Cao Xing directly put away the contents of [Tong Guangrong's Relic Box].
Then he looked at everyone and said, "All right, let's hurry back to the territory."
They followed the route they had taken earlier and headed for the camp.
This time, it took them almost two hours to get back.
There was no helping it. With so many people, their pace slowed.
Actually, Cao Xing and the others were the ones slowing Asam and Andrew down.
One was riding a Frost Wolf, while the other moved on all fours. On the snow, they could travel at least thirty kilometers per hour.
As for Cao Xing and the others, they were doing well if they managed five kilometers an hour.
Their pace in the snow was a major problem too.
Cao Xing thought to himself, Is there any way to move faster across the snow?
He began recalling his experiences playing the game.
A moment later, Cao Xing thought, As things stand, there are two ways to move faster across the snow.
The first is to tame wild creatures and make them mounts. The stronger the creature, the faster it can travel through the snow.
The second is to develop technology and unlock the [Technology Research Institute] as soon as possible. Then, using blueprints, they can build Snow Bikes, motorcycles, transport vehicles, and so on.
Yes, you heard that right.
By the middle stage of the game, it was possible to build all kinds of technology.
Besides those vehicles, Cao Xing had also built the first helicopter in the game after 448 days.
It was the longest save file he had ever played.
In short, this was a real world, full of endless possibilities.
By the time Cao Xing and the others returned to the territory, night was almost upon them.
Cao Xing looked up at the time above him.
[Time until nightfall: 0 hours 50 minutes...] [Newbie Protection Period remaining: 3 days 12 hours...]
The survivors were about to finish their third day of exploration.
The Polar Folk and Big Flower's group had also spotted the large crowd approaching.
The moment Big Flower saw their familiar faces, she cried out in astonishment.
"Oh my God! You really made it back!"
She rushed over excitedly, and both sides began exchanging words like people who had survived a disaster.
Dazhuang approached Cao Xing, holding a hammer.
"Lord, the Campfire has been upgraded successfully, and your Lord's Hut is also being upgraded as quickly as possible."
Cao Xing nodded, then looked toward the blazing Campfire in the center of the camp.
[Campfire: Level 5] [Campfire effect: Raises the temperature within a 160-meter radius by 10-20°C] [Consumption]: 4 Wood per 10 minutes or 2 Coal per 25 minutes. [Materials required for next level]: 60 Stone, 40 Wood, 20 Iron.
Under the heat of the fire, the snow-covered ground around it gradually became visible.
Only on this ground could they build more structures and grow various crops.
So the Campfire's level determined the size of the territory.
Later on, once the Campfire was upgraded into an Energy Tower, its heating range alone could cover the area of an entire city.
And by continually constructing buildings and developing their territories, survivors could eventually own cities of their own.
Cao Xing nodded in satisfaction. "Well done, Dazhuang."
"Next, take Wuzhuang and Liuzhuang with you and keep gathering resources."
"Focus on that Coal Mine. Upgrading the Campfire will consume a lot of Coal, so we need to make sure the camp stays warm."
The Polar Folk Dazhuang immediately straightened up and replied respectfully, "Yes, my respected Lord!"
Then he hurried off to get to work.
Cao Xing called Erzhuang over as well. "Erzhuang, take Qizhuang and Bazhuang with you and hurry up and build more [Small Shelters], a [Cafeteria], and the like. Try to finish before nightfall."
"Make sure our new members have somewhere to eat and sleep."
"Yes, Lord!"
Erzhuang received his orders and led the others off to work.
Cao Xing continued giving orders. "Sanzhuang, come here."
Sanzhuang, with his full beard, came over to Cao Xing.
"Sanzhuang, you don't need to build too many things. Just make sure you and Sizhuang build a [Lesser Elemental Arrow Tower] before nightfall."
Sanzhuang replied respectfully, "I guarantee we'll complete the task, my respected Lord."
For a while, the Polar Folk busied themselves again.
By now, the newly arrived humans had finished talking among themselves too.
They saw the Polar Folk working in the camp, and the slightly older Cao Yi's eyes flickered.
Cao Yi hurriedly led the other refugees over, then said respectfully, "Lord, please assign us more tasks too."
Cao Xing nodded. "Don't rush. I know you probably haven't eaten in days."
"You should fill your stomachs before you start working."
The new residents exchanged glances, and each saw delight and relief in the others' eyes.
It seemed this was the first time they had ever encountered such a considerate Lord.
Cao Xing continued, "But there's no Cafeteria yet, so have some bread for now."
Cao Xing glanced at Liu Muxue beside him.
Liu Muxue understood and took more than a dozen loaves of bread from the territory's supplies.
She gave two pieces to each new member of the territory.
At that moment, Cao Yi, Sihua, and the others looked at the bread in their hands, tears glistening in their eyes as their hearts filled with gratitude.
Then they all knelt down together.
"Thank you, kind and generous Lord!"
"Thank you, beautiful and kind Second Lord!"
The next moment, numerous system notifications appeared in Cao Xing and Liu Muxue's ears.
[Due to your generous charity, territory member "Cao Yi" has gained Loyalty. Current Loyalty: 80] [Due to your generous charity, territory member "Sihua" has gained Loyalty. Current Loyalty: 78] [Due to your...]
After this, every one of the newly arrived refugees gained between 5 and 10 Loyalty.
Cao Xing nodded in satisfaction.
Nearby, Tong Chuchu and Xia Yanni watched the White Bread in the residents' hands and swallowed.
They had been hungry for a while too, and they longed for food just as much.
Cao Xing took four pieces of bread from the territory's supplies and handed them to Xia Yanni.
"Have something to eat first."
The tall woman bent down slightly and reached out to take the bread. Then she said gratefully, "Thank you... thank you..."
Beside her, Tong Chuchu smiled innocently. "Thank you, big brother."
Cao Xing smiled.
After they finished eating the bread, everyone's Satiety increased a little.
Only then did Cao Xing speak slowly. "Cao Yi."
Cao Yi immediately replied, "My Lord, I'm here."
Cao Xing said, "From now on, you'll be in charge of the people you brought with you."
"Your tasks will be to keep upgrading the Campfire and gather resources."
"We need to gather Wood and Stone. If you have spare hands, help Dazhuang and the others build some basic structures."
Cao Yi nodded quickly. "I obey!"
Then Cao Xing looked toward Big Flower.
"Big Flower, I'm giving you this batch of wheat seeds. Take someone with you, find a place near the territory to clear and cultivate some farmland, then plant these seeds."
Big Flower, with her pale, cool-toned skin, took the seeds from Cao Xing and gently stroked them.
"These are fine wheat seeds. They'll surely grow into a good crop of wheat..."
She nodded. "Lord, I'll complete the task you've given me."
Then the new residents of the territory got busy too.
Cao Xing looked at the territory, now bustling with activity, and nodded in satisfaction.
His territory had grown from a small Campfire to having so many residents and an ever-increasing number of buildings.
That was the joy of building things up!
Before you continue