Early in the morning, Jia Yucun brought over the military registration of the new recruits along with the civilian register of Xuanhuang Village and handed them to Yi Tianxing. He had been remarkably efficient—after receiving the task yesterday, he hadn't paused for a single moment, diligently recording everything. With Huang Chengyan offering guidance, everything had been handled in an orderly fashion. Notably, next to each villager's name in the civil register, their particular skill or craft had been annotated.
This detail made Yi Tianxing nod inwardly with approval. This was the mark of a thoughtful man. There were few scholars in Xuanhuang Village, and what impressed him most was that Jia Yucun wasn't just a bookworm—he had a clever and adaptive mind. He was someone worth nurturing.
He wasn't placing too much hope on the sudden arrival of historical geniuses. Rather than banking on unrealistic prospects, it was better to cultivate his own people. With the right opportunities and training, even ordinary folk could shine just as brightly as those with famous reputations. Many simply lacked the chance to demonstrate their true talents.
Now, Yi Tianxing was willing to offer that chance. Xuanhuang Village was still in its early stages, with no established rules or systems—everything from the past could be dismantled and rebuilt anew.
But the most pressing matter now was the military. Only by forming a proper army and organizing it thoroughly could the full strength of every soldier be realized.
"Heh heh, we really gotta thank you, my lord, for bestowing that cultivation technique. That Iron-Blooded Fiendish Qi is just perfect for us. I feel full of strength—like it's constantly growing!" Wang Dahu grinned widely as he spoke, clearly overjoyed.
Only after becoming a cultivator had he realized just how weak he used to be. Now, with his newfound strength, he could easily crush his former self. That overwhelming feeling of power was like nothing he'd ever felt before.
Highlighted: New Technique — "Iron-Blooded Fiendish Qi" (铁血煞气)A technique especially suited for soldiers; the more that cultivate it, the stronger the collective fiendish qi, accelerating cultivation. The more enemies slain in battle, the faster the progression. Low barrier to entry and high combat synergy.
"Iron-Blooded Fiendish Qi is perfect for military cultivation," Yi Tianxing explained with a gentle smile, patting Wang Dahu on the shoulder. "The more people cultivate it, the stronger the qi becomes. On the battlefield, the more you kill, the faster your progress. It's the lowest-barrier method, but also the most suited to you all. Work hard, and there will naturally be opportunities to advance."
Yi Tianxing was never stingy with his praise or warmth when it came to his own people—especially those he clearly intended to bring into his core team.
"How many soldiers are currently in the barracks?" he asked.
"With the old troops and yesterday's new recruits… I think about three hundred," Wang Dahu replied, scratching his head with a sheepish smile.
"Exactly three hundred and fifteen registered soldiers," Jia Yucun said as he walked over. "Xuanhuang Village currently has seven hundred eighty-five people: three hundred fifteen are soldiers, four hundred seventy are civilians, including two hundred seven women and one hundred twenty children—all orphans. Most were separated from their families during the Cataclysm and don't know where their parents are. The eldest is around ten, the youngest just five or six."
He delivered this report crisply and clearly, showing he'd done his homework.
Yi Tianxing glanced at Jia Yucun, noting to himself: This one is ambitious—not content with mediocrity. A man with drive.
He didn't mind ambition. As long as it remained within his control, it could be a powerful motivator. Yi Tianxing said nothing more to him and instead turned to Wang Dahu.
"Dahu, everything in our village has to start from scratch. We don't have any experienced generals who can lead these soldiers—you're going to be the backbone of the military. I will personally command this army, and you'll be my second-in-command."
Highlighted: Military leadership structure establishedYi Tianxing personally takes command; Wang Dahu appointed as Deputy Commander of the army.
In times like these, military power couldn't be handed over lightly. Only by personally cultivating loyalty and authority could Yi Tianxing ensure the army's full allegiance.
"Yes, my lord!!" Wang Dahu replied, eyes blazing with excitement. This was a formal promotion—a recognition of his status within the military. His mother had been right: follow the right person with loyalty, and you'll rise above the rest.
"I'm going to institute a new military ranking system," Yi Tianxing declared. "It'll be divided into nine ranks:
Soldier
Squad Leader (Wuzhang)
Section Leader (Shizhang)
Platoon Leader
Company Commander
Battalion Commander
Regiment Commander
Division Commander
Army Commander (1st Rank)
We'll implement this gradually. For now, with just over three hundred soldiers, you'll act as the Battalion Commander."
Highlighted: New Military Ranking System introducedClear hierarchical structure based on performance and cultivation level. Promotes order and meritocracy.
"Yes, my lord!!" Wang Dahu immediately knelt and bowed in thanks, thrilled by this show of complete trust.
"Using Iron-Blooded Fiendish Qi as a base, whoever opens their Divine Sea first becomes a Company Commander, followed by the next for Platoon, then Section, and Squad. I'll have someone explain the new rank structure to you later in detail."
Right now, the army had no structure, so it was the perfect time to introduce a new system from the ground up, leaving behind all the old, complicated titles and baggage.
"Brothers," Yi Tianxing said, looking around at the gathered soldiers, "from today on, you're soldiers—our own blood brothers. In Xuanhuang Village, there are no nobles. Everyone has the same chance. You've already received the Iron-Blooded Fiendish Qi technique. I promise you: the first to open their Divine Sea and reach the Divine Sea Realm will be the first to receive a promotion. Second one up becomes the first Company Commander under Battalion Commander Wang Dahu."
Highlighted: Cultivation-based promotion systemPromotions are based on tangible achievements, not background or seniority. Power equals position.
"There are no barriers. If you've got the ability, you'll earn the position. In this army, we judge heroes by strength!"
His words resonated deeply. Eyes lit up all across the field—both veterans and new recruits burned with determination.
Wang Dahu stood there, a living example. Yi Tianxing's promises weren't empty.
Sometimes it only took one shining example to inspire a thousand. The result: every soldier would now train with all their might, eager to break through and seize power for themselves.
Yi Tianxing gazed at those hopeful faces and sighed inwardly: Power comes with a price. In this chaotic world, if you hold power, you must bear responsibility. Strength is power. But how many of you will endure to the end? This is a world of upheaval, where the strong survive and the weak are swept away.
Suddenly—
"AHH!!"
A shriek pierced the air, followed by screams and cries from the village. The early morning calm was shattered.
"Dahu, take your men and maintain order! Xuanhuang Village must not fall into chaos!" Yi Tianxing's expression darkened as he shot toward the source of the commotion.
In a corner of the valley, panicked villagers were fleeing, terror in their eyes.
A dark tunnel had opened in the ground, reeking of sulfur and acid. The stench was foul and corrosive.
"What happened here?" Yi Tianxing demanded, standing beside the gaping hole, radiating an aura of calm strength.
"Village Chief! A huge monster bug came from the hole! It had saw-like jaws and spewed some weird liquid—when it landed on someone, their flesh melted right off, leaving just bone! Old Zhao got caught and dragged into the hole!"
"A monster that can spray acid and move underground… If that thing rampages, the entire village could be in grave danger," Yi Tianxing thought grimly.
An enemy like that—unseen, underground, capable of ambushing from below—was more terrifying than anything. There was no way to guard against it. The mere possibility of a sneak attack could collapse the village from within.
With a flick of his wrist, Yi Tianxing summoned the Book of the Eternal Heavens. As it opened, it naturally captured the lingering aura from the tunnel. Lines of golden text appeared:
"Burrowing Worm: A subterranean predator. Cunning, ferocious, and violent. Capable of spraying sulfuric acid. Digs rapidly through soil. Extremely resilient with regenerative capabilities. Holds deep grudges. Once it appears, it rarely leaves. Ends in depopulated zones."
New Monster — "Burrowing Worm" (掘地虫)
Underground predator; sprays corrosive acid; fast digger; highly durable; holds grudges; extremely dangerous in enclosed settlements.
The information hovered on the pages of the Book of the Eternal Heavens, confirming the terrifying nature of the beast.
The book's power was mysterious—it seemed to know all things. Whatever Yi Tianxing encountered, the book could reveal its nature, sometimes even reacting to broader changes in the world.