Returning to the camp, Li Xuancang and his group headed straight to the Military Merit Office to hand over the demon wolf's corpse.

After verifying the body, the military merit officer's expression turned serious.

"A Blackspine Demon Wolf? This type of demon beast has long occupied Rubble Valley, and usually, it takes several ten-man squads to take it down. You, a 5-Man Leader, managed to slay it with your team?"

Li Xuancang, covered in wounds and with a disrupted aura, replied in a deep voice, "It was merely luck."

Seeing the miserable state of Li Xuancang and his companions, the officer refrained from asking further questions.

It was clear they had paid a significant price to kill the Blackspine Demon Wolf.

He immediately recorded their achievement and calculated the military merit.

"For slaying a low-tier demon wolf, you are awarded twenty taels of silver, one stone of top-grade rice, three doses of Body Tempering Decoction, and three boxes of Flesh-Mending Ointment."

Upon hearing the rewards, Li Xuancang remained calm, but Zhou Xing and the others flushed with excitement, their breathing heavy.

What they cared about most were the Body Tempering Decoction and Flesh-Mending Ointment. In this chaotic world of demons and monsters, body-refining materials were extremely precious.

Ordinary soldiers might never touch Body Tempering resources in their lifetime. Only officers above the rank of 5-Man Leader and meritorious soldiers could apply for them regularly.

If they obtained the decoction and ointment, they might have a chance to advance further.

The heavy silver, the abundant fine grain, and the faintly fragrant body-refining decoction all fell into Li Xuancang's hands.

This was the benefit of military rank: strength earned military merit, military merit exchanged for resources, and resources further increased strength, a cycle that repeated endlessly.

Looking at the items in Li Xuancang's possession, the others' eyes burned with desire, yet none dared to speak.

Though the demon wolf was slain by their combined efforts, Li Xuancang was the leader, and he could have kept all the rewards for himself.

Li Xuancang said nothing, leading the group back to the camp.

"In this battle, everyone contributed significantly. I'll split ten taels of silver, one dose of Body Tempering Decoction, and one box of Flesh-Mending Ointment among you."

Li Xuancang chose not to keep all the rewards for himself, instead sharing a portion with the group.

"Thank you, 5-Man Leader."

The group was overjoyed, considering Li Xuancang exceptionally generous compared to others.

After distributing the items, Li Xuancang returned to his private quarters, closing the door tightly.

He took out the Body-Refining Decoction, mixing it with hot water, and slowly applied it to his skin, using the medicinal bath to gradually refine his body.

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The liquid seeped into his pores, the warm medicinal power coursing through his limbs, polishing his flesh and washing away accumulated fatigue and hidden injuries.

He didn't need the decoction and ointment to refine his body, but he could use them to accelerate his recovery.

Three days later, Li Xuancang's injuries were fully healed, and his strength steadily increased.

In the afternoon, at the military training ground.

The squads practiced daily drills, their shouts echoing, weapons clashing loudly.

Each 5-Man Leader led their team in training, secretly competing with one another.

The harsh border by the lakeside had limited resources, and military merit, medicinal materials, and promotion slots were all fiercely contested.

Anyone rising to prominence would inevitably attract jealousy and exclusion.

Li Xuancang, newly promoted to 5-Man Leader, had just slain a demon wolf, drawing the ire of several veteran leaders.

A burly veteran leader with a face full of scars approached with his subordinates, looking at Li Xuancang with disdain.

Zhou Mang had been stationed at the border for five years, at the Initial Body Tempering Stage, and was known for his domineering and tyrannical nature.

"Well, isn't this our newly famous 5-Man Leader?"

Zhou Mang's tone was mocking, filled with contempt.

"Just lucky, picking up a few heads, getting promoted out of turn, killing an old demon wolf, and receiving body-refining medicine. What good fortune."

Many soldiers nearby turned to watch, clearly seeing Zhou Mang was deliberately causing trouble.

Li Xuancang's five subordinates immediately frowned, wanting to step forward and argue.

The demon wolf was slain through their desperate efforts, with no luck involved, and they wouldn't allow anyone to question it.

Just as they were about to act, Li Xuancang raised his hand to stop them.

He calmly looked at Zhou Mang and spoke lightly.

"Military merit is earned through battle, rewards are exchanged for strength, none of your concern."

"None of my concern?"

Zhou Mang sneered, stepping closer, his blood energy deliberately surging, revealing his Body Tempering realm cultivation.

"As fellow 5-Man Leaders, I've been at the border for five years, fighting countless battles, and advancing steadily."

"You, a two-year conscript, rise to the top overnight, how can you stand on equal footing with me?"

"I think your meager strength doesn't qualify you as a 5-Man Leader."

His words were a public provocation, aiming to humiliate Li Xuancang and undermine his authority.

In the chaotic military camp, the law of the jungle prevailed. Showing weakness would lead to constant bullying, resources being blocked, and military merit suppressed, making progress impossible.

Li Xuancang slowly raised his eyes, a chill flashing within.

"Whether I'm qualified isn't for you to decide. If you're dissatisfied, you can personally ask Commander Zhao."

At these words, Zhou Mang's face flushed red, momentarily speechless.

Though a veteran leader, he dared not question the Hundred-Man Commander, as that would be suicidal.

Zhou Mang's face alternated between red and white, his eyes turning fierce as he shouted, "Sharp-tongued, let me see if your bones are as hard as your mouth."

Zhou Mang's ferocity surged, and with those words, he struck toward Li Xuancang's chest with a forceful palm.

"Today, I'll teach you the rules for a new 5-Man Leader in the camp."

The palm wind howled, the force not weak, intending to seriously injure Li Xuancang and publicly disgrace him.

The surroundings fell silent, all eyes fixed on the two.

"5-Man Leader, be careful."

Li Xuancang's five subordinates' faces changed drastically, filled with worry.

As the palm wind approached, Li Xuancang didn't retreat, facing it with full force.

This was his first encounter with a Body Tempering realm cultivator, and he dared not be careless.

Just as the palm was about to land, Li Xuancang sidestepped, then firmly grasped Zhou Mang's wrist.

"Crack!"

Li Xuancang struck with full force, without reservation, and a sound of bones cracking echoed.

Zhou Mang's face twisted, pain sweeping through his body instantly.

His expression turned to shock, his full-force palm unexpectedly caught by the opponent.

Li Xuancang's grip was like iron, firmly holding him, rendering him immobile.

"How... how is this possible?!"

Zhou Mang's pupils contracted, filled with disbelief.

Having broken through to the Body Tempering realm years ago, and just a step away from the Middle Stage, his physique was robust. Yet, in front of Li Xuancang, he seemed as weak as a child.

"What? Zhou Mang is actually losing?"

"Am I seeing things?"

"How is this possible?"

"......"

The onlookers were stunned, unable to believe the scene before them.

Though Zhou Mang was domineering in the camp, his strength was undeniable. Without it, he wouldn't dare bully others.

Yet now, Zhou Mang was being suppressed by Li Xuancang, a newcomer, leaving everyone incredulous.

"Ah!"

As Li Xuancang gradually increased his strength, Zhou Mang cried out in pain, his wrist bones on the verge of breaking, his strength completely suppressed, blood energy reversing, a metallic taste rising in his chest.

He struggled frantically, trying to break free from Li Xuancang's grip, but no matter how he resisted, Li Xuancang held his wrist firmly, preventing any escape.

Li Xuancang slightly raised his hand, then pushed forward.

"Bang!"

Zhou Mang's body staggered backward, falling several meters away, crashing to the ground, dust flying, utterly humiliated.

This was the military camp, and under the watchful eyes of all.

Li Xuancang could only teach Zhou Mang a lesson, not seriously injure him, or he would face punishment from above.