Chapter 192: The Stimulated Xiao Heng, New House, Xia Li

In the first year of Da Xia, the fifth day of the fifth month

"New record: Eleven-year-old Timber Realm."

"How soon? The last record was only half a month ago, and it's already broken again?"

"Eleven years old—still one year younger than before. This is too fast."

"Incredible!"

…………

Inside the martial arts hall behind the wooden house in the valley, Xiao Heng was practicing punches, releasing the energy from the beast meat, when sudden commotion ahead stirred his curiosity.

"Someone broke through again?"

"Who?"

"Seems to be Liu Peng—he broke the Timber Realm record."

"Qiu Peng himself came and awarded 500 contribution points!"

"Tsk tsk, five hundred points—that's enough for ten days of training in the martial arts hall."

…………

Hearing the 500-point reward, Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin exchanged glances, both eyes filled with envy.

"Five hundred contribution points—Cheng and Father only earn about three hundred from killing one low-grade cold beast, and even then, twenty people split it, so each gets fifteen points. Five hundred points? Even hunting nonstop, they might not earn that in a month."

Xiao Lin's father was Xiao Yuan, so he knew the hunting squad's situation well—five hundred contribution points were indeed a massive sum for an individual.

"Today's the fifth. Father's squad only killed three cold beasts so far—better than before in Wu Yuan Mountain, but still weak compared to other squads."

Xiao Lin nodded and said, "I heard it—Tu Long, Lie Ying, Gang Zong, Jin Diao, and Zhao Long squads have all met this month's minimum quota. How insane is that!"

Hearing this, Xiao Heng was startled.

The minimum quota was fifteen cold beasts. If Xiao Lin was right, that meant these five squads averaged four cold beasts per day?

"Terrifying, right? I heard Father say these five squad leaders all hunted with the Leader early on—they're not just strong, they know cold beast behavior inside out and have tons of hunting experience. We guys from Wu Yuan Mountain can't compare at all."

"I know. Lately, Father keeps going to Yuan Cheng, captain of Tu Long squad, to learn about cold beast habits and hunting tactics."

Xiao Lin loved gossip. Seeing everyone gathered up front, he greeted Xiao Heng and went over to listen.

Xiao Heng stayed behind, continuing his punches, recalling how Yuan Cheng had visited Father yesterday. After Yuan Cheng left, Father's expression had grown heavy when speaking to him.

"Still playing around? Do you know how old Yuan Cheng is this year?"

"How old?"

"Eighteen! Same age as your future brother-in-law. His base strength is already 29, 00 jin—he's about to use beast blood to break into Cold Resistance. You're still goofing off, thinking breaking into Timber Realm makes you special. If you don't train harder, you won't even catch up to your two sisters, let alone the others in Da Xia."

Father Xiao Kangcheng's words struck Xiao Heng like a heavy hammer.

In Wu Yuan Mountain, in Xiao He Camp, he was the fifteen-year-old Timber Realm prodigy, the hope of everyone in camp, doted on by his parents and two sisters.

But in Da Xia, he realized he was nothing.

Especially these past few days, after Father and Uncle Yuan spent their contribution points to get him and Xiao Lin into the martial arts hall, the more people he met and the more he learned, the more he realized his talent meant nothing in Da Xia.

If Yuan Cheng was still within reach, his future brother-in-law Xia Chuan and current Hunting Department Director Yuwen Tao were utterly out of his league.

Eighteen-year-old Earth Excavation Realm peak, already using beast blood, about to break into Cold Resistance.

Not to mention, at the very top, there was the Leader, Xia Hong.

When he learned the Leader was only twenty, he was stunned.

No wonder Father used Yuan Cheng to motivate him.

If he used those three, it wouldn't be motivation—it would be crushing.

Xiao Lin had now gathered the details and came over excitedly.

"Ah Heng, I found out—the new Timber Realm breakthrough, Liu Peng—his older brother Liu Yuan is a member of Yun Jiao squad. Word is Liu Yuan's loaded, always sending his brother here to train. No wonder he broke through so fast!"

Hearing Liu Yuan was from Yun Jiao squad, Xiao Heng's expression changed.

"That explains it. Yun Jiao squad members never lack contribution points. I heard my eldest sister say Director Cheng's squad might become Da Xia's first mid-grade hunting squad—they've already successfully killed two mid-grade cold beasts."

Xiao Lin immediately nodded. "I heard Father say too—the first mid-grade hunting squad will be either Yun Jiao or Long Wu."

As he spoke, Xiao Lin suddenly thought of something, his eyes gleaming with envy as he teased, "Heh, you still call him Director Cheng? You'll have to call him brother-in-law now."

Xiao Heng froze, said nothing, and resumed his punches.

He could clearly see the envy in Xiao Lin's eyes.

He understood what the other was thinking—those of them pushing toward Earth Excavation were all focused on hunting squad news, since once they broke through, they'd join the Hunting Department and had to pick a squad.

Xiao Lin probably thought that with Xia Chuan as his brother-in-law, he'd surely get into Yun Jiao squad.

Of course he wanted to join.

But Xiao Heng had other plans.

Father Xiao Kangcheng had founded his own squad, named Xiao Shan. Originally, he wanted to call it Xiao He, but the Hunting Department banned using former camp names, so he changed one character to Xiao Shan.

Xiao Shan squad was clearly Father's tribute to Xiao He Camp.

Though now weak and ranking nowhere among the twenty-three hunting squads, Xiao Heng saw every effort Father made.

So without doubt, once he broke into Earth Excavation, he'd join Xiao Shan squad to help Father.

Thinking of breaking through, Xiao Heng asked: "Ah Lin, what's the current record age for breaking into Earth Excavation?"

Xiao Lin loved this kind of gossip—he answered immediately: "Fifteen years and nine months. His name is Li Yuanqing."

Fifteen years and nine months.

Hearing this number, Xiao Heng felt defeated.

He was already fifteen years and seven months old, with a base strength of 7, 00 jin. At his current training pace, breaking into Earth Excavation within the next two months—and breaking the record—was nearly impossible.

"Ah Heng, stop thinking about it. We lived too hard before. Your talent and physical foundation can't compare to Da Xia's kids. Take Liu Peng, the new Timber Realm breakthrough—you think he's impressive? I just heard them say his record won't last two days."

Xiao Heng was confused. Eleven years old in Timber Realm was already insane. What did "won't last two days" mean?

"Several kids in their early teens are pushing for Timber Realm. One named Lu Dong is right on the edge—he'll break the record for sure."

Xiao Heng was numb.

He broke into Timber Realm at thirteen—back in camp, it caused a sensation for months. Father even said there wouldn't be a younger Timber Realm in Wu Yuan Mountain.

Early teens in Timber Realm!

"Ah Lin, we've got to train hard. Don't waste time. Fifty points a day isn't cheap—we must use every moment. Who knows when we'll get in again."

Xiao Heng felt urgent. He immediately threw himself into training.

The martial arts hall only had 200 slots per day—you couldn't just enter with contribution points.

The Camp Supply Department divided the slots by cultivation level: Earth Excavation got the most—120 slots; Timber Realm got 50; below Timber Realm got 30.

Even then, they rotated, showing how tight the slots were.

The camp now had over four thousand Timber Realm cultivators. With only fifty slots, Xiao Lin would need at least three months to get in once.

He himself was luckier—his talent earned special attention from Camp Supply—but even so, he could only get in once every month and a half.

These past few days, him and Xiao Lin got in not just because their fathers paid the contribution points, but because their fathers used their own slots.

This wasn't unusual in camp—many older Earth Excavation cultivators did the same.

Camp Supply recently issued a formal rule: martial arts hall slots could be transferred, but only among blood relatives.

As a result, not just him and Xiao Lin, but everyone else replacing their parents or relatives' slots trained fiercely.

"Time's up. Everyone out."

As time passed, the attendant announced the end, and everyone who trained all day slowly filed out.

Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin were among them, feeling their base strength had improved significantly—excited, yet reluctant.

"If only we could stay here training forever."

"Impossible. We're not the only ones who want to grow stronger…"

Xiao Heng shook his head slightly, then pointed toward the front of the martial arts hall.

Outside, two hundred people had already waited. As soon as their group exited, they immediately filled the hall.

Xiao Lin shrugged and walked with Xiao Heng toward the wooden house with the crowd.

Just before dawn, as they walked, they noticed a small group detouring past the wooden house to the side.

"Where are they going?"

Xiao Lin's curiosity flared—he rushed to the front and followed, pulling Xiao Heng along.

The two followed the crowd around the wooden house to its front side—the west side. As several wooden houses came into view, the crowd's murmurs reached their ears.

"That completed house—is it Director Cheng's?" "Of course. The one under construction beside it is Captain Yuan Cheng's."

"Besides these two, there are eight more under construction? So many?"

"Look at the plaques above the houses—they list the owners."

"No. 3 Luo Yuan, No. 4 Zhao Long, No. 5 Zhao Hu, No. 6 Zhao Bao, No. 7 Huang Yong, No. 8 Hong Gang, No. 9 Ying Xuan, No. 10 Yue Feng—how do they have so many contribution points? I thought No. 11 land cost 5, 00 points. Nos. 3 to 10 are closer to the wooden house—shouldn't they cost more?"

"Of course they do. Luo Yuan is captain of Hu Bao squad; Zhao Long, Zhao Hu, Zhao Bao are captains of Lie Ying, Gang Zong, and Jin Diao squads respectively; Huang Yong is captain of Zhao Long squad. You don't know these five squads?"

"Ah, so it's them. That explains it."

"Wait—Director Cheng, Captain Yuan, and these five captains have strong squads and lots of contribution points, I get that. But what about the other three?"

"I remember Yue Feng's Shan He squad was only formed last month—shouldn't be that strong. Hong Gang and Ying Xuan aren't even squad captains. How do they have so many points?"

"You don't understand. Yue Feng, Hong Gang, and Ying Xuan were among Da Xia's first hunting team members. They hunted with the Leader early on and earned tons of contribution points they never spent."

"Ah, I see. That's why I wondered—Long Wu squad is also strong, but why hasn't Director Yuwen bought land and built a house? He only joined last month—his contribution points probably aren't enough."

Please... collect... 6... ... ooks...!

"Heh, look at the sign in front of plot No. 11."

Hearing this, Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin turned quickly to look.

Directly in front of plot #11 stood a sign bearing the three characters "Yuwen Tao," clearly already claimed.

"Commandant Si is truly formidable—they say he only arrived at Daya Camp on the 19th of March, and in just a month and a half before forming Long Wu Squad, he already amassed 5, 00 contribution points. How many cold beasts must he have hunted?"

"After all, they're one of only two hunting squads capable of hunting mid-tier cold beasts. If Long Wu Squad hadn't recently been reassigned to guard Jinggu, they might have advanced to mid-tier even faster than Yunjiao Squad."

"Has Yunjiao Squad not been promoted to mid-tier yet?"

"Not yet, but they're close—they've already hunted one mid-tier snow-maned beast and one mid-tier demon goat, and only need three more types of mid-tier cold beasts."

………………

Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin stared at the two completed houses nearby, and the eight others under construction, their eyes filled with envy.

Neither had any interest in the chatter around them—only longing filled their hearts.

"A Lin, when will we ever be able to move out and build our own house?"

Xiao Lin thought for a moment, then replied: "Five thousand contribution points—my father said it'll take at least four months to save up."

The camp still controls iron ore; only wood is permitted for house construction, and wood can be cut and brought back from outside, so the highest cost is the land itself. Beyond that, you only need to pay the Craftsmen's Department a small labor fee—someone has calculated it's under 300 points, negligible compared to land prices.

This answer clearly did not satisfy Xiao Heng.

He shook his head: "I mean a house that's completely ours—not one your father built for you."

Xiao Lin froze in place at these words.

Just then, the laughter and play of a group of children beside the wooden building reached them.

"Luo An, when will your house be finished?"

"My father says it'll be done the day after tomorrow. Then my mother and I can move in—finally won't have to squeeze in there anymore, haha."

"Wow, that's great! I want to move out too."

"Zou Ping, tell your father to build one outside too."

"My father says he's still a little short on contribution points—probably a few more days."

"That's soon too, Zhao Quan—your house will be done soon too, right?"

"My father says it'll be done in three days—right next to yours."

"Hahaha, then we can train and play together!"

…………

Hearing the voices of these six- or seven-year-old children, Xiao Lin's face flushed crimson.

"Did you hear that, A Lin? Only these kids rely entirely on their fathers. We're not children anymore. I heard my father say that two years ago, the Commander was eighteen, the Deputy Administrator sixteen—Daya Camp had only about a hundred people, just one logging squad, all of whom died to the supernatural monsters."

"Those two brothers, the Commander and the Deputy Administrator, took charge in the crisis. In just two years, they grew immensely powerful, killed the supernatural monsters, avenged their father's death, and turned Daya Camp into what it is today. If we faced the same situation, do you think we could do it?"

Not to mention doing it—even surviving such a dire situation is doubtful.

Xiao Lin immediately shook his head. He had never seen a supernatural monster himself, only heard of them from his father—terrifying creatures that meant certain death upon encounter.

"So we must work hard. Daya Camp offers such excellent conditions—if we still act like we used to, we'll be left far behind. We don't need to match the geniuses like the Commander, Deputy Administrator, or Commandant Si—but at least we can't let our peers pull too far ahead."

"I understand, A Heng!"

Hearing the seriousness in Xiao Heng's tone, Xiao Lin nodded firmly, his resolve strengthening.

To be honest, his talent was inferior to Xiao Heng's. Even Xiao Heng felt pressure after coming to Daya—how much more so if he didn't strive? Right now, with his father's support, he could live comfortably—but the future? Who knew.

In Daya Camp, everything depends on strength. Whatever you want, you must exchange for contribution points—and contribution points are simply a quantitative measure of strength.

"Xiao Heng, why are you standing outside? Come back with me."

A soft voice suddenly came from behind Xiao Heng. He turned quickly and saw his elder sister, Xiao Ning, standing there—he immediately smiled.

"Sister! You're back!"

"I just returned from hunting. Father and the others went to the Supply Department to turn in the prey. They asked me to come back first—and I happened to catch you."

Hearing that his father and the others had returned, Xiao Heng smiled, took Xiao Lin's hand, and they headed back to the wooden building together.

Xiao Shan Squad also hunts every night. It was nearly dawn now—exactly their return time.

Xiao Ning followed behind, watching Xiao Heng with a look of quiet satisfaction.

In the old days at Wu Yuan Mountain, Xiao Heng's personality would never have allowed him to say such things.

In just over half a month since arriving at Daya Camp, his brother had changed so much.

"Father would be delighted if he knew."

…………

Xiao Kangcheng, his wife, and their three children made a family of five.

Although he led a hunting squad and had a special connection with Deputy Administrator Xia Chuan, his status in the camp was not low, yet he received no special privileges.

When housing was allocated last month on the 21st, his family, like eight other households, was assigned one room under Xia Chuan's household registration system.

But they were assigned to the third floor of the wooden building.

The rooms on the first and second floors were each 10 meters per side—100 square meters. But the third floor, having only 100 rooms total, had rooms 20 meters per side—400 square meters each.

This was a form of special privilege, though not exclusive to the Xiao family—it applied to all Digging Earth cultivators in the camp.

Nine households living together could not possibly share space indiscriminately.

With ample space and all being Digging Earth families with decent resources, they simply brought in wooden planks, leaving two one-meter-wide corridors each horizontally and vertically, dividing the large room into nine independent small rooms.

The Xiao family lived in the western room of unit 96 on the third floor.

Xiao Ning led Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin up to the third floor. Before they reached home, they saw a crowd gathered outside their door.

"Congratulations, Commander Xiao!"

"Where are your two daughters? Deputy Administrator has been here so long—why haven't the two girls shown up yet?"

"Probably shy, too afraid to show their faces, haha!"

"Deputy Administrator, what's this part of the ceremony called? Is it 'presenting betrothal gifts'?"

"Yes, presenting betrothal gifts. Didn't you hear Deputy Administrator say? First present the betrothal gifts, then agree on a date for the wedding, and finally the marriage itself."

"So the whole process is called 'Xia Ritual'?"

"No, no—this is only one part of the wedding section in the Rituals Chapter of Xia Ritual. Deputy Administrator said he's just setting a template today. Whether we follow this later is up to us."

"Then I must watch closely—what's the difference between having a wedding and not having one, haha!"

"Today's date-setting drew so many girls—they say it's fascinating."

………………

As Xiao Ning drew near and heard the crowd's chatter, she suddenly blushed crimson and dared not approach the door.

"Silly girl, standing there doing what? Come here, come here!"

Lin Lan, sharp-eyed, spotted the eldest daughter at the back of the crowd and immediately walked over with a smile, pulling Xiao Ning back into the house.

"The eldest daughter's back! The eldest daughter's back!"

"Deputy Administrator, the betrothal bride has arrived!"

"Hahaha, here she is, here she is!"

(End of Chapter)