Chapter 71: Commissioned Quest, Pale Seed!

Chapter 71: Commissioned Quest, Pale Seed!

"Dabai, make it shut up."

Hearing this, Dabai, who was nearby, charged straight ahead.

Thud! Thud!

The heavy footsteps sounded like an approaching war machine.

Seeing Dabai charge, that Ice Nest Hoof showed no sign of weakness, lowering its head to engage in a contest of strength with Dabai!

Thud! Thud, thud!

The two behemoths crashed into each other.

However, the instant its horns collided with Dabai's tusks…

…the rhino monster was sent flying from the impact.

Right at that moment, Dabai continued his charge.

He tossed it with his tusks, followed by a stomp.

[-934]

[-877]

Crack!

Dabai's thick front hoof directly crushed the rhino monster's head, killing it instantly.

A system prompt appeared before Cao Xing.

[Your pet: Dabai has killed Ice Nest Hoof Lv.10. Gained 180 EXP.]

[Combat personnel gained 90 EXP.]

At this moment, Dabai was still stepping on the rhino monster's corpse, looking at Cao Xing with hopeful eyes.

Cao Xing patted his elephant hoof and praised, "Well done, Dabai."

Dabai shook his head, seemingly happy to receive his master's praise.

Meanwhile, the subjects watched this scene in a daze.

They had thought they were about to experience a fierce battle.

As it turned out, the victor was decided in an instant.

"What a… what a powerful mammoth…"

They were once again awed by the immense power of Cao Xing's territory.

Underneath the corpse of the Ice Nest Hoof, Cao Xing picked up 4 [Ice Dragon Marks] and 3 [Glacial Flakes].

The harvest was pretty good.

Unfortunately, monsters hatched from Ice Nests did not drop equipment.

Then, Cao Xing continued to order, "Sarah, destroy this Ice Nest."

Sarah nodded, her Shadow Blade sweeping across.

[-745]

[-777]

[Your territory member: Sarah Blade Dance has successfully destroyed the Ice Nest. Gained 100 EXP.]

[Combat personnel gained 50 EXP.]

[Obtained Ice Dragon Mark *20]

"Oh? It actually gave 20 Ice Dragon Marks directly?"

Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

Destroying an Ice Nest was comparable to killing dozens of monsters. Not bad at all.

He nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let's go, time to head back."

Cao Xing led his team, grandly making their way back to the territory.

As soon as they returned to the territory.

All the subjects knelt down respectfully.

The subject Cao Yi took the lead and shouted, "Welcome back from your triumphant return, Lord!"

"The Lord's divine might is vast and boundless!"

The other subjects also shouted one after another, "The Lord's divine might is vast and boundless!"

They all raised their heads, looking at this group of powerful warriors with excited, burning gazes.

Cao Xing was taken aback, shook his head, and didn't say much.

However, he thought a bit more highly of this subject, Cao Yi.

This guy really knew how to play his part.

He'd make a great multi-level marketing recruiter.

Cao Xing nodded slightly, "Rise, my subjects."

Upon receiving the order, the subjects stood up one after another.

But their gazes toward the warriors remained burning.

Even the members of the Tree Spirit Clan nearby felt a great sense of belonging to this territory.

Nive, surrounded by the crowd, looked extremely inconspicuous.

She kept raising her head and lowering it again, her small hands nervously pinching the corner of her clothes, seemingly making some difficult decision.

Cao Xing noticed this girl, who looked like a snow princess, and saw that she seemed to have something on her mind.

Thus, he spoke, "Nive, do you have something to report to me?"

Being called out by Cao Xing, little Nive's body trembled.

Everyone turned their gazes toward her.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Nive seemed to summon her courage.

With an anxious expression, she slowly walked up to Cao Xing and knelt down respectfully.

"Honored Lord, Nive has something she needs your help with!"

Behind her, the mature-looking Tree Spirit opened her mouth as if to speak but stopped, ultimately remaining silent.

The other subjects also turned their gazes over.

Cao Xing knew it was time for him to perform.

"Nive, you are my subject. If you have any problems, you can always tell me."

"Now, tell me, what difficulties have you encountered?"

Kneeling on the ground, Nive took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Lord, my sister Juliette and I got separated on the road."

"Nive begs you to help find her."

"If you can bring my sister back, Nive is willing to offer everything she has to you, including the Pale Seed inside her body."

Hearing the words 'Pale Seed', the eyes of the Tree Spirit Clan members widened in shock.

They looked at Nive in shock, seemingly not expecting her to actually reveal this.

Among them, the mature-looking Tree Spirit even instinctively wanted to come over and stop Nive.

However, remembering that this was their Lord, the female Tree Spirit ultimately sighed.

But Cao Xing asked in confusion, "The Pale Seed… what is that?"

At this moment, shock also appeared in Andrew's eyes.

Andrew explained, "Lord, the Pale Holy Tree is the most sacred giant tree in the Northern Continent."

"It is said to be as tall as the vault of heaven, possessing infinite power, and can even predict the future."

"Every once in a while, the guardians can ask this holy tree a question. No matter what the question is, the holy tree will provide an answer."

"Aside from the unique Pale Holy Tree, there are also seeds sown by it. Once these seeds grow, they will become new Pale Trees."

"Although they are not as miraculous as the Pale Holy Tree, they still possess peculiar and immense power."

"It is said that territories where a Pale Tree is planted will also receive a miraculous blessing."

After hearing Andrew's explanation, Cao Xing's pupils dilated. He also understood the importance of the 'Pale Seed' Nive mentioned.

"You mean, there is a Pale Seed inside your body?"

Nive nodded gently, her exquisite face, which looked as if it were sculpted, wearing a look of anticipation.

Cao Xing nodded in realization.

Undoubtedly, the Pale Holy Tree was sacred and powerful. Just the ability to predict the future alone was incredibly overpowered no matter where it was.

But unfortunately, such a sacred Pale Holy Tree was also destroyed in the disaster of the dragon's resurgence.

And the seed of this holy tree, even if it couldn't predict the future, must possess extremely miraculous power.

Didn't Andrew just say that territories where a Pale Tree is planted would receive a blessing?

Seeing Cao Xing in deep thought, Nive said with a trembling voice, "Lord, I beg of you."

"As long as you can bring my sister back, I am willing to agree to anything you ask!"

Nive looked at him with pleading eyes.

Cao Xing did not agree rashly, but chose to gather some information first.

Thus, he asked, "Nive, do you remember where you and your sister got separated?"

Nive quickly replied, "It was in the Borealis Mountains. We camped in a forest with Uncle Hilton, and then we were attacked by Hilltop Trolls. The entire camp fell into complete chaos."

"During the chaotic battle, a troll targeted our tent."

"To protect me, my sister took the initiative to draw that troll away…"

"By the time the escort team repelled the trolls, my sister was already gone."

"Later, we searched for a long time but couldn't find any trace of her. Uncle Hilton said sister had already perished, woohoo…"

"Lord, I can sense that my sister is not dead yet. She is still alive."

"Alone in those freezing mountains, she must be so helpless."

"Please, save my sister!"

After Nive finished speaking, she buried her head directly against the ground.

A system prompt appeared.

[Your territory member: Nive has asked for your help to go to the Borealis Mountains and find her lost sister.]

[Quest Reward: Pale Seed *1]

[Accept?]

Cao Xing fell into deep thought once more.

Mainly, he didn't know how far the Borealis Mountains were from him, or how dangerous it was there.

So, he opened the [Gale Snowfield Map] and found the location of the [Borealis Mountains] on it.

Taking a look, this mountain range was extremely massive, composed of over a dozen high mountains spanning dozens of kilometers.

It was also over thirty kilometers away from the camp.

At this moment, the subject Dahua said cautiously, "Lord, the Borealis Mountains are a rather perilous mountain range nearby. Many merchant caravans pass through there."

"Many powerful monsters live inside. Even experienced caravans might meet with accidents."

Hearing Dahua's explanation, everyone understood the danger of that mountain range.

Clearly, going to rescue Nive's sister at this time would carry a relatively high risk.

Everyone was waiting for Cao Xing's decision.

But when he noticed the coordinates of the Borealis Mountains, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Huh? These coordinates seem almost the same as the coordinates on the Goblin Treasury Key I obtained?

Cao Xing was taken aback, and he quickly checked the description of the key in his backpack.

[Holding this key, you can go to coordinates 32141, 23513, 3521 to open the Goblin Treasury.]

"Holy crap… it really is!"

Doesn't this mean Cao Xing can go look for Juliette first, and then do the key quest along the way?

Thinking of this, he immediately made his decision.

That was, to accept this quest.

One action, two rewards. Why not?

Even if there were risks, he would accept them!

Cao Xing bent down and supported Nive's arms.

This was his first physical contact with a member of the Tree Spirit Clan. It was a sensation that wasn't as cold as he had imagined, but instead possessed a gentle warmth.

Nive was startled by Cao Xing's action, instantly stopping her crying, a hint of shyness flashing through her eyes.

However, Cao Xing merely helped her up and said softly, "Nive, since you have joined my territory, you are one of us."

"Your family is naturally our family as well."

"As your Lord, protecting family is my bounden duty!"

"Rest assured, no matter how dangerous the Borealis Mountains are, I will go and find your sister."

Hearing these words, a misty haze appeared once more in Nive's deep blue eyes.

She was completely moved by Cao Xing's words.

"Thank you… thank you, respected Lord."

[You have successfully accepted the quest: Nive's Request]

[Subject: Nive's affection has increased. Current affection: 87]

At the same time, the other subjects had also heard Cao Xing's speech.

It felt as if a warm current had flowed through everyone's hearts.

They didn't expect that just for a newly joined subject, Cao Xing would willingly risk going to such a dangerous mountain range to find her family.

The subject Cao Yi took the lead and said, "Praise the benevolent Lord!"

The other subjects also expressed their deep feelings.

"Praise the benevolent Lord!"

Then, a massive wave of system prompts indicating loyalty increases appeared.

The loyalty of all subjects had risen to above 85 points!

This could be considered a massive boost.

An almost imperceptible smile of joy appeared at the corner of Cao Xing's mouth.

And Liu Muxue also came to Cao Xing's side, her gaze looking at him filled with admiration.

"Axing, are we going to rescue Nive's sister now?"

Cao Xing said, "Yes, but besides rescuing her sister, I have another thing to do there."

"Although the Borealis Mountains are dangerous, our strength is not weak either."

"If Hilton and the others could pass through safely, we should be able to as well."

Liu Muxue nodded, saying excitedly, "Mhm, let's go together."

Assam and Andrew were already prepared for battle. Including Sarah nearby, they all looked at Cao Xing with respectful gazes.

After all, who wouldn't want their Lord to be a good master who cared about his subordinates?

However, before setting off, Cao Xing still needed to check the items dropped by the Frost Goblin to see if they could be used to boost their strength.

[Dim Elite Soul: A soul containing a faint trace of soul power.]

(Can be used on a follower below Tier 2, giving them a small chance to evolve into an elite creature. Success probability: 5%–15%)

This thing was of the same type as the Magic Spider Essence, allowing ordinary creatures to advance to elite status.

However, the success rate was outrageously low, so he didn't hold much hope at all.

Cao Xing checked the second item.

[Ascalon Archer Recruitment Scroll (Blue)]

(Through this scroll, you can summon an experienced Ascalon Archer with the strength of a Level 12 Elite.)

Cao Xing was taken aback, then said joyfully, "Another elite-level creature, and it's an archer?"

"Great! This way, I'll finally have a ranged attack unit!"

Thus, he directly clicked to use it.

A system prompt appeared.

[Do you want to consume the scroll to summon the Ascalon Archer?]

"Yes."

At the same time.

Cao Xing suddenly felt a cold wind blow through the territory.

"Whoosh—"

This cold wind carried snowflakes from outside the territory, fluttering past.

Everyone's vision was obscured, and they also felt their body surface temperature drop rapidly.

Snowflakes danced in the territory like petals filling the sky.

A moment later, as the cold wind dissipated, the dust settled.

Before Cao Xing, a slender female archer appeared, clad in deep blue light armor with a longbow slung across her back.

Her cold, pale Western face carried a resolute gaze.

Her high ponytail added a touch of dashing heroism to her appearance.

"The kingdom sunken beneath the earth, the glory of the past…"

"Ascalon Archer, Renice Hawk-eye, reporting to you."

…

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(Bow!)