Xixi likely intended to join the team first, scout their movements, and then report back to the Sky Comet Dragon.
A spy!
Li Fan was speechless. This was the first time he'd encountered a monster with traitorous tendencies.
He released Xixi, whose defiant expression seemed to say, "How dare I, a mighty Thunder Dragon, be your subordinate?"
But defiance aside, there was no animosity.
Li Fan circled around, observing.
The Thunder Dragon's back was covered in stiff, backward-pointing spines, and when it charged, arcs of electricity danced across its body. Riding it was out of the question.
Coordinating with the aerial team was also difficult, and its "solitary" nature made it hard to integrate into the group. Since the hit-and-run tactic was already well-practiced, it might be best to let Xixi fight alone from now on.
As Li Fan observed, he quickly determined Xixi's role.
After a more detailed ecological survey at the base of the Sky-Piercing Tower, the team began their low-altitude return.
Both the "little fool" and the playful Xixi had the ability to return to the Sky-Piercing Tower, but accurately describing its location was proving difficult.
So, Dielu observed and recorded the ground conditions, drawing a route map.
Meanwhile, Li Fan began researching how to pass the hunting certification.
If the certifier were a guild investigator, it would be manageable. But if it were a researcher from the Dragon Calendar Institute, things would get complicated.
After all, Xixi's current state didn't look like it had been hunted and captured.
Night fell, and the stars twinkled.
Clang! Clang! Clang!....
Hearing the distant airship's bronze bell, the crew of the Pioneer immediately began their lookout, preparing for the airship's docking.
When they saw the monster suspended by cables beneath the Blazing Fire, the crew members gasped.
"It's a Thunder Dragon!"
"The sortie team has successfully hunted it!"
"Where's the band? Hurry and call the band!"
....
As the news spread, more and more people rushed out from the cabins to watch. The main deck of the Pioneer was filled with cheers.
Boom! Boom!
Colorful fireworks exploded, illuminating the night sky.
Toot toot toot toot! Toot toot toot toot! Toot toot toot! Toot!...
Music played, and the familiar "Hero's Proof" theme began.
"Can't you guys be a little more low-key..."
Li Fan, on the Blazing Fire, couldn't help but feel helpless.
Amidst fluttering streamers, two people and a cat crossed the pontoon bridge.
Nearly a hundred onlookers gathered, welcoming them with warm applause.
"To hunt a Thunder Dragon in such an unstable environment is truly admirable!"
Devon, who led the welcoming party, smiled, looking very excited.
"It was mostly luck. Before our team engaged, the Thunder Dragon had a conflict with a pair of Rathalos. They were locked in a prolonged struggle."
Li Fan explained.
"That's still quite remarkable. Thanks to your outstanding contribution, the Pioneer can continue its exploration."
"The team has some urgent matters and wishes to return to Belna Village as soon as possible. Is it convenient to complete the contract certification now?"
Li Fan said, handing over the contract scroll.
"No problem, we guarantee the fastest certification."
Devon assured, placing the thick book he was holding into his satchel, securing the strap, and rolling up his sleeves.
"Lower the cargo hoisting platform to the first deck!"
Devon shouted upwards. A wooden platform, pulled by cables, began to descend.
"What is this?"
"Although I'm not a hunter's guild member, I am qualified for certification. Please rest assured, the Blazing Fire doesn't need to unload the Thunder Dragon. I will ride the hoisting platform to approach for certification, and it will be over quickly."
Devon guaranteed.
"Is that so... Thank you very much then."
Li Fan's expression remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
"Oh no! The chief researcher of the Dragon Calendar Institute! If they just take a look, Xixi will be exposed immediately!"
"By the way, Devon, while we were pursuing the Thunder Dragon, we discovered a tower towering in the clouds and witnessed the Sky Comet Dragon flying towards its summit."
Li Fan informed him.
Devon's long, slender ears twitched. He stopped, who was about to step onto the hoisting platform, and turned back abruptly.
"That's the Sky-Piercing Tower mentioned in ancient texts... No wonder we could never find any traces of the Sky Comet Dragon inhabiting the ground."
Devon muttered, then excitedly grabbed Li Fan's shoulders.
"So this information is so important! Dielu, quickly bring out the route map you drew!"
"And the route map too!"
Devon was shocked again.
"Yes, meow! However, the team's flight path is very narrow. I don't know if it's suitable for a giant airship."
Dielu said, handing over the map.
Devon received it like a treasure, but then his gaze fell on the contract in his other hand, and he hesitated.
"Devon, tracking and researching the Sky Comet Dragon concerns the safety of countless people. A slight delay in contract certification is fine. The most important thing now is to start the investigation."
Li Fan said with a serious expression.
"Alright! I will report this significant geographical discovery to headquarters under the team's name. The reward is yet to be determined, but in the next issue of the journal, the team will definitely be prominently recognized!"
Devon said, returning the contract. He then took the route map of the Sky-Piercing Tower and, with his research team, hurried towards the research cabin.
"Leave it to me!"
A young male investigator with a four-star hunter badge stepped forward.
"Hmm... Investigator, how much do you know about the Thunder Dragon?"
Li Fan probed.
Although the mobile guild branch on the Pioneer was not as large as those in towns and villages, there couldn't be only one investigator.
"I'm ashamed to say, I've only participated in joint quests to hunt Brachydios before. I don't know much about the Thunder Dragon. However, there's a senior in our mobile branch who once encountered a Thunder Dragon in the wild. Shall I ask him to come over?"
"No need, I have confidence in you. You'll do."
Li Fan said resolutely.
"Thank you for your trust. I will complete the certification diligently!"
The young male investigator was greatly encouraged.
"Excellent, just as I predicted."
Li Fan secretly rejoiced.
The review mechanism for hunting contracts had an unavoidable flaw.
That is, four-star hunter investigators had limited knowledge of five-star monsters.
But even with limited knowledge, they were still the most qualified professional certifiers available.
The Hunter's Guild was also powerless in this regard. They couldn't possibly train a five-star hunter and then have them continue to work as field investigators.
At the very least, they should be assigned to various branches to become branch chiefs.
Moreover, the frequency of five-star contract certifications was very low, making it difficult to gain experience and train specialized personnel.
The hoisting platform slowly descended, reaching the bottom of the Blazing Fire.
The young male investigator had never seen a Thunder Dragon before and could only flip through the investigator's handbook, reluctantly proceeding with the certification according to the procedure.
After more than ten minutes, the hoisting platform ascended.
"This is my first time seeing a Thunder Dragon. It's a terrifying monster. The certification is no problem. The damage to the left wing claw, the bullet marks on the chest membrane, and the scent of the specialized dye bomb all confirm that this is the Thunder Dragon that attacked the Pioneer."
The young male investigator said with a smile.
"So, the certification is confirmed?"
Li Fan probed.
"Not yet. The medium-sized airship Blazing Fire is not qualified to transport live five-star monsters. It is recommended to kill it and transport it."
"Ah?"
Li Fan hadn't expected to fail at this point.
"Don't worry, the Abandoned Peaks are unclaimed territory, so there are special transport clauses. As long as the flight path avoids towns and villages, it will be approved for transport."
The young male investigator informed him, then took out a stamp from his backpack and pressed it onto the area marked "Rebel of Thunder."
"That's good then."
"Please ensure transportation safety. If the monster escapes midway, you must report it to the nearest affiliated branch. Thank you for your team's efforts in maintaining regional stability."
"Thank you for your certification."
Li Fan took the certified contract and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The reward for this joint contract didn't include an immediate star upgrade, and the team wouldn't need all the materials.
However, the 170,000z prize money and direct promotion to Senior Hunter of the Dragon Calendar Institute were two incredibly generous conditions.
For Li Fan, being promoted to Senior Hunter of the Dragon Calendar Institute held not only extraordinary significance but was also very timely.
The next day, in the Blazing Fire's cabin restaurant.
"Senior Hunter of the Dragon Calendar Institute, it sounds quite impressive. What are the specific benefits?"
Eudora asked, looking at the contract with curiosity.
"You can enter the headquarters' research institute's top-secret archives and access a lot of sealed, firsthand ecological data. The headquarters also has exclusive large rooms, and there are discounts at the headquarters' restaurant and equipment workshop. When going on expeditions, the Dragon Calendar Institute will assign airships to transport the team. What else was there..."
Li Fan recounted all the benefits he had learned the previous day.
"And there are free Felyne training courses, meow! I signed up for the brass band class!"
Dielu, holding a hunting horn, reminded him.
"It seems quite good. I remember that if you're recognized by the Dragon Calendar Institute, it also helps with the guild's five-star hunter evaluation."
Eudora recalled.
"I plan to stay at the Dragon Calendar Institute headquarters in Belna Village for a while. During this time, we'll split up. If you need to find me, just go to the headquarters' research institute."
Li Fan instructed.
"What are you going there for?"
Eudora asked curiously.
"To do something very important."
Li Fan said softly.
Five days later, at dawn, the Blazing Fire landed at the Dragon Calendar Institute's top空港.
After the team completed their contract certification, Li Fan and Eudora both obtained Senior Hunter status and began to go their separate ways.
Creak!
Pushing open the research institute's grand doors, the hall filled with bookshelves seemed rather deserted, as the Natural Selection had already departed with many researchers.
Li Fan approached the management desk. A short, elderly dragon-person granny was sitting on a chair, her feet dangling, engrossed in a book.
"Hello, Grandma! I want to go to the top-secret archives! Here's my Senior Hunter badge!"
Li Fan raised his voice, fearing she might be hard of hearing.
"Oh! What a spirited hunter! To become a senior member at such a young age."
The dragon-person granny took off her reading glasses, looked at the Senior Hunter badge, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Yes, the medal was just forged, still warm."
"The research team members Todd and Sick have already departed. I'll accompany you then."
The dragon-person granny hopped off the chair, picked up the small walking stick leaning against the desk, which was shaped like a giant snake coiled around a mountain.
In front of the iron door to the top-secret archives, the dragon-person granny walked to a flowerpot on the left, crouched down, lifted a corner of the pot, and retrieved a silver key.
Click! With a turn of the key, the heavy iron door was pulled open by the dragon-person granny's single hand.
Li Fan stepped inside.
Three rows of bookshelves were arranged horizontally, with an aisle in the middle and four rectangular tables.
In terms of configuration, the top-secret archives were not much different from the outside.
Furthermore, with scattered draft papers and boxes of documents placed haphazardly, it gave a sense of being unable to find one's footing.
"The appearance of the Sky Comet Dragon has kept the researchers so busy they've forgotten to clean. Please excuse the mess."
The dragon-person granny sighed.
"It's fine."
Li Fan didn't care about the environment.
"According to the regulations for accessing the top-secret archives, I cannot leave until you depart. Shall I help you find the information you're looking for?"
"Uh..."
"I'm a bit short now, but I can point out the location of the materials for you to consult."
"Thank you. I'd like to find information about the battle to repel the Nakarkall in the past."
"Nakarkall... Second row, left bookshelf, seventh shelf. The books with 'The Star of Naraku' on the spine are all about Nakarkall."
Li Fan, following the dragon-person granny's directions, soon carried six large books to the table.
The dragon-person granny sat at another table and asked, "New Senior Hunter, may I know your name?"
"My name is Li Fan."
"Li Fan, that name sounds a bit unfamiliar."
"And you, Grandma?"
"My name is Vegash."
"Vegash... You are... the Director of the Dragon Calendar Institute!"
Li Fan had heard this name more than once on the Pioneer.
"Yes, the researchers have all gone on a trip, and someone has to look after the institute... Oh! Look at my memory, I seem to have forgotten this."
Vegash said, pulling out an unfinished sweater from a half-open drawer on the table in front of her.
The knitting technique was decent, but if I were to knit it...
What am I thinking! I should be more cautious.
Li Fan moved the open notebook closer to his chest and began to read its contents.
Classification of Mutations:
The first type is adaptive mutation, which refers to mutations that occur for monsters to adapt to their environment and maintain their survival.
A representative example is the special individual, the Narwa the Allmother.
To compensate for its visual deficiencies, it continuously trained to stimulate its bubble-sensing abilities.
Judging from the ghostfire bubbles that can cause explosions, its dietary habits have also changed accordingly.
Through such constant adaptation, it has achieved a unique and alternative mutation.
The second type is triggered mutation, which refers to mutations that occur when certain substances enter the body, absorb, and react, causing the monster to mutate.
The most representative examples are the Gold Rathian transforming after eating a Kirin horn, and the Crimson Glow Valstrax and the Raging Brachydios that emit the Frenzy virus.
Li Fan, looking at the not-yet-extensive research summary on mutations, opened the first book, a black-bound volume labeled "The Star of Naraku."
Elemental energy transformation is not uncommon in other games.
However, among the monsters in Monster Hunter, it is a rare trait.
And the Nakarkall not only achieved elemental transformation but did so by simulating and reconstructing the monster's skeletal structure.
That is, after devouring hunted monsters, it achieved elemental energy restoration using only parts of their skeletons.
This can be described as incredibly fantastical.
This is precisely what Li Fan valued.
He believed that if this mystery could be unraveled, perhaps a path for monsters to break through mutations could be found.