Leader, take a look over here!"
Xu Ning first reported the situation of the Northern Mountain territory, then pointed to a more northern position on the map and reported: "Beyond those four territories to the north is a cliff. I’ve already brought back people from the three small camps nearby. Going further north, we have to ascend Twin Dragon Mountain!"
Xia Hong looked at the map, pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Five Ape Mountain is located on the north bank of the Xing River, running east to west like the Xing River, stretching fifteen kilometers, and five kilometers in width from north to south.
The earliest eleven camps of Xiao Kangcheng were actually always active only on the southern foothills of Five Ape Mountain. Later, when Great Xia took over this area, they began exploring towards the Northern Mountain side.
Xiao Kangcheng’s group merged into the camp last April; Xu Ning took eight full months to explore northward before finding the four camps in the Northern Mountain. Later, before this year’s Cold Element Festival, he incorporated those four families into Great Xia.
Now, four months have passed, the exploration of the Northern Mountain territory is finished, we’ve reached the southern rock face of Twin Dragon Mountain. Going further north indeed offers nothing left to explore.
Ascending Twin Dragon Mountain was clearly Xu Ning’s teasing remark.
Twin Dragon Mountain’s cliffs stand at two or three thousand meters, and it’s either covered in year-round ice or engulfed in cold mist. Even Xia Hong himself dares not climb recklessly, let alone anyone else.
"Why, do you want to continue exploring eastward?"
Xia Hong turned and noticed Xu Ning’s gaze fixed on the east side of Five Ape Mountain on the map, immediately teasing with a smile.
Xu Ning solemnly nodded, saying: "Not to hide from the leader, after finding no significant exploration value in the Northern Mountain, I’ve been contemplating this. Didn’t you mention earlier that Xing Valley Pass is likely the only link between us and the outside world? Such an important strategic passage should be secured as soon as possible, so as to avoid unforeseen changes in the future!"
Looking at the name he had personally taken from the map back then, Xia Hong turned his gaze towards the dense forests rising steadily from west to east, a touch of ambition rising in his eyes.
But he quickly calmed down, saying in a deep voice:
"Our strength is not particularly strong, at least compared to what Yang and Li mentioned about the Nine Towns of Moao Mountain, there is definitely still a gap. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to rush to open the connection between the valley and the outside world.
Currently, the most important thing is to take Longyou. We’ve already occupied two of the valley’s three most crucial resource areas, only Long Mountain remains. Once we thoroughly grasp Long Mountain, the entire valley world of Pingxi Plain will inevitably fall into Great Xia’s hands. That will be the best time to set our sights on the outside world!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning’s expression slightly shook. Although he hadn’t been to Longyou recently, he had kept a close watch on the situation there, so he instantly grasped the meaning of Xia Hong’s words.
Securing Longyou, controlling Long Mountain, occupying the valley world’s three most important resource areas, and finally unifying Pingxi Plain, all would be logical steps.
Unifying Pingxi Plain!
Xu Ning silently repeated these five words in his mind, gradually becoming invigorated.
"Gradual progression is fine, you continue hosting the Logging Realm preliminary contest, it should be ending soon. Once it’s over here, you can accompany me to Xing River. This time, I intend to visit Xing River!"
Hearing that Xia Hong intends to visit Xing River, Xu Ning instinctively wanted to dissuade him, but recalling his earlier encounter with Xia Hong, he restrained himself, nodded, and turned to continue hosting the preliminaries.