Li Province, Southern Capital.
Within the Imperial Palace, flames blazed fiercely.
The Emperor's vermilion eyes burned like fire as he surveyed those below. In the Li radiance, his elongated shadow resembled a Heavenly Sparrow spreading its wings, ready to take flight. "Has Heavenly Yi Forest truly retreated into its Grotto-Heaven?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, they were indeed driven back by that manifestation of Dui metal nature."
The man reporting below wore vermilion robes, his features heroic and his bearing extraordinary. He was Song Shiyi, and surging Li fire, mingled vermilion and yellow, churned and burned beside him.
"It seems that Yi wood Devil Lord suffered serious injuries. We need no longer worry about the fighting in the west."
"What of the casualties?"
Tian'ou suddenly asked this from his throne. Song Shiyi's expression changed slightly, but he still answered:
"Imperial Preceptor Qingyue of Peaceful Mountain perished in the jaws of an evil creature; True Person Guiqing of Autumn Green Gate was slain by Geng, and her death has been confirmed; True Person Guang Chan of Azure Radiance Gate was gravely wounded and cannot act for the time being; the last, Ru Su of Tip-Feng Mountain, was suppressed... his fate remains unknown."
"Falling into Xiao-Liao's hands is scarcely any different from dying."
Tian'ou showed little emotion over these casualties and merely said leisurely:
"We still need to send men to hold Houji Liang down. You and King Zhaoshan will set up a grand formation to draw down the radiance of the origin net, lest these Yi wood demonic cultivators descend into the lower world again." "What response has Peaceful Mountain given?"
"True Person Chan Wei requested the return of True Person Qingyue's robes and personal effects, but said little else. It seems Qingjing has made up his mind not to budge."
Song