At first light the next morning, the northern camp's horn sounded across the entire encampment.
The two-thousand-strong army of Soul Masters stood ready to march. Dark ranks of warhorses formed squares beneath a sea of banners, their armor gleaming coldly.
Dai Mubai sat astride an all-black warhorse at the front of the formation.
"Move out!"
At his command, two thousand mounted soldiers poured through the camp gates. They formed twenty columns, ten riders abreast, and rolled down the broad official road toward the northwestern border.
Yang Wudi rode beside Dai Mubai with ten disciples serving as his personal guards. Bai He and ten members of the Min Tribe took to the air and spread out ahead as scouts.
The entire force advanced in orderly ranks, like a tiger descending a mountain. Its killing intent sent chills down the spine.
This was Dai Mubai's first time leading troops into battle, but the instincts he had developed as a soldier in his previous life were slowly awakening.
Star Luo City lay more than two thousand kilometers from Fude Mountain City. According to the plan, they would arrive in about ten days.
The army marched by day and made camp at night to meditate and cultivate. After all, this was an army of Soul Masters. Dai Mubai included, none of them could neglect their daily cultivation.
Supplies had been prepared all along the route. Dedicated resupply points provided fodder for the horses and rations for the soldiers at regular intervals.
Five days later, the army camped outside Gengxin City.
At dusk, Dai Mubai stood outside the central command tent and gazed at the imposing city in the distance, turning his plans over in his mind.
Known as the Metal Capital, Gengxin City held the continent's richest metal resources. It was one of the