Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1308: 428: Xiang Chong, Martial Arts Competition Finals and Commencement of the Ancestral Rites (Part 2)

Upon hearing those words, Xiang Liang displayed no hint of surprise on his face. After all, he had served as one of the judges for the Hongmen preliminaries and semi-finals, gaining a solid grasp on the capabilities of every participant in this Three Towns Martial Arts Competition.

This event drew together the finest young prodigies from Great Xia, Muyin, and Jiangxia's Three Towns. Plus, the exceptional talents emerging from the other six towns were plentiful, rendering it far tougher than in past years to shine and secure a spot in the top hundred.

“As I mentioned back at Hongmen, making the top hundred in the youth group requires either Cold Resistance Level cultivation, or Basic Strength surpassing eighty thousand pounds at the Reshaping Skin stage—which confirms Intermediate Battle Body qualification—or possessing exceptionally high Martial Arts Talent. You lack all three, so your chances are truly slim!”

Xiang Yan had already surpassed the Earth-digging Realm Limit last year and begun Reshaping Skin, pushing his Basic Strength just past sixty thousand pounds. That was solid for Outer City peers, yet it fell short among Inner City contenders, where three to five hundred others outmatched him easily.

Reaching the top thousand was respectable enough, but dreaming of the top 200 was simply unrealistic.

As for cracking the youth group’s top hundred? That was utterly out of reach.

“Don’t get downhearted. I warned you at Hongmen to brace yourself mentally. This isn’t the sole tournament—push harder next year. You’re just 18, unlike me; big brother’s over 25 now and barred from competing.”

Noticing the clear disappointment etched on Xiang Yan’s face, Xiang Liang still extended some encouragement.

Xiang Yan nodded at first, then shook his head helplessly: “I knew there was a gap between me and the Inner City’s elite talents, but I never imagined it would be this vast!

Like big brother pointed out, in this youth group, Luo An, Luo Cheng, Lu Dong, Zou Ping, Liu Peng, Hong Ye, Zhao Yuanwu, Zhao Yuankong, Zhao Yuanshan, Zhao Yuankang, Qin Feng, Liu Ming, Chen Ping, Qin Zhan…

These competitors either advanced to Cold Resistance Level in the semi-finals, or boast Basic Strength over a hundred thousand pounds now. On top of that, powerhouses like Luo Cheng, Chen Ping, and Qin Zhan possess sky-high Martial Arts Talent, routinely crushing foes beyond their level.

Next to them, I’m just… far too average!”

As Xiang Yan spoke, his fists tightened involuntarily, frustration deepening on his features. The tournament had clearly struck a heavy blow to his spirit.

Gazing at his younger brother, Xiang Liang revealed a trace of admiration. For someone his age, candidly owning one’s mediocrity was no small accomplishment.

“Realizing your averageness is a good start. I won’t soften the truth: the chasm between you and them isn’t merely talent. In background, family support, and resources, you’re nowhere close. To outpace them, you’ll need tenfold, even a hundredfold the effort. Got it?”

Xiang Yan snapped his gaze up to Xiang Liang, eyes blazing with renewed resolve as he clasped his hands formally: “I get it, big brother!”

He recalled sharply how, in the first Great Xia Martial Arts Tournament, big brother had scraped through the Logging Realm prelims on sheer luck, posting results far inferior to today’s standards.

Yet big brother never wavered, training relentlessly for a full year. In the second tournament, he claimed sixth in the Logging Realm group; by the fifth, he stormed into the top ten of the Earth-digging Realm Limit division, catching the eye of the Five Originals Guardian Lord Xu Ning at the time, and joining the Black Arrow Team.

That Black Arrow Team entry opened the door for big brother to accompany Lord Xu undercover to Lower River Village, laying the foundation for his later title, Prison Department role, and rise to fifth-rank as Hongmen’s Vice Chief of Punishment.

Big brother’s triumph over destiny came through persistent grind, not instant glory. With such a living role model, what did this minor hurdle count for?

Observing Xiang Yan’s spirits lift, assured his words had sunk in, Xiang Liang beamed with approval. But then a thought struck him; grinning, he inquired: “Those names you listed, like Luo An—they must be the youth group frontrunners. Beyond them, did Muyin, Jiangxia, or the other six towns yield any standout stars?”

Xiang Yan’s expression turned odd at the question, and he shook his head: “A few did emerge, but scarcely any. The youth group fares a bit better; right now, about forty percent of the top 200 hail from outside the Three Towns. Here in this youth group, fewer than twenty percent of the top 200 are outsiders, and they rank near the bottom. By tonight’s final rankings, I bet their portion shrinks further.”

This report left Xiang Liang momentarily taken aback, confirming that Li Longkai’s words to him on the return from Hongmen last night might hold water.

“The youths from Muyin and Jiangxia Towns truly lag in aptitude behind Great Xia’s crop. I’d wager the youth group top hundred will feature at most a dozen outsiders; this local youth group might not even hit ten.”

Back then, Xiang Liang had doubted it somewhat, but Xiang Yan’s account made Li Longkai’s forecast from last night ring true.

“Enough brotherly talk, you two. Preparations are complete—time to move to the Sect Temple!”

Right as Xiang Liang opened his mouth to say more, his wife Wang Yuxiu and sister Xiang Rong approached from outside, baskets in hand, signaling departure.

Wang Yuxiu stepped to Xiang Liang, beaming as she unveiled the basket’s contents: “First trip to the Sect Temple for me. From what I’ve heard, the offerings call for three animals, five fruits, Yellow Candle, Spiritual Wine, Spirit Pill—these five items, correct?”