After traveling across the plains for about an hour, having hunted two herbivorous dragons, Li Fan climbed to the top of a rocky outcrop where the little dummy often landed during yesterday's observation.
*Clink!*
Large chunks of fresh raw meat were unloaded from his back onto the ground.
Li Fan draped the leaf-woven camouflage net over himself, drew the hunter's knife from his lower back, and made several clean cuts in the raw meat.
Taking the small cloth bag handed to him by Dilu, Li Fan exchanged a look with Dilu, and both pulled up the scarves at their chin to cover their mouths and noses.
A small amount of silver powder was poured onto the raw meat. As their hands and cat paws continuously rubbed, the powder quickly spread evenly, adhering to the surface of the raw meat.
"Is this done, meow?"
Dilu looked at the raw meat, which sparkled with silver specks on its surface, and asked tentatively.
"The Harmony Book says sleep raw meat needs to be marinated for at least 3 hours, and the special ingredients added must be potent enough so that the effect on large monsters isn't weakened. We need to hide this piece of raw meat first."
As Li Fan spoke, he tore off a large piece of the leaf camouflage net and covered the raw meat.
The man and the cat entered the bushes, heading for the little dummy's next resting spot.
Capturing a female dragon with sleep raw meat was not initially part of the team's plan.
The primary reason was the low probability of success.
In the constant back-and-forth between hunters and monsters, not only do hunters gain experience, but monsters do too.
Therefore, apart from species that are naturally gluttonous and greedy, monsters have long been wary of these inexplicably appearing large chunks of raw meat, especially experienced individuals.
Secondly, the burden of weight on the hunter team also limited the carrying of raw meat.
Unlike what is depicted in the game, for raw meat traps to be sufficiently attractive to monsters, the size of the meat chunks must be substantial.
If the target was a female dragon about seventeen meters long.
According to the Harmony Book, the thickness of the raw meat should be at least up to an adult's knee, and it must be fresh. Any slight spoilage would be disliked by the dragon.
However, even with refrigeration methods available, no hunter team would be willing to have one of their members set out carrying only two large pieces of meat.
Therefore, the current common practice is to hunt the freshest raw meat in the hunting area and marinate it directly when setting up traps.
While this approach puts a strain on the team's supplies, it is at least more feasible than carrying beast meat across mountains and rivers.
As for why Li Fan chose this plan with a low success rate, it was mainly due to his research on the impact of the unstable environment in the forest.
Although dragons are ferocious, they generally do not attack wild outposts or villages without reason.
A short-term surge in the dragon population in an area causes ecological disruption and a shortage of food.
Then dragons will inevitably migrate or expand their hunting grounds, which is what the guild is concerned about.
However, at the same time, it provides an excellent opportunity for the use of raw meat traps.
Especially for someone like the little dummy, who appears to be a novice female dragon.
The sleep raw meat at the second resting spot was marinated. Li Fan and Dilu slipped into the bushes to hide and observe.
The bag of Mermaid Dragon Hypnotic Powder, costing 2000z, was now empty.
Li Fan, crawling on the ground, looked at the shriveled small cloth bag in his hand, feeling a pang of regret.
There are various recipes for harmonizing sleep raw meat, usually based on powder from sleeping herbs.
Sleep bullets and sleep bombs are harmonized in the same way.
However, to achieve strong sleep effects on large monsters and prolonged sleep duration, one must choose more potent sleep bags or Mermaid Dragon Hypnotic Powder as harmonizing materials.
Furthermore, the amount used must be increased depending on the monster's size or resistance to achieve the desired effect.
For Li Fan's plan to succeed, he needed to control the little dummy within an area for at least half an hour, so this expense was unavoidable when preparing supplies.
After three hours of waiting, a buzzing vibration came from the chest plate of the Kamaitachi Dragon.
"Time's almost up, let's start retrieving the camouflage net."
Li Fan turned off the vibration alarm on his handheld device and began to act with Dilu.
An hour later, the team gathered at the agreed-upon location.
"My sleep raw meat setup is complete, and the process went smoothly," Eudora reported.
"Thank you for your hard work. This means all three of yesterday's usual resting spots are now equipped with sleep raw meat. Judging by the time, the Great Ape should be ready by now. Now we just wait for the little dummy to take the bait."
The team found a high ground nearby and began to monitor.
Half an hour later, they observed the female dragon, named Aunt Mo, landing next to a prepared piece of sleep raw meat. Li Fan couldn't help but exclaim, "Don't do it, Aunt Mo... no!"
*Crunch!* Aunt Mo opened her large mouth and bit into the sleep raw meat.
After chewing vigorously a few times, she quickly swallowed it.
"This female dragon is so annoying..." Eudora complained.
"There's nothing we can do. Wild hunting is like this; not all plans go as smoothly as we'd like. But the fact that Aunt Mo came to eat the sleep raw meat means our general direction is correct." Li Fan remained optimistic.
Aunt Mo was an elderly female dragon. If even she could be fooled, it at least meant the idea wasn't flawed.
As they spoke, Aunt Mo's gait suddenly became unsteady. Her head swayed uncontrollably from side to side, and her eyelids began to droop.
*Thump!* A cloud of dust rose as Aunt Mo fell to the ground, and huge snot bubbles continuously emerged from her nostrils.
"My heavens... this money was definitely well spent. Such a large dragon, and it fell asleep in less than 30 seconds."
Li Fan said, setting a timer on his handheld device.
According to the Harmony Book, the amount of Mermaid Dragon Hypnotic Powder used this time was definitely enough to keep the female dragon asleep for over thirty minutes.
However, Li Fan still wanted to gather actual test data to support future plans.
Just over ten minutes after Aunt Mo fell asleep, at another deployment point, the little dummy landed with a flap of its wings.
The two people and one cat, who had been lurking, suddenly had their eyes light up.
However, as soon as the little dummy landed, the Broken-Tail Sister followed closely behind.
The little dummy lowered its wings and raised its head to observe.
The Broken-Tail Sister, on the other hand, lowered her head, continuously scraping the ground with her claws and emitting a warning growl.
The little dummy cast a reluctant glance at the sleep raw meat beside it, took two steps back, and took off from the spot with a flap of its wings.
"Li Fan, is this little dummy... really worth capturing?" Eudora asked tentatively.
Clearly, based on its performance just now, the Broken-Tail Sister far surpassed the little dummy in both aura and ferocity.
"Yes." Li Fan confirmed.
"Any reason?"
"Don't you feel a latent sense of rhythm beneath its symmetrical physique?" Li Fan inquired.
Eudora watched for a moment, then shook her head. "Uh... I don't see it. I just think it acted a bit weak."
The little dummy circled in the sky, as if searching for a prey target.
Twenty minutes later, it finally discovered the last piece of sleep raw meat at its familiar resting spot.
However, just as it was about to approach, Yingying, whose flight posture was very uncoordinated, flew over with a deep red male dragon.
The little dummy quickly adjusted its flight posture to evade.
"Oh! It..."
"Yes, a slight tilt of the wings to glide, and it completed a deceleration and turn." Li Fan voiced what Eudora was about to say.
After Yingying and the male dragon landed, they first observed the sleep raw meat for a while.
Finally, the male dragon, displaying gentlemanly demeanor, yielded the raw meat to Yingying.
However, as Yingying lowered its head to swallow, the male dragon's gaze followed the little dummy's flight path.
*Whoosh!* The male dragon suddenly spread its wings and, without paying any attention to the disoriented Yingying, took off and began to pursue.
"What a scummy male dragon," Eudora commented.
"Choosing the optimal individual for mating is understandable." Li Fan didn't find anything wrong with it.
Moreover, the male dragon's choice also proved, on a fundamental level, that the little dummy was a high-quality individual.
"Uh... all three pieces of sleep raw meat are gone, meow." Dilu's ears drooped, and she sighed.
"It's okay, you guys go back and rest first. After I record the sleep duration, we'll go back and summarize the experience, and continue tomorrow." Li Fan encouraged.
"Um... I'd like to stay and watch the follow-up between the male dragon and the little dummy." Eudora raised her hand.
"No problem. I've already named this male dragon 'Big Cousin.' If you notice any details worth paying attention to, remember to remind me." Li Fan said, opening his notebook.
In the evening, by the campfire at the cave camp.
The two people and one cat all sighed involuntarily as they looked at the single meat patty in the pot.
It wasn't that the team didn't hunt enough food, but rather that the vast majority of the beast meat had to be reserved for future hunts.
"The raw meat can be marinated at night, so it can be used directly the next day. Within a night, the meat quality should not spoil. Moreover, after the Hypnotic Powder is fully integrated into the meat, there's no need to worry about it scattering during transport, affecting the sleep effect." Li Fan offered a modification suggestion.
"What if another female dragon comes to eat it?" Eudora felt this was a significant hidden danger.
"That... it's difficult to limit at the moment." Li Fan said with difficulty.
Sleep was indeed a status abnormality, and in terms of effect, all three female dragons had slept for nearly an hour.
However, due to the lack of subsequent damage and no connection to the hunter team, the threat it posed was certainly not as memorable as paralysis raw meat.
Li Fan even suspected that some female dragons might just think they had a pleasant nap after eating, without even noticing any abnormality.
Then, the next time raw meat appeared in the same location, they wouldn't easily give it up.
Li Fan hadn't anticipated that raw meat traps being too effective would also become a problem.
"This part is really difficult, meow." Dilu tilted her head in thought.
"Since those female dragons like to steal food, how about changing it to paralysis raw meat?" Eudora suggested.
"I've considered that. The poison fangs of the Great Jaggi and paralysis mushrooms can both be made into paralysis raw meat. However, Great Jaggi generally only inhabit desert areas. Paralysis mushrooms can be collected by the Great Ape, but the problem is that the amount needed to affect dragons is simply too much." Li Fan's first task upon arriving in the Monster Hunter world was to collect blue mushrooms.
Therefore, he had a general understanding of mushroom growth.
"So you've already thought of that... then can't you add something else? In theory, as long as it makes the dragon disgusted, right?" Eudora said thoughtfully.
"Make the dragon disgusted..." Li Fan murmured, as if struck by an idea.
"Since those female dragons are so fond of snatching food, tonight, in addition to the raw meat with Hypnotic Powder, we'll make another batch."
"What should we add, meow?"
"Add some 'special ingredients'... but we'll have to do that outside the camp." Li Fan said with a smile.
The next morning, three pieces of raw meat were again placed at yesterday's locations.
As if discouraged by yesterday's experience, the little dummy had not appeared.
However, the female dragons who had snatched food yesterday were frequently flying back and forth overhead.
"Dilu, what is Li Fan smiling about?" Eudora, hidden in concealment, asked with some concern.
"Uh... perhaps he's happy thinking about the plan, meow."
"But he's had that smile all morning. Is everything really okay?"
"It's fine! I know Li Fan best, meow. He's the most optimistic hunter I've ever met. No matter what setbacks he encounters, he always finds a way to get back up." Dilu assured.
Twenty minutes later, Aunt Mo landed.
Seeing that there was another piece of raw meat in the spot where she had found it yesterday, she warily scanned her surroundings.
"Aunt Mo, hurry, hurry, Aunt Mo, eat it... beautiful!" Li Fan cheered as he saw Aunt Mo pick up the raw meat, chew it, and swallow.
*Mmmph... mmmph...*
As she savored it, Aunt Mo's eyes suddenly widened.
*Ptooey!* The raw meat, along with a puff of yellow mist, was spat out from her mouth.
*ROAR!!!!* An enraged roar echoed through the surroundings.
"Uh..."
"Meow...."
Eudora and Dilu, one person and one cat, were both startled by the scene before them.
"All in all... this is indeed a way to eliminate future trouble." Eudora said with a helpless expression.
"I'll call it Li Fan's Secret Mini-Burger." Li Fan announced.
"What a magical name, meow." Dilu commented.
Half an hour later, the Broken-Tail Sister landed. She poked her head over the cliff's edge, looking left and right, seemingly trying to pinpoint her destination while resting.
"Hey there, here we come, meow." Li Fan greeted from a distance.
Unexpectedly sensing the presence of raw meat, the Broken-Tail Sister turned to look, pondered for a moment, then picked up the raw meat and quickly ran into the jungle.
Li Fan speculated that the Broken-Tail Sister probably knew the effects of sleep raw meat, and it wasn't even her second time eating it.
But precisely because she knew the effects, she deliberately ate it, thinking the resulting negative status was within her control.
Such a decision to engage in this kind of gamble was truly unexpected.
Putting aside his playful mood, Li Fan immediately opened his notebook and solemnly recorded the event.
*ROAR!!!* A roar filled with extreme anger erupted, and the Broken-Tail Sister took to the air.
At noon, Yingying came alone. The male dragon that had followed yesterday was nowhere to be seen.
It didn't look for raw meat but found a spot and curled up on the ground.
However, after trying to sleep for half a day and finding it impossible, it flew away in frustration.
"Operation start!" Li Fan shouted, and he and Eudora, carrying the sleep raw meat, each ran towards a resting spot.
After placing the two pieces of sleep raw meat, the little dummy had already appeared in the distance.
Li Fan saw that the crucial Secret Mini-Burger hadn't been replaced yet, and it was almost too late.
The little dummy had such an experience yesterday, it would definitely observe before approaching. There was an opportunity!
Li Fan immediately released Kuku, hugged its neck, and Kuku quickly spread its wings and took off.
"Kuku, a little lower."
Kuku followed instructions, lowering its flight altitude, and safely reached the resting spot.
However, as he finished replacing the raw meat and was about to leave, a gust of wind suddenly descended.
Li Fan had no choice but to dive into the bushes and lie down.
*Thump! Thump!*....
The little dummy walked forward, its steps causing the ground to tremble.
The dirt kicked up by its claws splattered Li Fan with mud.
*Roar... roar...?* Seeing the sleep raw meat, the little dummy, which had been whimpering, first froze, then looked up at the sky for a long time. After confirming it could have it all to itself, it bent its neck and bit down hard.
*Mmm... mmm......*
*Plop!* The little dummy collapsed to one side.
Its greenish body rose and fell rhythmically, and large, crystal-clear snot bubbles continuously floated out of its nostrils.
"Did it work, meow?" Dilu asked in a low voice.
"Yes, let's move as quietly as possible."
After moving a sufficient distance away, Li Fan released the Great Ape.
"It's time to unleash the Twilight Domain." Seeing Li Fan's solemn expression, the Great Ape didn't joke around and quickly ran off.
Behind it, a cloud of dusky yellow mist spread out like a jet engine.
Returning to the little dummy's side, Li Fan and Dilu suddenly heard rapid panting approaching from below the cliff.
"Hold on, I'm almost..." Eudora, who was climbing upwards with all her might, was momentarily stunned when she saw two heads appear above the cliff and look down. "Thank goodness... you're alright..."
"Shh!.... Not only are we alright, but the plan was also successfully implemented, meow." Dilu whispered.
After pulling Eudora up, the two people and one cat huddled together on the ground, beginning to strategize their next move.
They were, of course, prepared, but the terrain of the three commonly used resting spots differed, and they couldn't stay long, so the detailed arrangements had to be made on the spot.
In the game, regardless of whether a monster falls asleep actively or passively, the first attack it receives while sleeping has a very high damage multiplier.
This led to a hunting style called "Sleep-Bombing."
This involved first putting the monster to sleep, then placing explosive barrels around it and detonating them to achieve instant high damage.
However, Li Fan had checked a lot of relevant information and found no mention of monsters taking more damage when attacked while asleep.
This meant that the high damage multiplier was not present here.
However, there were many recorded methods for achieving instant high damage after falling asleep.
There were even numerous real records of placing explosive barrels while monsters were sleeping, but the most mainstream application was a powerful strike to vital points!
Attacking a monster in a stationary state was already a rare opportunity for hunters.
Moreover, during sleep, many parts that were normally difficult to attack would be pressed against the ground, with both the carapace and flesh in a completely relaxed state.
If a powerful strike could be delivered at this opportunity, even if it only caused one instance of damage, the damage to the monster would far exceed that of normal combat.
This effect might be similar to increasing the damage multiplier, but the implementation method was completely different.
"Eudora, you'll use a charged slash on the head, that's undisputed. Puff, attack the right wing. The cutting ray is unstable, switch to a water stream ray. I'll attack the left wing, the main objective is to damage the wing membrane. If the little dummy wakes up and tries to fly away immediately, Dilu, as soon as you finish laying the paralysis trap, immediately throw a flash bomb in its face... is that all clear?" Li Fan felt this was all they could deploy.
"Why not bury the paralysis trap first, meow?" Dilu asked curiously.
"Yesterday, I observed the sleeping postures of the other three female dragons and realized that although they were asleep, they didn't seem to be in a deep slumber. Even disturbances from nearby wild butterflies and frogs almost woke them up several times. Burying an extra paralysis trap beforehand is too risky. It's better to act when they're hit hard." Li Fan explained.
"Oh, and don't hold back when you strike. No matter how much we value it, until it's captured, this is still a four-star female dragon. If you hear the retreat order, you must retreat decisively. Puff will cover us, but it's not guaranteed to be foolproof." Li Fan reminded them, and the team began their respective deployments.
As the listless Puff appeared, Li Fan made a shushing gesture.
Glancing at the female dragon lying on the ground, Puff's eyes flashed with a hint of excitement.
"Stay right here and don't move. Later, the water stream ray will attack the wing from top to bottom, this part." Li Fan said, patting his elbow.
"Absolutely no swinging your head sideways, okay?"
*Roar...* Puff responded.
Not long after, Li Fan, Eudora, and Puff completed a triangular formation around the little dummy.
With a raised hand signaling the start of the attack, Eudora slowly moved to directly in front of the little dummy's head.
She first used the Shield Crab Great Sword to measure the distance, and after confirming it was correct, she raised the great sword behind her, assuming a charging stance.
Li Fan stood behind the left wing and drew the Shield Crab Great Sword, which he had just charged by hitting rocks from afar, preparing for a spirit energy slash at its maximum range.
The wing membrane is the softest body tissue of a dragon, and also the thinnest. Attacking from the rear, unprotected by wing claws or bones, with a spirit energy slash at its extreme range, should theoretically be able to cut through it directly.
As Li Fan analyzed, he slightly shifted his position.
As Eudora's Shield Crab Great Sword flashed with a faint red glow, she swung it down.
"Hee-yah!"
*Bang! Crack!* The little dummy's head sank, embedding deeply into the soil, and the layered carapace on its head shattered and flew off.
The water stream ray swept across the ground, flashing past the right wing and arcing towards the sky.
A long gash across the wing membrane appeared on the wing.
Li Fan unleashed three spirit energy slash attacks. The first two caused two extremely long penetrating wounds in the left wing membrane.
The third slash, however, struck the wing bone as the little dummy began to struggle, and the blade was directly repelled.
However, Li Fan hadn't intended to unleash a spirit energy great whirlwind that would move forward, so this outcome was acceptable.
Dilu, with her trembling cat paws, placed the paralysis trap next to the two giant claws, then clutched the flash bomb and began a desperate sprint.
As the little dummy, which had just managed to prop itself up, had fireballs flashing in its mouth, before it could make a move, its giant claws triggered the paralysis trap.
Orange-yellow sparks covered its body, and the little dummy's entire body tensed up and began to tremble violently.
"Fall back!" Li Fan shouted, then began to run quickly, moving away from the little dummy's area.
Puff, accelerating to its maximum on the slippery surface, leaped into the air, twisted its body, and slammed its large, purple-furred tail down.