Arc 1The First Frozen Days

Cao Xing built a fortified camp, recruited allies, and used his permanent buffs and bear meat to gain power and supplies. The arc left him preparing to rescue Big Flower’s captive companions as the Level Leaderboard opened.

  • Cao Xing entered Icebound Era with Liu Muxue, chose the Frost Mage, and awakened his unique Eternal Power talent, which made temporary allied buffs permanent.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue established their territory, recruited Polar Folk and Ilena, and defeated a Snowfield Viper and two Snow Wolves to claim a coal mine.
  • Cao Xing permanently strengthened himself and Liu Muxue with Ice Armor, then protected her from her family’s demands for food and supplies.
  • Cao Xing and his allies killed a Snowfield Thunder Bear, recruited Asam and the cub Volibear, and obtained valuable meat and treasure from the bear’s cave.
  • Cao Xing traded bear meat for resources, equipment, and blueprints, defied Fang Long and the Three Heroes Association, and refused to yield to their threats.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue grew closer, while Asam returned with Jasmine, Tulip, and Sapphire, three women Cao Xing recruited into his territory.
  • Big Flower asked Cao Xing to rescue her captive companions, so he prepared Liu Muxue for the mission, recruited Guardian Andrew, and learned that the Level Leaderboard had opened.
Chapters 1–25 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 1The Icebound Era Public Beta Begins

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue were transported into Icebound Era when its public beta began, arriving in a frozen wilderness as a survival team. Cao Xing chose the Frost Mage and discovered his hidden unique talent, Eternal Power, which made temporary enhancements permanent for allied units in his territory.

  • Cao Xing learned that Chen Jiang had died and drove Liu Muxue to the funeral home.
  • A global announcement declared Icebound Era’s public beta and sent humanity into the game in family groups of up to four.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue appeared in the frozen wilderness and found warmth beside a campfire.
  • Cao Xing reviewed the available classes and chose the Frost Mage.
  • The system activated Cao Xing’s hidden unique talent, Eternal Power, which turned temporary enhancements on allied units into permanent ones.

Ch. 2Upgrade the Campfire, Recruit Polar Folk!

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue repaired their camp and built a Polar Folk Hut before nightfall, unlocking the territory interface and recruiting four Polar Folk. The chapter ended with Liu Muxue stunned as the new workers emerged from the hut.

  • Cao Xing told Liu Muxue to choose the Aurora Knight class, then opened the Territory Storage Chest and collected supplies for repairing the Lord's Hut.
  • Cao Xing repaired the Lord's Hut while Liu Muxue gathered materials and upgraded the Campfire to Level 2.
  • Cao Xing unlocked the territory interface, learned the Ice Healing skill, and received a reward for being the first survivor to build a Lord's Hut.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue built a Polar Folk Hut, and Cao Xing received 50 bread for being the first survivor to complete one.
  • Cao Xing spent 20 food to recruit four Polar Folk, and Liu Muxue stared in shock as they emerged and bowed to him.

Ch. 3World Chat Channel

Cao Xing named four Polar Folk and sent them to gather wood and Stone while he and Liu Muxue worked to improve their shelter and heat. After upgrading the Campfire and building a Stove, Cao Xing opened the chat channels and found survivors around the world reacting to their arrival in the icy wilderness.

  • Cao Xing named Zach Dazhuang and the other three Polar Folk Erzhuang, Sanzhuang, and Sizhuang, increasing their loyalty.
  • Cao Xing assigned Dazhuang and Erzhuang to chop trees and Sanzhuang and Sizhuang to gather Stone.
  • Cao Xing upgraded the Campfire to Level 3, doubling its heating radius but increasing its wood consumption.
  • Cao Xing helped Liu Muxue build a Stove inside the Lord's Hut, where the temperature reached -16°C.
  • Cao Xing explored the crafting and chat interfaces and read messages from survivors on the World Channel.

Ch. 4Kid, You're Invincible!

Cao Xing discovered that his Ice Healing skill became permanent for anyone who received it because of his Eternal Power talent, allowing Dazhuang and Liu Muxue to regenerate health continuously. He led them to confront a level 2 Snowfield Viper threatening the territory’s wood supply, and the fight began with Dazhuang shrugging off its poison.

  • Erzhuang brought the poisoned Dazhuang to Cao Xing, who had Liu Muxue remove the Snake Venom with Purification Spell.
  • Cao Xing used Ice Healing on Dazhuang and Liu Muxue, and Eternal Power made the healing effect permanent for both.
  • Cao Xing tried to heal himself but stopped when casting two spells left him dizzy, then led Dazhuang, Erzhuang, and Liu Muxue toward the grove.
  • The group found a level 2 Snowfield Viper, and Cao Xing ordered Dazhuang to attack.
  • The viper bit and poisoned Dazhuang, but his permanent healing restored his health as he seized the snake and swung his axe.

Ch. 5First Kill Reward: Snakefolk Priest Recruitment Scroll

Cao Xing and the Polar Folk killed a Snowfield Viper, earning the region’s first-kill reward and valuable supplies. He used the reward scroll to summon Ilena, a level 5 Snakefolk Priest, who introduced herself as his servant.

  • Dazhuang and Erzhuang attacked the Snowfield Viper while Cao Xing finished it with an Ice Orb Spell, earning the first-kill reward of a Snakefolk Priest Recruitment Scroll.
  • Cao Xing dismantled the viper and collected its hide, meat, and venom sac, then promised Dazhuang and Erzhuang a snake soup meal.
  • Cao Xing returned to the bonfire with Liu Muxue and decided to wait until the next day to gather enough resources for a Sewing Workshop.
  • Cao Xing used the recruitment scroll, summoning a five-meter-long Snakefolk Priest who introduced herself as Ilena.

Ch. 6Discovering a Coal Mine in the Wild

Cao Xing made Ilena’s buff skills permanent and learned that a Small Coal Mine nearby was guarded by two Snow Wolves. He led Ilena and Liu Muxue toward the mine, but it remained unclaimed when they arrived.

  • Cao Xing had Ilena use Snakefolk Frenzy and Scale Armor on him and Liu Muxue, and his Eternal Power talent made the buffs permanent.
  • Ilena recovered her spirit while Cao Xing assessed his workers’ resource gathering and considered upgrading the Polar Folk Hut.
  • Sanzhuang reported finding a Small Coal Mine guarded by two Snow Wolves, and Cao Xing promised him and Sizhuang Snake Meat as a reward.
  • Cao Xing coated Ilena’s Trident and Liu Muxue’s Stone Axe with Snowfield Viper poison, then set out with them for the mine.
  • Cao Xing, Ilena, and Liu Muxue reached the Small Coal Mine and found that it could not yet be claimed.

Ch. 7A Huge Haul!

Cao Xing, Liu Muxue, and Ilena defeated two Snow Wolves guarding the Coal Mine, then dismantled their corpses and gained valuable supplies. With wolf pelts to protect them from the cold and a Frost Wolf Knight Recruitment Scroll in hand, Cao Xing was ready to claim the mine.

  • Cao Xing discovered that two Level 3 Snow Wolves made the Coal Mine unclaimable and prepared to fight them with Liu Muxue and Ilena.
  • Liu Muxue blocked one Snow Wolf's attacks with her shield and struck back with her Stone Axe while Cao Xing supported her with Ice Orb Spells.
  • Ilena killed the Snow Wolf she was fighting and joined Cao Xing and Liu Muxue to defeat the remaining wolf.
  • Cao Xing dismantled both Snow Wolf corpses and obtained pelts, meat, bones, fangs, and a Frost Wolf Knight Recruitment Scroll.
  • Cao Xing draped a wolf pelt over Liu Muxue and put the other on himself to keep warm.

Ch. 8Ancient Weapon: Barrett

Cao Xing occupied a Coal Mine and claimed a powerful Barrett, then found useful supplies and a Market Blueprint in a chest. After returning to camp with Liu Muxue and Ilena, he assigned the Polar Folk to build a Logging Mill, Market, and Small Shelter before nightfall.

  • Cao Xing occupied the Small Coal Mine and received an Ancient Weapon: Barrett, ammunition, and a Bronze Chest as the server's first survivor to claim a resource point.
  • Cao Xing found coal and opened the chest inside the mine, obtaining a Believer's Staff, Snow Boots, a Medical Kit, supplies, and a Market Blueprint.
  • Cao Xing gave Liu Muxue a pair of Snow Boots and carried her back to camp when the cold had numbed her legs.
  • Cao Xing returned to camp with Liu Muxue and Ilena, checked his resources, and ordered Dazhuang and Erzhuang to build a Logging Mill, Sanzhuang to build a Market, and Sizhuang to build a Small Shelter.

Ch. 9A Delicious Snake Soup

Cao Xing built a stove and fed his companions snake soup, raising the Polar Folk's loyalty and satisfying Ilena's hunger with wolf meat. After sending them to rest, he stayed in the Lord's Hut with Liu Muxue and checked the World Channel, where survivors reported freezing, hunger, and monster attacks.

  • Cao Xing built a Level 1 stove and cooked snake soup while Liu Muxue prepared the bowls.
  • Cao Xing praised the four Polar Folk for their work and invited them to eat, increasing their loyalty.
  • Cao Xing fed Ilena wolf meat until her hunger rose to 80, then worried about finding more food for his hungry recruits.
  • Cao Xing sent Ilena and the four Polar Folk to their lodgings, while Liu Muxue stayed in the Lord's Hut with him.
  • Cao Xing opened the World Channel and saw survivors reporting extreme cold, dwindling food, and monster attacks.

Ch. 10Haggling, Ice Armor Skill Book

Cao Xing surveyed the survivors’ struggles and searched the market for supplies, where he found an Ice Armor Skill Book that could greatly strengthen him. He haggled with its seller, Mai Le Se, and left him reconsidering after warning that the skill would soon lose its trade value.

  • Cao Xing warned survivors that the temperature would fall to -60°C and suggested building a simple shelter before the first night.
  • Cao Xing checked the regional chat and saw survivors seeking medicine, food, warm clothes, and help while others advertised items they had found.
  • Cao Xing browsed the market and spotted Mai Le Se’s Ice Armor Skill Book, which he wanted for its synergy with his talent and Ilena’s Scale Armor.
  • Cao Xing offered ten food for the book, then showed Mai Le Se that he had Snake Meat and negotiated over how much to trade.
  • Cao Xing refused Mai Le Se’s demand for six pieces of Snake Meat, saying Ice Armor would become easier to obtain and harder to trade after tomorrow; Mai Le Se asked if that was true.

Ch. 11The First Night, Human Greed

Cao Xing traded food for the Ice Armor skill and used it to strengthen his and Liu Muxue’s defenses. That night, Liu Muxue’s family demanded food from her, but Cao Xing defended her and told her not to give them any supplies.

  • Cao Xing traded three pieces of snake meat and five pieces of bread for Mai Le Se’s Ice Armor skill book, then learned the skill and made its armor bonus permanent with his talent.
  • Cao Xing later cast Ice Armor on Liu Muxue, raising her defense as well.
  • Liu Muxue thanked Cao Xing for protecting her and said she would adapt to the new world without holding him back.
  • Bi Yunlan called Liu Muxue and asked her to send food to her hungry family, but Liu Muxue said she had none to spare.
  • Liu Muxue’s parents and brothers accused her of lying after noticing her hut and wolf-fur coat, and demanded that she share food.
  • Cao Xing confronted Liu Muxue’s family, refused to give them supplies, and told Liu Muxue not to give anyone food or resources.

Ch. 12Frost Wolf Warriors, Deploy!

Liu Muxue and Cao Xing grew closer as she rejected her parents’ demands, and Cao Xing began expanding his territory after surviving the first night. He recruited the powerful Frost Wolf Knight Asam and sent him northeast to explore the surrounding area.

  • Liu Muxue helped Cao Xing warm his feet, and they shared a kiss before settling into their own blankets for the night.
  • After Liu Muxue refused to provide food, her parents recognized Cao Xing as a former driver and decided to seek help from Fang Long of the Three Heroes Association.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue woke to news that more than a thousand survivors had died overnight, then assigned the four Polar Folk to upgrade the Polar Folk Hut.
  • Cao Xing used a recruitment scroll and summoned Asam, a level 10 Frost Wolf Knight, along with his mount, Winter the Frost Wolf.
  • Cao Xing strengthened Asam and Winter with four buffs, raising Asam’s loyalty, then ordered him to explore northeast and report resource points and wild creatures within ten kilometers.

Ch. 13The +18 Top-Tier Greatsword

Cao Xing expanded his workforce, organized the Polar Folk, and traded wolf meat for supplies and equipment on the market. He acquired enough Iron to build a Blacksmith and ended the chapter rejecting Chen Yuan’s increasingly desperate offer to sell him a Rusty Iron Shield.

  • Cao Xing upgraded the Polar Folk Hut, recruited four more Polar Folk, named them, and assigned the eight workers to mine coal, chop trees, and collect stone.
  • Cao Xing searched the market for equipment, rejected Chen Yuan’s Rusty Iron Shield, and listed Green-grade Wolf Meat in exchange for equipment, weapons, and skill books.
  • Ren Yixu offered Cao Xing a so-called future +18 greatsword, which turned out to be an ordinary Rusty Iron Sword; Cao Xing bought it for two pieces of Wolf Meat.
  • Cao Xing divided Wolf Meat into small portions and traded it for Iron and an Iron Round Shield, accumulating 100 Iron for a Blacksmith.
  • Chen Yuan repeatedly lowered his price for the Rusty Iron Shield and invoked the Three Heroes Association, but Cao Xing told him to get lost.

Ch. 14Your "Milk Tea" Was Attacked

After Asam returned injured from an encounter with a lightning-wielding Snowfield Thunder Bear, Cao Xing went with him to investigate its lair. Asam lured the beast out, and Cao Xing prepared to face the enormous creature as it charged from the cave.

  • Cao Xing blocked the survivor who had tried to message him, then taught Liu Muxue basic sword and shield techniques.
  • Cao Xing checked his territory’s resources and received a notification that Asam was under attack.
  • Asam returned with Winter injured and reported that a powerful Snowfield Thunder Bear had attacked them nearby.
  • Cao Xing ordered Winter’s injury treated and traveled with Asam, Liu Muxue, and Ilena to investigate the bear’s lair.
  • Asam howled to draw the bear out, and the enormous beast charged from its cave as Cao Xing aimed his Barrett.

Ch. 15First Elite Kill!

Cao Xing used Barrett to kill a level 15 Snowfield Thunder Bear just before it could reach him, earning enough experience to reach level 3 and receiving loot and first-kill rewards. Ilena and Asam praised his power, and their loyalty increased.

  • Cao Xing assessed the Snowfield Thunder Bear’s strength and calculated that Barrett could kill it before it reached him if his shots landed.
  • Cao Xing’s first two shots badly wounded the bear, but he missed his third shot as the creature charged closer.
  • Cao Xing hit the bear with his fourth shot, then landed a headshot with his fifth and killed it.
  • Cao Xing gained 1,400 experience, reached level 3, and received a Beginner Heart of Strength, eight Lesser Elemental Crystals, a Lesser Elemental Arrow Tower Blueprint, and an Icefield Druid Recruitment Scroll.
  • Ilena and Asam praised Cao Xing’s combat strength, and their loyalty rose to 80 and 85.

Ch. 16Breaking Down the Snowfield Thunder Bear Corpse, A Bumper Harvest!

Cao Xing rewarded Asam with a Heart of Strength, raising him to Tier 2, and promised Ilena a similar advancement once she reached level 10. After reviewing his first-kill rewards and dismantling the Snowfield Thunder Bear, Cao Xing gained powerful recruitment and defense options along with a huge stockpile of valuable materials and attribute-boosting meat.

  • Cao Xing gave Asam a Heart of Strength, and Asam's loyalty rose to 95 before he advanced to Tier 2 with all attributes doubled.
  • Cao Xing promised Ilena a Heart of Strength when she reached level 10, and her loyalty rose to 85.
  • Cao Xing inspected his rewards and found an Icefield Druid Recruitment Scroll and a Lesser Elemental Arrow Tower Blueprint.
  • Cao Xing dismantled the Snowfield Thunder Bear and obtained 1,215 units of Fresh Bear Meat, its pelt, two paws, a gallbladder, and 172 bones.
  • Cao Xing realized the meat could raise Strength and Constitution and considered selling it through the Market.

Ch. 17The Silver Treasure Chest in the Cave

Cao Xing explored the Snowfield Thunder Bear's cave, recruited and named its lightning-capable cub Volibear, and discovered a Silver Treasure Chest. He opened the chest and obtained a GZ-Mark Robot skill book, green bracers, medical kits, resources, and Mithril.

  • Cao Xing learned that eating just over 100 g of bear meat granted its attribute boost and gathered the battle spoils.
  • Asam scouted the Snowfield Thunder Bear's cave and reported finding something unusual inside.
  • Cao Xing and Liu Muxue found a newborn Snowfield Thunder Bear cub, and Cao Xing recruited it and named it Volibear.
  • Liu Muxue picked up the cub and called it Wally while Cao Xing found a Silver Treasure Chest at the back of the cave.
  • Cao Xing opened the chest and received a GZ-Mark Robot skill book, green Black-Iron Bracers, five Medical Kits, a Small Resource Pack, and five Mithril.

Ch. 18Skill Book: GZ-Mark Robot

After returning to camp with valuable loot, Cao Xing strengthened his allies, assigned construction and scouting work, and checked his growing resources. He left for the Market to sell bear meat after an intimate encounter with Liu Muxue, while regional messages revealed widespread food shortages and a dangerous camp of Icefield Hunters.

  • Cao Xing equipped a Black-Iron Bracer, collected a GZ-Mark Robot skill book and other spoils, and returned to camp with his group.
  • Cao Xing used Ice Healing and Ice Armor on Asam and Frost Wolf Winter, then sent Asam out to scout the surrounding area while Ilena buffed the new Polar Folk.
  • Cao Xing opened a resource pack, assigned four Polar Folk to build the Sewing Workshop and Ore Processing Plant, and reviewed the camp's supplies.
  • Liu Muxue washed Cao Xing's shirt and wiped mud from his chest in the Lord's Hut, leaving both of them embarrassed.
  • Cao Xing went to the Market intending to sell bear meat and read survivor messages describing food shortages and Icefield Hunters who had killed two of Wang Ziheng's Polar Folk.

Ch. 19A Booming Trading Market

Cao Xing sold blue-quality Bear Meat that increased attributes at affordable prices, drawing a flood of trades from survivors. He amassed resources and planned to upgrade his camp buildings and recruit more Polar Folk.

  • Cao Xing noticed Fang Long selling Beast Meat at steep prices and concluded that Fang Long’s supply was likely running low.
  • Cao Xing listed Fresh Bear Meat on the market, offering it for resources, blueprints, skill books, and equipment at marked prices.
  • Survivors in Region 174 discovered the Bear Meat’s attribute benefits and rushed to trade with Cao Xing.
  • Cao Xing accumulated thousands of wood and stone, hundreds of Iron, crystals, blueprints, and Mithril while spending only 215 pieces of Bear Meat.
  • Cao Xing stopped trading and called the Polar Folk back to prepare for building upgrades.

Ch. 20A Bountiful Harvest, Conflicting Interests

Cao Xing resumed selling Bear Meat after the Three Heroes Association tried to control trade in Region 174. He defied Fang Long, whose members were muted by the system, and reopened sales while the survivors rushed to buy.

  • Survivors panicked when Cao Xing’s Bear Meat disappeared from the market, and Yu Jun and others defended his fair prices against Fang Long’s complaints.
  • Fang Long declared that the Three Heroes Association controlled Region 174 and threatened anyone who traded without its permission.
  • Cao Xing reopened trading, mocked the Three Heroes Association, and told survivors to keep buying his Bear Meat.
  • The system muted more than two hundred Three Heroes Association members for three days after they cursed at Cao Xing.
  • Cao Xing refused Fang Long’s threat, barred the abusive members from future trades, and listed more goods as survivors rushed to buy them.

Ch. 21High Spirits

Fang Long learned from Liu Zhenjie that Cao Xing was a former driver and ordered the Three Heroes Association to search for Cao Xing's camp. Cao Xing sold another 5,000 portions of bear meat, gained valuable resources, and returned to the Lord's Hut, where Liu Muxue warned him about Fang Long.

  • Ji Jun told Fang Long that Cao Xing had refused and insulted their group and urged him to find a way to obtain bear meat.
  • Liu Zhenjie told Fang Long about Cao Xing and Liu Muxue, and Fang Long rewarded him with beast meat before ordering the Three Heroes Association to locate Cao Xing's camp.
  • Cao Xing sold all 5,000 portions of bear meat he had listed and told survivors he would trade his remaining meat for blueprints, equipment, and skill books.
  • Cao Xing gained large amounts of resources, crystals, Mithril, equipment, and skill books, then returned to the Lord's Hut before nightfall.
  • Liu Muxue warned Cao Xing that Fang Long was treacherous and ruthless.

Ch. 22The Cold Wind Cut Like a Knife, the Night Burned Like Fire

As the temperature dropped to -28°C, Cao Xing shared a bearskin and a bed with Liu Muxue, and the two became intimate. Liu Muxue feared Cao Xing might leave her, but he reassured her that they would face life in the new world together.

  • Liu Muxue worried about Fang Long's threat, and Cao Xing reassured her that his camp was safe.
  • When the room grew bitterly cold, Cao Xing covered Liu Muxue with a bearskin, and she invited him to share it.
  • Cao Xing joined the beds beneath the bearskin, and later Liu Muxue asked him to hold her; they became intimate.
  • Afterward, Liu Muxue told Cao Xing she feared he would leave her, and he promised they would live in the new world together.

Ch. 23Icepeak City's Refugees, Wraiths

Cao Xing welcomed three refugees from Icepeak City into his territory after Asam rescued them from Snowfield Hunters. With Liu Muxue and the Polar Folk, he planned the territory’s work and reviewed new skills and equipment as he prepared to survive in the frozen world.

  • Cao Xing woke to Liu Muxue making breakfast, and they promised to survive together.
  • Cao Xing assigned the eight Polar Folk to build and upgrade structures while noting that he needed more workers.
  • Cao Xing reviewed two skill books, Black Iron Plate Armor for Liu Muxue, and a soldier longsword blueprint.
  • Asam returned from surveying the area with three women he had rescued after Icepeak City fell to a Wraith army.
  • Cao Xing recruited Jasmine, Tulip, and Sapphire, assigning them to cook and help gather resources and build the territory.

Ch. 24Recruiting an Icefield Druid

Cao Xing learned that Hunters were holding many people captive and decided to rescue them, while recruiting a powerful Icefield Druid to strengthen his forces. The chapter ended with Guardian Andrew arriving and pledging his service.

  • Cao Xing renamed the three newly recruited women Big Flower, Second Flower, and Third Flower, then told them to cook and eat.
  • Big Flower told Cao Xing that roughly twenty to thirty Hunters were holding many of her companions captive and asked him to rescue them.
  • Cao Xing assessed the Hunters’ strength, agreed to lead a rescue mission with Liu Muxue, and learned the camp was about seven kilometers away.
  • Cao Xing gave Liu Muxue black iron armor and the Aurora Blessing skill book, and she equipped the armor and learned the skill.
  • Cao Xing learned Ice Spike and used the Icefield Druid Recruitment Scroll to summon Guardian Andrew, who pledged his service.

Ch. 25Level Leaderboard, Open!

Cao Xing strengthened Andrew with several blessings, raising the Druid’s loyalty and awe before the Level Leaderboard opened. The survivors learned its rewards, and Cao Xing was especially struck by the prizes for first place.

  • Cao Xing inspected Andrew’s powerful attributes and noticed the Druid’s low loyalty and dismissive attitude toward him.
  • Cao Xing had Ilena cast Scale Armor and Snakefolk Frenzy, then granted Andrew Ice Healing and Ice Armor, raising his loyalty from 63 to 74.
  • Cao Xing asked Liu Muxue to cast Aurora Blessing on Andrew, who reacted with further amazement at the buffs.
  • The system announced that the Level Leaderboard had opened for the first 100 survivors in each region to reach Level 10.
  • Survivors discussed the leaderboard rewards, and Cao Xing was stunned by the first-place prizes, including a Tier Two Boss Creature Recruitment Ticket.
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