Chapter 94: [Request First Subscription] Selection Begins

Keep in mind that Snowmane is merely one of the weaker known cold beasts in Redwood Ridge, and arguably the weakest of them all.

[1] Snowmane was merely one of the weaker known cold beasts in Redwood Ridge, and in some ways, the weakest.

Even the weakest is far stronger than him, the strongest in Xia.

[2] Even the weakest was stronger than him, the strongest of Great Xia.

Although Xia Hong didn’t use a weapon during the recent sparring, just from those few exchanges, he could already tell that even if he had drawn his blade, he wouldn’t dare claim victory in a one-on-one fight.

[3] Though Xia Hong hadn’t wielded a weapon in the earlier exchange, he could already tell that even with his blade, he wouldn’t dare claim victory in a one-on-one fight.

After all, this Snowmane is a wooden dummy transformation—it won’t harm him first; second, the environment in the wild differs greatly from that inside the valley; and finally, the Snowmane’s greatest strength isn’t its power, but its cunning nature.

[4] After all, this Snowmane was a wooden dummy—first, it wouldn’t harm him; second, the wilderness environment differed greatly from the valley; third, Snowmane’s greatest strength wasn’t its power, but its cunning nature.

Though stunned by the sheer strength of the cold beasts, Xia Hong regained his composure and looked again at the wooden dummy’s transformed Snowmane, his eyes burning with renewed enthusiasm.

[5] Though stunned by the cold beast’s strength, Xia Hong regained his composure and looked again at the wooden dummy’s Snowmane, his eyes burning with eagerness.

This wooden dummy isn’t just for sparring—it can autonomously fight when within range of the iron-smelting furnace, following commands.

[6] This wooden dummy wasn’t just for sparring—it could act autonomously and follow orders within the smelter’s radiation range.

This means that in the future, if the camp is attacked, the wooden dummy can serve as a guardian nearly as powerful as myself!

[7] That meant, if the camp were attacked, the wooden dummy could serve as a guardian nearly as strong as himself!

The only drawback is its massive coal consumption: five units per hour, equivalent to one hundred pounds of coal—remember, a Digging Realm cultivator can barely mine two hundred pounds in a full day.

[8] The only drawback was its heavy coal consumption: five units per hour, equivalent to a hundred catties of coal—yet a Foundation Establishment cultivator could mine at most two hundred catties in a full day.

Thinking of the wooden dummy’s consumption, Xia Hong lost interest in testing the Frost Wolf and Demon Sheep, and quickly turned to face the crowd gathered at the outer edge of the wooden house.

[9] Thinking of the dummy’s coal cost, Xia Hong lost interest in testing Frostwolf or Demon Sheep, and swiftly turned to face the outermost group at the wooden hut’s entrance.

“The selection method for the first batch of hunters is to fight this Snowmane individually—each person gets only one chance; choose either a bow or a greatsword, and the fifteen who last the longest will become members of the hunting team.”

[10] “The first selection for the hunting team is to fight this Snowmane alone—each person gets one chance. Choose either bow or greatsword. The fifteen who last the longest become hunting team members.”

The people standing at the outermost edge of the wooden house were all from the camp’s Chopping Realm.

[11] The outermost group at the hut’s entrance were all Timbercutters from the camp.

Upon hearing Xia Hong’s words, they didn’t show much surprise.

[12] Hearing Xia Hong’s words, they showed little surprise.

Having just witnessed Xia Hong’s battle with the Snowmane and recalling his earlier announcement that the hunting team would be selected tonight, they had already guessed as much.

[13] Having seen Xia Hong fight Snowmane and remembering his earlier announcement that the hunting team would be selected tonight, they had already guessed.

But even though they knew this Snowmane was just a wooden dummy, the idea of fighting it alone still made them uneasy.

[14] Yet even knowing this Snowmane was a wooden dummy, the others still felt uneasy about fighting it alone.

“Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, bring all your weapons over here!”

[15] “Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, bring all your weapons over here!”

Hearing Xia Hong’s order, Luo Yuan and the other nine didn’t hesitate—they swiftly laid down their greatswords and bows on the ground.

[16] Hearing Xia Hong’s order, Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, and the other nine didn’t hesitate—they swiftly laid their greatswords and bows on the ground.

Meanwhile, Qiu Peng and Xu Ning also stepped forward, reluctantly placing their bows beside the others.

[17] Meanwhile, Qiu Peng and Xu Ning stepped forward and reluctantly set down their bows.

Four greatswords and eleven bows lay scattered on the ground.

[18] Four greatswords and eleven bows lay scattered on the ground.

Thirty-six Chopping Realm cultivators fixed their eager eyes on the weapons.

[19] Thirty-six Timbercutters fixed their eager eyes on the weapons.

Not just them—even the ordinary camp members behind them, especially those closest to breaking into the Chopping Realm, stared at the weapons with intense longing.

[20] Not just them—even the camp’s ordinary folk behind them, especially the reserves closest to breaking into Timbercutter, stared at the weapons with longing.

After all, acquiring a weapon and joining the hunting team doesn’t just prove one’s strength—it also means preferential access to future allocations of cold beast meat and other resources.

[21] After all, wielding a weapon and joining the hunting team meant not only proving one’s strength, but also securing future preferential shares of cold beast meat and other resources.

Before, when they thought the four-tier meat distribution system could never succeed, their desire might not have been so strong.

[22] Before, when they thought the four-tier meat distribution system could never succeed, their desire hadn’t been this intense.

But since Xia Hong returned tonight with three cold beast carcasses, proving the four-tier system was truly viable, everything changed.

[23] But since Xia Hong returned tonight with three cold beast carcasses, proving the system was viable, everything changed.

As Xia Hong previously stated, hunting team members must be Digging Realm cultivators; given the camp’s current situation, he’s making an exception by selecting fifteen from among you to join first.

[24] As Xia Hong had said, hunting team members needed Earth-Digging realm strength—but given the camp’s current situation, he was making an exception by selecting fifteen from this group to enter first.

Hunting team members receive ten pounds of cold beast meat daily, while Chopping Realm workers get only five—double the amount.

[25] Hunting team members received ten catties of cold beast meat daily; Timbercutters got only five—double the amount.

Glancing back at the already-cut cold beast meat inside the house, everyone’s breathing quickened, their gazes burning with even greater hunger.

[26] Glancing back at the pre-cut cold beast meat inside the hut, everyone’s breath quickened, their eyes burning hotter.

“Leader, I think for archers, we shouldn’t judge by how long they last—we should judge by who shoots the most accurately.”

[27] “Leader, I think archers shouldn’t be judged by endurance—shouldn’t we compare who shoots more accurately?”

Xia Hong turned and saw that the speaker was Zou Yuankai.

[28] Xia Hong turned and saw Zou Yuankai had spoken.

Seeing Zou Yuankai and the Li brothers beside him, Xia Hong immediately understood.

[29] Seeing Zou Yuankai and the Li brothers beside him, Xia Hong instantly understood.

During the previous hunt, these three had clearly demonstrated far superior archery skills than the others.

[30] During previous hunts, their archery accuracy had clearly surpassed everyone else’s.

Proposing a selection method favorable to themselves? Completely normal.

[31] Proposing a selection method favorable to themselves was normal.

After a moment’s thought, Xia Hong looked up at Zou Yuankai and replied solemnly:

[32] After a moment’s thought, Xia Hong looked at Zou Yuankai and replied gravely:

“You’re right—archers should be judged by accuracy. But the problem is, I’m not selecting archers—I’m selecting hunting team members. In the wild, the Snowmane won’t stand still for you to shoot.

[33] “You’re right—archers should be judged by accuracy. But I’m not selecting archers—I’m selecting hunting team members. Snowmane won’t stand still in the wild for you to shoot.”

At night, aside from the first arrow that might startle it, with your current strength, if you encounter one alone, no matter how accurate your shot, you’ll never get a second chance to fire—and once it locks onto you, no matter how precise your aim, you’re dead.

[34] At night, beyond the first arrow that wakes it, with your current strength, if you face it alone, no matter how accurate your shot, you’ll never get a second chance—and once it locks onto you, no matter how precise, you’re dead.”

You currently lack true hunting capability; when you join me on hunts, your role will mostly be auxiliary.

[35] Right now, none of you truly possess hunting ability. When you join me, you’re mainly there to assist.”

I don’t expect you to inflict significant damage on the cold beasts.

[36] I don’t expect you to inflict much damage on cold beasts.”

But at the very least, you must be able to survive.

[37] But at the very least, you must be able to survive.”

I can’t afford to divert attention during a hunt to protect your safety—that’s why I’ve chosen this selection method. Understood?”

[38] I don’t want to waste focus on your safety during hunts—that’s why I chose this selection method. Understood?”

Upon hearing this response, Zou Yuankai, the Li brothers, and those who had supported his suggestion all lowered their heads.

[39] Hearing this, Zou Yuankai, the Li brothers, and those who had supported him all lowered their heads.

Even Luo Yuan and the others wore expressions of shame.

[40] Even Luo Yuan and the others wore varying degrees of shame.

Xia Hong’s words were harsh, but undeniably true.

[41] Xia Hong’s words were harsh, but undeniably true.

They were only Chopping Realm cultivators—let alone facing cold beasts alone, even during last night’s hunt of three beasts, they wouldn’t have secured a single kill without Xia Hong.

[42] They were only Timbercutters—let alone facing cold beasts alone, even last night’s hunt of three cold beasts showed that without Xia Hong, they caught nothing.

Seeing their expressions of shame, Xia Hong didn’t dwell on it; instead, he looked at everyone and spoke in a low, serious tone:

[43] Seeing their shame, Xia Hong didn’t dwell on it—he looked at everyone and spoke in a low tone:

“Questioning can prevent mistakes—I don’t oppose it. Anyone in the camp has the right to question me. But I must make this clear: any criticism you direct at my decisions must come from public interest, not personal gain!”

[44] “Questioning can prevent mistakes—I don’t oppose it. Anyone in the camp has the right to question me. But I must make this clear: any challenge to my decisions must come from public interest, not personal gain!”

Hearing the seriousness in Xia Hong’s tone, everyone in the camp fell silent. Zou Yuankai and the three knew he was referring to them—their faces flushed with deeper shame, heads bowed nearly to their necks.

[45] Hearing the seriousness in Xia Hong’s tone, everyone fell silent. Zou Yuankai and the two Li brothers knew he meant them—their faces burned with shame, heads bowed to their necks.

“Alright, selection begins now—who’s first?”

[46] “Enough. Selection begins—who’s first?”

As soon as Xia Hong finished speaking, Xia Chuan stepped forward first.

[47] As Xia Hong finished speaking, Xia Chuan stepped forward first.

“I’ll go.”

[48] “I’ll go.”

Xia Chuan didn’t pick up any weapon—he walked straight to face the Snowmane.

[49] Xia Chuan didn’t choose a weapon—he walked straight to face Snowmane.

Having seen Xia Chuan’s black blade and white thread, Luo Yuan and the others understood why he chose no weapon.

[50] Having seen Xia Chuan’s Black Blade and White Thread, Luo Yuan and the others understood why he chose no weapon.

Everyone widened their eyes, eager to see how long Xia Chuan could last against the Snowmane—and to prepare themselves for their own turns.

[51] Everyone widened their eyes, watching to see how long Xia Chuan could last against Snowmane—and preparing themselves for their own turns.

As before, the moment Xia Chuan took his stance, the Snowmane charged straight at him.

[52] As before, the moment Xia Chuan stood still, Snowmane charged straight at him.

As the massive Snowmane barreled toward him, Xia Chuan realized just how terrifying his brother Xia Hong’s strength must be to have blocked that charge bare-handed.

[53] As Snowmane’s massive body hurtled toward him, Xia Chuan realized just how terrifying his brother Xia Hong’s strength was—to have caught that charge barehanded.

He dared not meet it head-on—he spun away instantly, simultaneously drawing his black blade and white thread.

[54] He dared not meet it head-on—he spun away instantly, drawing his Black Blade and White Thread at the same time.

The Snowmane’s large body and powerful momentum should have made it slow to react—but in reality, the moment Xia Chuan turned, the Snowmane instantly adjusted its direction and slammed into his back.

[55] Snowmane’s size and momentum should’ve made it slow to react—but the moment Xia Chuan turned, it instantly adjusted, whirling around and slamming into his back in an instant.

Its long, sharp tusks were already pressing against Xia Chuan’s waist.

[56] Its long, sharp tusks had already pressed against Xia Chuan’s waist.

Xia Chuan barely leapt upward, narrowly avoiding the tusks—only for the Snowmane to open its mouth and lash out its tongue.

[57] Xia Chuan barely leapt upward, evading the tusks—only for Snowmane to open its mouth and lash out its tongue.

*Shhhhh…*

[58] *Shhhhh…*

The tongue shot forward, but Xia Chuan was prepared—he swung his black blade in a swift arc around his neck.

[59] The tongue shot forth—Xia Chuan had anticipated it, his Black Blade slicing in a circle around his neck.

The wooden dummy Snowmane clearly possessed exceptional awareness—it sensed the threat of the black blade and twisted its tongue mid-air, wrapping it instead around Xia Chuan’s legs.

[60] The wooden dummy’s Snowmane clearly possessed sharp perception—it sensed the threat of the Black Blade, twisting midair to coil around Xia Chuan’s legs.

But before it could extend another meter, a white thread shot from Xia Chuan’s left hand, spiraling swiftly to bind the Snowmane’s four limbs.

[61] But before it extended another meter, a White Thread snaked from Xia Chuan’s left hand, flicking his fingers to swiftly bind Snowmane’s four limbs.

Xia Chuan landed silently, his pupils contracting—he yanked hard.

[62] Xia Chuan landed silently, pupils contracting—he yanked hard.

The white thread tightened instantly, binding the Snowmane’s limbs together in an instant, causing it to stumble and nearly topple over.

[63] The White Thread tightened instantly, binding Snowmane’s limbs together—it stumbled, nearly toppling over.

“So strong!”

[64] “So strong!”

“Leader’s younger brother—he’s only sixteen?”

[65] “The leader’s brother—he’s only sixteen this year?”

“That black blade and white thread are incredible—they came from the wooden puppet demon.”

[66] “That Black Blade and White Thread—they’re from the Wooden Puppet Demon!”

…………

[67] …………

Xia Chuan’s dazzling display instantly sparked gasps and exclamations from everyone in the camp.

[68] Xia Chuan’s dazzling display sent gasps rippling through the entire camp.

But before the exclamations faded, an unexpected turn occurred.

[69] But before the gasps faded, an unexpected turn came.

The Snowmane seemed to recognize the threat of the black blade and white thread—it suddenly surged with power, snapping the white thread apart in an instant.

[70] Snowmane sensed the threat of the Black Blade and White Thread—its bound limbs surged with force, snapping the White Thread apart in an instant.

Despite Xia Chuan pulling with all his strength, his power paled against that of a full-grown Snowmane.

[71] Though Xia Chuan pulled with all his strength, his power couldn’t match a full-grown Snowmane’s.

The white thread didn’t break, but once loosened, the Snowmane was no longer restrained—it lunged forward with full force while Xia Chuan was still off-balance.

[72] The White Thread couldn’t be broken, but once freed, Snowmane’s movement was unrestricted—it lunged forward with full force while Xia Chuan was still stunned.

Without its tongue, just the sheer charge sent Xia Chuan flying over ten meters—had the Snowmane not retracted its tusks at the last moment, he would have been impaled through the body.

[73] Without its tongue, just the charge sent Xia Chuan flying over ten meters—if Snowmane hadn’t retracted its tusks at the last moment, he’d have been impaled outright.

“Xia Chuan—thirty-nine seconds!”

[74] “Xia Chuan—thirty-nine seconds!”

(End of Chapter)

[75] (End of Chapter)