The north.
The land scorched by Li Fire had long since returned to life. Frozen soil had become warm plains, and the many foreign peoples planted grain and built cities, bringing prosperity to the former Five Capital Circuits once more.
The Liao Kingdom was already a thing of the past.
The northern peoples had chiefly comprised the Di, Qiang, Rong, and Hu tribes. Now, the Eastern Hu tribes among the Xianbei and Wuhuan were the most prominent. The Tuoba, Yuwen, and Helian branches were all aristocratic clans that had produced many Purple Mansion cultivators.
In the Primordial Era, half this land had been called the [Northern Desert], encompassing the former three capital circuits of Huang, Yuan, and Zhong. The other half, bordering the sea, had been called the [Northern Frontier], comprising the former two capitals of Sheng and Shang.
The old lands of Origin Capital.
White Lotus Mountain, whose treasured radiance had once soared into the sky without pause, day or night, had utterly collapsed. The many temples of Rebirth had been dismantled completely, and the land had become tribal territory. Although the Buddhist Way flourished throughout the north, not all the tribes believed in it. Now that Rebirth had lost all power, they naturally seized the chance to drive out this sect so fond of converting others.
For some reason, monks of the Glorious Age rarely came to Origin Capital. Gradually, this region had come under the joint control of the tribes, with no permanent ruler, and fighting had consequently been frequent.
Now it had a master.
Within a few days, crimson flames had streaked through the sky, and flame stars had fallen to earth.
An imperial city had appeared out of thin air in the center of Origin Capital. Reflecting heavenly light and drawing forth crimson flames, it