Li Province.
This had been a renowned Spirit Land since the Ancient Era, flourishing with wood and fire. There had once been a Spirit Mountain called [Double Radiance], said to be where the ancient Vermilion Bird had roosted. Now a lord had concealed it by his arts, and it could no longer be seen.
The former capital of Qi had been built west of Li Province, its site established in Yongzhong. Vast construction projects had given it a reputed ten thousand palaces and a thousand towers, but all had ultimately turned to drifting ash beneath Li Fire. The blaze had burned for twelve days, its towering flames visible day and night.
To the east lay the newly designated Central Sacred Peak, known as [Gaoyang].
The mountain soared into the clouds. Brownish-yellow Wu Light rose among its peaks, as though hundreds upon thousands of deities were receiving sacrifices within. Lingering incense wafted from the temple at its summit, reaching straight into the Great Void.
From the summit, one could see the crimson clouds and Li Radiance above the Southern Capital, staining the southern sky red. The Origin Net Great Star hung high above them.
On the outskirts of the Southern Capital, vermilion walls seemed to stretch without end, their farthest reaches lost from sight. The Heavenly Sparrow Gate due south of the city slowly opened a crack, admitting a Thunder Chariot.
The bronze chariot proceeded along the long avenue, drawn by Heavenly Horses, guarded by Mighty Warriors, and driven by a divine being holding the reins. It presented a fearsomely majestic sight.
A faint aura of tribulation punishment emanated from the chariot, thunder laws crisscrossing around it. The guards and palace maids on either side of the road dared not look directly at it. They bowed their heads in salute, calling