If one were to change their mind even slightly, the elixir within their abdomen would instantly cause their death!
After Hongjun Daoist finished composing his poem, the three sect leaders kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your mercy, Master!" Even so, they trembled slightly. Xuantian, though aware of the events, was still somewhat terrified. He realized that even a saint like Hongjun could heal him; he would have to be careful in the future to avoid making a grave mistake. The two from the Western Sect were even more alarmed. They had also participated in this matter and were afraid that Hongjun would implicate them. They stood by, meek and submissive, afraid that Hongjun would notice them.
Hongjun said to Tongtian, "Come with me." He then said to the other sages, "After the Investiture of the Gods is completed, come to Zixiao Palace again." The others obeyed. Tongtian then left with Hongjun, and the other sages bid farewell and departed.
Now, let's talk about Jiang Ziya. After the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation was broken, his offensive was unstoppable. Even the occasional remnants of the Jie Sect were easily dealt with by him. In just one year, he uprooted the foundation of the Yin Shang Dynasty. King Zhou committed suicide by burning himself in the royal court, and all the treacherous officials of Yin Shang were executed by Jiang Ziya. The Zhou Dynasty was officially established.
One day, Ziya went to court to see King Wu and said, "In the past, this old minister was ordered by his master to descend the mountain to assist Your Majesty in comforting the people and punishing the guilty. It was a matter of course, as both mortals and immortals faced calamity. First, the 'Investiture of the Gods' was erected on the Investiture Platform. Now that the matter has been settled, the souls of humans and immortals are without a place to rest. This old minister specially requests Your Majesty to grant me leave to go to Kunlun Mountain to see my master and request the Jade Talisman and Golden Book to confer titles upon the gods and place them in their positions as soon as possible. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request." King Wu gladly agreed.
Ziya fled into Kunlun Mountain and obtained the imperial edict from the Jade Void Palace. He then formally began the investiture of the gods on the Investiture Platform atop Mount Qi. Ziya carried the edict to the Investiture Platform, placing it in the center. He ordered Wu Ji and Nangong Shi to "erect eight trigram paper banners to suppress the directions and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches flags." He also ordered the two to lead three thousand troops, arranged according to the five directions. After giving these instructions, Ziya bathed and changed his clothes, lit incense in a golden cauldron, poured wine, offered flowers, and circled the platform three times. After reciting the edict, Ziya first ordered the Pure Blessing God Bai Jian to wait below the platform. Ziya then read the edict from the Primordial Heavenly Venerable of the Jade Void Palace.
After reading the imperial edict, he placed the talisman and offerings on the table, then stood in full armor, holding an apricot-yellow flag in his left hand and a divine whip in his right, and shouted, "Bai Jian, step forward to receive your investiture!"
Bai Jian quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and replied, "Yes."
Jiang Ziya glanced at Bai Jian and said, "By the decree of the Supreme Primordial Beginning: You, Bai Jian, were once the Grand Marshal of the Yellow Emperor, who fought against Chi You and achieved great merit; unfortunately, you were killed in the North Sea, sacrificing your life for your country, a testament to your loyalty! You have been in obscurity ever since, a tragic injustice. Fortunately, you were granted the title of God by Jiang Shang, and for your meritorious service in guarding the altar, you are hereby bestowed with a precious treasure to comfort your loyal soul. Now, I hereby appoint you as the leader of the Three Realms, one of the 365 Pure and Blessed Gods of the Eight Divisions. Obey this decree!"
Bai Jian stood beneath the altar, in the shadows and a chilling breeze, holding the Hundred Spirits Banner, and kowtowed in gratitude before the imperial edict. Below the altar, clouds gathered and incense smoke swirled. Bai Jian went outside the platform, still holding the Hundred Spirits Banner, ready to give instructions.
Ya Mingbai Jian: "Lead Huang Tianhua to the platform to receive his title." Soon after, Bo Jian led Huang Tianhua over.
Ya Dao said: "Now, by the decree of the Supreme Primordial Lord: You, Huang Tianhua, served your country with utmost loyalty in your youth, made a great contribution upon descending the mountain, and were especially filial to your father in saving him; you died on the battlefield before receiving any honors, which is truly heartbreaking! In determining your reward for your merits, we must be generous and hereby bestow upon you the title of Lord Bingling, the Righteous God of the Three Mountains. You shall obey this decree!"
Huang Tianhua kowtowed in gratitude at the foot of the altar and then left.
Sixty-seven Gods Conferred (Completed, Part 2)
Ya then ordered Bai Jian: "Lead the Five Sacred Mountains Gods to the altar to receive their titles." Shortly afterward, the God of Qingfu led Huang Feihu and others to the foot of the altar, where they knelt and listened to the reading of the imperial edict.
The eunuch said, “By the decree of the Supreme Primordial Lord: You, Huang Feihu, suffered the cruelty of a tyrannical ruler, forcing you to flee to another country, wandering and migrating, grieving the loss of your own flesh and blood; yet, with unwavering resolve and wisdom, you were suddenly struck by the calamity of the Yang Needle, and thus met with misfortune, a truly pitiful situation! Chong Heihu aspired to help the people, but was also caught in a calamity; Wen Pin and the other two were sworn brothers, planning to work together with one heart and one mind, their loyalty and righteousness unwavering, wishing to serve as your pillars of society; but unexpectedly, the Yang calamity ended, and they died with their aspirations unfulfilled. You five share the same unwavering loyalty, but your merits differ in depth. Therefore, you are hereby granted honors, according to your respective ranks. Thus, I hereby bestow upon you, Huang Feihu, the head of the Five Sacred Mountains, and specially bestow upon you the title of the Great Emperor of the Eastern Sacred Mountain, Mount Tai, the Heavenly Equal Benevolent and Holy Emperor, overseeing the good and bad fortune of heaven and earth and humankind. You shall obey! Do not deviate from this decree.” Huang Feihu bowed his head in gratitude below the platform.
Ya Fang read the four imperial edicts: "By special decree, you, Chong Hei Hu, are appointed as the Great Emperor of the Southern Peak, Hengshan, the Celestial Emperor; by special decree, you, Wen Pin, are appointed as the Great Emperor of the Central Peak, Songshan, the Celestial Emperor; by special decree, you, Cui Ying, are appointed as the Great Emperor of the Northern Peak, the Celestial Emperor; by special decree, you, Jiang Xiong, are appointed as the Great Emperor of the Western Peak, Huashan, the Golden Emperor. You shall obey!" Chong Hei Hu and the others kowtowed in gratitude and then left the altar with Huang Fei Hu.
Ya then ordered Bai Jian, “Lead the Thunder God to the platform to receive his title.” Thereupon, Qingfu God emerged from the altar with a soul-guiding banner to lead the Thunder God.
A short while later, Grand Tutor Wen was being led in. Being of imposing stature and unwilling to yield, he refused to follow Bai Jian. From the platform, Ziya saw a fragrant breeze and swirling clouds, as twenty-four righteous gods led their way down to the platform. They didn't kneel, but looked at Jiang Ziya with disdain. Ziya was enraged and raised his whip to strike them, shouting, "Righteous Gods of the Thunder Department, kneel and listen to the reading of the titles bestowed upon you by the Jade Void Palace!" Grand Tutor Wen and the other gods of the Intercepting Sect completely ignored him.
Just as Ya was about to strike him, three people suddenly flew in from the horizon, shouting, "How dare you, Jiang Shang!" A golden light swept towards Jiang Ziya. Ziya panicked and quickly took out the Apricot Yellow Banner to protect him. Seeing that the golden light could not harm him, he felt relieved. He looked up and saw that three people had come along, namely Yunxiao, Nezha, and Yang Jian.
Yunxiao descended from the clouds, glaring angrily at Jiang Shang, and said, "You, with your ant-like cultivation, dare to strike a righteous god of my Jie Sect?"
Jiang Shang was furious and wanted to whip her again, but fearing he was no match for her, he ignored Yunxiao in his anger. He turned to Wen Zhong and the others and said, "I am hereby ordered by the Supreme Primordial Lord: You, Wen Zhong, once entered a famous mountain and cultivated the Great Dao. Although you heard of the fruit of the Chaoyuan, you have not yet attained the ultimate truth. You have no chance to ascend to the Great Luo. You hold the highest rank among ministers, serving two dynasties with utmost loyalty. Although it was due to the calamity, your loyalty and integrity are pitiful. I hereby order you to lead the Thunder Department, to bring rain and clouds, so that all things may be nurtured, to punish the wicked and eliminate the treacherous, and to determine good and evil according to their fortune. I hereby bestow upon you the title of Nine Heavens Responding to the Origin Thunder God Universal Transformation Heavenly Venerable, and you shall still lead the twenty-four Thunder Department's Cloud-Calming and Rain-Assisting Heavenly Lords, to carry out your duties. You shall obey!" Wen Zhong and the twenty-four righteous gods, upon hearing this, did not bow in thanks, but coldly snorted and returned to the Jiejiao camp.
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