They headed inland. The farther they went, the greater the changes became.
Along the way, the two passed through many towns and even small cities, only to find that nearly half the population had vanished. Traces of military activity could be seen almost everywhere, and all major transportation routes were tightly controlled. Anyone who dared move about freely would be cut down on the spot.
Most of those soldiers wore heavy armor and bore no clear faction insignia, making it impossible to tell which side they belonged to with the naked eye alone.
Chaos had erupted everywhere. Whether among armies or Soul Masters, in small cities or great ones, such riots could be seen nearly everywhere. For a time, it seemed as though the world had come to an end.
Shen Hanyu took Ye Lingling swiftly through the skies, occasionally descending to observe the situation below. Unfortunately, nearly every town and city within the Heaven Dou Empire was in the same state.
Shen Hanyu had more or less grasped the current situation. He said nothing more and simply led Ye Lingling toward Heaven Dou City. Before hunting for Soul Rings, he had decided to first learn the truth of what was happening.
Flying against the wind, they soon saw Heaven Dou City before them.
Unlike its previous grandeur and magnificence, Heaven Dou City now looked lifeless, devoid of even a trace of its former vitality. Like an aged lion, it swayed on the verge of collapse beneath the setting sun, as though it might fall at any moment.
Many people patrolled atop the towering city walls, while parts of the city's buildings had been damaged by attacks. There were even quite a few places that remained ruins.
Shen Hanyu led Ye Lingling to the former imperial palace. The palace he