Southern Capital.
It was the summer solstice. The Origin Net flourished, and the sweltering heat was unbearable.
Immortal light streamed through the Imperial Capital, profound radiance swirling into the myriad manifestations of Li Fire: the Southern Emperor seated in contemplation, the Vermilion Bird and Vermilion Heaven, the divine flame of mind and consciousness. Deep within these phenomena lay an utterly savage, unrestrained intent, making Li Province ever more scorching, like a great furnace.
Upon the Li Plain, the Immortal Dao gathered.
Groves of red and white apricot trees surrounded them, shedding Li Fire. Gold-and-red brocade covered the ground for the wielders of divine abilities to stand upon. Most of the leading figures of the Immortal Dao from the north and south of Great Li had arrived. Divine abilities gathered in abundance, and Purple Mansion cultivators stood around a nine-tiered Mysterious Altar built at the very center of the Li Plain.
A Heavenly Altar stood atop the Mysterious Altar, its blazing Li Fire illuminating the surroundings.
Below the altar, an emperor stood motionless. His vermilion eyes resembled jade; his figure was tall and lean, clad in a golden crown and vermilion robes. Behind him, his shadow rolled and transformed in the Li Radiance, like a Heavenly Sparrow spreading its wings.
Tian'ou.
Behind this emperor of Great Li stood the branches of the Song Clan's bloodline living outside the capital, each taking their place according to lineage, their expressions varied.
[General Weihua] Song Yuanxing, the portly [Prince Mount Li] Song Mingli, [King Qingyue] Song Shiqing, who had inherited his father's title, the flamboyant True Person [Zhu Xia] Song Shiyi, and the rarely seen [King Zhaoshan] Song Zongxiang.
There was also a most inconspicuous prince, [King Wushan] Song Mingwu, whose fief lay in Yu and who seldom ventured into the world.
This prince