Soon, under the silent gazes of the Heaven Dou officers and soldiers, the utterly demoralized Dou Ling army trudged out of the passes with bowed heads, led by Zhang He and Wang Pan.
Their weapons had been tossed haphazardly behind them, forming two small metal burial mounds.
Zhang He, the commander of Qiling Pass, was a burly middle-aged man, but his face was ashen now, his steps unsteady.
Wang Pan, the commander of Dragon Tail Road, looked even more aged and haggard.
The two Soul Saints now walked before the army and bowed deeply toward Huo Yuhao and Li Kongming on the raised platform.
The surrender ceremony concluded in a subdued, solemn atmosphere.
Heaven Dou soldiers swiftly stepped forward, confiscated the remaining Soul Tools, and led the surrendered soldiers away in batches.
The gates of the two mighty strongholds, Qiling Pass and Dragon Tail Road, stood wide open, signifying that the Ten Perilous Passes had ceased to exist.
"This disgraced general knows little. We don't know the current defensive deployments of the Eight Longitudinal and Transverse Lines either."
"Ever since Dragon Throat Gorge and Ghost Gate Path fell overnight, the entire empire's focus has drawn back completely to the Eight Longitudinal and Transverse Lines."
Zhang He sounded utterly exhausted. "His Majesty the Dou Ling Emperor is now the supreme commander there."
"The entire Dou Ling Empire is under arms now. Apart from those needed to keep local affairs running, almost everyone has enlisted."
"In the past, the layout of the Eight Longitudinal and Transverse Lines was as follows..."
After Zhang He and Wang Pan were taken away to be settled in, the atmosphere in the central command tent scarcely eased.
"The Eight Longitudinal and Transverse Lines have four core strongholds."
Li Kongming pointed at the complex area on the sand