Chapter 18: Attempting the Hunt |
Why was Boulder Camp so certain that Great Xia Camp had lucked into killing the Snow Mane? The reason was simple - all the camps around Redwood Ridge were too weak.
Only one camp could reliably hunt and obtain Frost Beast flesh - Rogge Camp, which boasted five Earth Digger level experts. For other camps, the only ways to get Frost Beast meat were either trading large amounts of lumber and crystal fruits with Rogge Camp for other scarce resources, or pure luck.
This so-called luck essentially meant stumbling upon Frost Beast corpses in the woods. Frost Beasts preferred live prey and would usually stop eating once their defeated opponent died, so if you found one, there would likely be harvest. But how often did such opportunities arise?
Perhaps there were many Frost Beast corpses deep in Redwood Ridge, but they didn't dare venture there. In the outskirts, finding one or two corpses a year was already considered extremely fortunate.
Moreover, having been neighbors for years, they clearly understood Great Xia Camp's limited capabilities. Generally, the scarce Frost Beast meat would be prioritized for lumberjack team members, with any excess going to the younger generation. Therefore, there was no doubt - that Snow Mane must have been a lucky find by Great Xia.
......
Xia Hong remained unaware of Boulder Camp's resentment. Since that night when he drove them away and led Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng to each chop down a tree, the camp had entered a relatively peaceful development period.
With the three going out regularly every night, the camp's lumber and crystal fruit reserves visibly increased. Crystal fruits grew from 7,000 jin to 12,000 jin. With 154 people in camp, even if they stopped gathering, these fruits could last over two months at one jin per person daily.
As for lumber, it increased from 87 units to 210 units. With food and heating secured, the camp's vitality gradually recovered. Although they still needed to seal the cave entrance at night, at least they no longer suffered from hunger or cold.
Moreover, crystal fruits weren't inexhaustible. The three Crystal Fruit Trees had been picked clean, with no telling when they'd bear fruit again. If their current stock ran out before new fruits grew, starvation was possible. Redwood Ridge certainly had more than those three trees - Xia Hong believed deeper in the forest there must be thicker, larger trees with more fruits. But venturing there was too dangerous.
Thus, the crux remained Frost Beast meat. The thirty jin from Yue Feng's group was exhausted. Though all five had improved significantly, they remained far from breaking through to Lumberjack Realm. Xia Hong's own hundred jin was also gone. While his strength had increased considerably, he was still far from Earth Digger level.
"If we can't keep growing stronger, not only can't we upgrade the Small Fire Pit, but none of the other buildings in the system can be constructed. We must find a way to hunt, even if it means taking risks!"
The camp system still only had one Small Fire Pit. Upgrading it from level one to two required 200 lumber and 50 iron. Lumber wasn't an issue now, but without sufficient strength, even accessing iron was impossible.
"Chuan, Cheng, tonight we attempt hunting!" At dusk, as they prepared to go out, Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng's eyes widened with excitement upon hearing Xia Hong's words.
Actually, during their previous outings, the two had already seen Frost Beasts - albeit sleeping ones in trees. They'd suggested hunting several times before, but Xia Hong had always refused, citing the beasts' strength. Now he was proposing it himself.
"Don't get too excited. I've told you how strong Frost Beasts are. This is just an attempt. Same rules as before - outside, you follow my orders. You two are Great Xia's only Lumberjack Realm combatants. I don't want anything happening to you, understand?"
The seriousness in Xia Hong's tone made them nod solemnly. After the briefing, he produced two Small Torches, handing one to each. Their eyes lit up as they grasped his plan.
"Leader, you want to use the torches to lure Frost Beasts into fighting each other like before, then reap the rewards, right?" Xia Hong had long explained the torches' functions, so their quick understanding didn't surprise him.
"Right, hence 'attempt' - it all depends on luck!" Xia Hong felt somewhat helpless. Using Small Torches to lure Frost Beasts was somewhat wasteful. Like the Small Fire Pit, their primary function was repelling and harming Abominations. Put simply, they were advanced items, as evidenced by Frost Beasts' obsession with them.
But with Great Xia Camp's current weakness, they couldn't approach, much less deal with Abominations, leaving luring Frost Beasts as their only option. Moreover, attracting just one Frost Beast was useless - they needed two to fight to the death, with at least one dying or severely injured, to possibly gain prey. This hunting method was too conditional and inefficient, but it was the only approach Xia Hong could devise - a last resort.
At nightfall, Xia Hong led them swiftly toward Redwood Ridge. Having patrolled their territory's five-to-six-hundred-meter radius for so many nights, they knew it thoroughly. Generally, Frost Beasts were scarce in the outskirts - they'd only confirmed four: two Snow Manes, one Frost Wolf, and one goat-like beast Xia Hong didn't recognize nor recall Xia Ding mentioning.
"That goat's strength is unknown, so we'll avoid it. From last time, the Frost Wolf and Snow Mane have similar strength, so they'll be our targets." Locating the trees where the Snow Mane and Frost Wolf resided, Xia Hong planted the torch midway between them, then had Yuan Cheng and Xia Chuan dig snow pits fifty meters away.
As before, after lighting the torch, the three quickly dispersed to their hiding spots to observe. Xia Hong felt nervous - the situation differed from last time. That Snow Mane had been juvenile, blind and severely injured. This time, both beasts were mature and at full strength - unpredictable in combat.
In stark contrast, Yuan Cheng and Xia Chuan weren't nervous at all - their eyes above the snow brimmed with excitement. After all, this was their first time encountering Frost Beasts. Though their thoughts differed, time passed regardless.
The torch didn't disappoint. Barely two minutes after lighting, heavy beast footsteps thudded from the west.
Thud... thud... thud...
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