With a large number of hunters involved and supplies being transported and built.
The upper camp in the Guiding Lands, which initially consisted of only a small tent, has now developed into a large camp comparable in scale to the Coral Highlands.
A more secure elevator was also constructed on the cliff face not long ago.
An area suitable for powerful hunters to hunt and explore was thus formed.
However, the sighting of a special individual of the Great Izuchi, and the skeletal remains of a giant serpent that frequently traversed the area,
Caused Ni Zhen, the leader of the third expedition team, great concern. The current overall skill level of the hunter teams meant that even participating in related investigation quests would be extremely dangerous.
Fortunately, Li Fan's arrival offered her a glimmer of hope.
"A mobile serpent skeleton, a Great Izuchi flashing red鬼火 (guǐhuǒ - ghost fire)... this situation is indeed unusual."
Li Fan's expression turned serious after hearing Ni Zhen's explanation.
"The Great Izuchi is manageable, but our main concern now is the possibility of a Nameless Dragon (Haikai Long) inhabiting the lower levels. So I implore you, Li Fan, to at least bring back some traces. Without ruling out this possibility, everyone lives in constant worry."
Ni Zhen said earnestly.
"No problem. Have there been any new ecological discoveries at the research base recently?"
"Currently, it's mostly confirmations of previous assumptions. As for new discoveries... it's the heavy miasma in the lower levels that severely erodes monsters. Even if monsters adapt their characteristics, they cannot withstand this harm."
Ni Zhen informed him.
"There's such a thing?"
Li Fan was somewhat surprised.
He had assumed that monsters would only inhabit environments beneficial to themselves.
Therefore, the monsters in the lower levels of the Guiding Lands should have been enjoying themselves.
Yet, Ni Zhen's conclusion stated that any monster appearing in the lower levels would suffer harm from the environment.
"This research finding comes from the Pukei-Pukei and the Jagras. They are monsters that can barely survive in the dense miasma of the lower levels, but compared to their counterparts in other environments, their eyesight and healing abilities are severely diminished, their lifespan is significantly shortened, their temperament becomes ferocious, and they may even fall into a state of madness."
Ni Zhen explained.
"This is the complete opposite of that place..."
Li Fan suddenly thought of the Elder's Recess.
"Where?"
Ni Zhen asked curiously.
"In a corresponding location, if the Guiding Lands are part of an ecosystem that decomposes monster carcasses, then it should produce both life-sustaining nutrients and toxic waste."
"Are you referring to the Coral Highlands?"
Ni Zhen speculated.
"Looking upwards, that's indeed the case. If it seeps downwards, it might be a new area... By the way, is the Odogaron's condition also like this?"
Li Fan asked curiously.
"The Odogaron is rather special. With the influx of many hunters, there have been many sightings of Odogaron in the Coral Highlands, and it has been confirmed that it frequently travels between the two areas."
Ni Zhen informed him.
"So, it's constantly enduring the poison and scavenging corpses. If it can't bear it anymore, it comes to the Coral Highlands to recover."
Li Fan deduced.
"That's roughly it, but since no Odogaron carcasses have been obtained yet, the research base cannot confirm it."
Ni Zhen informed him.
Li Fan felt that the information obtained from this visit to the research base was very valuable.
In the evening, they took the elevator to the upper camp.
To make travel and climbing safer and more efficient, and to resist the pungent odor of the miasma.
A large number of green vines were planted in the surrounding areas, but due to the unsuitable soil and water, most of these vines were withered and yellow.
The members of the investigation team were very excited to see Li Fan.
After a brief exchange and investigation, Li Fan chose not to stay overnight but to set off at night.
"Yuan Jiao, Shan Shan, you two shouldn't go to the lower levels anymore."
Two hours later, Li Fan informed them.
"Roar?"
Yuan Jiao let out a confused roar.
"There is indeed a powerful monster staying down there, but I haven't figured out the reason yet. Also, even in the upper areas, you should regularly go to the Coral Highlands to alleviate the effects of the miasma."
Li Fan instructed.
In terms of enhancing strength alone, the environment of the Guiding Lands was highly compatible with Shan Shan and Yuan Jiao.
However, even monsters like the Odogaron, which seemed born for the Guiding Lands, could not inhabit the depths for long, indicating the severe negative impact of the environment.
Mutations had not only positive but also negative aspects.
The raging Heavenly Comet Dragon, which fed on the attributes of other Elder Dragons and fell into madness, was the best example.
After informing them of the dangers of the Guiding Lands and handing over the collected traces, the reconnaissance mission for the monster squad was considered a complete success.
"These are... traces of a special individual Great Izuchi?"
Inside the research base, Ni Zhen looked at the purple shell fragments in the bone tube, saying incredulously.
"Yes, I was lucky. I collected them not long after leaving the camp. This bone tube contains a solution with a strong aroma that can attract a large number of insects. I collected it as well since it seemed unusual. As for the Nameless Dragon, I asked the investigation team members stationed at the camp, and there were no similar traces."
"That's great. I didn't expect to eliminate the hidden danger so quickly."
Ni Zhen said with surprise.
"I'm very interested in these two traces, especially the impact of the Guiding Lands environment."
It could both assist ecological research and provide free check-ups for Yuan Jiao and Shan Shan.
Li Fan was very willing to help with such matters.
"Leave it to us. We will send the research report to the stronghold as soon as it's ready,"
Ni Zhen promised.
With the threat of the Zorah Magdaros gone, the free-ranging monsters were all doing well.
Li Fan's life became more relaxed.
Upon returning to the Astera base, his days were filled with training, sampling new dishes developed by El P.O., or helping to resolve some tricky quests.
Twenty days later, at noon, a sturdy, blond man carrying a cloth bag entered the Astera base.
Seeing the busy scene of hunters and scribes coming and going, the man showed a relieved smile.
However, others, seeing the man's simple equipment, were a bit unsure of his identity.
His bear-like physique and thick arms made him look like a skilled user of heavy weapons.
Yet, the only thing that could be called a weapon on him was a javelin wrapped with rope around his right forearm.
As for armor, it was similar to that of the light-equipped expedition team members, with only light leather armor worn on his body.
However, expedition team members, who had to traverse various treacherous terrains, rarely had such a burly physique.
"It's the Guild Master!"
Di Yan exclaimed upon seeing the man.
"Haha, you've gotten stronger, kid."
The Guild Master laughed heartily.
"Wait a moment!... The Guild Master is back! The Guild Master is back!"
As Di Yan shouted, many people gathered around.
Li Fan, who was on the deck of the Crimson Glow, heard the commotion and leaped down with Dilu.
Surrounded by the crowd, Commander Fleury hurried over.
"I saw the Zorah Magdaros lure operation. Your performance completely exceeded expectations,"
The Guild Master praised.
"Since you saw it, why didn't you show yourself and help?"
Fleury grumbled with a smile.
"Because I trusted you all, hahaha... Just kidding. I wanted to explore its activity patterns in the Guiding Lands before the Nergigante's traces faded, to see if I could find any useful clues."
The Guild Master explained.
"Did you have any new discoveries in the Guiding Lands?"
Fleury speculated.
"That's right. Come and see this first."
The Guild Master said, removed his cloth bag, and threw it on the ground.
Iridescent, shimmering silver crystals scattered from the opening of the bag.
Everyone picked up fragments and examined them in their hands.
"Just holding it, I can feel the energy..."
El P.O. said in amazement, looking at the crystals.
"Where did you find this?"
Fleury's expression suddenly turned serious.
"In a region deep within the Guiding Lands. Similar crystals are everywhere there. I have a premonition that recent events might be related to these crystals, because of the unusual ecological environment..."
"It will inevitably give birth to unusual monsters."
Fleury finished the sentence with great understanding.
"Exactly. Who's interested in exploring with me?"
The Guild Master said, crossing his arms and scanning the crowd.
"The expedition team can go."
Di Yan stepped forward voluntarily.
"That area has a large gathering of Elder Dragons, it's too dangerous. Even if the expedition team visits, they won't be able to advance further."
The Guild Master informed them.
"I recommend Li Fan and Eudora."
Fleury offered his opinion.
The Guild Master followed the gaze of the crowd and quickly identified the two.
The girl suspended in mid-air, the boy with his head tilted – their distinguishing features were more than usual.
"They are indeed very energetic young people. However, that area is truly very dangerous and will never be opened as a normal hunting area in the future. Are you really willing?"
The Guild Master warned.
"We are willing to go."
The two replied in unison.
"Alright, then let's prepare. We'll depart tonight."
The Guild Master nodded with satisfaction and immediately set the departure time.
"We're leaving already? Shouldn't we rest for at least two days?"
Di Yan asked in confusion.
"The answer to the mystery is right before my eyes, I can't wait any longer..."
*Grumble~ Grumble~*
As the Guild Master spoke excitedly, his stomach let out an undeniable rumble.
"Everyone, I need to go to the Meownster Cafe. If you need anything, you can find me there."
A whistle sounded, and the Guild Master threw his wrist javelin, taking flight on a wingdrake.
The land route to the Elder's Recess has finally been found, Li Fan felt it was somewhat sudden.
"For safety reasons, the Crimson Glow definitely cannot go."
In the cabin's living room, Li Fan began planning for the trip.
If they encountered an Elder Dragon attack, he and Eudora were confident they could escape, but the Crimson Glow was another matter.
"So, that means we'll have to take a boat to the caves first, and then enter the Guiding Lands."
El P.O. proposed the route.
"Are you really going?"
Li Fan tested.
"Of course. I'm Eudora's partner, and if I don't go, the camp's meals won't be guaranteed."
El P.O. said firmly.
"That's very reasonable. However, the dangers we'll face this time may not be easily resolved."
"I will only conduct surveys in safe areas, so there won't be any problems."
El P.O. said with great confidence.
"Even if we conduct in-depth investigations, we haven't found any traces of Kushala Daora. Could it be in the area the Guild Master mentioned?"
Eudora speculated.
"It's highly possible. However, the situation there is very complex. Even if we spot Kushala Daora, it's unlikely we'll be able to attack it freely."
Li Fan informed them.
Before departing, they had already learned that Teostra, Lunastra, and Kushala Daora were acting together.
Meow Meow's statement about an Elder Dragon hindering its actions also confirmed this intelligence.
Looking at it this way, the situation in the Elder's Recess was extremely complicated. Li Fan did not want the team to rush in without understanding the general situation.
In the evening, a transport ship departed from the port of Astera.
In just two days, they arrived at the cave where the lure operation had been conducted.
Using the insect trail markers set up and guided by the Guild Master, the four people and one cat traveled through the Guiding Lands for two days, arriving at an extremely bizarre area.
Lava flowed rapidly below like a river, and the surrounding rock walls had numerous regular, protruding rhombic rock pillars.
Adjacent rock pillars were even highly similar in thickness and length.
Li Fan approached to investigate and found that apart from their shape, these rock pillars were no different from ordinary rocks.
"It's quite peculiar, isn't it? Haha, I also studied these rocks for a long time on my first visit, but I couldn't figure anything out."
The Guild Master informed them.
The geological strata of the Guiding Lands appearing in regular shapes to human vision was inherently problematic.
"Could it be the trace of some monster?"
El P.O. speculated while sketching and recording the rocks.
"It's very possible, but the scale is too immense. I can't imagine how it was achieved."
The Guild Master looked up and sighed.
"What are your thoughts on Nergigante?"
The Guild Master asked.
"It's a very terrifying monster."
Li Fan replied.
"Indeed. But it has always accompanied the Elder Dragon migration. Since Zorah Magdaros left the New World, it hasn't appeared again. I believe it can help us unravel the mystery of the Elder Dragon migration, so our main investigation direction after arriving will be focused on Nergigante... What's wrong, Li Fan?"
Seeing Li Fan's sudden change in expression, the Guild Master asked with concern.
"It's nothing. I was just pricked by Nergigante during a previous fight, and I suddenly remembered it was quite dangerous."
Li Fan informed them.
"Don't worry. If we encounter a fight, I can cover your retreat."
The Guild Master raised his fist and said confidently.
"Guild Master, your armor is too thin. Is it really okay to participate in combat?"
Eudora asked worriedly.
"Without the constraints of armor, muscles can exert their strength better, and movements can be more agile... uh, I shouldn't teach these things to young people."
Realizing he had said the wrong thing, the Guild Master quickly covered his mouth.
At this moment, an uphill path appeared before them.
"We're almost there."
The Guild Master said, quickening his pace.
As they walked up the slope, a few silver crystals were scattered on the ground.
El P.O. and Dilu were about to collect them when they were stopped by the Guild Master.
The reason was not explained, but as they proceeded, more and more silver crystals came into view.
Until the surrounding rock walls and the ground they stepped on were all occupied by gleaming silver, El P.O. and Dilu suddenly understood.
In the area they were about to visit, silver crystals would be as common as rocks.
.
Zhao Lala reminds you: Remember to collect after reading.