Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The Treasure Lotus Lamp stood above Li Mingzhu's head, emitting strands of multi-colored light that continuously transformed into a protective screen to block Chijingzi's Yin-Yang Mirror.

The Treasure Lotus Lamp was a top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure, formed from the lotus seed of the Chaos Green Lotus and the leader among the Heaven and Earth Five Directions Lamps, adept in both offense and defense.

Chijingzi thought he could defeat Li Mingzhu simply by relying on the Yin-Yang Mirror, but from the current situation, it appeared utterly impossible.

At this moment, Li Mingzhu was gradually adapting to the rules within the Mountain and River Map. With the Treasure Lotus Lamp above his head, he completely ignored Chijingzi's occasional sneak attacks from the Yin-Yang Mirror and instead strolled leisurely within the map.

Whenever he encountered a fascinating vista, he'd jab at it with the Fire-tipped Spear, wantonly wreaking havoc within the Mountain and River Map—though this was merely superficial.

Li Mingzhu's true intention was to disrupt Chijingzi's mental state, hoping to seize an opening to drag him into the Mountain and River Map. Of course, Chijingzi was bound to enter eventually.

But entering voluntarily and being dragged in by Li Mingzhu were two completely different matters.

At the very least, the mental impact would be immeasurable.

Especially for someone of the Profound Sect, mental balance was indisputably significant. Without a strong mental state, no matter how advanced one's cultivation was, it would be difficult to fully exert their capabilities.

This principle had been passed down since Hong Jun's era, forming the foundation of Profound Sect cultivation, and Chijingzi was no exception!

Watching Li Mingzhu wreak havoc within the Mountain and River Map, Chijingzi grew exceedingly furious. However, as a Golden Immortal with Dao attainment, he wouldn't allow his mental state to crumble so easily.

But he also understood that unless he entered the map and confronted Li Mingzhu head-on, it would be impossible to subdue him, and his Mountain and River Map would risk being severely damaged.

Meanwhile, the Jie Sect members, seeing Li Mingzhu unveil another top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure, breathed a sigh of relief, having initially thought Li Mingzhu might succumb to the Yin-Yang Mirror.

Now that the Yin-Yang Mirror was blocked, even being drawn into the Mountain and River Map wouldn't pose a significant issue. It would merely be a fresh start!

Chijingzi stepped into the Mountain and River Map, where Li Mingzhu had long been waiting. Although Chijingzi hadn't been dragged in, as long as he was inside, everything could proceed as planned.

Executing Donghuang's battle techniques, the "Distance Shrinks to Inches" movement skill was launched with full force. Before Chijingzi could react, Li Mingzhu was already by his side.

The decision to not use "Distance Shrinks to Inches" initially stemmed from caution against potential hidden tactics from Chijingzi—a gamble that proved correct.

Indeed, Chijingzi revealed the map's hidden trump card prematurely. If Li Mingzhu had used such a movement technique from the start, Chijingzi would have been prepared and wouldn't have entered the Mountain and River Map so carelessly.

Without giving Chijingzi a moment to respond, Li Mingzhu immediately thrust his spear forward—a domineering spear technique inherited from the demon saint Guiche combined with the overwhelming strength of his unparalleled physical body. The result was utterly intimidating and overbearing.

Chijingzi had never faced such a spectacle before. Although he quickly activated the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Robe for defense, he was still battered senseless by Li Mingzhu's continuous strikes.

Despite outward appearances suggesting Li Mingzhu had the upper hand, Li Mingzhu understood Chijingzi hadn't sustained significant injuries.

What he hadn't anticipated was Chijingzi possessing a defensive Daoist robe. Although of lower grade, it had nullified Li Mingzhu's chain of attacks.

Not entirely in vain, of course—the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Robe would be out of commission for the foreseeable future.

Withstanding Li Mingzhu's Fire-tipped Spear paired with the Overbearing Spear Technique was no easy feat.

"You insolent child—seeking death!"

Chijingzi seized the opening after Li Mingzhu's attack to widen the distance between them, yelling furiously—a clear indication of how infuriated he was by Li Mingzhu's relentless assault.

"Well done!"

Zhao Gongming was the first to cheer for Li Mingzhu. Though he could tell Chijingzi hadn't sustained real injuries, Li Mingzhu's series of attacks had undeniably been exhilarating!

If nothing else, it had left its mark, figuratively speaking.

"Nephew Mingzhu is certainly formidable. It seems this uncle must strive harder—breaking through to Quasi-Saint is a must!"

Bixiao chimed in alongside her elder brother, her remarks revolving around Quasi-Saint status and her own cultivation. While showcasing her proximity to the milestone, she also mocked the Chan Sect for having only Guang Chengzi as a Quasi-Saint.

Bixiao, with her sharp tongue, was famous for offending others often but brought great satisfaction in moments like these.

Contrasting Jie Sect's jubilation, the Chan Sect members looked grim. Although Chijingzi hadn't lost, his pitiful state after Li Mingzhu's series of attacks was far from dignified.

Despite the insults, Chijingzi clasped his left hand in the Yimu Technique and his right in the Geng Gold Technique—two of the most fundamental Five Elements Techniques. Yet, when paired with the Chan Sect's Yuqing Immortal Light, their power was formidable.

Besides, within the Mountain and River Map, Chijingzi had a home-ground advantage, unhindered by Heaven and Earth Rules, enabling his Dao cultivation to flourish freely.

Li Mingzhu, aware of the ferocity behind Chijingzi's upcoming attack, opted not to endure it with his physical body; he too wanted to gauge the effectiveness of his Daoist methods against Chijingzi.

After all, if truly outmatched, he still had the Daluo Golden Immortal peak-strength physical body as a fallback—that assurance left no room for fear!

"Three-foot Magic Sword!"

A vivid blue, ethereal blade condensed from Li Mingzhu's hand. Though illusory, it carried a tangible essence, accompanied by Upper Pure Immortal Light!

The Chan Sect had Yuqing Immortal Light, while the Jie Sect naturally possessed Upper Pure Immortal Light.

The two forces clashed mid-air, the outcome easily anticipated—Li Mingzhu's Three-foot Magic Sword, despite boundless potential, was ultimately suppressed by Chijingzi's superior Dao technique. The residual power pressed toward Li Mingzhu's true form.

Li Mingzhu promptly revealed his Dharma Form, a hundred-zhang-tall manifestation, directly withstanding both Dao techniques without flinching.

Unlike others who practiced the Nine Revolution Profound Skill, Li Mingzhu's Dharma Form was an extension of himself, surrendering various Divine Demon powers in exchange for precise control over his strength.

The Fire-tipped Spear expanded proportionally as Li Mingzhu's massive body transformed.

"Uncle Master, be careful now!"

Li Mingzhu smiled faintly, the Fire-tipped Spear sketching an eerie trail through the air as though brewing a devastating strike.

"Whatever move you have, unleash it—I'll take it!"

Chijingzi scoffed, his long white hair fluttering without wind, reaching out to draw a phantom bow and arrow into existence.

The bow bent like a full moon, the arrow drawn as if ready to release at any moment.

"Mountain Opening!"

Li Mingzhu shouted, his essence and spirit merging into one as the Fire-tipped Spear, already hundreds of zhang long, surged further in size.