toward her.

Nonetheless, words had to be spoken—circumstances notwithstanding. After all, Yellow Dragon was one of the Twelve Golden Immortals. Should they simply watch him be suppressed?

"Princess, it's been many years since we've seen you. Your emergence today is a great boon. Allow me to extend my congratulations to the Princess, to the Human Emperor, and to Ying Long!"

Yu Ding, Yellow Dragon's closest companion, stepped forward; yet he said nothing of Yellow Dragon's suppression.

"Daoist Yu Ding, it has indeed been years. Your cultivation has progressed quickly. But if you're here to plead on behalf of Yellow Dragon, I suggest you refrain!"

Princess Demon didn't lash out as some might have expected, but her response firmly cut off that avenue of discussion.

This was largely due to Yu Ding's previous cordial relationship with Ying Long and his straightforward nature. Back then, Yu Ding had contributed significantly to the battles, earning Princess Demon's favor.

This was the extent of her goodwill, however. As for Yellow Dragon, freeing him was out of the question—unless Yuanshi Tianzun intervened personally, which would leave her no choice.

"If my junior brother Yellow Dragon is bound to suffer this fate, then I have no further words. Alas!"

Yu Ding sighed and returned to his position. Had it not been for Chan Sect's reputation, he wouldn't have intervened in any capacity earlier.

As the saying goes: had I known then what would come now…

The cause planted thirty thousand years ago bore fruit today. What a sigh-inducing reality!

Yu Ding had indeed once shared a good relationship with Ying Long; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken Ao Yu as his disciple. But Yellow Dragon's actions at that time truly crossed the line.

Not only did he manipulate matters and abuse his authority, but in one battle he retreated without engagement, resulting in the burial of 100,000 Human Clan soldiers.

Were it not for his identity as one of Chan Sect's Golden Immortals, he would've been executed long ago.

Being suppressed now left him alive—something even Yu Ding found no room to contest. It wasn't merely Princess Demon's identity that validated her actions but the obvious fact that Yellow Dragon, hungry for the Xuanyuan Sword, had plainly earned his punishment. No one dared to object.

Li Mingzhu was initially unaware of these intricate dynamics, but Zhao Gongming explained them in detail. Only then did he understand why Princess Demon was filled with murderous intent immediately upon waking.

To spare Yellow Dragon's life this day was truly a mercy—but Bixiao was visibly disappointed. She had hoped Chan Sect's members would lose control and engage in combat, relishing the opportunity for a fierce battle.

Yet to her dismay, Chan Sect chose to endure. What a bore, what a bore!