Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After Gonggong achieved sainthood through his physical form, he strode unhurriedly toward Zhen Yuanzi and the others. Although he did not actively unleash his saintly aura, it still left Zhen Yuanzi and the others trembling with fear.

They dreaded the possibility that Gonggong might slaughter them at a whim. Facing Gonggong's strength, which could now truly be deemed saintly, they could not help but feel terrified!

Especially Zhen Yuanzi—while others might not know what he had previously done, suppressing Gonggong within the Earth Book, Zhen Yuanzi was well aware. If he had been subjected to such humiliation and interrogation, he would undoubtedly stop at nothing to slay the culprit.

"Zhen Yuanzi, prepare to die!"

Sure enough, with such newfound power, Gonggong sought out Zhen Yuanzi first.

Not merely because Zhen Yuanzi possessed the greatest strength, but also because his actions in suppressing Gonggong earlier were intolerable.

Gonggong merely swung his fist forward, but Zhen Yuanzi didn't even entertain the thought of directly confronting him. The Earth Book and the Ginseng Fruit Tree simultaneously shifted into defensive mode.

Back then, the Earth Book and Ginseng Fruit Tree managed to withstand attacks from two Demon Emperors. Could they now withstand Gonggong's wrathful strike?

No one but Zhen Yuanzi himself had the answer. He was absolutely certain—they couldn't. Even though his cultivation had significantly advanced, it would be of no use.

Gonggong's massive fist struck fiercely upon the Earth Book and Ginseng Fruit Tree. Both defensive artifacts emitted yellow and green shields in resistance, but the sheer dominance of his strike was overwhelming.

Although the shielded defenses of the Earth Book and Ginseng Fruit Tree ensured Zhen Yuanzi's life wasn't taken by Gonggong's strike, the artifacts themselves, along with Zhen Yuanzi, suffered severe injuries.

Another strike like this, and Zhen Yuanzi would undoubtedly perish!

Gonggong was far from merciful; given the chance, he would ensure Zhen Yuanzi's demise.

With another punch, he swung directly at Zhen Yuanzi, who now realized he couldn't possibly withstand this blow. Resigned, he ceased his resistance entirely. Neither did he attempt to move nor call upon his mana, nor did the Earth Book or Ginseng Fruit Tree respond.

He looked utterly defeated, seemingly waiting for death.

Gonggong was momentarily taken aback that Zhen Yuanzi would abandon all effort to resist, but his offensive momentum did not falter. Would Zhen Yuanzi surrendering mean Gonggong wouldn't kill him?

Of course not. What's more, Gonggong now harbored immense confidence in his unparalleled strength, believing that any scheme or trick would be powerless before absolute might.

This assertion wasn't wrong. Just as Gonggong's lethal punch was about to land on Zhen Yuanzi, a small grey flag suddenly appeared, blocking the blow between Gonggong's fist and Zhen Yuanzi.

"The Pangu Banner!"

Gonggong was shocked. The appearance of the Pangu Banner implied that Yuanshi Tianzun had likely arrived.

Even if Yuanshi Tianzun hadn't arrived, just the presence of the Pangu Banner was enough to utterly halt Gonggong. Among Pangu's three primordial treasures associated with creation, the Pangu Banner possessed unparalleled strength, evident even from its name.

In terms of pure offensive power, unless Tongtian's Slaying Immortal Formation was activated, Yuanshi Tianzun wielding the Pangu Banner would be hailed as the most formidable of saints!

Even a saint such as Laozi, whose cultivation exceeded all others, would admit inferiority in pure offensive capability before the Pangu Banner.

After all, the Pangu Banner was forged from the blade of the Heavenly Creation Axe itself. Only Tongtian's Slaying Immortal Formation could surpass it in terms of offensive strength.

"Exterminate!"

After shielding Zhen Yuanzi from Gonggong's attack, the Pangu Banner swiftly redirected itself skyward, refraining from further aggression against Gonggong. Yet an immensely authoritative voice resonated through the heavens.

Simultaneously, countless Golden Lotuses danced in the air, accompanied by the sounds of birdsong and the cries of immortal phoenixes, heralding the arrival of saintly might.

A saint tread upon mortal soil. Gonggong's worst fear came true—the saint was not only present but was Yuanshi Tianzun, the most unyielding and combative of all saints.

Yuanshi Tianzun descended into the Lower Realm, prompting Li Mingzhu and the others to kneel in reverence. Who would dare to disrespect a saint, particularly the prideful Yuanshi?

Yuanshi stood clad in a white Daoist robe adorned with threads of gold, appearing in the prime of middle age yet possessing an incomparable sense of majesty. None dared meet his gaze directly. Reclaiming the Pangu Banner, he gently pressed his palm downward. The gesture was devoid of mortal flair, while his cold eyes revealed utter detachment.

"If Pangu's Heart were in its prime, it might have actually elevated you to the realm of sainthood. But would you have dared to fuse with it? A mere false saint, daring to act so arrogantly."

Yuanshi spoke again, his tone as aloof as ever. Meanwhile, his palm pressed down toward Gonggong.

Gonggong wanted to speak, to resist, yet he could do neither.

Even as he had become a saint in physical form, before a true saint, he remained utterly fragile.

"Saints are far beyond what you imagine. Begone!"

Yuanshi scoffed coldly as a mysterious force arose and descended upon Gonggong's body.

"The Power of Heaven!"

Zhen Yuanzi, the eldest and most experienced of Quasi-Saints closest to sainthood, instantly recognized the force. It was also the very power he yearned for the most.

Without mastery over the Power of Heaven, even slaying one's Three Corpses or cultivating to a level just shy of a saint would be futile! Without it, no amount of cultivation—even as a Quasi-Saint—would truly matter before the saints.

Within the Primordial World, saints are invincible!

Yuanshi's ethereal hand firmly grasped Gonggong as though capturing a helpless chick, rendering him incapable of resistance.

Meanwhile, the Power of Heaven surged across Gonggong's body, eventually extracting the Pangu Heart he had previously fused with. Yuanshi glanced at it briefly and shook his head in disappointment.

As expected, the Pangu Heart was now utterly depleted. After being fused with Gonggong, even if removed, it held little practical value—perhaps barely enhancing one's physical body.

Not only was it of no consequence to Yuanshi, but it was also of little use to a Daluo Golden Immortal. It had been nothing more than a gamble, and though it failed to meet expectations, Yuanshi was indifferent.

"Let fate decide."

Yuanshi tossed the Pangu Heart into the air. Though drained of power, its spiritual essence remained, allowing it to naturally choose its most suitable master.

The Pangu Heart hovered mid-air, seemingly attempting to flee and conceal itself. Yet with Yuanshi's mighty presence, escape was impossible. It could only choose a master.

"How could it be him?"

As the Pangu Heart plummeted downward, Guang Chengzi gasped in disbelief.

Knowing behind-the-scenes truths, Guang Chengzi had been diligently cultivating the Nine Revolution Profound Skill, hoping to claim the Pangu Heart. Yet now, this opportunity had fallen to a mere junior.

Yuanshi cast a faint glance at Li Mingzhu without interfering as the Pangu Heart descended into his hands, then disappeared into the Chaos Arena.

Having left it up to fate, Yuanshi would not meddle further. If Guang Chengzi couldn't compete with Li Mingzhu, it was merely a matter of destiny—a saint would never stoop to argue with a disciple.

Li Mingzhu stared at the Pangu Heart in his hands with astonished wonder. He had never imagined that this opportunity would ultimately come to him.

Though the Pangu Heart's potency no longer matched the expectations of the Quasi-Saints, it remained an extraordinary artifact!

The Chan Sect Golden Immortals were visibly displeased, while the Jie Sect rejoiced, as their disciple had received this rare fortune.

While the Chan Sect felt discontent, they couldn't act further. After all, their Sect Hierarch—the saint himself—hadn't objected. What more could they do?

Li Mingzhu sensed something profound and swiftly transmitted his thoughts to Ao Yu, who vanished immediately upon receiving the message, his destination unknown.