Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1325: 432: Shattered Star Sword, Yellow Mustard Bag, Preparations Before Departure, Rankings and Rewards_3

“As you command!”

Weapons reaching the Ten Million Forging Level tip the scales at no less than tens of millions of pounds, translating to tons. Legend has it that even fresh entrants to the Xianyang Level could struggle to handle them effectively.

Xia Hong proves the exception. Usually, early or mid-stage Xianyang Level cultivators mainly wield Ten Thousand Forging Level weapons, with late-stage powerhouses alone venturing to employ Ten Million Forging Level ones.

Therefore, these five weapons suit Xia Chuan and his peers ideally once they ascend to the Xianyang Level.

“No more forging Ten Thousand Forging Level weapons in bulk to save on manpower and resources. Going forward, craft them only on request! Those preparing to enter the Xianyang Level may commission the Craftsmen Department. Settle prices with Qiu Peng.”

“I understand!”

Once Xia Hong issued his directives, he gazed eastward across the Artifact Refining Pavilion, a subtle smile lighting his eyes as he declared, “Rankings are finally out. I meant to catch the fights, but looks like I missed them. Fine, I'll go check now.”

“Farewell, Lord!”

Mu Dong performed a deep bow, only to discover upon straightening that Xia Hong had vanished. Noises echoed from the main hall's front, filling him with faint regret.

“What a spectacular Martial Arts Competition! Shame Yan’er and Feng’er have both passed 25 this year. Had they joined and claimed a spot, they might've caught the Lord's eye.”

His firstborn Mu Yan hits 31 this year, second son Mu Feng 28—both beyond the event's age threshold.

……

All platforms before the Inner City Main Hall stood cleared, save for the lone central arena.

Currently, ten figures lined each flank of the arena.

Those ten on the left looked far more youthful, the majority shy of 20; the right side's countenances seemed a tad more seasoned.

The main hall's topmost balcony protruded grandly, a golden seat positioned there—undeniably for Lord Xia Hong—standing empty for now.

Before that seat gathered Xia Chuan, Yuwen Dao, Yuan Cheng, Xu Ning, Luo Yuan, plus Great Xia's elite leaders, murmuring over the freshly wrapped contest.

“Everyone!”

Lin Kai mounted the arena from below, shot a glance up to the main hall overhead where Xia Hong remained absent, a shadow of letdown crossing his expression. Yet he swiftly regained composure, eyed the thousands of onlookers down below, and beamed:

“Points rankings for both divisions stand revealed. Now, hear the standings from the eighth Great Xia Martial Arts Competition…”

Lin Kai halted, twisted to scan the youths arrayed on either side, then amplified his tone to press on:

“Youth Group top ten: Lu Dong, Luo An, Liu Peng, Zou Ping, Zhao Yuanwu, Luo Cheng, Xiao Yan, Chen Ping, Murong Yan, Jiang Yichen;

Young Adult Group top ten: Tie Xinchuan, Zhao Yuandao, Yuan Bai, Xiao Hen, Zhou Ying, Zhao Yuankong, Zhou Yalong, Meng Qing, Fu Tiandu, Xiahou Qingqing.”

Rankings barely voiced, the crowd below burst into uproar.

“No surprise the outer town's four landed dead last.”

“Naturally—they burned all three challenges scoreless and dropped quickest, dooming them to the bottom.”

“Never saw Lu Dong snagging Youth Group top spot.”

“Lu Dong shattered Logging Realm records past age ten, then last year leveraged Top-Grade Battle Body Talent to hit Cold Resistance Level. Right at breakthrough, he packed over 4-maned power, now pushing 8-maned—champion win feels right!”

“Lu Dong shines bright, Luo An holds strong too! Top-Grade Battle Body like him, nearing 8-maned might, though martial techniques lag a touch, costing a slim defeat.”

“Liu Peng matches their power levels; top three finish expected since talents and strengths align close—purely martial skill decides.”

“Tsk tsk, all these under-20s boasting seven- or eight-maned strength! Terrifying bunch!”

“Mu-yin’s Murong Yan packs near 7-maned punch—solid showing, but clashed with Great Xia's prodigies alas.”

“Why fixate on Youth Group? Young Adult Group's scarier—the champ Tie Xinchuan boasts 18-maned strength, under 25 still!”

“Younger age means greater potential! I’m convinced the Youth Group’s top ten will outshine those in the Young Adult Group down the line.”

“Sounds right.”

……

“Lord Lu, your brother’s a powerhouse!”

“Hahaha, three from the Zhao Family making the list—truly something to envy.”

“Luo An, son of Director Luo—a tiger father begets no dog son!”

“The Xiao Family landed two spots too; the minister’s father-in-law must be over the moon.”

“Xiao Hen’s the minister’s brother-in-law, so congrats to the minister are in order.”

“Hahaha, Luo Cheng—isn’t he Luo Ming’s boy?”

“Correct. I recall Luo Cheng in the inaugural Martial Arts Competition, breaking into the top 100 with Wood Cutting Realm Cultivation. Back then, I sensed he’d dazzle someday, and now it’s come to pass.”

“Chen Ping’s the son of Chen Ying too. He’s nearing 20, boasts 6-maned strength, yet his battle prowess is extraordinarily sharp.”

While the crowd below thrummed with fervor, in the upper section of the main hall, Xia Chuan and Great Xia’s elite leaders chatted with equal vigor.

Naturally, Lord Lu drew everyone’s praises at this juncture.

For his brother, Lu Dong, seized this year’s championship!

This Martial Arts Competition carried far deeper weight than prior ones; inviting prodigies from distant towns played only a small role. The true highlight was the fresh age-division system.