Chapter 991: Nezha

"Indeed, there is one more Nezha."

Zhang Taixuan swept his hand through the void, and instantly, an image appeared in the air.

It was the Palace of the Great God of the Three Altars and the Sea Assembly.

"Nezha is here? Not in the Wang Fu?"

Yang Chan was stunned.

To control Nezha, Li Tianwang rarely let him be alone anywhere.

Zhang Taixuan smiled: "If he were the Lingzhu Zi reincarnated, his talent would be too great, easily slipping control—naturally, his freedom must be restricted. Even at the cost of severing his immortal bones, using lotus to forge his body."

Yang Chan was shocked: "Using lotus to forge his body is to limit Nezha's talent?"

Zhang Taixuan smiled: "What else? Unless one possesses a superior or higher primordial spiritual root, how could one rival the origin of the Lingzhu Zi?"

Yang Jian nodded: "The Dao Jun speaks truly."

Nezha felt his own magic power, sensing it had grown a billionfold; even his control over spiritual treasures became far more effortless.

At this moment, he understood the strength of the Lingzhu Zi's origin.

With his current power, even the Jade Emperor and Wang Mu would find it hard to suppress him.

Such an origin is precisely why others felt uneasy and sought to restrict him.

Gazing at the image in the void, he asked: "Dao Jun, my lord, was he not restricted either?"

"Of course not," Zhang Taixuan smiled. "Though I created him from your aura, he lacks the countless years of accumulation the Lingzhu Zi had. Others assumed he lost his cultivation base upon reincarnation, fearing he could not keep pace with the Divine Ascension—so instead of restricting him, they granted him countless rare blessings, hence his current peak Jin Xian realm."

Nezha laughed bitterly: "What a twist of fate. I, with superior talent, reincarnated into the mortal world and suffered endlessly; he, with inferior talent, reaped all the benefits. Destiny is never in human hands."

As he spoke, the image in the void shifted—Nezha vanished.

Yang Chan gasped: "Did Nezha sense us spying on him?"

"No," Zhang Taixuan shook his head. "He merely sensed his own aura. Here he comes."

At those words, the sound of Xiao Tianquan's voice came from outside.

"Master, the Third Prince is here again!"

After speaking, Xiao Tianquan froze.

What do you mean "again"?

He was confused.

Isn't the Third Prince in the Judicial Heavenly God's Hall?

Then why is another one outside?

"Who are you, daring to impersonate the Third Prince Nezha?"

"Xiao Tian, do not be reckless. Let Nezha in."

"Who are you, to impersonate the Crown Prince Nezha?"

The next moment, the door swung open. Nezha gazed at the other Nezha, his expression wary.

"Who are you? Why impersonate me?"

Nezha gripped the Universe Ring, his aura sharpening.

The original Nezha realized—due to the altered past, though his realm had risen, the spiritual treasures bestowed by Taiyi were no longer on him.

He was still empty-handed.

Yang Jian hurriedly said: "Nezha, stop. This is a long story."

"Second Brother, do you really believe he's Nezha?" the substitute Nezha stared at Yang Jian in disbelief. "We fought together in the Shang War, endured countless life-and-death struggles. How can you not recognize me?"

The original Nezha smiled: "It's not that I can't tell—because you are me. Both are real. Why distinguish?"

"Nonsense!" the substitute Nezha sneered. "I, Nezha, am famed throughout the Three Realms. When did I ever have a brother named Li?"

Yang Jian looked at Zhang Taixuan.

For him to explain this would be truly troublesome.

Zhang Taixuan smiled: "This is simple."

With a thought, the substitute Nezha clutched his head, looking dazed.

After a while, he suddenly understood.

"So I'm just your substitute!"

"Then, Second Brother, was our bond fake?"

Yang Jian shook his head: "Of course not. Though your identity changed, my past did not. The deeds we shared—life and death together—remain unchanged."

The original Nezha bowed: "I owe you thanks for enduring the calamity on my behalf. Should you ever need anything, just call on me—I will help. From now on, I am a Buddha within the Merit Pure Land."

The substitute Nezha frowned: "Aren't you returning to Tiangong?"

The original Nezha sighed: "Since you have my memories, you know how things stand with the Li family. What would I return for?"

Nezha's true form bowed his hands: "This matter owes thanks to you—you helped me pass through this calamity. Should you need anything in the future, just call on me, and I will lend a hand. From now on, I am Merit Pure..."

The substitute Nezha broke into cold sweat—he had never realized how perilous his life would have been if unchanged.

Cut the bones, return them to father. Cut the flesh, return them to mother.

Still bound by the Pagoda of the Spirit's Grace. It was too cruel.

"Thank heaven everything has changed!"

The original Nezha nodded: "Yes, everything has changed. A perfect ending. But you suffered—fighting in the Shang War, enduring countless dangers."

Flesh returned to mother, bones returned to father.

And still be bound by the Linglong Pagoda—this is truly miserable.

"Fortunately, everything has changed now!"

Nezha's true form nodded: "Yes, everything has changed—it's a fulfilling ending. But you've suffered, taking part in the Shang Dynasty war, enduring countless dangers."

The Nezha decoy shook its head, smiling: "If I don't join the Shang war, how can I forge a deep friendship with my second brother!"

Saying this, he gazed at Zhang Taixuan, his expression complex.

To be precise, this Dao Jun before him was equivalent to his own biological parents.

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"I humbly greet the Dao Jun, my lord!"

Zhang Taixuan smiled: "No need for such formalities. Your calamity has passed, and you now possess the Great Luo method in your mind. Keep striving in your cultivation."

"Thank you, Dao Jun, for your guidance."

Zhang Taixuan looked at Yang Chan and Yang Chan and said: "Next, we save your family."

As he spoke, the River of Time and Space reappeared.

Zhang Taixuan's gaze turned grave as he reached out toward the past.

This time, it was different from saving Nezha.

Saving Nezha only required deceiving Li Jing and his wife, and it did not reverse life and death.

Saving the Yang family of three would be far more difficult.