When Qin Tian stepped into the temporary camp of the Chijin Battlegroup dressed in a black major generalâs ceremonial uniform, the originally noisy battalion instantly fell into a brief silence, and the next second, it exploded as the warriorsâ eyes locked onto his shoulder, the sensational sound wave almost overturning the tentâs roof.
"Is that a major generalâs shoulder badge? Golden leaves encircling a golden star, am I seeing things?" a young warrior rubbed his eyes, his tone full of disbelief.
"Itâs really a major general! Our leader has truly been promoted to major general!" Another veteran clapped his thigh abruptly, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"Our leader was a colonel previously, how long has it been, directly promoted by two ranks to major general!"
"What about crossing two ranks?" Immediately, a warrior retorted, his tone full of protection for Qin Tian, "Have you forgotten how many demons we killed in the Demon Suppression Abyss? Our battlegroupâs enemy eradication count is several times, even ten times that of other battlegroups, and the number of demonic qi fissures weâve destroyed is something they couldnât even dare to imagine. The leader deserves this promotion, even a three-rank promotion wouldnât be excessive!"
Amidst the discussions, the warriors gathered around, crowding Qin Tian, their young faces filled with excitement and pride.
Feng Xiaotian was the first to step forward, his smile particularly sincere: "Leader, congratulations, congratulations!"
He indeed felt envy, but not a shred of jealousyâonly those who fought alongside Qin Tian in the Demon Realm knew how much this leader sacrificed for the Chijin Battlegroup and for this battle.
As everyone surrounded discussing the shoulder badge, Li Wufengâs eyes widened, his gaze firmly fixed on Qin Tianâs left chestâthis professional soldier, graduated from a formal military academy, understood better than anyone the weight of military honor. His fingers trembled slightly, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty: "Leader, that medal on your chest..."
Qin Tian glanced down at the "Empire Glorification Medal" on his chest, the ruby on the chijin base gleamed warm in the sunlight, he raised his hand and gently brushed the edge of the medal, smiling slightly: "This is the Empire Glorification Medal."
"It really is the Empire Glorification Medal!"
Li Wufengâs pupils contracted abruptly, subconsciously taking half a step back, his face filled with shock.
He understood better than anyone the weight of this medalâitâs the pinnacle honor in the Royal Army, only awarded to warriors who have accomplished "war-changing level" extraordinary feats. Across the entire Azure Wood Star Realm, those who achieve this medal have always been rare, and itâs been several years since anyone has even touched the threshold for this medal.
More importantly, the Empire Glorification Medal is never merely a "symbol of honor."
The wearer of the Empire Glorification Medal, no matter which star realmâs garrison they visit, receives the highest-level hospitality from the local government and army; the medal holderâs relatives, from job allocation to medical care, education, to interstellar travel, enjoy top-tier benefits of the Empire.
A single medal can almost propel an entire family to rise.
"Empire Glorification Medal."
Upon hearing the name of this medal, the warriors immediately checked Star Net, and the search left them gasping at the weight of the medal.
"Oh my, the Empire Glorification Medal is top-tier honor in the Military Department, feels like the weight of this medal is heavier than that of a major general."
"Yes, major generals are appointed every year, but those who earn the Empire Glorification Medal, there are only a few in the entire Azure Wood Star Realm."
Amidst the discussion, the warriorsâ gaze towards Qin Tian grew hotterâbefore they only knew the leader accomplished great deeds, but never expected this honor to be so precious.
The major general rank is proof of strength, but the Empire Glorification Medal is a symbol of legend, and their leader is holding these two honors firmly in hand.
Old Ghost stood on the outskirts of the crowd, his hands behind his back, watching Qin Tian surrounded by the warriors, those slightly cloudy eyes reflecting a layer of complicated emotion.
His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the sleeveâno one knew what kind of waves were surging inside this Tier Six Soul Master at the moment.
Initially, when Qin Tian forcibly planted the Soul Seed and took him in as a Soul Servant, he didnât know how many nights he tossed and turned.
Living independently for decades, finally breaking through the bottleneck to advance to Tier Six Soul Master, he thought he would live more freely, yet he ended up in the hands of a young officer, becoming a soul servant at their disposalâthis, in his view, was the greatest irony of his life.
But during the time theyâve spent together, the days he worried about never appeared.
Qin Tian never arrogantly demanded him to do things, instead would ask for his opinion during tactical discussions; knowing that soul master cultivation requires resources, he even proactively gifted him elixirs and treasure materials, helping him break through a minor blockage that lasted for years.
And today, witnessing Qin Tian dressed in a major generalâs uniform, the Empire Glorification Medal shining brightly on his chest, Old Ghostâs last bit of discomfort dissipated, he gently sighed, the emotion in his eyes gradually turning into a smile of clarity.
Perhaps, being planted with a Soul Seed by such a person isnât irony, but instead the most fortunate "falling down" in his drifting half-life.
Beyond the crowd, Poisonous Widowâs gaze was like a slender string, firmly locked onto Qin Tian surrounded by warriors.
The pair of beautiful eyes quietly unfolded a layer of soft, moist light, she looked at Qin Tianâs shoulder badge reflecting light, the smile at the corner of his lips, and suddenly felt that such an energetic boss would probably be engraved forever in her memory, never fading.
"Xiong, âMajor Generalâ... is it a very powerful thing?"
Terreda squeezed into the outskirts of the crowd, half-familiar with the Empireâs language, barely grasping the word "Major General" repeatedly mentioned. But just by looking at the warriors around him, their flushed faces, and excitedly waving their arms, he could guess that their boss had achieved something remarkable.
Xiong scratched the back of his head, answering in a booming voice: "Seems like... itâs supposed to be a very powerful high-ranking officer."
Once out of the Demon Suppression Abyss, the two could finally communicate using the translator, but Terredaâs understanding of "high-ranking officer" still stayed in Barbarian Raceâs perceptionâthe translator converted this term into Barbarian language, popping up the interpreted meaning as "tribal chief."
"Turns out the boss has become a tribal chief!" Terredaâs eyes lit up, his face full of realization, he then leaned forward again, asking eagerly: "Are we supposed to have our own territory now? Can we hunt freely, and wage war on other tribes?"
"Uh..." Xiong was taken aback, pondering that a major general is a high-ranking officer in the army, commanding a lot of men, presumably capable of "battling other people," so he nodded emphatically: "I think so!"
This statement instantly ignited Terredaâs interest, he immediately turned around and gestured to the Barbarian Warriors behind him, shouting loudly in Barbarian language.
The group of tall warriors erupted upon hearing "having their own territory" and "can hunt freely," letting out rough roars that reached the sky, some even pounded their chests in excitement, with such fervor it looked as if they were about to rush out to stake a territory and build a tribe.
Qin Tian watched this scene from afar, his mouth uncontrollably twitching.
He figured it out, Xiong and Terreda, these two lively characters, were even better at exaggerating than the old gossips at the village entranceâsomehow, the decent major general rank, through their interpretation, transformed into "Barbarian chief" and "able to attack others", at this rate, who knows what outrageous stories they might come up with next.
After returning, he must give them a thorough lesson in cultural education.
Suddenly, Xiong and Terreda shivered as if feeling a chill on their back, like some trouble was about to arise.