[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades":3,"chapter-endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-193":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Endless Winter: My Camp Infinitely Upgrades",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2266619,4425,"Chapter 193: The Four Chapters of 《Xia Li》: Someone Has Come","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-193",193,"\u003Cp>Xiao Ning, hand in hand with her mother, pushed through the crowd; as soon as she entered the house, she saw Xia Chuan seated to the right of her father, smiling warmly at her, and her already flushed cheeks turned even redder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The eldest daughter’s blushing, blushing, hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t the second daughter just run into her room? Go pull her out too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re about to become the Deputy Director’s wife—don’t be shy, come out and let everyone see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to withstand the teasing around her, Xiao Ning quickly pulled free from her mother Lin Lan’s grip and dashed straight into her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng, watching his usually composed eldest daughter display such shy behavior, couldn’t help but smile gently, bowing to Xia Chuan: “My daughter’s unseemly conduct—please forgive her, Deputy Director.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan shook his head with a light laugh and said: “Don’t call me that anymore. After the betrothal, we’re one family—you should change your address. From now on, just call me Xia Chuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he’d already heard the term “father-in-law” moments ago, hearing it again made Xiao Kangcheng’s face light up with pleasure; his smiling eyes could not be hidden, and he murmured: “Very well. Now we’re one family—I’ll take the liberty and call you Xia Chuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the onlookers, many were of similar age to Xiao Kangcheng, and each had daughters of their own—married or not—who, seeing this scene, felt an inexplicable stirring in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Bingyuan world, matters between men and women had always been casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This casualness didn’t mean reckless behavior, but rather a general indifference toward the matter: young men and women who took a liking to each other simply paired up, without needing parental consent or formal procedures—just a word, and it was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to men’s innate advantage in hunting—and generally superior cultivation—families were always male-dominated, and women’s ties to their natal families were purely emotional, with virtually no practical connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the tradition of male preference wasn’t surprising; more importantly, it caused fathers and mothers of the bride and groom to have almost no emotional bond. Once time passed, they became two separate families, rarely interacting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Xia Camp, marriage had never been considered a significant event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, women themselves were never valued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tradition, once accustomed to, was unremarkable—everyone did it the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, with Xia Chuan’s actions, they suddenly realized: all this could be changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was now a proper ritual to follow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>《Xia Li》\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes involuntarily fixed on Qiu Peng beside Xia Chuan—more precisely, on the scroll in his hands—with expressions of quiet wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in his chair, Xia Chuan noticed the crowd’s gaze, stirred slightly, and nodded to Qiu Peng beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Peng understood at once, smiling as he clapped his hands twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, six men entered, smiling as they carried in six wooden chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Kangcheng has two daughters, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu. Deputy Director Xia Chuan wishes to propose marriage, and hereby presents the Six Rites, humbly requesting your approval.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Peng opened the scroll, clearly reading from its contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers, including Xiao Kangcheng, paid no mind, listening intently, awaiting his next words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite One: one hundred jin of beast meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first chest was opened, revealing ten slabs of deep-blue cold-beast meat; the onlookers’ eyes instantly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk, one hundred jin of cold-beast meat—that’s fifty contribution points already!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a huge sum—I’d have to chop trees for days to earn that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even on a hunting trip, you’d need to kill three beasts to get this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is only the first item—don’t interrupt, there are five more chests!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite Two: ten meters of cotton cloth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second chest opened, revealing a roll of pure white, soft fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite Three: two long swords.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite Four: six carved beast-tooth chairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite Five: ten jin of aged liquor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rite Six: two thousand jin of coal stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the remaining chests were opened, the six betrothal gifts lay before them; everyone in the room froze, eyes wide, expressions stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cotton cloth—that’s bamboo-fiber cloth. If I recall right, the Supply Department just set the price at twenty contribution points per meter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two long swords? That’s six hundred contribution points?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aged liquor costs eighty points per jin—ten jin is eight hundred points?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Carved beast-tooth chairs—I’ve seen them. Even the inferior ones compared to the leader’s chair cost forty points each—six would be two hundred forty points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two thousand jin of coal stone is one hundred contribution points—so the first item, beast meat, is actually the cheapest of the six?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All six gifts together total nearly two thousand contribution points?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sssss… this betrothal gift is too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two thousand points—that’s two or three months’ earnings for a hunting team!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, a wave of excited chatter filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers’ emotions shifted from shock over the gifts to envy toward the Xiao family; most women’s eyes brimmed with longing, and some unmarried girls wore expressions of pure yearning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-this… this betrothal gift is too heavy—I absolutely cannot accept it, Xia… Xia Chuan, I can’t take these things!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng leapt to his feet, ignoring his wife Lin Lan tugging his arm, and immediately refused Xia Chuan’s gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, he certainly wanted them—especially the aged liquor. Last time Xiao Yuan exchanged one jin, he’d tasted a sip and had craved its flavor for days, saving up contribution points to trade for more. Now ten jin appeared—how could he not want them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could he accept them without cause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correct—he, like everyone else in the camp and across the Bingyuan world, never considered marrying off a daughter to be a meaningful event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father-in-law, calm down—let me explain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan also stood, smiling as he reassured him, then continued: “These six rites are merely the ceremonial form of my proposal—how you handle them is entirely up to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contribution points spent on these gifts are not trivial to me, but they’re not excessive either—they reflect my regard for Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you refuse them, you’re rejecting my proposal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entirely up to him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My regard for your two daughters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two phrases made Xiao Kangcheng’s eyes flicker with sudden interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many around him instantly understood, nodding subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two thousand contribution points were neither high nor low for Xia Chuan—Yunjiao Team was currently the top hunting unit, and as its captain, Xia Chuan’s monthly earnings were obviously substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of these six gifts truly demonstrated his seriousness in proposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key point: how to handle them was entirely Xiao Kangcheng’s choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made it easier—simply let the daughters take them when they marry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Xia Chuan took the scroll from Qiu Peng’s hands, faced the rest of the room, and continued: “All of you, the Leader said the Six Rites have no fixed value—so long as they cover clothing, food, shelter, travel, weapons, and drink, the quantity depends entirely on one’s means. I don’t want to be the one who makes marriage difficult for everyone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Xia Chuan’s teasing, everyone burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, yes, yes—it’s just ritual, one should act according to one’s means!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, I knew it—if everyone did this, our camp’s supplies wouldn’t last!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Deputy Director’s marrying two at once—he’s bound to go all out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You heard? The Deputy Director can pull this off because he’s capable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go away, I never said I wanted this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint bickering between several couples sent the room into another wave of laughter; the atmosphere in the hall instantly warmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Director, is this book, 《Xia Li》, personally compiled by the Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a few sharp-minded individuals, recalling Xia Chuan’s earlier words, immediately asked about the scroll in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others fell silent, curious, watching Xia Chuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, someone asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan relaxed inwardly, smiled at the crowd, raised the scroll, and nodded firmly: “Yes. This 《Xia Li》 was personally compiled by the Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Leader said: without rules, there is no order; without ritual, there is no system. We humans are not like mysterious cold beasts—we have banded together for warmth, so we must build our own civilization and institutions. The advanced civilization of the Guyuan Era is lost to us; we must create a new one ourselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This 《Xia Li》 currently has only four chapters: Camp, Rite, Hunt, and Cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Camp Chapter standardizes all positions within the six departments of the Xia Camp, and clearly defines each role’s responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rite Chapter covers daily affairs—marriage, funerals, sacrifices, customs—to regulate our Xia people’s conduct and activities. Today’s betrothal, tomorrow’s wedding procession, the wedding itself—all fall under the Marriage Rite. Today, I’m giving you a template.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hunt Chapter details regulations for hunting: who may hunt, which zones are permitted, preparations before and after, and all necessary precautions—all clearly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cultivation Chapter standardizes our cultivation practices: woodcutting, digging, cold resistance, and even the unknown Yang Level—each realm’s methods, power levels, and corresponding titles are preliminarily defined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan gave a brief overview of the four chapters of 《Xia Li》, and seeing the puzzled expressions around him, recalled his brother’s words and sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The civilization of the Bingyuan world has collapsed too long—so long that people have forgotten everything except the customs passed down through generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s impossible to regulate everyone with just one book of 《Xia Li》—only through subtle, gradual influence, and years of permeation, can its contents truly become part of their lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was civilization and education really this important?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of confusion passed through Xia Chuan’s eyes. To him, his brother’s long, complex rules seemed pointless—adding no practical benefit, only creating trouble for the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, once these rituals spread, resource consumption would rise—but what benefit would that bring? Despite his doubts, his innate trust in Xia Hong kept him from questioning further. He raised his head to speak again, but someone beat him to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Director, will everyone in the camp now be required to strictly follow the 《Xia Li》?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan paused, then immediately shook his head: “No. The 《Xia Li》 is not mandatory. For marriage rites, my proposal today doesn’t require everyone to follow it—you may continue as before if you wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what’s the point of the 《Xia Li》?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another person spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the question, Xia Chuan’s face immediately twisted into a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone actually asked—Brother really is prophetic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What use is Xia Li? Good question—in my view, it’s of no great use!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xia Chuan declared it useless, everyone exchanged puzzled glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he shifted tone, speaking loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet it will be the essential distinction between our Great Xia and other encampments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ice Abyss world is vast; even ignoring other regions, just around Double Dragon Mountain, there are countless encampments, large and small—not to mention the lands north of Five Monkeys Mountain, Pingxi Plain, Longshan Border, south of Xinghe River, and Mo’ao Mountain east of Double Dragon Mountain, where human encampments are as numerous as the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please… collect… 6… 9… books…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many encampments, what sets us apart? What distinguishes Great Xia? The answer lies in this volume of Xia Li!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We uphold Xia Li; our actions follow established rules, our hearts abide by systems, everything has precedent, everything follows ritual—thus we are Great Xia people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is our distinction from savagery. We are no longer merely a human encampment that scavenges and barely survives in the Ice Abyss. We are an encampment with its own rites, laws, systems—its own civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Great Xia grows and prospers, this power of civilization will expand and strengthen, carried by all of us to every corner, reigniting the flame of human civilization across the entire Ice Abyss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xia Chuan finished speaking, the hundreds gathered inside and outside the room fell utterly silent. Everyone’s emotions had been stirred; their eyes shimmered faintly with fire, their expressions growing increasingly excited and animated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan observed their reactions without surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first heard these words from Xia Hong three days ago, he had felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely speaking, only after fully repeating these words did Xia Chuan truly feel the immense power hidden in every line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We uphold Xia Li—therefore, we are Great Xia people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a simple phrase carried an inexplicable force, stirring within Xia Chuan a sacred sense of belonging to Great Xia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he, as Deputy Secretary, felt this—how much more so the others in the encampment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stood frozen, unable to recover their wits for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their profound reaction, Xia Chuan exchanged glances with Qiu Peng; both men’s eyes gleamed with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This small-scale speech today was merely a warm-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As this wedding proceeds normally, the rest of the encampment will inevitably learn of Xia Li—then promoting it further will be perfectly natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father-in-law, it’s settled then: the wedding will be held on the second floor of the wooden building. Three days from now, on the eighth day of the fifth month, I’ll arrive half an hour before dawn to fetch the bride. How’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good… very good, it’s settled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng was still lost in the previous speech when his mother-in-law, Lin Lan, tugged him—he snapped back to reality and nodded hastily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Half an hour before dawn? Won’t we make it then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voices around him, Xia Chuan smiled: “The wedding will take place after sunrise. The wooden building will be sealed—anyone in the encampment is welcome to attend. We’re just afraid the hall won’t hold everyone—you’ll have to arrive early and fight for seats.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd burst into laughter, everyone eagerly declaring they’d secure a prime spot and enjoy the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching their cheers, Xia Chuan’s face beamed with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wedding had one clear goal: to set an example for everyone in the encampment—and he wanted as many people as possible to attend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the encampment now had over twenty thousand people; a single hall couldn’t possibly hold them all—he’d need to plan carefully to avoid chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Xia Chuan no longer lingered. He left with Qiu Peng and the others to begin preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Brother Xiao! You’ve gained an excellent son-in-law!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Deputy Secretary is your daughter’s husband! Congratulations, Brother Xiao!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six gifts? Probably no one else in the encampment could afford them. Brother Xiao, you’ve gained great face today—congratulations!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense, nonsense—congratulations to all of us! Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing familiar voices offering congratulations, Xiao Kangcheng responded humbly on the surface, but his smile never faded—he was overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinggu, at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than a month of abandonment, the thirty-odd houses in Jinggu were mostly in ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since the end of last month, when Xia Chuan appointed Yao Feng as head of the Jinggu outpost and stationed five hunting squads—including Yuwen Tao—here, things had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of Jinggu, seven houses had been tidied up, their doorsteps piled with animal bones—clear signs of long-term habitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One wooden house on the right-center side stood with its door wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Tao stepped out, grimacing against the cold light outside. After standing for just over an hour, he couldn’t bear it and retreated back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad—the Deputy Director’s stronger than me. I can only last half an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Meng can manage it too—about an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve just started reshaping my skin membrane—can’t even last five minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the door inside, Hong Guang, Hong Tian, Zhu Ling, Zhu Yuan, Meng Yi, and Yao Feng—six men altogether—huddled around a coal stove. Seeing Yuwen Tao enter, his skin bruised and blue, they couldn’t help teasing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the six, only Yao Feng couldn’t join in—he hadn’t yet reached the stage of reshaping his skin membrane. Unlike Yuwen Tao and the others, he couldn’t even briefly step into daylight, so he could only watch them, his eyes filled with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This skin membrane stage is incredible—must it be perfectly reshaped before you can fully face the sun? Are there no exceptions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuan’s question drew curious glances from everyone toward Yuwen Tao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, only Yuwen Tao understood the Cold-Resistant Level best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had a Cold-Resistant Level father. Yuwen Tao clearly had some insight—he paused, then said: “No exceptions. Even if you wrap your entire body, you still can’t expose yourself to direct sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sunrise, the Ice Abyss isn’t just filled with cold rays—the air itself carries the chill. ‘Skin membrane without leaks’ means you control the pores on your skin, sealing in your internal energy: preventing external cold from penetrating, and keeping your body heat from escaping. That’s what ‘Cold-Resistant Level’ means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look outside—the sunlight isn’t everywhere. Sometimes it’s blocked by trees or mountains. If your logic were right—that avoiding sunlight lets you move during the day—we’d have countless workarounds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Feng’s expression changed—he asked: “So the Cold-Resistant Level only grants the *ability* to move during daylight, but doesn’t mean you can be exposed to sunlight all day? Is that it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Tao thought for a moment, then gave a firm answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this answer left Yao Feng and the others stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All six turned their eyes simultaneously to the roof of the wooden house on the left—faces filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following their gaze, Yuwen Tao froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the roof of the central house, dressed in black, Xia Hong sat cross-legged, completely bathed in the cold sunlight streaming from the sky—every ray enveloping him without gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sight clearly contradicted everything he’d just said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lately, whenever it’s daytime, the Leader sits cross-legged up there meditating. According to your explanation, isn’t the Leader not Cold-Resistant Level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t the next level after Cold-Resistant Level the Sun-Revealing Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the Leader broken through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their questions, Yuwen Tao’s face was equally puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong likely hadn’t broken through to the Sun-Revealing Realm. Others might not know, but he was almost certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because right now, Xia Hong felt no different from He Yuanhun when he first met him—he could sense Xia Hong was only slightly stronger than He Yuanhun, but not by a full realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he couldn’t explain this situation. After thinking, he shook his head: “I don’t understand the Leader’s condition. Only a Sun-Revealing Realm cultivator should be able to expose himself so freely to sunlight—but he…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Yuwen Tao, with his broad experience, couldn’t explain it—how could the others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could only attribute this anomaly to Xia Hong’s unique nature—and their gaze toward him naturally grew even more reverent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the roof, Xia Hong, eyes closed and seated cross-legged, smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmurs below didn’t escape his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could he expose himself so freely to sunlight? Xia Hong already had an answer—he’d been uncertain at first, but now he was nearly certain: he was an exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This exception was built upon perfectly reshaped skin membrane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My skin membrane doesn’t just surpass ordinary Cold-Resistant Level in defense—it blocks even the cold in sunlight. Without doubt, its defensive power rivals that of the Sun-Revealing Realm. But as for my actual strength… I still don’t know how far I am from a true Sun-Revealing Realm cultivator…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong slightly opened his eyes, gazing straight up at the cold sun, feeling his flesh beneath the skin slowly reshaping—his expression both exhilarated and troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was exhilarated because he’d likely found the method to advance beyond the Cold-Resistant Level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next stage after reshaping skin membrane should be regenerating flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By channeling cold light into the skin membrane, he could first destroy tissue, then use his body’s self-repair to regenerate flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was troubled because this method—exposing himself to sunlight—was painfully slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he continued like this, Xia Hong estimated he might not complete the process in decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without doubt, I’ll need to target higher-level cold beasts…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he mused inwardly, Xia Hong suddenly lifted his head, gazing toward the northern valley entrance. His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossed his face, and he spoke in a low, firm voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve come—stop hiding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone’s here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, Yuwen Tao, Yao Feng, and the others snapped to attention, rising quickly to stand by the door, staring northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3365,"2026-06-19T20:30:15.201Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e0fda5334cad36ea0c0a0cd3f081a4c52a3ff7cd313cd3f688deb4c59569813b","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-194","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-192",521,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fendless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-cover.jpg"]