C49 The Military and the Angel Clan

In the Headquarters Building of the Human Federation, the conference room's large screen was looping footage of Jiang Que's battle with the Gold Python. The Marshal and fourteen Military Magnates watched intently, their thoughts inscrutable.

After a lengthy silence, the Marshal turned to address the two Eight-star Generals and twelve Seven-star Generals. "What are your thoughts?" he asked.

A Seven-star General spoke up, "There's no need for hesitation. We should initiate reforms immediately. It's imperative that we phase out soldiers with inferior talent and massively recruit those with superior potential."

"The infantry, in particular," he continued, "I believe we need to restructure our infantry forces."

"Such a move might be too drastic," another cautioned. "Military reforms always have far-reaching consequences. And right now, we're placing all our bets on Jiang Que."

"In theory, once the average level of the Flame Mountain Tribe's clansmen nears or surpasses the Spirit Release Stage Level 1, Jiang Que will share the full Cloud Stepping Spell and his new cultivation method. This could happen within one to one and a half months."

"However, this is merely our assessment and speculation. The actual outcome remains to be seen."

"The public is right about one thing: for a genius of Jiang Que's caliber, any unexpected decision he makes is to be expected."

"Despite the hundreds of psychologists and behavioral experts we've deployed to analyze Jiang Que's thinking, the possibility of misjudgment is still significant."

An Eight-star General suggested a more cautious approach. "Undeniably, sweeping reforms are essential. Jiang Que's new cultivation method has showcased the formidable solo combat capabilities of our soldiers, giving us hope that the Human Race can single-handedly defeat all other races."

"The infantry, once deemed expendable, could very well rise in prominence."

"Were it not for the innate talent ceiling of the Human Race, the infantry might even become our primary combat force."

"Still, research institutes estimate that Jiang Que's potential could rival that of an ace Mecha pilot."

"With the vast resources at our disposal to cultivate talent, these prodigies could exceed even Jiang Que's capabilities. Their personal strength could rival that of a combat aircraft."

"If we can assemble a multitude of geniuses and provide them with focused training, the combat capabilities of several hundred thousand or even millions could rival that of fighter jets. Such talent could form an exceptionally powerful special forces army, wielding inconceivable might in the grand conflict with all other races."

"However, this isn't a task that can be completed in a month or two. There's no need to rush."

The Eight-star General summarized, "I believe we should initiate the reforms after Jiang Que has officially released the complete Cloud Stepping Spell and the new cultivation method."

"Moreover, our reforms should be incremental, starting with the infantry, which will cause the most significant impact."

"We could cease the training of genetic warriors or phase them out entirely. Assuming no surprises, once the geniuses advance to the Spirit Release Stage and master Jiang Que's new cultivation method, they will easily surpass the genetic warriors that would otherwise take us years and vast sums of money to develop."

"For now, Mecha soldiers, pilots, and various battleship crews can remain as they are."

"In our recruitment process, we can add talent-based criteria to our existing requirements. Research shows that the greater an individual's strength, the more their reaction time, speed, and physical condition improve."

"With increased strength, a person's proficiency in operating Mechas, fighter aircraft, and battleships also significantly enhances."

The other Eight-star General and the twelve Seven-star Generals all nodded in agreement.

Marshal furrowed his brow.

He was inclined towards rapid and extensive reform.

The Eight-star General's analysis was logical, yet Marshal sensed an inexplicable foreboding.

Jiang Que, the most extraordinary genius in Human Race history, was unpredictable.

His growth might not plateau as quickly as the research institute anticipated.

To date, Jiang Que had repeatedly achieved the miraculous.

It's possible he could do so again.

Waiting until all is certain before implementing reforms, even with the military's ability to harness humanity's resources, might not suffice to keep pace with Jiang Que's advancements.

Should the neighboring races of the Milky Way detect the Human Race's potential for swift ascension, they would likely deploy their most formidable measures to quell it.

They would not afford the Human Race the luxury of time to evolve.

Yet, after a brief hesitation, Marshal chose not to voice any opposition.

All the top brass in the military agreed that a cautious approach to reform was preferable. The Marshal, while capable of quashing any opposition with a single decisive action, knew that doing so would inevitably lead to internal discord.

"Let's discuss the details of the reform," the Marshal finally announced, setting the agenda for the meeting.

The reform must be undertaken with caution!

The Angel Star Galaxy was under the dominion of the Angel Clan.

The Angel Clan controlled most of the Life Planets, with only a minority falling under the control of other races.

Within a colossal palace, towering thousands of feet high and spanning over a million square kilometers, the Holy Lord of the Angel Clan was deep in cultivation.

Standing at an imposing five meters tall, his presence radiated an overwhelming dignity, as if he were the supreme ruler of all creation.

His back bore six enormous golden wings.

Energy from within a hundred-mile radius converged on these six massive wings like an incoming tide.

Suddenly, the restriction enveloping the area pulsed with an odd light and patterns.

The Angel Holy Lord opened his eyes, a slight frown creasing his brow.

With a mere gesture, he opened a gap in the restriction that even the large warships of the Human Race couldn't affect.

An Angel Clan member, sporting a pair of silver wings, flew in with a flutter.

"Holy Lord!" The Angel Clan member prostrated before the Angel Holy Lord, presenting a green gemstone and reporting, "Master Burton has sent this information. He says there's an urgent matter awaiting your judgment."

The Angel Holy Lord waved his hand, and the green gemstone floated before him.

He projected his mind sense into it, and a series of images flickered into view, showing Jiang Que slaying the Gold Python.

Following that, an image of a man with golden wings appeared.

This was the powerful and influential Two-winged Golden Angel, Burton.

According to Burton, the new cultivation method created by this unparalleled Human Race genius could potentially lead to a complete shift from technological reliance to individual strength within the Human Race.

Should the Human Race undergo such a transformation, the consequences could be unpredictable.

Burton proposed seizing this moment to forge an alliance with races harboring grudges against the Human Race and launch an assault on the Milky Way.

Even if they couldn't annihilate the Human Race outright, the goal was to deal a crippling blow, stunting their ability to further their development and power.

The Angel Holy Lord's frown deepened.

He said, "Has Burton become fearful after his defeat by the Human Race last time?"

"The image of a mere Human Race genius has been presented to me twice in such a short span of time!"

"Burton even proposed an alliance with other races to attack the Human Race. But as the initiator, what kind of price must the Angel Clan pay to bring about this coalition?"

He glanced at the prostrate Two-winged Silver Angel and spoke with impatience, "Inform Burton that the Human Race's innate talent is inferior. Even if they manage to transform and reach the pinnacle of their cultivation, they are merely enhancing their battleships' agility through quicker reflexes and maneuvers. Such a marginal improvement is hardly enough to intimidate the other races, nor should it cause us any alarm."

"Understood!" The Two-winged Silver Angel responded promptly.

"Also, tell Burton I have no desire to see that Human Race genius's image a third time. He has yet to earn the privilege of disrupting my meditation!" The Angel Holy Lord dismissed the matter with an impatient wave of his hand.

The Two-winged Silver Angel quickly bowed and departed.