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This epic novel is a romanticised retelling of the overthrow of the unscrupulous and merciless ruler King Zhou of Shang by King Wu of Zhou. The story integrates oral and written tales of the many Taoist heroes and immortals, and various spirits (usually represented in avatar form as foxes, chickens, and sometimes even inanimate objects like Jade Pipa) that take part in the struggle. Bewitched by his concubine Daji, who is actually a fox spirit in disguise, King Zhou murders loyal ministers with draconian punishments. After the fall of the Shang Dynasty and exorcism of Daji by Jiang Ziya, King Wu of Zhou builds his own dynasty, creating the Zhou feudal system. Even slain enemies from the Shang's side are endowed with heavenly ranking and essentially elevated to the position of gods, hence the title.

In Fengshen Yanyi, there are many stories (altogether 100 stories) in which many gods, goddesses and immortals came to the Earth and changed the fate of everything with their magical power.