The Nine-Tier Military System is an established regulation within the army—its foundation.It is a system that cannot be altered in the future: Nine-Tier Heavenly Soldiers, Nine-Star Heavenly Generals.
In terms of cultivation level, becoming a Heavenly General is not something those in the Life Aperture Realm can aspire to.Within the Divine Sea Realm, one can only reach the third tier of Heavenly Soldier:
Qi Condensation is First-Tier,
Divine Spring is Second-Tier,
Sea Transformation is Third-Tier.
To reach Fourth-Tier, one must break through into the Life Aperture Realm:
Illusory Reflection for Fourth-Tier,
Star Condensation for Fifth-Tier,
Mirror Moon for Sixth-Tier.
Only upon advancing into the Life Map Realm can one become a Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth-Tier Heavenly Soldier.
In other words, the Nine-Tier Heavenly Soldiers span across the three major realms: Divine Sea, Life Aperture, and Life Map.Only after reaching the Law Form Realm is one eligible to become a One-Star Heavenly General.
At present, Xuanhuang City does not have any cultivators at the Law Form Realm. That level is akin to immortals.But the army cannot be without generals. Loyal companions such as Yang Ye and Wang Dahu, who have followed Yi Tianxing from the start, must be granted command authority.Thus, a temporary system has been introduced:The actual military rank adheres to the Nine-Tier structure, but a temporary honorary title equivalent to a Heavenly General is conferred.
This honorary title is symbolic only, with actual military pay issued according to the real rank, though there is a supplementary allowance.A third of the general's salary is given for the honorary rank—marking the distinction between real and honorary titles.
As Xuanhuang City grows stronger over time, and all soldiers enhance their cultivation, such honorary ranks will be abolished.This is a benefit reserved for those who joined early. In the future, even those with great talent will have to start as foot soldiers, climb the ranks, and gain promotions through merit.The era of immediate appointments will come to an end.
That is the huge difference between joining early and later.
"Thank you, Lord!"
Zhang Fei had been living in Xuanhuang City long enough to understand the significance of the Nine-Tier Military System, which is strictly hierarchical.Receiving an honorary Two-Star Heavenly General title is no small recognition.
"You earned it. This time, Yide, you made great contributions. Naturally, you shall be rewarded."Yi Tianxing then said:
"You are granted 10,000 Eternal Coins,10 bottles of Yellow-Grade Heavensteel Pills (10 pills per bottle),the cultivation method "Heavenly General's War Codex",and a residence within Xuanhuang City."
10,000 Eternal Coins was a generous reward, enough to purchase all sorts of resources.The "Heavenly General's War Codex" was a top-tier cultivation method.
Its most crucial aspect was its compatibility with any other technique. It wouldn't interfere with the user's original cultivation method, but would instead enhance one's cultivation using the battlefield's iron-blooded qi and connect one's energy with the troops.
The Heavensteel Pills were rare, and a residence in Xuanhuang City held great value.Altogether, this was a rich and transformative reward.
Zhang Fei, naturally aware of this, smiled and bowed:
"Then I shall humbly accept."
These rewards would allow him to take his strength to the next level.
After these matters were settled, they turned to discussions about the Imperishable Academy—how to recruit scholars from the Hundred Schools, how to draft its rules.
They discussed for a full hour before dispersing.
Qi Jiguang wandered through Xuanhuang City, gathering detailed information about its origin and development—anything he could learn, he would investigate.
At this moment, only Yi Tianxing, Cai Yong, and Cai Yan remained in the City Lord's residence.
They were family now.
"Father, you are now a cultivator—and one of the Confucian School at that. As a cultivator, your lifespan will be extended. Now that Heaven has allowed our reunion, I will make sure to honor you well in the years to come,"said Cai Yan joyfully, heartfelt emotion in her eyes.
Yi Tianxing also smiled:
"Indeed. Father-in-law, now that you will be leading the Undying Academy, we'll be seeing each other often. From what I understand of Confucian cultivation, the deeper one's scholarship and the greater one's reputation, the faster the progress—almost like galloping forward. Being the Academy Head will elevate your standing. If the Academy becomes renowned, there's no reason you cannot become a sage."
Placing Cai Yong as head of the Academy was no small matter—it was a position that could nurture sages.
Cai Yong nodded with approval:
"Yan'er is my only daughter. Since you, Tianxing, possess ambition, vision, and the ability to match—your foundation is solid. In this chaotic era, you have a real chance at greatness. As your father-in-law, I must support you."
After all, if the Academy thrives, it will gather immense public acclaim—of immeasurable value for cultivating Confucian techniques.
Yi Tianxing added:
"In the Scripture Pavilion, there is a top-tier Confucian method called "Record of Loyal Blood and Heart". Elder Huang and many others are cultivating it. If you are interested, Father-in-law, you may review it."
Cai Yong smiled and shook his head:
"No need. The Jixia Academy preserved many cultivation manuals, including those of the Hundred Schools. I even obtained a sacred artifact that fell from the heavens—this Pure Yang Ruler in my hand, aligned with Confucian righteous qi, has become my lifebound treasure.
I cultivate the "Sevenfold Cultivation of the Heart Canon", said to be created by Confucius himself."
🔹 "Sevenfold Cultivation of the Heart Canon"Known to have been passed down from Confucius to his disciples.
Its core lies in the seven-character mantra:Zhi (知), Zhi (止), Ding (定), Jing (静), An (安), Lü (虑), De (得) – Knowledge, Halt, Resolve, Stillness, Peace, Thought, Attainment.
These are the seven-step cultivation process in Confucian training and represent the highest principles taught in the Great Learning.
Confucian practice emphasizes moral transformation. Cultivating one's inner self, fulfilling ethical duties, and only then venturing into society.Hence the famous line:
"The way of great learning lies in manifesting bright virtue."
The Sevenfold Canon is a method of internal cultivation, rooted in self-cultivation.
It can be grouped into three levels:
First Layer:
Zhi (Knowledge)
Zhi (Halt)
"Knowing where to stop brings resolve."
Second Layer:
Ding (Resolve)
Jing (Stillness)
An (Peace)
"With resolve comes stillness; with stillness comes peace."
Third Layer:
Lü (Thought)
De (Attainment)
"From peace comes contemplation; from contemplation comes attainment."
These seven truths are interdependent and inseparable.The method revolves around mastering these seven truths to cultivate mind and virtue, aligning one's words and deeds.As one comprehends each stage, great divine abilities arise, and cultivation improves rapidly.
This is a high and rare Confucian method—few others can compare.
With this manual in hand, Cai Yong had no need for others.
Yi Tianxing drew in a breath and congratulated him:
"A method from Confucius himself—congratulations, Father-in-law. With such a legacy, achieving sagehood is only a matter of time."
He hadn't expected Cai Yong to possess such a great opportunity. With this, unless disaster struck, he was bound to become a peerless master.
Cai Yong then said:
"Earlier, you mentioned the Scripture Pavilion. Since it seeks to collect all cultivation manuals under heaven, I shall donate the Hundred School manuals acquired from Jixia Academy.However, disciples of the Undying Academy must retain access rights to these manuals in the future."
He waved his hand, and a pile of ancient books appeared on the jade table.
Yi Tianxing picked them up:
"Heavenly Net True Art", "Celestial Medicine Sutra", "Thousand Spirit Scripture", "Minor Evolution Divine Canon"...
Each was the essence of a Hundred School philosophy, some top-tier, others more basic—but all valuable, embodying their respective doctrines. Any single one would be a priceless treasure sought after by countless cultivators.
Their value was on par with—or even superior to—those already in the Scripture Pavilion.
Then, one particular manual caught Yi Tianxing's eye.
"Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Sutra"
As soon as he laid eyes on it, he felt a strange resonance, as if it were immensely beneficial to him. Without hesitation, he began flipping through it—and was soon elated.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent! I've long searched for this without success. Now, it falls into my hands by pure chance."
This was a top-tier Yin-Yang School cultivation method involving spiritual avatar transformation.To others, it was merely a clone technique, but to him, it could evolve into a supreme split-soul method—
It could help him forge a Second Nascent Spirit.
Yi Tianxing was ecstatic.