Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1319: Chapter 431: Deceitful Object Appraisal, Mastery Ascendant, Martial Arts Competition Finale

The surprises Xia Hong received after coming out of seclusion were far from over.

After getting a general understanding of the Eight Departments at the Political Debate Hall, Xia Hong immediately took Xia Chuan, Yuwen Dao, Yuan Cheng, Lin Kai, Yue Feng, and Lu Yang along with Qiu Peng to the main hall of the Camp Supply Department.

In the deepest part of the Camp Supply Department, there was a storeroom of about two hundred square meters, filled with an array of dazzling supplies organized into different categories:

Thousands of weapons hung on the four walls, the silver-made ones above the Ten Thousand Forging Level; the iron-made ones above the Ten Thousand Forging Level; near the walls, there were hundreds of wine jars, which, judging from the sealing level, must be quite valuable; in front of the wine jars were racks of Dan Medicine, holding just over fifty types, including Dragon Carp, Green Cod, Black Death, Bone Condensation, Bone Gathering, these were among the camp’s most precious items, along with other things like special-grade beast skins, silk gauze, ores, etc...

This storeroom was clearly designated for storing rare materials.

Besides these materials, right in the center of the storeroom was a desk, on which three exceptionally conspicuous silver-made boxes were placed.

Qiu Peng led Xia Hong and the others to the desk, then opened the three boxes one by one and began introducing them to Xia Hong:

”Inside these three boxes are deceitful objects that were delivered to the headquarters from Hongmen City this year. We’ve named them Shadow Demon Insect, White Blade Willow, Possession Pearl...”

At this point, Qiu Peng paused and turned to look at Lin Kai.

Receiving the cue, Lin Kai immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, ”Since last year’s opening, outsiders have flocked to Hongmen City, among them were quite a few deceitful monsters who repeatedly committed murder cases, causing numerous deaths. This year, with the cooperation of Director Yuwen and Director Yuan, I, along with the Punishment Department, have cracked three cases: the Chain Decapitation, Snow Night Butcher, and Daytime Break-in. These three items were obtained after we killed the deceitful monsters...”

As Xia Hong listened to Lin Kai recount the details of the three cases, he reached into the silver boxes to inspect the three items, his eyes flickering with color.

The Shadow Demon Insect was a black jade-colored insect egg that liked to hide in light sources and used the refracted shadows to kill; the White Blade Willow was a willow branch about twenty centimeters long, resembling a blade, that impersonated a swordsman in the snow to kill; as for the last green Possession Pearl, it could attach itself to different people at will, preferring to act during the day, specifically targeting the possessed person’s relatives and acquaintances for its crimes.

”Are these three deceitful monsters exclusively targeting those at the Cold Resistance Level?”

Upon hearing Xia Hong’s question, Lin Kai immediately nodded, ”Exactly. Although they initially killed some from the Earth-digging Realm, they later exclusively targeted those at the Cold Resistance Level. We’ve pretty much concluded that these deceitful monsters choose more formidable targets as they grow stronger.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Hong’s brows furrowed.

This rule clearly didn’t apply to the deceitful monsters he had dealt with before.

Wood Puppet Monster, Yin Yang Mirror, White Dew Monster, Sumeru Nightmare, the Five Great Masters...

These deceitful monsters were known for indiscriminate mass killings, even the Sumeru Nightmare above Twin Dragon Mountain captured a slew of Cold Beasts indiscriminately. They wouldn’t specifically choose stronger targets to kill.

After Great Xia integrated with the southern slope of Moao Mountain, it had actually learned a lot about deceitful monsters, including the categorization of deceitful monsters, but the pattern of how these monsters killed was indeed somewhat elusive.

”Actually, we’re also a bit perplexed. These three deceitful monsters, no matter the means, can only exhibit strength at the Cold Resistance Level. They would be considered intermediate deceitful monsters, like the Mirror Immortal and White Dew Monster, but they don’t seem capable of large-scale massacres; they can only enhance their abilities by killing those at the Cold Resistance Level.”

Xia Chuan also spoke up at this time. He clearly had studied these three deceitful monsters as well, and seeing Xia Hong’s furrowed brow, he immediately guessed what he was thinking.

Through the exchanges with the Eight Towns, Great Xia was no longer entirely unfamiliar with deceitful monsters as it once was and had long been aware that the low, middle, high levels of deceitful monsters correspond to the Earth-digging, Cold Resistance, and Xianyang realms of humans.

”It seems that even among same-level deceitful monsters, their abilities vary greatly. Be extra cautious when you encounter them in the future, and habitualize carrying these three items—small torch, Solidified Fire Oil, and Yellow Candle—with you!”

Thinking of how the Yin Yang Mirror had been recognized by many deceitful monsters before, Xia Hong immediately shook his head, decided not to dwell on it, and instead instructed everyone.

”Understood!”

Originating from the Ancient Abyss Era, understanding the many mysteries concealed within these deceitful monsters was clearly beyond what he could achieve at this stage.

Upon hearing everyone’s response, Xia Hong turned to look at Lin Kai and smiled, asking, ”Who killed each of these three deceitful monsters, and why doesn’t anyone use them?”

”The Shadow Demon Insect was killed by me, the White Blade Willow was captured by Director Yuan, and lastly, the Possession Pearl was defeated by Director Yuwen. Director Yuan can’t use it, and as for me and Director Yuwen, the reason we don’t use it is...”

As Lin Kai spoke, he paused for a moment and showed a slightly embarrassed expression.

”They both look down on it!”

Xia Chuan immediately laughed and answered for him, then continued to explain, ”They’re both desirous of the three Master’s Organs that the Lord brought back last year, hoping to eventually integrate with such deceitful objects that can enhance one’s Battle Body Talent.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Hong chuckled lightly but soon showed a hint of approval, nodding as he said, ”Talent is important, it makes sense to wait.”