Chapter 385 - 11: Western and Eastern Reconnaissance (3)

Chapter 385: Chapter 11: Western and Eastern Reconnaissance (3)

Seeing that the great turtle posed no danger, the Fierce Raptor Druids landed on the Crystalized Giant Turtle’s back, letting it carry them as it ran into the distance.

The giant turtle ran up to a large mountain and rammed its head right into it. Some of the Fierce Raptor Druids nearly took flight again in surprise, but under Pela Tek’s stern gaze, they merely flapped their wings a few times.

After passing through a layer of illusion, a massive fortress appeared before the Fierce Raptor Druids.

The fortress was built into the mountain, looking as if it were embedded within the rock itself. It seemed as though the entire mountain had been hollowed out to make room for its construction.

The fortress and the mountain were seamlessly integrated, making it look as though the fortress was a natural formation of the mountain itself.

The fortress was covered in all sorts of crystals that shimmered with multicolored light, their functions a mystery.

In front of the fortress was a huge plaza, and in the plaza was a giant Crystal Stone statue. The statue’s eyes emitted light, projecting it in front of the fortress, forming the illusion that concealed the entire structure.

’This must be their city. It’s huge!’

Pela Tek marveled internally, then ordered his subordinates to fly up and scout the area.

However, his subordinates only managed to flap their wings; they couldn’t get airborne.

"Boss, I can’t fly... For some reason, it feels like my wings can’t carry my body anymore."

His subordinate’s words gave Pela Tek a shock. He also tried to fly, and sure enough, no matter how hard he tried, his body felt rooted to the spot, completely unable to take off.

"Let’s go. Get off this turtle."

Pela Tek’s body emitted a faint glow, and he transformed into a mouse, leaping toward the ground below.

The next moment, he found himself blocked by a barrier. After several attempts, he had to admit they were trapped. All they could do was watch to see what the Crystalized Turtle did next and then decide their move.

He didn’t dare use his full power to break the barrier here. If he did, even if they managed to get off the turtle’s back, they would be besieged by the fortress’s Guards. It was better to take the gamble.

The best-case scenario was that this barrier was just a necessary step for the Crystalized Turtle to enter its territory. Once it completed its task, the barrier around it would disappear.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as he’d hoped. The Crystalized Turtle ran directly toward the center of the fortress and soon ducked into a massive room.

As soon as it entered the room, it shuddered, shaking all the Fierce Raptor Druids off its back before turning and leaving.

’So they knew we were here all along!’

Pela Tek scanned his surroundings in resignation. The room was enormous and filled with various instruments, all of which were scaled up to a massive size. Their user must be immense.

Along both sides of the room stood twelve colossal statues. These statues were clad in crystal armor, exuding a majestic and powerful aura.

"Druids! Which lord do you serve? Is it the one from that anomalous territory?"

A voice rang out. Pela Tek looked toward the source and saw a giant sitting behind an enormous desk at the other end of the room, watching them.

"Who are you?" Pela Tek was not intimidated. He shifted back to his human form and asked, "Are you the lord here?"

"Of course!" The giant laughed, his voice echoing through the room like rolling thunder.

"You just let us in like this? Aren’t you afraid we’ll just assassinate you?"

"Hahaha, you’re welcome to try!" The giant’s laughter held a hint of contempt.

Pela Tek wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. If the giant was inviting him to try, then try he would!

Pela Tek gathered Spiritual Energy in his hand. A tornado formed in his palm, and he hurled it toward the giant.

"Whoa there, little one. That’s not very nice. You’ll mess up my bookshelves." The giant leaped from his seat and grabbed at the now-grown tornado.

It was as if an invisible barrier was in his palm; the tornado, something that should have been intangible, was caught directly in his hand.

Then, before Pela Tek’s shocked eyes, a point of light emanated from the giant’s hand, and the tornado dissipated into a gentle breeze.

"Are you done now?"

"Done!" Pela Tek nodded obediently. The surrounding Fierce Raptor Druids also returned to their human forms and stood in neat rows.

To be able to snuff out his full-power skill so easily, this giant had to be at least a Legendary Hero, possibly even Epic. In any case, he was not someone Pela Tek could afford to provoke.

The twelve statues around them had also adopted defensive stances. Seeing as they were about the same height as the giant lord, they were likely his guards. He just didn’t know what tier of heroes they were.

Since the giant seemed to want to talk, he would just listen.

"Do you know how your territory became so large?"

"I don’t. Can’t all territories grow larger? I’ve seen the neighboring territories expand their land area too!"

"Do you know what your lord’s talent is?"

"A shut-in?"

"..." The giant was rather speechless. This scout seemed a bit dense. Not that he expected to get such confidential information so easily, anyway.

"Never mind. I won’t ask you for this information anymore. Help me deliver a message to your lord."

"We are the Crystal Core Giant clan. Normally, our people do not occupy the territories of other races during this phase. After a formal resolution, we have decided to uphold that policy this time as well."

"To ensure this phase concludes smoothly, we will continuously dispatch Nuclear Crystal Beasts to your territory. As time goes on, their numbers will increase, and their strength will rise."

"Generally speaking, these Nuclear Crystal Beasts will not attack your cities, but will operate outside them."

"However, if this phase does not end, we may resort to more extreme measures. Therefore, please do your utmost when dealing with the Nuclear Crystal Beasts."

"If our cooperation goes smoothly, we can also engage in some trade. Our Crystal Core technology is quite famous throughout the Cosmos."

The Crystal Core Giant explained his reason for "inviting" the Fierce Raptor Druids in.

After Pela Tek agreed to the giant’s request, he was sent out of the fortress.

「...」