The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha-Chapter 377 - 376 Destiny Gate

Upon reaching the mountaintop, Nezha didn’t approach hastily. Instead, he observed the golden-blue interwoven Light Gate from a distance. The gate was already damaged—though it was unclear whether it had always been this way or if it was ruined by the lingering shockwaves of the battle between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans back in the day.

The Creation Jade Scroll fragment within his Divine Soul quickly began analyzing the power of the Light Gate, but the results were far from ideal. If forced to describe the force emanating from the Light Gate, Nezha could only use two words: ’destiny’ and ’fate.’ These concepts were far too advanced for Nezha to comprehend at the moment.

Nezha turned to leave, thinking that this level of power was out of his league. While he might appear lively and carefree, at higher levels of existence, he probably couldn’t even observe such forces. Though the gate had some effect on him, it wasn’t specifically targeting him.

"Not going up to take a look?"

As Nezha was about to turn away, a raspy yet familiar voice came from behind him. Though he’d only heard this voice a few times, its tone was etched deeply into his memory.

"Disciple Nezha greets Ancestor Master."

The Daoist did not respond immediately and instead manifested his form beside Nezha, saying, "Since you’re here, you should at least take a look."

This thing was significant enough to draw out the Daoist Ancestor himself—it definitely wouldn’t be simple. Saying he didn’t want to approach because he was eager to go home for dinner? That’d be laughable.

Nezha figured the Daoist Ancestor wouldn’t harm him; he likely had some task to assign. If he had no choice, then he’d go. Refusing wasn’t an option.

"I obey your command, Ancestor Master."

Nezha, never one to hesitate, decided: fine, I’ll take a look. What could it possibly show me, a sleazy video? If that were the case, he’d be all the more curious to see it!

The Daoist moved alongside Nezha as if he did not exist. If not for the fact that Nezha could turn and see him, there wasn’t even the faintest trace of his presence.

This was truly a oneness with heaven and earth.

As Nezha approached the Light Gate, the sense of ’destiny’ became increasingly overwhelming. When he got close, he saw the gate was indeed in ruins, and the cause was clear—a single axe mark left on the door.

"Ancestor Master, is this...?"

The Daoist nodded. "That’s right, this was left behind by Pangu God long ago."

"This gate can be called the Destiny Gate. After Pangu God created the heavens, it was the manifestation of higher-dimensional intent left behind. You could think of it as the force of order meant to counteract the chaos and disorder of the Primordial Era—or, as the Primordial Immortals refer to it, the ’Great Dao.’ The gate’s purpose was to establish destiny within the Primordial Era." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Pangu God did not approve of such methods. He believed all creatures should have their own infinite possibilities for the future. So, in the end, he sought to destroy the predetermined fate set for all beings.

As for the result, well, you can see it for yourself. Exhausted as he was, he did not completely succeed, but predetermined fate was loosened and began to change. This was a good thing for living beings, but it wasn’t necessarily good for the Primordial Era itself. Too many variables resulted in countless issues."

Nezha actually agreed with Pangu God’s perspective. If the fate of a living being were fully predetermined from birth, wouldn’t that be terrifying? He himself counted among those who benefited from this loosened fate—if destiny were fixed, then even being reborn wouldn’t allow him to change anything.

The mere thought of such unchangeable fate was utterly soul-crushing.

Nezha kept moving forward, stopping a few meters away to gaze at the interior of the Light Gate. Pulses of azure light began to reflect images back to Nezha as an observer.

He glimpsed the original destinies of many people: Daji, burning herself alive alongside King Zhou in the Star-picking Tower; Deng Chanyu, married to Tu Xingsun; Long Ji, killed by Jin Ling; Jin Ling Saint Mother, ambushed and killed by Randeng; Yunxiao, imprisoned under Qilin Cliff; and himself, becoming the Three Altars Sea Meeting God.

Visions of everyone intimately connected to Nezha flickered rapidly before settling on his teacher, Nuwa.

"What did you see?"

"I saw a crown?"

Calling it a crown seemed a bit sloppy—after all, who uses flowers and grass strings to weave a crown? Yet that was the impression the object gave Nezha. It looked like a crown that bestows unimaginable authority upon its bearer.

"That’s your teacher’s destined crown."

After saying this, the Daoist paused briefly before continuing, "Your teacher is the predestined Mother Goddess of the Primordial Era. If you bring this back to her, she will become its ruler."

Fishing! Old Deng sure likes fishing for trouble, doesn’t he?

Nezha didn’t move to take action. Forget the fact that the Daoist was standing right beside him—he knew his teacher’s personality far too well. At least her current personality. Asking Nuwa to manage the Primordial Era? She might enjoy it for three or five days tops before losing interest. And even during those days, she’d probably spend most of her time showing off to the other Five Saints.

The Saints, having severed their Three Corpses, had already achieved the realm of True Self. Jieyin enjoyed practicing asceticism; Zhunti liked acquiring property; Yuqing loved maintaining appearances; Shangqing thrived off reckless actions; and Nuwa? Well... she liked slacking off. Ahem, perhaps eating melons? No, not quite...

What others think of them doesn’t matter to Saints—weaknesses only exist because they care about something. In truth, even if the Primordial Era were destroyed, it wouldn’t affect them.

Moreover, Nezha doubted whether Nuwa wearing this crown would truly enable her to challenge the Daoist Ancestor. The rules governing the Primordial Era were more like a male-focused novel: there were rules, but all true power ultimately depended on one’s strength. The Daoist Ancestor wasn’t the rule-maker because of his benevolence—it was because he had the strongest fists.

This wasn’t some romantic drama where one could wear a crown and instantly make a general commanding thirty thousand troops bow. That wasn’t happening.

The Taiyi Golden Immortal Nezha being nearly equal to top Quasi-Saint Hao Tian in the Heavenly Court wasn’t because Hao Tian feared him. No, Hao Tian feared what was behind Nezha—Nuwa—and the rule-maker, the Daoist Ancestor.

Without batting an eye, Nezha quipped, "Under Grandpa Daoist Ancestor’s leadership, the Primordial Era has flourished. My teacher and I have always remained your steadfast supporters.

Wherever you point, we shall strike!"

At that moment, Nezha felt his social intelligence reach unparalleled heights.

The Daoist paused briefly after hearing this, and his previously cold expression softened ever so slightly. His approval was clear as he nodded gently.

"Nuwa truly is the easiest to handle."

He hesitated briefly before adding, "Go ahead and destroy it. Complete Pangu God’s final wish."

Nezha was incredulous: Me? Really?

The Daoist wasn’t about to entertain Nezha’s reaction. Without further comment, he delivered the mission and promptly vanished.

Nezha didn’t immediately act. Instead, he reached out to his teacher directly.

"Teacher, if you were to wear this thing, could you really... accomplish that?"

Nuwa had been watching the live feed through Nezha’s perspective the entire time. While Nezha conversed with Old Deng, she had also been scrutinizing the ’crown.’

It gave her the distinct feeling that it was meant for her. However, claiming it and then challenging the Daoist Ancestor? That was pure nonsense.

"This thing would indeed be useful for me. Wearing it would grant me far greater Saint-level authority than the other Five Saints. But beyond that, it’s nothing too groundbreaking."