Surrounded by a host of heavenly soldiers and generals was a half-grown child of about fifteen or sixteen. On his left shoulder rested a golden ring the size of a cartwheel, engraved with intricate patterns. On his right shoulder hung a red silk sash about ten feet long. In his hand, he held a gleaming long spear, and beneath his feet were two flaming wheels.
Seeing this figure's attire, Jiang Yuan immediately guessed that the Grand Marshal mentioned by Jade Spirit Official was none other than Nezha, the Third Lotus Prince, a deity often seen in mythological tales!
Nezha had two horn-like buns on his head, wore a red bellyband on his upper body, and green silk trousers on his lower half. Though he appeared as a child, he was actually an ancient monster who had lived for thousands of years!
The title "Third Lotus Prince" was Nezha's canonized name on the Investiture of the Gods. "Third Lotus" referred to the realms of heaven, earth, and water. In simpler terms, Nezha was the Grand Marshal of the celestial realm's army, navy, and air force—the absolute highest echelon of the celestial military!
"Greetings, Grand Marshal!"
As soon as Nezha appeared, Jade Spirit Official and his subordinates hurriedly bowed to him with great respect.
"Jade Spirit Official, what matter required you to summon me?"
Nezha retracted the Wind Fire Wheels under his feet, handed his Fire-Tipped Spear to an attendant, and plopped down in the seat Jade Spirit Official had occupied earlier, looking at him as he asked.
"Reporting to the Grand Marshal, I have discovered a suspect who may be directly linked to the fall of the North Star Lord."
Jade Spirit Official immediately pinned the label of suspect on Jiang Yuan, pointing at him as he spoke to Nezha.
"What? Him? A mere loose immortal like him could have murdered the North Star Lord? Hahaha! That's hilarious! Hahaha!"
After hearing Jade Spirit Official's report, Nezha froze for a few seconds, then burst into loud laughter. His laughter was so intense that he fell off his chair entirely!
"Haha! This is the funniest joke I've heard in nearly ten thousand years!"
Nezha rolled on the ground, clutching his stomach and laughing so hard he couldn't straighten his back. Though he was the Grand Marshal of the celestial realm's forces, his childlike nature had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years.
"Grand Marshal, every word I speak is true. This is the North Star Lord's waist token found on him. Please examine it."
Jade Spirit Official seemed accustomed to Nezha's childishness. After Nezha calmed down and sat back in his chair, he spoke, then presented the North Star Lord's waist token in both hands, offering it to Nezha.
Nezha pinched the token between two fingers, brought it close to his eyes for a careful look, then suddenly changed expression. He jumped off his chair, his brows furrowed, and pointed at Jiang Yuan, shouting, "Hey! Bold thief, how dare you harm my subordinate! Surrender your life!"
As the direct superior of the North Star Lord, Nezha instantly judged the token's authenticity. He snatched the Fire-Tipped Spear from his attendant, its tip aimed straight at Jiang Yuan, looking ready to strike!
"Haha! Hahaha!"
But just then, Jiang Yuan, whose shoulders were held down by two heavenly soldiers, suddenly looked up and burst into laughter!
"You there, thief, what are you laughing at?"
The Third Lotus Prince Nezha pointed his Fire-Tipped Spear at Jiang Yuan, asking in confusion. But Jiang Yuan's next words nearly drove him mad!
Jiang Yuan laughed, "I laugh that the Heavenly Court has no one worthy, and the Jade Emperor lacks wisdom! To send a fool like you, who can't tell right from wrong, to such an important post!"
"Bold villain! How dare you disrespect the Grand Marshal!"
Jiang Yuan's words were like pouring cold water into boiling oil, instantly enraging the surrounding heavenly soldiers and generals. Jade Spirit Official immediately pointed at Jiang Yuan and scolded him harshly.
"Ahhh! I'll kill you!"
Though Nezha didn't know what "fool" meant, he guessed it wasn't flattering. His body burst with celestial light as he thrust his spear toward Jiang Yuan!
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Just then, Wen Ding Cang Sheng and Ding Ye, seeing the situation turn dire, drew their weapons and stepped in front of Jiang Yuan.
"What are you doing? A bunch of loose immortals from the lower realm, do you think you can rebel against heaven?"
Seeing Wen Ding Cang Sheng and the others dare to draw their weapons, Nezha's face turned cold as he shouted.
"Brother Cang Sheng, if we kill a god, do you think they'll drop any good gear?"
Ding Ye, who had never feared anything, stood in front of Jiang Yuan, glanced at Nezha, licked his lips, and said to Wen Ding Cang Sheng.
Hearing these newly ascended lower-realm people shouting about "killing gods," Jade Spirit Official and Nezha's subordinates all showed angry expressions, muttering "Rebels!" and "Bold!"
"Pass my order! Quickly summon the Northern Camp heavenly soldiers and take down all these rebels!"
Nezha immediately ordered his subordinates. Soon, heavy footsteps echoed as rows of armored soldiers carrying spears jogged over from afar and stood behind Nezha.
"Hah!"
The rows of heavenly soldiers let out a unified roar, leveling their spears at Wen Ding Cang Sheng and the others.
"Listen up! Take down all these rebels! Anyone who resists, kill without mercy!"
Nezha coldly ordered the Northern Camp reinforcements. Following the Grand Marshal's command, the soldiers charged at Wen Ding Cang Sheng and the others.
"Blood covenant scroll, summon the power of the stars to manifest as the Vermilion Bird, obey me!"
Though Jiang Yuan's shoulders were pinned, it didn't hinder his skill use. As an ancient, hoarse voice echoed through heaven and earth, a sacred Vermilion Bird wreathed in flames appeared before Nezha.
"Brothers, let's do this! Anyone afraid is a coward!"
Jiang Yuan summoned the sacred Vermilion Bird, shouted to Wen Ding Cang Sheng and the others, and immediately directed the bird to charge into the enemy ranks.
"Haha! Yuanzi's right! I've never beaten up a god before! Sun Ze, your grandpa's here!"
Seeing Jiang Yuan make the first move, Ding Ye also yelled and charged at Nezha.
Outside the Northern Heavenly Gate, a group of newly ascended players began fighting with the celestial NPC gods!
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Jade Spirit Official's face turned pale. Watching the two sides clash, he scrambled away in terror, hurrying to report to the Heavenly Court.
"Ding! Defeated a celestial soldier. Obtained Tai Chi Golden Pill *10, Primordial Spirit Pearl *10! Celestial Affinity -1!"
Jiang Yuan remotely controlled the sacred Vermilion Bird, rampaging through the Northern Camp soldiers. After killing one soldier, a system prompt sounded in his ear.
"Go easy! Killing them lowers Celestial Affinity!"
Hearing the prompt, Jiang Yuan quickly warned Wen Ding Cang Sheng and the others. Though he didn't know what lowering Celestial Affinity meant for players, he hoped they would hold back as much as possible!