“A ninth-tier transformed creature?”
Xia Tian was startled when he saw the otherworldly creature emerge from the mud.
The commotion from fishing earlier was quite significant.
He never expected a ninth-tier transformed creature to be hidden in the riverbed mud.
Clang!
Fortunately, the Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant, as a variant species, inherited the characteristics of a flood dragon, making its claws extremely hard, capable of clashing head-on with golden weapons.
Therefore, even though its claw was bitten by the ninth-tier Black Jade Dragon Turtle, it didn't break immediately; it was merely dragged into the water and couldn't break free!
Howl! Howl!
The other Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants, seeing their companion attacked, immediately let out fierce cries, attempting to rush forward and launch a group attack.
“Stop!”
Xia Tian immediately stopped them.
The initial growth rate of the Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants was very fast, but once they reached the seventh tier, their speed slowed down as they entered the sub-adult stage.
Now, they were still some distance away from the eighth tier!
And this Black Jade Dragon Turtle was a ninth-tier creature that had undergone transformation.
Although a group of Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants might be able to kill it if they all attacked, it would inevitably result in the death of a few, and variant creatures had immense potential, which Xia Tian didn't want to see wasted.
However, without a group attack, resolving this giant turtle with dragon bloodline would clearly be difficult!
Unlike the previous two ninth-tier transformed creatures, the Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant and the Silver Jade Demon Bear, this Black Jade Dragon Turtle was an aquatic creature.
Wu Song was almost invincible in ground combat at this stage, but he clearly lacked the ability to go into the water and kill it.
Howl!
At this moment, a pool of blood suddenly appeared on the river surface, and the Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant, dragged into the water, resurfaced, its feathers glowing white as it swam back to the shore.
It turned out that, finding itself unable to break free, this Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant had actually used its saw-like beak to bite off its own leg, thereby escaping.
Facing the escaping Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant, the Black Jade Dragon Turtle did not pursue it.
Instead, it re-submerged into the muddy water, seemingly guarding something!
“It couldn’t be laying eggs, could it?”
Seeing the transformed creature's somewhat peculiar behavior, Xia Tian thought to himself.
Although turtle eggs on Earth are usually laid in the soil by the shore, the habits of turtles from another world might be different; perhaps they lay eggs in the water.
“No, it’s not laying eggs.”
The Five Animal Play granted Xia Tian vision far superior to ordinary people.
Through the turbid river water, he could vaguely see a large, white stone beneath the giant ninth-tier turtle, emitting a faint glow.
“Catch this turtle with the fishing net!”
Xia Tian's eyes flickered as he recalled the “Treasure Seeking” characteristic in the turtle's attributes under his “Eye of Insight.”
He immediately called out, instructing the eight soldiers of the Trap Formation Camp to exert their strength and throw out the fishing net in their hands, just like they did when fishing earlier, to ensnare the four-to-five-meter giant turtle.
Then, they all pulled together, preparing to drag it ashore.
However, the eight soldiers of the Trap Formation Camp had pulled the net ropes taut, but the Black Jade Dragon Turtle in the river didn't move at all.
It should be noted that after several days of training with tiger bone wine, bear meat, flood dragon pheasant meat, and the bonus effects of the golden-quality training ground, these Trap Formation Camp soldiers' levels were already close to the seventh tier, yet they couldn't drag this Black Jade Dragon Turtle!
“Awoo awoo...”
Even after being ensnared by the net, the Black Jade Dragon Turtle roared in irritation, suddenly exerting force, and the eight Trap Formation Camp soldiers were almost pulled into the river by the tugging force from the ropes.
Crack!
At a crucial moment.
A hand clad in black strong-suit, like a stabilizing needle in the sea, gripped the fishing net's rope, and the net, which was moving towards the Black Jade Dragon Turtle, suddenly stopped.
“Hmph...”
Wu Song gripped the rope with both hands, and a burst of wild power erupted through his arms.
The instantly increased strength caused the Black Jade Dragon Turtle to flip in the river, revealing a white marble-like stone beneath its body in the mud, about ten feet in diameter, with an extremely smooth and delicate surface, polished by the flowing water.
【Exquisite Jade (Gold)】
【Type】Exotic Treasure
【Characteristics】1. Nourishment: Contains exotic power, close contact with the body can continuously strengthen the physique and soul. 2. Transformation (As the rules of heaven and earth improve and perfect, new characteristics will condense, and even the name will change).
【Description】A natural treasure nurtured by the Eternal World, more precious and rare than variant species!
“Hiss, gold, it’s actually gold?”
This was the first time Xia Tian had seen the word “gold” in an item naturally formed in the Eternal Land.
Exotic treasures were clearly the counterpart to variant species.
Since the Eternal Land naturally nurtured animals and plants, there was no reason it wouldn't nurture some non-living natural treasures!
This stone not only possessed exotic power to strengthen the human body but also could evolve with the subsequent integration of heaven and earth, truly living up to its name as a golden-quality “exotic treasure.”
“Even without further characteristics, just using this as a bed, wouldn't I continuously gain attributes even in my sleep? This dragon turtle has really given me a great gift!”
Xia Tian looked at the Black Jade Dragon Turtle, which was being pulled towards the shore by the fishing net against its will after Wu Song's intervention, a smile on his face.
Although such behavior was a bit “robber-like,” after all, this Black Jade Dragon Turtle had remained silently hidden at the bottom of the riverbed from beginning to end, and wouldn't have “spoken” if it hadn't been continuously provoked by the Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants.
“Awoo awoo...”
Seeing that it was about to be forcibly dragged ashore, the Black Jade Dragon Turtle in the fishing net finally couldn't bear it anymore.
It roared once, and its four limbs suddenly exerted force.
After all, it was a transformed creature, and it actually tore through the golden-reinforced “fishing net” in one go!
“Hmm, prepare for battle!”
And just as Xia Tian and the others heightened their vigilance, preparing for a fierce battle.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
The Black Jade Dragon Turtle, having broken free from the fishing net, cast a lingering glance at the “Exquisite Jade” before plunging into the water, using its four limbs to flee!
“Good heavens, is it that decisive? I thought we might have dragon turtle meat for dinner tonight.”
Xia Tian was quite surprised by the turtle's decisiveness.
One should know that, although it was a “transformed” creature with a blue name, strictly speaking, it was no longer a major threat to his territory.
Once dragged ashore, this turtle would have a hard time withstanding Wu Song's punches and kicks, and would inevitably become a pot of “turtle soup” to welcome new refugees that evening.
However, this turtle was so cautious that it could even abandon a golden-quality exotic treasure and retreat decisively.
It was simply not on the same level as those dim-witted and extremely self-important centaurs!
But the gains this time were already a pleasant surprise: ten thousand catties of fish and an exotic treasure.
Most importantly, with this golden-quality “Exquisite Jade,” Xia Tian felt he had a very good chance of completing his “transformation” and acquiring “divine abilities” three days later.
After riding a Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasant into the river, he directly used “Hand of Collection” on the jade stone.
【Obtained exotic treasure “Exquisite Jade,” territory luck +1000.】
It was indeed a supreme treasure!
...“The lord is back!”
“Look, the lord brought back so many fish, probably tens of thousands of catties.”
“Mom, can we eat fish tonight? Niu Niu.”
When they saw the twelve Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants returning with a full load of fish, the residents of the territory became excited and rushed over to help unload the goods.
Of course, it was mainly the older residents.
The newly joined refugees were still somewhat afraid of the “Black-and-White Flood Dragon Pheasants’” fierce appearance, and each of them only dared to watch from a distance, while the children looked at the large amount of meat with longing eyes.
However, the once chaotic territory now appeared quite orderly.
“Not bad, your efficiency is very high.”
Xia Tian said to the few people he had assigned to handle the refugees before he left.
“Reporting to the lord, this is all thanks to Mr. Lu’s efforts!”
Whether it was Shen Lian or Hua Rong, their attitudes towards Li Ru now showed a hint of respect.
Mainly, Li Ru had shown a level of skill far exceeding theirs in handling refugee issues.
Hundreds of refugees with their families were properly settled in a short time, and many problems that had troubled them were easily resolved by him.
This also made them realize that “Li Ru” was not an ordinary scholar.
“Come to my residence; I have something to say to you.”
Xia Tian said to Li Ru.