Chapter 154: Expansion and Growth: Xia Chuan [Sorry, Late]

In the first year of Daxia, the third day of the third month, just after nightfall

On the second floor of the wooden house, hundreds of people crowded the main hall.

In the center, the entire hunting team led by Xia Chuan, along with key members of the foraging team, logging team, supply depot, and workshop—numbering dozens—were loudly debating.

Those around them all strained to listen to the discussion.

"Why can we only expand south? Can't we go in other directions?"

"Our current Daxia territory, starting from the valley, extends four kilometers north to the arrow bamboo forest; west lies Redwood Ridge, where the hunting team has only penetrated two kilometers so far; eastward, Double Dragon Mountain is too high, and the dense forest surely holds no human settlements—so we can only go south!"

By the stove in the main hall stood a wooden board, on which coal stones had sketched Daxia's current mapped territory; as Xia Chuan answered, he gestured with his hand to show everyone the area Daxia now controlled.

"About six kilometers south along the cliff lies Daxia's former outpost—the slope. Beyond that slope lies a region entirely unknown to us!"

Seeing the marked slope on the map, Yuan Cheng, Yue Feng, and the original Daxia group all showed faint traces of nostalgia.

Though compared to their early days at the slope, Daxia today had achieved an unimaginable leap in both living standards and personal strength

the slope was still their original base, where many of their relatives and friends still lay buried.

"In short, Daxia's current confirmed territory spans roughly ten kilometers north-south along the cliff, then extends westward from the cliff to the five-hundred-meter snowfield at Redwood Ridge, plus another two kilometers beyond Redwood Ridge—let's call it three kilometers in length."

That's thirty square kilometers!

When everyone in the hall calculated this figure, their faces showed stunned disbelief; for over a dozen breaths, silence held them fast—then gradually, their expressions shifted to excitement and fervor.

Unbeknownst to them, Daxia's territory had already grown this vast!

What did thirty square kilometers mean?

Not just Daxia, Dashih, Dachuan, Huang Zhao… these small outposts.

Even Luo Ge's outpost, at its peak, had never covered such an area.

No—Daxia today has not yet reached its limit.

Aren't they currently discussing expansion?

For the original Daxia group, Xia Hong had only taken leadership a little over a year ago; for everyone else, Daxia's occupation of the valley had lasted only eight months.

In such a short time, not only had their territory expanded so dramatically;

their lives had undergone a complete transformation.

Cold-beast meat, wooden goods, leather goods—even iron tools and weapons…

Everything they had once never imagined now existed—and kept growing. With resources continuously increasing, some items—clothing, wooden goods—had even become widespread.

Of course, more important still was their own strength!

The four hundred-plus people seated around the second-floor hall all held Woodcutting Realm cultivation.

Nearly half the entire outpost had surpassed Woodcutting Realm.

Who would have believed this a year ago?

"Even the former leader probably never imagined this!"

Remembering Luo Ming, who had left with his son, Luo Yuan fell silent for a moment, then looked up toward the third floor, his eyes filled with fervor and reverence.

Not just Luo Yuan—others, snapping out of their excitement, all turned their gaze unconsciously to the third floor, their eyes now burning with intense admiration.

Today's achievements of Daxia, without question, belonged foremost to Leader Xia Hong.

Without Xia Hong, none of them would have lived this life—not to mention reaching Woodcutting Realm or Excavation Realm.

They might not even be alive today.

Wooden puppets, swarms of rodents, new mysterious entities, Mirror Immortal Outpost…

Each of these was a death sentence; without Xia Hong leading them through each crisis, Daxia would have vanished long ago!

"Do you all understand why the leader is rushing to expand?"

What else could it be? The Mirror Immortal Outpost.

A massive outpost, population over ten thousand, hundreds of Excavation Realm experts…

The Mirror Immortal Outpost's situation had spread throughout the camp; everyone knew.

The revenge for those eight Woodcutting Realm hunters had been settled, and according to the hunting team, Xia Hong had even clashed with their Cold-Resistant Realm expert—and reportedly gained the upper hand…

Even hearing this, everyone still understood one thing:

The Mirror Immortal Outpost's strength still towered above Daxia's.

No matter how strong Xia Hong was alone, he could not crush a ten-thousand-person mega-outpost.

To compete with the Mirror Immortal Outpost without falling behind, the number of Excavation Realm cultivators was the key.

And precisely, what Daxia currently lacked most was Excavation Realm cultivators!

Of over a thousand people in the outpost, only seventeen had reached Excavation Realm.

To rapidly increase Excavation Realm numbers, two factors were critical:

First, cultivation speed.

This problem had already been solved: the training ground.

The training ground had only been activated last month on the twentieth, just thirteen days ago; its effects hadn't yet fully manifested, but over time, it would surely bear fruit.

Second, population base.

No explanation needed: Woodcutting and Excavation Realms were both built on cold-beast meat—no barriers existed. The more people who trained, the more Excavation Realm cultivators would naturally emerge.

The outpost's cold-beast meat supply had long been in surplus, especially after gaining the ability to hunt mid-tier cold beasts—the reserves were staggering.

Though in this icy wasteland, cold-beast meat wouldn't rot, surplus meat served no purpose if left idle—better to use it to support more people.

After all, sitting there, it was just a pile of meat that wouldn't decay.

But if fed to people, it could raise more Woodcutting and Excavation Realm cultivators.

The benefits to the outpost would be incalculable!

Especially now, facing the threat of a ten-thousand-person Mirror Immortal Outpost, population base was even more vital.

"Population is our biggest problem right now!

For this expansion, whether for exploration or recruitment, I've set the contribution point rewards extremely high

first, because exploring unknown territory is inherently dangerous—'nine deaths, one survival' isn't an exaggeration; higher rewards give you motivation.

Second, I hope you all will thoroughly survey the southern region—expanding our territory, increasing our population, and earning more contribution points for yourselves—all in one stroke!"

As Xia Chuan finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

But this silence lasted only three or four breaths before it shattered.

"Young Master Xia Chuan, don't underestimate us! Even if exploration is dangerous, can it be more dangerous than your hunting mid-tier cold beasts? If the leader gives the order, we'll die completing it!"

As soon as this man spoke, every trace of hesitation on others' faces vanished instantly, replaced by firm resolve.

"Exactly! Contribution points are about contributing to Daxia. We Woodcutting Realm cultivators can't help much in daily affairs—but if we hesitate even on this, what kind of people are we?"

"If you're afraid of exploration, you've wasted all the cold-beast meat the leader secured for us! Even without contribution points, just for the leader's command, I'd risk my life to go."

"Afraid of death? Then why be a Daxia man?"

"Exploration, expanding population, strengthening the outpost—ultimately, the leader does it all for our safety. Young Master Xia Chuan, rest assured: though our strength is weak, we won't shrink from danger!"

"Whoever's afraid of death, step forward—I'll be the first to kill him!"

"Anyone afraid of death—has all their cold-beast meat gone straight into the latrine?"

"Hahahaha!"

……………………

Hearing the rising chorus below, Xia Chuan's eyes softened with warmth.

He knew they all understood his meaning.

Exploration was indeed extremely dangerous.

Saying "nine deaths, one survival" was no exaggeration.

For years around Redwood Ridge, so many outposts had appeared—but all remained confined to the eastern side; that alone proved it.

If expansion were truly this easy, if population could simply appear at will, Redwood Ridge wouldn't have hosted only two mid-sized outposts in all these years: first Luo Ge's, now Daxia's.

Daxia's only true exploration activity so far has been hunting—conducted personally by Xia Hong, with the outpost's strongest seventeen.

But this exploration is different.

The outpost has no extra people to spare for such tasks.

Last night, when Xia Hong announced the decision, Xia Chuan knew he'd have to mobilize these Woodcutting Realm cultivators.

At least, until sufficient Excavation Realm cultivators were available.

According to the Ice Abyss world's rules, Woodcutting Realm humans had only just gained the right to venture out for woodcutting.

Exploration was too difficult, too perilous for them.

Not just cold-blooded beasts and mysterious entities—even unknown human outposts in the wild were extremely dangerous.

Daxia currently had only seventeen Excavation Realm cultivators; they were already overburdened hunting low- and mid-tier cold beasts, defending Redwood Ridge, and mining—there was no way to assign them to exploration.

If possible, Xia Chuan would have suggested to Xia Hong that expansion be delayed—ideally until the outpost had enough Excavation Realm cultivators.

But the Mirror Immortal Outpost wouldn't grant them that time.

Just as Daxia knew its greatest weakness was population,

the Mirror Immortal Outpost surely knew it too!

Xia Chuan understood perfectly why Xia Hong was rushing expansion—he didn't suggest delay, but spent an entire night thinking how to proceed.

The first step, of course, was to dispel the Woodcutting Realm cultivators' fear.

Setting extremely high contribution point rewards, and speaking those words just now—this was his initial probe.

Fortunately, the result was excellent.

There are no fools in this world—everyone knows how dangerous exploration is.

No matter how much contribution value you're offered, you need to be alive to spend it.

Clearly, he had underestimated the cohesion and dedication of these people in the camp.

More importantly, he had underestimated Xia Hong's influence in their hearts.

Just now, those who spoke below all implied one thing: if Xia Hong gave an order, they would risk their lives without hesitation. At that moment, Xia Chuan instantly understood.

Why had Xia Hong made the expansion decision so decisively and confidently last night?

Because Big Brother has the authority—and the charisma—to do it!

If that's the case, then we can move to the next step.

Xia Chuan looked at the crowd and spoke loudly:

"Good. With your word, I'm reassured..."

After speaking, he paused, then continued:

"Exploration is far too dangerous, and not suited for large groups. So, beyond the existing five departments, I'm establishing a new Exploration Department."

"The Exploration Department will handle all matters of camp expansion, including but not limited to: surveying surrounding regions, mapping the Great Xia territory, and locating other human camps..."

"The first batch will recruit thirty people. Their contribution value will be calculated separately, and all expedition supplies will be provided free of charge by the Camp Supply Office."

Another new department is being formed.

=9+Book_Ba

Exploration Department!

When Xia Chuan finished speaking, everyone fell silent for a moment.

Then, a few with exceptionally sharp instincts immediately began clamoring to speak.

"I want to join the Exploration Department."

"I want to join too."

"Young Master Xia Chuan, I want to join as well."

………………

In an instant, it wasn't just thirty—there were at least a hundred or two hundred people speaking up.

Seeing the scramble, Xia Chuan's face broke into a smile.

Last night, he'd worried that if no one volunteered, he'd have to draw lots.

Now, it seemed he'd overthought it.

The reason these people were so eager wasn't just their support for Xia Hong's expansion—Xia Chuan saw another reason clearly.

Clearly, many were eyeing the leadership position of the Exploration Department.

Even though Great Xia's population is only a thousand or so, the hierarchy is already clear.

The Hunting Team is the first tier;

The heads of the five departments are the second tier;

The members of the five departments are the third tier;

The fourth tier consists of ordinary people who haven't broken through the Woodcutting Realm.

Big Brother had said before: a proper gap in status can motivate people—and he was right.

"Young Master, I want to join the Exploration Department too!"

Shi Ping, standing beside Xia Chuan, couldn't help speaking up.

Xia Chuan's expression flickered with surprise, then a hint of reluctance.

Shi Ping was steady, meticulous, and an excellent manager—he'd been the most valuable assistant in the Camp Supply Office.

In contrast, Yuan Cheng, who had been appointed alongside him as Camp Supply Officer by Xia Hong, rarely came to the office.

Of course, Yuan Cheng had no interest in Camp Supply Office affairs, lacked talent for logistics data, and over time, he stopped coming—so Xia Chuan simply stopped caring.

But seeing Shi Ping's eager eyes, Xia Chuan suppressed his reluctance, neither accepting nor refusing, only nodding, then turning to the crowd:

"Exploration isn't like gathering or woodcutting—there are too many unknowns and far more dangers. Reaction speed and strength are both essential. Since so many of you want in, we'll hold a fair selection: just like the Hunting Team, fight the wooden dummy. The thirty who last the longest enter the Exploration Department!"

Roar…………

As soon as Xia Chuan finished, a beast's roar erupted behind him.

Many flinched; a few in the Hunting Team turned pale and even drew their blades, standing up instinctively.

"It's fine!"

Xia Chuan remained calm, calming the crowd, then turned to see Xue Zong behind him, smiling.

"Exploration Department—perfect. Let's begin the selection tonight!"

Xia Hong's deep voice suddenly came from upstairs.

He hadn't appeared, yet his voice echoed through the second floor like a deity's.

Everyone looked up to the third floor, eyes filled with astonishment.

Of course—Big Brother had been listening the whole time.

Hearing Xia Hong's approval of the Exploration Department, Xia Chuan's smile deepened. He looked up and nodded firmly to the third floor: "Yes, Leader!"

"All external activities in the camp can resume normally. But the Woodcutting and Gathering Teams are restricted to the middle and southern sections of Redwood Ridge."

Hearing they could go outside, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

For the past six days, they'd been cooped up in the valley huts—they were all desperate for air.

"Also, Hunting Team—you have half an hour to prepare. Go!"

Hearing this, Xia Chuan, Luo Yuan, and the other seventeen members of the Hunting Team knew Xia Hong meant to take them out. Their joy surged—they immediately rose from their chairs and bowed: "Yes, Leader!"

After bowing, the Hunting Team dispersed, rushing up to the third floor to pack in their rooms.

"Shi Ping, you'll oversee tonight's selection."

"Yes, Young Master!"

After speaking, Xia Chuan also went straight up to the third floor.

………………

"Xia Chuan is managing better and better."

On the third floor, Xia Hong sat alone in his room, a look of approval on his face.

From last night's ultra-high contribution rewards, to tonight's trial, to the final decision and the idea of forming the Exploration Department—each step proved Xia Chuan's abilities extended far beyond being merely a Camp Supply Officer.

He knew full well how difficult exploration was—but expansion was unavoidable.

Without enough Digging Realm cultivators, they'd have to rely on Woodcutting Realm ones for now.

Xia Hong's original intent was to use his authority and prestige to force the camp's expansion forward.

But even the best ideas need people to carry them out.

From last night until now, he hadn't exchanged a single word with Xia Chuan or offered any advice—he wanted to see how Xia Chuan would handle this.

Ultra-high contribution rewards;

Using trial to dispel fear;

Creating the Exploration Department as a new path upward;

And selecting the thirty slots by pure strength.

With these four moves, the crowd's enthusiasm had been fully ignited—they were now fighting to join the Exploration Department.

With this level of motivation, it was clear the camp's expansion would proceed smoothly.

"Talent isn't born—it's cultivated."

Xia Hong couldn't help but sigh.

When he first took over as Leader, Xia Chuan wasn't nearly this capable.

Even when Xia Chuan first became Camp Supply Officer, he still had to consult him on many matters—sometimes Xia Hong had to handle things himself.

Now, it was different. Xia Chuan wasn't just grown—he'd matured.

At least for Great Xia's current population of a thousand, his management skills were more than sufficient.

"It's not just him—Luo Yuan, Yuan Cheng, Yue Feng, Lin Kai, Bai Dongying, Cheng Feng, Mu Dong, Zhao Long and his two brothers, Qiu Peng, Lu Yang, Xu Ning… if you invest effort, all of them are talent!"

Xia Hong lowered his head in thought. As the saying goes: even a sparrow has all five vital organs. Great Xia had only a thousand people, yet its internal affairs were complex—and growing. More departments were needed.

If Xia Chuan hadn't mentioned it, he himself hadn't realized: forming the Exploration Department. Clearly, the camp's growth couldn't rely solely on him as Leader.

As Great Xia's strongest combatant, his most important task was cultivation.

To free up more time for cultivation, he needed others to shoulder the camp's administrative burdens.

"From now on, I'll involve myself less in these matters. Let them make mistakes—better to cultivate them now, or when the population grows, I'll still be stuck managing them!"

Having decided, Xia Hong's brow relaxed. He quickly packed his gear, then stared at the great axe and ceremonial knife on the weapon rack. After a moment's hesitation, he took both.

With his current strength, neither weapon was suitable—but he couldn't forge new ones in the short term.

"Ten-forged weapons no longer suit me. I need to start trying to forge a hundred-forged blade."

Recalling Li Hu's hundred-forged goose-feather knife, Xia Hong's gaze hardened. Back then he hadn't noticed—but now he realized Li Hu's base strength must have been below the 30, 00-jin limit.

Someone with that cultivation level could wield a hundred-forged weapon—Beishuozhen's resources must far exceed his imagination.

"It's been over half a year. Those two probably forgot this little corner of Redwood Ridge."

Xia Hong certainly didn't wish for them to return and cause trouble—but he thought of how hard he'd worked these past months to build Great Xia to this point.

Even today's Great Xia, compared to Beishuozhen's population of over a hundred thousand, was still an infant facing a giant—utterly insignificant.

"Leader, we're ready. We can depart."

"Understood!"

After packing, Xia Hong stepped out and saw the seventeen Hunting Team members outside. A faint smile touched his lips:

"Tonight, come with me to the north and see if the Mirror Immortal Camp still dares to come over!"

At the sound, everyone's faces instantly lit up with excitement.

After repelling Yuwen the Guardian last time, they hadn't left home for six straight days.

They truly wanted to see whether the Mirror Immortal Camp still dared to show up.

Sorry, something came up tonight—we're late!

(End of Chapter)