I was looking through my gear and was choosing what upgrades might be best to start out with and my conclusion is the shield since 1) other then normal and heroic, there are no better sheilds in the game and 2) it's obviously not something ill be replacing soon.
So, my guess would be shield first, relic of chi ji second, then weapon third (if I don't get lucky and loot the one from empress before then)
My gear isn't as impressive as other people's since I don't have much time to raid, so im wondering what other people's upgrade priorities are.