The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 22: The Tool Man Shi Ji

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: The Tool Man Shi Ji

The colossal Chaotic Sword Energy slashed towards the four dragons, annihilating all matter encountered along its path in utter silence, including the Four Sea Dragon Kings. In the once turbulent sea waters, an eerie vacuum region emerged, and the Sword Energy continued its relentless descent into the earth without pause.

In the underworld’s Eighteen Hells, the habitual wailing of malicious ghosts abruptly stilled. As a flash of Sword Energy swept past, everything was extinguished in an instant.

With the dispersion of Dao Qi, the roaring seawater rushed back in. However, without the control of the Dragon Kings, most of it flowed back to the East Sea.

Nezha was severely injured, yet the inspiration and enlightenment gained from this battle were immense, surpassing the insights acquired through a hundred years of painstaking cultivation in Chaoge.

Surveying the receding tide and the bottomless chasm before him, Nezha wasn’t particularly alarmed. After all, his professional credentials were solid—consider it an opportunity for early practice.

He looked up at the sky, noting no anomalies, and exhaled gently with relief.

Using the Mountain and River Map, he sealed the cavern’s entrance, retrieved the Qiankun Cauldron, exchanged brief pleasantries with Yu Yuan and Yun Zhongzi, and then returned to Emperor Wa Temple to enter seclusion. There, he simultaneously organized his insights and treated his damaged Taoist Body.

The significance of this event for Nezha went beyond just enlightenment in the Dao; it also imparted deeper understanding of the Divine Enthronement process.

Such calamities cannot simply be evaded through steadfast avoidance. Take this instance as an example—had Nezha refrained from acting and watched as countless innocent townsfolk drowned, his inner tranquility would have been disrupted, his Dao Heart clouded, and his pathway to the Dao fraught with obstacles thereafter.

Conversely, had Nezha lacked the requisite skills, he would have faced mortal danger himself, leaving his master with no recourse. After all, five Saints were watching—if everyone intervened, then it would be game over.

This was the great calamity of the Primordial Era, where killing is requisite and constitutes a Dao struggle.

While Nezha remained in seclusion, Yu Yuan and Yun Zhongzi returned to Chaoge. Yin Shou immediately sent envoys to summon them. Upon meeting Yin Shou, Yu Yuan clarified the situation regarding Nezha, prompting Yin Shou to erupt in fury and vow to seek justice for Nezha once his esteemed teacher returned.

Generally speaking, repairing a damaged Taoist Body is exceedingly difficult, especially when the body is highly cultivated. Fortunately, Nezha opted for an expedited method, employing numerous immortal materials and spiritual medicines, which Yin Shou procured through extravagant trades without any hesitation.

As a result, Nezha spent less time repairing his Taoist Body, devoting more energy to organizing the insights within his mind.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed, marked by numerous events—such as Jiang Ziya’s ascension and Daji reaching Nascent Soul level.

For Nezha, these three years were highly rewarding, as he now faced his Heavenly Tribulation.

He traveled to an expansive, desolate area, channeling his mana. The skies promptly churned as thunderclouds surged.

Nezha bowed in respect and proclaimed, "Third Generation Disciple of Mystic Sect, Li Nezha, expresses gratitude to the Heavenly Dao for granting this Thunder Tribulation!"

Then, the Heavenly Thunder descended upon him.

The process will not be elaborated on; there was no significant difficulty.

Having ascended to Earthly Immortal status, Nezha’s mana reserves increased substantially. Oddly enough, though his potential grew severalfold, enemies he couldn’t defeat before still remained insurmountable.

Ultimately, his cultivation period was too brief—he could only rely on Dao principles to engage in spell duels.

After overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation, Nezha had not forgotten the trouble he caused. At the time, he had genuinely feared the Zixiao Divine Thunder might strike him directly.

He returned to the damaged cavern and lifted the Mountain and River Map, leapt inside, traversed to the opposite side of the Eighteen Hells to survey the scene, and then returned.

Scanning the surroundings, he scratched his head in bewilderment. Had his attack truly been this devastating?

For his first engineering endeavor, he was unsure where to start!

Returning to Emperor Wa Temple, he decided to deliberate and organize his thoughts prior to proceeding. Errors would render his efforts meaningless.

Though Nezha had received extensive instruction in this field, giving him a solid foundation, sourcing raw materials presented a challenge.

His teacher often undertook grand engineering projects utilizing the five-colored stone and soil—peerless treasures in the Primordial Era. Nezha couldn’t possibly request materials worth five billion for a modest fifty-thousand project—extravagance has its limits!

Moreover, while Nezha did possess some five-colored stones, their rarity warranted mindful use. Employing them for repairs would make the cavern impenetrable, even under Nezha’s most forceful blows.

As Nezha fretted, the nearby townsfolk provided him with unexpected inspiration.

Previously, an area demon had been consuming human hearts. Following the Dragon Clan incident, the demon vanished, leading the populace to suspect the demon dragons were responsible. Now that the dragons had perished, the heart-devouring demon’s activity had ceased.

However, Nezha knew the culprit was not the Dragon Clan but Ma Yuan of the nearby Skull Cave. Upon considering Ma Yuan, Nezha thought of Shi Ji.

Shi Ji, the Stubborn Stone turned anima.

Huh?

Wasn’t this the pure Innate Dust Saint Body?

With his thoughts racing, Nezha promptly ascended to the clouds and flew towards Skull Mountain, bearing two objectives: dealing with Ma Yuan and recruiting Shi Ji.

From afar, Skull Mountain resembled a colossal skull, shrouded in ominous death energy.

Frowning, he raised his voice to call out, "Ma Yuan, you consume human hearts and harm innocents—I’ve come today to deliver justice for the people of Chentang Pass!"

Simultaneously, he drew the Qiankun Bow and nocked the Sky-shattering Arrow, appreciating the efficacy of the Yellow Emperor’s treasures.

A flash of white light streaked into the distance in an attempted escape—alas, two successive string snaps.

Two arrows pierced his chest, and Ma Yuan collapsed, gasping weakly, "Spare me, great immortal..."

Bang!

The final arrow struck his head.

Another True Spirit journeyed towards Kunlun Mountain.

Nezha retrieved the Sky-shattering Arrow and incinerated Ma Yuan’s remains into ashes with a burst of Samadhi Fire.

"You?"

"Having the character ’Yuan’ in your name, you fancied yourself a Primordial Spirit?"

"Stealing from my domain, Chentang Pass, was a fatal mistake."

Dusting off his clothes (though no dust existed), he ascended to the sky: "Disciple Li Nezha, under Lady Nuwa’s tutelage, seeks an audience with Senior Sister Shi Ji. May I inquire if she is present?"

Shortly after, a female immortal draped in a black robe appeared before him. Her dense locks concealed most of her face, lending her an aura of lifeless isolation.

With a half-concealed face, her voice carried a low, somber tone rich with composure: "What brings you here, Junior Brother?"

Nezha examined Shi Ji thoroughly and nodded in satisfaction. She looked dependable.

Shi Ji noticed Nezha’s scrutiny and instinctively tightened her robe, then asked again, "Junior Brother, why have you come?"

"Senior Sister, I have a favor to ask. That is..."

Before Nezha could finish, Shi Ji decisively interrupted, "My cultivation is merely modest—I cannot offer assistance to Junior Brother in any matter..."

Nezha grinned mischievously, tossing the five-colored stone in his hand, gesturing for Shi Ji to continue speaking.

Shi Ji fixed her gaze on the airborne five-colored stone, her visible eye locked onto it: "Though my cultivation may be modest, Junior Brother need only ask—I will do my utmost to assist!"

Nezha’s grin deepened: "They say Saint Tongtian is generous and bold, and his disciples are righteous and magnanimous. Indeed, that proves true."

Upon hearing Nezha mention her teacher, Shi Ji’s once sullen demeanor brightened noticeably. With enthusiasm she patted her ample chest and declared, "Without a doubt! If Junior Brother has any orders, do speak them!"

Her gaze towards Nezha softened too—worthy indeed of being a disciple of Lady Nuwa; his discernment was impeccable.

As for her neighbor Ma Yuan?

Who was Ma Yuan?

Did she have any neighbors?

Wasn’t Skull Cave always exclusively her domain?