How to Advance to First Rank as a Martial Warrior

Xu Qi'an sat in the main seat of the council hall with a sword hilt stuck in his skull.

He sits in this position not because people respect his reputation or fear his cultivation.

Theoretically speaking, Xu Qi'an's official position is now the head of the Nightwatchers's office, with power comparable to that of the officials in the imperial court. Even without real power, his official rank is higher than that of Yang Gong, the provincial governor.

"Please speak freely, gentlemen; I am listening."

Xu Qi'an looked around at the officials on both sides and started the discussion.

He was a complete novice when it came to matters such as military campaigns, troop transport, and stabilizing the rear.

In these areas, offering suggestions and pointing out shortcomings is fine, but asking him to coordinate and make arrangements would only get in the way.

Yang Gong nodded, taking over the conversation from Xu Qi'an, and said:

"There are three matters to discuss with you all in this meeting: money and provisions, manpower, and defense lines."

"Among them, money, food and manpower are closely related. After the fall of Qingzhou, although we took away most of the military supplies, the shortage of money and food has always plagued us."

"The grain supplies transported from Zhangzhou sank into the river not long ago, and the entire army escorting them was wiped out."

Zhangzhou was one of the granaries of the Great Feng, with the most abundant grain reserves. Ten days ago, during the peace negotiations, the fleet transporting grain from Zhangzhou to the Great Feng Dynasty was attacked. Not only did the grain sink into the river, but the entire army accompanying the fleet was also wiped out.

This is the Yunzhou rebels deliberately cutting off the grain supplies being transported from various prefectures to Yongzhou.

The territory of the Great Feng Dynasty was vast, and the journey was extremely long, whether by water or land. Encountering an enemy ambush during the escort was an unavoidable accident.

Of course, the Great Feng also sent elite experts to infiltrate Yunzhou and Qingzhou to intercept travelers.

At times like these, it comes down to the resources and the number of skilled fighters on both sides.

Compared to Great Feng, Yunzhou's biggest advantage is its lack of strategic depth. Indeed, a small territory has its advantages, which means shorter escort routes, less complex terrain, and a correspondingly lower probability of mistakes.

Li Mubai pondered for a moment and said:

"Yongzhou is wealthy, but we have to stabilize the disaster victims and support the army. We can only sustain this for a month at most. After that, we will have to plunder the people's hard-earned money."

Xu Erlang chimed in:

"If we recruit soldiers, we can greatly reduce our expenditure on money and supplies."

Incorporate those freeloaders into the army to maximize resource utilization.

Li Mubai said in a deep voice:

"That way, we can last for three months."

He glanced at Mo Sang, a warrior from the Li Gu tribe beside Miao Youfang, and changed his words:

"Two months should be no problem."

The officials and generals remained silent, their brows furrowed.

The issue of money and supplies has always been the primary problem facing the Great Feng. Without money and supplies, how can they fight a war?

I can have the Flower Goddess ripen a batch of grain, but that would be a drop in the ocean. Xu Qi'an thought of the Flower Goddess's spiritual essence.

However, she quickly realized that the suggestion was unreliable. Mu Nanzhi could only ripen a limited amount of grain, while the imperial court needed a much larger quantity and had a larger number of mouths to feed. They were not comparable. Nevertheless, this method could be used as an emergency measure.

When the time comes, the flower goddess, whose flowers have been ripened artificially, will cry out, "It's all gone, not a single drop is left!"

Xu Qi'an smiled slightly as he thought of this.

"Knock knock!"

He tapped the table a few times to attract everyone's attention and said:

"His Majesty will establish more market towns and open markets in Chuzhou and Yuzhou. It won't be long before the Great Feng has enough money and provisions."

He immediately informed everyone of the policies implemented at the Huaiqing court assembly.

It takes time for imperial decrees to reach the various prefectures, which is certainly not as fast as organizations like the "Tianji Palace Secret Agents" who rely on teleportation to transmit messages.

Of course, once Sun Xuanji's teleportation array is completed, the speed of communication in Yongzhou will be greatly increased.

"Wonderful!"

Zhang Shen stroked his beard and smiled.

"These two decrees can relieve the Great Feng's immediate crisis and worries."

Establishing more market towns and opening more customs posts can replenish the national treasury and alleviate the urgent need for funds to be used for agriculture. Reclaiming abandoned farmland will allow displaced people to have land to cultivate after the spring.

These days, appeasing the people is actually quite simple. Give them a few acres of land, and it will be much harder for the Yunzhou rebels to recruit refugees as cannon fodder.

Li Mubai exclaimed in admiration:

"Your Majesty demonstrated remarkable practical abilities when you were studying at the Cloud Deer Academy. Now that you have ascended the throne, it is Great Feng blessing for the people."

Everyone praised her, saying that compared to Yongxing, the Empress's ascension to the throne gave them hope.

Perhaps only Xu Yinluo had the courage to support a woman to the throne.

The officials and generals looked at Xu Qi'an with admiration, but when they saw the sword hilt above his head, they all lowered their heads, trying not to laugh out loud.

Protector Yuan's azure gaze swept over the crowd. His lips moved as if he were about to speak, but Sun Xuanji handed him a teacup and said expressionlessly:

"Drink!"

Protector Yuan quickly opened his mouth, took a sip, and swallowed the words that were about to come out.

The officials and military officers were all on tenterhooks, casting grateful glances at Sun Xuanji.

If Yuan Hufa had read their thoughts aloud, they would now be discussing matters standing up or kneeling down; in any case, Xu Yinluo would not let them off the hook.

Yang Gong coughed lightly, steer the conversation back on track, and said with an extremely serious expression:

The third issue: the defense line!

"But before that, we need to estimate when the Yunzhou army will launch its next attack."

Zhou Mi, the former commander of Qingzhou, pondered for a moment and said:

"The Yunzhou army suffered a major defeat. The battle of Xunzhou City has severely weakened them, and they won't be able to make a comeback so quickly. They will probably wait for the legendary White Emperor to return to the Nine Provinces Continent."

The existence of the White Emperor was no secret to the high-ranking officials present.

The White Emperor's absence during the operation to behead the Black Lotus revealed the fact that it was not in Kyushu.

"No, I think they will attack Yongzhou in the coming days."

Li Mubai offered a different opinion, with this renowned scholar from the Cloud Deer Academy analyzing:

"First of all, the Spring Festival is approaching. If this war lasts for half a year to a year, Yunzhou can withstand it. But if it goes on for several years, they will be worn down by the war. Your Majesty's two strategies are the foundation for a protracted war."

"If the rebels in Yunzhou find out, they will not delay any longer and will enter the palace immediately."

Miao Youfang suddenly said:

"It's also possible they'll attack Yuzhou to thwart the imperial court's plan."

Yuzhou is adjacent to Southern Frontier.

He had barely finished speaking when Xu Erlang beside him vetoed his words:

"The military strength of Yunzhou is insufficient to support them in fighting on two fronts."

This is why Yunzhou wanted to negotiate peace and take over Yuzhou without bloodshed.

Everyone realized once again that if the peace negotiations had succeeded and the Yunzhou army had taken over Yuzhou or Zhangzhou, then the tide would have truly turned, and the demise of the imperial court would have been only a matter of time.

The civil and military officials sighed inwardly, realizing that the Great Feng had already teetered on the brink of destruction once.

Xu Yinluo's coup changed the fate of the Great Feng Dynasty.

Yang Gong gave the final summary:

"From rest to deployment, it will take no more than half a month. Before the spring festival, Yunzhou and we will have a fierce battle. Next, we need to build the first line of defense and select a commander."

Qingzhou Provincial Administration Commission.

On the same early morning, high-ranking military officials in Yunzhou were also holding a meeting.

After everyone had arrived, Ge Wenxuan looked around at everyone and began:

"The Heavenly Mystery Palace has just received news that the capital is preparing to open markets in Jianzhou and Yongzhou to facilitate trade with the northern demons, the Southern Frontier Gu tribes, and the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, in order to enrich the national treasury. In addition, there is a decree to buy back land from local gentry and nobles at the original price, which will be used to appease the displaced people after the spring sacrifice."

"This is not a good sign; it strikes at Yunzhou's weak points at every turn."

Upon hearing this, the high-ranking generals present frowned, realizing the impact these two decrees would have on the situation.

Zhuo Haoran grinned:

"Open up the city? Dream on, I'll lead my elite troops and wipe them all out."

Ge Wenxuan said indifferently:

"Yes, we will prepare for General Zhuo's funeral in advance."

Zhuo Haoran raised his eyebrows.

Without giving him a chance to get angry, Yang Chuannan said in a deep voice:

"The matter of Jianzhou is too far away for us to get involved in."

"Yuzhou and Qingzhou are adjacent and within easy reach. But have you ever thought that the happiest people when the imperial court opens the market are the Gu Clan, the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, and the Central Plains caravans?"

"The Central Plains has tea, porcelain, silk, salt, iron and other things that the Gu Clan urgently needs. The Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons has just been established and lacks everything except herbs and food. The Gu Clan and the Demon Race will definitely send troops to garrison the market town."

"The Southern Frontier is rich in resources, enough to drive profit-seeking merchants crazy. In the past, the Gu Clan and the Great Feng were at odds. During the period when Buddhist School ruled the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they refused to do business with the Central Plains, and the Gu Clan had no choice but to comply."

"Now that these worries are gone, a large number of merchant caravans will inevitably flock to Yuzhou. The world is not peaceful, and they will hire a certain amount of armed forces for protection. You lead your elite troops to wipe them out. Ha, who will ultimately destroy whom?"

It should be noted that the martial arts world in the Central Plains was prosperous, with countless factions operating within it.

These gangsters will not care about Dafeng's life or death, but they can be driven by interests, and even caravans composed of gangster forces from various places will go to Yuzhou.

Ge Wenxuan nodded, agreeing with Yang Chuannan's analysis, and added:

"Sending troops to Yuzhou would be risky for us, given our limited manpower and resources, as we would be fighting on two fronts."

Zhuo Haoran fell silent.

Qi Guangbo said calmly:

"Now you know why Xu Qi'an supported a woman to ascend the throne? He supported the eldest princess to ascend the throne not only to stabilize his rear, but also because this woman is exceptionally talented. Xu Qi'an is like a tiger with wings."

"From now on, our enemy will not only be Xu Qi'an, but also the Empress of Great Feng."

A general pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked:

"With the Imperial Censor no longer in charge of the capital, why doesn't the Imperial Advisor simply storm the capital and destroy that empress?"

Everyone's eyes lit up; they thought this was a feasible plan.

Qi Guangbo remained silent for a moment, then sighed:

"That would mean mutual destruction."

He didn't explain further, glanced at the taciturn and somewhat withdrawn Ji Xuan, and said:

"Being fixated on emotions is not the mark of an emperor. If you don't want to be looked down upon by the Imperial Advisor and His Majesty, erase the name Ji Yuan from your heart."

Ji Xuan nodded without saying a word.

Qi Guangbo continued:

"We must attack Yuzhou, but not now. First, prepare to attack Yongzhou. I'm only giving you half a month. After half a month, send troops to Yuzhou."

Yang Chuannan was taken aback:

"General, aren't we waiting for Baidi?"

Qi Guangbo shook his head:

"The Great Feng to wait, but we can't. Besides, Luo Yuheng is about to undergo his tribulation, and Xu Qi'an is also an unstable factor. The more time we give them, the more uncontrollable things will become."

"Besides, do you know when the White Emperor will return? The fate of Yunzhou, our fate, will not rest on a foreign aid."

[One: The teleportation array in the palace must be located in my bedchamber. If you are worried about Lin'an, have Sun Xuanji build one in her Shaoyin Palace as well. If Xu Pingfeng and Jialuo Tree really attack the capital, I will only have a chance of survival if the teleportation array is located in my bedchamber.]

[Three: No problem. As long as Your Majesty doesn't mind, I certainly won't mind either.]

[One: What does that mean?]

[Three: Directional teleportation talismans, leading to the palace; I need a few of those too.]

Huaiqing remained silent for a long time, but he didn't say anything about it either.

Xu Qi'an continued to send a message: [But if it really comes to that, it will be truly tragic.]

The two were chatting privately.

[Part 1: During the late Zhou Dynasty, in the reign of Emperor Yongyu, the army of the Witch God Sect marched to the capital. Emperor Yongyu fled the capital under the protection of the army, leaving the royal women and common people in the city. The Witch God Sect army massacred for three days and three nights, and abducted the princesses and concubines back to the northeast.]

Emperor Yongyu amassed a large army at the border and, within six years, drove the Witch God Cult's army out of the Central Plains.

[The capital has never been important. As long as I live, the Great Feng will not perish.]

Huaiqing's letter exuded a powerful, unparalleled confidence.

[One: Furthermore, since Xu Pingfeng dared to come to the capital, he shouldn't expect to return to Qingzhou and Yunzhou in a short time. This is also our chance to wipe out the headquarters of the rebels in Yunzhou. Given Xu Pingfeng's personality, he won't make the choice of mutual destruction unless he's in a desperate situation.]

[You now need to consider two things: First, help the Imperial Preceptor overcome his tribulation. Second, how to advance to the first rank.]

Helping the Imperial Preceptor advance to the first rank, tsk tsk, this Silver Gong is here by imperial decree to cultivate dual cultivation. Xu Qi'an replied via letter:

[clear.]

End the call.

Xu Qi'an sat atop Xunzhou city wall, gazing at the azure sky, lost in thought for a long time.

Once you advance in any of the major systems, there are no more obstacles.

As long as one accumulates vital energy, tempers one's physique, and improves the "Jade Shattering" technique, one can rely on time to gradually push one's cultivation level to the peak of the second rank.

In other words, regardless of the system or grade, the most difficult thing is breaking through the barrier.

Xu Qi'an initially relied on Wei Yuan's Blood Pill to advance to the third-grade Undying Body, and after that, he had no bottlenecks. He continued to cultivate with the Imperial Preceptor, and his Qi steadily increased.

The real challenge lies in the tiers required to upgrade a character's rank.

Just like that old scoundrel, it only takes a few decades to go from the third rank to the peak of the third rank.

However, the hurdle to advancing to the second rank has held him back for a full five hundred years.

"Promoting from the third rank to the second rank is about aligning with the Dao and completing the 'intention'. But what about promoting from the second rank to the first rank?" Xu Qi'an frowned deeply.

"The first-rank martial artist seems to have no name; there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. I feel that the martial artist system is perhaps the most unique and complex of all systems."

The martial arts system has existed since ancient times, but a superior grade has never appeared.

The first rank in the martial arts system has no name.

These two points alone are enough to show that there is a problem with this system.

He closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and focused his inner vision, releasing the seal on Master Shenshu.

With his current rank of second grade, sealing Shen Shu's right arm is not difficult. Although Master Shen Shu is a monk and does not care about matters between men and women, Xu Qi'an still refuses onlookers when they are cultivating together.

Luo Yuheng also refused to admit that there was a bystander present when he was being contradicted by the little silver gong.

A thick, misty fog appeared before us, its wisps of mist swaying like a veil. Deep within the fog stood a dilapidated temple, and a handsome young monk sat cross-legged before its gate.

"Master, I have a question to ask you." Xu Qi'an put his hands together in prayer.

How to advance to the rank of First-Class Martial Artist?

PS: I originally wanted to ask for leave because I had already finished writing the detailed outline from the time the supervisor was sealed to the Battle of Xunzhou, but I hadn't written the subsequent detailed outlines. Well, the detailed outline is not the same as the main outline. I've been working on the main outline until the end of the book, so I don't have to worry about the main outline.

After much thought, I felt it wouldn't be good to stop updating, so I persisted and wrote this chapter.