To the east of the Barbarian Tribe, about a hundred kilometers away, lies a powerful Monster Tribe, the Semi-Metal Giant Tribe.
Semi-Metal Giants are an extremely special species. They feed on ore and possess the strength of Transcendent Warriors from birth, making them true Extraordinary Species.
This group of Semi-Metal Giants occupies the richest Fine Iron Veins on the Black Soil Plain. Relying on their brute combat power, even the Barbarian Tribe and the Jackalman Tribe are unwilling to provoke them.
However, everything has its pros and cons. While Semi-Metal Giants are powerful in combat, reproduction is extremely difficult for them. Even without the interference of War, and with ample food, their tribal numbers have always been small, remaining around ten thousand.
Yet, this Semi-Metal Giant Tribe, with only about ten thousand members, has become one of the three Hegemonic Powers on the Black Soil Plain, a testament to their formidable combat strength.
Their defense is astonishingly high; ordinary swords and blades barely scratch their skin.
The Barbarian Tribe once coveted the Fine Iron Veins beneath the Semi-Metal Giant Tribe and sent fifty thousand troops to attack. They were utterly defeated and have not returned since.
It was noon. Night Battle led an cavalry force of nearly seventy thousand towards the valley where the Semi-Metal Giants resided. There was no attempt to conceal their movements; tens of thousands of cavalry thundered across the grassland like a tsunami, creating a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
The Semi-Metal Giants resting within the valley were slow to react. By the time Night Battle arrived outside the valley, they were only just beginning to emerge from their settlement.
Their figures were tall and robust, their bodies shimmering with a metallic luster, standing like solid iron golems.
"Humans, what are you doing here? Have you forgotten the lesson from last time?" The leading Metal Giant stood five meters tall, its entire body a dark red, resembling a mecha. It wielded a metal club in its hand.
Even though Night Battle's numbers were several times greater than theirs, the Metal Giant leader showed no panic, even displaying a hint of disdain, not taking Night Battle and his group seriously.
It was simply because they were too weak.
"We are from the Night Tribe. As for the people you mentioned, they must have been from the Barbarian Tribe. We have already annexed the Barbarian Tribe," Night Battle explained with a hearty voice, riding his horse forward a few steps.
"Barbarian Tribe? Night Tribe?"
The Metal Giant leader paused, seemingly contemplating the difference between the two. However, it quickly shook its head and grumbled, "I don't care if you're from the Barbarian Tribe or some Night Tribe. Tell me, what is your purpose here? If you want to fight, then come on! Agou isn't afraid of a fight!"
"Roar roar roar!"
The Semi-Metal Giants behind it heard this, clenched their left fists, and pounded their chests forcefully, roaring towards the sky.
Clang!
The warriors of the Night Tribe immediately grew tense, gripping their weapons tightly and looking towards their General, awaiting his command to charge into battle.
Night Battle frowned slightly, signaling his subordinates to remain calm, and slowly said, "I have not come for a fight this time. I am here to negotiate with you, following the Clan Leader's orders."
"Negotiate what? We have nothing to discuss with you. Since you're not here for a fight, leave quickly. You are not welcome here." The Metal Giant leader had lived for decades, but most of that time was spent eating and sleeping, making it appear somewhat unintelligent. However, despite its lack of intelligence, it strictly adhered to the words of its predecessors: do not engage in trade with humans.
If possible, it was best not to even speak to them, as humans were incredibly cunning, more so than any other race in the world.
To avoid being deceived, one must not interact with them.
Night Battle's expression turned cold, displeased with the Metal Giant's attitude. However, remembering his Clan Leader's instructions, he suppressed his irritation and chuckled coldly:
"Don't rush. If negotiations fail, we can still fight another battle."
Others might fear the Metal Giants, but Night Battle did not. Let alone a layer of armor on the outside, even if they were made entirely of iron, so what? Wasn't his battle saber also made of iron?
The Metal Giant leader fell silent for a moment, then grumbled, "Hurry up and say what you want to discuss. I have nothing here anyway, so don't think about tricking anything out of me."
"You don't have anything here that would interest us."
Night Battle glanced at the barren valley, first making a remark, then his tone turned solemn: "Our Clan Leader fancies you and wishes to make a trade. You will join the Night Tribe, and we will provide you with sufficient metal ore. All you need to offer is your Loyalty. What do you say?"
"???"
The Metal Giant narrowed its eyes, stunned for a good while, and asked uncertainly, "What did you say! You want us to surrender and join you?"
"You could say that," Night Battle nodded.
"You!" The enraged Metal Giant leader was about to charge forward, ready to tear this human who had offended it apart.
What nerve! Didn't even consider its own strength before spewing such arrogant words, demanding its surrender.
If it weren't for the concern of unnecessary losses among its kin, it wouldn't be wasting its breath here. Who knew this human would push its luck, asking them to surrender? This was simply too much.
The Metal Giant leader roared and took a step forward, but suddenly felt the sky darken. A pressure, like an abyss or a vast sea, descended from the Firmament, pressing down on The Earth, instantly halting its movement.
"This is..."
Sensing a gaze fixed upon it, like an ant on the ground facing a dragon roaring at the world, the Metal Giant leader's body began to tremble involuntarily.
It wasn't just the leader; all living beings present felt that oppressive aura. They instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to look up, lest they offend that great existence.
"Submit, or die."
A single, concise sentence echoed in the minds of all the Metal Giants.
Even without the ability to sweat, the Metal Giant leader felt a chill run down its spine, as if it were about to break out in a cold sweat.
As the Metal Giants remained silent, the pressure from the Firmament intensified, as if a great mountain were crushing them.
Glancing back at its terrified kin, the Metal Giant leader's face showed a struggle. In the end, it lacked the courage to look up.
"We submit."
The oppressive aura dissipated, and all the Metal Giants let out a collective sigh of relief.
Sensing that the presence had withdrawn its gaze, the Metal Giant leader cautiously raised its head, looking up with a hint of curiosity.
Above in the Firmament, a deep Darkness had almost completely enveloped the entire sky.
At the center of the Darkness, a hundred-meter-wide vortex slowly spun, and a pair of majestic eyes gazed down upon The Earth.
Gulp!
"My name is Eternal Night. I bestow upon you a gift; you may praise my Divine Name." As the Metal Giants chose to submit, the Darkness in the Firmament began to rapidly contract, finally converging into a single point. A powerful declaration then reappeared in the minds of the Metal Giants.
"We bid farewell to Our Lord."
"We bid farewell to Our Lord."
"We bid farewell to Our Lord."
All the warriors of the Night Tribe shouted loudly, and then, led by the Metal Giant leader, the Metal Giants behind them also joined in the chant.
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