Di Xin, upon learning of Shang Rong's intention to retire, reluctantly agreed, his thoughts immediately turning to Da Ji.
As Shang Rong was a veteran of three reigns, Di Xin ordered all court officials to escort him home.
Shen Gongbao, for his meritorious deed in saving Da Ji, was appointed National Teacher by Di Xin.
Da Ji, upon awakening, was still shaken by her near-death experience. She incessantly urged Di Xin to capture and execute Jiang Shang.
After his demon-subduing sword was destroyed by Shen Gongbao, Jiang Shang knew his presence in Chaoge would no longer be tolerated and consequently departed.
Upon being appointed National Teacher, Shen Gongbao believed that for the Tang Dynasty to have an everlasting reign, the four great feudal lords must be eliminated.
Therefore, Shen Gongbao advised Di Xin, who found his words reasonable. Di Xin immediately followed Shen Gongbao's counsel and ordered Xibo Hou Ji Chang to the palace.
Upon receiving Di Xin's summons, Xibo Hou felt uneasy. He performed a divination, which indicated extreme misfortune, and thus ordered that no one should seek him out in Chaoge.
Upon arriving in Chaoge, Xibo Hou was placed under house arrest by Di Xin on fabricated charges. Xibo Hou's eldest son, Bo Yi Kao, worried about his father's safety, entered the palace with the Three Treasures of Xi Qi to see Di Xin. However, Da Ji, upon seeing Bo Yi Kao's handsome appearance, developed ulterior motives.
Bo Yi Kao swore to resist to the death and was consequently killed by Di Xin, who bore a grudge.
Da Ji, with her wicked heart, minced Bo Yi Kao into meat paste and made him into flatbread for Xibo Hou to consume.
Xibo Hou, enduring immense pain after eating his son, finally escaped back to Xi Qi after enduring countless hardships.
Upon his return to Xi Qi, angered by Di Xin's tyranny, Xibo Hou appointed Jiang Shang as his prime minister, raised an army to rebel, and established the state of Great Zhou.
After establishing his state, Xibo Hou became King Wen. Upon King Wen's death, his second son, King Wu Ji Fa, inherited the throne and took up the great task of subjugating Zhou.
Nezha and Yang Jian, disciples of the third generation from Kunlun Mountain, also descended the mountain as per their masters' orders to assist Jiang Shang.
On Spirit Mountain, Zhunti also ordered disciples such as Ju Liusun to descend to the Primordial World and disrupt the great undertaking of subjugating Zhou.
Many second and third-generation disciples under Tong Tian, persuaded by Shen Gongbao, also joined the ranks of those campaigning against Zhou.
Upon hearing this, Tong Tian was enraged and ordered Qi Chen to descend the mountain with his supreme treasure, the Qing Ping Sword, to order the Shang Qing lineage to return to the mountain.
The Great Zhou advanced with unstoppable momentum, reaching Chaoge after seven years. Jiang Shang, gazing at Chaoge, which was protected by the Human King's destiny, was unsure what to do when the Three Sovereigns of the Human Race personally appeared in Chaoge and dispersed its human destiny.
Zhou overthrew Di Xin's rule in seven years.
Jiang Shang then requested leave from King Wu. Although King Wu was reluctant, he understood that Jiang Shang still bore the great responsibility of conferring the gods.
After bidding farewell to King Wu, Jiang Shang proceeded to the Investiture of the Gods platform, overseen by Bo Jian, to bestow divine ranks.
On the Investiture of the Gods platform, Jiang Shang held the God-Beating Whip in his left hand and the Apricot Yellow Banner in his right, with the heavenly book, the Investiture of the Gods list, hung high upon it.
"By the decree of the Three Pure Ones, the gods shall enter the Investiture of the Gods list in order!"
As Jiang Shang finished speaking, he raised the Apricot Yellow Banner, and the Investiture of the Gods list immediately shone with golden light, drawing the souls of those named upon it.
Jiang Shang glanced at Bo Jian beside him and immediately said, "Bo Jian, for his meritorious service in conquering with the Xuan Yuan Yellow Emperor, he unfortunately died in the Northern Sea. Today, he is enfeoffed as the Pure Bliss God!"
After Bo Jian's enfeoffment was complete, Jiang Shang produced a banner and handed it to him.
"Bo Jian, this poor Daoist's Investiture of the Gods list can only draw those named upon it; the souls of fallen soldiers cannot come. By the decree of the Three Pure Ones, this object is called the Soul-Summoning Banner. Take this and summon them!"
Bo Jian, hearing this, immediately took the Soul-Summoning Banner and began to wave it, summoning those who had died in the war against Zhou.
As Bo Jian waved the Soul-Summoning Banner, the souls of countless fallen soldiers from the Shang and Zhou dynasties converged towards the Investiture of the Gods platform.
Seeing the souls arrive, Jiang Shang immediately began the conferment of gods.
"Bo Yi Kao, the eldest son of King Wen, atoned for his father's sins with unwavering courage and incorruptible integrity. He is enfeoffed as the Great Emperor Zi Wei of the Northern Pole of the Middle Heaven!"
"Huang Feihu is enfeoffed as the Foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains, the Great Emperor Tian Qi Ren Sheng of Mount Tai!"
"Wen Zhong, who served the state with utmost loyalty and met a tragic end, is enfeoffed as the Heavenly Venerable Pu Hua of Thunder Sound in the Nine Heavens!"
"Su Hu is enfeoffed as the Eastern Dipper Star Lord!"
"Bi Gan is enfeoffed as the Star Lord of Literature!"
"Dou Rong is enfeoffed as the Star Lord of Martial Arts!"
"Su Quan Zhong is enfeoffed as the Heavenly General of the Army Breaker!"
"Shang Rong is enfeoffed as the Star Lord of the Jade Hall!"
"Di Xin is enfeoffed as the Star Lord of Heavenly Joy!"
"Tu Xing Sun is enfeoffed as the Star of Earthly Manor!"
...
"Shen Gongbao is enfeoffed as the General of Water Division!"
With each pronouncement by Jiang Shang, the enfeoffed individuals appeared on the Investiture of the Gods list.
After enfeoffing those named on the list, Jiang Shang looked at the countless souls summoned by Bo Jian's Soul-Summoning Banner and then said,
"By the decree of the Three Pure Ones, pitying your suffering on the battlefield and your rootless wandering after death, I decree you all to be Heavenly Soldiers of the Heavenly Court!"
As Jiang Shang finished speaking, the Investiture of the Gods list shone with golden light, and the cold, malevolent aura of the myriad souls dissipated, becoming righteous and majestic.
Having accomplished this, Jiang Shang put away the Investiture of the Gods list and addressed everyone, "The Investiture of the Gods is now complete. You shall all return to Kunlun with me to offer our gratitude!"
With that, Jiang Shang led everyone towards Kunlun.
Jiang Shang brought everyone to Sanqing Peak, where they felt the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth and began to whisper amongst themselves.
The disciples of Kunlun also curiously observed those on the Investiture of the Gods list.
As Jiang Shang was about to return to Yuqing Peak to report, the Six Sages of Kunlun descended and took their positions on Sanqing Peak.
Upon seeing the Six Sages, everyone rose to salute them. The Six Sages waved their hands, and Jiang Shang, with clasped hands, presented the Investiture of the Gods list, the God-Beating Whip, and the Apricot Yellow Banner.
"Master, your disciple was ordered to confer the gods and has now achieved complete merit. I am here to report to you."
Yuanshi beckoned, collecting only the Apricot Yellow Banner, and said lightly, "Jiang Shang, you were ordered to confer the gods. How many of the 365 righteous gods have you enfeoffed?"
Jiang Shang was taken aback and, after pondering, replied, "Master, your disciple has enfeoffed a total of 170."
Yuanshi laughed heartily and said lightly, "Return to the Investiture of the Gods platform. There will be more individuals to be enfeoffed there later."
Jiang Shang, though puzzled, did not question and turned back to the Investiture of the Gods platform.
Taishang, looking at the gods enfeoffed below, said leisurely, "You all now hold divine posts. Accompany Haotian to the Heavenly Court and assume your respective duties."
Haotian, by his side, was overjoyed. These individuals would surely have a more comfortable existence than the disciples of Kunlun.
After thanking the Three Pure Ones, Haotian bade farewell to the Six Sages and led everyone towards the Heavenly Court.
After Haotian departed, Tong Tian looked at Taishang.
"Elder Brother, what about the vacant divine posts?"
Taishang gave Tong Tian a meaningful glance and said lightly, "Do not worry, there will be individuals to fill those positions."
As Taishang finished speaking, Houtu arrived at Kunlun.
"Daoist Taishang, Hongjun and Luohou are heading towards the Primordial World, bringing many of their disciples."
Taishang nodded and looked at Yuanshi, saying, "Second Brother, go to Huoyun Cave and ask the Three Sovereigns of Huoyun Cave to relocate the humans from the Western lands. Let the battlefield be the former Mount Sumeru."
"Third Brother, have all Kunlun disciples enter the West," Taishang continued, turning to Tong Tian beside him.