The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha

Once the seal was released, Nezha pulled out a pile of magical treasures like chains and shackles used for sealing, motioning to Fu Xi to put them on the old man, who didn't resist at all throughout the process.

In the end, Nezha "escorted" Candle Dragon to the East Sea, where he collected the donation funds from the Old Dragon King, who looked like he was about to cry, and then returned to the Heavenly Court. Meanwhile, Fu Xi headed east to assume the position of one of the Four Spirits.

The Heavenly Prison, where the Heavenly Court imprisoned its criminals, was repurposed from the jail of the Demon Clan Heavenly Court. However, it was hardly capable of containing any real Great Experts. The truly important prisoners of the original Demon Clan were detained on the Sun Star—the very place where Xi He once handled Jin Ling.

That place was right next to Taiyi's palace, and the layers of seals there were said to restrain prisoners, but they were more like protective measures. If you dared to break out, Taiyi would hit you on the spot with the Chaos Bell, killing you then and there.

If you don't follow the rules, then neither will I abide by the Heavenly Rules.

The current Hao Tian has no intention of being a prison warden himself. How could the dignified Heavenly Emperor possibly reside near the Heavenly Prison?

Looking at Candle Dragon, who was sealed in the depths of the Heavenly Prison, Nezha doubted whether this place could really hold him. Even Hao Tian had some concerns and personally applied additional seals, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.

Hao Tian's current philosophy was simple: as long as I attain sainthood, all these present issues will no longer matter.

Nezha split a portion—one-tenth—of the Dragon Clan's donated funds and gave it to Hao Tian. He left in high spirits, thinking to himself that this wasn't public money anyway.

In the dimly lit Heavenly Prison, Nezha tentatively asked, "Old man, what's your relationship with the Second Ancestor Witch Zhu Jiuyin?"

Upon hearing the name Zhu Jiuyin, Candle Dragon's head barely moved. "What Jiuyin?"

Nezha was certain that this guy was still playing dumb. At least for the majority of the time, he was fully lucid.

Wise with age, Candle Dragon seemed to realize that Nezha had somehow figured out his true condition. Yet, he pretended to act insane, muttering to himself, as if talking to Nezha or perhaps to himself.

"The path of seeking the Dao is arduous. On this path, anyone could become an enemy. Only by giving everything and moving forward can one stand a sliver of a chance to reach the other shore. Hahaha… Victory? Defeat?"

Ignoring Candle Dragon's incoherent ramblings, Nezha walked out of the dark and sunless Heavenly Prison, feeling the bright and vibrant sunlight outside. It seemed even the Sun Star was celebrating Nezha's return.

"If pursuing the Dao means losing yourself, then what Dao is there to pursue?"

Back in the Palace of the Polestar, Nezha reported back to Hao Tian, who issued the reward. With that, the task had come to a formal conclusion.

Unless Daoist Ancestor removed Hao Tian from his position, Nezha had no higher rank to ascend to. The Heavenly Court was not exactly affluent these days, so Hao Tian shrewdly distributed Nezha's merits to the female immortals around him.

He gave one the title of True Monarch and others honorary titles like "Xuan" or "Shang" prefixes, boosting their status and benefits but not their authority. This was a tactic he had recently devised.

In recent times, Hao Tian had been trying to win over hearts and minds, bestowing a slew of titles like Marshal, True Monarch, and Lord. Though they sounded grand and impressive, some were no better than glorified security chiefs.

Nezha didn't care much about these honors. No matter how fancy they sounded, he would still have to bow his head. He didn't mind the merit being divided up either, as this task for him wasn't about rewards—it was about Treasure Dividing Rock (Fenbao Rock).

Upon returning to Ziwei Star, Nezha immediately announced his seclusion. He then brought out Treasure Dividing Rock to study it. It seemed the completion of Old Deng's task had only now activated this treasure; before this, no matter what Nezha tried, it stayed completely unresponsive.

But now, Treasure Dividing Rock shimmered with vibrant and colorful treasure light, recording the Dao Marks of the countless magical treasures it once held. Even just this alone was a monumental fortuity to Nezha.

As for the true core reward? Without a doubt, it must be a hint regarding a wisp of Hongmeng Purple Qi.

Using this clue, Nezha consulted the River Map and Luo Book for hours, coming to an unexpected conclusion: this wisp of Hongmeng Purple Qi was in Thunder Marsh.

Yes, as in Thunder God's Thunder Marsh.

Nezha was stunned. Wait, could Thunder God really have hidden it that well?

For a moment, Nezha hesitated. Should he go after it? It wasn't that he feared Thunder God but rather because, technically, Thunder God could be considered his grandfather's foster father.

Grandpa Fu Xi had taken good care of Nezha ever since he began his journey. Nezha was still using his River Map and Luo Book, and in terms of lineage, Thunder God could even claim kinship with the Daoist Ancestor through Nuwa.

When Nezha brought this matter to his mentor, Nuwa, she looked annoyed and declared, "I might recognize that brother, but I definitely don't acknowledge that father!"

"When it's time to act, you act. The reason Thunder God became Fu Xi's father was mainly due to his exceptionally high Fate Grid."

With Nuwa's approval, Nezha no longer hesitated. "This is the Daoist Ancestor's gift to me. No one else is taking it! The only reason it's in Thunder Marsh is due to your good geographical location!"

Coincidentally, Thunder God had plans to duel Kong Xuan. It was the perfect chance to raid his home.

Nezha did not rush straight to Thunder Marsh but instead contacted Kong Xuan. Kong Xuan didn't ask about Nezha's opportunity sensed in Thunder Marsh; she simply assured him that she and Thunder God would signal him once they had left the Primordial world.

Stealing from someone's home—it may be unscrupulous, but it was undeniably thrilling.

Nezha didn't linger long in the Heavenly Court and instead traveled to the Three Immortals Island in the East Sea. Whether it was dealing with Chao Feng earlier or using the Twelve Duterrestrial Gods Evil Formation afterward, both had taken a severe toll on his body. Fortunately, the Qingyang Fusang Divine Tree he had left there was the perfect holy relic for healing.

The tree on the Sun Star had been consumed by the rampaging True Sun Fire. While it was fine for cultivating divine skills, it was far too potent for recuperation.

As Nezha journeyed to the East Sea, it seemed the waters had returned to peace, with the deaths of countless Sea Clan members stirred up by the Dragon Clan having no discernible impact on the vast ocean.

Upon arriving at the New Three Immortal Islands, the spiritual energy on the islands was now over ten times richer than before, clearly a benefit from the dispersal of that final merit. Furthermore, many legacies from Ancient Penglai Immortals had been left behind. A quick scan revealed that some Qi Fortune Scions were already close to undergoing Immortal Ascension.

With Yunxiao affiliated with the Jie Sect, the most popular sect on the island had shifted to the Daoist path, though their seating arrangement was somewhat peculiar. Shangqing sat in the middle while Yuqing and Taiqing sat on either side. Still, it seemed understandable.

Hmm, it actually made sense...

Nezha had no interest in meddling in the affairs of the three brothers.

The island's original master, the East King, had not been forgotten either. He had become Emperor Donghua under the Three Pure Ones, now serving as the Yang Spirit of the mortal realm and the guide for all immortals.

For the beings on the island, this arrangement seemed satisfactory. East King's incorporation into the Daoist system appeared complete. After reincarnation, as long as he wasn't overly ambitious, he was guaranteed a stable life.

Nezha made his way to the center of the island, where the Purple Mansion Palace had been renamed the Sanxiao Palace. As expected, Old Zhao still didn't get any recognition.

Looking at the signboard of Sanxiao Palace, Nezha muttered to himself, "If you've claimed other people's territory, at least give them some respect and keep one word from the original. I think Purple Palace sounds just fine!"