The tolling of bells could be heard coming from the dao altar in the lands of the eastern Devilbirds. The sound was like a tempest that swept far and wide.

In the east, all clans, all rogue cultivators, and all of the Imperial Sovereign mountains heard the bells and looked up. All of them knew… that the day had come in which Grand Emperor Netherflame’s secluded meditation facilities would be opened.

In the Devilbird holy land, Grand Emperor Netherflame was a name that brought with it both grandeur and terror. He did not become a Grand Emperor in the ordinary way. Many years ago, he had gone missing for a time, only to return with Grand Emperor personhood. At the peak of his glory, he took control of the eastern Devilbirds, using his terrifying strength to unite the east and the west. Even other celestial-level holy lands would defer to him.

Grand Emperor Netherflame had reached the peak of Grand Emperor personhood, making him only half a step away from being a Summer Immortal. Even this generation’s Grand Emperor Devilbird had to bend the knee to him. Although that Grand Emperor was able to accept the legacy of the Devilbird name, he was actually little more than a puppet to Netherflame.

Back then, the Devilbird holy land was at the peak of glory, and was considered number one among the celestial-level holy lands. One would think that a Grand Emperor with personhood like that wouldn’t easily perish. And it seemed like it should be easy for a person such as him to extend his longevity if he wished. But strangely enough, Grand Emperor Netherflame only occupied the peak of glory for a short time. After failing to break through to the Summer Immortal level, he ended his life in a matter of a few thousands of years.