On the fourth day of the eighth month, in the Bingwu year of Heavenly Fortune.
It was an auspicious day, favorable for investing gods, establishing their ranks, settling heroic spirits, and making the Heavenly Dao manifest.
The Investiture Platform stood atop the cloud sea of the Nine Heavens, its towering heights spanning the void.
Banners hung fluttering across the sky, heavenly fragrance filled the air, and immortal mist wreathed the Three Realms.
Three peals of a bell shook the heavens. Clear, melodious immortal music unfurled through the void in waves, resounding throughout the nine heavens and ten earths, the Netherworld and the four seas.
Below the platform, all stood in orderly formation under strict discipline.
Ji Fa stood solemnly to one side with the civil officials and military commanders of Western Qi. Beside them stood disciples of the Human, Chan, and Jie Sects, all holding their breath and focusing their minds, their expressions grave.
Opposite them, delegations from the lords of all eight directions stood in neat ranks. Jiang Ziya had invited them all to witness the ceremony.
The cloud sea churned, and ten thousand streams of rosy light descended, bathing the lofty Investiture Platform.
A lean, upright figure in white slowly ascended the platform.
Jiang Ziya wore a ritual robe of Nine Heavens cloud brocade, with the Heavenly Dao Jade Talisman hanging at his waist and the God-Striking Whip in his hand. His hair and beard stirred gently in the wind. He stood straight and solemn, bearing the majesty of the Great Dao as the officiant of the Investiture of the Gods.
He stood at the center of the lofty platform, looking down upon the myriad immortals, lords, and living beings below. His voice shook the clouds, pierced the layers of fragrant mist, and rang clearly throughout the Three