Temptation

A pale blue spiritual glow clung to the blade of the Rat King Bone Knife, its cold light flashing and disappearing in the dim light along the riverbank.

The swarm of Mudstone Pincer-Mouthed Turtle that had charged forward with a roar a moment ago suddenly halted its charge.

Lu Heng stood on the edge of the shallows, his feet firmly planted in the wet mud. His Bronze Tier aura was steady and calm. During the previous entanglement, he had maintained control throughout, only channeling his Mental Energy into the gaps between the tortoise shells to precisely inflict internal injuries. His spiritual consumption was extremely limited throughout, and his internal reserves remained plentiful.

Clang!

Another precise slash landed.

This strike was powerful and carried even more Mental Energy than before. It pierced through the fine cracks in the thick tortoise shell, penetrating straight into the flesh inside.

The leading Turtle King trembled violently, its massive head instinctively shrinking back into the water, and for the first time, genuine fear surfaced in its turbid vertical pupils.

The other Mudstone Pincer-Mouthed Turtle that had gathered around slowed their movements in unison.

They were wild beasts of the Black Iron Tier, who roamed the riverbeds year-round, their thick, invincible armor allowing them to roam freely in the waters. Few beasts of the same level could harm them. But the human's attack was too strange, completely ignoring their proud defenses and targeting their weakest points to severely injure their bodies.

The shadow of death loomed.

Several smaller water turtles gently paddled through the water, instinctively retreating slowly, trying to escape this dangerous shallow area.

But the thought of retreating lasted only a moment before being suppressed by a deeper longing.

The instinct for advancement etched deep within the bloodlines of these mythical beasts is far stronger than fear.

They clearly remembered the pure energy that had just permeated the air—an opportunity that would allow them to break through their limitations and transcend their current level. Even though the humans before them were extremely dangerous, they were unwilling to give up.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, all the turtles fixed their gazes on Lu Heng.

Before the battle began, Lu Heng had already anticipated the unforeseen events and immediately stored the Bronze Tier Mutant Core in his Wristband's Storage Space. The turtle swarm couldn't sense the core's exact location; they could only pinpoint its sole source, staring intently at it, refusing to move an inch.

Lu Heng gripped the bone knife, coldly observing the turtles' entangled and stalemated stance, his mind racing with calculations.

This Bronze Tier core, produced from Sludge Mutant, has a unique purpose: it can serve as an energy supply device, cultivate plants, and aid in the advancement of beasts. However, it carries a high degree of uncertainty and is extremely risky.

With his current resource reserves, there is absolutely no need for him to rush into using this unknown core for adventure.

Now look at this group of Mudstone Pincer-Mouthed Turtle.

Despite their large numbers and absurd defenses, they are ultimately just ordinary aquatic beasts. If you were to spend time and energy killing them all, all you would get in the end are a few hard tortoise shells and a pile of meat, nothing more. The cost-effectiveness is pitifully low, and it's a pure waste of your own energy.

An idea quickly took shape in his mind.

There's no need to kill him. We can exchange him.

Exchanging a core that you don't need right now and whose risks are unknown for the unknown treasure rewards is a sure-fire way to make money.

Having made up his mind, Lu Heng no longer took the initiative to attack.

With a slight flick of his wrist, he stored the deadly Rat King Bone Knife into his Wristband Space, and the faint blue spiritual light that had been emanating from the blade also completely disappeared.

The next second, he raised his hand and took it from the air.

A glint of green light suddenly appeared in his palm.

The Bronze Tier Mutant Core lay quietly in his palm, its pure energy spreading out with the gentle breeze across the river.

The turtles, who had initially been hesitant and retreating, suddenly became restless.

Unable to control their instincts, the turtles swam forward several meters, their heavy shells crashing against the river water with a loud splash, their vertical pupils fixed firmly on the core.

Having suffered the consequences, they still remembered the terror of this human and dared not rush forward. They could only linger in the water not far away, anxiously pacing back and forth, caught in a dilemma.

Lu Heng stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the Turtle King in the center. His tone was calm, without a trace of threat, yet every word was clear and distinct, piercing through the sound of the water and wind:

"I can give you this."

With just one simple sentence, the restless turtles suddenly quieted down.

All the vertical pupils focused on the core of the palm, and the bodies of each turtle trembled slightly.

"But it won't be given away for free."

Lu Heng changed the subject, his tone becoming calm and composed.

"If you want it, trade it for something else."

After speaking, he raised his free left hand and slowly gestured in the air, accurately depicting the square outline and approximate size of the treasure chest in the wild. His movements were clear and easy to understand, allowing the turtles to fully comprehend them.

"Find this kind of box and bring it back to me. This core is yours in its entirety."

The river fell into a brief stillness.

The Turtle King raised its massive head slightly, its murky pupils fixed on Lu Heng, then on the alluring core.

Silence, stalemate, and contemplation.

It seems to be discerning the truth or falsehood of human discourse, weighing the pros and cons of this transaction, and gambling on this fleeting opportunity for advancement.

Lu Heng stood quietly, his expression calm and composed.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, adding the most solid piece of leverage:

"It's true. I've made deals with many of the wild animals in this forest, and I've never broken my promise. You can bet with confidence."

These words completely dispelled the Turtle King's last hesitation.

A deep, subtle hum emanated from the Turtle King's throat, spreading with the ripples of the water.

This is its instruction.

The other Mudstone Pincer-Mouthed Turtle that had been anxiously waiting instantly sprang into action upon hearing the sound. They stopped lingering and watching, turned their heavy bodies around, and plunged into the murky deep water at their fastest speed.

The river surface was torn open by the immense force, leaving several streaks of water. In the blink of an eye, all the turtles disappeared underwater without a trace.

The once noisy river surface instantly returned to calm, leaving only layers of slowly spreading ripples.

Lu Heng gazed at the deep, dark river, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and a faint smile curved his lips.

His original intention was simply to exchange for a treasure chest and gamble for a small profit.

Judging from the fact that this group of turtles is all out searching, I might even get some unexpected surprises and more extra benefits.

Once the thought formed in his mind, he didn't relax for a moment.

In the post-apocalyptic world, never trust any strange beast, not even the one you are trading with.

No one can be sure whether these turtles are genuinely searching for treasure or using their entry into the water as an opportunity to secretly set up an ambush and plot a sneak attack.

Lu Heng focused his mind and immediately activated the Companion King Snake was lurking in the grass on the shore.

Its slender body blends into the deep green vegetation, perched high above, watching over every movement on the river's surface. It will immediately warn of any unusual undercurrents or sounds underwater.

Lu Heng stood on the shore, holding the Mutant Core with flowing blue light in his palm, waiting quietly.

At the same time, he silently adjusted his breathing, slowly replenishing the small amount of Mental Energy he had consumed in the previous battle.