Heavenly Tribulation.
The great void split open, and Li fire rose.
Radiant flames swirled as a figure stepped out through the fire. He was a man clad in crimson divine-feather armor, his brow carrying the stern, murderous air peculiar to soldiers.
Song Shiqing's eyes shone as he looked toward the ceaselessly roiling sea of clouds atop Heavenly Tribulation Peak. Lightning serpents danced wildly, thunder rumbled, and not a trace remained of the Pure Land's invasion.
"Altar thunder truly does counter the Pure Land."
Before that thought had settled, a brilliant bolt of silver thunder tore through the air ahead, laden with the heavy aura of tribulation punishment.
The lightning receded, and a silver-robed Daoist stepped slowly forth.
"The fighting has only just ended. What brings Your Highness Zhu Ju to my mountain?"
Xu Xuan's voice was level and emotionless, yet carried a distinct note of rejection.
When Mingying had brought the Pure Land into Heavenwater and headed straight for Red Cloud, Song Shiqing had withdrawn, leaving Xu Xuan alone to withstand the Pure Land head-on. He had never come to reinforce him, even at the very end. It was rather hard to stomach.
Had Mingying not harbored thoughts of reincarnation and refrained from a desperate fight to the death, the sect would likely have suffered far greater losses. Things certainly would not have been as peaceful as they were now.
Song Shiqing's expression remained unchanged, though his gaze stirred slightly.
"I have come to pay my respects today under an imperial decree from His Majesty Tianchi."
At this, Xu Xuan pondered inwardly.
Tianchi? From the sound of it, this probably wasn't the founding ancestor, but some great figure of the Song Clan who had temporarily assumed the imperial throne and was only now truly stepping forward.
*But why issue a