My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Inside the military camp tent, Wang Xuanshan looked at the list of war merits handed to him with a surprised expression.

"This Li Xuancang is truly a talented individual."

Wang Xuanshan tapped the table with his fingertip, his tone full of approval.

"From conscript to squad leader in just over a month, he has demonstrated outstanding combat skills and command abilities. His squad has achieved remarkable results. It would be a waste for someone with such character and strength to remain a squad leader."

Wang Xuanshan was deeply impressed by Li Xuancang and knew something about him.

Zhao Changlin, standing to the side, bowed and echoed, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. Li Xuancang is exceptionally brave and disciplined, and his achievements in slaying barbarians and demons are outstanding, far exceeding the promotion standards. In my opinion, he can be directly promoted to platoon leader."

The squad leader commands two teams of soldiers, totaling ten men.

With authority, benefits, and resources far exceeding those of a squad leader, they have become a genuine backbone force at the grassroots level of the military.

In chaotic times on the frontier, military merit is paramount, and those with the ability are given positions; promotions beyond the usual ranks are commonplace.

Wang Xuanshan did not immediately agree, but instead fell into deep thought.

"We will launch a surprise attack on the barbarian supply route in three days. We will send Li Xuancang along. If he performs well, we will promote him to squad leader."

"Your Excellency's considerations are thorough; I admire them."

Since Wang Xuanshan had made his decision, Zhao Changlin had no choice but to obey.

After leaving Wang Xuanshan's camp, Zhao Changlin ordered someone to summon Li Xuancang.

Upon Zhao Changlin's summons, Li Xuancang dared not delay and arrived as quickly as possible.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Li Xuancang bowed respectfully to Zhao Changlin, showing great respect for his superior who had saved him and promoted him.

Zhao Changlin nodded slightly and said, "Please sit down!"

"Thank you, sir."

After Li Xuancang sat down, Zhao Changlin went straight to the point.

"I've summoned you here because I have something to inform you."

"Three days from now, I will personally lead a team to ambush the barbarian grain transport convoy. You will come with me. If you can make a contribution, I will guarantee you a platoon leader position."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuancang was startled, and then overjoyed.

His promotion speed was already very fast. He originally thought it would take some time before he could be promoted again, but he didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly.

Although raiding barbarian grain supplies carries considerable risk, it is entirely worth the gamble for the sake of promotion to squad leader.

Li Xuancang immediately stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your subordinate will follow your orders, sir."

Zhao Changlin showed a satisfied expression, which was also what he liked most about Li Xuancang: he obeyed orders and never shirked responsibility.

"Go and prepare well. Remember, this matter is confidential. Do not reveal a single word to anyone."

Zhao Changlin gave serious instructions.

"Rest assured, sir, I will keep my mouth shut."

After returning to his room, Li Xuancang calmed down and began preparing for the great battle three days later.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhao Changlin led fifty soldiers, including Li Xuancang, away from the military camp.

They arrived at Blackstone Valley, a crucial route for the barbarians to transport grain.

The canyon here is long and narrow, with steep cliffs on both sides, making it a dangerous and easily ambushable location.

Zhao Changlin, dressed in black armor and with a long sword at his waist, stood on a high place, his sharp eyes fixed on the direction of the valley entrance.

"The scouts report that a barbarian grain transport convoy will pass through this valley within half an hour. All troops are on alert and await my orders."

"Here you go!"

The crowd responded in hushed tones, their auras restrained, gripping their weapons tightly, waiting for the order to charge out.

Li Xuancang hid in the bushes, his body's qi and blood were stable, and no breath was leaking out, like a ferocious beast lying in wait.

His unusually heightened senses caused him to furrow his brow almost imperceptibly.

I felt that the surroundings were too quiet, so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard, and even the chirping of insects and the roar of beasts had disappeared. A strange sense of crisis quietly welled up in my heart.

"Something's not right. Could something unexpected have happened?"

Li Xuancang became even more vigilant and cautious.

He did not tell Zhao Changlin about his suspicions, since it was just his suspicions and he had no evidence.

Now that the die is cast, he has no choice but to act. If he were to voice his doubts, it could very well shake the morale of the troops.

A moment later, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling came from the valley entrance. A group of barbarian soldiers escorted grain carts and slowly drove into Black Stone Valley.

The group consisted of about a hundred ordinary barbarian soldiers, who appeared to be lax in their defenses and completely unprepared.

"kill!"

As the enemy appeared, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Changlin's eyes. He drew his long sword and leaped out of the dense forest, charging towards the barbarians in the valley.

"kill!"

Fifty elite border troops roared in unison, followed closely behind, wielding swords and spears, surging out from the dense forests on both sides with overwhelming momentum, rushing straight towards the barbarian grain transport team.

Just as everyone rushed into the valley, about to clash with the barbarians...

"kill."

A deafening roar erupted from the rock walls on both sides.

Suddenly, a dense swarm of elite barbarian troops appeared high on the cliff face.

"Boom, rumble..."

Logs and boulders rained down as if struck by lightning, while a barrage of arrows, whistling through the air, rained down on the border troops in the valley.

"Oh no, there's an ambush."

Zhao Changlin's expression changed drastically, and he roared sharply, his heart turning cold instantly.

They came to ambush and kill, but unexpectedly fell into the trap of the barbarians instead.

The barbarians had long anticipated their plan and deliberately released false information to lure them into the valley, where they laid a trap.

"what!"

Logs crashed down, arrows pierced their bodies, and before they could react, soldiers of the border army fell in droves, their screams echoing across the battlefield.

"Hahaha, kill them all!"

The barbarian ambush troops came from all sides, numbering over two hundred, including more than a dozen barbarian generals at the Body Tempering Realm. Their murderous aura was overwhelming, making them far more ferocious than ordinary soldiers.

"Form ranks and break through! Follow me and charge!"

Zhao Changlin's eyes were bloodshot as he brandished his long sword, desperately trying to fend off arrows and rolling logs, attempting to lead his team out of the encirclement.

But it was too late.

Three burly barbarian generals, clad in animal hide armor, their bodies surging with blood and energy, surrounded him, quickly trapping him tightly.

With swords and axes drawn, their attack was incredibly ferocious.

"Zhao Changlin, you've walked right into our trap. Today is your death day."

The barbarian generals roared and attacked, each move deadly, joining forces to launch a pincer attack.

Zhao Changlin was outnumbered three to one and immediately found himself at a disadvantage.

After a brief exchange of blows, his armor was cleaved in several places, his arm was wounded and blood gushed out. He gradually became exhausted and was in grave danger.

The fighting in the valley was fierce. The border troops, already outnumbered, suffered heavy casualties from the surprise attack.

In a short time, only about thirty of the fifty people remained, with severed limbs scattered all over the ground and blood flowing like a river.

"Bang!"

Li Xuancang possessed immense strength, charging recklessly like a ferocious beast, cutting through the barbarians with unstoppable momentum and rapidly approaching the location of the grain supplies.

"Oh no, stop him!"

"Don't let him get near the supplies."

"Stop him."

"..."

Upon seeing this, the barbarians' expressions changed drastically, and they fearlessly charged towards Li Xuancang.

"Get out of here."

Li Xuancang swept his spear horizontally, each strike powerful and heavy, capable of killing ordinary barbarians with a single blow.

His strength is comparable to the mid-stage of Body Tempering, yet he can overwhelm the mid-stage of Body Tempering in every aspect, making him unstoppable.

"Die!"

A barbarian in the early stage of Body Tempering rushed in front of Li Xuancang and slashed at his head with his long sword.

Li Xuancang did not dodge; he exerted force in his arm, his muscles bulging, and thrust out with his spear.

"when!"

The spear and the longsword clashed together with a loud bang, sparks flying everywhere.

"what!"

The barbarian let out a miserable scream as a tremendous force struck, numbing half of his body and causing his long sword to slip from his hand.

"puff!"

Li Xuancang seized the opportunity and shot him through the head, causing blood and brain matter to splatter.

Li Xuancang drew his spear, and the barbarian fell straight to the ground, his eyes wide open, dying with his eyes still open.