The Sky Screen's golden light slowly drew inward.
All the rewards for the rankings' first day had been distributed.
The entire continent was digesting this windfall from the heavens. Some rejoiced, some were shaken, and some were already calculating how to climb the rankings tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Sky Screen hung in the night sky, silently watching it all.
The Star Luo Empire's armies mobilized on the very next day after the Sky Screen announced its rankings.
Three army groups set out from the Star Luo Empire's northern territory, charging toward the Heaven Dou Empire's border along three separate routes. There was no declaration of war, no ultimatum, not even a diplomatic note.
The vanguard battalions marched swiftly with light packs, carrying only dry rations and weapons. They even dispensed with tents.
The Star Luo Emperor's intention was clear: before Heaven Dou could react, push as far as possible.
By the time the news reached Heaven Dou City, Star Luo's vanguard had already crossed Sunset Gorge at the border between the two nations.
The Heaven Dou Empire, the imperial palace.
Xue Ye slammed the urgent dispatch onto his dragon-carved desk. Civil and military officials knelt across the floor. "Star Luo has mobilized! Three armies are bearing down on our borders at once! Their vanguard has already crossed Sunset Gorge and is less than three hundred li from Luke City, our major border stronghold!"
An uproar swept through the hall.
The Chancellor stepped forward, his voice tight. "Your Majesty, Star Luo is looting a burning house! All our Soul Masters have had their levels reset to zero, including those in the army. Our border garrisons are now nothing but ordinary, level-zero soldiers. What can they possibly use to hold the enemy back?"
"Their lives!" A military officer stepped forward, his voice booming,