Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods-Chapter 13 Greed for Wine and Gluttony Courts Disaster, Duobao Takes the Opportunity to Set a Test

Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Greed for Wine and Gluttony Courts Disaster, Duobao Takes the Opportunity to Set a Test

Calm the mind and focus, sit in meditation and cultivate energy.

Although Li Mingzhu had already reached the cultivation level of a True Immortal, he dared not relax for a single moment. Moreover, being in an immortal's cave mansion like Golden Turtle Island, a rare blessed land for cultivation, made him all the more motivated without the suppression of rules.

The path of cultivation is akin to rowing against the current—if one does not advance, one regresses. This principle is difficult to articulate, yet the reality remains indisputable.

Just as Li Mingzhu was meditating and cultivating diligently within the cave mansion, that little Zhu Xiong suddenly appeared out of nowhere, clutching a massive jar of wine in its small arms, wobbling as it staggered out of the cave mansion.

Li Mingzhu, preoccupied with his cultivation, paid it no mind. Thinking it harmless to let it wander off, he figured with its limited abilities, it likely couldn't stir up any trouble.

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Unfortunately, some things in life don't always unfold as one might expect.

As the little Zhu Xiong drunkenly stumbled its way out of the cave mansion, it let its instincts guide its steps, paying no attention to where it ended up.

The little Zhu Xiong was indeed truly drunk—it had somehow stolen the spiritual wine brewed by Li Mingzhu from millennia-aged spiritual medicine and gulped it down.

How could the potency of such spiritual wine be ordinary? Though the little Zhu Xiong had an innate knack for alcohol, it lacked cultivation and could not withstand the wine's strength.

It wandered aimlessly and eventually stumbled its way to the entrance of a peach grove.

Peach blossoms danced in the breeze, a vast expanse of peach trees stretching as far as the eye could see. Three thousand miles of blooms, three thousand miles of fruit, and three thousand miles of ripened peaches.

These peaches were certainly not the divine peaches of immortality, yet neither were they mere mortal objects. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been planted on Golden Turtle Island.

The divine peaches are supreme water-attribute spirit roots and one of the five great innate spirit roots. Though the peach trees on Golden Turtle Island could not rival the divine peaches, they are still considered innate spirit roots.

Half awake and half drunkenly dazed, the little Zhu Xiong somehow hopped its way into the peach grove. For a creature both fond of food and addicted to liquor, encountering such a peach grove was akin to stumbling upon a heavenly fortune—it couldn't resist.

Whether big or small, ripe or unripe, the little Zhu Xiong didn't discriminate. It grabbed a peach and devoured it wholeheartedly.

Nobody knows how its tiny belly fit so many—it had barely been in the grove for a moment, yet over a dozen peaches had already disappeared.

Compared to that famous monkey who later caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, the little Zhu Xiong's antics were even more excessive. It devoured the peaches merrily, oblivious to the fact that eight divine beings beneath the ancient tree were observing its every move.

Beneath the ancient tree, Duobao opened his eyes and smiled wryly. "Water and Fire Child, go to the Dragon Peach Garden and capture the peach thief. Mind you, harm no one. Then head to Jingshui Cave Mansion and invite your Spiritual Pearl Master Knight to join us."

Duobao summoned the Water and Fire Child and instructed them. The eight immortals exchanged amused glances.

Even if the entire Dragon Peach Garden were consumed by the little Zhu Xiong, they wouldn't take issue—they simply found the small creature amusing, a true marvel.

Compared to mortals, such trivialities were laughable to the eight Saints' direct disciples, who stood at the pinnacle of the Three Realms.

In only a moment, the Water and Fire Child arrived at the peach grove. Fixing his gaze, he spotted a plump, grayish figure darting about in the grove, peaches disappearing continuously into its mouth.

"Where did this peach thief come from?"

The Water and Fire Child shouted sternly, startling the little Zhu Xiong awake but making no effort to frighten the thief into escaping. With a wave of his left hand, he flung a massive, glowing net of vibrant red and green hues.

The little Zhu Xiong, though sobered up, had little ability to fight back. As skilled as it might be at running, there was nowhere to flee on Golden Turtle Island.

The Water and Fire Net scooped up the little Zhu Xiong neatly, capturing it alive. Though small in size, its weight was astonishing.

The Water and Fire Child glared at the little Zhu Xiong as if he intended to devour it whole. Frightened, the little Zhu Xiong curled itself up even more tightly.

Were it not for Duobao's instruction not to harm anyone, the Water and Fire Child might have tossed the little Zhu Xiong into an alchemy furnace—for how could one ignore so many Dragon Peaches!

Yet, he ultimately didn't dare. With a sigh, he confined the little Zhu Xiong and made his way to Jingshui Cave Mansion.

Within Jingshui Cave Mansion, Li Mingzhu continued cultivating, though an inexplicable sense of irritation gnawed at him. Try as he might, he couldn't pinpoint the source.

Naturally, he wouldn't be able to figure it out—after all, the eight immortal beings had jointly obscured the heavenly mechanisms. Though Li Mingzhu was a True Immortal with keen spiritual senses, he couldn't discern the truth.

"Spiritual Pearl Master Knight, are you present?" The Water and Fire Child called out from outside the cave mansion.

"Who dares address me as Master Knight? Who might you be?"

Hearing the voice, Li Mingzhu stepped out of the mansion and looked at the Water and Fire Child, puzzled.

"I am but a humble servant of Duobao, sent here under the lord's orders to respectfully invite you, Master Knight, to the Great Cypress Tree for a meeting."

The Water and Fire Child spoke with a smile. Though unsure of the young man's identity, it was indisputable that someone honored by his master as "Master Knight" must be extraordinary.

Most importantly, he found himself warming to Li Mingzhu, and his frustration from the Dragon Peach Garden's ordeal seemed to diminish slightly.

Traveling alongside the Water and Fire Child to the Great Cypress Tree, Li Mingzhu's mind brimmed with questions, yet he refrained from speaking too much.

After all, he was still unfamiliar with the Water and Fire Child. Though his previous life hinted at some faint recognition, it wasn't enough to establish close ties.

The towering ancient tree stood as its canopy enveloped the sky. Beneath the tree, eight immortal beings, exuding celestial grace and unbroken virtue, smiled as they gazed at Li Mingzhu. Yet Li Mingzhu couldn't help but feel an ominous sense that trouble was brewing.

"Li Mingzhu of Chentang Pass pays respects to the esteemed elders."

As a junior, he ensured his demeanor adhered to etiquette, quickly bowing in respect. Showing reverence to such luminaries was no disgrace.

"Spiritual Pearl, no need for formalities."

Duobao spoke with a smile. With a wave of his hand, a meditation cushion appeared beside Li Mingzhu.

"Be seated so we may speak. You were once a disciple under Nuwa's tutelage and are of the same generation as us." Though round-bellied, Duobao's kind demeanor and drooping earlobes evoked an undeniable sense of goodwill.

"I dare not. The matters of my previous life are but wisps of smoke and clouds. In this life, I am merely Li Mingzhu of Chentang Pass!"

Li Mingzhu quickly replied, his voice laced with both trepidation and determination, tinged with unwavering pride.

The eight disciples of the Jie Sect nodded quietly in approval, clearly pleased, though their expressions remained unreadable.

"Do you truly not dare? Then look here—who is this?"

Zhao Gongming's dark face seemed even darker as he hit out with a cold voice.

The little Zhu Xiong that had been tucked away in the Water and Fire Child's sleeve appeared suspended in midair, bound tightly by Zhao Gongming.

Li Mingzhu gazed at the pitiable eyes of the little Zhu Xiong and stood dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what had happened.

"May I ask, Master Elder, what wrong the little Zhu Xiong committed to deserve such confinement?"

Suppressing his shock and impending fury, Li Mingzhu calmly inquired. He understood he had to maintain composure at this critical moment.

In the presence of these celestial beings—second only to the heavenly Saints among the Three Realms—Li Mingzhu knew there was no chance for direct confrontation. He could only hope to untangle the matter peacefully, perhaps leveraging Nuwa's name for a shred of favor.

"Yun Xiao, my junior sister."

Duobao addressed Yun Xiao in an indifferent tone, his eyes closing again.

"I hear you, senior brother. Spiritual Pearl, take a look."

Soft and melodic, Yun Xiao's voice seemed as rare as earthly treasures, yet Li Mingzhu was too troubled to appreciate it at the moment.

With an elegant wave of her white skirt sleeve, a light mirror materialized in midair, projecting an image of the little Zhu Xiong indulging in peaches within the Dragon Peach Garden.

"Now, do you have anything to say?"

Golden-robed Jin Ling Saint Mother spoke with commanding dignity, her Golden Radiance Crown gleaming brilliantly under sunlight.

Li Mingzhu opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"Since there's nothing left to be said, I shall proceed with enforcement of the rules." Duobao opened his eyes and spoke softly, projecting authority without anger.

"Hold on, Master Elder! The little Zhu Xiong indeed stole the peaches, but may I offer compensation in return?" Li Mingzhu stepped forward, meeting Duobao's gaze firmly and spoke without surrender.

Just peaches, wasn't it? I'll pay for them. I had thought the Jie Sect to be decent, but it turns out to be no better than this.

For a moment, Li Mingzhu's impression of the Jie Sect sank considerably.

Regardless, Li Mingzhu was determined to save the little Zhu Xiong. Ever since he arrived in this world, the little Zhu Xiong had been his first true companion. Even if he had to antagonize the Jie Sect and invoke Nuwa's name, he wouldn't hesitate.

Of course, if the matter could be resolved amicably, he would seize the opportunity.