Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1265 - 418: Seize the Opportunity—The Shock Brought by the Eldest Young Master, Hongmen Scroll_2

The issue remained that he still needed to purchase additional resources for his Cultivation, and now that he had a growing family, an expectant wife, and younger siblings to provide for, his finances were merely stable.

A bid of 15,000 Contribution Value was simply the entry price. Securing a spot usually required between 20,000 and 30,000, and to achieve optimal results, one had to pair that with other precious resources. He estimated that for a single day of effective Cultivation, he would need to commit at least 40,000 to 60,000 Contribution Value.

This level of expenditure was something many, even if they potentially had the funds, were truly hesitant to commit to.

In truth, only about two hundred individuals in the entire camp possessed the wealth to regularly compete for those 150 slots. Aside from the Directors of the Eight Departments, the pool consisted of high-ranking chiefs, military Commanders, and Vice Commanders, all of whom held at least a fifth-grade rank or higher.

These elites were constantly spending to secure spots for themselves or their heirs. Others, by contrast, only bid when they were on the cusp of a breakthrough or had finally gathered enough resources for an extended retreat.

Given his current situation, Xiang Liang clearly fell into the latter category.

Because of this, when the Minister granted him permission last October to advance his Martial Arts Pavilion slot to hasten his progress, Xiang Liang was so moved that he nearly knelt before Xia Chuan in gratitude.

This 'advancement' essentially allowed him to draw upon his future cultivation quotas ahead of time.

In his drive to bolster his strength, he had ventured out of the Martial Arts Pavilion only three times since starting on the sixth of October.

His first departure was to tell his wife to ensure daily meals were delivered; the second was for the arrival of his father, Xiang Ping, from Zhaoyang; and the third occurred half a month ago during the New Year's Cold Yuan Banquet.

After over sixty days of relentless effort, having drained his reserves down to 160,000 Contribution Value, he had managed to raise his level by five. Xiang Liang felt a mix of exhilaration and a deep sense of reluctance.

He truly hated to leave the Pavilion. If he could only remain, he would be saving years of painstaking, grueling work.

"That is enough. I must not allow greed to take hold. The Minister expected ten levels of improvement, and I have achieved eleven, surpassing the goal. Furthermore, my Contribution Value is nearly depleted. If I keep at this, I won't even afford a Yangyuan Pill. I need to head to Hongmen and secure a position to earn more; that is the only rational path!"

Shaking his head to clear his lingering hesitation, Xiang Liang concluded his session. He stood up, avoiding the others still lost in their own Cultivation, and moved toward the stairs.

The Pavilion stands five levels high. The top two are dedicated to techniques and skills. The third level serves the Cold Resistance Level, the second the Earth-digging Realm Limit, and the first level is reserved for children from six to fifteen years old.

As he reached the second floor, he noticed a commotion as many people rushed toward the first floor, with even those from the third level—people of the Cold Resistance Level—hurrying down.

"No one is practicing? Why is everyone heading down?"

"To catch the show!"

"It is just the first floor, full of children. What is there to see?"

"The Eldest Young Master! He is making his first visit to the Martial Arts Pavilion for cultivation today!"

"The Eldest Young Master?"

"Indeed! You forgot? He turned six today, and he is beginning his training tonight. Let us go!"

......

Hearing the gossip, Xiang Liang grew curious and quickly descended to the first floor.

In Great Xia, only one person commanded the title of Eldest Young Master: Xia Chuan’s eldest son, Xia Yuzong.

Recalling the date, Xiang Liang realized Xia Yuzong had been born on the fifteenth of January in the third year of Da Xia; it was indeed his sixth birthday.

It must be noted that unlike the two princes who remained confined to the Star-picking Hall, the lord Xia Hong’s children, particularly the Eldest Young Master, were far more familiar to the people of the Inner and Outer City.

The reason was simple: Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng had never appeared in public. Almost 99% of the population had no idea what they looked like.

By contrast, Xia Yuzong had been seen often in the Inner City and occasionally in the Outer City. Because his father had brought him to the Political Hall on several occasions, he was considerably more popular.

Of course, this was the prevailing belief of the masses.

In reality, the two princes had appeared once, following the Battle of Hongmen last September.

The six hundred individuals present in the main hall—the mid to high-level personnel—had seen them, and through them, bits of information had slowly drifted into the Inner City.

Xiang Liang happened to be privy to some of this through Hou Ming.

"As Lord Hou mentioned, during the Battle of Hongmen, the two princes already possessed a base strength exceeding twelve thousand jin. The Eldest Young Master shares their blood, so his talent should not be inferior..."

While lost in thought, Xiang Liang pushed into the front row. As he gazed at the martial arts arena, his focus was instantly drawn to the child practicing his punches.