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

Wang Xiaoniu and Li Xuancang soon arrived at Zhang Changlin's camp.

The tent was simply furnished, with only a small table and a few chairs, reflecting the iron-willed simplicity of a border military camp.

Seated behind the desk was a man wearing half a suit of iron armor, with a resolute face and an aura of battle-hardened warrior. It was Zhao Changlin.

Zhao Changlin looked up at Li Xuancang as he entered the tent. His gaze fell on Li's wound, and seeing that it had already closed and he showed no signs of serious injury or weakness, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had seen Li Xuancang's injuries that night, and he knew he was almost certainly going to die.

Only three days have passed, and Li Xuancang's injuries have almost completely recovered. His physical strength is truly rare.

"So you are Li Xuancang?"

Zhao Changlin spoke, his voice steady, deep, and full of authority.

"Your subordinate, Li Xuancang, greets Your Excellency."

Li Xuancang bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

Zhao Changlin nodded slightly, his tone softening, and his voice carrying a hint of approval.

"In the battle three days ago, you fought the demonic hound alone. Your courage and combat strength were extraordinary. You are truly a fine young man of our Great Yan Border Army."

This is a public praise from a powerful military commander, which is a very high level of recognition in a border military camp that values ​​strength and military achievements.

Li Xuancang stood quietly with his head bowed, showing no arrogance.

"I was just doing my duty as a soldier, guarding the camp and killing the enemy. It was only right and proper."

Li Xuancang was certainly not foolish enough to admit that he couldn't escape, which was why he fought the demon dog to the death.

Seeing his composure and calm demeanor, Zhao Changlin's admiration deepened.

He immediately picked up the military documents that had been prepared on the table and solemnly announced them.

"In chaotic times, those who can fight will be given positions, and those who have made contributions will be rewarded. You are brave and valiant, and you are a role model for soldiers."

"Today I am making an exception and promoting you to the rank of squad leader in the border army, commanding five regular soldiers and giving you the authority to patrol and guard the squad."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuancang's heart skipped a beat and his heart raced.

He never imagined that he would get the position of squad leader in this way.

Zhao Changlin pushed the corporal's badge and standard military uniform to the table and continued.

"From this day forward, you will receive the full salary of a sergeant, with additional monthly allowances of silver and fine rice, daily rations of meat and basic body-strengthening ointment, and full authority to apply for the squad's weapons and provisions."

"From now on, manage your subordinates well, earn more military merits, and you will have opportunities for further advancement in the future."

Although the corporal is the lowest-ranking military officer in the army, he truly holds military power and is no longer among the ordinary soldiers.

Having the privilege of managing others and having priority access to resources was his first step toward a higher military rank.

With this identity, he could accumulate military merits more quickly and provide his family with more comprehensive protection.

Li Xuancang stepped forward and picked up the squad leader's waist tag. He felt a cool texture in his palm, and the character "伍" was engraved on the tag.

He bowed again, his tone firm.

"Your subordinate thanks you for your promotion, sir. I will swear to serve you to the death, guard our borders, and vanquish all the invading barbarians and demons!"

Zhao Changlin nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand.

"Go and reorganize your squad. The subsequent defenses will be arranged by yourself."

"Remember, in this world of demons and monsters, strength and military merit are the foundation for survival. Do not let my promotion go to waste."

"Your subordinate will heed your teachings!"

Li Xuancang bowed and took his leave, clutching the squad leader's waist token in his hand, and walked out of the tent.

"Brother Li, congratulations on becoming a squad leader."

Seeing Li Xuancang become a squad leader, Wang Xiaoniu was filled with envy, but also genuinely happy for Li Xuancang.

A squad leader commands five soldiers and is the most basic military officer in the army. It is also the first step into the ruling class, and his treatment far surpasses that of ordinary soldiers.

The monthly salary is two taels of silver, with plenty of fine rice, and additional meat and wine.

They have their own private single rooms, away from the shared dormitories.

Each month, basic body-strengthening herbs and low-level healing pills are distributed to nourish the body and provide an opportunity to break through to the Body Tempering Realm.

He holds the power of discipline, commands five soldiers under his command, and rewards and punishes them appropriately. He can arrange guard and patrol duties at his own discretion.

They enjoy privileges under the laws of the lower classes; ordinary soldiers and commoners who offend a squad leader can be punished on the spot without needing to report it.

In his hometown of Qingxi Village, the level of protection has been raised to another level. Local officials are not allowed to harass the village, and if mountain bandits or minor demons dare to invade, patrol soldiers can be mobilized nearby to suppress them.

With each layer of preferential treatment, the gap widens instantly.

"Brother Wang, thank you so much for taking care of me these past few days. I will never forget your kindness."

Li Xuancang's excitement had subsided, and he sincerely thanked Wang Xiaoniu.

If it weren't for those two brothers saving him from the brink of death, he would be nothing but a skeleton now, and he would never have had the chance to become a corporal.

Wang Xiaoniu hurriedly waved his hand, "Brother Li, you survived only because of yourself. We brothers didn't do anything."

Wang Xiaoniu was honest and simple, believing that even without his brother, Li Xuancang would recover thanks to his terrifying regenerative abilities.

After a brief conversation, Li Xuancang and Wang Xiaoniu parted ways.

He was already a corporal, and had his own room, so he didn't have to share with others.

Before long, five soldiers were directly assigned to his command.

The five people clearly knew about Li Xuancang's solo battle against the demonic hound, and their eyes were full of awe as they looked at him.

A boss who dares to fight to the death against a demonic hound and can even severely injure it is someone no one dares to disobey.

"Greetings, Corporal!"

The five people bowed in unison, their attitude respectful.

Li Xuancang's gaze swept over the five people, his tone calm:

"From now on, we will share the same tent and guard the border together."

Li Xuancang said a few polite words, remembered everyone's names, and then let them leave.

Subsequently, the private barracks, corporal supplies, body-strengthening herbs, and monthly pay vouchers were delivered to him one by one.

The small, clean, and independent barracks isolated the chaotic crowd.

On the table were rough porcelain medicine jars, bags of herbs, and full amounts of grain coupons and silver.

Li Xuancang sat cross-legged on the bed, carefully sensing the changes in his body.

The daily increase in strength, 1%, never stops, making the skin and flesh firmer and the blood and qi more vigorous.

Now, he can knock out a strong man with one punch and easily lift objects weighing over 100 kilograms.

"Ordinary barbarian soldiers are no match for me, but I still can't defeat the demon hounds."

Li Xuancang carefully analyzed his own strength. Ordinary barbarian soldiers could no longer threaten him, but when facing demons, even the lowest-level demon hounds, he had no chance of winning and could not even protect himself.

"I need time."

Li Xuancang needs to settle down now and wait for his power to transform so that he can rival cultivators before he can truly establish himself in the military camp.

Over the next few days, Li Xuancang fully recovered and his strength increased further. He began leading his squad on patrols in the vicinity.

At the same time, news of his becoming a formal soldier reached Qingyang County.