Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Second Year of Great Xia, June 1

The Great Xia Martial Arts Tournament, brewed for over twenty days, finally began.

Even before nightfall, every house within Xia City lit up with firelight in advance. Countless shadows dashed around, and noises of clanging and banging came from within the houses, clearly indicating they were donning armor and preparing weapons.

Once night fell officially, everyone immediately stepped out of their homes and gathered along the streets heading towards the gate of the Outer City.

"Hurry, hurry, it's about to start, let's grab a good spot."

"Sis, let's go!"

"Mom, bring my sword, quick."

"I'm heading out now, Dad."

"Big brother, I'm going in first, good luck."

..........

In the Inner City, sprightly youths were the first to rush out from their homes. They had clear goals, heading straight to the Outer City once they were out the door.

Xiao Hen, Xiao Lin, and their cousins Xiao Jing and Xiao Cen also agreed to walk out together from their homes. Their homes were also in the Inner City, and not far from the iron gate of the Inner City, so they saw a large crowd of peers as soon as they stepped out.

All four wore Iron Armor, carried a Five-stone Bow on their backs, along with a quiver of arrows and a primary weapon, making them extremely armed for their age.

Perhaps it was the first time wearing armor, Xiao Lin's expression showed some obvious pride, but upon seeing the crowd on the main street, his face turned blank:

"How come there are so many armored people?"

The Camp Supply Department had already announced during the group division of the Logging Realm yesterday, that after nightfall tonight, the group division preliminary of the Logging Realm would begin first, near the city gate of Xia City.

Thus at this moment, those walking toward the city gate, apart from a few women and common folk just coming to watch the excitement, were easily identifiable whether they were participants in the tournament.

The problem was Xiao Lin could see anyone of similar age heading to participate in the martial arts tournament, all armored and geared, hardly anyone was in regular clothes.

Xiao Hen had anticipated this, and laughed: "They're all from the Inner City, a set of Ten Forged Armor and a Five-stone Bow costs only 280 Contribution Value. Which household couldn't afford that? Banking on this for promotion is overthinking."

Xiao Lin nodded, 280 Contribution Value is nothing. Not only could the four thousand or so households in the Inner City afford it, but there were also many in the Outer City who could, and armor and Five-stone Bow were likely standard equipment for this Logging Realm group division martial arts tournament.

"Look at Zhao Yuandao and Zhao Yuankong. Why is the armor they're wearing golden?"

Upon hearing Xiao Lin's words, Xiao Hen and the other three hurriedly turned their heads to look in the direction he pointed.

Upon seeing, the faces of the three instantly turned much more serious.

Zhao Yuandao and Zhao Yuankong were also heading toward the Outer City, about twenty meters away. The Ten Forged Armor they wore emitted a layer of golden light.

"That's Ten Forged Armor forged with Thunder Kui's Skull, currently mostly worn by members of the Intermediate Hunting Team in the camp. To think their family custom-made a set too!"

Hearing Xiao Cen's words, Xiao Hen remembered something and nodded: "I heard from my father that the camp is currently encouraging members of the Intermediate Hunting Team to switch to Hundred-forged Armor and weapons. The Camp Supply Department recycled a lot of Ten Forged Thunder Kui's Armor, which costs 700 Contribution Value to exchange, and requires booking three days in advance for a tailored fit. These siblings are indeed generous with their money!"

280 Contribution Value is not much, but 700 Contribution Value is a bit high. The key is even if exchanged, it doesn't ensure promotion, so there definitely aren't many willing to spend that money.

Xiao Jing shook his head and said: "Definitely, their father is Lord Zhao Hu himself, an expert at Cold Resistance Level, and the Steel Mane Team is very strong. Their family surely wouldn't lack Contribution Value."

The three nodded in agreement. The siblings Zhao Yuandao and Zhao Yuankong not only have a good father, but their two uncles are also Cold Resistance Level experts, each leading strong Hunting Teams.

Xiao Lin, while walking and observing the crowd, counted the number of people wearing light gold armor and his face turned dark after a round. Turning to Xiao Hen, he said:

"Ah Hen, it's not good. I scanned around, and there really are quite a few, at least over a hundred have switched to light gold armor. Our preliminary competition is truly uncertain, should have asked father for some Contribution Value to exchange for a set."

Xiao Hen laughed and shook his head: "Don't worry, I already told you, the preliminary selection, strength isn't necessarily the decisive factor. Wearing slightly better armor won't have much effect, just relax!"

Xiao Lin, however, had a different opinion, saying: "But wasn't the grouping already done last night? One hundred per group, many are guessing that a group has only five advancement spots."

Xiao Jing and Xiao Cen also nodded, the camp had divided over sixteen thousand Logging Realm participants into 172 groups last night, with one hundred per group. Although the method of the preliminary competition hasn't been announced, in their hearts, they guessed it would be intragroup combat, with the last winner advancing.

"It's impossible, Guangxia City alone has seventeen thousand. Wuyuan Territory, Jing Valley, Wushuang, Hanqiong, Beehive have fifteen thousand across five venues. In total over thirty-two thousand people, three hundred plus groups. Even if compared to Earth-digging Realm, by matches won and victory duration, it would take over half a month. Intragroup combat for a month would be impossible!"

Despite Xiao Hen's confident tone, Xiao Lin and the three did not hide their suspicion.

Seeing the three disbelieve him, Xiao Hen did not continue arguing, instead shifting topics to ask: "I'm in group 51, which group are you all placed in?"

Xiao Lin: "I'm in group 29."

Xiao Jing: "I'm in group 88!"