Gu Xiao frowned and raised a hand, signaling the column to halt.
He sent a squad of scouts into the forest to search. Half an hour later, the scouts returned with three captives.
They were Star Luo Empire spies, lying in wait within these mountains to monitor the Heaven Dou Empire army's movements.
From them, Gu Xiao learned that the Star Luo Empire had discovered Heaven Dou Empire's reinforcement plans. They were massing heavy forces on the plains east of Cangyun Pass, preparing to meet them in battle.
After receiving the news, Marshal Murong Longcheng ordered the entire army to remain on high alert and strengthen its defenses.
Their marching speed did not decrease, but the scouts' reconnaissance range doubled.
Gu Ci's Heavenly Eye became the army's most valuable asset. He could spot enemy movements ten li away, allowing Murong Longcheng to adjust their route in time and avoid the ambushes laid by the Star Luo Empire.
On the fifth day of marching, the column finally emerged from the mountains, and the view ahead opened up.
A vast plain stretched before them. On the distant horizon, they could vaguely make out a towering fortress.
Cangyun Pass.
Gu Ci reined in his horse and fully activated his Heavenly Eye, looking toward the fortress.
Cangyun Pass stood in the narrow pass between two great mountains. Its walls were ten zhang high and three zhang thick, all built from solid granite.
Defense Arrays had been carved densely across the walls, glimmering with a faint golden light in the setting sun.
Above the fortress, the Heaven Dou Empire's banners snapped sharply in the wind.
On the plains east of the fortress, black masses of Star Luo Empire camps stretched as far as the eye could see.
Three Soul Master legions, more than fifty thousand