Starpeak City stood on the front line, directly facing Spirit Hall, a major military stronghold.
Its defending commander, Lu Ling, received word at once that the million-strong army at the front had been routed, and that the emperor, empress, and crown prince had vanished without a trace.
With Spirit Hall's forces advancing, he had no choice but to organize the troops and prepare the city's defenses. At the same time, he sent urgent requests for aid to nearby cities, readying himself for Spirit Hall's coming invasion.
A few days later, Spirit Hall's army arrived beneath this military city.
Standing atop the battlements, Lu Ling stared at the hundred-thousand-strong Soul Master Legion outside, his brows knitted tightly...
He remembered that Spirit Hall only had ten thousand Soul Masters left. How had they become...
How was he supposed to fight this? Should he just surrender?
But surrendering meant bearing the infamy...
Should he put up a token resistance first, then open the gates and surrender?
Just as Lu Ling was torn with indecision, he saw someone emerge from among the hundred thousand troops, his upper body bound so tightly that only his legs could move.
General Lu Ling looked closely and saw that it was the Star Luo Empire's emperor, as well as Prince Dai Weisi.
They had actually been captured by Spirit Hall.
At that moment, Dai Weisi cleared his throat and shouted toward the city gate, "Lu Ling, commander of Starpeak City, listen carefully to this crown prince—"
"Open the gate—"
Lu Ling froze. What had he just heard? The crown prince was telling him to open the gates???
The crown prince was helping the enemy call open his own city gates?
"Your Highness, what did you just say?" Lu Ling asked instinctively.
Dai Weisi's face flushed crimson with shame.