Bruce's approach was completely different from previous Axeheart teams, although it was based on abundant resources, the clueless people in the camp didn't care.
They simply thought Bruce was capable and selfless.
Since the Cold Beast Meat was distributed that night, everyone in the camp who saw Bruce appeared fervent, then respectfully addressed him as leader.
Respect, admiration, and it is no exaggeration to say, almost to the level of a follower.
Bruce would not foolishly stop people from doing so, special environments require special measures.
For years surviving in the shadows, unable to see the sun, with not enough food to eat and clothes to wear, the extreme despair didn't even adequately describe the situation of humans in the camp.
In this kind of world, giving them something to lean on isn't a bad thing.
After all, when there's something to rely on, hope naturally follows.
Of course, all of this must be built on the basis of sufficient Cold Beast Meat.
After deducting seventy Kilograms, divided according to a three-five-two ratio, Bruce received 120 Kilograms of Cold Beast Meat.
At his current level of cultivation, these would only last for half a month.
Clark and the other four also got 120 Kilograms each; Bruce calculated that, at their rate, the meat they received this time was not enough for them to make breakthroughs.
Therefore, there is still a shortage of Cold Beast Meat, and the hunting cannot stop.
Luckily, as long as nothing unexpected happens, at least there won't be a shortage of Small Torches.
"Wood collection cannot stop, as long as Small Torches continue to flow, hunting is merely a matter of probability, when encountering strong ones, don't rush, as long as every time a Cold Beast is attracted, success is inevitable."
The Cold Beast Meat was distributed, and people began roasting meat around the campfire.
Before long, the whole cave was filled with the aroma of meat, and those in the camp who had not eaten in a long time, or had never tasted Cold Beast Meat, displayed expressions of ecstasy on their faces.
Seeing the looks of satisfaction on their faces, something seemed to be lightly triggered in Bruce's heart.
A meal of meat, in a previous life, was a simple thing.
But here, it became a luxury for these people.
He thought it was unfair, but what about the people from the Harper Camp?
What about the other human survivors in this terrifying winter world?
Do these people feel it's fair?
Who could those living in the shadows blame?
"Perhaps, I am here to do something for them…"
---
Meanwhile, at Harper Camp, while everyone was celebrating.
On the outskirts of Redwood Ridge, William, with a twelve-member team from the Taylor Axeheart camp, searched several circles around Harper's territory with an increasingly grim expression.
"Three consecutive days and not even a single hair to be found, is Old Thimas and his people no longer coming out to look for food?"
Barry was impatient, frustrated by their fruitless search over several rounds.
Nearby, Henry, holding a broadsword, also frowned.
However, after glancing towards the east side of Redwood Ridge, he turned and spoke to William:
"Big brother, how about we head over the slope?"
As soon as Henry's words came out, everyone fell silent.
Even William didn't respond immediately and remained silent.
For camps as small as theirs, a common unspoken rule was to maintain secrecy among each other.
Human nature in the face of resource scarcity is terrifying.
Initially, there were dozens of camps around Redwood Ridge.
When food was plentiful, there was no issue.
But once Crystal Fruits and other food became unavailable, when they reached a dead end, people became potential food.
Moreover, at night only those in the Axeheart Realm have the freedom to roam, and a person from this realm venturing into another camp could easily arouse suspicion.
Thus, the weaker the camp, the more they kept hidden from each other.
Of course, due to Taylor and Harper being neighbors, they had a general idea of each other's locations, even if they tried to remain hidden.
However, if they did find the Harper Camp as Henry suggested, it would stir up great animosity between them.
It could even escalate into a never-ending struggle, unintentionally.
"No need, Old Thomas helped us before, and I don't intend to do anything drastic to him. Just teach them a lesson so they won't have any more sneaky ideas in the future."
William shook his head, dismissing Henry's suggestion.
As small camps, despite competition, they were essentially just people trying to survive in humility.
The fact that the Snow Mane was taken by Harper angered him, of course.
But to be fair, they hadn't directly harmed them.
Besides, when they lacked manpower in their hunts, Thomas once helped them.
Making a scene was unnecessary.
"Hey, someone over there, is that Old Thomas?"
While deep in thought, Barry suddenly pointed to the inner forest.
William and the others looked in that direction.
Indeed, deep within the forest, over ten figures were slowly approaching them.
William, an archer with excellent vision, quickly identified thirteen individuals.
The Axeheart team from the Harper Camp, including Thomas, was precisely thirteen people.
Upon taking a closer look at the lead figure, William immediately confirmed it.
"It's Old Thomas, we've finally found them, come with me!"
They finally found the main party.
Barry, Henry, and ten others immediately followed behind William.
Sure enough, it was Thomas.
Seeing the leader was indeed Thomas, the memories of losing three brothers in recent days and having the Snow Mane taken advantage surged to the forefront of everyone in Taylor Camp, and their anger flared up intensely.
"Old Thomas, after being neighbors for so many years, how could you dare to betray me!"
Unlike William, who still showed some restraint, Barry and Henry were very direct and even aggressive.
"Thomas, how many Kilograms of that Snow Mane's meat is left? Hand it over to us, or you'll face my arrows."
"We've lost three brothers, and you didn't even give a heads-up before taking the Snow Mane. If you don't give us an explanation today, don't think about leaving."
However, after these three finished speaking, neither Thomas nor the twelve people behind him responded.
They just stared at them blankly.
After a long time, a smile gradually crept on Thomas's face.
However, to the people at Taylor Camp, this smile seemed extremely eerie.
Even though it seemed normal, it looked as though it was forcibly molded onto features that didn't quite fit.
William frowned, but before he could speak, his brother Barry couldn't hold back and took two steps forward, angrily shouting:
"What the hell are you laughing at, are you deaf?"
But even after being scolded, Thomas and his people still didn't react.
Noticing Thomas's stiff expression, and the twelve Axeheart team members standing in the shadows behind him, William instinctively sensed something was wrong.
Whoosh…
A sharp, needle-like sound suddenly pierced through the air.
William's face changed dramatically, and he quickly retreated while drawing and readying his arrow, shouting to the others:
"Something's wrong, retreat now!"
However, it was already too late.
The three slowest to retreat suddenly froze, standing still, motionless.
Looking closer, their pupils were dilated, and they each had a tiny red dot at the center of their eyebrows.
Blood started to trickle from these red dots.
Three bodies helplessly fell to the ground.
William and the others were filled with shock on their faces.
"Thomas, how can his strength be this strong?"
William was deeply shocked inside, but his reaction was quick.
Seeing Thomas and his thirteen men already dispersing and pursuing them, he immediately ordered a counterattack.
"Barry, go to the left to find cover. Henry, lead the team to block them, quick!"
Thomas and his group's pursuit was not slow.
Moreover, three of their people had just died, leaving only ten.
Simply fleeing would only give the enemy the chance to defeat them one by one.
The people at the camp cooperated well, and upon receiving the command, they immediately stopped fleeing.
Henry, wielding a broadsword, turned with seven others; William and Barry quickly climbed a tall tree, one on the left, the other on the right.
The swordsmen led a feigned attack, while William and Barry hid in the shadows to shoot arrows in a main assault.
This was the usual formation used at Taylor Camp to deal with enemies.
On the other side, Henry, who had already turned back, along with seven others, blocked Thomas and his thirteen men.
He glanced inadvertently at the three corpses on the ground, his grip on the knife tightened slightly, as if it could give him a bit of security.
Even now, they still didn't understand how those three people on the ground died.
Thomas clearly didn't move, and neither did the twelve men behind him.
Where did that sound, like a silver needle tearing through the air, come from?
As soon as that sound occurred, the three people seemed to be cursed and died suddenly.
And Thomas, when did he become so formidable?
The unknown can breed fear in one's heart.
"Attack!"
Of course, it can also arouse a strong will to survive.
Seemingly aware of their own dire situation, Henry roared, transforming his fear into anger and madness, and charged towards Thomas with his sword.
In the camp, he was second only to William and Barry in strength.
Henry, risking his life, was incredibly fierce and powerful.
Ripping…
The blade tore through the night sky, producing a sharp slicing sound, the vigorous force lifting the accumulated snow off the ground several meters high, reaching Thomas almost instantly.
Henry's eyes were wide with fury, and he slashed with almost all his might.
"Even if this doesn't kill you, it'll peel your skin off!"
That was Henry's first thought when he sensed the blade contacting something.
Unfortunately, the outcome was entirely opposite to his thoughts.
Thomas simply sidestepped and evaded the strike.
Not only did he evade, but he moved beside Henry, pressing his hand on the sword, directly pinning it into the snowy ground, and even several inches into the earth.
"How can he be so fast? Thomas, did he break through to the Earthripper Realm?"