"What the hell? What's Free Nation trying to do?"
"They just met, and they're already trying to launch a sneak attack? How disgusting!"
"Damn it, why didn't Zhu Wu kill you guys just now?"
"Quick, go find Zhu Wu! Free Nation's trying to rebel!"
"But the rules really don't forbid it. We shouldn't interfere."
"Great God Gu Yu, you have to be careful!"
Seeing what was happening on Free Nation's side, the people of Kyushu spoke up to warn Gu Yu.
At the Research Institute, Dean Qi was cursing just as furiously.
"Damn them! These people are utterly despicable!"
They'd only just gotten their equipment, and they were already trying to attack someone else!
The key was that they were in the resource zone. There was no way to move such a huge Iron Mine in a short time.
If Gu Yu left and hid on the sky island, the others really wouldn't know where he was. They also wouldn't waste blocks reaching the island for the few resources there.
But if he really did that, wouldn't he be wasting the privilege he'd earned by coming in first?
"It's permission that lets people take the initiative, but it can also make them an easy target!"
"This kid, honestly. He had a gold mine to choose from, so why did he have to pick iron?"
Fries nodded, agreeing with Dean Qi.
In most civilizations, including Parkour Civilization, a parkour runner's shoes determined their status.
People of different ranks had to wear shoes of the corresponding quality. Gold was always more prestigious than iron.
In his eyes, Gu Yu and Mark, wearing iron armor, were like a Parkour Master facing a Parkour Expert. The Parkour Master wouldn't stand a chance!
As for Zhu Wu, he didn't need to investigate to know what was going on.
The guards wouldn't give any particular contestant special treatment just because they were from Kyushu Nation. Most likely, it had to do with their ranking.
Only the strong earned respect. The guards definitely wouldn't interfere in something like this.
They'd already been outnumbered two to one, and now their equipment was inferior as well.
Gu Yu was in serious danger!
"Even if he really is a beta tester, it'll be hard for him to survive when he's at such a disadvantage."
"Free Nation's time in the resource zone should run out today. They'll only have one short day to prepare their defenses!"
All he could do was hope that the mysterious reward locked inside the room's chest contained something that could help them get through this crisis.
"It's getting dark again?"
Looking up, Gu Yu saw the sky gradually growing dim.
He stretched, feeling an ache in his back and weakness in his legs.
Mining at high intensity for a whole day really was exhausting!
"I wonder when I'll be able to complete the rest of Steve Physique."
He'd run out of food, but his Steve's Hand was still strong and powerful. He didn't feel tired at all.
Shaking his head, Gu Yu took stock of what he'd gathered.
It was called an Iron Mine, but iron wasn't the only resource inside.
There were trees, water, raw stone, and other resources, but only in small quantities. Iron was still the main resource.
By the end of the day, he'd mined one and a half stacks of iron ore. Even with that much—
There was still more iron below than he could see.
"So much iron. I'm rich!"
First, he made three furnaces out of raw stone. Then, determined not to waste anything, he went outside and mined fifteen pieces of coal.
After using up today's block allowance, he began smelting iron ingots.
[Going on the Offensive!]
He officially obtained iron ingots from the furnace!
He first made iron leggings and an iron pickaxe. He didn't rush to use the remaining ingots to make a helmet and boots.
He hadn't noticed it much before, but once he put on the iron pants—
Gu Yu could clearly feel the extra weight.
With a chestplate and pants on, he was at the limit of how much armor he could wear without sacrificing his mobility.
If he put on an iron helmet and iron boots too, he'd be "overburdened."
"That's actually pretty realistic."
Still missing Steve's Body, Gu Yu quickly accepted this mechanic.
If everyone was overburdened, then no one was. His mobility would be affected by the weight of his equipment, and so would everyone else's.
Besides, the chestplate and pants were the two pieces that offered the most protection. The rest wouldn't make much difference.
"Before I get Steve Physique, it'll probably be hard to improve my equipment any further."
"There's still so much iron."
Looking at the sky as it grew dim and the two Pumpkin Heads growing right at the edge of the zone, Gu Yu got an idea.
"I can just make an Iron Golem!"
Iron Golems were among the most beloved creatures in the game!
They spawned only in villages, where they instinctively protected the villagers from monsters!
They had lots of health, hit hard, and were friendly toward players, helping them fight monsters.
Every now and then, the big guy would even give you a little red flower!
How many people had been startled by the huge creature, only to be moved by the softness hidden in its heart—a little red flower?
That was certainly true of Gu Yu. He'd even built plenty of iron farms because of it, until he had all the iron ingots he could want...
Now that he had an Iron Mine, he didn't need an iron farm for the time being. Having the big guy protect his home would be great.
He didn't want to come back from the sky island one day and find the place overrun by Creepers and spiders.
Nine iron ingots made an iron block. He arranged the blocks in a T shape.
Then he made shears out of three iron ingots, used them to trim the Pumpkin Head, and placed it on top of the T.
[Recruiting Reinforcements!]
An Iron Golem appeared, perfect as could be!
He left the Iron Golem in the resource zone and returned to the sky island. He gathered food, then farmed a few skeletons for their bones.
After that, he planned to save his strength and get a good night's sleep until morning.
"With iron taken care of, I need to find diamonds next."
He didn't need a full set of diamond armor yet, but he had to get a Diamond Pickaxe so he could reach the Nether.
Gradually closing his eyes, Gu Yu slept soundly on the Wool Bed, enjoying his first truly satisfying night's rest in Block World.
The people of Kyushu were captivated by his smooth, effortless moves and filled the screen with bullet comments.
"Nobody told me you could make creatures out of iron!"
"So that's why Gu Yu chose the Iron Mine? How did he know how to make one?"
"Wait, when did he get a furnace? You can make those too?"
"Huh, aren't those generated naturally, like Crafting Tables?"
"He might have gotten it from a chest. It was a reward for killing the boss, after all!"
"True! So this was a huge win!"
"But it's made of iron. Can it really stop Golden Armor Mark tomorrow?"
"Doesn't seem likely, but it's better than nothing!"
"Yeah, at least it makes it two-on-two. They've got a chance now!"
All night long, the people of Kyushu spent their time worrying.
Meanwhile,
Compared with Mark's wickedness and Gu Yu's calm, Yamamoto Rokuko was now overjoyed.
All of Samurai Nation was cheering for him.
"Yamamoto-kun is the best!"
"Oh my god, you even figured out obsidian!"
"The strongest man in Samurai Nation—invincible!"
"Hahahaha! With the Iai Sword and the secret of obsidian figured out, we're finally going to be number one in the world!"
In front of Yamamoto Rokuko stood a doorway made of obsidian.
"Who could have guessed that obsidian was a key for opening a door?"
Yamamoto Rokuko was grinning from ear to ear.
What secrets lay behind this door? How much treasure was hidden there?
"Now, I, Yamamoto Rokuko, will open this door and claim the world's most secret and precious treasure!"
"Free Nation and Kyushu Nation will both be trampled beneath our feet!"
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