179: Naval Reform

Five years passed quietly, with surface calm concealing rapid development beneath.

For the Aolai Kingdom, these five years were relatively peaceful at the borders. After their 'costly victory' against the Werewolf Tribe, the Star Sea Territory seemed genuinely weakened as they appeared, focusing entirely on managing the newly acquired Scott Province, fortifying defenses, encouraging immigration and land reclamation, with no further large-scale military actions. The Werewolf Tribe also retreated deep into the Great Wilderness Forest, occasionally launching small harassments but never stirring major waves again. The capital's attention was increasingly drawn to the growing undercurrents of the royal succession and the expanding influence of the Second Prince in the south, while vigilance toward the 'heavily damaged' and 'law-abiding' Duke of Star Sea in the east seemed to have somewhat diminished.

However, beneath this calm surface, the Star Sea Territory was undergoing a transformative qualitative change.

First was the explosion in human resources. After years of accumulation and a refined education System, the Star Sea Academy entered a bountiful harvest period. Each year, large numbers of systematically trained, highly loyal, and capable administrative, military, and technical talents graduated, continuously being dispatched to various provinces, counties, legions, and workshops across the territory. This greatly alleviated the shortage of management personnel and technical backbones, providing a solid Foundation for the territory's refined management and sustainable development.

More importantly, there was explosive growth in top-tier power. With the breath of life, a cheat-like cultivation Holy Land, and Linn, a Legendary Advanced Grand Archmage, who dedicated five years to cultivation—leveraging the time difference in the Demiplane and his exceptional talent—he successfully Advanced to Legendary Advanced. With his potions and other top-tier resources being prioritized, the Star Sea Territory's high-end combat power entered an unprecedented boom period.

Aivi, inherently gifted with a solid Foundation, naturally broke through to Legendary Intermediate after long-term seclusion in the breath of life, her aura becoming more sacred and vast.

Destiny, the Silver Dragon, restored her peak Epic Advanced strength after Linn's Breakthrough! Becoming the Star Sea Territory's greatest trump card.

Following Clay's successful Breakthrough to Legendary, Yilman, designated as the next key cultivation target, lived up to expectations and last year smoothly stepped into the Legendary realm within the breath of life, adding another general to the Star Sea Territory's Legendary roster.

Even the Sea God Clan welcomed a new Legendary with the help of Linn and Aivi. Sebastian, the Sea God Clan warrior who first pledged allegiance to Linn, successfully Advanced to Legendary with Linn's assistance, based on his merits and potential, becoming the third Legendary Expert of the Sea God Clan after High Priest Sea Song (High Priest Sea Song, as the clan's stabilizing pillar, permanently stationed at the Sea God Clan settlement, rarely ventures out). This significantly enhanced the strength of the Star Sea Territory's core ally.

In terms of the military, Linn conducted a large-scale reform and reorganization last year. He implemented a service term System, allowing some veterans with distinguished service but advancing age to retire honorably with generous benefits, while replenishing the army with fresh blood after two and a half years of strict systematic training, maintaining the troops' vitality and combat effectiveness. Seizing this opportunity, a grand military promotion ceremony was held.

The military rank and position System were further refined. Ocean, Yilman, and Sebastian, based on their outstanding merits and Legendary strength, were formally awarded the rank of Three-Star General, becoming the highest echelon of the Star Sea Territory's military.

Ocean, as a naval veteran and Legendary Expert, was appointed as the Supreme Naval Commander in wartime.

Yilman, the newly appointed Legendary Army General, was appointed as the Supreme Army Commander in wartime, commanding the four main army forces and elite units: the Star Shattering Legion, Star Legion, Eastern Wilderness, and Dragon Scale Knights, with a total force exceeding two hundred thousand. Among them, after years of breeding in the breath of life stables and Evan's own efforts, the Dragon Scale Knights' heavy cavalry numbers finally surpassed fifty thousand, becoming a formidable steel tide on land.

Sebastian, the Legendary Sea God Clan General, took command of the newly established 'Star Legion' (Air Force). After over a decade of dedicated development, the Star Sea Territory's Air Force had expanded from the initial Griffin Knights to a comprehensive aerial force with fifty thousand personnel, equipped with various types of airships. Through the collaboration of Chief Builder Henry and Sea God Clan craftsmen, it now possessed twenty thousand-person-class main airships and fifty five-hundred-person-class fast airships! Its power core benefited from the vast Star Magic Energy Stone Vein discovered beneath Star Sea Island, providing nearly limitless energy.

However, the rare Materials required to build and maintain such a massive floating fleet—especially Mithril—consumed astronomical amounts. To support this 'gold-devouring' aerial force's continued growth, Linn had to instruct Merchant Guild President Barton to purchase large quantities of Mithril at high prices from sources like the Dwarf Kingdom and Blue Silver Merchant Guild.

Star Sea Bay Military Port.

Linn, Clay, and Ocean strolled along the increasingly expanding dock, where more and more majestic warships were moored. The sea breeze carried a salty, fishy scent, and distant shipyards echoed with clanging construction sounds.

'Looking across the entire Aolai Kingdom, and even the many Human Race kingdoms of the Saidi Luoyate West Continent, most face the sea on two sides with long coastlines. Sea power will be crucial in future struggles for dominance.' Linn gazed at the vast blue sea and spoke slowly, 'Our current naval strength, though considerable after years of development, still seems insufficient for the grand vision ahead. I propose forming a brand-new main naval legion. What do you think?'

Clay, now thoroughly familiar with the territory's population, resources, and military ratios, pondered briefly and said, 'My lord, the total population of our Star Sea Territory has surpassed five million. The total military personnel is about four hundred thousand, with a military-to-civilian ratio still within a healthy range of one to ten. Forming another fifty-thousand-strong naval legion is entirely within our capacity and won't overly pressure civilian livelihoods.'

Ocean nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with longing for the deep blue: 'My lord speaks rightly. Although our navy now numbers one hundred thousand, Carl's Star Shattering Legion of fifty thousand is long-term stationed in Rhine Province, covering river and coastal defense. Once we launch large-scale cross-sea operations or coastal blockades against continental kingdoms in the future, our mobile pure naval forces would be stretched thin. Moreover, the shipyards currently have many newly built large warships about to launch, requiring new sailors to man them. Whether from strategic needs or equipment support, forming a new legion is imperative.'

'I agree to form a new legion.' Linn affirmed their views, then posed a key question: 'So, any suggestions for the legion commander candidate and the unit designation?'

Clay pondered: 'Over the past decade or so, our Star Sea Territory has indeed produced many excellent generals, serving as provincial military district commanders or county guard leaders. But to independently command a fifty-thousand-strong main field legion, especially a technically demanding naval one, their seniority, experience, and even personal strength still seem slightly lacking.'

Ocean then spoke up, recommending someone: 'Regarding the candidate, I have a proposal. This person's ability is evident to all, loyalty unquestionable, and has followed you since the Iron Sand Island era, fighting north and south through countless battles, with illustrious achievements. Now his strength has reached Sky Peak, fully capable of taking on the role.'

Clay and Linn exchanged glances, almost simultaneously uttering the name: 'Hogan?'

Hogan, Ocean's long-time deputy, started as a small fleet commander and gradually grew into a naval lieutenant general capable of leading a sub-fleet independently, rich in naval combat experience and calm in command, indeed the ideal candidate.

'Good, it's Hogan then.' Linn made the decision, 'Promote Hogan to lieutenant general, transfer him from the Star Sea Army, appoint him as the new legion's commander, and immediately begin recruiting and forming a fifty-thousand-strong new naval legion on Star Sea Island.'

He thought briefly and continued: 'As for the designation... The navy is a blade galloping across the vast seas. The new legion shall be named—'Hanhai Legion'!'

'Hanhai Legion... a great name!' Ocean praised.

'Additionally, to clearly distinguish between naval and army branches,' Linn added, issuing an order, 'officially change the designation of the original 'Star Shattering Legion' stationed in Rhine Province to—'Fu Hai Legion'! Meaning 'ships covering the sea' and 'awe-inspiring maritime borders.'

'From now on, the Star Sea, Hanhai, and Fu Hai—three main naval legions—are formally established, together forming our Star Sea Territory's future fifteen-thousand-strong maritime steel Great Wall, dominating the four seas!'

The orders were swiftly issued. Hogan, thrilled upon receiving the appointment, immediately threw himself into forming the new legion. Recruitment notices were posted in Star Sea City, with generous benefits and the glory of 'Hanhai' attracting large numbers of passionate youths and territory residents familiar with water. Shipyards also accelerated the outfitting and testing of new warships, preparing to deliver them to this nascent maritime force.

After five years of low-key development, the Star Sea Territory's war machine had become more intricately structured, its teeth sharpened further. Beneath the calm sea surface, hidden forces were accumulating, waiting only for the moment of changing winds and clouds to stir up overwhelming, devouring waves.