Lin Yue Heads to the Human Dynasty to Advise on Governance

Southern Continent, Fentian City, capital of the Yan Dynasty.

The entire city had long since been decked out in a dazzling new splendor. Tens of thousands of bright red palace lanterns hung from the scarlet-bronze walls, their tassels swaying gently in the breeze and making the flame totems on the walls shine all the brighter. The Tongtian Great Dao, running from the south gate to the north gate, had been repaved with yellow-black spirit earth, its surface gleaming like a mirror. On both sides, human soldiers stood in formation, their armor gleaming, spears in hand, their postures straight as pines and their gazes fixed on the horizon. Even their breathing kept a steady rhythm. Outside the homes along the road, the people had all put on new clothes. They waited eagerly, supporting the elderly and carrying the young. Children clutched colorful kites, yet not one of them played or made a fuss; their eyes were full of reverence and anticipation. Festivity filled Fentian City, but an air of solemnity hung over it as well.

Above the Yanhuang River, mist churned and formed two enormous curtains of water, reflecting the scene in the sky so that the people on both banks could behold the sages together. The altar before Fentian City's imperial palace had been scrubbed spotless. On it stood memorial tablets for the Three Ancestors of Humanity, alongside lifelike carvings of Suirenshi drilling wood to make fire, Fuxi Clan devising the Eight Trigrams, and Shennong tasting the myriad herbs. The finest offerings of humanity—grains, spirit springs, and precious jade—had been placed upon the altar table. Incense smoke curled skyward, connecting the fortunes of Heaven and Earth.

Yan Hao, Human Emperor of the Yan Dynasty, wore a supreme dragon robe embroidered with the Twelve Symbols and a belt of Innate Spirit