Starting Off Survival With A Small Treehouse

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Ji Chaoyang

Xu Xin had been wondering whether, even if he managed to make a bow and arrow, with his complete lack of experience, he could actually hit a target.

So when he saw the description of this crossbow, Xu Xin felt this weapon was made for people like him.

Although stringing it was indeed a hassle compared to a skilled archer’s bow, he wasn’t a skilled archer; this crossbow in his hands was bound to be far more powerful than a bow and arrow.

Except for this beast tendon...

He didn’t need an iron spear for now, as his blue-grade stone spear was already sharp enough to pierce a beast’s body, and it was more durable.

Continuing to browse, he noticed an iron armor set had appeared among the armors.

[Iron Scale Armor (Green): An iron armor capable of withstanding regular beast attacks. It’s very heavy when worn.]

[Iron Greaves (Green): Iron leg armor. Due to its weight, it slightly affects speed.]

[Iron Helmet (Green): An iron helmet. Don’t tilt your head too much, or you’ll risk a sprain. It somewhat impairs vision when worn.]

[Iron Boots (Green): Iron boots. No beast can withstand a kick, provided you can lift your foot with them on.]

No wonder it’s called heavy armor. Full-body defense can withstand general beast attacks, but the downside is also clear: it’s too heavy and may not be suitable for an average person.

However, Xu Xin felt that, with his body strengthened several times now, wearing a set of iron armor shouldn’t be much of a problem, though it might reduce his backpack’s carrying capacity indirectly. Personal safety was still paramount.

Xu Xin sent a message to Li Wenxi wanting to trade for iron ore, but she didn’t reply.

Perhaps she’s still outside and hasn’t returned. Otherwise, given her personality, she would have initiated a video call upon seeing he was first.

Looking at his private messages, Xu Xin found they had exploded. Being first on the leaderboard, countless people sent him messages, trying to gain his favor. Some asked what was in his gold treasure chest, others wanted to trade with him, and some even begged him for resources.

Xu Xin ignored them all.

However, one private message caught his attention.

Ji Chaoyang. The one who, like him, had found the gold treasure chest.

”You already know the world’s secret, don’t you?” The message from the other side made his heart skip a beat.

Sure enough, his guess was correct. Anyone who found the gold treasure chest would definitely know the world’s secret.

He hesitated for a moment before sending a message: ”Yes, near the gold treasure chest.”

The other side quickly replied: ”I want to cooperate with you.”

He said what Xu Xin wanted to say, so Xu Xin replied: ”How do you want to cooperate?”

”First, information exchange. Voice call, okay?” The other side seemed quite polite.

Xu Xin immediately initiated a voice call.

The other side picked up instantly. Xu Xin could hear breathing from the other end, but neither of them spoke first.

Xu Xin was still somewhat wary. Although Ji Chaoyang’s words suggested he also knew the world’s secret, the world was so mysterious; who could guarantee they knew the same secret?

If not the same, exchanging information might violate the rule stated by that mysterious voice: ”Do not share the world’s secret with those who don’t know it.”

The other side spoke first, his voice deep and magnetic, like a broadcaster’s voice: ”The underground world. You know what I’m talking about, right?”

Xu Xin’s lips curled into a slight smile, ”Hello, Ji Chaoyang, I’ve heard so much about you. You led everyone through the first beast riot.”

Hearing Xu Xin’s response, Ji Chaoyang’s tone relaxed a bit: ”You’re too kind. As long as it doesn’t harm my interests, I try to help a bit. We’re all compatriots.”

”Your sense of duty is quite high.”

From that sentence alone, Xu Xin had roughly assessed Ji Chaoyang’s character. He wasn’t the type to ruthlessly step over others’ bodies for power, nor was he the kind-hearted saint bound to help others, but someone between the two.

Mm, a normal person.

Of course, it wasn’t impossible he was just putting on an act.

”Haha.” Ji Chaoyang laughed briefly, then his tone in the voice call became more serious, ”Regarding what I just said about the underground world, do you have anything to say, Xu Xin?”

As they shared the same secret, Xu Xin didn’t mind speaking candidly, ”I indeed saw the underground world near the gold treasure chest. I think for now, only you and I know about this, right?”

”Yes, since I proposed cooperation, I should show some sincerity first.” The other side seemed pleased with Xu Xin’s affirmative response and continued, ”I found a passage to the underground while searching for the gold treasure chest. After going down, I saw many gigantic creatures in the underground world.”

”Like enlarged versions of the monsters guarding the ground treasure chest,” Xu Xin interjected.

”Exactly! It seems you had a similar experience. Phew... I feel relieved. I was afraid of being punished by the voice for saying it.”

The other side let out a clear sigh of relief and continued, ”Xu Xin, I’ve analyzed the contents of the bronze chests and consulted several survivors who obtained silver chests. They all gave the same answers. That is, for this event, the resources in the same level chests are the same.”

”To show my sincerity, I can tell you that the resources in my gold chest were [Special Treehouse Root Potion] and [Metal Products Auto-Unlock Contract].”

The sincerity was evident, so Xu Xin reciprocated, ”The former can expand the treehouse protection area, and the latter requires obtaining all the materials to unlock the formula.”

”That’s right, you inferred the same as me. It looks like we belong to the same group of people.”

Inference? Oh right, the other side didn’t have his item identification ability and couldn’t directly see the real functions of the resources.

Luckily, the other side was smart; otherwise, he would’ve been exposed. Xu Xin couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

”Honestly, I want to form a small organization centered around the two of us. My current idea is that organization members should at least have obtained a silver chest,” Ji Chaoyang laid out his plan to Xu Xin.

”Gather all the current elites together. Members within the organization can more conveniently trade resources, share information, and benefit mutually.”

”Additionally, currently, only the holders of silver chests can equip weapons and defensive facilities on treehouses, and only you and I can craft advanced metal weapons and armor.”

”We can discuss reasonable pricing and sell these advanced weapons and equipment to others without silver chests, allowing ordinary people to profit with us. Meanwhile, we can obtain basic low-level materials through trading without wasting our time chopping or mining.”

Listening to Ji Chaoyang’s plan, Xu Xin gradually felt admiration for the man whom he estimated to be at most 30 years old.

While he was still pondering his matters, this man was already considering more long-term and stable issues.

”I understand, a strategy group, right?” Xu Xin smiled, pondering a moment before saying, ”Then I have a few questions for you. If your answers satisfy me, I’ll join the organization you’re talking about.”

”Go ahead.”