Chapter 91: [Looking for First Subscription] Chapter 91: The Selection Begins It’s important to know that Snow Mane is currently one of the weaker Cold Beasts known in Redwood Ridge, perhaps even the weakest to some extent. Yet even the weakest is stronger than the mightiest of Great Xia. Although Xia Hong didn’t use weapons in the recent contest, just from those few exchanges, he could already sense that even with a blade, he couldn’t confidently say he would win in a solo fight. After all, the Snow Mane before him was made from a wooden mannequin and wouldn’t injure him; fighting in the wild compared to within a valley was different; and what made Snow Mane the most dangerous wasn’t just its strength but its cunning nature. Despite being awed by the Cold Beast’s strength, when Xia Hong looked at the Snow Mane manifested from the wooden mannequin again, a fiery eagerness rose in his eyes. This wooden mannequin wasn’t just for sparring; as long as it’s within the radiation range of the Iron Refining Furnace, it can independently follow instructions to fight. This means that in future camp attacks, the wooden mannequin could act as a super-strong guard, not weaker than himself! The only drawback is the considerable consumption of coal stone, requiring five units of coal per hour, equivalent to a hundred pounds of coal. For an Earth-digging Realm, the maximum daily extraction is only two hundred pounds. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚 Thinking about the mannequin’s consumption, Xia Hong lost interest in trying out the Frost Wolf and Demon Sheep, quickly turning to look at the group of people at the wooden hut’s entrance, at the outermost ring. "The method for selecting the first batch of hunting team members is to battle alone against this Snow Mane, each person has only one chance, you can choose either a bow and arrow or a broadsword, the fifteen who last the longest can become members of the hunting team." At the wooden hut entrance, all those standing in the outermost circle were the campsite’s Logging Realm. Upon hearing Xia Hong’s words, their faces didn’t show too much surprise. After witnessing Xia Hong’s battle with the Snow Mane, recalling his earlier announcement about selecting hunting team members tonight, they had already guessed it. But battling alone, knowing that this Snow Mane was made from a wooden mannequin, still made people a bit jittery inside. "Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, bring all the weapons over here!" Upon hearing Xia Hong’s command, Luo Yuan and Zhao Long, along with seven others, without hesitation, neatly placed their broadswords and bows on the ground. At the same time, Qiu Peng and Xu Ning also stepped forward, reluctantly placing their bows on the ground. Four broadswords, eleven bows, just laid out on the ground. Thirty-six Logging Realm participants’ fiery gazes all converged on the weapons. It’s not just them, but the camp’s ordinary people, especially the reservists close to breaking through to the Logging Realm, their gazes were full of longing as they looked at the weapons on the ground. After all, wielding a weapon to enter the hunting team not only demonstrates one’s strength; it also indicates a shift in the allocation of Cold Beast Meat and other resources in the camp. In the past, thinking the Four-level Meat Division System couldn’t possibly succeed, they may not have been so eager. But since Xia Hong went out hunting tonight and brought back three Cold Beast catches, proving the feasibility of the Four-level Meat Division System, everything changed completely. Based on Xia Hong’s earlier statement, hunting team members needed Earth-digging Realm strength, yet considering the actual situation in the camp, fifteen would be selected from this group as an exception to prioritize their entry into the hunting team. Hunting team members have a daily Cold Beast Meat allocation of 10 pounds, whereas the logging team gets only 5 pounds, which is twice the difference. Glancing at the Cold Beast Meat already sliced in the wooden hut, everyone’s breathing intensified, and their eyes grew even more fervent. "Leader, I think for those using a bow, it shouldn’t be about who lasts longer; it should be about who is the more accurate archer." Xia Hong turned his head and saw that the one asking was Zou Yuankai. Seeing Zou Yuankai and the Li brothers standing beside him, Xia Hong immediately understood. In the previous hunting process, these three’s archery accuracy was clearly a cut above the rest. Proposing a selection method that favors oneself is normal. After a moment of thought, Xia Hong looked up at Zou Yuankai and solemnly responded: "You’re right, archers should compete on accuracy, but the problem is, I’m selecting hunting team members, not archers. In the wild, a Snow Mane won’t stupidly stand still and let you shoot. At night, besides startling it with the first arrow, with your current skill level, facing it alone, no matter how accurate you are, you definitely won’t get a chance for a second arrow, and once targeted, no matter how accurate your shot, you’ll end up dead. Currently, you lack genuine hunting ability, and accompany me on hunts mainly in a supporting role. I don’t expect you to inflict significant damage on the Cold Beast. But at the very least, your survival skills must be strong. I don’t wish to be distracted ensuring your safety during hunts; hence the selection method. Do you understand?" Upon hearing this answer, whether it was Zou Yuankai, the Li brothers, or others who recently agreed with the suggestion, they instantly lowered their heads. Including Luo Yuan and others, faces showed varying degrees of shame. Although harsh, Xia Hong’s words tackled the truth. With only Logging Realm strength, let alone facing a Cold Beast alone, looking at the hunt of three Cold Beasts last night, without Xia Hong, they wouldn’t achieve a single catch. Seeing the shame on everyone’s faces, Xia Hong didn’t mind, but addressed everyone, his tone somber: "Doubts can prevent mistakes; I don’t oppose them. Anyone in the camp has the right to question me, but I must make clear beforehand, any doubt regarding my decisions should ideally stem from public interest, not personal interest!" Recognizing the severity in Xia Hong’s tone, everyone in the camp remained silent, and Zou Yuankai’s trio knew Xia Hong was referring to them, feeling even more ashamed, their heads bowed down. "Alright, the selection starts now, who’s going first?" As Xia Hong’s voice fell, Xia Chuan was the first to step forward. "I’ll go." Xia Chuan didn’t choose a weapon but walked straight up to face the Snow Mane. After witnessing Xia Chuan’s Black Blade and White Thread, Luo Yuan and the others understood why he didn’t choose a weapon. Everyone widened their eyes, eager to see how long Xia Chuan could last against the Snow Mane, and to prepare themselves for their own turn. Just as before, once Xia Chuan was in position, the Snow Mane charged straight at him. Faced with the massive figure of the Snow Mane charging at him, Xia Chuan only then realized how terrifyingly powerful his brother Xia Hong was to catch its impact barehanded. Not daring to take it head-on, he swiftly turned aside; simultaneously, his Black Blade and White Thread were wielded. Being large, the Snow Mane’s momentum was strong, suggesting it couldn’t react quickly. Yet, as Xia Chuan turned, it immediately adjusted its course, swiftly closing in on Xia Chuan from behind. Its sharp tusks nearly reached Xia Chuan’s waist. He leapt away narrowly, dodging its tusks, only for the Snow Mane to open its mouth and unleash its long tongue. Swish...... The long tongue lashed out, Xia Chuan was ready, and his Black Blade swung around his head and neck. Apparently, with a strong sense of danger, the Snow Mane seemed aware of the Black Blade’s threat. The long tongue twisted in mid-air, winding around Xia Chuan’s leg instead. However, before it could extend a meter further, a White Thread snaked out from Xia Chuan’s left hand, dancing with his fingers as it swiftly ensnared the Snow Mane’s limbs. Quietly landing, Xia Chuan concentrated his gaze, pulling forcefully. The White Thread tightened abruptly, binding the Snow Mane’s limbs together, almost toppling it over. "So strong!" "The leader’s younger brother, isn’t he only sixteen?" "The Black Blade and White Thread are so powerful, taken from the Wood Puppet Monster recently." ...... Xia Chuan’s impressive maneuvering immediately drew gasps of amazement from everyone in the camp. However, before the astonishment subsided, an unexpected turn occurred. The Snow Mane seemed to sense the strength of the Black Blade and White Thread, forcefully exerting its limbs, almost instantly breaking free from the White Thread’s bind. Despite Xia Chuan’s effort to tighten, his strength couldn’t compare to a full-grown Snow Mane. Even though the White Thread didn’t snap, losing its grip meant the Snow Mane regained its freedom. Before Xia Chuan could react, it furiously charged forward. Without using its long tongue, just one robust charge sent Xia Chuan flying over ten meters away. Had it not retracted its tusks at the last moment, Xia Chuan might have been impaled. "Xia Chuan, thirty-nine breaths!"