Starting from Robinson Crusoe

Paul’s knee injury makes it difficult for him to help Chen Zhou alleviate the pressure.

Although Chen Zhou can carry a lot of supplies, the large bags are ultimately inconvenient, so the three-headed Serrated Tiger Cubs have a new task—

Their front shoulders carry small pockets sewn from deer hide, containing some coal.

When following Chen Zhou and Paul, the three little guys can also help transport some items.

Of course, fearing to crush their delicate frames, Chen Zhou did not dare pack too much into the small pockets; each Serrated Tiger carries only four or five pounds, a burden that is insignificant for them.

...

He’s still thinking about the Great Horned Deer owed to him by the pair of Rangers.

On the return journey, Chen Zhou deliberately adjusted his direction, heading towards the mound where he first met the two Rangers.

He hopes to encounter the pair on the road, gaining a ride and possibly having the bow owner repair his bow.

Currently, he lacks no melee weapons; ordinary ones like daggers, long sabers, and hand axes are readily available, even overflowing from his belt.

Even exotic weapons, such as Indian Long Whip and Indian Fist Blade, he has obtained two.

Only long-range weapons are a perpetual pain for Chen Zhou.

By relying on life-saving grace and brazen face, he finally got a decent strongbow, but before using it a few times, it was ruined, which was truly disheartening.

On the way south, he also researched repairing the bow since he had much interaction with the island’s natives.

The natives are skilled at making and using bows and arrows, and they candidly shared their knowledge with the leader.

Unfortunately, their skills are too outdated, entirely different from this bow made from animal horns, bamboo, fish glue, cow tendons, and other materials.

Chen Zhou mastered bow-making techniques, one from the 18th century and another from modern times, but neither applies.

More crucially, he couldn’t identify wood for repairing and manufacturing the bow, nor knew where to find those materials, so his attempts stopped quickly; finding the Rangers seems to be the only solution.

...

Time flies, and nothing unexpected happened on the return journey, with only endless tundra and increasingly dim skies in sight.

Due to Paul’s leg injury, the return speed was slower than when coming.

The temperature drops day by day, allowing the two to feel slightly warmed by sunlight only in the mornings.

Nights have become exceptionally hard to endure.

The wind on the tundra almost never ceases, especially after sunset.

The flat land provides no obstruction and no haven from the wind.

Chen Zhou, being physically stronger, manages well during the nights, but Paul struggles.

Fortunately, there are three "self-heating blankets" accompanying them; at night, they light a campfire, with Tiger First and Tiger Second leaning against their backs and Tiger Third cuddled in front, serving as a wind blocker and source of warmth.

But everything has its pros and cons.

The Serrated Tiger Cubs are growing larger and demanding more food.

Yet, large animals on the tundra are few, among which only a handful, besides the prehistoric Mammoth, like Great Horned Deer and pseudo-camel, can feed two humans and three tigers.

In the tundra, there are almost no tall grasses, trees, or ravines to hide in; everything is fully visible.

Herbivores are naturally alert and even harder to catch here, were it not for Chen Zhou’s excellent night vision, allowing him to hunt at night, catching prey while animals rest.

Relying on Paul, the three Serrated Tigers might starve.

...

Though the temperature rises as they travel further south, it is still deep autumn in this high latitude region, and their traveling speed can’t match the pace of the cold front.

The day after the two left the tundra and reached rolling hills and towering mountains, a sudden snowfall marked the beginning of winter.

This snowfall was not heavy but abrupt.

The sky showed few clouds, only dimmer than usual, with the sun’s edges blurred like mold.

The temperature, though not extremely low, was accompanied by strong winds.

Arriving at the grassland’s edge, witnessing dead grass and rivers again, their spirits lifted, but then the snow blew in.

The snowflakes, delicate, melt immediately upon hitting the ground, bringing moisture rather than significant cold.

The snowfall lasted only briefly, about ten minutes before the wind dispersed the clouds, and the sunshine brightened the world again.

The three-headed Serrated Tigers witnessed snow for the first time, crazily chasing snowflakes across the grassland.

Their front shoulder "small backpacks" bounced vigorously as they ran, causing the coal within to leap out, forcing Chen Zhou to shout and calm the little maniacs.

After the commotion ended, Chen Zhou and Paul exchanged looks, each feeling a silent gravity from the other’s expression.

Winter here is far more terrifying than in Siberia or China’s cold pole Genhe, and likely much longer.

Though this snowfall seems a celestial joke, its implications are not to be underestimated—

Snowfall signifies the end of autumn and the arrival of winter.

They must hasten their return to the mountain shelter to begin winter preparations.

Fuel, food, injection supplies, reinforcing the shelter, adding more survival necessities, and salt collection are all pressing needs.