Meanwhile, in the coiling flames of a burning Wuyuan forest, Xiao Qing and Bao Si faced seven masked priests, each wearing the white monastic robes of the Virtuous Monarch Shrine. They were the Archpriests of the Shrine, serving directly under the Virtuous Monarch. Twelve other archpriests lay on the smoldering ground, their corpses charred by blood-red flames.
But though twelve of their peers had fallen already, the seven remaining Archpriests seemed unfazed, smiling through their masks as they watched the Wuyuan leaders.
Bao Si gasped for breath, trembling on one knee while, at her back, Xiao Qing sat crossed-legged. Samsara Dust and blood-red flames undulated the snake demoness' form, giving her forest-green hair a scarlet shade.
"The arrogance of the Red Palace truly knows no limit. Did you think that defeating us would be that easy? Since we dared to antagonize the Great Qin Dynasty, it stands to reason that we came prepared to face the Autarch's rage!
