NOVPUBThough it was already nighttime,
the territory remained quite bright under the illumination of four lighthouses.
Moreover, with the furnace providing warmth, it didn't feel too cold even at night.
The subjects worked tirelessly, preparing for the end of the novice protection period tomorrow.
Meanwhile, as night fell, a system prompt appeared.
[All survivors, please note that there are only 12 hours left until the end of the novice protection period. Once it ends, many changes will be introduced to the game content. Please be prepared.]
This system prompt echoed in the ears of all survivors.
The world channel was instantly flooded with messages.
Qiu Tiangang: "Brothers, the protection period is about to end, are you all ready?"
Ricardo Bemba: "Shit! I just provoked some bandits today. They chased me to the vicinity of my territory, but since they can't enter, they're just waiting outside. Once the territory's protection period ends tomorrow, I feel finished!"
Yu Zhuxuan: "Damn it! My subjects heard that tomorrow the territory won't be able to protect them, and their loyalty dropped drastically. Even the refugees I recruited today ran away overnight, those bastards!"
Kiyoshi Kawamura: "Yoshi! Is it finally ending? My jungle spearman training camp has trained a large number of spearman soldiers. Are the guys in District 65 ready to be conquered by me?"
Mahmoud: "Great, I found oil near my territory. Once the novice protection period ends, I'll seek help from this world's natives to exploit it and then use the oil to conquer this world!"
…
As expected, some anticipated the end of the protection period, while others found it troubling.
But clearly, tomorrow's update would bring changes that would affect everyone.
Cao Xing stopped browsing the regional channel chat and chose to close it.
Meanwhile,
the sound of horse hooves echoed.
The centaurs Kanter and Kandar approached together.
They saluted Cao Xing.
"Honorable Lord, during our patrol near the territory today, we indeed discovered an Ice Nest."
"According to your instructions, we didn't destroy the Ice Nest immediately but waited for the Ice Nest Monsters to hatch and then killed them one by one."
"Hundreds of Ice Nest Monsters appeared in succession there. We, along with Lady Yilena, eliminated all the Ice Nest Monsters and then destroyed the Ice Nest."
Cao Xing nodded, having noticed the kill information during the day.
Fortunately, an Ice Nest appeared near the territory.
For other survivors, an Ice Nest might be extremely dangerous, something they avoided at all costs.
But for Cao Xing, the Ice Nest represented a trove of Experience Value.
Then, the centaur Kanter handed everything in his possession to Cao Xing.
"My Lord, these dropped from those Ice Nest Monsters. As per your instructions, I've collected everything."
Cao Xing took them, and a system prompt appeared.
[Acquired Ice Dragon Mark *52]
[Acquired Ice Glacier Sliver *34]
[Acquired Ice Crystal Stone *11]
…
Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction.
Nearly 500 Ice Nest Monsters dropped so many materials; the drop rate was already quite high.
Now, his Ice Dragon Mark and Ice Glacier Sliver were well over ten thousand.
Cao Xing couldn't help but anticipate what good things he could exchange for when the new content opened.
"Kanter, Kandar, well done. Now go rest."
However, the two centaurs exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Honorable Lord, we don't want to rest; we can continue patrolling the territory!"
Cao Xing was surprised, then laughed and said, "Alright, I agree."
"Kanter, Kandar, you may go, but be careful. If you encounter a powerful enemy, remember to retreat into the territory."
The two centaurs stomped their hooves simultaneously, responding respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Lord. We will keep it in mind!"
After saying that, they trotted away toward the outside of the territory.
Meanwhile, Cao Xing began to continue his inspection of the territory.
The thing that caught Cao Xing's attention the most was, naturally, the batch of Cloud Yaks caught today!
The value of these yaks was immeasurable.
To Cao Xing, they were like hens that laid golden eggs, so he needed to check on the state of the Cloud Yaks.
Cao Xing arrived in front of a wooden [Cowshed].
About five meters tall, covering about seventy to eighty square meters.
Upon opening the cowshed door, Cao Xing was immediately hit by the smell of hay mixed with some warmth.
He quickly noticed that the heating ducts laid underground provided continuous warmth for the cowshed.
Cao Xing checked the temperature.
[Current Temperature: 13°C]
"Not bad, the indoor temperature has greatly increased with the heating ducts!"
The Cloud Yaks gathered in the corner of the cowshed seemed quite happy.
They stayed quietly together, occasionally nuzzling their heads against their companions.
Like fluffy clouds, they exuded warmth even at a glance.
Old Mel and Eliza were pouring fodder into the feeding troughs.
However, since it was just a basic level cowshed, the facilities were still quite rudimentary.
Upon seeing Cao Xing entering, Old Mel and Eliza respectfully bowed.
"Lord, may you be well."
"Good evening, Lord."
Though Eliza had a lively personality, she still maintained the necessary etiquette.
Cao Xing nodded, then asked, "Mr. Mel, how are these Cloud Yaks doing?"
Old Mel smiled and responded, "These are adult Cloud Yaks; their fur can generate heat, and the milk they produce is more nutritious than regular milk."
"To be honest, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd find it hard to believe that someone managed to capture such legendary creatures, let alone in such a large number."
"Even now, it feels somewhat unreal…"
Cao Xing also smiled, "Mr. Mel, if all goes well, our territory's Magic Creatures will increase in the future, and then I'll rely on you."
Old Mel quickly waved his hands and said, "It's no trouble, Honorable Lord."
"In fact, it's my first time raising such Magic Creatures; it's an opportunity to gain a lot of experience, and I've learned a lot of new knowledge."
"Many farmers would dream of opportunities like these!"
Cao Xing nodded, "As long as Mr. Mel enjoys it."
After a pause, Cao Xing continued to ask, "Based on your experience, how long until the first batch of fur can be sheared?"
Old Mel pondered for a moment.
"Cloud Yaks are wild creatures; they need some time to adapt to the new environment. In about four to five days, we can shear the first batch of fur."
Cao Xing nodded, finding the timing acceptable.
In another four or five days, he would have the first batch of Magic Fur that could store heat!
To be honest, even now when Cao Xing and the others ventured out, they wore thick Wolf Skin Coats, but the world's weather was extremely harsh.
Even with Wolf Skin Coats, they couldn't completely block out the terrifying cold.
They constantly endured the onslaught of chill.
As one scholar in this world put it, being outdoors was a battle between human will and nature.
Therefore, those who could survive in the outdoors of this world were people of strong will.
And with clothes made from the fur of Cloud Yaks, the erosion of will by the cold could be significantly reduced.
At this point, Old Mel's face took on a worried expression: "However, I have something else to report to you."
"Mr. Mel, please go ahead."
"It's like this, Lord. Cloud Yaks are sacred creatures. Though they can survive on this hay."
"But to maintain their sacredness and the heat-generating function of their fur, they also need to periodically consume Moses Grass."
"What is Moses Grass?"
Old Mel explained, "It's another type of Magic Plant, quite rare. It only grows in remote and rugged places."
"If it goes too long without Moses Grass, the Cloud Yaks will lose their magic power, their fur will fall on its own, and it won't generate heat."
"And this is also why Cloud Yaks often migrate."
"They frequently appear on high mountain cliffs to search for Moses Grass to eat."
Hearing Old Mel's explanation, Cao Xing nodded in understanding.
He also felt fortunate to have brought Old Mel back to help raise the yaks.
Without Mel's knowledge, even if Cao Xing caught Cloud Yaks, they would soon turn into ordinary yaks.
"I understand, Mr. Mel. I'll try to find Moses Grass."
Old Mel nodded.
Just as Cao Xing was about to leave,
Eliza suddenly called out, "Lord, Lord!"
"Please wait a moment!"
...
