The next day...
Cao Xing woke from his sleep.
At that moment, he found the space beside his bed empty, though the familiar scent of her body still lingered on the pillow.
When he looked up, he saw a pretty figure crouched before the stove, preparing breakfast.
The sight made Cao Xing feel as though it was not quite real.
After only two days in this world, everything had overturned his imagination.
Liu Muxue seemed to notice that Cao Xing was awake, her expression shy.
"Axing... you're awake..."
"Just wait a little longer. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Having just experienced intimacy for the first time, Liu Muxue's face held a captivating flush, along with a trace of girlish innocence.
She seemed to have settled into her role very quickly.
Then, Liu Muxue carried a fragrant bowl of meat soup over to Cao Xing.
Cao Xing took a sip and praised her. "It tastes good, Muxue."
"Really? Hehe..."
Liu Muxue grinned foolishly. "Then drink some more."
Cao Xing nodded.
Watching Cao Xing finish every drop in front of her, Liu Muxue wore a satisfied smile.
A moment later, however, she suddenly grew a little melancholy.
"Axing... last night's drop in temperature seems to have frozen quite a few more people to death..."
After thinking for a moment, Cao Xing opened the regional channel.
Region 174 Channel Online: 37104/40173
Compared to yesterday, over a thousand more people had died.
Although the death rate had dropped significantly.
If people kept dying at this rate, there would not be many humans left before long.
Liu Muxue asked worriedly, "Axing, do you think we'll survive?"
Hearing that, Cao Xing nodded solemnly. "We will. We'll survive together."
"Not only will we survive, but we'll live well in this world."
After hearing that, Liu Muxue nodded as well. "Mm-hmm!"
After breakfast, Cao Xing stood up, filled with energy.
Compared with yesterday, Cao Xing had gained another goal.
That was to bring Liu Muxue through this world alive.
He pushed open the doors of the Lord's Hut.
The eight Polar People and Ilena had already been waiting outside.
As for Assam, he had risen early to carry out the task Cao Xing had assigned him: scouting the surrounding area.
Seeing Cao Xing emerge, the Polar People spoke in unison. "Good health to you, my lord!"
"Good morning, Second Lord."
Liu Muxue stood prettily beside Cao Xing, waiting for him to give orders.
Cao Xing nodded. "Today, your main task will be constructing buildings for the territory."
"Dazhuang and Erzhuang, focus all your efforts on upgrading the Campfire."
"Sanzhuang and Sizhuang, hurry and build the Sewing Shop."
"Wuzhuang through Bazhuang, your task is to build the Blacksmith Shop and more Small Shelters."
"Do you understand?"
The eight Polar People immediately straightened up and nodded. "Understood, my lord!"
Then, following Cao Xing's instructions, they began hammering away with loud clangs.
At that moment, Cao Xing faced a problem.
His territory did not have enough manpower.
There were many buildings he needed to construct—the Blacksmith Shop, Basic Elemental Arrow Towers, the Sewing Shop, and more...
But he only had eight Polar People, nowhere near enough to handle it all.
Cao Xing sighed. "I have so many resources in my hands. It would be a shame if I can't turn them into combat power."
"I'll have to think of something later and see whether I can recruit some civilians."
Cao Xing shook his head and continued examining the two skill books and equipment he had obtained yesterday.
Ice Spike: Consumes a certain amount of Spirit to condense 1–3 ice spikes, dealing magic damage equal to Spirit × 0.8 to enemies. Has a 30% chance to inflict a 1-second Freeze effect. Cooldown: 30 seconds Aurora Blessing: Condenses the power of the aurora and attaches it to a weapon. When making melee attacks, deals additional light damage equal to Spirit × 0.8 to enemies. Effect lasts 60 seconds. Cooldown: 120 seconds.
Of these two skills, one was Cao Xing's offensive skill, while the other was Liu Muxue's blessing skill.
Both had excellent effects.
Especially Aurora Blessing. Once Liu Muxue's attributes improved, it could greatly increase the territory's military output.
He continued looking through the items.
Black Iron Plate Armor (Green) Quality: Fine Armor: 13–15 Additional Effect ①: Constitution +5 Additional Effect ②: Basic Shock Absorption (When attacked, reduces knockback caused by 20 points of the opponent's Strength)
"Not bad. This plate armor has great attributes too. It suits Muxue perfectly!"
As an Aurora Knight, tanking monsters was naturally her primary role.
With that "Basic Shock Absorption" effect, Liu Muxue could deal with stronger monsters without being knocked flying.
Then came the final blueprint.
Soldier-Standard Longsword Blueprint (Green): After learning it, materials can be consumed at a Blacksmith Shop to forge this weapon. Required for crafting: Level 1 Blacksmith Shop, Iron ×20, Wood ×2...
Cao Xing pondered, "With this blueprint, I can forge weapons in batches and build an armed regiment of my own."
"However, a regiment needs a large number of troops, and I'll also need to build Barracks and train them using training scrolls."
"And I only have eight Polar People. They're still needed for work, so I definitely can't train them into combat units."
"So I'll put this matter aside for now."
After checking everything, Cao Xing became a little bored.
By noon.
Cao Xing noticed a figure in the distant snowfield hurrying toward his camp.
It was Assam riding a Frost Wolf.
What puzzled Cao Xing was that three slender humans followed behind him, seemingly several women.
Cao Xing immediately walked over.
"Assam, who are these people?"
Assam leaped down from the Frost Wolf's back and respectfully replied, "My lord, these people are all refugees who fled from Ice Peak City."
"Ice Peak City?"
Assam nodded. "Yes, my lord. It is a city thousands of kilometers away from us, but it was conquered by an army of Wraiths."
"These people barely escaped Ice Peak City. They encountered Snowfield Hunters on the road, and after I rescued them, they had nowhere left to go."
Cao Xing fell into thought. So they were natives of this world.
Yes, aside from the humans from Blue Star, there were also many native races in this world.
Besides the Polar People, who lived underground year-round, there were humans living on the surface, the Asura race who worshipped machinery and gunpowder, the Icefield Giant race that revered war and strength, and more...
Assam seemed to have taken pity on them. He suggested, "My lord, our territory needs more manpower."
"These three refugees can help us build the territory more effectively."
Hope appeared in the eyes of the three human women beside him.
They also seemed to understand that Cao Xing was the one in charge of this territory.
Thus, the three refugees knelt down respectfully. "My lord, please take us in. We have nowhere to call home."
"We are willing to offer you everything."
Cao Xing froze, his expression turning somewhat strange.
Even Liu Muxue, standing beside him, looked at Cao Xing expectantly, seeming to want him to accept the three refugees.
Assam was right. He truly needed more manpower now.
So, Cao Xing asked, "Can you cook?"
The three refugees exchanged glances, then hurriedly nodded. "Yes! We can!"
Cao Xing nodded. "Fine. From now on, cooking will be your responsibility."
"In your spare time, you'll also need to help the other Polar People gather resources and build the territory. Any problems?"
"None, respected lord."
Cao Xing said, "Very well. Then welcome aboard."
Cao Xing sent them recruitment requests.
Recruitment successful: Jasmine, Tulip, and Sapphire have joined your territory. Territory population +3.
Before you continue