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Qiyu spent the entire morning exploring the Star Forest.

For the first hour, he focused on the area near his territory, aided by the Azure Sky Wings—this proved to be the most efficient approach.

Later on, his pace slowed down a bit.

But overall, compared to other players without magical assistance, his efficiency was still quite high.

Over the course of the morning, he collected a total of 100 frost gems.

In fact, he had already obtained 30 of them in the first half-hour; by the time he wrapped up and headed home at noon, he had collected a total of 70 over the remaining three-plus hours.

That worked out to finding and defeating about 20 Ice and Snow bosses per hour.

If word got out about this efficiency, it would surely shock everyone in the zone chat.

He occasionally glanced at the zone chat in his spare moments and saw that everyone was actively participating.

For many casual players, defeating a single Ice and Snow boss takes about 20 minutes.

By “casual,” this refers to players without Exquisite-quality or higher weapons and those in non-combat classes.

This includes the time spent locating the glimmer of light and triggering the Ice and Snow boss’s appearance.

Two to three per hour is the typical rate for average players.

Players on the leaderboard have an even higher kill rate; the only thing holding them back compared to Qiyu is the time spent locating the Ice and Snow Bosses.

However, unlike the previous Swift Points event, this activity doesn’t have a leaderboard, so players have no way of knowing each other’s progress.

He summoned the treasure mouse back.

In one morning, it found three fine iron chests and one wooden chest.

“Good job,” Qiyu praised it cheerfully. “I’ll reward you with some strawberries when we get back.”

The treasure mouse is clearly a carnivore, but ever since arriving at Qiyu’s territory, it’s been absolutely obsessed with the fruits and vegetables he grows!

Every time he returns from work, it crouches there, looking at him longingly.

Qiyu has no doubt that if it weren’t for the constraints of the contract with Dan Xingyu, this little creature would have eaten his entire garden bare.

Qiyu picked up the treasure mouse and was just about to summon a wind element to speed back to his territory when he remembered something and opened the Survival Panel.

He had saved up 100 frost gems—enough to exchange for a sled.

He found the magic sled on the exchange shop page and selected “Confirm Exchange.”

The 100 sparkling frost gems in his backpack were instantly cleared!

At the same time, a fierce wind suddenly swept across the open ground, whipping up the ice and snow from the ground.

Qiyu could sense that the ice and snow magical elements in the air were converging toward the center of the gale.

Just as he used Ice and Snow Magic to sculpt ice carvings, the ice-blue sled, its frame, seat, and tow rope… A pair of invisible magical hands shaped them one by one out of thin air.

And at the very end, pulled by the tow rope, were three ice-blue elemental sprites floating in the air!

They were entirely ice-blue, with translucent bodies and no arms or legs; their shape resembled a floating flame about the size of Duo Ju.

【Magic Sled: A highly successful magical creation; the elemental sprites can draw energy from the ice and snow, with zero energy consumption per 100 kilometers! Note: Can only be used in snowy or icy weather. 】

Only usable in snowy or icy weather?

Qiyu knew full well that next month would still bring a cold snap.

Once next month is over, summer will arrive.

If the weather isn’t like this in summer, then this magic sled—which cost 100 frost gems—will only be usable for one month and one week?

Isn’t that a bit too expensive for a survival game?

Qiyu examined the magic sled before him. Perhaps crafted from magical elements, its appearance perfectly embodied ice and snow magic. The overall color was a vast expanse of icy blue, and both the seats and the runners exuded a dazzling, ice-crystal-like texture.

Gorgeous!

Qiyu also noticed that tiny snowflakes were constantly drifting down from all over the magic sled. Curious, he reached out to catch one, only to discover it was fake.

The country bumpkin didn’t know that this was called a visual effect.

He sat down and discovered that the seat seemed to have its own magical barrier; the blizzard he’d just felt in the snow vanished instantly.

Three elemental spirits floated in midair, seemingly waiting for his instructions.

Qiyu said, “Take me back to my domain.”

The three ice-blue flames let out a collective “Yaa!” as their bodies doubled in size, transforming from large flames into enormous ones.

They began pulling the sleigh, and Qiyu could see the snowy landscape rushing by at high speed. The seat was very stable; he didn’t feel the slightest bit of jolting.

A message popped up on the Survival Panel:

【The magic sled can activate Flight Mode. Would you like to try it?】

Flight Mode?

Qiyu sat up straight instantly.

Full of anticipation, he selected “Try It.”

The viewpoint soared upward in an instant.

Qiyu leaned against the side of the seat and looked down. The frozen Star Forest was receding further and further, and the elemental spirits were accelerating.

Before long, he spotted a sea of greenery and flowers that stood in stark contrast to this icy world.

That was his territory.

The magic sled slowed down, carrying him as it gently landed within his territory.

As soon as they entered the territory, the three elemental spirits seemed completely unable to adapt to the temperature here. With two “chirps,” they shrank from massive flames to large flames, then continued to shrink visibly until they were soon no bigger than a fist.

Oh no!

Qiyu hurriedly tried to stow the magic sled in his backpack.

Fortunately, the three elemental sprites were integrated with the sled and could also be stowed in the backpack.

By the time he finished doing this, the person who had been here all along finally couldn’t help but speak up: “Did you steal Santa’s sled?”

Dan Xingyu had come to have breakfast with him.

Ever since he’d gotten the part-time mouse, Qiyu would go to the Golden Desert every morning to have breakfast with Dan Xingyu, and after eating, he’d bring the part-time mouse home.

Sometimes Dan Xingyu would bring the mouse over.

At noon, Dan Xingyu would have lunch with him and take the part-time mouse back.

Qiyu thought for a moment about what “Santa Claus” meant, then replied cautiously, “It’s not Santa’s sleigh—I traded for it in the Snow and Ice event.”

They’d already discussed this new event long ago.

The Golden Desert had a similar event, though the boss and rewards were slightly different.

Take this “magic sled,” for example.

The corresponding item in the Golden Desert should be the “Golden Flying Carpet.”

It’s also a magical item that can fly, and Dan Xingyu guessed its effect might be somewhat similar to the flying carpet a player used during last month’s Racing Carnival.

Regardless of its actual performance, at least visually, it should be outshone by the magic sled.

Qiyu told him that the magic sled has specific usage conditions.

“I personally think an item with such strict restrictions is way too expensive at 100 frost gems,” Qiyu shared his thoughts, “but the moment it took off, I knew Survival Game never disappoints.”

It’s really fun!

He invited Dan Xingyu: “Once the event’s over, I’ll take you for a ride!”

Not right now, though—he had to hurry and eat. After eating, he’d hop on his new sled and head to the Star Forest to find the Big Snowman!

Dan Xingyu was in the same boat—he was busy earning event tokens and didn’t have time to play.

During his meal break, Qiyu didn’t forget to send a message to the 01 Survival Squad:

【I Love Survival Game: I traded for a magic sled. It’s really fast—it can glide across the snow and fly through the air.】

【I Love Survival Game: The downside is that it only works in snowy or icy weather and environments.】

【Need A Little Money To Save Me: Whoa, boss, you’ve already gotten 100 frost gems?】

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: Looks like there’s another Liver Emperor out there.】

【Civil Engineering Brother: There’s actually a weather restriction? Then I’ll hold off for now and swap for something else.】

Everyone in the group is speculating that once spring ends, this extreme cold weather should come to an end as well.

It’s not easy to save up 100 frost gems. Although the Flying Sled is incredibly tempting, considering the cost-effectiveness, I’m a bit reluctant to spend them.

Qiyu spoke frankly:

【I Love Survival Game: If there were no restrictions, I don’t think 100 frost gems would be enough to trade for it.】

Without restrictions, this would be a high-quality flying magic item. An item like this is even more expensive than ordinary epic-tier gear.

【I Love Survival Game: I’ll post a photo in the group chat when I go out this afternoon.】

He forgot to take a picture of that part.

【Tranquility Yields Transcendence: @Regional Channel, don’t post it yet—wait until tonight.】

The speed of these redemptions is truly astonishing—it’s a bit too eye-catching.

Qiyu thought about it. Most players wouldn’t be able to save up enough frost gems in a single day to redeem a magic sled, so a little later wouldn’t hurt.

【I Love Survival Game: Okay.】

Dan Xingyu clearly felt the same way; seeing that Qiyu had already saved up 100 redemption tokens made him even more anxious, so he hurriedly left with the treasure mouse right after dinner.

Qiyu walked outside the territory before summoning the magic sled and climbing aboard.

Take off!

High in the sky, his view was even more expansive, and the magic sled’s speed was astonishing—it could carry him to explore even farther places.

Taking advantage of his superior vantage point, he used fire magic to trigger the Ice and Snow Boss. Instead of swinging his staff, he simply unleashed a barrage of fire spells.

Fire spells against a snowman—the enemy didn’t put up a fight at all.

He then channeled his spiritual energy to pull the falling frost gems back toward him.

The rate at which he was accumulating frost gems had almost returned to 30 per hour.

It was both fun and a great way to build up spiritual energy.

Magic sled, I love you.

Survival Game, for putting the magic sled in the exchange shop—I love you.

The magic sled carried him, darting through the sky like the wind.

Until a certain moment.

Qiyu’s gaze suddenly froze.

He spotted a black dot.

During a winter that had lasted nearly two months, under normal circumstances, no other colors would be visible when viewed from high above.

From this angle, the only “little black dot” he’d ever seen was his own territory.

It was now 4:00 p.m.

Thanks to the magic sled, he had explored farther than ever before; he was already very, very far from his territory.

Qiyu had the magic sled descend slightly and slow down.

He was getting closer and closer to the little black dot.

He could see it clearly now.

A square wooden cabin, surrounded by a wooden fence that enclosed it completely.

Next to the cabin was another, smaller one; Qiyu thought he heard bleating coming from inside.

The snow in the surrounding area had been cleared away by someone.

Could this be another player’s territory?

Had he already explored far enough to see other players’ territories?

So… does that mean the survival game has removed some kind of “block,” allowing players to see each other’s territories?

He was leaning more toward the latter.

He had the Azure Sky Wings, and the area he’d explored so far was certainly not small—he’d even encountered other players before.

But in all that time, he’d never come across a single territory.

Today, he’d seen one.

Countless thoughts flashed through Qiyu’s mind as the magic sled accelerated once more, whizzing past.

Just as he was leaving, his mental energy detected a person several kilometers away from his territory.

The player, bundled up tightly, was staring in a certain direction. 

Yang Li rubbed his eyes: “Damn it, I’ve been staring at the snow for too long—I’m seeing things.”

Didn’t he just seem to see a car flying through the sky?