Chapter 586 [Temple of Greed], Appears!_2
"1 ton... no, 10 tons! I'll deliver it personally!"
Snowflakes filled the sky, horse hooves galloped, leaving a trail of footprints and wheel marks in the snow.
A group of centaurs ran for five hours, panting, until they reached a valley 1380 kilometers away.
The valley was covered in snow, the air was frosty, and in the dim white mist, a Giant Crystal Turtle as big as a small hill was basking leisurely in the sun.
"It's really it! Slow down!"
The Centaur Chief was just about to step forward to feed it when suddenly he heard a "rumbling" sound from the sky.
The centaurs were all taken aback.
Those Great Clans had actually arrived by plane, the roaring of the engine was deafening.
This small plane was made of cement, installed with a "Pandora Crystal Stone," and after landing smoothly, several lifeforms dressed in "Fire Scale Dress" emerged from the cabin.
Following behind them was a group of soldiers armed to the teeth.
Their appearance was like upright walking tigers, with a rather ferocious nature, known as the "Tiger Roar Civilization."
The Centaur Chief couldn't help but lament: "The times have changed, our proud mobility means less and less in the face of technology..."
"Hm... this big guy is indeed a Giant Crystal Turtle!" The leader of the Tiger Roar Civilization nodded, then instructed the Centaur Chief, "You arrived here first, did you disturb this turtle?"
"No, we only wanted to feed it."
On one side, soldiers held cold weapons like bows and long spears; on the other side, they had already equipped rune rifles, and the gap between the two sides was undeniable.
The leader of the Tiger Roar Civilization glanced at the food on the carriage and nodded, "We'll buy these fish and meat you're carrying directly. How much?"
The Centaur Chief's muscles tensed up.
The soldiers behind him all showed expressions of dissatisfaction.
But the racial gap in strength was too great. Even though there was a recent "Northern Cooperation and Development" agreement signed by the major civilizations, it was not mandatory.
The centaurs didn't have the courage to defy.
"Since my lord desires it, we'll give it to you directly. But do you wish to tame the Crystal Turtle?" The Centaur Chief attempted to close the gap, "I heard this turtle is immune to all poisons, has sharp spiritual senses, and is considered an intelligent anomaly."
"If you try to tame it by force, it'll escape into the earth and will never appear nearby again."
"Instead, give it some food, and it might reward you with a crystal."
The Tiger Roar Clan, being a moderately superior race, naturally couldn't be satisfied with just one crystal.
This Giant Crystal Turtle was full of treasures, and once tamed, it could propel them to great heights!
"I naturally know; leave the fish and meat, and you may leave." The leader of the Tiger Roar snorted, eyes filled with ferocity.
Although the Centaur Chief felt some reluctance in his heart, he was helpless.
If a battle erupted, the centaurs were no match at all.
At this moment, a shadow appeared on the horizon, accompanied by the roaring of engines, as a small Floating Fortress 500 meters long descended from the sky.
Instantly, everyone tensed up.
The Scorpion Lion Clan, mortal enemies of the Tiger Roar Clan, had recently acquired a Floating Fortress, overshadowing them.
Yet the leader of the Scorpion Lion Clan, upon seeing them, didn't provoke them, but politely removed his hat and greeted them instead.
The Tiger Roar leader, who also had his snout in the air, returned the gesture, wondering to himself, "What's going on? Have these rough guys changed their ways?"
With the arrival of a third party, the Centaur Chief felt slightly at ease.
Next, even more unexpected events unfolded as a group of distinguished guests emerged from the Floating Fortress—clad in blue and white carbon nanosuits, with some soldiers sporting power armor, gleaming and impressive.
Such advanced attire had only one answer—Human Civilization!
It turned out that a Human Diplomat was a guest of the Scorpion Lion Clan.
Upon hearing the news of the "Crystal Turtle," both sides had rushed over together.
No wonder these rough Scorpion Lions were so polite.
Leading the humans was a diplomat named Lu Yi, a third-generation child of Green Grass City, already 345 years old this year.
As a Translator, he was renowned for his seasoned composure.
They came to this territory to mediate civilizational conflicts and to open a commercial trade route.
As it happened, they encountered such a wondrous anomaly as the Crystal Turtle, so they came along out of curiosity.
"Hello, dear friends!"
"This ancient anomaly of natural existence is the natural essence of heaven and earth, and a shared treasure of the Northern Territory," Lu Yi began, "Let's not rashly disturb its rest, just give it a little food."
"I've heard that some years ago, other civilizations attempted to tame it, but the turtle got frightened and never appeared again. It circled around and ended up here with us."
"It's better for us to take good care of it and let it stay here long-term than to risk taming it."
Humans had also researched this "Crystal Turtle," but found it cunning and intelligent. If you harbor any malice, it will escape.
Ultimately, they concluded that the probability of capturing it once was less than 10%—and that was with a large force deployed.
Even Green Grass City had no more confidence, and the success rate for other civilizations was even lower.
The Scorpion Lion leader, shaking his tail like a scorpion's stinger, agreed, "I fully agree with Ambassador Lu's perspective. Which of the races here has the confidence to tame a Level 16 anomaly?"