Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 930: Chapter 348: Zhu Ling in Dire Straits, Eight Camps Martial Contest, Betting Five Years—East Ridge Has Fallen!

When the Cold Resistance Level observes the Earth-digging Realm, it is through the movement of Qi Muscle that they assess their Basic Strength. If one cannot see through the Qi Muscle, then naturally they cannot judge the Basic Strength of these five individuals.

The black robes covering them are not ordinary!

This thought flashed through Zhu Tong’s mind, and he immediately felt a twinge of unease, but he continued, "However, Leader Lu, you should know that today’s martial arts tournament is limited to those under fifteen years of age. The five people you brought along shouldn’t..."

"Don’t worry! The bone age will be measured soon, and this leader can’t do anything about it. Where is the arena? Let’s go straight over!"

Lu Yang’s current mannerisms clearly imitated Xia Hong, waving his hand as he led Zhao Hu and the others into the camp.

The people from East Ridge entered, and naturally Hong Yuan, Zi Qiang, Yanggu, and Wanxing’s people followed suit.

"Arrogant, truly arrogant."

"So reckless, Leader!"

"This East Ridge Camp is really going too far."

...

Lu Yang’s arrogant stance naturally enraged everyone.

However, while everyone was muttering low insults, Zhu Tong remained silent, his eyes dark and fixated on the five in black robes, his expression shifting unpredictably.

Zhu Tong couldn’t see through the Qi Muscle of the five young people in black robes, nor could the other Cold Resistance Level individuals, so when they saw Zhu Tong’s expression, they immediately knew what he was worried about.

Two Cold Resistance Level individuals from Zhu Ling, turning their eyes, figured something out, and immediately moved to Zhu Tong’s side, speaking one after the other:

"Leader, it’s just a bluff. We know the situation in East Ridge well. Using black robes proves Lu Yang couldn’t find anyone, so he’s resorting to this clumsy tactic."

"Exactly, I suspect Lu Yang never intended to compete. His arrogant posture clearly forces us to make a move, giving him the perfect opportunity to back down."

......

Hearing their speculation, Zhu Tong’s expression brightened slightly, but he still felt something was off, shaking his head slightly, "Follow me inside first, to see what Lu Yang really has planned!"

For this annual martial arts tournament, Zhu Ling clearly put some thought into it. Three twenty-meter-wide solid iron square arenas were set up right in front of the main camp building.

"Leader Hong, what’s the situation with those five people?"

Zijing, the leader of Zi Qiang Camp, finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity, softly asking Hong Fan.

Like Zhu Tong and others, he couldn’t discern the situation of the five from East Ridge. Since Hong Fan had met with Lu Yang and the others beforehand, he might know something, so he asked.

Unfortunately, Hong Fan didn’t know either, his eyes filled with worry, he replied somberly, "I don’t know either, but since Leader Lu brought us to this competition, he must’ve been well-prepared. The robes on those five can block our scrutiny. Perhaps they’re new talents from the East Ridge Camp."

Upon hearing this, Zijing’s expression froze, and a trace of worry appeared in his eyes.

Beining Mountain isn’t that large. When hunting or gathering outside, the eight families interact frequently, and any talented individuals in the camps soon become known. There aren’t many secrets.

East Ridge Village was only established three years ago. The strong individuals were mostly the five hundred plus people Lu Yang brought when fleeing. The rest were people from Baisong Camp. Don’t they know if there are any talents among them?

Talents don’t just appear out of nowhere.

This tournament seems quite ominous.

Not only were Zijing and Hong Fan, the two leaders worried, but even Yang Quan and Wan Tianhe, who had just decided to side with East Ridge, were feeling anxious.

This competition bets the tribute materials for the next three years. With He Wuyang as a witness, and having connections with the Beishuo Town, Institute Chief Huang’s apprenticeship, it’s challenging to back out later.

If lost, the outcome would be disastrous.

"The eight families are all here. This leader won’t waste words. The competition today follows the previous years’ rules, with all three arenas open. As agreed last month, today’s bet is the tribute materials for the next three years to Beishuo Town. The top three camps have their tribute materials shared by the remaining five. Is there any disagreement?"

When Zhu Tong asked this, his eyes remained fixed on Lu Yang, trying to gauge his thoughts through his expression.

Unfortunately, Lu Yang kept his gaze lowered, as did Zhao Hu, Lin Fan, and Wang Tao beside him, all expressionless, revealing nothing.

"This..."

"Three years, isn’t that too long?"

Unexpectedly, the first ones to back down were Zijing and Hong Fan.

This in turn excited Zhu Tong, Nie Ying, and Bai Bo greatly.

Everyone knew that relying on East Ridge as a backup, Zijing and Hong Fan, though not as reckless as Lu Yang, had become noticeably more arrogant.

Critically, their backing down meant even they lacked confidence in Lu Yang. At least this implied Lu Yang hadn’t offered them any assurance.

This meant the five young people in black robes were likely just for show!

Once Zhu Tong’s thoughts cleared, his eyes sparkled with a strong light.

"Since it was agreed last month, there can be no backing out."

"Right, it’s just three years. If agreed, one shouldn’t back down!"

Nie Ying and Bai Bo already spoke supportively.

"Still putting on airs, ridiculous!"

Seeing Lu Yang, Zhao Hu, and the others remaining silent, Zhu Tong couldn’t help but let out a series of cold laughs, just about to speak when Lu Yang beat him to it.

"No, no, no, three years is still too little. If we’re going to gamble, let’s make it big. I think at least five years, or even ten is not impossible. Leader Zhu, how about it?"

"Great! Leader Lu is indeed bold, let’s bet for five years then!"

At that moment, Zhu Tong was almost certain that Lu Yang was bluffing.

He just wanted to scare them off with those five people in black robes.

If guessed right, he’d likely refuse to gamble soon.

Too late to back out now!

Zhu Tong let out a cold smile; he seemed to already glimpse Lu Yang’s soon-to-come panicked expression, stood up quickly, and declared loudly:

"I almost forgot to tell you all. Besides Inspector He, today’s competition is also witnessed by Lord Zhu Yang, one of the seven Deans of the Inspectorate."

As Zhu Tong finished speaking, an elderly man in white suddenly leaped down from the main building behind him, landing in front of everyone.

At the same time, He Wuyang walked slowly from the main building, only his expression was exceptionally grim, and even when reaching the arena, he didn’t dare to look up at the East Ridge people below.

"Greetings to Dean Zhu!"

Meanwhile, Zhu Tong led the people in saluting Zhu Yang.

Nie Ying, Bai Bo, Yang Quan, Wan Tianhe, including the six leaders Hong Fan and Zijing, and the Cold Resistance Level individuals behind them, all bowed to the elderly man in white.

Only Lu Yang and the East Ridge people behind him, their expressions changed drastically as if their spirits were drawn away, all looking dazed, motionless.

The white-clothed elder, Zhu Yang, seeing Lu Yang and the others’ expressions, smiled coldly but didn’t pursue the matter of them not saluting. He directly waved to Zhu Tong, instructing, "It was just discussed to be five years, so five years it is. Everyone is here, so let’s start."

"As you command, Zhu Yang!"

Zhu Tong was utterly invigorated now, especially when turning to see the East Ridge individuals appearing soul-less, his vigor intensified.

"Each of the eight families, report the names of your participants, and draw three arena masters randomly. Gentlemen, please!"

The final "please" was almost directed at Lu Yang.

Hong Fan and Zijing had already lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

Yang Quan and Wan Tianhe were filled with regret, not daring to look up at Zhu Tong.

Nie Ying and Bai Bo’s expressions were similar to Zhu Tong’s, full of smugness.

Beishuo Inspectorate, one of the seven Deans, Zhu Yang.

The elder’s name already said so much.

This time, East Ridge was definitely doomed!