The team crept into the jungle in the mountains, continuing their observations.
The Rathian and the Barioth became each other's hunting targets.
Both monsters fought with all their might but ultimately could not escape.
As dawn broke, the Velkhana stopped feeding and flew away.
"Aren't we going to try and track it?" Eudora asked.
"It seems to be very mindful of its cleanliness, meow. Throwing a marking ball will be removed immediately, and it will also raise its alert," Felyne stated, voicing her concerns.
Marking balls were ineffective against two types of monsters.
One was the overwhelming body odor that completely masked the scent of the marking ball, and the other was a monster that preferred a clean body surface.
"This is difficult..." Eudora looked troubled.
"Go, little bug!" At that moment, Li Fan threw an attack ball towards a swarm of Gnashers flying high in the sky.
The ball opened, a flash of white light appeared, and a Gnasher flew out.
"Huh?"
"Meow?"
Eudora and Felyne were both stunned.
"That's one of the Velkhana's Gnasher swarms. Little bug will infiltrate it and help us track the Velkhana... Go, little bug, I believe you can hide well," Li Fan explained, looking up at the sky with reverence.
"Uh... this tracking method is good, but Li Fan, have you noticed that your little bug seems a bit larger than the other Gnashers in the swarm?" Li Fan was slightly taken aback by Eudora's question.
"More than a bit larger, meow. Little bug is as big as three," Felyne said, observing with her monocular telescope.
"Little bug is an异化体 that has absorbed the life force of 'Meow Meow', I was negligent... Go, little bug! I'll avenge you if anything happens." Perhaps it was Li Fan's encouragement, but the little bug spun and accelerated in the air, crashing into the swarm and forcefully integrating itself.
The Fortress Area was in a state of high instability year-round.
Except for the public camp on the coast, few teams established wilderness camps.
The team did not have to worry about this aspect. For more convenient investigation, they established a small camp in a forest on a mountaintop.
Beside the campfire, Eudora looked at the observation records and said curiously, "Hunting three large monsters continuously overnight, without tormenting them or storing their corpses, such strange habits."
"And it basically only draws life force from fatal wounds, with no conventional feeding behavior, meow." Felyne was also puzzled by her observations.
"Could it be hunting for the Gnashers?" Li Fan speculated.
"Don't Gnashers have their own hunting methods?"
"That's true, but the performance of the Rathalos last night indicates that some monsters have found ways to counter them. Perhaps they can't be completely immune to Gnasher infiltration, but they can significantly delay the parasitic period. If the Gnashers are currently lacking energy and need to replenish quickly, the Velkhana hunting monsters is clearly the most efficient method." Li Fan explained.
"But isn't the symbiotic model of Gnashers to parasitize other monsters to absorb life force and then feed it back to the ultimate host?" Eudora felt that if this speculation were true, the symbiotic relationship between the two would be reversed.
"Perhaps the Velkhana is preparing for a major battle and wants its Gnasher swarms to be in a state of full vitality at all times," Li Fan stated.
"Ah? That's not good for the capture operation, meow," Felyne said worriedly.
"Exactly, so we need meticulous planning... Let's start with the antidote for the bug poison." Li Fan pointed the way.
Once the Gnasher swarms released by the Velkhana became rampant, it would not only affect the Fortress Highlands but also the entire jurisdiction of the Elder's Recess.
The sooner the antidote for the bug poison was developed, the greater the safety assurance for hunters and residents.
Secondly, there was also the possibility of researching human-like monster overcoming.
After resting at the camp for half a day, the team set out.
After gathering the three monsters they had been raising and instructing them not to cause trouble, Li Fan returned to the base.
At this time, Fiora had led the Kingdom Knights' Hunting Party out on a mission. Li Fan went to inquire with Instructor Arlo about the development of the bug poison antidote.
He recommended a wandering physician named Yan.
This Dragonborn doctor had been active throughout the continent and was a renowned virus expert. He was currently conducting research and investigations within the jurisdiction of Elgard.
However, after submitting a report to the research institute and informing them of his next destination to the Island Jungle, there had been no further news.
Since the time he had been out of contact was not long enough, and Dragonborn could blend in with nature and possessed excellent wilderness survival abilities, the branch had not yet issued a rescue contract.
"Thank you, Instructor Arlo. We'll go look for him. If Yan is alright, we'll let you know promptly." As Li Fan was about to leave after understanding the situation, Arlo called him back.
"Wait, what information did you pass to Fiora? After receiving the letter and reporting it to Admiral Garrias, she immediately set out with the elite members of the Kingdom Knights' Hunting Party."
"If she didn't disclose it, it's probably not suitable for public announcement yet," Li Fan speculated.
Intelligence plus a specimen was quite detailed evidence.
However, the impact of its public release would be too great. It was understandable that the Kingdom Knights' Hunting Party would be sent to confirm it first.
"It seems this situation is very serious..." Arlo sighed, looking at the giant circular pit next to the base.
"With us here, nothing will happen," Eudora said confidently.
"Uh... haha, it seems your visit is perfectly timed. How is your training with the secret techniques coming along?" Arlo's somber expression quickly eased.
"We're still at the basic Qi and cultivation stage," Li Fan replied.
"Don't be discouraged. Qi and is by no means something that can be mastered in a short time. After this incident is resolved, I will provide you with specialized guidance. Also, although the description says that Qi and has the ability to resist monster attacks, you must not apply it in actual combat." Arlo gave another reminder.
"Yes, Instructor Arlo," Li Fan promised.
Not long after, the team boarded the transport ship bound for the Island Jungle.
On the deck, Eudora unfurled a portrait of the wandering physician Yan and said in surprise, "This Yan looks so much like Devin, the chief researcher of the Dragon Calendar Institute."
"Really?... It's true, meow." Felyne peeked and confirmed.
"It's been a long time since I've been back to headquarters. I really miss him and the Dean..." Li Fan sighed.
"Speaking of which, are you still reading the recent Dragon Calendar Institute journals?" Eudora asked.
"Yes, I caught up on all the ones I missed on the way to Elgard," Li Fan replied.
"Are there any current developments from the Dragon Calendar Institute?"
"Yes, overall, they are very envious of the research results obtained by the investigation team in the New World, and they keep proving the importance of you, me, and Felyne. Also... they are correcting the term 'Azure Star' and stating that the Dragon Calendar Institute's Chief Hunter Team is the correct designation."
"Uh... it somehow feels a bit desolate." Eudora said unexpectedly.
"There's nothing we can do. The rise of the Dragon Cult has made the Dragon Calendar Institute's radical style less popular with the public. Moreover, the Guild's layout and foundation are still too deep. However, as a research institution that can temporarily overshadow the Guild, the Dragon Calendar Institute is already very powerful," Li Fan explained.
"Will the Dragon Calendar Institute still track and investigate monsters, meow?" Felyne asked.
"Of course. In this issue, it is also clearly stated that they have locked onto the location of an Elder Dragon, and they will depart for observation once the Dragon Sightship is ready," Li Fan answered affirmatively.
"What Elder Dragon, meow?" Felyne asked curiously.
"It hasn't been announced. They only said it was discovered in an uncharted area, was repelled by the Dragon Calendar Institute, and then lost its trace."
"Could it be Huìhuì?" Eudora speculated.
"Impossible. Huìhuì's ecological information has been extensively analyzed through multiple battles. As long as it doesn't pose a serious ecological threat, it won't have much research value. Moreover, the current Huìhuì wouldn't have its location locked onto," Li Fan stated his reasoning.
The transport ship only sailed for three hours before reaching the Island Jungle.
This made Li Fan feel that establishing the base in a very forward position had its advantages.
Sunlight, waves, beaches, coconut trees, and small shield crabs.
The scenery, blending beauty and delicious food, was very pleasant to behold.
However, when the abandoned public camp on the coast came into view, Li Fan felt that the hunter team didn't seem to like this place very much.
The reason was provided by the highly unstable area markings on the branch's map.
However, this was not the work of Gnashers, but simply due to the high density of monsters in the area, which had been the case for years.
No hunter team liked encountering three wild boars pawing their hooves, a Plesioth crossing the river, and swarms of mosquitoes while engaged in a life-or-death battle with a large monster.
Unfortunately, in the Island Jungle, this was a constant threat to face.
"Felyne, fire a few signal flares first to see if Yan is really trapped." After Li Fan finished speaking, several yellow signal flares shot up into the sky and exploded.
Multiple yellow signal flares generally indicated that rescue had arrived, and a timely response was needed to confirm the location.
"If the other party is not in distress and doesn't need assistance, that would be troublesome." Li Fan frowned slightly, seeing no response after half a day.
Monster tracking teams were one thing, but for tracking people, they had no relevant system.
"No response for so long, they must not be here," Eudora said helplessly.
"Then there's no choice but to search little by little," Li Fan said, releasing Xixi from its ball and then dividing the jungle into three routes.
"Your group with Felyne has a slower ground speed. Why don't you divide more of the search area to me?" Eudora suggested after looking at the route division on the map.
"It's okay, Felyne and I won't be much slower than you," Li Fan said confidently.
"Why?" Eudora asked, confused.
"Because the monster carrying us is extraordinary."
...
"Charge, Qingtian!"
"It's time to turn, meow!"
Screech! Screech! Caw! ...
Within the dense jungle, Qingtian completed a turn with a small arc amidst the shouts, leaving only a trail of dust kicked up by its hooves.
Clomp clomp! Clomp clomp! Whoosh~
The Zinogre and Barioth, who were confronting each other on the slope, noticed the approaching sound and quickly turned their attention, but only saw a spiky pig's tail.
The two dragons withdrew their gaze in confusion and resumed their confrontation.
"You went the wrong way, meow! Qingtian, it's this way!"
Clomp clomp! Clomp clomp! Whoosh~
The Bulldrome, which had just left, ran back past the two dragons.
The Zinogre and Barioth could no longer stand it, roared, and gave chase.
Whoosh! Snap!
Li Fan waved his hand backward and threw a flash bomb. The two dragons immediately saw stars and stopped their pursuit.
"The monster density here is outrageous. Avoiding combat as much as possible is the best strategy... Oh! Giant Bee! Qingtian, turn! Ram it to death!" As Li Fan directed, Qingtian charged towards a giant bee that resembled a giant mosquito.
Thwack! As the chitin cracked, a mass of green fluid splattered out. xxs壹贰
On Eudora's side, due to the severe obstruction of visibility in the dense jungle, her aerial maneuvers had to be at a lower altitude.
Eudora was also annoyed by the constantly appearing monsters.
Boom! Boom! Boom! ...
The air blasts from the charged Wind Shear attacks continuously rose from the forest.
Xixi searched for a long time. It didn't find the target human but found a young Zinogre with an eggshell on its head under a tree.
Hiss hiss~ Hiss hiss~ ...
The undeveloped head crest vibrated rapidly, causing the eggshell to enter a state of high-frequency vibration.
Thump~ Thump~ ...
Sensing the heavy footsteps approaching, the panicked young Zinogre took off, wobbling as it began to run.
Thump~ Crash~
The half-shell on its head, with its patterned surface, shattered against the bark of the tree.
The young Zinogre sat down on the ground with a plop, quickly shook its head to dislodge the eggshell fragments, and just as it was about to get up, a huge shadow spread from behind.
It twisted its neck to look, its red round eyes blinked a few times, and then the young Zinogre spread its insect-like wings and ran to Xixi's feet, rubbing its head against them.
Squeak~ Squeak~ ...
Listening to the soft chirps, Xixi was a bit at a loss.
"A Zinogre that raises its young, and it's golden..." From within the distant bushes, a Dragonborn man wearing round-rimmed glasses and carrying a multi-layered medicine box was very surprised by Xixi's behavior.
Since it was very familiar with human voices, even though the other party was only speaking softly, Xixi still locked onto the sound and noticed it.
Seeing the Zinogre's gaze, the Dragonborn man darted out from the bushes and began to flee.
Just as Xixi was about to take flight, the squeaking sound from its feet came again.
Puff! Whoosh!
Seeing a beam of light flash from the dense jungle.
The team immediately stopped their search and rushed to the location where Xixi had signaled.
"This is... a young Zinogre, meow!" Seeing the young Zinogre hiding behind Xixi's feet, Felyne was very surprised.
"Eudora, according to normal hunter regulations, what should be done in this situation?" Li Fan, having participated in few hunter assessments, asked Eudora for help.
"Eggs can be brought back and submitted to the Guild for rewards. If it has already hatched, the Guild's advice is not to intervene unless there is a contract requirement," Eudora informed him.
"Hmm... so, let it fend for itself."
"Yes, you could put it another way, like letting nature decide its future."
"Although it's unlikely, I still want to ask, Xixi, this isn't your cub, is it?" Li Fan asked tentatively.
Roar~
"Ah?"
Upon hearing the response, Li Fan showed an expression of astonishment.