Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Jiang Ziya faced Kunlun Mountain with a solemn expression and shouted loudly.

The Primordial Heavenly Venerate of the Ultimate Boundless Origin Sect decrees: "Alas! The paths of immortals and mortals are distinct; without firm cultivation of the roots, how can one transcend? The ways of gods and ghosts diverge; how can treachery and deceit usurp their place? Even if one refines the body and cultivates the spirit on a remote island, without severing the Three Corpses, one is doomed to the catastrophe of five hundred years hence. Though steadfastly holding to the Way at the Mysterious Gate, without transcending the yang spirit, attending the tryst at the Three Thousand Turquoise Pools is impossible. Thus, though you hear of the ultimate Tao, you fail to attain enlightenment. The desire to cultivate remains, yet greed and ignorance persist.

Even those who have entered the realm of saints cannot rid themselves of anger; trials accumulate across lifetimes, karmic retribution follows without end.

Some transcend their mortal bodies for loyalty to the country, others invite calamity through wrath, and in the endless cycle of life and death, resentment and karmic debts chase each other, never ceasing. I am profoundly moved to pity!

I lament for you, enduring the blades of war, drifting in the bitter sea, your hearts loyal yet bereft of a place to anchor.

Thus, I command Jiang Shang to assign divine ranks based on the weight of karmic trials and the virtue of merits, appointing you as the Eight Departments of True Gods. You shall preside over specific domains, stationed across the heavenly canopy, managing human virtues and vices, and inspecting the merits of the Three Realms.

Blessings and calamities shall flow from your authority; from this day forth, transcending life and death. With merits earned, you may ascend in rank, each in turn. Hence I issue this decree—heed it righteously!"

After reading the decree aloud, Jiang Ziya placed the talisman on the table. Fully armored, he stood in the center, holding the Yellow Banner in his left hand and the God-Beating Whip in his right, and loudly proclaimed: "Bai Jian, bring forth the Investiture of the Gods list! Let all gods step forward in order!"

Bai Jian took the decree, unfurled the Investiture of the Gods list on the platform, and the crowd of gods immediately surrounded it to take a look.

At the top of the list was Bai Jian himself. Upon seeing his name, he grasped the Soul-Summoning Banner, stepped down from the platform, knelt, and awaited Jiang Ziya's conferment.

Jiang Ziya proclaimed: "By the solemn command of the Primordial Heavenly Venerate of the Ultimate Boundless Origin Sect, Bai Jian, who served as the great marshal under Emperor Xuanyuan, rendered distinguished service during the campaign against Chi You. Though you perished at the North Sea in loyalty to your nation, your devotion deserves commendation. For your long suffering, I am deeply moved.

Now I decree you as the leader of the Three Realms' Eight Departments, conferred with the position of the Chief God of Fortune overseeing 365 subordinate deities. Take heed and fulfill this duty with reverence!"

Bai Jian, in the shadow of eerie winds beneath the platform, raised the Hundred Spirit Banner, bowed deeply toward the Jade Decree, and gave thanks for the honor.

After the conferment, swirling winds and wafting incense surrounded the platform. Bai Jian stepped aside, holding the Hundred Spirit Banner to await orders.

Jiang Ziya then commanded Bai Jian, "Bring Huang Tianhua forward to receive his conferment!"

Soon after, Bai Jian used the Hundred Spirit Banner to summon Huang Tianhua onto the platform, where he knelt to hear the decree.

"Huang Tianhua, though once overlooked, you fell honorably on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide. Now I confer upon you the title of Flame-Luminance Lord, the True God overseeing the Three Mountains, commanding justice and order. Fulfill your duties with reverence!"

Huang Tianhua knelt and bowed in gratitude before stepping down from the platform.

"Summon the Five Mountain True Gods forward to receive their conferment!" Jiang Ziya ordered Bai Jian.

Soon, Bai Jian brought Huang Feihu, Chong Heihu, and Wen Pin forward.

"You are all loyal ministers and brave generals. Though flawed, you are exceptional figures among men.

Now I decree Huang Feihu as the Chief of the Five Mountains, with an additional title to oversee the 18 levels of the underworld. All matters of life and death transformation—of gods, humans, ghosts, and immortals—must first be reviewed by the Eastern Mountain before being executed!

Thus, I confer upon you the title of the Most Righteous Great Emperor of Mount Tai in the East, governing the fates of humanity. Take this duty with reverence!"

Huang Feihu knelt and bowed in deep gratitude. Truth be told, he had never expected to receive such a position.

After all, it was Jiang Ziya overseeing the investiture, and prior to this, their relationship was hardly amicable. However, the allotment of divine posts is determined by the Heavenly Dao and the Heavenly Saints, leaving Jiang Ziya merely as the executor.

Jiang Ziya proceeded to confer titles upon the remaining four Mountain Gods: "I decree Chong Heihu as the Righteous Great Emperor of Mount Heng in the South, Wen Pin as the Supreme Great Emperor of Mount Song in the Center, Cui Ying as the Mysterious Saintly Emperor of Mount Heng in the North, and Jiang Xiong as the Golden Holy Emperor of Mount Hua in the West. Fulfill these duties with reverence!"

Chong Heihu and the others knelt simultaneously to give thanks, then departed from the platform.

"Summon the Fire Department Gods forward to receive their conferment!" Jiang Ziya shouted. Bai Jian promptly brought Huang Long and others below the platform to kneel and receive the decree.

Huang Long hesitated to kneel, but under the coercive power of Jiang Ziya's God-Beating Whip, resistance was futile.

Jiang Ziya held no malice against Huang Long but was helpless under the weight of divine authority.

"Huang Long, though once a Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect, you have fallen into the killing tribulation. Though you have committed no real evils, you cannot escape retribution. I now appoint you as the True God of the Southern Triple Qi Fire Virtue Star, supervising five other True Gods. You are charged with inspecting humanity's virtues and vices. Fulfill your duties with reverence!"

Huang Long bowed in resignation and gratitude before stepping aside, unable to resist his new position. A former Golden Immortal reduced to a Fire Department True God—disheartened as he was, there was no choice but to await the next cosmic cycle.

After the Fire Department gods were appointed, Jiang Ziya shouted again, "Summon the Plague Division Gods forward to receive their conferment!"

"Lv Yue, having cultivated in seclusion on a remote island without embroiling yourself in conflicts, yet harboring murderous intent, I appoint you as the Supreme Plague-Haotian Emperor, leading six subordinate plague deities. Oversee all mortal ailments and execute them as needed. Fulfill these duties with reverence!"

Jiang Ziya shouted, conferring the title upon Lv Yue.

"Summon the Four Great Emperors and the Six Celestial Sovereigns to the platform!"

The Four Great Emperors remained as Haotian presided, while the Southern Longevity Emperor became the Elder of the Southern Pole; the Eastern Ziwei Emperor was Li Mingzhu; the Western Gouchen Emperor was Yao Tian; and the Northern Xuanwu Emperor, the True Martial Demon-Subduing Emperor, was Yu Ding. Jiang Ziya dared not command any of these esteemed individuals, even with the God-Beating Whip in hand, and merely went through the motions.

Following this, Jiang Ziya conferred ranks upon the celestial stars, most of whom were Jie Sect disciples, tragically slain within the Myriad Immortals Formation.

The enumerated stars proceeded as follows:

Eastern Dipper Star Lords: Su Hu, Jin Kui, Ji Shuming, Zhao Bing.

Eastern Dipper Star Lords: Huang Tianlu, Long Huan, Sun Ziyu, Hu Sheng, Hu Yunpeng.

Central Dipper Star Lords: Lu Renjie, Huang Lei, Ji Shusheng.

Southern Dipper Star Lords: Zhou Ji, Hu Lei, Gao Gui, Yu Cheng.

Northern Dipper Star Lords: Huang Tianxiang (Heavenly Gang), Bi Gan (Literary Star), Dou Rong (Martial Star), Han Sheng (Left Propitious), Han Bian (Right Propitious), Su Quanzhong (Breaking Army), E Shun (Wolf Star), Guo Chen (Ministerial Star), Dong Zhong (Shaking Star).

—and numerous others.

Faithful ministers and loyal generals all received divine appointments, making immortality and transcendence from the mortal realm a promising reward, albeit with limited freedom.

Other notable stars included:

Azure Dragon Star: Deng Jiugong. Snake Star: Zhang Shan. Taiyang Star: Chu Gai. Taiyin Star: Jiang Shi (Zhou Queen). Gouchen Star: Lei Peng.

...additional stars and their ranks were announced, listed in detailed celestial hierarchies.

Each divine star, constellated under celestial assignments, knelt in thanks before descending from the platform to fulfill their duties.

Jiang Ziya assigned the Taishui Department's stars: Day Patrol God Wen Liang, Night Patrol God Qiao Kun, Blessing God Han Dulong, Punishment God Xue Ehu…

After appointing the Taishui Stars, Jiang Ziya summoned Wang Mo and others to the platform.

The Four Great Marshals to guard the Lingxiao Palace received their titles: Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Tiqian, Li Xingba.

It is noteworthy that Zhao Gongming, though alive in this era, was also conferred as the God of Wealth, achieving sanctification in the flesh.

Treasure Summoning Heavenly Venerate Xiao Sheng, Jewel Gathering Heavenly Venerate Cao Bao.

Gold-Seeking Envoy Chen Jiugong, Profiteering Immortal Officer Yao Shaosi.

Lastly, the Four Heavenly Kings were appointed to safeguard the Western Sect's doctrines, with powers over the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind.

Growth King Mo Liqing wielded the Green Light Treasure Sword.

Broad Vision King Mo Lihong carried a Celestial Jade Pipa.

Literature King Mo Lihai presided over the Mixed-Origin Precious Pearl Umbrella.

Protection King Mo Lishou bore the Purple-Gold Dragon Flower Fox Mink.

Upon completing the Heavenly Kings' appointments, Jiang Ziya likewise assigned the roles of Heng and Ha Generals.

"Summon Shen Gongbao to the platform for conferment!"

"Shen Gongbao, you are to command the East Sea, observing sunrise by day and managing the heavenly rivers by night, dispersing warmth in summer and condensing frost in winter, year by year, endlessly repeating. I appoint you as the Water Division General. Fulfill this duty with reverence!" Jiang Ziya proclaimed loudly.

Shen Gongbao knelt and gave thanks.

With this, all 365 appointments of the Investiture of the Gods were completed. The assembled deities each departed to assume their ordained duties. Soon, the howling winds and bitter mists around the platform dispersed, replaced by radiant sunlight and a gentle breeze!

Though the Investiture of the Gods was concluded, the deities were yet to report to the Heavenly Court, when Li Mingzhu returned from the chaotic void.

As the Eastern Ziwei Emperor, Li Mingzhu was also bound for the Heavenly Court—but not to take office, but to settle old scores!

As the saying goes, just as one wave subsides, another rises. No sooner had the Investiture of the Gods concluded, trouble began to brew in the Heavenly Court!