Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 829: Chapter 324: Early Drills, Surge in Cold Resistance Level Members

In terms of Cold Resistance Level numbers alone, there is no longer any gap between the two armies.

The next thing to remedy is combat strength!

Yuwen Dao took a deep breath, looked around at the soldiers in front, and spoke loudly:

”Originally, I said I would take you out the day after tomorrow. After arriving at the Beehive, we planned to use the Cold Beasts within Yanglu Realm for training. However, I, as the Commander, feel that since it is training, why wait until reaching Yanglu Realm? There are a bunch of Cold Beasts right here in Redwood Ridge. We can’t waste tonight and tomorrow night, so I gathered you all here on short notice!”

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Martial Army soldiers were invigorated; they had only been formed in these past few days and had not yet gone into battle.

”The number of people departing the night after tomorrow is only 950. You should all understand why: because of the deceitful monster matter in Yanglu Realm, the Lord recently cleared out the Martial Arts Academy’s spots to specifically aid Earth-digging Realm Limit breakthroughs. The Cloud Dragon Army got 100 spots, and our just-formed Dragon Martial Army only got 50.”

The Martial Arts Academy can accommodate 200 people at once for cultivation. Soldiers from the Cloud Dragon Army and Dragon Martial Army, all at the Earth-digging Realm Limit Cultivation, naturally took most slots.

The remaining 50 were allocated to other non-military members at the camp who were also at the Earth-digging Realm Limit.

Upon hearing about the Academy slots, the crowd’s expressions immediately showed interest.

Half of the Dragon Martial Army soldiers were newcomers from Longyou; they had been in Xia City for just over two months. Most had only heard of the Academy’s accelerated cultivation without having experienced it firsthand.

Even so, judging by the information leaked by others in the camp, the Academy’s accelerated cultivation claim was undoubtedly real, so naturally, everyone’s mind was on the slots, wanting to train inside.

”I’ve initially decided on the 50 slots for the Dragon Martial Army. After dismissal, there will be a list. You can directly head to the Martial Arts Academy for cultivation.

However, there will be breakthroughs later. Once someone breaks through, a slot will be freed up at the Academy. The 50 slots allocated to the Dragon Martial Army will remain unchanged, so I will select new entrants to fill any vacant breakthrough slots.”

Now let me tell you the criteria for this selection!”

As Yuwen Dao finished speaking, everyone immediately became excited.

Indeed!

The first batch of 50 entering will have some breakthroughs eventually. Once someone breaks through, a slot opens up, right?

The 50 slots belonging to the Dragon Martial Army won’t change, meaning as long as there are breakthroughs, there’s an opportunity for others to enter and continue training at the Academy!

Everyone’s expressions turned eager, and they all perked up, listening attentively to the selection standards Yuwen Dao was about to announce.

Yuwen Dao smiled and continued: ”Actually, there’s not much difference in your cultivation levels. This time, all those who enter the Academy have the qualification to exchange for high-level beast blood. Your Contribution Values should be sufficient, so as long as you get in, breaking through to the Cold Resistance Level is practically guaranteed.”

At this point, he paused slightly, then continued in a deeper voice:

”Since everyone can breakthrough, I, as the Commander, can’t arbitrarily allocate slots. My selection standards are: on these two nights, tonight and tomorrow, those who stand out most in training—meaning those who kill the most Cold Beasts—will qualify for continued access to the Academy!”

The crowd showed a slight understanding. When Yuwen Dao mentioned advancing to Redwood Ridge for training earlier, they had some suspicions, so they weren’t surprised to hear that slots would be earned by beast kill counts.

”I will have the Ten Camp Captains keep records on the battlefield. Your individual performances will determine slot allocation later, so if you lose, don’t harbor resentment. Also, there’s something else to tell you...”

Yuwen Dao paused, scanned the crowd, and continued:

”As far as I know, the situation in Yanglu Realm this time is not simple. Around Yangyuan Peak alone, there are hundreds of advanced Cold Beasts, let alone a powerful White Dew Gu behind them. Assigning the Cloud Dragon Army alongside us, the Dragon Martial Army, over there, including freeing Academy spots for Earth-digging Realm Limit breakthroughs, is to address the major trouble on Yangyuan Peak.

An intense battle is inevitable by the year’s end. Securing a spot to break through to the Cold Resistance Level in the Academy at this time could very well save your life. I’m giving you a heads-up. How you perform in training tonight and tomorrow is up to you. Do you all understand?”

At the final question, Yuwen Dao intentionally emphasized his tone.

The crowd was momentarily stunned, then responded loudly in unison:

”Understand!”

”Did you not eat? Louder!”

Yuwen Dao’s roar startled everyone, causing them to stiffen.

Everyone took a deeper breath, then raised their heads to give their response anew.

”Sir, understood!”

The morale was notably higher this time.

The entire wooden shelter of the camp vibrated slightly.

”Alright, Zhou Yuan, lead the Reconnaissance Camp out first and bring the small fire torches. The remaining nine camps will follow, taking the main west road out of Xia City, heading directly and swiftly into Redwood Ridge. Move out!”

Upon Yuwen Dao’s order, Zhou Yuan promptly led the Reconnaissance Camp downstairs, heading out of the western exit of the camp. The other nine camps’ soldiers swiftly followed behind.

”The Cloud Dragon Army began training with just a few Cold Beasts. The Dragon Martial Army already has five at the Cold Resistance Level, so there’s no reason for such slow progress. We will start directly with a small-scale beast tide numbering in the tens, to quickly boost combat strength. This way, at Yanglu Realm, we won’t drag the Cloud Dragon Army down!”

Yuwen Dao took a slight breath and followed the forces from behind.

The Cloud Dragon Army’s training method indeed proved quick and effective, which is why he had the Reconnaissance Camp bring the small fire torches along.

The urgency for the Dragon Martial Army to enhance combat capabilities wasn’t solely to compete with Xia Chuan, though that did play a part, albeit a minor one.

He wasn’t reckless enough to risk the lives of Dragon Martial Army soldiers merely for rivalry with Xia Chuan.

The primary goal was stated just moments ago.

Before December 5th, he stayed at Yanglu Realm with Xia Hong, clearing Cold Beast groups around Yangyuan Peak and becoming well-acquainted with the area, affirming that the situation in Yanglu Realm was indeed complicated, and the anticipated end-of-year battle was highly likely.

If the Dragon Martial Army doesn’t swiftly enhance combat strength now, dragging the Cloud Dragon Army’s feet would be the least of concerns; losing lives is the real issue.

The Dragon Martial Army was just established, and he was keen to minimize casualties.

”Dying on the battlefield is better than suffering minor injuries now. Tonight, we start directly with a beast tide of tens!”

Determined, Yuwen Dao led the forces out the city gate, charging straight westward along the main road.

Xia City’s main west road connected directly to an iron mine deep within Redwood Ridge, primarily used by miners. Yuwen Dao used this path with the Dragon Martial Army expressly to save time, aiming to enter the depths of Redwood Ridge quickly.

.........

The news of Dragon Martial Army’s early training quickly spread throughout Xia City.

Xia Chuan, upon hearing, wasn’t opposed. Early training wasn’t bad, given that the Dragon Martial Army had formed late; gaining combat readiness early would reduce casualties in Yanglu Realm.

His focus remained on the Martial Arts Academy’s status, dispatching people to the Beehive to notify Cloud Dragon Army soldiers to return whenever breakthroughs occurred, ensuring full oversight of Earth-digging Realm Limit progression.

Breaking through from Earth-digging Realm Limit to Cold Resistance Level isn’t overly difficult, especially now that camp supplies, such as Beast Blood and Blood Essence Pills, were abundant. The Academy also aided efficiently in Skin Membrane Reshaping. The combination minimized obstacles.

The variation was only in the speed of Skin Membrane Reshaping.

The slot selection this time was stringent; those chosen for the Academy already had Reshaping progress above 70%, so they could break through after five to ten days inside.

On December 10th, two people broke through.

On December 11th, four people broke through.

On December 12th, three people broke through.

......

Until December 29th, at dawn.

”Five more broke through last night, Minister!”

In the main building’s quiet room, Xia Chuan opened his eyes upon hearing Qiu Peng’s report and asked: ”Have you tallied the total yet?”

Qiu Peng, having long been prepared, responded effortlessly: ”Since December 6th, up to today, a total of 102 have broken through. I just disbanded everyone from the Academy, leaving only 15 likely to breakthrough tonight.”

”102 plus the previous 106, that’s enough. Notify all Cold Resistance Level individuals to assemble at the Beehive immediately. For this last batch tonight, send people to observe. Anyone who breaks through should be sent to the Beehive. I’ll inform the Lord now.”

”I’ll handle it at once!”

Finishing his words, Xia Chuan exited the quiet room, left the main building, and headed toward the city gate; Qiu Peng dispatched a slew of subordinates to notify all Cold Resistance Level individuals across Xia City.