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

After simple treatment, Li Xuancang's injuries stopped, and with his physical strength, he would be able to fully recover in just a few days.

Soon after, Zhao Changlin woke up and saw Wang Xuanshan as soon as he opened his eyes.

Zhao Changlin scanned his surroundings with difficulty and realized that he had returned to the military camp. His expression immediately relaxed.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Zhao Changlin spoke in a hoarse voice.

"What exactly happened? Why were we ambushed?"

Wang Xuanshan asked directly.

This attack was classified and could not have been leaked. Why would the barbarians have laid an ambush beforehand?

"My lord, how did I get back?"

Not seeing Li Xuancang, Zhao Changlin did not immediately answer Wang Xuanshan's question, but instead asked how he had returned.

"It was Li Xuancang who carried you back."

Wang Xuanshan spoke frankly to him.

"How is Li Xuancang now?"

Zhao Changlin blurted out, worried about Li Xuancang's injuries.

"Don't worry! His injuries are less severe than yours, and he's fine now."

Hearing this, Zhao Changlin finally felt relieved.

"Sir, we went to ambush them as planned, but unexpectedly..."

After confirming that Li Xuancang was unharmed, Zhao Changlin recounted the details of the battle.

After hearing what Zhao Changlin said, a look of surprise flashed across Wang Xuanshan's eyes.

He burned the barbarians' grain and risked his life to rescue Zhao Changlin. He never expected that Li Xuancang would make such a great contribution.

After learning what had happened, Wang Xuanshan instructed, "Take good care of your injuries first!"

After saying that, Wang Xuanshan turned and left.

Although the operation was ambushed and resulted in many casualties, the burning of the barbarians' grain supplies was considered a success.

Before long, some of the soldiers who had successfully broken through returned to their camp.

Of the fifty people in the group, only a dozen or so managed to escape.

As the news spread among the surviving soldiers, everyone in the camp learned of Li Xuancang's heroic deeds and was filled with admiration.

"You didn't see it. Li Wuchang was like a god descending to earth, charging through the barbarian army as if it were empty, breaking through the barbarian defenses and successfully burning their grain."

Some soldiers vividly recounted Li Xuancang's rampage, as if they themselves were Li Xuancang, which stirred the blood of the others.

"With such a great achievement, Li Wuchang is very likely to be promoted again and become a squad leader."

"Li Wuchang's promotion speed is too astonishing."

"I wish I had Li Wuchang's skills."

"..."

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, all believing that Li Xuancang would surely be promoted to squad leader based on this achievement.

"Li Wuchang's contributions are obvious to all, and his promotion to platoon leader is only natural."

Li Xuancang performed exceptionally well in every battle, and his promotion to squad leader was met with envy and genuine admiration from everyone.

Five days later, Li Xuancang's injuries had fully healed, and Zhao Changlin was also able to get out of bed and move around.

Not long after Zhao Changlin met Li Xuancang, the order regarding Li Xuancang's promotion arrived.

"Pass down the order to promote Li Xuancang to squad leader, commanding ten border soldiers, and granting him all the benefits of a squad leader."

Wang Xuanshan's military order was issued and quickly spread throughout the army camp.

"Lord Wang has given the order: Corporal Li has been promoted to squad leader."

Upon hearing the news, no one was surprised at all; they thought it all made perfect sense.

Li Xuancang straightened his armor and went to the central command tent to receive orders.

Inside the tent, Wang Xuanshan sat upright in the main seat, looking at Li Xuancang with gentle eyes, and loudly proclaimed the promotion order.

"Li Xuancang, who guards the border, has repeatedly made meritorious contributions and is exceptionally brave. He is hereby promoted to platoon leader."

"I hope that you will be conscientious in your duties, fight bravely against the enemy, and guard the border without making any mistakes."

"Your subordinate obeys! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Li Xuancang clasped his hands and bowed, his voice steady and powerful.

Next came the announcement of the exclusive treatment and privileges of the squad leader, each far exceeding those of the sergeant, which stirred everyone's excitement:

Salary and benefits: Monthly salary doubled, full amount of silver, fine rice and meat paid monthly, silk and cloth provided, and cotton armor provided for winter protection.

Cultivation Resources: Receive high-level body-strengthening tonics and bone-strengthening ointments monthly to accelerate cultivation.

Military authority: Commands ten soldiers and manages two squads. Can independently arrange patrols, garrisons, and training. Can decide on rewards and punishments for soldiers under his command.

Residence privileges: move into spacious, private barracks with a dedicated storage room, no need to live with soldiers, quiet and comfortable.

Clan protection: Family members are exempt from taxes and corvée labor for life, and the clan can enjoy exemption from corvée labor and taxes for three years. In case of demonic disasters or banditry, they can directly request the court to provide assistance.

Military privileges: Access to the middle-level armory of the military camp, replacement of superior weapons and armor, and no need to kneel and bow when meeting superiors.

Each and every one of these benefits is enough to drive someone crazy.

It not only protects family members, but also benefits the entire clan.

Zhao Changlin, standing to the side, looked at Li Xuancang with gentle eyes and nodded slightly to him.

Li Xuancang immediately responded, saying that Zhao Changlin had played a crucial role in his rapid promotion.

He will always remember this kindness in promoting him.

After Li Xuancang left the camp, two squads, totaling ten soldiers, gathered in front of the tent and bowed in unison.

"Have you met the sergeant?"

Among the ten men were veterans and newly recruited soldiers, but without exception, their eyes were filled with awe and submission.

Li Xuancang's combat prowess and achievements have long been known throughout the military camp. Following such a strongman is the safest way out in the chaotic border region.

Li Xuancang stood before the crowd, his aura calm and his tone resolute.

"From this day forward, let us unite as one, guard the borders, slay the barbarians, and vanquish the demons!"

"Those who make merits will be rewarded, and those who make mistakes will be punished. As long as we fight bravely, I will strive to earn military merits and exchange them for resources for everyone."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ten soldiers responded in unison, their morale soaring.

"Go on patrol!"

After briefly introducing the ten people and giving them a speech, Li Xuancang sent them off to do their jobs.

He went to the brand-new, private barracks, where a new squad leader's waist badge, fine armor, high-grade body-strengthening medicine, and clan protection documents stamped with the military seal were laid out on the table.

Holding the cold, heavy sergeant's waist token, a resolute glint flashed in Li Xuancang's eyes.

From a lowly conscript to a soldier, a squad leader, and now a platoon leader.

In a short period of time, he had escaped the fate of being cannon fodder, entered the ranks of junior military officers, held military power, possessed resources, and protected his family.

But that's far from enough.

Body Tempering Realm, Bone Forging Realm, Blood Coagulation Realm, Qi Condensation Realm...

Squad leader, centurion, battalion commander, chiliarch...

He yearned for a higher realm, a higher military rank, and greater power.

After the barbarians' supplies were burned, they were temporarily unable to launch an attack. The two sides lived in peace for half a month without any conflict.

Just when Li Xuancang thought he could have some peace and quiet for a while, a military order came from above, breaking the tranquility.