Ancient Weapon: Barrett

Cao Xing collected the other materials from the ground as well.

Then, filled with anticipation, he walked over to the coal mine.

A small unclaimed coal mine had been discovered. Would he occupy it?

"Yes."

Occupation successful. Obtained Small Coal Mine*1, Bronze Treasure Chest*1.

Congratulations! As the first survivor on the server to occupy a resource point, you have received: Ancient Weapon: Barrett (Purple)*1, 12.7mm Ammunition*10.

Cao Xing: "???"

What the hell was that?

A Barrett?

Did I hear that right?

However, when Cao Xing saw the pitch-black heavy sniper rifle lying on the snow before him, its body over a meter long, he confirmed his guess.

This was really a Barrett!

But thinking about it, it was only normal.

After all, this was a world where technology and magic coexisted.

The Cold Iron Mechanic could even pilot mechs and summon bomber formations in the late game. What was one Barrett?

With that thought, Cao Xing happily stored the Barrett and the bullets on the ground.

Ancient Weapon: Barrett (Purple)

Quality: Rare

Attack: 967–993

Attack Interval: Once every 2 seconds

Additional Effect 1: Armor Piercing (When attacking, has a 50% chance to ignore 100 of the enemy's armor)

Additional Effect 2: Headshot (When attacking the head, deals an additional 50% damage)

"Holy shit! This is fucking awesome!"

Without a doubt, this was a true weapon of mass destruction.

With over nine hundred attack power this early on, it could kill gods in its way and slaughter Buddhas in its path!

Combined with those two effects, if they all triggered, monsters below level 20 wouldn't be able to withstand a single shot!

He might be a mage, but who said mages couldn't use Barretts?

Unfortunately, he only had ten rounds of ammunition.

Cao Xing pondered. "I remember that once the territory reaches level 4, some new technological buildings will be unlocked, like an ammunition factory, a small snowfield robot production workshop, and so on."

"Then I won't have to worry about bullets anymore!"

Satisfied, Cao Xing put the Barrett into his backpack.

At that moment, he remembered another system notification from earlier.

Besides the coal mine resource, there was also a bronze treasure chest.

That meant there was most likely a chest inside!

Cao Xing turned his head and said, "Sis-in-law, I'll take a look inside the mine. Gather up the scattered coal outside first."

Liu Muxue nodded lightly. "Mm."

After saying that, Cao Xing jumped straight into the mine.

It was only a small mine, extending four or five meters at most.

Black coal and stones could be seen among the surrounding soil. This place really did contain abundant resources.

According to the system, over 1,700 pieces of coal could still be mined here.

At the rate of 1 coal for 5 wood, the resources here would be enough for him to use for quite some time!

Cao Xing even wanted to send a few Polar People over to start mining immediately.

However, all four Polar People in the territory currently had assignments, and there was no spare manpower at this stage.

Cao Xing thought to himself, Looks like upgrading the Polar People hut needs to be put on the agenda too.

"We need to recruit more laborers. Otherwise, there'll be no one to mine the veins even if we have them."

But more importantly, he needed to find the treasure chest inside this coal mine.

Cao Xing walked to the end of the mine and spotted a bronze-colored chest in the darkness.

"This is it!"

A system prompt appeared.

An unlocked Bronze Treasure Chest*1 discovered. Open it?

Cao Xing directly selected "Yes."

Bronze Treasure Chest opened successfully. Obtained Faithful Believer Staff (Green)*1,

Obtained Snow Boots (White)*2

Obtained Medical Kit*1, Food*15, Refined Iron*5

Obtained Market Construction Blueprint*1.

"Huh? A market construction blueprint dropped?"

Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

Only after building a market could he trade with other survivors.

Although only a few hours had passed since Cao Xing arrived in this world,

with over seven billion humans from all of Blue Star transported here, there had to be quite a few people who had already built markets.

Cao Xing checked the blueprint's description.

Market: After construction, resources can be traded with other survivors.

(Note: Before regions merge, you may only trade with other survivors in your own region.)

Area Required: 20 square meters.

Required Materials: Stone*15, Wood*30.

Cao Xing mused, "I can only trade with survivors in my own region for now?"

"But it won't make much difference. There are tens of thousands of people in Region 174, so there should be plenty of supplies circulating on the market."

Cao Xing began examining the other two pieces of equipment he had obtained.

Faithful Believer Staff (Green), Quality: Excellent, Attack: 15–18, Spirit +3, Additional Effect: Believer's Grip (When attacking, has a 20% chance to grant yourself +10 Spirit)

(Note: A staff belonging to a fanatical believer. When fighting, shout: Black stockings are justice, and unexpected effects may occur~)

Who the hell would shout that?!

White stockings were justice, okay?

Cao Xing was speechless. The system's note somehow felt rather improper.

He began examining the second piece of equipment.

Snow Boots (White), Quality: Common, Armor: None, Effects: None.

(Note: Snow boots with decent cold resistance that allow you to walk better through ice and snow.)

"Another piece of cold-weather equipment."

Cao Xing was delighted.

There were two pairs of snow boots, perfect for one pair each for him and Liu Muxue.

So, he took off his black leather shoes and changed directly into the fur-covered snow boots.

His feet, which had nearly frozen numb, were immediately wrapped in waves of warmth.

Cao Xing nodded in satisfaction.

There was one more item in the chest.

Medical Kit (White): Can be used to treat injuries or common ailments, restoring 100 HP.

(Note: A simple medical kit. After use, it can treat some ordinary symptoms caused by the weather, such as colds, fevers, frostbite, and so on.)

This was good stuff too. Before he built an infirmary, this medical kit could save lives!

After all, there were some ailments that even an Aurora Knight's Purification could not dispel.

After checking around once more and confirming there was nothing else in the coal mine, Cao Xing prepared to leave.

Before leaving, however, he casually dismantled the chest as well.

Bronze Treasure Chest dismantled successfully. Obtained Copper*5.

Cao Xing crawled out of the mine.

When she saw him emerge, Liu Muxue said softly, "A-Xing, I've gathered all the coal on the ground. There were a full 112 pieces of coal. That's enough for us to use for a long time!"

Her face carried the joy of a good harvest.

Cao Xing nodded. "Well done, Sis-in-law."

"Take these snow boots first."

With that, Cao Xing placed the boots at Liu Muxue's feet.

He noticed that Liu Muxue's legs had already been frozen red. Her ten delicate toes curled tightly, and the space between her thighs trembled constantly.

Five or six minutes had already passed since they came out.

If they did not return to the campfire in a few more minutes, Liu Muxue's legs might be completely ruined by the cold.

Although Liu Muxue desperately wanted the snow boots too, she knew how precious they were in such an extreme environment.

"Can these boots really be given to me?" Liu Muxue asked tentatively.

Cao Xing smiled. "Of course. I already have a pair, and Ilena doesn't have legs. Who else could wear them besides you?"

Liu Muxue no longer refused and instead said quietly, "Thank you... A-Xing."

Cao Xing waved his hand, signaling for her to put them on quickly.

Just then, Liu Muxue said somewhat embarrassedly, "A-Xing... could you support me? My legs aren't really listening to me anymore."

As soon as she said that, her cheeks flushed all the way to her ears.

Cao Xing did not think much of it. He walked over and placed one of Liu Muxue's hands over his shoulder.

A faint fragrance drifted to his nose.

Liu Muxue wrapped an arm around Cao Xing's neck and laboriously lifted her right leg.

Seeing her like this, Cao Xing knew that her legs had frozen stiff.

"Sis-in-law, I'll help you put them on."

Before Liu Muxue could react, Cao Xing lifted the bend of her leg, covered in white stockings.

"Mm..."

Liu Muxue's body trembled, and her beautiful eyes widened sharply.

Cao Xing had no improper thoughts. After quickly helping her put on both snow boots, he bent down.

"Sis-in-law, I'll carry you back to camp."

Hearing that, Liu Muxue became even more bashful.

But she also knew that, in her current condition, she had to return to the camp quickly to warm herself.

"Th-then... I'll trouble you..." Liu Muxue replied softly.

The next moment, a pair of slender arms wrapped around Cao Xing's neck.

Then, she felt a pair of large, powerful hands supporting the roots of her thighs.

Apparently touched there by another man for the first time, Liu Muxue let out a faint gasp, and her face instantly reddened down to her neck.

Liu Muxue lowered her head deeply.

Cao Xing felt a soft, delicate sensation between his hands.

This woman... her body is so soft...

Then, Cao Xing carried Liu Muxue on his back, with Ilena accompanying them.

The two people and one snake returned to the camp.

Warmth from the campfire washed over them once more.

The stiffness in their bodies gradually faded away.

After settling Liu Muxue down,

Cao Xing looked up. The sky was growing darker and darker.

There was half an hour left before nightfall.

Before dark, he needed to build a small shelter for Ilena to stay in that night.

Otherwise, if these territory residents had to freeze through the night, their loyalty would decrease.

Besides that, he also needed to build the market to trade with other survivors.

Cao Xing checked the territory's current resources.

Food: Bread*50, Snake Meat*17, Wolf Meat*134

Wood*97, Coal*112, Stone*62

"Not bad. There are enough materials for the lumberyard and market, and the remaining materials can build a small dwelling too."

Cao Xing called out into the distance, "Dazhuang, Erzhuang, come back, both of you."

Upon hearing the command, the Polar People set down their work and shivered their way back toward the campfire.

"Lord, do you have an order for us?"

Cao Xing nodded and began giving orders. "Dazhuang, Erzhuang, you two will build the lumberyard."

"Sanzhuang, I'll leave the market construction to you."

"Sizhuang, you'll build a small dwelling."

After saying that, Cao Xing added, "Once you finish those tasks, you can eat."

At those final words, the four Polar People's eyes lit up.

"Rest assured, Lord. We guarantee the tasks will be completed before dark!"

"That's right. When we handle things, Lord, you can rest easy."