This was a vast and meticulous undertaking.
It was impossible to confer titles on all tens of thousands of applicants at once.
They had to be handled in batches and tiers: priority would go to those with the deepest merit, the steadiest foundations, and the most critical territories. Then the old would guide the new, expanding from key points outward step by step.
Wuzhuang Temple once again settled into an orderly yet bustling atmosphere.
Hong Yun and Yinyang threw themselves into the intense work of auditing and drafting the Detailed Rules.
Zhenyuanzi once again entered the Earthly Cave Heaven and began perfecting the "Title-Investiture Ritual" that would communicate with the Earth Dao Origin in preparation for the massive conferments to come.
Meanwhile, the waiting across the Primordial Land did not go unrewarded.
Three months later, Wuzhuang Temple officially released the first list of candidates for conferment.
The East Sea Azure Dragon "Cang Li Clan" was conferred as the "East Sea Azure Dragon Lord."
He would guard the coastal waters of the East Sea, while also overseeing the Earth Veins and Fortune of the islands throughout the East Sea. His status was equal to that of a True God.
The Yellow River Ferry Old Man "Jiang Ji" was conferred as the "Yellow River Ferry Water Lord." He would guard the Yellow River's eighteen bends and nine winding stretches through its middle reaches, protect passing boats, and guide the drowned souls who had no one to receive them.
The Mount Taihang Small Mountain Spirit "A Ling" was conferred as the "Mount Taihang Northern Foothills Earth God."
She would guard the mountain forest she had protected for hundreds of years and was additionally granted an easy-to-learn Method of Plant Cultivation, helping her better protect the living creatures in the mountains.
The Old Earth