However, the matter of the Investiture of the Gods is of utmost importance now, and Yuanshi really doesn't have time to scheme against Xuantian anymore. Making too many enemies is a major taboo. He should calm down and get through the Investiture of the Gods first.

On this day, Yuanshi was meditating in the Jade Void Palace when suddenly a ray of light descended from the sky and landed in front of him. It was the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Slaying Whip. Yuanshi was overjoyed. With these two items, his chances of surviving the great tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods were much greater.

Just as the Investiture of the Gods appeared in the Jade Void Palace, both the Supreme Lord Laozi in the Great Crimson Heaven and the Tongtian Sect Leader in the Yu Yu Heaven sensed it. The Supreme Lord Laozi merely opened his eyes and glanced at the east before closing them again to continue his cultivation.

The Tongtian Sect Leader, however, wore a troubled expression and said softly, "I didn't expect that the person who was to be appointed as a deity would actually join the Chan Sect. This is not very advantageous for my Jie Sect. However, this time it was a disciple of the Chan Sect who committed a murderous calamity, which has little to do with my Jie Sect. Moreover, I have already instructed my disciples to guard their cave and not to go out casually. I think we can still safely get through this calamity."

The other saints didn't react much, but the two in the west were even more delighted. After all, the person who had been appointed to the Investiture of the Gods had entered the Chan Sect, which would make it easier for the two to scheme. Nuwa didn't care much and just watched the show. Xuantian didn't even watch it. Repeating history was a very boring thing.

Yuanshi summoned Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao, secretly probing their reactions to the Investiture of the Gods. Sure enough, Jiang Ziya was the true one who bestowed the titles of gods on behalf of Heaven. He then focused on cultivating Jiang Ziya. As for Shen Gongbao, Yuanshi was naturally displeased with a demon who had attained enlightenment, but since he had already taken him in, he let him be and treated him as a menial worker in the Chan Sect.

Yuanshi Tianzun did indeed put a lot of effort into cultivating Jiang Ziya, often giving him extra tutoring. However, Jiang Ziya's performance disappointed him greatly. His cultivation progress was extremely slow, and he was like a wooden fish in the dark when it came to matters of cultivation, often failing to make a sound. If Yuanshi Tianzun hadn't seen that he was usually diligent and earnest, he probably would have slapped him to death long ago. Even the most patient master would be angry if he had such a disciple.

Jiang Ziya was not good at cultivating Taoism, but he was extremely talented in military strategy and governance, and quickly mastered the secrets. Yuanshi was also annoyed by his appearance. After calculating with his fingers, he realized that Jiang Ziya had no destiny to become an immortal, but he would enjoy all the glory and wealth of the mortal world. After learning this, Yuanshi stopped trying to pull Jiang Ziya towards immortality and instead focused his daily lectures on worldly military strategy and governance.

Jiang Ziya was inept at cultivation, but Shen Gongbao, who accompanied him, was a prodigy. After a lecture by Yuanshi Tianzun, Shen Gongbao displayed extraordinary talent, his cultivation rapidly increasing as if he were riding the clouds. However, he was ultimately a demon who had attained enlightenment, and he did not fare well in the Chan Sect. Nevertheless, he enjoyed making friends and was a master at forming cliques. Through his efforts, he learned many magical arts and supernatural powers from Yu Ding Zhenren and Huanglong Zhenren.

The members of the Chan Sect mostly looked down on demon cultivators who had attained enlightenment, and even Yu Ding and Huang Long, who were also among the Twelve Golden Immortals, were often ostracized. Their attitude towards Shen Gongbao was even more obvious, with outright rejection. Even Jiang Ziya, who had come up the mountain with him, looked down on him somewhat.

This situation infuriated him, yet he was powerless to change it. He secretly harbored resentment towards the Chan Sect, waiting for the day he could take revenge.

Meanwhile, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, was brought back to Xiqi after escaping from Chaoge. The death of his eldest son, Boyi Kao, was a great blow to him, especially since he had been forced to eat meat patties made from Boyi Kao's flesh.

This matter is truly painful. Ji Chang, with a kind heart, wanted to emulate the sages in governing the world, but unexpectedly, he did something so immoral and unethical, which is really unbearable for him.

After returning to Xiqi, Ji Chang was also depressed and could not go back to his hometown. He entrusted all the political affairs to Ji Fa and San Yisheng, which made Ji Fa secretly happy, so that he could take this opportunity to seize control of the government and establish his own authority.

Empress Dowager Tai Jiang couldn't bear to see her son behave this way, and was ultimately displeased. One morning, having nothing to do, she went to check on Ji Chang, only to find him still drunk and unconscious from the previous night, lying on the table. Empress Dowager Tai Jiang was furious and ordered someone to bring a bucket of water, which she poured over Ji Chang's head. Ji Chang, who was fast asleep in his drunken stupor, suddenly felt a chill all over his body. It was already autumn and winter, and the bucket of cold water made him shiver. He hurriedly jumped up, about to scold her, but seeing Empress Dowager Tai Jiang's angry expression, he felt uneasy and bowed slightly, saying, "Your son greets Your Majesty, Mother."

Lady Tai Jiang glanced at him coldly and said, "This lowly concubine is afraid she does not dare to accept such a grand gesture from Your Majesty."

One sentence made Ji Chang break out in a cold sweat. Loyalty, filial piety, propriety, righteousness, heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers—besides loyalty to the Yin Shang dynasty, Ji Chang valued filial piety the most. Although he didn't know why Tai Jiang was angry, he knew that he must have done something wrong. He quickly knelt down and said, "Mother, your words are too harsh for your child. Please, Mother, do not hesitate to teach me."

Tai Jiang looked at him and said, "My Ji surname originates from Emperor Ku, one of the Five Emperors. Our bloodline is noble. Our ancestors were determined to restore our former glory and managed Xiqi in an orderly manner. My son also had great ambitions back then. Under your rule, Xiqi prospered and the Marquis of Xibo was renowned for his virtue. Everyone in the world respected him. Who would have thought that Ji Chang today is just a person who is obsessed with drinking and hiding from trouble?"

Ji Chang dared not refute Tai Jiang Shi, nor did he have any reason to refute her. He simply lowered his head and dared not speak. However, Ji Fa arrived outside. Upon learning that Tai Jiang Shi had come to Ji Chang's place, Ji Fa had a sudden thought and rushed over.

Seeing that Ji Chang was soaking wet, Ji Fa quickly said to Tai Jiang Shi, "Grandmother, my father is already soaked with cold water. Why don't we let him change his clothes first before we talk?"

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