The fall of Jialing Pass had unfolded roughly as follows.
About a month earlier, the Star Luo Empire had dispatched nearly a thousand elite soldiers and several hundred Soul Masters.
These elite soldiers and Soul Masters had disguised themselves as merchants and tourists visiting the Heaven Dou Empire, entering Jialing Pass separately in dozens of groups.
After all, the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire had not fought a war in a long time, and Jialing Pass ordinarily saw a great deal of traffic.
Thus, by breaking their force into smaller groups, these elite soldiers and Soul Masters had easily passed the gate guards' inspections.
As for their weapons, high-ranking Soul Masters had naturally stored them in Soul Tools, ready to be taken out when needed.
On a night so dark that one could not see a hand held before one's face, these elites and Soul Masters disguised as merchants had ambushed the guards at Jialing Pass's gates.
There were many ways to carry out an ambush.
For instance, they could bring the guards food and wine whenever an opportunity arose. After ten days or a fortnight, they would naturally become familiar faces.
Then, when the time came to strike, they would deliver wine as usual. Once the guards were tipsy, the blades would go in white and come out red.
With the prepared striking the unsuspecting, Jialing Pass's gates had swiftly fallen under the Star Luo Empire's control.
Once the gates were lost, the Star Luo Empire's army, which had long been waiting, had driven straight in and captured all of Jialing Pass in less than half a day.
Using Jialing Pass as a springboard, the Star Luo Empire had also captured several nearby cities.
In other words, the Heaven Dou Empire had already lost nearly a