Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu wore an astonished expression as she gazed at Zhen Yuanzi flying in from afar. Why had this great deity arrived? Although Zhen Yuanzi was always referred to as a "nice old man" in the Primordial World, anyone who underestimated him because of such a reputation would be gravely mistaken.

In truth, Zhen Yuanzi's ability to assess situations and act opportunistically was unparalleled. Furthermore, he executed his plans with subtle precision, achieving his goals without leaving a trace or raising suspicion.

Often before you'd even realize it, he had already stationed himself in the most advantageous position.

Not to mention the future, take for instance the time during the great battle between the Wu and Demon clans. Seeing the hope for the rise of the Human Clan, he stood firmly against the two Demon Emperors to protect humanity. It was because of this he earned the title "Ancestor of Earth Immortals," along with karmic merit and the devotion of humanity.

Without good reason, why would Zhen Yuanzi exert himself so much? After all, it was the combined power of the two Demon Emperors!

Of course, it was also this battle that fully exposed Zhen Yuanzi's strength. With the Earth Book in hand, even when Donghuang wielded the Chaos Bell, he couldn't do anything to him!

Before that, who would have known Zhen Yuanzi possessed such power? After that battle, Zhen Yuanzi was hailed as the strongest beneath a Saint. Now, facing Gonggong, it was time to see who was truly the superior.

Zhen Yuanzi waved his hand, releasing a yellowish light that not only protected Jin Ling, the Saint Mother, and four others but also sent a strand of it flying toward Xuandu and Duobao.

This yellow light, infused with the earthly aura of the Earth Book and the life force of the Innate Supreme Earth Spiritual Root, the Ginsengfruit Tree, was more than enough to restore both Duobao and Xuandu's strength to fight.

After all, this was the legendary ginsengfruit—one of the ten supreme Innate Spiritual Roots, refined to its essence by Zhen Yuanzi himself!

"Zhen Yuanzi, this has nothing to do with you. If you leave now, I can let bygones be bygones!"

Gonggong let out a cold snort but refrained from attacking immediately, clearly wary of Zhen Yuanzi.

After all, in the ancient era, Zhen Yuanzi's strength was well demonstrated; Gonggong could not afford to be careless.

"To defy heavenly principles is unforgivable. Gonggong, with actions like yours, you'll be condemned by all under heaven!"

Even if Zhen Yuanzi had other motives for being here, his words aligned perfectly with Guang Chengzi's stance.

"Since you seek death, don't blame me for granting your wish!"

Though Gonggong was wary of Zhen Yuanzi, he wasn't truly afraid.

In an instant, Gonggong abandoned his divine-demonic form and returned to his normal appearance. He wielded a trident forged from Beiming Heavy Water in his hands.

Facing a formidable opponent like Zhen Yuanzi, Gonggong dared not take risks. While his divine-demonic form was powerful, it was cumbersome and hard to maneuver.

After all, his methods differed from Li Mingzhu's Dharma Manifestation, which operated with unprecedented ease.

"Everyone, attack together!"

Though Zhen Yuanzi was confident, he didn't dare underestimate Gonggong and called for a joint assault. After all, why else had he just saved these individuals?

While these people might not provide substantial help during a battle of this caliber, even a slight distraction could tip the scales.

At their level of combat, even the smallest difference could determine victory or defeat.

Gonggong charged forward wielding his trident, but Zhen Yuanzi remained calm. With a light sweep of his horsetail whisk, a yellowish light appeared suddenly, blocking Gonggong's advance.

"Everyone, attack together!"

Before Zhen Yuanzi could speak, Guang Chengzi had already shouted, rallying the others. Having witnessed Gonggong's terrifying power moments earlier, Guang Chengzi now behaved like a frightened bird, and if not for his pride, he might have fled outright.

The Sun and Moon Pearl, Primordial Golden Bowl, Yin Yang Pearl, Yin Yang Map, Purple Gold Crown, Duobao Golden Tower, and Sky Flipping Seal—seven supreme treasures—launched their assault on Gonggong.

Although this seemingly ferocious attack was primarily supportive, the real offensive force came from Zhen Yuanzi.

Zhen Yuanzi held nothing back, unveiling a towering innate supreme Earth Spiritual Root. In a surprising twist, he wielded it as a weapon, and its target was, of course, Gonggong.

Li Mingzhu stood to the side, utterly stunned. Such a move—was this even possible?

Odd though it was, it seemed reasonable. After all, Zhen Yuanzi specialized in defense and lacked offensive spiritual treasures. Using the Ginsengfruit Tree as a weapon was an understandable choice.

While unconventional, the attack's power was not to be underestimated. Suffice it to say, Zhen Yuanzi's blows alone surpassed the combined strength of Guang Chengzi and the other six, proving all the more formidable!

Perhaps Zhen Yuanzi had spent his thousands of years in seclusion perfecting a combat Daoist Skill that complemented the Ginsengfruit Tree. As the saying goes: it doesn't matter if it's a black cat or a white cat—if it can catch a mouse, it's a good cat!

Likewise, the method of attack didn't matter; what mattered was its lethality!

Gonggong endured the combined assaults of Guang Chengzi and the six others while brandishing his trident, formed from Beiming Heavy Water, to meet Zhen Yuanzi's swinging Ginsengfruit Tree head-on.

At the point where their weapons clashed, an incredibly terrifying locus of energy was born. The radiance was split into two colors: one earthy yellow, the other cyan blue—symbolizing the ongoing struggle between their powers.

Suddenly, the point of radiance erupted, though not in an overwhelming explosion as one might expect, but in rippling waves of impact.

Both combatants staggered three steps back.

"Zhen Yuanzi, is this the so-called offensive skill you've been hiding like a turtle for millennia? Laughable!"

Gonggong, holding his trident, charged again toward Zhen Yuanzi, his words laced with scorn.

"Ignorant!"

Zhen Yuanzi, maintaining the demeanor of a sage, didn't bother to argue with Gonggong. Instead, he summoned the Earth Book.

It was often said that Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple was adept at defense. Today, Zhen Yuanzi wanted to show all beings of the Primordial World that he was more than just a defender!

"Suppress!"

With hands forming rapid incantation gestures, Zhen Yuanzi unleashed the Earth Book. Its golden light grew resplendent, transforming into a massive celestial canopy that descended forcefully.

Though not a pure offensive technique, if the foe could be suppressed, how was that any different from vanquishing them?

Facing the Earth Book, Gonggong showed no fear. Who in this Primordial World, apart from Saints, could suppress him?

The Earth Book appeared lightweight and delicate like a gauze curtain, but in truth, it bore the heft of the entire Primordial Land!

This was the terrifying nature of the Earth Book. In defense, it was as though the entire expanse of the Primordial Land shielded Zhen Yuanzi. In suppression, it carried the full weight of the land itself.

Ordinarily, Zhen Yuanzi would have been incapable of such a feat. But not long ago, he had severed his Three Corpses and attained a breakthrough in cultivation, allowing him to fully wield the Earth Book. Without this, he wouldn't have the confidence to confront Gonggong.

And so, Gonggong, having underestimated his opponent, was truly suppressed.

Whether the suppression would hold was yet to be seen, but for now, Gonggong was undoubtedly contained!