Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City.
Li Guangyan led an army of three hundred thousand from Heaven Dou as they hurried toward Suotuo City.
Li Guangyan reined in his warhorse and looked at the faint outline of Suotuo City in the distance. His cracked lips moved. "Another fifty li ahead, and we'll join up with Suotuo City's defenders. Any news from Suotuo City?"
"Marshal, there is still no word from them. The Balak Kingdom has not sent any further messages either."
Li Guangyan could not help frowning. Though the soldiers behind him had been force-marching for days and their armor was caked in dust, their backs remained straight. As Heaven Dou Empire's most elite border army, they had rushed a thousand li from the northern frontier to defend this vital stronghold connecting the empire's heartland.
Yet no one noticed the pairs of cold eyes fixed intently upon this weary force from within the dense forests on both sides.
"Boom—"
A deafening blast suddenly erupted ahead of the column. Immediately afterward, countless soul cannon shells rained down like raindrops. The violent explosions threw up dust that filled the sky, while soldiers' screams and warhorses' neighs merged into a chaotic din. Li Guangyan sharply swung his sword. "Form ranks! Defend!"
But it was already too late. A second and third barrage of soul cannons followed in rapid succession, instantly tearing the once-orderly formation to pieces. Amid the flames, Li Guangyan clearly saw countless cavalrymen in jet-black armor pouring from the forest. Their armor bore savage flame patterns—they were the Black Flame Army rumored to serve under Murong Chayue.
"The Black Flame Army!" Li Guangyan's eyes nearly split with rage. At last, he understood why Suotuo City had never answered their messages—the city had likely fallen long ago.
The Black Flame Army's iron cavalry surged