Ancient Weapon: Barrett

Cao Xing picked up the other materials on the ground.

Then, full of anticipation, he made his way over to the Coal Mine.

[You have discovered an unclaimed Small Coal Mine. Would you like to occupy it?]

"Yes."

[Occupation successful. You received Small Coal Mine ×1 and Bronze Chest ×1.]

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

Cao Xing: "???"

What the hell?

A Barrett?

Did I hear that right?

But when Cao Xing looked at the heavy sniper rifle lying in the snow before him, its entire body pitch-black and its barrel a full meter long, he knew his guess was right.

This really was a Barrett!

But when he thought about it, it made sense.

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

By the late game, a Cold-Iron Mechanist could pilot a giant robot and summon bomber squadrons. What was one Barrett in comparison?

At the thought, Cao Xing happily picked up the Barrett and the ammunition on the ground.

[Ancient Weapon: Barrett (Purple)]

[Quality: Rare]

[Attack: 967-993]

[Attack Interval: 2 seconds per shot]

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

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

"Damn! This thing is freaking awesome!"

There was no doubt about it: this was a true killing machine.

With over nine hundred attack power in the early game, it could practically kill anything in its path!

And with those two special effects, if both activated, monsters below level 20 wouldn't survive a single shot!

Sure, he was a mage, but who said mages couldn't use a Barrett?

Unfortunately, Cao Xing only had 10 rounds of ammunition.

Cao Xing thought, "I remember that once the territory reaches level 4, some new tech buildings unlock, like the [Bullet Factory] and the [Small Snow Robot Production Workshop]."

"Then I won't have to worry about running out of bullets!"

Satisfied, Cao Xing stored the Barrett in his backpack.

Just then, he remembered another notification from the system.

Besides the Coal Mine, there was also a Bronze Chest.

In other words, there might be a chest inside!

So Cao Xing turned his head and said, "Big Sis-in-law, I'm going to check inside the mine. Gather up the scattered coal outside first."

Liu Muxue nodded gently. "Mm."

After speaking, Cao Xing jumped straight into the mine.

It was only a small mine, extending no more than four or five meters underground.

In the soil nearby, he could see black coal and stones. This place really was rich in resources.

According to the system, more than 1,700 pieces of coal could be mined here.

At a rate of 1 coal = 5 wood, these resources would last him quite a while!

Cao Xing even wanted to send a few Polar Folk over to start mining right away.

But the four Polar Folk in his territory were all occupied with tasks, and he had no extra workers at this stage.

Cao Xing thought to himself, "Looks like upgrading the Polar Folk Hut needs to be moved up the list."

"I have to recruit more laborers. Otherwise, the mine will just sit there with no one to work it."

For now, though, the more important thing was finding the chest inside the Coal Mine.

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

"This must be it!"

A system notification appeared.

[You have discovered an unlocked Bronze Chest ×1. Would you like to open it?]

Cao Xing immediately selected "Yes."

[Bronze Chest opened successfully. You received Believer's Staff (Green) ×1.]

[You received Snow Boots (White) ×2.]

[You received Medical Kit ×1, Food ×15, and Refined Iron ×5.]

[You received Market Blueprint ×1.]

"Oh? I got a Market Blueprint?"

Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

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

Though only a few hours had passed since Cao Xing arrived in this world, with over seven billion people from all across Blue Star having been transported here, there was bound to be a large enough population for plenty of people to have already built a [Market].

Cao Xing checked the blueprint's description.

[Market: After construction, you can trade resources with other survivors.]

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

[Area Required: 20 square meters.]

[Materials Required: Stone ×15, Wood ×30.]

Cao Xing thought for a moment. "I can only trade with survivors in this region for now?"

"But that doesn't make much difference. There are tens of thousands of people in Region 174, so plenty of goods should be circulating in the market."

Cao Xing then began inspecting the other two items he'd just obtained.

[Believer's Staff (Green), Quality: Fine, Attack: 15-18, Spirit +3, Special Effect: Believer's Grasp (When attacking, has a 20% chance to increase your Spirit by 10)]

(Note: A fanatical believer's staff. When you're in battle, shout, "Black Stockings Are Justice!" and you might get an unexpected result~)

Who the hell was going to shout that, huh?!

White Stockings were justice, okay?

Cao Xing was speechless. He felt like the system's note was a little inappropriate.

He began inspecting the second item.

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

(Note: Snow boots with decent cold resistance that let you walk more easily through snow and ice.)

"That's one more piece of cold-weather gear."

Cao Xing was pleased.

There were two pairs of Snow Boots, just enough for him and Liu Muxue to each have a pair.

So he took off his black leather shoes and put on the Snow Boots, covered in fur.

His feet, which had nearly gone numb from the cold, were now wrapped in wave after wave of warmth.

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction.

There was one more item in the chest.

[Medical Kit (White): Can be used to treat injuries or common illnesses, restoring 100 health.]

(Note: A simple medical kit. When used, it can treat common weather-related symptoms such as colds, fevers, and frostbite.)

This was a good item too. Before he built a [Medical Room], this Medical Kit could save lives!

After all, some conditions couldn't even be dispelled by an Aurora Knight's [Purification Spell].

After looking around again and confirming there was nothing else in the mine, Cao Xing prepared to leave.

But before he did, he also dismantled the chest.

[Bronze Chest dismantled successfully. You received Copper ×5.]

Cao Xing climbed 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 are a full 112 pieces. That'll last us a long time!"

Her face showed the joy of a good haul.

Cao Xing nodded. "Nicely done, Big Sis-in-law."

"Here, these Snow Boots are for you."

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

He noticed that Liu Muxue's legs were already red from the cold, her ten delicate toes curled tightly together, and her thighs trembled incessantly.

Five or six minutes had passed since they had left.

If they did not return to the bonfire in a few more minutes, Liu Muxue's legs might end up completely frostbitten.

Although Liu Muxue longed for the Snow Boots, she also knew how precious they were in such an extreme environment.

"Can I really have these boots?" Liu Muxue asked tentatively.

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

Liu Muxue stopped refusing and said softly, "Thank you... A Xing."

Cao Xing waved his hand, indicating that she should hurry and put them on.

Just then, Liu Muxue said awkwardly, "A Xing... could you help me? My legs aren't really listening to me."

By the time she finished speaking, her cheeks had turned red all the way to her ears.

Cao Xing didn't think much of it. He went straight to her side and draped one of Liu Muxue's arms over his shoulder.

A faint fragrance reached his nose.

Liu Muxue wrapped her arms around Cao Xing's neck and struggled to lift her right leg.

Seeing her like this, Cao Xing knew her legs had already gone numb from the cold.

"Sister-in-law, let me help you put them on."

Before Liu Muxue could react, Cao Xing lifted her leg, covered in White Stockings, by the crook of her knee.

"Mm..."

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

Cao Xing had no other thoughts. After quickly helping her put on both Snow Boots, he bent down.

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

At that, Liu Muxue grew even more bashful.

But she knew that, in her current condition, she had to get back to camp and warm up as soon as possible.

"S-sorry for the trouble..." 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, strong hands support the base of her thighs.

It seemed to be the first time another man had touched her there. Liu Muxue let out a faint gasp, and her face instantly turned red all the way down to her neck.

Liu Muxue lowered her head deeply.

Cao Xing felt the delicate softness against his hands.

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

Then Cao Xing carried Liu Muxue on his back and brought Ilena along.

The two of them and the snake returned to camp.

The warmth from the bonfire swept over them again.

The stiffness in their bodies gradually faded.

After settling Liu Muxue down,

Cao Xing looked up. The sky had grown darker and darker.

There was half an hour left until nightfall.

Before dark, he had to build a Small Shelter for Ilena to stay in overnight.

Otherwise, if the residents of his territory had to endure the cold at night, their loyalty would drop.

Besides that, he also had to build the [Market] to trade with other survivors.

Cao Xing glanced at the resources his territory currently had.

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

[Wood*97, Coal*112, Stone*62]

"Not bad. I have enough materials to build the Logging Mill and the Market, and there'll still be enough left to build a Small Shelter."

So Cao Xing called out to the people in the distance, "Dazhuang, Erzhuang, come back here."

At his command, the Polar Folk put down their work and shivered their way back to the bonfire.

"Lord, is something the matter?"

Cao Xing nodded, then began giving orders. "Dazhuang, Erzhuang, you two go build the Logging Mill."

"Sanzhuang, you're in charge of building the Market."

"Sizhuang, go build a Small Shelter."

Then Cao Xing added, "Once you've finished all that, you can eat."

At that last sentence, the four Polar Folk's eyes lit up.

"Don't worry, Lord. We'll get it done before dark!"

"That's right. You can count on us, Lord."