The Polite Turtle

He watched as the giant, moss-covered shadow broke through the water's surface, its four claws gripping the riverbank, its vertical pupils fixed on him, the patterns on its carapace gleaming faintly in the dark light.

The alligator snapping turtle opened its massive jaws and let out a low growl.

Lu Heng's eyes turned slightly cold, his mental energy already spread out, ready to deal with a surprise attack at any moment.

But the alligator snapping turtle rushed closer, yet did not pounce.

It stopped at Lu Heng's feet, making a deep gurgling sound in its throat. It opened its huge mouth, and several grayish-white minerals rolled out and fell onto the muddy ground in front of Lu Heng.

Lu Heng did not bend down immediately.

He stared at the alligator snapping turtle for two seconds, making sure it had no intention of attacking, before slowly crouching down and reaching out to pick up the few ore stones.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, has a rough surface, and a subtle sheen.

The Wristband automatically popped up the authentication interface.

[Target: Water Nurture Stone]

[Rank: Bronze Tier]

[Description: This mineral contains trace amounts of water-related energy, which can nourish plants, reduce environmental dryness, and attract aquatic life. Long-term placement can slightly improve the moisture content of the surrounding soil, making it suitable for planting moisture-tolerant crops.]

Lu Heng ran his fingertips along the surface of the ore, lost in thought.

Bronze Tier isn't high, but its special effects are useful. Placing it in your area will help with planting and water supply.

He looked up. The alligator snapping turtle didn't make a sound, but a vague thought traveled through his mental energy—it wanted the energy to advance, the pure Energy Core, and the flesh and Flesh Core.

Lu Heng remained silent for a moment.

These few Water Nurture Stone cannot replace the energy it needs to break through to the Silver Tier.

He looked at the alligator snapping turtle and mentally replied: Not enough.

The alligator snapping turtle lowered its body and did not refute. After a moment, it sent another message—if Lu Heng was willing, it could take him to a mineral field where there were Water Nurture Stone and other resources, which Lu Heng could mine himself.

Lu Heng's eyes flickered slightly.

Everyone is short of special resources. Water Nurture Stone is only Bronze Tier, but a mineral deposit means there might be something of a higher level.

He thought for a moment and nodded.

The alligator snapping turtle turned around and slowly swam downstream.

Lu Heng followed, Wristband Space slightly opened, allowing him to store several Water Nurture Stone inside.

After walking a short distance, Lu Heng stopped and took out two items from the Wristband Space.

An Energy Core, dark blue, with a faint halo flowing across its surface, like solidified water ripples.

A Flesh Core, dark red in color, with a texture between flesh and blood and crystal, and you can feel a slight warmth when you hold it in your hand.

He placed the two items on the muddy ground in front of him and pushed them toward the alligator snapping turtle.

The Armored Crocodile Turtle stared at the two cores, its vertical pupils slightly contracting. It lowered its head, touched the Energy Core with the tip of its nose, then touched the Flesh Core, and let out a low gurgling sound from its throat.

A moment later, it opened its huge mouth and swallowed both cores together.

The dark patterns on its carapace suddenly lit up, and a water-like halo flowed along the gaps in the plates. It lay there, its limbs trembling slightly, as if digesting this sudden surge of energy.

Lu Heng stood to the side, waiting quietly.

After about half a minute, the aura around the alligator snapping turtle gradually faded. It raised its head and looked at Lu Heng. The agitation in its vertical pupils had subsided considerably, but it was clearly still a long way from breaking through to the Silver Tier.

It didn't ask for anything more, but turned around and swam slowly downstream.

After swimming a few meters, it looked back at Lu Heng to make sure he was following before continuing forward.

Lu Heng started walking and followed along the riverbank.

The river flowed at our feet, the trees on both banks gradually grew denser, and the damp, fishy smell in the air became stronger. After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the river ahead turned a corner, and a bay half-enclosed by a rock wall appeared before us.

The bay was shallow, its bottom covered with grayish-white ore that shimmered faintly in the dim light.

The Armored Crocodile Turtle stopped at the edge of the bay, turned to look at Lu Heng, and let out a low growl.

Lu Heng walked to the edge of the bay, squatted down, and reached in to pick up a piece of ore.

The Wristband flashed a faint light.

[Water Nurture Stone...]

Lu Heng flipped over a few more pieces, and underneath were several darker-colored ores with a pale blue luster.

He picked one up, Wristband popped up again for authentication.

[Target: Azure Tide Stone]

[Rank: Bronze]

[Description: A by-product of Water Nurture Stone, with a more concentrated water-attribute energy.]

[Special Effects: Accelerates the growth of aquatic plants and has a slight calming effect on low-level aquatic Aberrant. When ground into powder and mixed into the soil, it can increase the moisture content of crops. It can also be used to process weapons.]

Lu Heng held the two ores in his hand and weighed them in his hand.

Water Nurture Stone are practical, but Azure Tide Stone are even rarer. This bay isn't large, but it has a considerable amount of water, enough for him to dig for a while.

He looked up at the Armored Crocodile Turtle.

The alligator snapping turtle had already crawled back into the mud, its eyes half-closed, as if it were resting, or perhaps guarding this bay.

Lu Heng didn't ask any further questions. He unfolded the Wristband Space and began to collect the ore pieces from the edge of the bay one by one.

The Armored Crocodile Turtle didn't stop him, only occasionally opening its eyes to glance at him before closing them again.

Lu Heng dug very steadily, without being greedy. He first collected the easily accessible surface material, leaving the deeper parts for next time.

Half an hour later, he straightened up and found that his Wristband contained a small pile of ore.

He looked at the alligator snapping turtle and sent it a thought: Come again next time.

The alligator snapping turtle did not respond; it merely slapped its tail lightly on the water's surface.

Lu Heng turned around and walked back the way he came.

A breeze from the river blew from behind him, carrying a damp coolness. He glanced down at the pile of gray-white and light blue ores in his Wristband Space, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

This trip was worthwhile.

There's no need to empty it all at once. Since this bay is guarded by that alligator snapping turtle, it means it recognizes this place, and it won't stop us from coming back next time.

Lu Heng didn't suspect anything.

All he needed to know was that this place existed. With his abilities, he could leave anytime if something went wrong; there was nothing to be afraid of.

The Armored Crocodile Turtle, however, surprised him somewhat.

As the forest grew larger and the territory expanded, he expected to encounter more unruly creatures—those that snatched food, ambushed, and pounced on anyone they saw; that was the norm. He never imagined he'd run into someone who would trade ore for other things and negotiate terms.

polite.

Lu Heng made a mental assessment.

These days, it's rare to find monsters in the forest that understand first come, first served and equal exchange.

He walked back along the river, his pace neither fast nor slow. The trees on both banks gradually thinned out, and the damp, fishy smell in the air faded, replaced by the familiar scent of soil and vegetation.

Inside the Wristband Space, several pieces of gray-white and light blue minerals lay quietly. Water Nurture Stone and Azure Tide Stone weren't top-tier resources, but they were practical. Placing a few pieces near the water source in Moonview Valley would be beneficial for planting and maintaining humidity.

As for the deeper veins, we can come back to dig them another time.

The alligator snapping turtle swallowed two of his cores. Although it hadn't reached the Silver Tier, it still benefited and wouldn't turn against him in the short term. Moreover, it guarded this bay, and with it there, other creatures wouldn't dare to approach easily.

Lu Heng continued walking, lost in thought.

As dusk slowly seeped into the forest, the distant shadows remained quiet and still.

He withdrew his gaze and continued walking towards Moonview Valley.

It's getting dark; it's time to go back.