The next day, Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Within the resplendent hall of gold and jade, immortal qi coiled through the air, a thousand auspicious mists drifting about.
Haotian sat upon the nine-tiered Cloud Platform, clad in a bright yellow imperial robe and wearing a twelve-tasseled crown. His face was imposing, his gaze like lightning.
An invisible imperial majesty permeated the hall, pressing it into such silence that a needle could have been heard falling. Even the immortal music floating from the corners of the hall seemed to have stalled.
"Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, Great Emperor Changsheng of the Southern Palace!"
Haotian's voice rang like clashing gold and jade, carrying unquestionable authority as it shattered the hall's silence.
"Your subject is here!" Li Jing stepped forward, the Exquisite Pagoda in hand, his burly frame towering as his voice boomed like a great bell.
"Your subject-brother..."
Immortal Elder Nanji, holding a coiling-dragon staff, with crane-white hair and the face of a child, also bowed in response, his expression respectful.
"Ying Zheng of the mortal realm has overstepped himself by proclaiming himself emperor and rashly establishing an Imperial Dynasty Dao Lineage. He burned books and buried scholars, destroying the foundations of the Human Dao. Worse still, he scorns the Heavenly Court and shows no reverence for the Heavenly Dao!"
Haotian's voice abruptly rose, laden with a chilling, murderous air.
"His crimes tower to the heavens, too numerous to be written even on all the bamboo in the world! I, bearing Heaven's mandate, shall mete out punishment on Heaven's behalf!
"By decree: Li Jing is appointed Grand Marshal of the Qin Campaign, and Great Emperor Changsheng of the Southern Palace shall serve as military supervisor, commanding the divine armies of every department of the Heavenly Court.
"Set out for Xianyang in the mortal realm