Li Province.
This land had been newly demarcated, bordering Yan-Yun to the north and Wu-Yue to the south. It guarded the boundary between Great Li's northern and southern territories and lay not far from the Eastern Sea, making it the chosen site of the new capital.
The province consisted mostly of plains, with the Li River winding through them. It was not divided into commanderies; instead, all of it fell under the administration of the [Southern Capital] at its center.
Dragon towers and phoenix pavilions, golden halls and jade palaces-the layered palace buildings veiled the depths of the Imperial Capital. A river shimmering with starlight circled the city, while rows of apricot trees grew beneath its walls, their branches hung with crimson Li flames.
Only the vermilion Imperial Palace at the center hung high in the sky, supported by fiery clouds and bathed in interweaving celestial light. Its scattered halls surrounded a central Main Hall suffused with the aura of Golden Blessing. An immortal plaque hung above it, and Imperial Qi spread outward. It was named [Yingli].
The city had descended overnight, rising from flat ground and occupying almost half the province. Its Li Fire immortal formation never ceased, keeping the horizon ablaze with radiant scarlet clouds and rolling red banks.
Today was the summer solstice.
The [Origin Net] star, which represented Li Fire, rose high in the southern sky. Hollow within and radiant without, its flames surged upward, and vast Li radiance clung to the heavens, as though forever rising in flame.
Clouds condensed into a long road leading through the southern gate, which was carved with intricate Vermilion Bird patterns. Carriages traveled back and forth along it, dragon horses bounding forward. On both sides, white-robed attendants carried great Vermilion Bird Flame-Star banners to clear the way and welcome