Two and a half years later, Jialing Pass.
At this time, Jialing Pass remained the core battlefield where the Heaven Dou Allied Army and Spirit Hall faced off.
On both sides of the city walls, the Heaven Dou Allied Army and Spirit Hall's forces were stationed respectively. The tense standoff between the two sides had never truly disappeared.
Yet over these past two years, the situation here had remained unusually peaceful.
There had been no large-scale sieges, no fierce clashes between Soul Masters, not even minor skirmishes.
If not for the Allied Army disciples in sect uniforms visible throughout the city and the endless Martial Soul Hall Barracks outside it, the ordinary civilians and passing merchants might even have thought the war between the two sides had ended.
It was noon, and blazing sunlight spilled over the walls of Jialing Pass. The city gates were as bustling as ever, with an endless stream of people coming and going.
There were convoys transporting provisions, civilians visiting relatives, merchants selling supplies, and Taxi Soldiers returning from patrol. Everyone wore a measure of calm on their faces, without a trace of war's shadow.
Among the crowd entering the city were seven travel-worn people riding horses, slowly making their way inside.
Their clothes were still stained with a little dust, clearly showing that they had just completed a long journey. They stood in stark contrast to the more neatly dressed pedestrians around them.
The seven consisted of two adults and five young people. The adults were Liu Erlong and Flender. Both wore steady expressions and vigilantly observed their surroundings, serving as the protectors of the group.
The five young people were the Yu Brothers—Yu Tianyang, Yu Tianheng, and Yu Tianxin—along with Oscar and Ma Hongjun. Their faces showed some fatigue, yet they could not