I became a god by treasure hunting after arriving 500 years early

This was not the first formal encounter between humans and an exotic realm civilization.

Nor was it the first time Lu Yuan had undertaken a diplomatic mission.

The leader of the 18th human civilization, Mr. Lu, said in an interview, "This is still a significant step for humanity and a joyous day worth celebrating."

"The reason is that I have seen humanoid creatures, and there might be no reproductive isolation between our two sides."

…

But for the Sha Li Clan, it was absolutely a groundbreaking first.

These 22 members of the Sha Li Clan, staring with wide eyes at Lu Yuan's purple skin and then at the cat poking its head out of the convertible, were dumbfounded.

Even the young man with a face swollen like a pig's head was staring in shock.

...

Cough cough, to put it plainly, Lu Yuan was also taken aback with a hint of a pleasant surprise to encounter an exotic realm civilization here.

These native creatures looked strikingly similar to humans, with most individuals' heights ranging between 1.5-1.7 meters.

Their skin was brown, they had Mohawk hairstyles, bone necklaces around their necks, peacock feather-like crowns on their heads, and they held long spears and shields, somewhat resembling humans from the tribal era... Find exclusive stories on empire

Using the Pioneer's Eye, he closely examined these fellows who surprisingly all possessed some abilities, generally around Level One.

Extraordinary Spark seemed to have been popularized too?!

"Are there indigenous creatures in the Pangu Continent?" he wondered, puzzled.

"It's very unlikely," Old Cat whispered. "If such a weak civilization could survive Epoch-level disasters, what were those powerful civilizations raised on? Trash?"

Lu Yuan thought for a moment.

With cautious and polite intentions in mind, he stepped down from the tricycle and took off the donkey head mask he was wearing.

Just as he was about to say something, the Undying Giant Turtle, tied up in the trunk, began to struggle.

"Wahaha!" Both eyes hollow, the turtle with its four limbs bound flapped ceaselessly and let out an evil turtle roar at everyone.

Lu Yuan walked over and punched its head out of alignment with a flying fist.

Seeing the giant turtle with purple skin, the twenty people of the Sha Li Clan shivered and gripped their long spears tighter.

"Elder, this turtle is super...super strong!"

The Sha Li Clan also had natural superpower users.

One young man, who seemed to have the identification ability, whispered, "It's stronger than any monster we've defeated before! I can't even identify this turtle's abilities!"

"What about this odd man?"

"I can't identify him either... he must be very strong."

Most strangely, the turtle was tied up, as if it was prey.

As you know, catching a monster alive is much more difficult than killing one!

Even the experienced and battle-hardened elder was a bit taken aback. Who was this armored warrior before them? Did he want to negotiate?

Or was this all just an illusion?

One touch of the Illusion Realm, and they might enter a dead end from which they could never return?

He couldn't understand, which left him somewhat at a loss, simply holding his spear and shield, constantly on guard.

Seeing these fellows looking foolishly stunned, Lu Yuan couldn't help but clear his throat, "Hello, friends"

"I am Lu Yuan, a traveler from afar, a member of human civilization."

"Ashi balala tirado!" the oldest elder among them said, "Ba da ni mamu."

[He said he is from the Sha Li Clan, named Sha Sanjia, and he's the elder of the village.] Miss Conch translated. [Then he asked who we are?]

The newly added translator was a bit more badass than Old Cat's translator.

Old Cat's brand translator needed some data before it could produce results.

But Conch brand translator, a weakened version of telepathy, a type of Divine Skill in logistics, could communicate with any intelligent life form.

Cat Mama, realizing that Miss Conch's function overlapped with hers to some extent, couldn't help but "meow meow meow" a couple of times, her eyes wide open, feeling like she might be redundant now.

"Wahaha!" The Undying Giant Turtle was still furiously roaring as if it had gone mad.

With no other choice, Lu Yuan stabbed it in the hind leg with a sword.

Blood gushed out profusely.

"Wahaha (Why is it always the turtle that gets hurt?)" Even in a state of unclear consciousness, the Undying Giant Turtle still muttered its classic line.

After being injured, the engravings on the turtle's body automatically activated, and it slowly turned into a stone.

Old Cat suggested, "Regardless of the strength of these natives, they should know more about this place."

"Or perhaps, they have already gathered the knowledge we seek—Extraordinary Sparks, engravings, and such things."

"If the civilization of Sky City is truly powerful, cultivation techniques should be widespread among the populace, and it would be normal to find some in a hidden nook."

"That makes sense... I've already reached the peak of Level Three and must climb to Level Four soon to cope with the things here. Rather than searching on my own, why not make use of this civilization."

"How about giving them a little gift?"

Lu Yuan took out a canister of water from the tricycle—as good as hard currency in the desert?

He also added some regular fruit.

Well, all apples, oranges, and such, grown through the stimulation provided by the Tree of Life.

The Life Essence required to stimulate one pomegranate could produce several tons of apples and oranges, satisfying cravings without guilt (provided there is water).

"Conch, translate this."

[We are travelers from afar, from an ancient civilized nation, who have arrived at this civilization relic after enduring many hardships.]

[A few minutes ago, we were fighting these monsters, causing some minor disturbances.]

[But no worries, the commotion has stopped.]"

[We are a civilization that venerates peace, harmony, and cordiality, and we would be delighted to be your friends.]

[This is a small gift for you, hoping your civilization will appreciate it.]

Miss Conch's tone, not only very polite, but also possessed a sort of aristocratic demeanor.

Indeed, she would be well suited to be a diplomat.

The premise being that this civilization holds concepts of "politeness" and "civilization."

Lu Yuan wasn't really insistent, since there were indigenous creatures here, there were surely more to be found.

If you don't cooperate, we'll just switch to a smarter group.

No forcing.

...

...

The other party, The Sha Li Clan, wasn't in a hurry to break the Iron Barrel Formation.

The leading elder, Sha Sanjia, cautiously scrutinized the creatures on this carriage.

He probably understood what Miss Conch had said.

Quite pedantically.

Just like the upper class nobles in the Empire, very concerned about appearances.

The three-wheeled vehicle was big, about three meters in length, painted with complex patterns that could bewilder one's mind, one could mistake it for a stone if not looked at closely.

The black-armored warrior was awe-inspiring, an orange cat, and that continuously struggling turtle. (Miss Conch hid within.)

Most crucially, the sound it emitted, why did it sound somewhat like an illusion?

Not exactly the same.

But indeed somewhat similar.

Sha Sanjia pulled the militia captain aside and whispered a few words.

He then clapped the young man who had just had a mental breakdown, helped him straighten his clothes: "Since you're already nearly insane, you go and talk."

The young man didn't hesitate; he picked up a plastic bucket, noticing the heavy water inside.

Yet he didn't know how to open the lid, tugging at it hard for a long time without being able to pry it off.

He then picked up an orange, unsure how to eat it.

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, picked up an orange, peeled it, and started eating.

The green-skinned orange, sour and zesty, held no appeal for the cat, but the turtle and Miss Conch were very interested.

The unconscious turtle had already opened its mouth waiting there—Lu Yuan seriously suspected it was feigning madness, playing dumb, could it open its mouth if it had turned to stone?

As for Miss Conch... she didn't have a body, couldn't eat the orange, could only smell it.

Eating oranges in the desert was truly a human pleasure, especially since this thing was frozen using "Ice Qilin Core," which added a unique flavor.

Lu Yuan thought he might not need to hurry the fertilization of any Pomegranate Fruit, might as well eat a ton of oranges instead.

The mentally disturbed young man, mimicking, peeled the skin, divided a segment of the orange fruit, and shoved it into his mouth.

The next second, a bloom-like smile spread across his filthy face—had he perhaps already reached heaven?

The tangy taste sat in his mouth, reluctant to swallow.

Suddenly, he crouched down and began sobbing loudly.

He remembered his mother who had died many years ago, people always think of their mothers when they are vulnerable or when they are happy.

He didn't even know why he was crying, perhaps he just felt like crying.

"What's your name?" Lu Yuan walked over and asked.

This dirt-covered man from Sha Li raised his head, his cloudy eyes looking up at Lu Yuan.

Even though Miss Conch hadn't translated this sentence,

he still understood it.

"Desert," he replied.

It was a very robust syllable.

Lu Yuan smiled, "That's a fine name, a man may be defeated, but he should never fall."

This young man named 'Desert' got up from the ground, rubbed his eyes, and gave Lu Yuan a deep bow, thankful for this gift.

Lu Yuan then gave these alien people a few green oranges.

Everyone looked around at each other, wanting to eat but somewhat hesitant.

"Is this... fruit?!"

"I once had similar food at a great banquet of the Empire," the elder on the other side, Sha Sanjia, suddenly slapped his forehead.

That was a very long time ago.

They, as leaders of remote tribes, were invited by the great empire to attend the Emperor's birthday feast.

To win over these leaders, the empire had prepared many precious gifts, including fruit.

That wonderful taste, astonishing and unforgettable...

Now, here in this dry weather, he encountered fruit?!

Sha Sanjia couldn't stop shaking his head, feeling a strange dreamlike sensation.

The strange vehicle,

the elegant armor,

the mysterious sounds,

the angry turtle...

Everything was so magical, so surreal, as if it was all fake.

Deep inside, however, a voice was reminding him.

Everything was real.

They... seemed to have encountered an opportunity?