Chapter 467: Chapter 214: Meritorious Deed, A Fortunate Accident (Part 3)

Among the hunting team’s thirty-odd squads, the one with the strongest power and best treatment was undoubtedly led by the head, Chen Yingba, himself.

Xia Hong showed a hint of surprise on his face, looking up at Chen Yingba, unable to speak for a moment.

Such a reaction was nothing out of the ordinary in Chen Yingba’s eyes.

He turned his head to look at Chen Hai and said, “Subtract these five, and only twenty-seven people have escaped. There are still people outside searching, you take some men and try to bring them all back for me.”

Chen Hai immediately nodded and led his men out.

Then Chen Yingba looked at the person in charge of the mining area and said in a deep voice, “Keep a close watch on the mining area these days, patch up this big pit, and find out how this large hole came about. If an unknown Cold Beast really appears and you are negligent, it will be your life you’re risking.”

“Yes, sir!”

After saying that, Chen Yingba looked up at the big hole and then walked directly down the passage towards the main area.

Xia Hong stood there, the surprise on his face having faded, watching the departing figure of Chen Yingba with a slow smile emerging on his face.

Originally, his plan was to gain merit to leave the mining area and seamlessly join Luo Ming’s squad. With his help, it would be easy enough for Luo Ming’s squad to enter the sights of Chen Yingba or even Chen Yingyuan. Subsequently, he could aim to go to Long Mountain with them, making it even more reasonable.

Unexpectedly, he accidentally stumbled directly into Chen Yingba’s squad.

This was much more convenient than joining Luo Ming’s squad.

Without a doubt, the members of Chen Yingba’s squad must be part of the upper echelon of the Beehive. It’s more suitable to inquire about the situation with them;

Moreover, today is already the eighteenth of January, and there are only three months left until mid-April. Chen Yingyuan will be going to Long Mountain for the assembly, needing to bring resources as tribute, and will surely take many people with him. By then, Chen Yingba’s squad will most likely be deployed.

This was indeed an unexpected delight!

During this time, he needs to gather information about the Beehive and the surrounding situation. Additionally, he should look for opportunities to observe how Chen Yingyuan, Chen Yingba, and Wu Tianxing, the three Cold Resistance Level, cultivate;

Oh, and he also needs to figure out who the fourth Cold Resistance Level in the Beehive is!

“Let’s go, head to the main area!”

Xia Hong said with a cheerful expression, and the ever-nervous Cheng Ping immediately hurried after him.

With Chen Yingba’s order, returning to the main area to report, Xia Hong received completely different treatment than before.

The person receiving him at the main building immediately improved his attitude, not only enthusiastically telling him his accommodation but also introducing the situation and members of Chen Yingba’s squad.

Chen Yingba’s squad had a total of twenty-five people. Unsurprisingly, apart from Chen Yingba, the other twenty-four were all elite members of the Beehive.

Soon, Xia Hong was given an iron token with a Chen character on the front and the number 25 on the back.

Above the number was the word “ranking.”

Seeing the word ranking, Xia Hong was a bit stunned.

The person who gave him the token saw Xia Hong’s expression and immediately explained with a smile, “The head’s squad is different from other squads. Among the twenty-five of you, there’s a strength ranking.”

“Why is that?”

Xia Hong had some guesses but still asked.

“The head doesn’t go hunting often. Generally, when he goes out, it’s to hunt intermediate Cold Beasts. He won’t take everyone, just ten of them. But everyone wants to go, so there’s no way but to use strength rankings for selection. Usually, each time he goes out, it’s the top 1 to 10 that go. If those below want to go, they have to find a way to rise up.”

“How do I improve my ranking, then?”

“Challenge, but each challenge requires 20 pounds of Beast Blood!”

After hearing this, Xia Hong’s expression was a bit strange, but he quickly understood.

For the elites of the Beehive, with Basic Strength generally exceeding 30,000 pounds, that means they’ve started using Beast Blood, making it the most precious thing to them.

The problem is, Beehive’s productivity isn’t as advanced as Great Xia’s. From their living conditions, their experience hunting Cold Beasts is probably less than Great Xia’s. Xia Chuan and Yuwen Dao could already lead teams using traps and tools to hunt intermediate Cold Beasts cooperatively after surpassing the 30,000-pound limit.

But the people here in the Beehive can’t.

And because of the elite system, they would probably be somewhat wary of each other while cherishing their lives, likely making their teamwork capability poor as well.

This makes it even harder to acquire Beast Blood.

Going hunting with Chen Yingba, one should be able to get a little Beast Blood, which is why they’re so enthusiastic about it.

Looking at the fact that the Beehive implements the elite system, it’s undoubtedly true that the upper levels control the Beast Blood resources even more strictly than Beast Meat.

It’s easy to understand.

If Beast Meat is the means for the elite class of the Beehive to control the lower levels, by extension, Beast Blood is the means for Chen Yingyuan, his brothers, and Wu Tianxing, the three Cold Resistance Level, to control the elite class.

“Killing the hen to get the eggs, neglecting the essentials, no wonder the Beehive has had such limited development over the years. Just like their underground location, they shelter themselves in safety and comfort, ensuring safety but severely restricting growth. If a slightly bigger disaster occurs, it would likely fall apart in an instant.”

Coming out of the main building, Xia Hong quickly found the residence Chen Yingba awarded him. Sitting in the main hall, contemplating the pros and cons of the Beehive’s elite system, he quickly reached his conclusion, shaking his head repeatedly.

As he thought before, the elite system likely started with good intentions, but over time, as the Camp expanded, the so-called elite group formed a powerful class that’s become difficult to shake off.

Chen Yingyuan and his brothers probably see it too, but the problem is they themselves are part of the powerful class, perhaps even emerging from it. Finally turning from suffering to prosperity, they will naturally continue using this method to maintain their superior status.

It’s easy to talk about making changes, but actually doing it requires great determination.

“Note this, in the future, Great Xia must take this as a warning. When reform is needed, it must be done. Clinging to tradition and hoarding wealth among a few is essentially self-castration. The Camp won’t develop, and when troubles arise, everyone will suffer!”

After writing down his insights on the Beast Skin Roll, Xia Hong shook his head slightly.

“Uncle Yu, Uncle Yu, are you home?”

Just then, Luo Cheng’s voice came from outside the door.

Xia Hong’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he stood up and walked toward the door.