Territory Development, Bustling with Activity

Cao Xing directly collected the items from Tong Guangrong's relic box.

Then, he looked at everyone and said, "Alright, let's hurry back to the Territory now."

They followed the route they came from, heading back to the camp.

The return trip took them about two hours.

It was unavoidable; when there were too many people, their travel speed would be slowed down.

In fact, it was Cao Xing and his group who slowed down Assam and Andrew.

One rode a Frost Wolf, and the other moved on all fours; their speed on the snow was at least thirty kilometers per hour.

Meanwhile, Cao Xing and his companions were doing well if they could manage five kilometers per hour.

Travel speed on snow was a significant issue.

Cao Xing mused, "Is there any way to increase snow travel speed?"

He began to recall his experiences playing games in his mind.

After a moment, Cao Xing thought, "Currently, there seem to be two ways to increase snow travel speed."

"The first is to tame wild creatures and make them mounts. The more powerful the creature, the faster its travel speed on snow."

"The second method is to develop technology, unlock the Research Institute as soon as possible, and then use Blueprints to build Snow Bicycles, Motorcycles, Transport Vehicles, and so on."

Yes, you heard that right.

It was possible to build various technologies in the mid-game.

Besides these vehicles, Cao Xing had also built his first Helicopter after playing for 448 days in the game.

That was the longest save file he had ever played.

In short, this world was a real world, full of infinite possibilities.

When Cao Xing and his group returned to the Territory, the sky was already nearing darkness.

Cao Xing looked up at the time.

Time until nightfall: 0 hours 50 minutes...

Novice Protection Period remaining: 3 days 12 hours...

The survivors were about to conclude their third day of exploration.

That group of Polar Humans, along with Da Hua and the others, also saw the large group of figures approaching.

Upon seeing the familiar faces, Da Hua exclaimed in surprise.

"God! You actually came back."

She excitedly rushed over, and the two groups began to exchange words, relieved to have survived.

Meanwhile, Da Zhuang, holding a hammer, approached Cao Xing.

"Lord, the Bonfire has been successfully upgraded, and your Lord's Hut is also being expedited for an upgrade."

Cao Xing nodded, then looked towards the center of the camp, where the Bonfire was burning fiercely.

Camp Bonfire: Level 5 | Bonfire Effect: Increases temperature by 10-20°C within a 160-meter radius. | Consumption: 10 minutes/4 Wood or 25 minutes/2 Coal. | Materials required for next level: Stone*60, Wood*40, Iron*20.

Under the heat of the flames, the ice and snow-covered ground around it gradually began to reveal itself.

Only on this exposed ground could more buildings be constructed and various crops planted.

Therefore, the level of the Bonfire determined the size of your Territory.

However, later on, when the Camp Bonfire was upgraded to an Energy Tower, its heating range alone could cover the area of a city.

And by continuously building various structures and developing their Territory, the survivors could eventually own their own city.

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction. "Da Zhuang, well done."

"Next, you take Wu Zhuang and Liu Zhuang to continue gathering resources."

"Focus on collecting from that Coal Mine; the Bonfire upgrade requires a lot of coal, and we need to ensure the camp's heating."

The Polar Human Da Zhuang immediately straightened his body and respectfully replied, "Yes, my esteemed Lord!"

Then, he hurried off to work.

Cao Xing called Er Zhuang over. "Er Zhuang, take Qi Zhuang and Ba Zhuang and quickly build more Small Shelters, canteens, and so on, aiming to finish before nightfall."

"So our new members have a place to eat and sleep."

"Yes, Lord!"

Er Zhuang also received the command and took his people to work.

Cao Xing continued to give orders. "San Zhuang, come here."

The unshaven San Zhuang approached Cao Xing.

"San Zhuang, you don't need to build too many things. Just build a Primary Elemental Arrow Tower with Si Zhuang before dark."

San Zhuang respectfully replied, "I guarantee the mission will be completed, my esteemed Lord."

At this, the Polar Humans became busy once more.

At this moment, the group of newly joined humans had also finished their exchange.

They saw the Polar Humans working in the camp, and the slightly older Cao Yi's eyes shifted slightly.

Cao Yi quickly led the other refugees over and respectfully said, "Lord, please assign more tasks to us as well."

Cao Xing nodded, "No rush. I know you probably haven't eaten for several days."

"Before you work, you need to fill your stomachs first."

The newly joined territory members exchanged glances, seeing surprise and relief in each other's eyes.

It seemed like the first time they had encountered such a considerate Lord.

Cao Xing continued, "However, we don't have a mess hall yet, so please make do with some bread for now."

Cao Xing glanced at Liu Muxue beside him.

Liu Muxue understood and took out more than ten loaves of bread from the Territory's resources.

She distributed two pieces to each new territory member.

At this moment, Cao Yi and Si Hua, looking at the bread in their hands, had tears welling up in their eyes, deeply moved.

Then, they all knelt down in unison.

"Thank you, our benevolent and generous Lord!"

"Thank you, our beautiful and kind Second Lord!"

The next moment, Cao Xing and Liu Muxue's ears were filled with many system prompts.

[Due to your generous alms, Territory member 'Cao Yi's Loyalty has increased. Current Loyalty: 80]

[Due to your generous alms, Territory member 'Si Hua's Loyalty has increased. Current Loyalty: 78]

[Due to your...]

With this gesture, the loyalty of all the newly joined refugees increased by 5-10 points.

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction.

Tong Chuchu and Xia Yanni, standing nearby, looked at the white bread in the territory members' hands and swallowed.

They had been hungry for some time and were equally desperate for food.

Cao Xing took out four loaves of bread from the Territory's resources and handed them to Xia Yanni.

"Eat something first."

The tall woman slightly bent down, took the bread, and gratefully said, "Thank you... thank you..."

Tong Chuchu, with an innocent smile, added, "Thank you, big brother."

Cao Xing smiled.

After they finished eating the bread, everyone's Satiety increased slightly.

It was then that Cao Xing slowly spoke, "Cao Yi."

Cao Yi immediately responded, "Lord, your subordinate is here."

Cao Xing: "From now on, the group you brought will be under your unified command."

"Your future tasks are to continue upgrading the Bonfire and collecting resources."

"Wood and stone are both needed. When we have more manpower, help Da Zhuang and the others build some basic structures."

Cao Yi quickly nodded, "Your subordinate obeys!"

Then, Cao Xing looked at Da Hua.

"Da Hua, I'm giving you this batch of Wheat Seeds. Take one person and find a place near the Territory to cultivate the land, then plant these Wheat Seeds."

The first chapter should add a section explaining that everything mutated.

Da Hua, with her pale white skin, took the seeds from Cao Xing and gently stroked them.

"These are top-quality Wheat Seeds. They will surely grow into a batch of premium wheat..."

She nodded, "Lord, I will complete the task you have assigned."

Then, this batch of newly joined territory residents also began to get busy.

Cao Xing looked at the bustling scene in the Territory and nodded with satisfaction.

His Territory had grown from a small Bonfire to having so many territory members and building more and more structures.

This was the joy of farming!