Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1302 - 426: The Grand Martial Arts Competition of Three Towns – Spectacle, Marriage Alliances, and Integration (Part 4)
Previously on Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely...
Fifteen people had already taken their seats within the private chamber.
As soon as the Jiangxia group stepped in, the fifteen inside rose promptly, faces beaming with warm smiles.
"Welcome, guests from Jiangxia Town!"
Xiahou Qingqing quickly identified them as the members of Xiao Hen’s exploration team from last September.
"Luo An from Great Xia, my father is Luo Yuan, Director of the Hunting Department. Pleased to meet you all."
"Luo Cheng from Great Xia, my father is Luo Ming, Mirror Valley Defense Commander. Pleased to meet you all."
"Zou Ping from Great Xia, my father is Zou Yuankai, Wushuang Guard Commander. Pleased to meet you all."
.........
This encounter felt far more solemn compared to last September. Luo An and his companions introduced themselves eagerly before Xiao Hen even had a chance to utter a word.
Naturally, as they shared their backgrounds, they made sure to closely inspect the over twenty Jiangxia folks standing before them, zeroing in on their cultivation levels.
These were, after all, key rivals they’d face in the martial arts competition next month!
Jiang Yining, Xiahou Qingqing, and Jiangxia’s other youths easily spotted the motives of Luo An and company, countering by sizing up the cultivation of Great Xia’s young elites.
Yet, once both parties had finished their mutual assessments, shock was plain on everyone’s faces.
Great Xia’s group displayed curiosity and amazement; Jiangxia’s side appeared rattled and intimidated, soon revealing traces of self-doubt.
It was clear to all that Luo An and the rest far outmatched them in power.
Xiao Hen’s team offered just a vivid glimpse of Hongmen’s vibrant atmosphere.
In the adjacent private room, over twenty youths from Muyin Town peered enviously out the window at the lively South City Main Street down below.
"Hongmen City is truly thriving."
"More than thriving—look at all these goods; living here must feel incredibly cozy."
"Treasure Tower sells every kind of Dan Medicine. Back in September, the merchant caravan’s wares were two percent less expensive right here."
"Naturally; since those items come straight from Great Xia, this spot’s basically the source—way more affordable."
"Martial arts competition kicks off next month, giving us a full month to linger. Reaching the finals means we could head to Xia City too!"
"Hongmen’s merely Great Xia’s trade center, yet it’s this grand. Xia City has to be on another level!"
"This already outshines Muyin Town by far; Xia City’s bound to buzz even harder with endless treasures."
"First, push to the finals! Qualifying gets us to Xia City."
.........
At the mention of ‘get into the finals,’ every young lad and lass automatically shifted their eyes toward a girl in red among them.
Noticing her deep in reverie, a younger girl approached with a cheerful grin, "Aunt Yan’er, you’ll surely reach the finals. Actually, top hundred for sure. Once we’re in Xia City, you’ll bring me along, right?"
Pulled from her musings, Murong Yan faced her niece Murong Jiao, merely two years her junior. She tweaked the girl’s nose playfully and grinned, "Sure, sure, Aunt will take you to Xia City for certain."
"Aunt’s the greatest!"
With her aunt’s promise to visit Xia City secured, Murong Jiao’s eyes sparkled like crescent moons in delight, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace.
Embracing her young niece, Murong Yan found her eyes wandering back to the window, a subtle sorrow clouding her gaze.
"Brother Yuwen’s off to Bashang once more. Come August for the Xia City finals, I ought to catch sight of him, shouldn’t I?"
The previous night, she’d arrived in Hongmen alongside her father Murong Yuan and stopped by the Ministry Building to meet Defender Lin Kai, hoping to glimpse Yuwen Dao. Only upon asking did she learn he’d departed for Bashang days prior, causing them to narrowly miss one another.
As a young woman, she felt too embarrassed to probe around more. Her next shot at seeing Yuwen Dao would come during the August trip to Xia City.
Such a grand affair as the Martial Arts Competition among The Three Towns demanded the presence of Yuwen Dao, Military Department Director.
Her skills alone should easily land her in the top hundred.
That time, she’d absolutely reunite with Brother Yuwen!
Murong Yan mustered a bit more spirit and rejoined the chatter with her siblings.