Bargaining for the Ice Armor Technique Skill Book

From the information they shared, Cao Xing learned that quite a few people had already died.

Most had succumbed to the low temperatures, while a smaller number had been attacked by monsters in the wild.

The overall environment for humanity was one of panic and unease.

On the World Channel, other, calmer survivors were sharing their experiences.

Zhang Huaiyun: "Brothers, you absolutely must build your Lord's Hut as soon as possible. Only after building the Lord's Hut can you unlock other buildings!"

Ed Stafford: "I suggest you quickly gather the stones and wood near your territory first, and then upgrade your bonfire's level."

Wang Sheng: "If you encounter monsters in the wild, don't try to attack them. Remember to run back immediately. Once you're within the bonfire's range, those monsters won't attack you anymore!"

Just as Cao Xing had predicted, among the world's over 7 billion people, there were indeed some who were highly adaptable.

However, compared to Cao Xing, they were still a step behind.

Not only had they not played this game in advance like Cao Xing, but they also didn't have an SSS-grade hidden talent.

Within these four hours, Cao Xing had not only built a Lord's Hut and a Polar Dweller Hut, but also a Lumber Mill, a Market, and other buildings, in addition to upgrading his bonfire to level 3.

Moreover, after two battles, Cao Xing's resources had reached a considerable amount.

Cao Xing pondered for a moment and then added a comment.

Cao Xing: "The lowest temperature at night will reach -60℃. Don't go out unless absolutely necessary. If you don't have time to build a Lord's Hut, you can first construct a simple shelter with wooden planks and stones. It should barely be enough to withstand the low temperatures of the first night."

After speaking, Cao Xing closed the World Channel.

He didn't know how many people would see his message.

Nor did he know if anyone would use his method to survive the first night.

But regardless, he considered it a well-intentioned reminder.

Then, he opened the Area Channel again.

According to the system's description, this was a square area of 500 kilometers by 500 kilometers.

It displayed:

District 174 Channel Online Users: 38224/4017317

Cao Xing fell silent for a moment.

It was clear that on the very first day, many people had already died.

In his area alone, nearly two thousand people had perished.

One could only imagine the high death rate among the global survivors.

But this was unavoidable; a survival game would always have a high attrition rate.

Moreover, once the first day passed and everyone adapted, the death rate would decrease.

Of course, once the Novice Protection Period ended, the monsters roaming outside might start actively attacking camps, and the death rate could surge again.

Therefore, it wasn't just other survivors.

Even Cao Xing had to cherish the time during the Novice Protection Period and focus on developing his territory.

Clicking on the Area Channel, a flood of messages immediately scrolled past.

Wang Wenjie: "Brothers, are you all from Hong Kong?"

Gu Boren: "I'm not from Hong Kong, but I'm from the neighboring Shenzhen City."

Qiao Pingwei: "I'm from Hong Kong."

Pan Fei: "I'm also from Hong Kong."

After reading the chat above, Cao Xing nodded in understanding.

This area division likely randomly assigned people from several adjacent cities together.

At this moment, Wang Wenjie continued: "Compatriots, I'm in trouble. My sister suddenly fainted due to the low temperatures and now has a high fever. Does anyone have any Cold Medicine or Antibiotics? Please help my sister!"

Qi Qiang: "My family members are also sick. My parents have both collapsed, and it's just my brother and me left. What should we do like this?"

Lu Jizhong: "This is troublesome. After tonight, we won't have enough Food for tomorrow, and we don't have any Warm Clothing..."

Fang Long: "I am Fang Long from the Three Heroes Guild. Brothers from the guild, please contact me as soon as possible."

In the chat channel, many people were recounting their current predicaments, hoping to receive help from others.

Of course, there were also some survivors in this area who had already made progress.

Chen Tianhao: "Haha, you cowards, just huddle around the bonfire. I found a Bronze Treasure Chest in the snow and even got an Iron Sword and a pile of Food from it."

Ji Wenlong: "I also opened a treasure chest and got a Medical Kit from it, which can treat colds and fevers. I'm willing to trade it for Food or weapons!"

Cheng Lei: "Selling Cold-Resistant Coats. Requires Food, a lot of Food!"

From the messages above, it was clear that everyone was in dire need of supplies.

Cao Xing closed the Area Channel. He also needed to go to the Market to trade for some supplies.

Cao Xing clicked on the Market interface for his territory's buildings.

As soon as it opened, many trade messages appeared.

Author, as the first to establish a market, you should collect taxes. For example, any transaction within this area must have a market, and transactions should prioritize the highest-level market. Then, tens of thousands of people will pay taxes there to gain profit. Otherwise, what's the point of establishing that market? Of course, there are also factors like combat power, prosperity, and happiness to determine market ownership. "After Tomorrow" is like that. You should have played basic games, right?

Consigned Item: Stone * 20

Required Item: Food * 10 or Medical Box * 1.

Consignor: Zhao Jiaxing (Seller's Note: Basic materials, price negotiable.)

Consigned Item: Rusty Spear (White) * 1, Required Item: Food * 20.

Consignor: Anonymous (Seller's Note: An iron spear, although rusty, has higher attack power than the initial weapon gifted by the system. Food is needed! Food!)

Consigned Item: Opened Bronze Treasure Chest * 1.

Required Item: Warm Clothing.

Consignor: Wang Wen (Seller's Note: Although I've opened this treasure chest, it can be disassembled into rare materials like copper. Give me a piece of warm clothing, I'm freezing to death!)

It was evident that it was the first day of the global descent.

In this world with an extreme environment, the most scarce resources were naturally food, warm clothing, and medicine.

Everyone was exchanging the limited resources they had.

Cao Xing only had one Medical Box, and he himself lacked warm clothing.

Therefore, he naturally couldn't trade these items.

He continued to browse, looking for things he needed.

At this moment, he saw a consignment message.

Consigned Item: Ice Armor Technique Skill Book (White) * 1

Required Item: Food * 50, or Medical Box * 5.

Consignor: Malthus (Seller's Note: Early skill book for Frost Mage, price is negotiable, buy quickly!)

Cao Xing's eyes moved slightly.

It was the Frost Mage's Ice Armor Technique!

This skill could increase the armor value based on the user's spirit strength, lasting for 20 seconds, but it consumed a lot of resources. For other Frost Mages, this might be a useless skill, but for Cao Xing, it was a divine skill! Because this skill could be combined with his Talent to become a permanent enhancement skill. Then, when stacked with Ilena's Scale Armor, Cao Xing's defense would reach a terrifying level!

At this moment, Cao Xing even wanted to buy the skill book on the spot.

But it was obvious that the seller was asking for the sky, demanding 50 food right from the start.

Fortunately, the seller's note mentioned that the price was negotiable, which meant there was room for discussion.

So, Cao Xing clicked on the private chat interface for the consignment.

Cao Xing: "Ten food for the Ice Armor Technique Skill Book."

Within a few seconds, Malthus sent back a speechless emoji.

Malthus: "I told you to negotiate, not to rob! You want the skill book for ten food? Why don't you just go and steal it?" "Go, go, go, play somewhere else!"

Cao Xing replied: "I know you're in a hurry, but don't be anxious. What if I told you this isn't ordinary food, but meat?"

Malthus: "Meat? You got meat so quickly?" There was strong surprise in the other party's tone.

Cao Xing knew the other party didn't believe him. After all, at this stage, meat could only be obtained from wild monsters. It was obvious that almost no one could defeat those wild monsters on the first day.

Cao Xing directly pasted the item information into the private chat window, but he sent the information for Snake Meat.

It was only then that Malthus finally believed that Cao Xing had meat.

"Not bad, brother! You actually managed to get Snake Meat."

Cao Xing directly asked: "How about it, are you selling?"

Malthus: "Of course I'm selling, but you're offering too little! At least 40 food, which is 8 pieces of Snake Meat. Otherwise, no deal!"

Cao Xing said: "What are you thinking? 8 pieces of Snake Meat? I don't even have that much myself. At most, 3 pieces of Snake Meat."

However, the Malthus insisted that it couldn't be less than 6 pieces of Snake Meat.

Upon hearing this, Cao Xing directly replied: "Then forget it, you keep it yourself." "Ice Armor Technique is just an early-game skill, and its drop rate isn't that low. After tomorrow, you won't even be able to trade it for food."

Hearing this, the other party seemed hesitant.

Malthus asked doubtfully: "Are you telling the truth?"