Chapter 43: Ji Chaoyang

Xu Xin had been considering that even if he made a bow and arrow, given his level of never having touched a bow before, could he really hit the target?

So when he saw the introduction of this crossbow, Xu Xin felt that this weapon was born for someone like him.

Although compared to a bow in the hands of a skilled archer, stringing it was indeed troublesome, but he wasn't a skilled archer, and this crossbow in his hands would certainly be much more powerful than a bow and arrow.

It's just this animal tendon…

He didn't need an iron spear for now, because his blue-grade stone spear was already enough to pierce through the bodies of beasts, and had higher durability.

Continuing to look further, iron armor sets had already appeared among the protective gear.

[Iron Scale Armor (Green): Iron armor that can withstand attacks from ordinary beasts. Will be very heavy when worn.]

[Iron Greaves (Green): Iron leg guards. Due to their significant weight, they will slightly affect speed.]

[Iron Helmet (Green): Iron helmet. Don't keep tilting your neck, or you might strain it. Vision will be slightly impaired when wearing it.]

[Iron Boots (Green): Iron boots. No beast can withstand a kick from these, provided you can lift your foot while wearing them.]

Worthy of being called a heavy armor set, it provided full-body protection and could withstand attacks from ordinary beasts, but the drawbacks were also obvious – it was too heavy, and might not be suitable for average people.

But Xu Xin felt that with his body now strengthened several times in strength, wearing a full set of iron armor shouldn't be a problem. Although it would relatively reduce the weight capacity of his backpack, personal safety was still the most important.

Xu Xin sent Li Wenxi a message about wanting to trade for iron ore, but there was no reply from the other side.

Perhaps she was still out and hadn't returned, otherwise with her personality, seeing that he was first, she would probably have made a video call already.

Xu Xin looked at his private messages, which had exploded, because he was first on the leaderboard. Countless people had sent greetings, wanting to cling to his coattails. Some asked what was in his golden chest, others wanted to trade with him, and some even asked him for resources.

Xu Xin didn't respond to any of them.

However, one person in the private messages caught his attention.

Ji Chaoyang. The person who, like him, had found a golden chest.

"You already know the secret of this world, don't you?" The message sent from that side made his heart skip a beat.

Indeed, his guess wasn't wrong – those who found the golden chest would definitely know the world's secret.

He pondered for a moment, then sent a message: "Yes, near the golden chest."

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

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

"First, let's exchange information. Voice call, is that okay?" The other side seemed very polite.

Xu Xin directly initiated a voice call.

The other side answered instantly. Xu Xin could hear the breathing on the other end of the call, but neither of them spoke first.

Xu Xin was still cautious. Although he could deduce from Ji Chaoyang's words that he also knew the world's secret, this world was so mysterious – who could guarantee that the secret they knew was the same?

If it wasn't the same, would exchanging information with him violate the rule stated by the mysterious voice: "Do not share the world's secret with those who don't know the secret"?

The other side spoke first, in a deep and magnetic voice, like a broadcaster: "The underground world. You know what I'm talking about, right?"

Xu Xin's lips curved into a slight smile as he said, "Hello, Ji Chaoyang, I've heard a lot about you. You led everyone through the first beast riot."

Hearing Xu Xin's response, the tone on the other side also became somewhat relaxed: "You're too kind. As long as it doesn't harm my own interests, I help where I can. We're all compatriots after all."

"Your awareness is quite high."

Just from this sentence, Xu Xin had already largely analyzed Ji Chaoyang's personality.

He wasn't the type of ruthless top dog who climbed over others' corpses to get ahead, nor was he the kind of bleeding heart who absolutely had to help others. He was someone in between the two. Hmm, a normal person.

Of course, he couldn't rule out the possibility that Ji Chaoyang was just putting on an act for him.

"Haha." Ji Chaoyang laughed, then the tone on the other end of the call became a bit more serious, "Regarding the underground world I just mentioned, do you have anything to say about it, Xu Xin?"

Since he knew that their secrets were the same, Xu Xin had no reservations and said, "I did indeed see the underground world near the golden chest. I think, as far as we know, only you and I know about this, right?"

"Mm, since I proposed the cooperation, let me show my sincerity first." Seeing that Xu Xin had given him an affirmative answer, the other side first stated his position, "While searching for the golden chest, I found a passage leading underground. After I went all the way down, I saw many huge monsters in the underground world."

"As if they were enlarged versions of the monsters guarding the chests on the surface," Xu Xin interjected.

"Exactly! It seems our experiences were similar. Phew… I'm relieved. I was worried I'd be punished by that voice if I spoke about it."

The other side clearly breathed a sigh of relief, then continued, "It's like this, Xu Xin. I observed the contents of the bronze chest and also inquired with several survivors who obtained silver chests. They all gave the same answer, which means that in this event, the resources in chests of the same level are all the same."

"To show my sincerity, I can tell you that the resources in my golden chest are [Special Tree House Root Potion] and [Metal Product Auto-Unlock Contract]."

It seemed the other side was indeed full of sincerity, so Xu Xin also showed some goodwill: "The former can expand the tree house's protection range, while the latter requires obtaining all raw materials to unlock the formula."

"That's right, your deduction is the same as mine. It seems we are of the same type."

Deduction? Oh right, the other side didn't have his item appraisal ability and couldn't directly see the true functions of the resources.

Fortunately, the other side was smart, otherwise he would have been exposed. Xu Xin couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"To be honest with you, I want to establish a small organization centered around the two of us. Currently, the idea is that all organization members would be survivors who have obtained at least a silver chest," Ji Chaoyang laid out his plan to Xu Xin.

"Gathering all the current strong players together, members within the organization can more conveniently trade resources with each other, share information, and benefit mutually."

"At the same time, currently only silver chest recipients can equip weapons and install protective facilities on tree houses, and only you and I can craft high-level metal weapons and armor."

"We can discuss a reasonable pricing together and sell these high-level weapons and equipment to others, allowing ordinary people who haven't obtained silver chests to profit along with us. Meanwhile, we can obtain low-level basic materials from them through trading, without having to waste our own time on chopping or mining."

As Xu Xin listened to Ji Chaoyang's plan, he gradually began to admire this man who was at most 30 years old.

While he was still considering his own affairs, this man was already thinking about more long-term and stable matters.

"I understand, a strategy group, right?" Xu Xin smiled and pondered for a moment before saying, "Then I have a few questions I want to ask you. If your answers satisfy me, I'll join the organization you mentioned."

"Go ahead."