Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

It is said that during the Primordial World's era, the Demon Clan's Gui Che was one of the top ten demon saints, whose spear techniques were renowned across the land for their unmatched dominance.

It is further rumored that Gui Che once challenged Donghuang, managing to withstand three moves without defeat, embodying the essence of dominion within his spear intent.

Li Mingzhu inherited Gui Che's legacy. Though she had only practiced his spear techniques briefly, the domineering essence was fully intact.

Mountain Opening, Sea Breaking, Sky Splitting, Mountain River Shattering, Star Grasping, Moon Catching, Sun Containing, Chaos Bursting!

These are the entirety of Gui Che's spear techniques, each move unparalleled in its ferocity, though Li Mingzhu currently only knows the first three.

Over on the other side, Chi Jingzi did not underestimate Li Mingzhu in the slightest. The bow and arrow, although conjured from the void, were imbued with both the Bow Soul and Arrow Soul.

"Ice Bow and Jade Arrow!"

Few might recognize the origins of this bow and arrow, but for Duobao, who endured the Witch-Demon Battle, it was unmistakable.

Back then, when Hou Yi unleashed nine arrows that shattered the skies to strike the Golden Crow, it left a deep impression on Duobao, who was merely a Daluo Golden Immortal at the time.

Daluo Golden Immortals may not fall far behind Great Witches in power, but Duobao admitted that had he faced Hou Yi's Jade Arrows then, survival would have been impossible!

The bow and arrows Hou Yi wielded were indeed the Ice Bow and Jade Arrow—an extraordinary magical treasure even though it never reached its full potential.

Duobao distinctly remembered the Ice Bow and Jade Arrow being destroyed by Donghuang back then. Unexpectedly, the Bow Spirit and Arrow Spirit had been preserved by Yuanshi Tianzun and passed onto Chi Jingzi.

"Senior brother, what do you think?"

Wudang Saint Mother, who also originated from that era, may not have shared Duobao's profound impression of the Ice Bow and Jade Arrow, but its renown was undeniable. Naturally, she was deeply concerned for Li Mingzhu.

"Don't worry too much. We must trust Mingzhu's strength. After all, she's reached the fifth peak of the Nine Revolution Profound Skill, already comparable to a Great Witch. Haven't you seen the power of the Witch Clan's Great Witches before?"

Duobao was just as anxious about Li Mingzhu holding her ground against that arrow but didn't let it show, offering reassurance instead.

"True!"

Zhao Gongming spoke with lingering fear. He had once fought against a member of the Witch Clan and was utterly crushed in battle.

Thus, Zhao Gongming held the Witch Clan's Great Witches' powers in high regard, still haunted by the memory. And the Witch he faced wasn't even among the strongest of the Great Witches.

The truly formidable ones, such as Kua Fu, Gonggong, Hou Yi, and Xing Tian, were comparable to Quasi-Saints and terrifying beyond measure.

But alas, all of that is bygone history—the Witch Clan has long since faded into the past.

Li Mingzhu, though able to sense the terrifying arrow that Chi Jingzi was preparing, felt no fear whatsoever. Let's see who is truly weaker or stronger!

The thousand-zhang-long body of the Fire-tipped Spear radiated strands of starlight, but what dominated was an endless aura of killing intent and flames, now infused with Li Mingzhu's unparalleled domineering essence.

Gui Che's dominative spear techniques were inherently direct, demanding no hesitation. Any trace of retreat in the wielder's mind rendered these techniques void.

Advancing relentlessly is this path!

Even if Chi Jingzi's position were replaced by a Saint, Li Mingzhu still could not retreat. To retreat would mean a flaw in her Dao Heart. In this life, achieving the Great Dao would be impossible—what difference would there be from death?

"Prepare to die!"

Chi Jingzi shouted. At this level of combat, the idea of holding back was laughable.

Without fighting to the death, how can victory be determined?

Their clash had reached the brink of mortal combat. Whether this battle ended with death or survival remained uncertain, but their Divine Skills were indeed lethal.

The Jade Arrow pierced through the heavens with frosty energy, hurtling toward Li Mingzhu's Fire-tipped Spear. Naturally, Li Mingzhu would not yield.

The colossal Fire-tipped Spear descended like Mount Taishan, smashing downward—god, demon, or specter, all obliterated by a single strike!

Gui Che had done so in the past, and now Li Mingzhu followed suit.

Scarlet flames and azure ice crystals collided fiercely in mid-air, their blinding radiance spreading outward from the impact's epicenter, while the shockwave from their clash nearly tore the Mountain and River Map apart.

Of course, both individuals suffered greatly from the impact. Chi Jingzi coughed up blood repeatedly, while Li Mingzhu, though not bleeding, sustained numerous injuries both major and minor.

This was when the advantages of a strong physical body became apparent. Although Li Mingzhu bore many wounds, none were fatal.

In contrast, Chi Jingzi continued coughing blood incessantly, visibly drained and powerless to fight further.

Chi Jingzi, though defeated and unable to continue battling, was not dejected. Instead, his face lit up with excitement.

"In this battle, this humble Daoist has lost, karma is resolved!"

Chi Jingzi hurriedly proclaimed, sending Li Mingzhu out of the Mountain and River Map with a wave of his hand.

Now it was Li Mingzhu's turn to be puzzled. If Chi Jingzi could so effortlessly send her out of the Mountain and River Map, then he might still have the strength to fight, right?

After sending Li Mingzhu out, Chi Jingzi immediately ignored everything else, sitting cross-legged within the Mountain and River Map and entering the Enlightenment Realm.

Li Mingzhu soon realized that the fierce collision must have triggered Chi Jingzi's insights, likely pushing him toward a breakthrough to Quasi-Saint.

"How can I let you have your way?"

Li Mingzhu coldly sneered to herself. Without causing a major disruption, she secretly manipulated the River Map and Luo Book, ensuring Chi Jingzi's breakthrough would have minor flaws.

The River Map and Luo Book transformed endlessly. Li Mingzhu feared others might detect her interference, but even Saints might struggle to uncover such subtle tampering.

This technique was something Li Mingzhu had recently discovered while studying the River Map and Luo Book. As a magical treasure inclined toward secretive methods, only through firsthand research could such wonders be unearthed.

Back in the Jie Sect camp, Duobao examined Li Mingzhu and, seeing her largely unscathed, felt relieved.

He advised Li Mingzhu to watch calmly—breakthroughs to Quasi-Saint invoked the favor of Heaven and Earth Rules. Merely observing such events could yield significant benefits.

Not only could one witness Heaven and Earth Rules up close, but their path toward Enlightenment would also accelerate. These advantages, compiled by predecessors, were freely shared by Duobao with Li Mingzhu.

Li Mingzhu reflected on the battle and realized her victory was indeed a precarious one.

To be more precise, winning was entirely due to Chi Jingzi deliberately yielding. It seemed he had foreseen, even before the fight began, that this encounter would catalyze his breakthrough.

Otherwise, Chi Jingzi could have used the Mountain and River Map strategically to exhaust Li Mingzhu with minimal effort.

However, Li Mingzhu did not leave empty-handed. Though Chi Jingzi gained the opportunity to break through to Quasi-Saint, he had been discreetly hindered at the last moment.

Li Mingzhu also earned renown. Roundly defeating Chi Jingzi would surely shock the Primordial World and bolster the Jie Sect's prestige and reputation.