Hearing Lin Yu's voice following him, the burly man turned to glare at him angrily.

"I already told you, following me like this will easily attract snow monsters and Chate!"

"In Extreme Winter Mountain, it's best to travel alone!"

"Besides, it's almost nightfall - we don't have time to waste!"

As he spoke, Lin Yu wiped the ice particles from his face.

"Actually...I'm not here to travel with you. I just have some questions."

"Are there many people like you who come to 'treasure hunt' in Extreme Winter Mountain?"

Lin Yu asked quietly.

"About a dozen or so. Not everyone has the courage to enter Extreme Winter Mountain," the burly man eyed Lin Yu suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I want to know how to find others. I got separated from my friend and want to get us both out of this damned place quickly," Lin Yu said seriously.

"Well...people can enter from any direction of Extreme Winter Mountain. As you can see on the map, all four slopes are gentle - the main problem is the blizzard."

"But leaving is much harder than entering...we all wait for the storm to weaken. Trying to leave during strong winds almost guarantees Chate will notice you."

"Even if you survive, the best outcome is being driven insane by Chate," the burly man warned.

"Don't worry, uncle. I'm actually great at climbing and extremely cold-resistant. Chate might not even catch me," Lin Yu said earnestly. "You know, even in this blizzard, I can walk as if on flat ground, moving swiftly at full speed if needed."

The burly man looked at Lin Yu's serious expression with disbelief.

"You're lying. How fast could you possibly run in these conditions?"

Lin Yu spread his hands: "Didn't I just catch up to you as proof?"

The man remained skeptical: "But I hadn't gone far yet."

Seeing his continued doubt, Lin Yu thought for a moment before speaking.

"Alright, I wasn't going to tell you this...but your earlier kindness makes me feel guilty hiding the truth."

"Actually, I was specially hired by the wealthy to 'remap' this area."

Lin Yu picked up the man's map and flicked it lightly.

"As you said earlier, temporary outpost B6 is no longer functional...I'm here specifically to identify which outposts can't be used anymore."

"So in a way, I'm a 'professional' - specializing in extreme environment cartography."

Before the man could react, Lin Yu returned the map to him.

"If you don't believe me, test me. I've memorized this map completely - if I can recite it, you'll have to believe I'm a professional hired by the lords, right?"

As Lin Yu spoke, the man subconsciously took the map.

"Is that really true...?"

Without further thought, he began quizzing Lin Yu.

"Then, what are the nearest temporary outposts to B6...?"

"To the right is C2, above is A7, below is E3. Closer would be A12 to the lower right, then E9 to the left," Lin Yu answered calmly.

The man was stunned.

"You really do remember...then where's B11?"

"Mid-left section of the map, terrain suggests a valley entrance," Lin Yu replied evenly.

Now completely shocked speechless, the man finally said:

"I believe you...you really are here to map the area!"

The burly man didn't realize that Lin Yu's rhetoric had subconsciously linked "memorizing the map" with being a "professional cartographer" in his mind.

Combined with the rarity of someone memorizing the chaotic map - evident from how even this dedicated treasure hunter carried a physical copy - the man had almost completely accepted Lin Yu's story.

"I never thought those lords would be so kind-hearted!"

Hearing this, Lin Yu adopted an expression that said "the waters run deep here, don't ask" and shook his head.

"No, it's not for your benefit. The lords are just dissatisfied with Black Gold Oil production rates."

The burly man nodded, convinced.

"I see...but this information you've shared is invaluable."

He looked at Lin Yu gratefully.

"Your earlier kindness moved me," Lin Yu said seriously. "But since you understand this information's value, keep it quiet."

The man nodded vigorously.

"Absolutely, absolutely! I know how to keep secrets!"

He mimed zipping his lips, giving a "rest assured" expression.

Lin Yu waved him off.

"Alright, go about your business. I need to check several more outposts."

"Though I walk quickly, the distance still needs covering."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the blizzard.

Once alone, Lin Yu immediately felt his steps lighten.

His frozen joints became more flexible.

His uneven footsteps steadied.

It was as if he'd suddenly mastered a technique for swift snow travel.

Lin Yu marveled:

"As expected, abilities work on NPCs too."

His newfound speed came from the burly man believing Lin Yu's story.

That belief made Lin Yu's words "true" - after all, walking quickly in snow wasn't particularly unbelievable.

Lin Yu had deliberately circled back to talk with the man precisely to gain enhanced mobility for finding other Players.

Moving swiftly through the snow, he soon reached the next outpost using his mental map.

"Upper A7...got it."

Pushing through the blizzard, Lin Yu spotted a small but sturdy wooden hut.

The unlocked door resisted before slamming open under his push.

Inside was simple: a stove and a pot.

The stove held unburned charcoal; the pot was empty.

"I see...food and fuel must be gathered separately," Lin Yu mused.

The map noted most outposts had buried firewood and signs of mountain wildlife nearby - factors considered when establishing them.

Of course, one outpost's resources couldn't sustain someone for seven days.

But Lin Yu wasn't planning to settle here for Day One.

Though the darkening sky and the man's warning about time weighed on him, Lin Yu intended to keep searching.

Seven days to find twelve Players.

That meant finding at least one per day!