Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1041: Chapter 370: Yuzong’s Birthday, Jiangxia Falls, Hunting Mode and Turning Point

After the Battle of Hongguan, at least seventy to eighty thousand Earth-digging Realm members died, and nearly one hundred thousand were captured by the Dajue Temple. The aftermath is still uncertain.

These 180,000 people spread across eight towns naturally don’t count for much; essentially, it’s insignificant. After all, these are just people from the village-level camps under their jurisdiction. Even if many Cold Resistance Level individuals are included, they don’t care at all.

But for the village-level camps that provided the people, it’s a different story.

Don’t even mention the Cold Resistance Level; among these 180,000 Earth-digging Realm members, which one isn’t the backbone of their family?

Broadly speaking, these are 180,000 families shattered overnight. Since the Eight Towns evenly conscripted personnel, almost covering all village-level camps within their domain, it’s no exaggeration to say that once the news spreads, it will inevitably deliver a heavy blow to all village-level camps under the jurisdiction of the Nine Towns.

This blow, however, will take time to brew.

Nevertheless, no matter how the Nine Towns and Dajue Temple fight fiercely on the eastern side of Hongguan, it won’t impact the Great Xia in the slightest.

This fact is beyond doubt.

.........

The eighth year of Da Xia, January 15th, the last day of the Cold Yuan Festival.

”Big brother, Yao wishes you a happy birthday.”

”Big brother, Sheng also wishes you a happy birthday.”

”Ning also wishes brother a happy birthday, let’s drink to it first!”

In the main hall of the Star-picking Hall, four little ones, each less than five years old and shorter than the chair when standing, were seated around a small round table.

Among them, three younger ones held a small wine cup with both hands, mimicking an adult demeanor as they toasted the eldest, Xia Yuzong, at the head seat.

The cups were filled with milky white jam, yet the three little ones imitated adults’ drinking gestures, raising their cups and downing them in one gulp, then closing their eyes with exaggerated satisfaction as if they were truly savoring wine.

”Mmm...”

”Hehehe...”

Behind the round table, maidservants like Han Yue and Han Shuang watched the three theatrically spirited little ones with shaking shoulders, all covering their mouths to stifle laughter, with a few unable to hold back letting out mild chuckles.

”Cough, cough, cough...”

Unlike his younger siblings, Xia Yuzong, who just turned five today, appeared quite precocious compared to the three younger ones. He seemed to realize the maidservants were laughing at him, cheeks slightly flushed, and gently coughed a few times before whispering to the three younger ones, ”Ah Yao, Ah Sheng, Ah Ning, Aunt will be out soon, quickly put down your cups and sit properly, or she’ll see you.”

The three little ones seemed to have hit their sore spot, especially Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng, who, upon hearing their mother was coming out soon, immediately put down their cups and sat up straight, then turned to look toward the entrance of the Star-picking Platform at the back of the main hall, only to find no one was there. They immediately turned angrily to Xia Yuzong.

”Big brother, you’re such a big liar, hmph!”

Xia Yuyao, not one to be easily calmed, placed her hands on her hips and pouted fiercely.

”Ah Yao, you’re being rude to big brother again!”

However, as soon as she spoke, a cool female voice came from behind.

Upon hearing the voice, Xia Yuyao quickly put down her crossed hands, laying them flat on the table, and immediately resumed an innocent expression, transforming into a well-behaved girl.

Xia Yusheng did the same, and even Xia Yuning straightened her posture considerably, evidently holding their aunt in high regard.

”Only you can handle these little troublemakers, sister-in-law, haha.”

Li Xuanling had just descended from the Star-picking Platform, and Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu arrived at the entrance of the main hall, witnessing the four little ones being obediently managed, they couldn’t suppress laughter.

”They’re at the mischievous age now, and if not disciplined, they’ll cause trouble later on.”

Li Xuanling evidently had her parenting philosophy, though her words were strict, she approached the table, picked up Xia Yuyao, placed her on her lap, and with a smile said to her two younger siblings, ”Come, sit down, your big brother and Xia Chuan will be here soon.”

Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu nodded and sat down.

”This year’s Cold Yuan Festival went by so quickly! Before you know it, it’s over. If it weren’t for Yuzong’s birthday, your big brother and Xia Chuan might still be in Wuyuan and wouldn’t have returned.”

Li Xuanling signaled to maidservants like Han Yue to serve the dishes, then turned to chat with Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu.

Xiao Ning laughed, ”The Great Xia just expanded the aquatic products; the Wuyuan Waters are vital for many important Dan Medicine productions, so they naturally require great effort to manage. My brother and husband aren’t at ease, so they have to be there personally.”

”It’s not just that, sister-in-law. I heard the battle between the Nine Towns and Dajue Temple is exceptionally deadlocked, with new reports coming in daily. My brother and husband have to monitor it occasionally, staying in Wuyuan is certainly more convenient.”

Li Xuanling nodded, knowing well the situation between the Nine Towns and Dajue Temple due to Xia Hong and Xia Chuan overseeing Wuyuan, with many matters in Xia City falling under her responsibilities.

However, now was clearly not the time to discuss these matters. She turned to the day’s protagonist, Xia Yuzong, who wore a little adult’s demeanor, couldn’t help but pat his head and smiled, ”Yuzong is turning five today. After the next Cold Yuan Festival, you’ll be able to eat beast meat and start formal cultivation. Are you a little anxious now?”

Hearing the words ”eat beast meat” and ”start formal cultivation,” Xia Yuzong’s little face lit up with excitement, clearly struck by Li Xuanling’s words.

”Then uncle asks you, once you start cultivation next year, do you have the confidence to break the Martial Arts Pavilion’s record for breaking through the Earth-digging Realm?”