If it were an expedition, there would have to be a final objective.
Li Fan unfolded the map and discovered that the entrance to Fort Feiyue, the Fire Village, and the harbor behind the cliff were all on the same straight line.
If this line were extended, the area to be traveled would be deep in the ocean.
From a positional standpoint, this was the opposite direction of where the Wind God Dragon appeared.
Therefore, the Wind God Dragon would not be the target of the Hundred Beast Night.
The Thunder God Dragon had not even been sighted, so that was even less likely.
Moreover, even among monsters of forbidden levels, none had yet been found to possess characteristics that made all other monsters hostile.
After pondering for a long time with no results, Li Fan released Hui Hui and questioned her.
Hui Hui sensed the aura from the sea and let out a low growl.
"You're saying this sensation once permeated the continent, and you could sense it no matter where you flew?"
Li Fan asked tentatively.
"Awooo..."
Hui Hui confirmed, indicating that this state had lasted for a considerable time, at least around 50 years.
During that period, the number of aquatic monsters in the sea had dwindled to such an extent that Hui Hui thought they were on the verge of extinction.
Many creatures with inverted bodies floated in the air in strange and peculiar ways.
Chaotic clouds, crackling with lightning, enveloped the land, and even Hui Hui could not see what was happening below.
When the clouds finally dispersed, the cities that had been dotted with lights at night had all turned into dim ruins.
"So, that means the Wind God Dragon and the Thunder God Dragon once destroyed the entire continent and bred extensively. Although they eventually perished, the devastating impact on the ecosystem left an indelible mark on the monsters' consciousness. Thus, all monsters share a consensus: for their species to survive, the Wind God Dragon and the Thunder God Dragon must die... This still doesn't quite add up. Such a unified reaction is too extreme. Logically, there should be a mix of attitudes: escape, confrontation, and observation."
Li Fan voiced his speculation but felt it didn't hold water.
A meteor streaked across the magnificent night sky. Hui Hui, looking up, let out a sound akin to a sigh.
Li Fan interpreted its meaning as:
They were too alien, not belonging to this world, and thus cursed by the entire natural ecosystem.
After organizing the information gathered from Hui Hui, Li Fan gained a new understanding of the Hundred Beast Night.
Perhaps, countless years ago, the Wind God Dragon and the Thunder God Dragon roamed everywhere.
Monsters fought back against the crisis, and after ultimately achieving victory, the mission to deal with the Wind God Dragon and the Thunder God Dragon was deeply ingrained in their consciousness.
Since the other party was not a creature born of this world, their presence was particularly noticeable, leading to a highly unified hostile reaction.
"No wonder the Wind God Dragon and the Thunder God Dragon couldn't find each other. It turns out the entire ecosystem was preventing them from meeting."
Li Fan had always been curious about why the two Elder Dragons in the story couldn't meet or sense each other.
Now, it was completely clear. Forget humans; the entire world didn't want them to meet.
Otherwise, if they reproduced and produced countless offspring, the world might collapse again.
He felt that the seriousness with which various parties were treating this matter was still not enough.
Li Fan decided to write two letters, one to Zuda and another to Vegasha, to convey his deductions.
At the same time, since he needed to capture the Apex, he could at least help investigate this Hundred Beast Night.
Two days later, the Apex, carrying the corpse of a Great Jagras, arrived in the mountain forest below the cliff.
Upon hearing that a subordinate wanted to follow him, the Apex was quite pleased and declared that anyone who came was a brother.
When Xi Xi arrived, she pulled off a spectacular move, the "Ship-Slayer Blade - Stolen Version," which stunned the Apex on the spot.
He immediately expressed his desire to become sworn brothers with Xi Xi and Brother Lei, a turn of events Li Fan had not foreseen.
Fortunately, the oath-taking ceremony involved sharing the Great Jagras's corpse, and no major trouble arose.
Afterward, the Apex outlined its plan, stating that it had scouted the terrain of Fort Feiyue and could move freely within it without being discovered by the village defense patrols.
When this Hundred Beast Night commenced, the three brothers would lie in wait in the designated area.
While the village defense force carried out interception and engaged the monsters, the three brothers would seize the opportunity to slaughter indiscriminately.
During this time, the Apex would continuously enhance its strength through feeding, and then lead its two brothers to a certain place to fulfill their mission together.
Brother Lei and Xi Xi readily agreed and expressed their willingness to help. Following the Apex's guidance, they proceeded to Fort Feiyue to lie in wait.
"It's truly rare for three five-star monsters to coexist so harmoniously."
Yudora, who was lurking in the distance, lowered her binoculars and remarked.
"Perhaps it's due to that sensation."
Li Fan speculated.
At this moment, Dilu leaped and landed beside him.
"It's so strange, meow! There are more and more insects on the coast. Razorwing Dragonflies, Hundred-Eyed Butterflies, Fire Butterflies, and White Butterflies, so many I can't catch them all. And they're giving their pollen to the Ghost Firebirds. The Ghost Firebirds then transfer the collected pollen to even larger Ghost Firebird individuals."
Dilu expressed confusion about the abnormal insect ecology.
"Perhaps the insects have their own countermeasures."
Upon learning of the Apex's plan, Li Fan returned to Fire Village.
The streets of the entire village were deserted. The squad found all the villagers gathered in the training grounds, listening to Puxian loudly announce the approaching Hundred Beast Night.
"This time, our Fire Village will successfully intercept the Hundred Beast Night, just like in the past! Blaze forth!"
Under Puxian's inspiration, all the villagers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
Soon after, a formation clad in village defense armor set out in an orderly fashion, marching towards Fort Feiyue.
"The Apex's judgment was correct. The Hundred Beast Night has indeed arrived."
Li Fan exclaimed.
If the Apex had only given a warning, then after Fire Village's investigation and confirmation, it could basically be considered a certainty.
"A large-scale monster aggregation... It feels like a good opportunity to test our training results."
Yudora was eager.
"Then the squad will participate normally. After all, the village will also recruit hunters."
Li Fan made the decision.
Participating in the battle without a clear reason was already unusual, but if they signed a recruitment contract, then heading to Fort Feiyue would be perfectly normal.
Upon arriving at the branch, Puxian was discussing hunter recruitment with the branch chief, Suifeng Ren.
With the extensive deployment of cannons, rapid-fire cannons, ballistae, and stationary Dragonfire turrets, the ability to face the enemy head-on was not a concern.
However, some monsters would inevitably use their own abilities to assault the high defensive walls, and at such times, strong hunters would be needed to protect and intercept.
As for unmanageable existences like Apex monsters, hunter squads would be even more crucial to surround and repel them.
Therefore, recruiting hunters through contracts was indeed necessary.
"You two are also being recruited to participate in the village defense campaign?"
Puxian was somewhat surprised.
"Yes, is there any difficulty?"
Li Fan asked, somewhat confused.
"Not at all. It's just that this time, no Apex monsters have been detected, and the crisis level is rated as five stars. Furthermore, village defense campaigns are very different from ordinary hunts; there is no pursuit phase, and the rewards do not include material sharing... So, with two chief hunters involved, it feels like a bit of overkill."
Puxian explained the reason.
In ordinary hunts, monsters could be pursued, but Fire Village recruited hunters to defend the pass.
Therefore, even if a five-star monster was on the verge of death, it could not be pursued.
Moreover, if a monster escaped, it would inevitably head towards a surging monster tide, and the danger would instantly increase.
Puxian was naturally happy to have two top chief hunters willing to join.
This way, if an Apex monster appeared, they would at least have the ability to contain it.
However, unfortunately, the rating was only five stars, and even with the highest level of treatment, it would not be enough to satisfy the squad.
"The remuneration is not a problem. We haven't hunted for a long time, and our hands are itching."
Li Fan stated that he didn't care about the reward and just wanted to participate.
"Then thank you very much. The recruitment contract will specify that if an Apex monster appears and needs to be dealt with, the crisis level will be upgraded to six stars, and the remuneration will also increase."
Puxian said excitedly. Apex monsters were a difficult threat to guard against, and if the squad could participate, at least there would be a way to deal with them.
"No need to be polite. It's just that regarding deployment, the squad would like to have more freedom."
Li Fan stated his requirement.
"That's no problem. The squad can act independently. When the pass of Fort Feiyue is in danger, there will be continuous gong sounds. As long as the squad can arrive as quickly as possible to assist, that will be sufficient."
Puxian gave his assurance.
For a five-star crisis rating recruitment contract, even a five-star hunter only received 38,800z per person, and there was no material sharing.
With such treatment, being able to recruit chief hunters from the Dragon Calendar Institute was truly like hitting the jackpot. Puxian did not have many demands.
Due to the large number of monsters lingering in the sky during the Hundred Beast Night, for the safety of the Firefly, the squad decided to walk to Fort Feiyue.
"It's so magnificent, meow."
In the sunset, walking on the wide ramparts of the city wall, Dilu couldn't help but exclaim.
Carts carrying spherical shells and arrows moved rapidly down the road, and village defense members were busy deploying.
The overall defensive scale of Fort Feiyue was far more expansive than in the game.
Between most areas, information had to be transmitted using Fomokit and signal flares.
Li Fan saw village defense members in the distance testing heavy artillery and quickly covered Dilu's cat ears.
*Boom!*
The black spherical shell struck the mountainside and exploded, followed by a burst of black smoke mixed with fire.
"Thank you, meow!"
Dilu said gratefully.
"Uh... I was startled."
Yudora clutched her chest, and after sighing, she saw various mechanical devices rising from the ground below and couldn't help but envy, "If only the Battle Street of Eldoruma could be equipped with these defenses."
"Eldoruma is called the center of the world, and its defenses are not as good as Fire Village?"
Li Fan remembered passing through Eldoruma once when he took a boat to the dense forest.
The tall city walls surrounding the city had left a deep impression on him.
"How should I put it... Perhaps it's due to its geographical location, it's attacked too frequently, which has instilled a sense of crisis in people who have lived in the city since childhood. So, when they see defensive facilities, they wish they could have them in their hometown."
Yudora sighed.
Even though she grew up in a city called the center of the world, she still lacked a sense of security regarding its defenses.
Li Fan couldn't personally experience this sense of crisis, but he could still understand and sympathize.
"Ah? A scarecrow blowing a horn, meow!"
Dilu looked at the defensive structures rising from the mechanical platforms below, quite surprised.
"That's a provocation-type defensive facility. When the scarecrow blows its horn during battle, more foolish monsters will mistake it for a hunter and attack it. This not only slows down the monsters' advance but also creates more attack opportunities for the turrets."
Li Fan explained.
Before long, the squad arrived at a notice board.
It contained a floor plan of the entire Fort Feiyue.
Information on weapon deployment locations and personnel allocation was complete.
There were a total of three checkpoints, and thanks to the mountainous terrain, these three passages were extremely narrow.
Heavy firepower and defensive hunter squads were deployed on top of the city walls.
The ground was filled with mechanisms and was an area for concentrated attacks on monsters. The squad was currently at the top of the second checkpoint.
In the evening, smoke rose from the top of the city walls.
After having dinner in the village defense canteen, the squad began their operations late at night.
Guided by a Blight Dragonbug, they ascended the mountains connected by the city walls and traversed the complex mountainous terrain, eventually finding the cave where the three brothers were hiding.
*Gurgle~*
As they stealthily approached, Li Fan heard a sound and turned to look at Yudora, asking in confusion, "Yudora, didn't you just finish eating?"
"It wasn't me."
*Gurgle~*
Another sound came.
"It wasn't me either, meow."
Dilu rubbed her belly and said.
*Gurgle~ Gurgle~ Gurgle~...*
The squad followed the sound and looked towards the hidden cave entrance together.
"There are few species that inhabit Fort Feiyue, and we can't hunt extensively to avoid being discovered. Apex, you came too early."
Li Fan felt that the Apex's deployment had significant problems.
However, after all, it was a monster and certainly lacked human planning capabilities.
Before long, a patrol of five village defense members carrying lanterns passed by on the mountain road.
The three brothers inside the cave also seemed to sense something and remained silent.
Seeing that the village defense members did not detect any anomalies in the cave, the squad also breathed a sigh of relief.
*Buzz! Buzz!*
A Blight Dragonbug flew out of the cave.
This Blight Dragonbug, which Li Fan had captured with a Poké Ball, was now tasked with conveying information.
*Buzz! Buzz!* The Blight Dragonbug flew up and down.
Li Fan observed and tried to understand its meaning.
"What does it mean, meow?"
"Follow Apex, and you'll starve five meals a day."
*Buzz! Buzz!* The Blight Dragonbug flew left and right.
"Xi Xi likes to electrocute my Blight Dragonbug for food, how mean."
*Buzz! Buzz!* The Blight Dragonbug flew in circles.
"Apex is truly loyal. He caught a Great Swordtail Dragon during the day and only ate one tail, leaving the rest for me and Xi Xi... This won't do. If we continue to starve like this, our instincts will be triggered, and we'll definitely cause a ruckus in Fort Feiyue."
Li Fan, thinking of the three brothers' current state, immediately released Ye Ye.
*Gugu?*
"Ye Ye, hunt as much as possible while remaining hidden. You're the best at this."
Li Fan deployed her.
*Gugu...*
"Uh... Kuku isn't very good at participating in this mission, so you'll act alone."
Li Fan explained.
He hadn't expected that through long-term cooperation, a sense of dependence would arise among the reconnaissance squad.
*Gugu!* Ye Ye flapped her wings and flew away, her dark blue wings soon blending into the night sky.