Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog

Third Rank Dragon Abyss Major General?

Chen Ku was slightly taken aback in his incarnation's consciousness.

Isn't the General supposed to be Fourth Rank?

How could it be a Third Rank Major General?

He had always remembered the ranking system of the Daji Dynasty: Ninth Grade Military Scholar, Eighth Grade Martial Scholar, Seventh Grade Martial Arts Scholar, Sixth Grade Martial Master, Fifth Grade Advanced Scholar, Fourth Grade Military General, Third Grade Marquis, Second Grade King, and First Grade Martial Pillar of the Country.

The position of General, at most, is Third Grade. Beyond that, it would be a Marquis.

Yet, he saw.

After Prince Yang Hao announced the decree, even others in the Divine Martial Mountain Hall, like the elders Zu Dengfeng and Ying Yunqian, were looking at the imperial decree in Prince Yang Hao's hand with shocked expressions.

"Dragon Abyss Major General, this is not a general rank within our dynasty's ranks, yet..."

Immediately, Zu Dengfeng and Ying Yunqian exchanged glances, unable to hide the emotion in their eyes:

"A new rank was specifically created for the top scholar of the Divine Martial Exam?"

In an instant, they simultaneously thought of how over a hundred years ago, the Grand Ancestor Emperor also established the title 'Champion Marquis,' distinct from the ancestral system and previous systems.

Champion Marquis implies a distinction above all military achievements, and a rank above all marquises.

The Champion Marquis of those years, Yang Shou, thus became the one and only young Champion Marquis in the founding history of the Daji Dynasty.

As a result, years later, another young man received a 'military rank' specifically established by His Majesty the Emperor.

Dragon Abyss Major General!

As the name suggests, incorporating the name of the Dragon Abyss Province among the thirteen provinces of the Daji Dynasty, the significance of this 'Dragon Abyss Major General' is clear.

It might indicate that this Major General will eventually take over from the Governor of Dragon Abyss, becoming a lord of the area?

Of course, these were just thoughts that passed through their minds.

They were also pondering something.

Was this Dragon Abyss Major General specifically prepared by His Majesty for the first-place graduate of the Divine Martial Academy's first class, or was it specifically prepared for Chen Ku himself?

After thinking for a while.

They felt that the latter was more likely!!

After all, if it were an ordinary first-place scholar from the Divine Martial Mountain, even someone as outstanding as Xue Bailiu, the third-ranked hero of Dragon Abyss, without any significant achievements, His Majesty would not bestow such a high rank.

A Third Rank General is a rank almost equivalent to a Marquis, just without the title, but already comparable to the title of Champion Marquis, albeit slightly weaker.

But the position of the Right-wing Vanguard Army holds real power, capable of leading ten thousand elite vanguard troops below them.

"Chen Ku, won't you receive the decree?"

The incarnation immediately stepped forward to receive the decree, saying respectfully:

"Minister Chen Ku humbly receives the decree. Grateful for the heavenly favor, I shall surely kill the enemy at the front, reclaim lost territory, and not fail the holy expectations!"

Prince Yang Hao looked at the young man with a somewhat delicate appearance, his eyes filled with complex emotions, for this youth was so young. According to the records of Divine Martial Mountain, he was only about three to four months away from turning nineteen, making him only around eighteen now.

At such a young age, he could receive such attention from the Emperor. Although it was wartime, it still made his heart a bit sour.

However, his thoughts did not reflect on his face, as he looked at Chen Ku and said blandly:

"According to the decree by His Majesty, Chen Ku, after receiving one year of national nurturing at Divine Martial Mountain, you have finally graduated successfully. Now, as the front lines are critical, you are given three days to pass through the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth passage to 'Guzi Pass' and report to Governor Li's camp to lead the Right-wing Vanguard Army without delay."

The incarnation nodded in agreement.

Prince Yang Hao then looked at others, stating:

"The command of this Prince's decree is complete. There are also military affairs to address, so I will not linger in Divine Martial Mountain. The rest of the graduates, according to another decree, are also given three days, and must proceed to their assigned Gate Cities to assume their duties. I hope you can fully apply what you have learned on the battlefield, serve the nation, and defend our land!"

"Respectfully sending off the Eighth Prince," the Divine Martial Mountain Hall Masters and instructors bowed, watching Yang Hao step into the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth passage.

After Yang Hao left.

A continued officiation for others' appointments took place at the front of the hall.

Xue Bailiu was appointed 'Fourth-Rank Jiangzhou Garrison General,' going to the front lines to guard the city of Jiangzhou.

Others, such as Xu Fanfeng among the six prodigies of Yan Capital, were each appointed as deputy generals, assistant generals, guerrillas, and other positions.

"His Highness the Prince grants you three days, so because of tight time constraints, you have at most a day or two to rest before heading to your respective assigned Gate Cities on the third day."

Zu Dengfeng looked at this group of students below, his emotions deep, saying:

"In this year, as the first class of students from Divine Martial Mountain, you should set an example. Once on the battlefield, you must demonstrate the qualities of those who emerge from Divine Martial Mountain. I hope you can set a precedent for the second, third classes of junior disciples, win battles, and defend our country!"

"To be loyal to the country is our responsibility!"

A group of students shouted loudly.

Finally, Zu Dengfeng announced, "The students who were injured or sacrificed under the enemy attack from Beiyuan Xiaoli and others a few days ago will be given compensation. The injured students, once their condition improves, will have additional exams. It won't be long before you can see them on the battlefield as well."

Finally, Ying Yunqian bowed to all the students:

"The frontline depends on you."

They would continue to stay at Divine Martial Mountain to train the students of the second and third sessions for the Daji.

The final exam had ended.

Three days remained.

Xu Fanfeng and others came before Chen Ku and asked, "Brother Chen, the few of us are going to some cities on the Dragon River front line, while you are going to serve under the Governor's banner. If there isn't a major battle, it might be hard to meet on the battlefield, so let's have a good drink before we part ways."

Chen Ku solemnly nodded and asked, "How is Brother Xiao's injury? Let him come along."

"Brother's injury is not light, but he already said he wants to personally see us off." Xu Fanfeng said no more.

After one or two hours.

Many students from Divine Martial Mountain began to gradually descend the mountain, some sending letters to their family or sect, while others grouped up in threes or fives to head to the tavern for a farewell feast.

But everyone was uniformly enveloped in a layer of unwillingness to part from their brothers, and a steadfast determination to soon set foot on the bloody battleground between two nations.

And in the taverns of Yan Capital, finally, it all transformed into the wine spilled amidst the clinking of cups.

In the tavern, Chen Ku saw Xiao Tianzuo, his face slightly changed, and he asked, "Is the injury very serious?"

Xiao Tianzuo's face was pale, as he waved to Chen Ku and said, "It's okay, just that Xiaoli gave me a blow, and the fire burned most of the meridians in my body. With family spiritual medicine and healing from Divine Doctors at the Martial Temple, it will recover in a few months."

Chen Ku said nothing, immediately stepped forward to grasp Xiao Tianzuo's arm with a serious expression.

Instantly, he thought to himself:

"Attach Xiaoli's Evil Qi of the Divine Fire Avatar, performing 'Shape-shifting by Heart', I want his 'Six-taste True Fire'"

[Divine Fire Avatar Transformation·Shapeshifting]

[Diagram Master performed Shape-shifting by Heart Divine Skills]

[Designated Shape-shifting Part: Six True Flames]

The next moment, Xiao Tianzuo felt a domineering suction from Chen Ku's palm, and all the fires within him that could not be extinguished were surprisingly absorbed by Chen Ku.

"This…" Xiao Tianzuo was shocked, as he looked inside himself, finding there were only damaged meridians, and no longer any troublesome flames to cause further harm: "The fire injury disappeared."

"Some methods learned from Destruction Tower." Chen Ku said, with some apology: "Sorry for letting Brother Xiao suffer."

After he defeated Xiaoli's avatar, he was ordered to continue participating in the final exam, so he had no time to help Xiao Tianzuo solve the problem, now it was considered late support.

"Hahaha... What suffering? With your move, I might recover in seven or eight days, then I can continue the final exam and come to the battlefield to find you!" Xiao Tianzuo said excitedly: "Originally, I felt a bit sad today, but now I don't feel anything, we will meet again in the military soon!"

"Then, we'll meet in the military!" Chen Ku raised his cup.

Xu Fanfeng and several others raised their cups simultaneously, saying in unison: "Let's go together to kill Qi Cultivators!"

After a banquet.

The next day, Chen Ku summoned the two masters from Hero King Realm and brought them to Guanyin Monastery, where they met Master Tian Hai.

He informed them about the matters concerning Putuo Mountain and Imperial Enlightenment Sect.

"Three masters, disciples are heading to Guzi Pass tomorrow to serve under Governor Li's banner. You just need to wait for my news in Yan Capital. Before long, I will find an excellent mountain for our sect to use as a base." Chen Ku bid farewell to the three with a bow.

"Rest assured, in rebuilding Imperial Enlightenment Sect and Putuo Mountain's grand venture, we old folks won't let you alone take on everything. Although the old man and your senior brother are a realm lower than you and Master Tian Hai, with the Stone Man's nurturing blessings our Root Bone qualifications are now vastly different, and progress in cultivation will be even faster, we will begin looking for a new sect location here." Shan Lingguan was familiar with Master Tian Hai, after all, initially pointing Chen Ku to rely on him was his idea.

Chen Ku stayed one more day with the three elders.

On the third day.

Below Divine Martial Mountain, quite a number of young and adolescent talents had already gathered.

These were the students of the second session being selected at Divine Martial Mountain.

Suddenly, the dark mass of youths shouted towards the mountain, to the old students entering the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth transmission channel:

"Respected seniors, we'll be there next year!"

The tsunami-like voices of these youths caused Chen Ku to turn back and look down, seeing many teenagers even younger than him.

Then, he turned and entered the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth transmission channel leading to 'Guzi Pass'.