The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 83 Asura Sect Into Calamity

Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Asura Sect Into Calamity

Yunxiao, who had remained silent all this while, finally spoke in a calm voice, "I wonder, Daoist Friend, what brings you to my Three Immortals Island?"

Nezha was tightly holding onto the Five-Colored Stone to prevent Shen Gongbao from uttering the infamous Primordial Curse.

Shen Gongbao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Fairy, I’m here to find Brother Zhao Gongming to speak on behalf of the brothers and sisters of the Jie Sect."

This time, Zhao Gongming hadn’t fallen into a trap yet, and since No Brainer and Unhappy hadn’t stirred the flames, Yunxiao appeared exceptionally composed: "The Great Tribulation has begun, and our teacher commands all disciples to dedicate themselves to serene cultivation and recitation of the Yellow Court. If you continue to incite my Jie Sect disciples, don’t blame me for being impolite!"

Shen Gongbao quickly nodded and bowed, tossing the blame aside as he said, "Goddess, mercy! I was left with no choice in this matter—it was Master Wen who sent me to connect with immortal friends to aid Yin Shang."

Yunxiao frowned slightly. The matter involved Inner Sect Senior Sister Jin Ling’s disciples, leaving her reluctant to comment further, so she merely said, "Do take care of yourself."

She then escorted him away.

Nezha was somewhat surprised. Would this mean that the sisters Sanxiao and Zhao Gongming had escaped calamity?

"Sister Yun, do you feel a sense of evading catastrophe?"

Yunxiao carefully sensed and then gently shook her head.

Since that day Nezha had pledged allegiance to Nuwa, he had intermittently felt an inner resonance.

According to Nezha’s own conjecture, it might be that his teacher’s colossal merit had neutralized his tribulation energy. A similar effect could be seen in the disciple of Saint Taiqing, the Great Master Xuan Du.

This was why Nezha seldom initiated duels with others—he lacked nothing in terms of resources, heritage, or Magical Treasures. The socks Nezha was currently wearing would be considered treasures by the impoverished Master Huang Long.

There was no need to risk his life for petty gains and disputes.

Back during his time in West Zhou, Nezha leveraged his connection with Old Jiang to study the Investiture of the Gods from afar.

In his past life, Nezha’s understanding of divine enthronement was far too superficial.

Being listed on the Investiture wasn’t a guarantee of ascension; rather, the list functioned more like a comprehensive evaluation tool, assigning individuals to their destined roles.

The primary factors influencing rankings were threefold: Fate Grid, battle record, and authority.

A finer Fate Grid allowed higher positions within divine hierarchies to be secured, followed by comparing battle performance to determine divine placement.

The case of Bo Yikao serves as the quintessential example—a lackluster performer in his own timeline, yet his extremely noble Fate Grid overshadowed those with superior records.

Take Jin Ling Saint Mother in her original timeline—she ultimately received the title of Doumu Yuanjun.

Despite having better battle records, those less privileged in Fate Grid couldn’t even secure nominations, let alone a place on the list. How could they possibly be selected?

This led to situations like Bo Yikao obtaining the position of Emperor Ziwei—North Pole of Middle Heaven, head of the Four Imperial—the divine rank surpassed only by that of Jin Ling.

One primary reason was simply a lack of competitors.

One of his competitors turned out to be his direct superior, Jin Ling.

As for authority, this factor shaped Jiang Ziya’s actions—he could overlook battle records but had no leeway to ignore Fate Grids.

Thus, the divine positions listed on the Investiture had multiple eligible candidates, raising the question—who ultimately ascended?

Slay!

Whoever perished ended up on the list.

This, too, could be seen as a form of Dao contention—death signified the impossibility of achieving the Great Dao.

This precedent explained why, in the original timeline, either Randeng or Zhao Gongming had to perish. Randeng lived and used the twenty-four Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pearls of Zhao Gongming to establish the Twenty-four Celestial Realms, pushing cultivation further, while Old Zhao ascended to the list as an Incense Fire God, subjected to a rigorous 996 routine from then on.

Once ranked, the mode of cultivation underwent transformation, shifting from absorbing Primordial spiritual energy to drawing strength from the incense fire faith of all beings.

The Daoist Ancestor certainly exemplified conservationism—the Primordial world would not tolerate idlers.

Pan Hu’s tragic demise stands as a stark example.

The two returned, while Yunxiao, like a strict teacher peeking after curfew, monitored her elder brother and two sisters before resuming her cloud-based teaching style.

Teaching Nezha was noticeably easier than guiding her two sisters.

Meanwhile, Shen Gongbao, expelled from Three Immortals Island, continued searching for allies.

This time, he hadn’t yet located support when an ally proactively approached him—it was none other than the Ashura King, Bodhisattva.

What led to this?

We return to the segmentation of the Blood Sea, during which Lady Houtu restructured the Six Daos, including the Asura Dao. Consequently, all reincarnated Asuras now arose under the Nether River Mother and were exclusively Female Asuras.

Male Asuras resorted to raiding the underworld for Dead Souls, only to suffer fierce counterattacks from Female Asuras. This led to their current predicament—a lack of successors.

Nether River established the Asura Sect, an arrangement akin to securing a loan from the Heavenly Dao—you had to commit to your task, fulfilling obligations under any circumstances, as failure risked Heavenly Dao’s retributive actions. Such was the general premise.

Nether River contemplated deeply, eventually focusing on the present-day battlefield between West Zhou and Yin Shang.

A single battle could result in tens of thousands of deaths—sneaking in a few gains would seem reasonable.

Nether River wouldn’t personally intervene—he had to refine his cultivation lest he fell to disadvantage during the inevitable mutual devouring.

Thus, the task was handed to his disciples: Bodhisattva, Emperor Shitian, Da Fantian, and Shiva—the initial quartet of Asuras.

They had cultivated within the Blood Sea for countless ages, each attaining significant prowess—the strongest, Bodhisattva, had achieved the Late Stage of Daluo Golden Immortal.

However, Fantian had already been lured away by Saint Zhunti to join the Western Sect.

Now, tasked by their Sect Hierarch, the trio could not afford direct engagement, so the charge fell to Bodhisattva, who oversaw Asura affairs.

Being an Asura, Bodhisattva cared little for notions like Heavenly Number. Observing Yin Shang’s robust Qi Fortune, he promptly aligned himself with Yin Shang, unconcerned about its eventual downfall.

In fact, he’d possibly accelerate that process.

In truth, Bodhisattva had long been silently tagging along with Shen Gongbao—appearing like timely assistance that accentuated his presence.

Shen Gongbao glimpsed Bodhisattva’s overbearing attire and the ominous, sticky blood-stained murderous aura surrounding him, easily deducing this was no easy adversary.

He adopted a posture of deep humility and said, "Junior Shen Gongbao pays respects to the senior. What instructions might the esteemed elder have?"

Bodhisattva disdainfully regarded Shen Gongbao, a mere Human Immortal, yet abiding by his ancestor’s orders, he spoke nonchalantly: "I hear you’re seeking foreign aid for Yin Shang. My Blood Sea Asura Clan can assist you."

Shen Gongbao sensed this was no benevolent offer and hesitated momentarily.

Bodhisattva enveloped Shen Gongbao in his viscous blood energy, revealing a playful yet chilling expression.

Shen Gongbao immediately felt as if submerged within the Blood Sea, the nauseating scent of blood filling his senses. Just as he was about to suffocate, the Blood Sea suddenly vanished.

Sapped of strength as though pulled from water, Shen Gongbao could barely stand and stammered, "Senior, the Blood Sea’s aid to Yin Shang would indeed be an enormous blessing for Yin Shang."

Bodhisattva, satisfied, cracked a smile and compared his thumb and index finger as he said, "Our Asura Clan will help you fight battles, but we’ll need a small compensation in return."

...

The two engaged in ’friendly’ discussions, with Shen Gongbao repeatedly affirming, "Yes, yes, yes."

Finally, as Bodhisattva was about to leave, Shen Gongbao seemed to have a sudden intuition and called out, "Daoist Friend, please wait a moment!"

Bodhisattva paused and turned back.

Shen Gongbao, feigning politeness, asked, "Senior, by what name are you called?"

"Zizai Tian Demon King Bodhisattva."