Chapter 61: Oh No, This Woman Hasn’t Fallen for Me, Has She?

Chapter 61: Oh No, This Woman Hasn't Fallen for Me, Has She?

Late at night.

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue fell asleep in each other's arms.

Outside, the cold wind howled, and heavy snow fell like goose feathers.

The bonfire in the center of the territory blazed furiously, providing warmth to the entire territory.

Cao Xing's subjects had also returned to their respective small shelters to rest for the day.

However, there was still a building in the territory with its lights on—the tailor shop.

The stove inside the tailor shop burned, crackling and popping.

Xia Yanni sat in front of her workbench, processing the bear hide, while Tong Chuchu squatted to the side, watching her mother's actions with curiosity.

"Chu Chu, just wait a little longer. Tomorrow we'll be able to wear warm bear skin coats."

Tong Chuchu cupped her cheeks with both hands and nodded, saying, "Okay, Mom, Chu Chu is in no hurry."

"Mom, Big Brother Cao Xing is so nice. He gave us food, a place to live, and now he's even giving us clothes to wear."

Xia Yanni tilted her head and glanced at Tong Chuchu, her eyes filled with doting affection.

"Yes, Little Chuchu, we were very lucky to meet Lord Cao Xing. I looked in the chat channel, and people are going crazy trying to grab a single cold-proof coat."

"So, we must work hard for Big Brother Cao Xing, alright?"

Tong Chuchu nodded heavily.

Xia Yanni turned her attention back to the work in front of her.

At this moment, she seemed to remember what had happened during the day, and her pretty face flushed red as she quickly lowered her head…

…

…

The next day…

A system prompt appeared.

[Survivors, congratulations on surviving the fourth night of the Frozen Epoch.]

[Remaining novice protection period: 1 day and 22 hours.]

[Weather Forecast: The wind and snow have stopped. Today is suitable for going out.]

Cao Xing was the first to wake up, and he immediately saw the beauty beside him.

Liu Muxue was still asleep, her long, warm legs pressed against Cao Xing.

Her warm body squirmed slightly, seemingly sleeping very soundly.

Cao Xing gently stroked her hair and said, "Muxue, it's dawn."

Hearing this, Liu Muxue gradually woke up as well.

She opened her bleary eyes. "Mmh… Ah Xing, is it dawn already?"

"Yes."

Liu Muxue said softly, "I slept so well last night, I almost don't want to get out of bed~"

Cao Xing smiled. "You should still get up. We have to assign work to our subjects, and we need to explore outside in the snow today."

Hearing this, Liu Muxue nodded gently.

After both of them got dressed and washed up briefly, they pushed open the door of the Lord's Cabin.

At first glance, Cao Xing saw the vast expanse of white outside the territory.

The heavy snow overnight had wrapped the world in silver, burying many things under thick snowdrifts.

At this moment, the subjects were already waiting outside the cabin door.

Upon seeing Cao Xing and Liu Muxue, they greeted them respectfully.

"Mighty Lord, may you be in good health!"

"Beautiful Lady of the Territory, may your beauty last forever!"

Hearing the subjects change their address to 'Lady of the Territory', Liu Muxue's face instantly flushed red.

But she still gave a soft, embarrassed "Mmh."

Cao Xing smiled and then called out, "Da Zhuang."

The honest-looking Da Zhuang walked over and said, "Lord, please give your orders."

Cao Xing nodded. "I have a batch of tracks and minecarts. Lay them down to connect to that coal mine to speed up our extraction progress."

Da Zhuang was taken aback, then asked, "Lord, it's three to four hundred meters to the coal mine. Do we have that many tracks?"

Cao Xing smiled. "Of course."

Da Zhuang immediately became excited and said joyfully, "That's wonderful! If we have tracks and minecarts, our extraction efficiency can increase by more than tenfold!"

"It will only take two days to fully mine that coal mine!"

Cao Xing nodded. "Very well, go ahead and lead the team to do it. The tracks and minecarts are in the storage chest."

"Understood, Lord!"

Da Zhuang completed his words, then strode off with his short legs to lead the team in laying the tracks.

Then, Cao Xing looked at Cao Yi and the other subjects.

"Cao Yi."

The somewhat mature-looking Cao Yi walked over and said, "Respected Lord."

Cao Xing nodded. "Besides the tracks, there is also a batch of ore in the storage chest that needs to be refined into metal."

"I'll leave this batch of ore to you. Arrange for people to process it."

In Cao Xing's hands, besides a large amount of iron ore, there was also some copper ore and mithril ore.

Of course, refining high-grade materials like mithril required upgrading the Ore Processing Plant to Level 3.

So for now, they could only process iron ore and sort coal.

Upon hearing this, the subject Cao Yi said respectfully, "The Lord's command is our mission."

"We guarantee the task will be completed!"

With that, Cao Yi also went to start his work.

Cao Xing continued, "As for the others, go ahead and do the tasks I assigned to you yesterday."

"Let us build a more prosperous territory together!"

All the subjects immediately said respectfully, "We are willing to devote our lives to the Lord!"

Then, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Just then, Ilena swayed her body as she walked over and said, "Lord, Ilena has something to report to you."

Cao Xing nodded. "What is it?"

Ilena stared at the distant snow. "Yesterday, several Frost Goblins came to attack our territory. After they were shot dead by the arrow towers, I followed their footprints to search."

"About two kilometers away from the territory, I found a mine cave. It seems like a large number of Frost Goblins are entrenched inside."

Hearing this, Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

"A Frost Goblin cave? How strong are they?"

Ilena replied, "They are all Tier 1 and Tier 2 creatures, slightly stronger than me."

Cao Xing nodded.

During this time, Ilena had gained two levels while resting at home, and her current level had risen to Level 7.

But she said that group of goblins was stronger than her, which meant they were at least Level 8 or 9.

However, to Cao Xing, these goblins posed absolutely no threat.

At this moment, Cao Xing took out a bright red crystal from his backpack and tossed it directly to Ilena.

Ilena caught it with both hands and looked at Cao Xing in confusion. "This is…"

"As promised, a Basic Heart of Strength. Once you reach Level 10, you can use it to advance to a Tier 2 creature."

Hearing this, Ilena's shoulders trembled instantly.

Cao Xing had indeed said this, but Ilena hadn't expected him to actually take it to heart.

Her narrow snake eyes stared at the man, and a ripple of emotion that did not seem to belong to a cold-blooded creature appeared in her gaze.

"Thank you, beloved Lord. Ilena of the Snakemen is willing to give everything for you."

A system prompt appeared.

[Territory Member: Ilena has been moved by your actions. Her loyalty has increased. Current loyalty: 95.]

Cao Xing was taken aback. Ilena's loyalty was 85 before; he hadn't expected it to increase so much all at once.

At the same time, Cao Xing felt a burning gaze on his back.

He turned around and saw Ilena flicking her crimson tongue, looking at him with a charming smile in her eyes.

Cao Xing suddenly remembered the mechanics of this game.

The higher the loyalty, the more the subjects trusted the Lord.

Once it reached the maximum value, they would be just like Assam, valuing the Lord's commands more than their own lives.

And for some special creatures, they might even transform this loyalty into a special kind of affection.

"Oh no, Ilena hasn't fallen for me, has she?"

Cao Xing instantly shuddered.

Fortunately, Ilena only looked at him for a moment before shifting her gaze elsewhere.

Cao Xing couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He calmed his mind for a moment, then looked at the other territory members.

"Assam, Andrew, Sarah, come out with me."

The three powerful Tier 2 creatures all came before Cao Xing.

Assam pounded his chest with one hand and said respectfully, "Awaiting your orders at any time, respected Lord!"

Cao Xing nodded.

However, before setting off, Cao Xing still had one more thing to do.

First, he gave the [Shield Counter Skill Book] to Liu Muxue.

Then, he began to channel the skill: [Frost Magic Shield].

Preparing to apply it to every recruited creature, including the four robots and the giant Mammoth.

Cao Xing raised his staff. A sudden burst of cold air appeared and fell upon Assam.

A system prompt appeared.

[Successfully cast skill [Frost Magic Shield]. Talent [Eternal Power] has taken effect. This skill has become permanent.]

At the same time, Assam felt a thick ice shield suddenly appear around him.

This shield was like a piece of transparent ice crystal, wrapping around his entire body.

And not only that, but every second, the shield would also erupt with an astonishing burst of cold air.

Crack!

A visible breath of frost erupted.

Everyone near Assam could feel the freezing sensation.

Fortunately, the shield could be turned on or off at any time.

Assam said in pleasant surprise, "Lord, this shield can greatly enhance my combat capability. Thank you for your blessing!"

Cao Xing also smiled, very satisfied with the performance of [Frost Magic Shield].

"Very good."

Cao Xing then looked at Ilena beside him. "Cast your two skills on our new companions as well."

"And Muxue, you can also bless all of us with your Blessing of Courage."

Ilena and Liu Muxue nodded together.

Then, Ilena was seen raising her spear, sending streaks of red energy into the Mammoth and the four robots.

Meanwhile, Liu Muxue stood in the middle of the crowd, holding her shield in one hand and raising her longsword high with the other.

The holy Aurora gathered once again upon her longsword.

Liu Muxue chanted softly, "Courage is a force, the power of the mind and soul. This power does not reside in the value of warhorses and weapons, but is the manifestation of wisdom and valor."

"May the light of courage bless you!"

Buzz!

The holy Aurora enveloped everyone on the field.

A system prompt appeared by Cao Xing's ear.

[You have received the effect of [Blessing of Courage] from friendly unit: Liu Muxue. Magic Attack +18. Talent activated; this effect has become permanent…]

…