Chapter 31: Territory Development, Bustling with Activity

Cao Xing collected the items from inside the [Tong Guangrong Relic Box] directly.

Then, he looked at everyone and said, "Alright, let's hurry back to the territory now."

They followed the route they had taken earlier and headed towards the camp.

It took them nearly two hours to get back this time.

There was no helping it; when there are many people, the travel speed gets slowed down.

In fact, it was Cao Xing and his group who slowed down Assam and Andrew.

One of them rode a Frost Wolf, and the other moved on all fours; their movement speed on the snow could reach at least thirty kilometers per hour.

As for Cao Xing and his group, a speed of five kilometers per hour was considered decent.

Moving through the snow was also a major issue.

Cao Xing mused to himself, "Is there any way to increase movement speed in the snow?"

He began to recall his experiences from playing the game in his mind.

A moment later, Cao Xing thought, "Currently, it seems there are two ways to increase movement speed in the snow."

"The first is to tame those wild creatures and make them mounts. The stronger the creature, the faster it moves through the snow."

"The second method is to develop technology, unlock the [Technology Research Institute] as soon as possible, and then use blueprints to build snow bicycles, motorcycles, transport vehicles, and so on."

Yes, you heard that right.

In the mid-game, it is possible to build various technologies.

Besides these vehicles, after surviving for 448 days in the game, Cao Xing had even built his first helicopter.

This was also the save file he had played the longest.

In short, this world is a real world, full of infinite possibilities.

When Cao Xing and his group returned to the territory, it was already getting dark.

Cao Xing looked up at the time displayed above.

[Time until nightfall: 0 hours 50 minutes…]

[Remaining Newbie Protection Period: 3 days 12 hours…]

The Survivors were about to end their third day of exploration.

That group of Arctic People, as well as Dahua and the others, also saw this large, imposing group of people.

Upon seeing those familiar faces, Dahua immediately let out an exclamation.

"My God! You actually came back!"

She rushed over excitedly, and both sides began a conversation like Survivors of a catastrophe.

At this time, Da Zhuang also came up to Cao Xing, holding a hammer.

"Lord, the bonfire has been successfully upgraded, and your Lord's Cabin is also being upgraded at an accelerated pace."

Cao Xing nodded, then looked towards the bonfire burning fiercely in the center of the camp.

[Camp Bonfire: Level 5]

[Bonfire Effect: Can increase the temperature by 10 ~ 20 ℃ for an area within a 160-meter radius]

[Consumption]: 4 Wood per 10 minutes or 2 Coal per 25 minutes.

[Materials required for next level]: Stone * 60, Wood * 40, Iron * 20.

Under the scorching heat of the flames, the ground covered by ice and snow gradually revealed itself.

Only on this ground could more buildings be constructed, and various crops be planted.

Therefore, the level of the bonfire determines the size of your territory.

However, later on, when the camp bonfire is upgraded into an Energy Tower, the heating range alone can reach the size of a city.

And by continuously constructing various buildings, the Survivors develop the territory.

In the future, they might even be able to possess a city of their own.

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction and said, "Da Zhuang, well done."

"Next, take Wuzhuang and Liuzhuang and continue to gather resources."

"Focus on mining that coal mine; after the bonfire upgrade, it will consume a lot of coal, and we need to ensure the camp's heating."

The Arctic Person Da Zhuang immediately straightened his body and said respectfully, "Yes, respected Lord!"

Then, he hurried off to work.

Cao Xing called Er Zhuang over, "Er Zhuang, take Qizhuang and Bazhuang and hurry to build more [Small Shelters], [Canteen], and so on. Try to finish before dark."

"Let our new members have a place to eat and sleep."

"Yes, Lord!"

Er Zhuang also received the order and took his people to work.

Cao Xing continued to issue orders, "Sanzhuang, come here."

The bearded Sanzhuang came to Cao Xing's side.

"Sanzhuang, you don't need to build too many things. You just need to take Sizhuang and build one [Primary Elemental Arrow Tower] before dark."

Sanzhuang also said respectfully, "Guarantee to complete the mission, respected Lord."

In an instant, those Arctic People became busy once again.

At this moment, the newly joined group of humans had also finished their conversation.

Seeing the Arctic People working in the camp, the slightly older Cao Yi's eyes flickered.

Cao Yi hurriedly brought the other refugees over and said respectfully, "Lord, please give us more tasks as well."

Cao Xing nodded, "No rush, I know you probably haven't eaten for several days."

"Before working, you must fill your stomachs first."

This group of new villagers looked at each other, and all saw surprise and relief in each other's eyes.

It seemed like it was the first time they had encountered such a considerate lord.

Cao Xing continued, "However, there is no canteen right now, so just make do with some bread for now."

Cao Xing glanced at Liu Muxue beside him.

Liu Muxue understood and took out a dozen or so pieces of bread from the territory's resources.

She distributed two pieces to each new member of the territory.

At this moment, Cao Yi and Sihua and the others looked at the bread in their hands, tears welling up in their eyes, feeling deeply moved.

Then, they all knelt down in unison.

"Thank you, kind and generous Lord!"

"Thank you, beautiful and kind Second Lord!"

The next moment, many system notifications appeared in the ears of Cao Xing and Liu Muxue.

[Due to your generous alms, the loyalty of territory member 'Cao Yi' has increased; current loyalty is 80]

[Due to your generous alms, the loyalty of territory member 'Sihua' has increased; current loyalty is 78]

[Due to your…]

After this wave, the loyalty of this group of newly joined refugees all increased by 5 ~ 10 points.

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction.

Tong Chuchu and Xia Yanni, who were on the side, watched the white bread in the hands of the villagers and swallowed their saliva.

They had been hungry for a while and were equally desperate for food.

Cao Xing took out four pieces of bread from the territory resources and handed them to Xia Yanni.

"Eat something first."

The tall woman bent down slightly, reached out to take the bread, and said gratefully, "Thank you… thank you…"

Tong Chuchu, on the side, also had an innocent smile on her face and said, "Thank you, big brother."

Cao Xing smiled.

After they finished eating the bread, everyone's satiety level rose a bit.

At this time, Cao Xing slowly said, "Cao Yi."

Cao Yi immediately replied, "Lord, your subordinate is here."

Cao Xing: "From now on, the group of people you brought will be under your command."

"Your subsequent tasks are to continue upgrading the bonfire and collecting resources."

"Wood and stone all need to be collected. If you have extra manpower, help Da Zhuang and the others build some basic structures."

Cao Yi nodded hurriedly, "Subordinate obeys!"

Then, Cao Xing looked towards Dahua.

"Dahua, I am entrusting this batch of wheat seeds to you. Take someone, find a spot near the territory to till the land, and then plant this batch of wheat."

The cold-white-skinned Dahua took the seeds from Cao Xing's hands and caressed them gently.

"These are high-quality wheat seeds; they will definitely be able to grow a batch of superior wheat…"

She nodded and said, "Lord, I will complete the task you entrusted to me."

Then, this group of newly joined territory residents also began to get busy.

Watching the bustling scene in the territory, Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction.

His territory had gradually grown from a small bonfire to having so many villagers, and building more and more structures.

This is the joy of farming!