Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1318: 430: Return from Seclusion, Hairpin Ceremony and Blunders, Great Xia's Splendor and the Eve of an Explosion (Part 5)

“The martial arts competition isn’t merely for boosting the fusion of youths from the Three Towns. Even during the prelims and semis of the Hongmen competition, I’d already arranged for the Great Xia Hunting Team to scout members, with special emphasis on young folks from outside towns. Once these youths enlist in the Great Xia Hunting Team, they practically turn into Great Xia natives. Bringing their families along, full integration into Great Xia is merely a question of time.”

Wrapping up his report at last, Lin Kai listed every advantage. Sensing he might have gone overboard, he cupped his hands and let out a laugh,

“Naturally, it’s not without drawbacks. Putting on this martial arts competition will demand no less than thirty million taels of silver, which one might call a drawback…”

“What sort of drawback is that?!”

Xia Hong cut him off straight away, flicking his hand dismissively, “Be it silver or supplies, left rotting in storage, they’re nothing but useless lumps. Expenditure is the only way they fulfill their role.

This martial arts competition has been planned superbly. Make it an annual event from now on, raising the bar each time. Handle it right, and the camp’s income will keep climbing.”

“Yes, My Lord!”

Basking in Xia Hong’s outright approval, Lin Kai brimmed with renewed energy.

“Good, now report on the Hunting Department.”

Hunting Department head Luo Yuan stepped up promptly, cupped his hands, and reported:

“My Lord, the Hunting Department now manages over 50,000 hunting teams altogether, comprising 1,822 elite teams, more than 10,000 mid-tier teams, and close to 40,000 basic teams.

For optimal hunting and foraging output at every resource site, the Hunting Department has spread these 50,000-plus teams evenly over 91 stations. Thanks to merging the Three Towns, I’ve assigned 20% of teams to operate in Muyin and Jiangxia Towns, with plans to ramp that up further.

Moreover, starting last year, we’ve begun forming dedicated fishing-hunting squads, though it’s tougher work, so we’ve only mustered a bit over a hundred so far. We’ll keep advancing.”

In Xia Hong’s view now, the brutal chill of the Ice Abyss ensures hunting and fishing remain humanity’s endless pursuit. Simple logic: crops humans farm can’t supplant Cold Beast meat.

A basic fact; mere vital functions won’t keep you alive. Adaptation to the surroundings is key, evolving into a shape fit for thriving here.

For Ice Abyss dwellers, adaptation means cultivation and powering up!

Whenever cultivation and growth are the goal, beast meat stays irreplaceable, no matter superior fruits or Spirit Plants for fullness.

1,822 elite hunting teams!

Xia Hong gave a faint nod, his gaze shifting at last to Yuwen Dao.

Grasping the cue instantly, Yuwen Dao advanced, cupped his hands, and spoke:

“My Lord, over the past year, the Military Department held steady without army expansion, sticking to fifteen legions. Yet soldier cultivation has advanced tremendously.

By August, per army reports, every soldier in Dragon Slayer, Tiger Leopard, Xuanwu, Divine Martial, and Longyuan legions has reached Cold Resistance Level; more than seventy percent in Falcon Hunting, Mountain River, Xiong Wu, and Beizhao legions; the rest in Black Arrow, Qing Jiao, East Sun, and Fei Peng legions hit fifty percent;

Nearly all troops in Cloud Jiao Long Wu legions boast strength surpassing 6 manes.”

Wow……

Prior details had stunned them, yet Yuwen Dao’s final words ignited a storm of murmurs.

Troops in Cloud Jiao Long Wu legions surpassing 6 manes in strength…

Setting aside the rest, hall officials tied to the military suddenly felt pressure mounting inside.

The gap is simply massive!

“Seven legions fully at Cold Resistance Level, four others past seventy percent, four at fifty percent — solely in the military, over 12,000 have hit Cold Resistance Level…”

Xia Hong’s attention diverged from the crowd’s. After some thought, he whipped his head toward front-row Xia Chuan.

Xia Chuan got it and rose swiftly, cupping his hands:

“My Lord, by August, Great Xia's population has surpassed 2.78 million, boasting over 17,800 at Cold Resistance Level; more than 110,000 at the Earth-digging Realm Limit, and these figures keep climbing each day.”

Xia Chuan didn't mention the count of those with actual Earth-digging Realm Cultivation.

These two stats made even Xia Hong's face light up with joy.

He recalled sharply that back in September last year, Cold Resistance Level had 7,252 people, and Earth-digging Realm Limit stood at 24,272.

Within just one year, Cold Resistance Level numbers had more than doubled;

Earth-digging Realm Limit had ballooned nearly five times over.

“Such rapid progress is downright shocking. Population growth alone can't explain it. Trade has been crucial, spreading out cultivation resources so camp dwellers can obtain far more of them…”

Worried Xia Hong might remain unsatisfied, Xia Chuan went on:

“My observations show this year's cultivation advances have been steady and structured, with breakthroughs mostly in the 30-to-40 age range, so we're still tapping the older generation.

New generation breakthroughs are only starting. I predict a surge after this year's martial arts competition, and by next year at latest—or the year after, the eleventh year of Great Xia—a tremendous breakthrough explosion, when Cold Resistance Level numbers in the camp will skyrocket several-fold.”

The massive breakthrough wave hasn't hit yet, but it's closing in fast!

In a flash, Xia Hong caught the meaning behind Xia Chuan's words, his excitement boiling over.

Thinking it through, it all made sense; over 17,800 at Cold Resistance Level contrasted with over 110,000 at Earth-digging Realm Limit—this was the clear sign of an approaching boom.

No later than two years ahead, those 110,000-plus at Earth-digging Realm Limit would surge into Cold Resistance Level, precisely the explosive period Xia Chuan described!

As Xia Hong's eyes swept around, Governance Director Yuan Cheng, Craftsmanship Director Mu Dong, Forestry Chief Cheng Feng, and Civil Affairs Director Zhu Yuan stepped forward in turn to report the past year's progress and shifts.

Lastly, Prison Director Li Tiancheng stood up with a slight tremble, hands clasped, detailing the Prison Department's changes.

Li Tiancheng's feeble look made Xia Hong's expression tighten; he noted the man's vitality had faded to under 10 manes, a heaviness gripping his chest. Instinctively, he glanced at Li Xuanling next to him.

True enough, Li Xuanling gazed at his uncle Li Tiancheng with a exceptionally dark expression right then.

Seeming to feel Xia Hong's look, Li Xuanling turned to meet it, something dawning on him as hope sparked in his eyes.

Letting out a faint sigh, Xia Hong waited until Li Tiancheng finished, then smiled and said, “Nearly three million Great Xia citizens bask in peace and plenty—the Prison Department has made undeniable contributions. Xia Law, Heavenly Prison, Prison Envoy, Punishment Department, Dossier System… Old Li lacks battle honors, yet he's worn out his heart and spirit for Great Xia, showing praiseworthy dedication…”

After a short pause, Xia Hong added, “I decree Old Li promoted to Fifth-rank Jinque Viscount, effective right now.”

Upon hearing this, Li Tiancheng's entire bearing shook violently.