Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery
Chapter 1008 - 977: Rewarding the Troops, Unifying the Northern Plains

"Your Majesty, our army has achieved a great victory in this battle!"

At the same time, within the Black Demon Palace of the Liudao Sect, Military Sect Sect Master Hei Louxi, Great Sun Longsword Commander Master Xufang True Monarch, Chaos Law Heavenly Commander Master Tianyang True Monarch, and dozens of Nascent Soul Monks with distinguished battle merits arrived via teleportation Formation and reported to the green-clothed youth seated upon the Six Dao Throne like presenting treasures.

"Your Majesty, this is the heavy treasure of the Western Desert Demon Race Dynasty, the Heavenly Demon Slaying Banner. In this battle, it was all thanks to Your wise and valiant guidance and the courage you bestowed upon us!"

Sect Master Hei Louxi personally held a dark banner aloft, presenting it with obedient words of tribute.

"Congratulations, Heavenly Monarch!"

"Congratulations, Swordsman!"

Dozens of Immortals said in unison.

Apart from the Immortals who were necessary to station in the Northern Capital, all the others had arrived.

It is not about doing a good job, but about reporting it well.

Many Immortals were well aware of this and would not miss such an occasion to divide the spoils, lest they regret it for life.

In fact, they were overthinking; this would have no impact.

"Brown-nosers."

"What a muddleheaded definition of wisdom and valor."

Jiang Ding took the Heavenly Demon Slaying Banner, looking helplessly at this group of True Masters.

This Heavenly Demon Slaying Banner was decent, a Primordial Spirit Treasure worth tens of trillions of Low-grade Spirit Stones, all made up of Fifth Order currency. It shows they made an effort.

"Swordsman!"

"In this battle, our army has slain one hundred and thirty-seven Demon Monarchs and over two million Demon Kings and Demon Generals of the Demon Race. Among them, the Great Sun Longsword Metropolis played the most critical role, taking the lead in breaking the deadlock..."

Hei Louxi had barely finished speaking before True Master Xufang could not wait to speak up, showing no fear of even an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Do not be deceived, Swordsman!"

"This battle was clearly the greatest contribution of our Primordial Legal Heaven Metropolis; we resisted the strongest Demon Imperial Guard and the Quasi-Fifth Order Heavenly Demon Slaying Divine Formation, suffered casualties of over a hundred thousand, and bore the brunt among all the armies..."

Master Tianyang True Monarch argued forcefully, not yielding an inch.

"Your Majesty, the Tu Shan Maiden Corps commanded from the center, oversaw all directions, and commanded the whole field. No matter how other armies performed, the Tu Shan Maiden Corps should be recognized as the primary contributor—that is the distinction between superior and inferior..."

Southeast Wind Female Servant Hei Louxi immediately spoke up in refutation.

"Nonsense, you all..."

Each side had its reasons and immediately started a hubbub of arguments in the hall, becoming riotous, each confronting the other sharply and quarreling fiercely.

This was inevitable.

As commanders, if they could not fight for benefits for themselves and their subordinates, the resentment of the Immortals and True Masters beneath them would overwhelm them, making future leadership difficult.

If this happened repeatedly, they would inevitably have to resign and yield their place.

"Enough,"

Jiang Ding shook his head and said.

The noisy hall went suddenly silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, without a hint of noise.

All the True Masters were silent, focusing their attention on the voice coming from the ninety-ninth step, not missing a single detail.

"The criteria must be clear."

"Battle merits represent the achievements established on the battlefield, unrelated to status, strength, casualties, or numbers, only related to the outcome of the battle."

Jiang Ding stated clearly.

"The Primordial Legal Heaven Metropolis, which resisted the Demon Imperial Guard and the Quasi-Fifth Order Heavenly Demon Slaying Divine Formation led by the Emperor of the Demon Race, the Ice Phoenix Demon Monarch, shall be acclaimed as the top contributor."

"Swordsman is sage!"

Master Tianyang True Monarch was overjoyed, bowing deeply.

This merit was not unfounded; according to the insider information he obtained beforehand, merits could be exchanged for the God Transformation Tribulation Secret Art, God-Transforming Tribulation Pills, and even Life Extension Elixirs.

Of course, merely one battle was probably not enough, but it was still a rare opportunity.

Battle merits related to life and death!

"Swordsman is sage!"

"Your Majesty is sage!"

Hei Louxi and Master Xufang bowed their heads in acknowledgement.

With the Heavenly Monarch speaking out personally, any resentment from the subordinates towards them naturally dissipated, and there was no possibility of them confronting the Heavenly Monarch.

Moreover, from the perspective of wartime achievements, Primordial Magic Heavenly Metropolis indeed holds the most merits.

But True Master Void Square is not too envious.

While Primordial Magic Heavenly Metropolis has many achievements, it also has a large number of people!

Ten times that of Great Sun Longsword Metropolis and Tu Shan Maiden Corps, the enormous merits divided among them, although quite substantial, are probably not as much as theirs in absolute terms.

"Great Sun Longsword Metropolis, for breaching the Three Royal Clans and securing a decisive victory, merits second place."

"Tu Shan Maiden Corps, for breaking through the Golden Wing King Clan demon army, earns the third merit."

Jiang Ding enumerated, setting the standards of battle merits for everyone.

Many Immortals naturally bowed their heads in agreement, without any dissent.

"This is the merit of the group."

"Individual merits are divided into two parts: combat achievements and command achievements. Governance Sect shall handle them."

Jiang Ding continued, "It must be ensured that the merits of each person can be verified. How many enemies killed—how much merit; how much aid to allies—how much merit; how much healing for allies—how much merit... and so on. Every piece of military achievement must have tangible evidence, magic visuals, Divine Soul memory visual records, able to withstand careful scrutiny and the doubts of others."

"The public announcement of military achievements will last for three months. Within these three months, anyone can raise doubts, and Governance Sect must respond, without any negligence."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Governance Sect Master Gong Caiyu listened sternly to the command.

"The cultivators who died in battle have made significant contributions to the rejuvenation of the Human Race, and we must offer proper consolation."

Jiang Ding continued.

"While providing material compensation and military services, we must also take good care of their families, making it easier for them to enter various Sects for study.

Members of Governance Sect must listen carefully to the opinions of the bereaved family members of the deceased, inquire about their difficulties in life, whether they have been bullied... and ensure all measures for their welfare are in place."

"Concerning the consolation of the fallen cultivators, I attach great importance to it. If anyone violates this, they should be severely punished; the death penalty should be applied where due, and military achievements shall not exempt them."

Jiang Ding said sternly.

"Merit is merit, fault is fault."

"Where there is merit, it should be generously rewarded; where there is fault, it must be punished severely. The two should coexist and not offset each other."

"Yes, Heavenly Monarch!"

Dozens of Immortals resounded in agreement.

"Haha!"

"There's no need to be so serious; it is a time of great victory, a time for celebration."

Jiang Ding smiled, "Go back, and when the military achievements are released, you may exchange them for the Elixirs, Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures, Cultivation Methods, and secret techniques you desire to further advance your Cultivation Base and move one step closer on the Immortal Path."

"I wish for everyone's path on the Immortal Path to be evergreen and enduring."

"Thanks to the Heavenly Monarch!"

Many Immortals said joyfully.

Many are already fantasizing about how to splurge their hard-earned battle merits to greatly improve their cultivation.

"Swordsman, when shall we attack the West Desert?"

At the point of leaving, Scorching Sun Immortal asked excitedly.

His Sword Intent, closer than before the battle, brimmed with a desire to fight. He had a hunch he was on the right path to surpass his master and hungered for it even more.

Attack the West Desert?

Dozens of Immortals gasped.

They looked nervously upwards, wishing they could each kick Scorching Sun Immortal to death.

"At least, it would be eighty years later."

Jiang Ding pondered for a moment and said, "Our strength as Humans lies in recovery ability, faster emergence of powerful individuals. After eighty years, all the opportunities will have been assimilated, strength enhanced, and those due for promotion will be promoted.

Golden Pill Monks and Foundation-building cultivators will continue to emerge, and new Nascent Soul Monks born, restoring and even enhancing the strength of our legions."

"That moment would be the opportune time to attack."

"Eighty years."

Scorching Sun Immortal was somewhat disappointed.

"His Majesty is wise!"

Immortals like Tianyang Immortal didn't care about his feelings and shouted resolutely in high spirits.