The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha

Nezha's status in both the Buddhist Sect and Daoist Sect skyrocketed.

The White Lotus Sect used Nezha's Taiping Sect as their template, first rooting themselves in Daoist teachings and then collaborating with Maitreya, achieving "blossoms in both Dao and Buddhism."

They even twisted many of Taiping Sect's slogans, like "All beings are born equal," "Every person is born free," and "Everyone has the right to pursue happiness."

Unfortunately, the elites of the Taiping Sect couldn't care less about them. They just asked, "Do you even know what dialectical materialism is?"

The White Lotus Sect instantly fell silent—nobody taught them that!

Nezha, after figuring out the whole story, felt perplexed—not only by the absurdity of Taiping Sect disciples but also by the antics of the No-Life Old Mother.

As the Sect Hierarch, Nezha just ate incense offerings up above, while followers below had to deal with all the messy details.

As for the No-Life Old Mother's actions, Nezha couldn't understand them. What exactly are you busy with all this for?

What's the deal? You want to establish a Great Sect and become a Saint?

Do you even have the strength for that?

Facing Old Zhao's anticipatory expression, Nezha cryptically spat out four words: "The ambition is vast."

Old Zhao slapped his forehead. "Do you even need to say that, my good brother?"

Nezha had no choice. He truly had no idea what the No-Life Old Mother was up to. Could she possibly be trying to form a Primordial Women's Federation, advocating for equality between male and female immortals and opposing male immortals' oppression of female immortals?

Are you crazy?

While drinking with Old Zhao for a few days next door, the No-Life Old Mother finally finished her preaching session at the nearby grand hall.

No Brainer and Unhappy were visibly dazed and weary from listening to her lengthy sermon. But the moment they saw Nezha, they instantly perked up and surrounded him, one on each side.

"Nezha, the Wind and Fire Wheels you gave us last time were really fun, but we've gotten a bit bored of them after playing so long. Do you have anything else that's fun?"

The two of them, one on each side, showed no trace of being elders. Old Zhao, seeing his sister hadn't been affected in the least, also felt relieved and cheerfully chimed in from across the room.

"Yeah, yeah! Big brother won't treat you unfairly."

"Cough, cough!"

Swish!

No Brainer and Unhappy, who previously lacked any semblance of a fairy's composure, instantly sat upright. Even Old Zhao retracted his wildly spread legs.

Bixiao pouted and commented, "Big Sister, Nezha isn't an outsider, so why be so formal?"

Yunxiao maintained a dignified demeanor and seated herself next to Zhao Gongming.

"You two are spoiled rotten, which is why you're so uncivilized."

Nezha actually enjoyed being around No Brainer and Unhappy, as the two were more down-to-earth.

"Sister Yun, there's no need for that. The two elder sisters were simply playing around and will surely dedicate themselves to cultivation after this."

Nezha casually tossed out a polite phrase, but No Brainer and Unhappy seized the opportunity to play along.

"Yeah, yeah, sister! Cultivation requires a balance of work and play!"

"And that No-Life Old Mother, babbling on for three whole months, even wants to be our mother. In my opinion, she's not right in the head!"

After saying that, Qiong Xiao pointed to her own forehead.

Even Yunxiao couldn't help but lose her composure slightly upon hearing this. Her brows furrowed as she sternly said, "That senior was indeed discourteous. We were born of the heavens and earth and achieved transformation through innate spiritual energy. How could we lightly acknowledge someone as our mother?"

Nezha couldn't hold it in any longer. "If you like children so much, why not have your own? Collecting children all over the place—might as well rename yourself No-Life Auntie!"

He even began to suspect if the No-Life Old Mother had some kind of "many children, great blessings" system, where her cultivation advanced rapidly whenever she acquired high-achievement, high-talent children.

"Sister Yun, have you looked into the No-Life Old Mother at all?"

Yunxiao blinked her big eyes, then discreetly pointed toward the Kunlun Yuxu Palace to avoid her two sisters noticing.

Nezha: "Huh?"

After exchanging thoughts about the No-Life Old Mother, Nezha explained that he had come here to recuperate.

No Brainer and Unhappy immediately sprang into action, poking and prodding him to check his injuries. If not for their words like "Where are you hurt?" and "Is it serious?" Nezha might've mistaken them for two hooligans.

Yunxiao, with her deeper cultivation, observed him closely for a while and determined he wasn't seriously injured. Still, she asked with concern, "Where are you hurt?"

Old Zhao stood up abruptly, exuding a fierce aura. "Who bullied my little brother? Big brother will avenge you right now!"

Nezha, though wanting to laugh and cry at the same time, was touched. He succinctly explained the Ancestor Dragon's "capturing" incident, leaving out certain details.

They were all mature immortals and understood there was no need to pry further. Yunxiao and the others had heard of recent happenings in the East Sea, but naturally, they didn't know the specifics as clearly as Nezha himself.

"My injuries aren't severe, but an opportunity is coming soon. I need to prepare myself and adjust to peak condition as soon as possible."

Yunxiao nodded slightly, quieting her two sisters, who were clamoring to look after Nezha.

Nezha didn't hold back. He needed to make the most of his time since Kong Xuan and the Thunder God were both preparing themselves. Who knew when the duel would finally take place?

This involved the Hongmeng Purple Qi—a matter of utmost importance to Nezha's path in cultivation, comparable to his apprenticeship under Nuwa. Not a single detail could be neglected.

At the center of the Sanxiao Palace stood the Qingyang Fusang Tree. Although Fusang was originally a fire-associated tree, the East King cultivated it using Innate Wood Qi, making it unique. Unlike the volatile power of the tree on the Sun Star, this one exuded a gentler, life-giving energy.

Although this Fusang tree hadn't achieved transformation, its spiritual wisdom was fairly high. After the East King acknowledged Nezha, this sacred tree also recognized him as its master. However, Nezha didn't plan on relocating it.

After all, people feel nostalgic, and so do trees that have weathered countless years.

"Old fellow, help me recover!"

Though the Fusang Tree couldn't speak human words, it understood him. Countless vibrant green vines budged and ultimately created a nest in the canopy of the tree.

Nezha didn't mind; a nest was good enough. He wasn't about to ask for something like a three-bedroom apartment!

With a leap, he landed directly inside it. The nearby branches and vines enclosed the area as Nezha felt a surge of pure life energy flooding his body, easing the exhaustion from exerting excessive power.

Meanwhile, the fire poison and impurities left from his battle with Chao Feng were absorbed by the surrounding branches, leaving Nezha with a newfound sense of lightness. Before he knew it, he drifted off into sleep.

...

Nezha had no idea that, while he casually estimated the world's situation before falling asleep, enormous changes were already brewing. The root of it all lay in him shattering Nuwa's divine authority.

Nuwa didn't want it, but someone did—and couldn't get it. That person was none other than the No-Life Old Mother.

The No-Life Old Mother didn't actually have a "many children, great blessings" system, but she did possess some of the Mother Goddess' Fate Grid. The moment Nezha severed the Door of Destiny, she sensed that her chance had come.