Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1439 - 459: An Interlude Before the Hall, A Moving Progress, Blood Cold Beast and Copper Bone Corpse Demon

"Eldest Prince, Admiral Fan has instructed you to bring people inside!"

Xia Hong was basking in the might of the Cai Qiu Army when a middle-aged voice cut through the air from the rear hall.

Cai Yunlan turned and strode towards the hall, Xia Hong following close behind, falling in step with the thirteen Xianyang-level elites from Lin Chu County as they entered.

He held little expectation, as Cai Yunlan had already revealed that the Zhenyuan Camp's highest commander wasn't his father, Cai Qiuyang, but Fan Zijing's eldest son, Fan Qinghu, the governor of East River County.

As an admiral, a prestigious military title, Fan Qinghu commanded the Landgrave’s Silver Scale Army. According to Cai Yunlan, Cai Qiu only had two such admirals, making Fan Qinghu's personal strength formidable. More importantly, this indicated the Fan family's deep trust from Landgrave Cai Qianshan and their crucial role within the feudal town.

Besides the ruling Cai family lineage, Cai Qiu boasted six other aristocratic families. Though Xia Hong had never visited the town, he could infer from this alone that the Fan family likely held the highest standing among these six.

The Cai Qiu territory encompassed four counties and three major cities, externally recognized as four counties and seven cities. Qingcang, Bai Shui, and Lin Chu counties were governed by second-generation Cai family members, while East River County was uniquely led by an outsider, Fan Zijing.

Cai Qiu county governors wielded both military and political authority. Below the four major county governors operated two military forces: the Town Guards and the County Guards. Within their respective county cities, these governors were virtually absolute rulers. Appointing an outsider like Fan Zijing as governor demonstrated the significant favor the Fan family enjoyed in Landgrave Cai Qianshan's eyes.

Naturally, this also indirectly pointed to the Fan family's profound influence and deep roots!

As Xia Hong entered the hall, countless thoughts swirled in his mind, but his primary focus remained on Fan Qinghu's standing on the Heavenly Ranking.

"Fan Qinghu, a third-generation scion of the Fan clan, known as the East River Tyrant Blade, holds the 15th position on the Heavenly Ranking, currently at the pinnacle of the Xianyang Realm. His listed strength is approximately 55 Jun. With martial arts amplification, his peak capability reaches around 72 Jun. However, for individuals of his caliber, their true skills are undoubtedly far more profound..."

Lost in these reflections, Xia Hong found himself already inside the hall.

Though no fires burned within, an intense heat immediately enveloped him the moment he crossed the threshold. This was the palpable, high-temperature domain generated by the unrestrained skeletal Qi of Xianyang-level cultivators.

Surveying the hall, Xia Hong saw individuals seated and standing, some in armor, others in casual attire. A total of 148 people were present. The oppressive heat within the hall was extreme, a testament to the cultivation levels required to withstand such an environment.

"Opulent..."

While his outward expression remained impassive, Xia Hong's inner emotions surged as he noticed the unfriendly scrutiny in the eyes of those within the hall. He understood this intense heat domain was the Zhenyuan Camp's way of issuing a challenge. A cold smirk touched his lips as, maintaining a steady gait, he subtly released his own skeletal Qi.

Bang......

The already searing temperature spiked by several degrees with Xia Hong's immediate output. Nearly everyone in the hall stiffened, and even Cai Yunlan, the Eldest Prince of Lin Chu County walking ahead of Xia Hong, faltered slightly.

"In the past four months, what he displayed during our hunts was not his true limit. This Hong Yu, his strength surpasses mine!"

Cai Yunlan's mind reeled at the revelation.

He and Cai Yunzhou were cousins. Cai Yunzhou had already alerted him about Hong Yu's arrival in Lin Chu County City, prompting his immediate invitation to the Governor's Mansion.

Over the preceding four months, Cai Yunlan had tested the Daqin prince more than a dozen times. The highest strength Hong Yu had revealed was merely 41 Jun, placing him slightly below Cai Yunlan's own 43 Jun.

Before reaching the Xianyang level, a cultivator's strength resides primarily in their skin, flesh, and bones. Thus, if one's strength exceeds another's, Qi Muscle fluctuations allow for an accurate assessment of the opponent's power;

However, at the Xianyang level, unless a significant strength disparity exists, at least exceeding 10 Jun, it's difficult to get more than a general sense of an opponent's power, even when they're close, short of them unleashing skeletal energy.

In Cai Yunlan's estimation, this Daqin prince's might was slightly inferior to his own, perhaps equal at most. The realization that Hong Yu had never truly revealed his full strength before him sent a jolt of profound shock through his heart.

"Yun Lan, could this be the Hong Prince from Qinghua City?"

His moment of hesitation was brief before a middle-aged general adorned in mystic armor, positioned at the hall's upper end, pointed at Xia Hong and inquired. The general immediately offered a smile, clasped his hands, and responded, "Admiral Fan possesses a discerning eye. This is indeed the Daqin Prince, Hong Yu, the one who vanquished Yunzhou in Qinghua City with a single sword!"

Sensing Cai Yunlan's gaze, Xia Hong stepped forward with a smile, positioning himself beside Cai Yunlan. He then lifted his eyes to meet Fan Qinghu's gaze from the upper end. Without altering his expression, he clasped his hands and declared, "Fifteenth on the Heavenly List, the renowned East River Tyrant Blade. I’ve heard your name mentioned frequently since arriving in Cai Qiu. Your reputation precedes you, and I offer my respects!"

The Xianyang-level individuals present in the hall showed slight twitches of their mouths but remained silent. Xia Hong's nonchalant, almost brash, greeting seemed to evoke no surprise.

"Hahahahaha..."

Fan Qinghu, unbothered, let out a few hearty laughs. He quickly approached Xia Hong, clasped his hands, and said, "Although Prince Hong has been in Cai Qiu for less than a year, his fame has already echoed throughout the Moao River region. Fan has long desired to meet you, and today, I finally have the opportunity..."