Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1350 - 438: Six-Tier Registration System, Stirring Breakthrough, Direction

The designation Evergreen Valley is a term beyond the grasp of ordinary individuals.

Typically, a valley denotes a low, confined passage wedged between two mountains, exemplified by the Twin Dragon Valley in Great Xia, the Gourd Valley of Hanqiong, or even the Yinhe Valley situated in Jinshan Town.

To be precise, the appellation Yinhe Valley is somewhat of a misnomer. Despite its location at the base of Moao Mountain, its breadth from east to west extends a staggering 30 kilometers, rendering its valley-like topography indiscernible without an aerial perspective.

Evergreen Valley, however, surpasses this exaggeration.

Its average width from east to west exceeds 40 kilometers, and though its depth from north to south stretches over 200 kilometers, the label 'valley' is a stretch at best.

While the term 'valley' might indeed be a misnomer, the descriptor 'evergreen' possesses a certain undeniable logic.

Affected by the prevailing winds from the Bone-Eroding Path, the snowflakes and biting cold that hover above the valley are swiftly dispersed before they can alight. Combined with its submerged terrain, the temperature within the valley registers a notable 20 to 30 percent warmer than the exterior.

A temperature increment of 20 to 30 percent may not signify a drastic transformation for human inhabitants, but for the realm of flora, the difference is profound.

Freed from the burden of snow accumulation and benefiting from this modest two to three-degree Celsius rise, the trees within the valley achieve extraordinary heights. A particular species of lush, verdant giant trees flourishes here abundantly. From an elevated vantage point, an observer would note that in stark contrast to the snow-laden surroundings, the interior of the valley is overwhelmingly dominated by a vibrant green hue.

This, then, is the genesis of the name 'evergreen'!

Given such an expansive topographical expanse, it is naturally not entirely uniform; numerous mountain masses are dispersed throughout its interior, some reaching heights of two to three thousand meters, rivaling Twin Dragon Mountain in stature.

These mountains are not consolidated but predominantly stand in isolation, thereby organically serving as congregating and hunting grounds for the human populace residing within the valley.

Bang…

Within a dense woodland situated six kilometers north of the Bone-Eroding Path, an eight-meter-long, imposing brown bear-like Cold Beast suddenly met its end. Two Iron Arrows had pierced the brown bear’s eyes, and crimson blood continued to spurt from its vulnerable areas, such as its neck and underarm.

"We got it!"

A young man clad in a gray cotton tunic, brandishing a long saber, leaped onto the bear’s head from the side. After confirming the creature's complete demise, he couldn't help but exclaim with elation, his countenance alight with triumph and exhilaration.

This young man was none other than Su Zhi, the third sibling among the Su family's offspring.

"An Intermediate Yellow Armored Bear, possessing a strength rating of approximately 1.5 ao. It seems the third brother can now hunt such a beast practically on his own!"

Three other young individuals—a man and two women—descended swiftly from a nearby tree. They were the eldest brother, Su Jing, the second brother, Su Xu, and the youngest, their little sister, Su Xing’er.

Each of the three carried a robust bow, clearly having been instrumental in blinding the bear’s eyes.

"Third brother just achieved a breakthrough and is already this formidable. I must also hasten my own breakthrough!"

Su Xing’er, her heart brimming with joy, slung her longbow over her shoulder. She promptly retrieved several leather pouches and began collecting the beast’s blood from its wounds.

Su Jing cast a downward glance at his sister, inquiring softly, "Fourth Sister, you are merely two thousand pounds shy of attaining a Top-Grade War Body. Is there truly no hope left?"

At his words, Su Xu and Su Zhi both turned their expectant gazes towards Su Xing’er, their faces radiating palpable anticipation.

Confronted by the hopeful expressions of her three brothers, Su Xing’er felt an undeniable pressure. However, after a moment of contemplation, she softly responded, "Even High-level Beast Blood seems to have lost its efficacy. I believe I have reached my ultimate limit."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of regret crossed the faces of Su Jing and the others.

"With a Top-Grade Battle Body Talent, one can be directly admitted into the citizen registry upon certification by the Subordinate Bureau. Once one's strength reaches a certain threshold, transitioning into military service becomes straightforward; aligning oneself with a prominent figure and achieving noble status are not insurmountable aspirations either."

Hearing their second brother speak, the subtle regret on Su Jing and the others’ features intensified, and they let out soft sighs.

"I once heard from our leader that individuals who transition into military service typically reside in the County City. Among the 1.2 million inhabitants of Evergreen Valley, those engaged in military service number less than 300; citizens, on the other hand, slightly exceed 5,000, forming the foundational core of each village."

Having stated this, Su Jing released a gentle sigh.

The governance model implemented by Cai Qiu meticulously adheres to a stringent household registration system.

Initially, all individuals residing within the domain are categorized into six distinct tiers: the nobility, aristocracy, military personnel, common citizens, enslaved individuals, and those classified as 'base.' Strict statutes govern every facet of their existence, dictating everything from their attire, sustenance, dwellings, and restricted movement zones, to their chosen vocations and prescribed conduct, ensuring no one oversteps their designated boundaries.

Ultimately, these meticulously maintained records are centrally administered by a network of subordinate bureaus. Any alteration in status, be it an advancement, a demotion, or an outright removal, necessitates formal processing through these authorities.

For every soul dwelling within Cai Qiu's domain, the household registration holds paramount significance. It serves not merely as indisputable proof of identity but also as the definitive framework guiding all actions. Transgressing these established guidelines is considered a grave offense.

Beyond the formalized Six-Class System, a separate classification exists, outside its demarcations: the livestock register. This category encompasses Su Jing and his family, along with more than 1.2 million inhabitants spread across the Evergreen Valley region.

The very terminology, 'livestock register,' starkly reveals that the Cai Qiu Feudal Town, in essence, does not regard these individuals as fully human. Apart from the annual collection of tribute or occasional expeditions to procure labor through seemingly charitable means, they remain largely overlooked.

However, this neglect is not absolute; they are still recalled when necessities arise, such as requiring individuals for sacrificial rites on the Bone-Eroding Path.

Reflecting on this, a shadow of self-deprecating humor crossed Su Jing's features.

He remembered with stark clarity; just three years prior, his entire family of six stood on the precipice of official citizen registration. Their father had already attained the strength equivalent to five manes, satisfying the prerequisites for citizenship. Yet, the insurmountable cost of an additional 13,000 taels to include the mother and the four siblings in the registration ultimately dashed their hopes.