[{"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-194":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},2266620,4425,"Chapter 194: Repelling the Enemy, First Wedding","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-194",194,"\u003Cp>From the north, a fierce wind surged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Tao, Yue Feng, and the other six men, though standing at the doorway, still felt the strength of that gale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven felt their vision blur for an instant—nothing seemed to happen—yet when they looked up again toward the rooftop where Xia Hong sat, their faces instantly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opposite Xia Hong, someone had appeared, unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was broad-shouldered, with large features and a commanding brow; his white robe outshone snow, standing in stark contrast to Xia Hong’s silk-black attire, and in his hand he held a black spear, over a zhang in length.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Yingyuan, the head of the Beehive Camp—come here in person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Feng inside the wooden building recognized the man at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder—he looked just like Chen Yingba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their differences were vast: this man’s domineering aura seemed ingrained into his bones; though he had spoken not a word since appearing, an inexplicable pressure clung to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Yuwen Tao and the others also wore expressions of gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong and their group had stayed here since the first day of the month, guarding until the fifth, fearing the Beehive Camp would return to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days passed without incident—they’d thought it was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chen Yingyuan, the head himself, had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the seven, but the six hunting squads stationed at Jinggu, along with over a hundred others, had also been stirred by Xia Hong’s earlier voice; though none dared leave their wooden huts, they hid in the shadows within, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beehive, Chen Yingyuan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the man on the rooftop bow and speak to Xia Hong, Yuwen Tao and the other seven instantly focused all attention, daring not make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the rooftop, hearing this unnecessary introduction, Xia Hong’s gaze remained calm, his slight displeasure unchanged; he glanced subtly toward the northern valley entrance, then continued watching the man silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken first yet received no reply, the man was not angered—instead, a spark of fire kindled in his eyes, and his grip on the spear trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Leader Xia Hong, I apologize!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the seven words fell, Chen Yingyuan’s massive frame vanished from his spot, as if turning into a gale, hurtling toward Xia Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gale howled, whipping up a snow mist over three zhang high; below, Yuwen Tao and the others were shaken, their eyes filled with horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This speed—it’s almost flying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The power is terrifying—look at those snow clouds, not a single flake intact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Leader still hasn’t moved—will he be alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not track Chen Yingyuan’s body—only the swirling snow mist, completely engulfing Xia Hong’s form; seeing Xia Hong’s silhouette unmoved within the mist, their eyes betrayed growing concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the rooftop, Xia Hong watched the snow mist, his expression still as still water; he merely placed his right hand on the hilt of his ceremonial knife, calmly staring ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the swirling snow mist, a single point of cold light suddenly appeared in Xia Hong’s pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cold light pierced through the mist, arriving within three cun of his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The violent force scattered surrounding snowflakes; behind the light came the spear shaft, behind it Chen Yingyuan—now fully revealed before Xia Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless fine snow grains were pierced by the spear tip, its terrifying force rubbing against air, generating heat that froze and vaporized the surrounding cold, forming a visible air-wave blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the blade did not strike Xia Hong’s brow as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp, metallic clang erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone, including Chen Yingyuan gripping the spear, froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender ceremonial knife had been drawn from Xia Hong’s waist—his right hand held it vertically before his face, the flat of the blade precisely catching the spear tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, Xia Hong’s ceremonial knife had a blade no wider than an inch at its broadest point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a fleeting moment, he had not only drawn the blade—but blocked the spear tip with perfect precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could mean only one thing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the moment Chen Yingyuan rose, every movement—he was completely visible to Head Leader, entirely exposed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That snow mist? It only hides our vision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Leader even predicted the exact spot he’d strike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then his entire display—was nothing but clowning in Head Leader’s eyes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a burst of heated discussion, Yuwen Tao and the other six below looked at Xia Hong with renewed reverence and fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clowning? It’s worse—it’s showing off swordplay before a master. Look at how Head Leader holds his knife…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Yue Feng’s cue, all eyes turned to Xia Hong’s right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it, all seven shuddered, their pupils wide with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong held the ceremonial knife with one hand, vertically raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used no external force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after blocking the spear tip, his body remained motionless, his right hand perfectly still—not a single tremor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Chen Yingyuan gripped the spear with both hands, muscles bulging, his breath ripping his clothes, and after the spear met the blade, his entire body began to shake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Effortless mastery” and “exhausted effort”—these two phrases had now fully manifested before every Earth-Digging Realm observer below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seven-mane strength—Chen Yingyuan isn’t even as strong as He Yuanhun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What level is Xia Hong? How terrifying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men on the rooftop held utterly different thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong was disappointed in Chen Yingyuan’s strength;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingyuan, however, was shaken to his core by Xia Hong’s unfathomable power, a flicker of regret rising deep in his pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Leader Xia Hong, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though disappointed, seeing Chen Yingyuan so quickly yield, Xia Hong arched an eyebrow—but offered no mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly swung his ceremonial knife downward as if to strike; as Chen Yingyuan pulled back his spear to dodge, Xia Hong’s left fist shot out like a cannonball, slamming into his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom… crack…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bone snapped; Chen Yingyuan’s body flew backward five meters like a broken kite, his spear piercing the roof to anchor himself—he barely steadied, when a lightning-fast slash descended upon his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glinting blade flashed into his pupils; Chen Yingyuan’s spine chilled—he dared not meet it head-on, kicked through the roof, and dove downward, opening his mouth to speak—but the moment he uttered one syllable, the slender blade split down from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his own spear’s air-wave, Xia Hong’s ceremonial knife cleaved the roof—not just the hole he’d broken, but split it cleanly from center to both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingyuan raised his spear horizontally above his head to block the blade; the metallic clang was drowned by the roof’s collapse, yet the shockwave from their clash made the entire wooden structure tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the six wooden huts to left and right, Yuwen Tao and the other seven, along with the six hunting squads, all stared in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each wooden hut in Jinggu could hold hundreds—yet these massive structures were now trembling from the residual force of their clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom… boom… jing… qiang…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the hut, Xia Hong and Chen Yingyuan’s battle was now invisible—only sounds emerged, and with each clash, cracks burst open across all four walls, revealing the ferocity of their duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than ten breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front wall of the hut was shattered by a spear—Chen Yingyuan fled out in disarray, his body covered in a dozen cuts, his white robe torn to rags, face pale with shock, utterly broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a breath later, Xia Hong emerged from the hut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leapt onto the roof, one hand gripping his knife, looking down upon Chen Yingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong’s black robes fluttered slightly in the cold wind; not a single wound marred his body, and his expression remained as calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingyuan stood below, gazing up at Xia Hong, swallowing hard; though he wished to speak, remembering the near-death moments inside the hut, he forced himself to stay silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His meaning was clear: he would not allow Chen Yingyuan to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong stood on the roof, staring at Chen Yingyuan for a long while, then a flash of cold light passed through his eyes; he slowly raised his hand, the knife’s tip aimed directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of the blade’s tip, Chen Yingyuan reacted instantly—every hair on his body stood on end, his grip on the spear tightened until veins bulged, his eyes locked on Xia Hong, not daring to blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at that moment, Xia Hong’s brows tightened—he suddenly looked northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two white figures approached swiftly, one behind the other, arriving before the hut within moments, standing one on each side of Chen Yingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong ignored Chen Yingba on the left, fixing his gaze on the slender man on the right, holding a longsword—a new face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Leader, Wu Tianxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed—all three Cold-Resisting Level leaders had arrived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong studied the three for a moment, said nothing, sheathed his ceremonial knife, then returned his gaze to Chen Yingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Chen Yingba and Wu Tianxing present, Chen Yingyuan’s expression relaxed instantly—especially upon seeing Xia Hong sheathe his knife, he exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spun around sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck Chen Yingba across the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingba, stunned by the blow, reacted quickly—immediately lowered his head, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fool! I told you a hundred times to control your temper—did you listen? Now you’ve kicked a steel plate? Apologize to Head Leader Xia Hong right now and beg for mercy—next time, I’ll kill you myself before Head Leader even lifts a finger!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingba kept his head bowed, expression hidden, but stepped forward, bowed deeply to Xia Hong, and said: “This unauthorized intrusion into Great Xia’s camp, and the attack on Great Xia’s people—were entirely my fault. I beg Head Leader Xia Hong, in your great mercy, to spare me this once. From now on, Chen Yingba will never repeat this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden turn stunned every Earth-Digging Realm observer in the six huts to left and right—but soon, realizing that all three Cold-Resisting Level leaders had bowed before their own Head Leader, their faces flushed with exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the leader’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too strong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Yuwen Tao, Yue Feng, and a few others, after careful thought, looked at Chen Yingyuan and his companions with slightly more serious expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the roof, Xia Hong heard Chen Yingba’s apology but showed no surprise whatsoever, made no reply, and kept his gaze fixed on Chen Yingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he said nothing, Chen Yingba below could only remain bowed; Chen Yingyuan dared not speak further, and Wu Tianxing beside him certainly didn’t dare say a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four remained silent for over a dozen breaths before Xia Hong raised his right hand, pointed at Chen Yingba at the front, and spoke slowly to Chen Yingyuan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter ends here. I already told him last time: ten li north of Jinggu, none of your Beehive Camp people may trespass. This time, all three of you entered. Those dozen cuts on your body serve as punishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you may keep coming in the future—but I’ll patrol this area irregularly. If I catch you, you’d better all three be present. Otherwise, you know what’ll happen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingyuan’s forced smile froze slightly, then quickly turned into a grin as he bowed his hands. “Thank you, Leader Xia Hong, for your magnanimity. I, Chen, will strictly discipline my people upon returning and ensure they never trespass into Great Xia’s territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, he grabbed Chen Yingba’s arm, and the three turned and left north without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… they’re just leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course they are. Didn’t you see the leader’s strength? I bet if the other two had arrived even later, Chen Yingyuan might’ve died right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three Cold-Resistant Level cultivators all bowed down—how strong is the leader really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sunshine Realm, I’d guess. That’s probably as strong as it gets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundreds of Digging Realm cultivators in the six wooden huts immediately erupted into heated discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the right-side hut, Yuwen Tao and his six companions had just sat back by the stove when they saw Xia Hong walk in from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hail the leader!” All seven rose immediately to bow, their eyes filled with fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong waved slightly, signaling them to sit, then walked to the center of the stove and took his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leader, Chen Yingyuan’s no good—he came here intending to intimidate, but when he saw his strength was no match, he instantly changed his tune and staged this whole self-punishment act for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Yue Feng sat down, he couldn’t help but warn Xia Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong smiled lightly and nodded, a hint of approval on his face. “Of course—in the Ice Abyss World, strength ultimately speaks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Yue Feng and the other six nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yingyuan brought two Cold-Resistant Level men—his motives were clearly impure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Xia Hong’s strength been weaker today, the outcome certainly wouldn’t have been this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Yingyuan is indeed flexible—he saw things turning bad and immediately staged that self-punishment act. He’s probably afraid of giving us grounds to strike back at the Beehive Camp. No wonder He Yuanhun couldn’t extend his hand into Pingxi Plain all these years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Xia Hong’s words, everyone’s expressions tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Yuwen Tao, who thought of Chen Yingyuan’s behind—the Longyou Alliance—and immediately nodded. “Leader’s guess is right. My father once told me: Chen Yingyuan has strictly controlled his own people for years, never clashed with us once. He Yuanhun tried to move against the Beehive Camp a few years ago, but dared not because of the Longyou Alliance’s strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Longyou Alliance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong turned to look at Pingxi Plain, his brows slightly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know the Beehive Camp’s exact strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had a rough idea of these three leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all three joined forces, he had no hundred-percent chance of defeating them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for them to defeat him? Completely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in top-tier strength, Great Xia completely towers over the Beehive Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Martial Hall and ample cold-beast meat supplies, the number of Digging Realm cultivators is merely a matter of time for Great Xia—even if we’re behind now, we’ll catch up soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in terms of strength, I have no problem extending my hand into Pingxi Plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only concern is the Longyou Alliance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it absorbs the Beehive Camp and the other eleven, even the most conservative estimate puts its strength on par with ours—or possibly even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these twelve camps are truly united, as Yuwen Tao said, and strictly forbid other camps from interfering in Pingxi Plain, then Great Xia must tread carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, don’t consider this. The Arrow Bamboo Forest isn’t fully surveyed yet; there are vast unexplored areas in Redwood Ridge, the entire Five Ape Mountain, and the lands north of Xing Valley. There’s plenty of territory. Until we understand the Longyou Alliance’s strength, we can simply set Pingxi Plain aside for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xia Hong spoke, Yuwen Tao and the others all nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True enough—Great Xia has many directions for expansion. Pingxi Plain isn’t significant. When our strength can crush the Longyou Alliance, we can revisit Pingxi Plain without delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Yingyuan was just thoroughly humiliated by me. Without exception, Jinggu should be peaceful for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Xia Hong looked at Yue Feng. “From now on, you’ll lead the Shanhe Team to guard Jinggu. Those sent to the Arrow Bamboo Forest for gathering, surveying, or hunting—if they run out of time or don’t want to return, they can come here to rest. Also, guard those two iron mines closely. Miners needn’t make round trips—stockpile for a few days, then haul everything back at once…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Establishing a forward outpost isn’t this simple—supply preparation and outpost construction are major issues. These must be discussed later with Xia Chuan. What Xia Hong just gave was merely a concept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, Leader. I’ll guard Jinggu faithfully from now on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong nodded slightly. “Yuwen Tao, your five teams—unless there’s something urgent, you don’t need to stay here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Leader!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m heading back to camp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong spoke, turned, and walked out the door. At the threshold, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Yue Feng. “By the way, remember to return on the eighth. There’s a lively event waiting for you in the valley.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eighth? A lively event?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Xia Year One, Fifth Month, Eighth Day\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final half-hour before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, at this hour, everyone had just returned from outside and was preparing to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today was utterly unusual: three bonfires blazed in the valley, wooden huts glowed with furnace light, and people moved up and down in bustling activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bridal party’s here! The bridal party’s here…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud cry echoed through the wooden building; many, hearing it, immediately rushed excitedly to the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Room 96, west side, third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng and Lin Lan, with their son Xiao Heng, stood at their door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three wore brand-new fur garments freshly exchanged from the Supply Department, faces beaming with smiles—eager yet tinged with melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bridal party’s here…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice from the corridor, all three looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, Deputy Director, your outfit is so festive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This bright red is too eye-catching—I’ve never seen such red before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, how did they make this color? So intensely red!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it’s ground powder from Zhu Shuang trees, mixed with water for dyeing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, even if it’s flashy, it looks incredibly festive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…………”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Xia Chuan appeared, laughter erupted from the corridor’s end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng and his wife seemed to know something—their expressions turned peculiar; the others gathered around, clueless, now intensely curious about Xia Chuan’s attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After over a dozen breaths, the crowd finally pressed close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…………”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xia Chuan stepped out from the crowd, those gathered at Xiao Kangcheng’s door saw his clothes—and instantly burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Chuan wasn’t wearing his usual black cloak today; instead, he wore a slightly fitted outfit of clearly superior material, its outer layer shimmering with gold luster, instantly recalling the black robe worn by Leader Xia Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Superior material alone wouldn’t have triggered laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was: this outfit was red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though white thread patterns adorned it, the overall crimson was far too eye-catching—especially paired with Xia Chuan’s slightly awkward expression. The sight amused everyone, and laughter grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camp now had many clothing colors; red wasn’t rare—but mostly worn by women or children. No grown man had ever worn a full red outfit. Naturally, everyone found it hilarious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father-in-law, I’ve come to fetch my bride!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good! Heng’er, go bring out your two sisters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Kangcheng’s face beamed as he instructed his son; then he looked again at Xia Chuan’s glaring red outfit and couldn’t help laughing too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…………”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the father-in-law laughed, everyone else laughed even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahahaha…………”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, as Xiao Heng led out his two sisters—one on each side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter instantly ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes fixed on Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu. Awe rose in their gazes, and everyone froze for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same crimson, on Xia Chuan, provoked laughter—but on Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, it was utterly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fiery red gown accentuated their slender, exquisite figures to breathtaking beauty;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sky-blue sashes, woven from frost-wolf down, crossed diagonally across their chests, adding nobility to the attire;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each wore tiny red cloth shoes, their heads covered by red veils, so they couldn’t see the ground—yet their steps were light and graceful, making them utterly captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This outfit is stunning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The shoes are lovely too—and those two sashes are gorgeous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the wedding dress described in the Xia Ritual, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, it’s the wedding dress—the red veil, all things a bride wears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the men present were stunned into silence by the sight, then the women in the crowd nearly all had their eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether married or not, they gazed at the clothes on Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, their faces filled with envy, their eyes slowly kindling longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sssss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Feng, pinched on his waist by his wife, winced and turned to see her resentful gaze—sweat instantly drenched his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve been married this long—stop yearning for this. When Yuan grows up and marries, his wife will surely wear this, won’t she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan pursed her lips but let it go, imagining her son one day marrying with the same festivity—finally, a smile crept onto her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Feng was just one example; many married people in the crowd had been pinched by their wives; as for the unmarried, the pressure naturally rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush—I’ve found out: the Craft Department made five sets each of wedding dresses and groom’s robes. From now on, anyone in the camp who marries can rent them with Contribution Points. Don’t worry—every girl in our camp will get to wear one…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clever young man in the crowd, noticing the women’s hopeful expressions, quickly added an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the women’s smiles faded, he added: “I mean girls—married women need not dream of it, unless you plan to marry twice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, pfft, pfft…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Peng, your mouth spits out nothing but filth—you’re the one who’ll marry twice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hu Peng was besieged by a swarm of women, the crowd erupted in laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the merriment aside, Xia Chuan concluded the wedding procession and led the two brides straight to the main hall on the second floor to complete the final wedding rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-floor main hall was already thick with the scent of meat and wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the camp’s twenty thousand people, nearly everyone received a portion of meat boiled with salt; those at the Digging Ground Realm each tasted a small cup of aged liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The leader said all expenses today are on him—not just tonight, but the next ten couples who marry under the Deputy Minister will be treated to the same feast. Eat well, drink well—the wedding ceremony is about to begin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the food and wine, and the appearance of Leader Xia Hong—especially when Yuan Cheng announced Xia Hong’s decree—the wedding atmosphere soared to a new height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First bow to Great Xia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second bow to the ancestors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bow to each other as husband and wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ritual complete—tie the hair knots, forever bound as one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Xia’s first wedding concluded in an extraordinarily lively manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Hong had relied on his own memories to reconstruct the wedding rituals as faithfully as possible; achieving perfect replication in every detail was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Xia Chuan and his two wives tie each other’s hair knots, Xia Hong’s expression softened with satisfaction, yet he still observed the reactions of others in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envy, longing, aspiration, contemplation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging solely from these reactions, Great Xia’s first wedding had undeniably been a great success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the first step toward establishing the Xia Rituals—now that it’s begun, the rest will follow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3818,"2026-06-19T20:30:15.201Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ad2e4cdf66a11d6e14bfc2bbb1e264f1d9687480dfc487b038c258c65dece00e","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-195","endless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-chapter-193",521,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fendless-winter-my-camp-infinitely-upgrades-cover.jpg"]