Chapter 0362: The Nine-Rank Military System

"I wonder what insights the Lord may have!!"

Huang Chengyan turned his gaze toward Yi Tianxing, who sat calmly above, and posed the question.

"I can see the Lord already has a firm grasp on the matter, full of confidence. I imagine there's already a complete plan in mind. We are eager to hear it," Jia Xu added with a faint smile, his penetrating eyes seemingly able to read hearts.

The discussions in the hall quieted instantly. All eyes turned toward Yi Tianxing.

"Listening to everyone's suggestions has indeed stirred some thoughts in my mind. Since you all wish to hear it, I'll go ahead and share. If there's anything flawed or lacking, please don't hesitate to point it out. Let's combine our wisdom to refine it together."

Yi Tianxing nodded, neither modest nor secretive.

He began directly: "Now that we've embarked on the path of cultivation, each of us has transcended the mundane—we are cultivators. Compared to the past, we can now be considered beings with divine powers, with combat prowess far beyond ordinary people. In light of this, I propose that our military system be structured as a Nine-Rank System."

"May I ask, my Lord, what exactly is this Nine-Rank Military System?"

Wu Yong stepped forward and bowed as he asked.

"There will be nine ranks in total, encompassing both military titles and positions. These ranks will cover all responsibilities and hierarchies within the army," Yi Tianxing replied.

"Please elaborate," Huang Chengyan said with anticipation.

"I plan to divide the army into two major roles: Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals. Thus, we'll have Nine-Rank Heavenly Soldiers and Nine-Star Heavenly Generals."

"What defines a Nine-Rank Heavenly Soldier and a Nine-Star Heavenly General?" Jia Xu asked, narrowing his eyes.

"A First-Rank Heavenly Soldier is a basic soldier, an ordinary combatant. To qualify, one must have reached the Qi Gathering Realm, Stage One—that is, to be a cultivator within the Divine Sea Realm. Both rank and post are tied to this.

"To be promoted to Second-Rank, one must reach Spring of Divine Sea, Stage One, and also have accumulated sufficient military merit. Both cultivation and merit must be met. Without fulfilling either, no promotion is allowed."

"To reach Third-Rank, the soldier must attain Sea Transformation Stage in the Divine Sea Realm. Fourth-Rank requires advancement to the Life Aperture Realm, and so on. The maximum attainable rank under this system is Ninth-Rank Heavenly Soldier."

Yi Tianxing laid out his thoughts swiftly and clearly.

"If we follow this system, then currently everyone in Xuanhuang Town is at best a First-Rank Heavenly Soldier. No one has broken into the Life Aperture Realm. Wouldn't it be too trivial to let Heavenly Soldiers command other Heavenly Soldiers?" asked Yang Yanping with a touch of doubt.

It was true. Though all in Xuanhuang Town were now cultivators, their time in cultivation was still short. Most remained in the Divine Sea Realm. Even Yi Tianxing himself had only just reached the peak of that realm, one step from the Life Aperture Realm. Clearly, reaching that level was no easy task. If everyone were labeled a mere Heavenly Soldier, it might seem undignified.

"No matter. A First-Rank Heavenly Soldier is an ordinary soldier. A Second-Rank Heavenly Soldier can command nine First-Rank soldiers, forming a squad of ten including themselves. Third-Rank commands nine Second-Ranks, and so on, up the chain," Yi Tianxing explained.

"Currently, no one in town has the qualifications of a Heavenly General—neither in cultivation nor in merit. However, interim appointments can be made temporarily. Their true rank will still be based on actual cultivation and merit."

Indeed, if strictly applied now, not a single person in Xuanhuang Town could qualify as a Heavenly General, which made it unrealistic. Provisional roles were a necessity. But the true military rank remained as calculated. Only with genuine cultivation and military contributions could one shed the word "interim."

"Nine-Rank Heavenly Soldiers, Nine-Star Heavenly Generals. Nine represents the pinnacle. If this is to be our military system, it is indeed workable," Wu Yong nodded after some thought, approval in his eyes.

"This structure covers all ranks and positions. Everyone has a path to promotion. Each person can clearly see their advancement potential, which inspires ambition and passion for growth. It maximizes motivation by providing visible, attainable goals," Jia Xu said with a gleam in his eyes.

"Clear, direct, and intuitive. Rank reflects both one's strength and merit at a glance. It's an effective way to gain respect within the army. With high cultivation and enough merit, promotion is earned—and no one can object. If someone lacks merit despite high cultivation, they won't advance either."

"In the military, strength and contributions are the ultimate credentials."

Yi Tianxing's military system boldly lays everything bare—rank, power, and prestige all visible. In a secular world, such a system might create issues. But among cultivators, who naturally submit to the strong, this model is ideal.

"This Nine-Rank System gives every soldier a real chance at advancement. Everyone can strive to become a general. It offers a clear and achievable path, unlike vague systems where promotion depends on superiors' favor," Lu Shi also voiced his agreement.

Though still early, and though few in the town had reached such cultivation, the system would grow more effective as everyone progressed. Eventually, it would become second nature, something all soldiers willingly uphold. No one would dare undermine it, because it promises real rewards for real effort.

Anyone—no matter how humble—could rise.

"A soldier who doesn't wish to become a general is not a good soldier."

"Still, for full implementation, detailed planning is needed," Huang Chengyan said.

"Indeed," Yi Tianxing agreed.

What he had proposed was only a framework. The actual policies would need further refinement before they could be implemented.

With general consensus on adopting the Nine-Rank System, the hall burst into active debate, refining, correcting, and supplementing the system.

Before they knew it, noon had arrived.

And the Nine-Rank Military System had largely taken shape. It was recorded, nearly complete.

With just a few more rounds of deliberation, it would be finalized—and in truth, ready for immediate deployment, with any small errors easy to fix along the way.

"Good. After this council, issue a public announcement across Xuanhuang Town. The Nine-Rank Military System will be formally adopted and enforced in the army," Yi Tianxing decisively declared.

The Nine-Rank System must be implemented—and the sooner, the better.

Not only would it ignite the army's desire to grow stronger, but it would also stabilize morale and encourage recruitment among the townspeople.

With the meeting concluded, everyone departed. Yet in their hearts lingered deep excitement—they had just participated in a momentous reform that would shape Xuanhuang Town's future.

Such military reform would one day be remembered for centuries or even millennia.

"Master, Miss Mu has awakened," Cao Zhengchun suddenly reported as Yi Tianxing exited the main hall.

"Oh? When did she wake up?"

A flicker of interest crossed Yi Tianxing's eyes, along with a sense of relief.

He had faith in the True Spirit Transformation Elixir, but until she awoke, there had always been a sliver of uncertainty. Now that she had awakened, the elixir's miraculous power was confirmed.

What intrigued him more was the girl herself.

"I wonder if she really is the legendary heroine I suspect," Yi Tianxing murmured with anticipation.

"Come, let's go see."

He turned and strode toward the guest quarters.

Inside, a crisp female voice rang out:

"So, your name is Sister Guiying? Then let us call each other sisters from now on. Before, it was just me here. Now I finally have someone to chat with."

"Sister Zhao Ji, is this really Xuanhuang Town? Did they really drive off the alien armies? Those aliens are incredibly strong. Humanity is far too weak by comparison—we can't stand against them."

"Aliens are strong, yes. But we humans are not weak. Though physically frail, we can cultivate and grow strong quickly. As long as we stand united, even aliens cannot trample over us."

As Yi Tianxing approached, the voices reached his ears.