On the sea, behind the Wind Dragon, a monstrous red star shot straight ahead.
The two sides made brief contact for an instant, then passed each other.
Huihui flew through the spinning thunder rings and immediately ascended, climbing to full height.
Boom! The dispersed storm clouds scattered outward in a ring.
The Wind Dragon flew slower and slower, large amounts of fluid draining from its split abdomen into the sea.
However, the Wind Dragon did not evade the spinning thunder rings; instead, it unleashed wind currents to meet them.
Sizzle! Whoosh~
As the golden thunder rings touched the wind currents, they instantly merged, becoming connected and transmitting in both directions.
Electricity surged through the currents towards the Wind Dragon, and it seemed to be reborn, accelerating and spinning with the wind once more.
After the wind currents transferred to the Thunder Dragon, a fierce storm began to swirl around the golden lightning pillars connecting the clouds and the sea.
Churned by wind and lightning, the sea and clouds turned a dark gray, their boundaries completely obscured.
Roar...
Roar...
Melodious roars echoed continuously.
The Wind Dragon and the Thunder Dragon completed their convergence while drifting.
The two dragons, suspended upside down, chased each other's tails, forming a circle and beginning to rotate slowly.
Pazhizhi watched everything unfold, utterly powerless to intervene, and could only observe through her telescope, dictating to the scribe to record the situation.
"Their powers, wind and lightning, can be fused and used together. However, the heavily injured Wind Dragon's abdomen was torn open by the Sky Comet Dragon, so it likely won't live long. As for the legendary breeding behavior, it hasn't been observed yet, so the threat cannot be assessed. However, two giant airships are definitely not enough, as there are no stable platforms for hunter teams to fight from. More naval vessels are needed for support..."
Before Pazhizhi could finish speaking, a vortex suddenly appeared on the sea.
The swirling seawater rapidly descended, as if being sucked into an abyss.
"What is this now..."
Pazhizhi was exasperated.
Her original mission was simply to follow the Hunter and provide support to Fort Jadeleaf, never expecting the situation to escalate like this.
Under everyone's gaze, a ruined ancient city slowly rose from the sea within the vortex, laced with golden lightning.
Pazhizhi raised her telescope to observe. She noticed that although the architectural style of this submerged ancient city differed from any known region, its defensive facilities were extremely complete.
The mottled city walls, covered in barnacles, not only had Dragonators but also three centrally concentrated ones.
The top of the city tower, occupied by coral and reefs, was equipped with a Dragon Cannon of similar specifications to that of Fort Jadeleaf.
In Pazhizhi's understanding, unless facing monsters of Elder Dragon caliber, no one would make such preparations.
Yet, a city-state of this scale had never been heard of.
Such situations were generally classified by the Guild as ruins left behind by a completely annihilated civilization.
On the distant coast, Huihui landed on the beach.
Huihui could see the Dragon Palace Ancient City with her own eyes, while Li Fan and Dilu needed binoculars.
After a period of observation, Li Fan put down his binoculars and let out a sigh of resignation.
"Did that city rise from the seabed, meow?"
Dilu asked incredulously.
"Yes, and it's also where the Wind Dragon and Thunder Dragon use for breeding,"
Li Fan explained.
"Can no one stop them, meow?"
Dilu asked worriedly.
"Huihui could try, but it would require many Starstone ore veins and be very dangerous,"
Li Fan informed her.
In terms of her own capabilities, the Wind Dragon's wind currents had a strong restrictive effect on monsters that flew with membranous wings.
However, Huihui was an exception; the wind currents were merely a tickle to her.
The only disadvantage was the cloud cover obscuring high-altitude vision.
But if she were to fight without restraint, it was estimated that two charges back and forth would be enough to disperse the clouds the Wind Dragon used for concealment.
Therefore, Li Fan had no worries about Huihui's safety.
The Thunder Dragon was different. Although its upside-down floating posture was very similar to the Wind Dragon, and it also had air sacs near its forelimbs, its method of flight was not through wind currents but by adjusting its surrounding magnetic field. Its golden lightning discharges possessed extremely strong conductivity.
Even more outrageous was that after meeting the Wind Dragon, the wind currents could be fused with the lightning.
This allowed its attack range to completely cover the surrounding sea.
Based on the information currently available, Li Fan had no confidence in victory.
"Then what do we do next, meow?"
"Let's see the attitude of the Guild and the Dragon Calendar Institute first. The village of Hinomoto just repelled the Wind Dragon's attack and doesn't have much energy left."
As the sun rose, the sea remained shrouded in dark clouds. The continuous storms and thunder made the Dragon Palace Ancient City increasingly indistinct to the observers.
At the entrance of the Hinomoto Village branch hall, a large number of hunters and villagers entered and exited, each with a grave expression.
Li Fan, Yudora, Puxian, and Pazhizhi sat around a table, silently looking at the piles of documents accumulating.
"Two Chief Hunters, Dean Vegasha has recognized you as representatives of the Dragon Calendar Institute. Please say something."
A haggard Puxian broke the silence.
"It's not that the Dragon Calendar Institute doesn't want to help. The Pioneer and Natural Selection were completely destroyed in the Jagged Peaks. New giant airships are still being manufactured. Currently, only research teams can be dispatched."
Since he was representing the Dragon Calendar Institute, Li Fan explained their difficulties.
"The Hunter and the Eternal are awaiting orders, but even with the Guild Master's permission, their role would only be to transport hunter teams, which I personally believe is of little significance,"
Pazhizhi stated the Guild's deployment.
"Can they transport engineering troops to land on the ancient city?"
Puxian asked tentatively.
Pazhizhi was quite surprised by this question and shook her head, saying, "No. Honestly, I think even sending hunter teams would be no different from sending them to their deaths, let alone engineering troops... Are you trying to reactivate the city's defenses within the ancient city?"
Pazhizhi paused midway, suddenly guessing Puxian's intention.
"That's right. Those wall defenses are very similar to those of Hinomoto Village. Based on their appearance, they should still be usable. Also, our villagers are quite skilled. As long as I lead the team, it will definitely be fine."
"I don't recommend it. It's too risky. The two giant airships dispatched this time are prepared to be destroyed. Those sent to land will be even more in danger."
"What if I insist?"
Puxian said seriously.
"Well... the Dragon Calendar Institute also has half of the decision-making authority."
Pazhizhi said, looking at Li Fan.
"I respect your choice."
Li Fan expressed his agreement.
"Thank you so much."
Puxian said gratefully.
"I have a proposal, but it's very risky. However, if executed smoothly, I feel there's still a chance."
Pazhizhi made her suggestion.
"Please, go ahead."
Puxian's eyes lit up.
"We can utilize the Sky Comet Dragon."
"Ah?"
"Ah?"
"Ah?"
Li Fan, Yudora, and Puxian exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.
"It sounds very dangerous, but based on the sightings of the Sky Comet Dragon, even without sufficient Starstone ore veins, it has entered a relatively stable state. The Guild had prepared many countermeasures before, none of which have been used yet. Although the cause of this state is unknown, at least it chose to attack when facing the Wind Dragon."
Pazhizhi explained.
"To utilize the Sky Comet Dragon... The Dragon Calendar Institute's attempt to defeat it directly led to the destruction of two giant airships. Now, to rely on its power, I'm sorry, I really can't accept it."
Li Fan sighed.
Yudora's mouth twitched upon hearing this.
"There's no other way, Chief Hunter. In the past, other Elder Dragons would make similar moves. This time, it's the Sky Comet Dragon, which is truly abnormal. I didn't foresee this either."
Puxian tried to persuade him.
"Reasonably utilizing the ecological self-purification mechanism is also a way to hunt monsters. I understand your feelings, Li Fan, but the consequences of this crisis are immeasurable. On behalf of the Guild, I still hope the Dragon Calendar Institute can cooperate as much as possible."
Pazhizhi also began to persuade him.
"Alright then... The Dragon Calendar Institute is second to none in its research on the Sky Comet Dragon, so the combat deployment related to the Sky Comet Dragon will be entrusted to us."
Li Fan sighed deeply, appearing very helpless.
Puxian and Pazhizhi both agreed.
"I think to utilize the Sky Comet Dragon, we must first solve the problem of Starstone. If the Sky Comet Dragon's own energy is severely limited, even if it truly wants to fight the Wind Dragon and Thunder Dragon to the death, it will be difficult to gain an advantage."
Li Fan offered his suggestion.
"The merchant guild here belongs to Hinomoto Village. I will definitely find a way to procure it."
Puxian guaranteed.
"I will arrange for it from the nearest branch. It will take some time for transportation."
Pazhizhi informed him.
"No problem. I believe you two have many other things to attend to, and we also need to be busy. If there are any developments, let's stay in touch."
After Li Fan finished speaking, the combat meeting concluded.
Upon reaching the street, Yudora suddenly looked at Li Fan and asked vigilantly, "Are you really Li Fan?"
"Otherwise?"
Li Fan retorted.
"Alright... I was a bit deceived by you."
Yudora admitted reluctantly and then asked, "Is this very dangerous?"
"Yes, it's very dangerous. But this danger is borne by the entire ecosystem, so I'm not as panicked."
Li Fan expressed this subtle feeling.
"Since things are so clear now, what have you been thinking about all this time?"
Yudora asked curiously.
"I'm thinking about who is truly coming,"
Li Fan replied.
Late at night, on an unknown island on the outskirts of the Frozen Archipelago, a researcher's observation post.
Although designated as an observation post, the island only had a small, cold-resistant tent and two small boats for travel.
As for the researchers, there was only a married couple, one man and one woman.
The male researcher, after finishing his observations in the cold wind, added some fuel to the stove and entered the tent.
"Sigh, another day with no ecological discoveries or contract certifications. Ever since Snow Shadow was hunted, the Frozen Archipelago has felt increasingly quiet."
As he spoke, the male researcher unbuttoned his padded jacket, sat on the bed, and took out a bottle of hot drink from his backpack.
"The Hyakuryu Night should be over by now. I wonder how things are going over there."
The female researcher, who was taking notes, said with some concern.
"Fort Jadeleaf's defenses are so strong. Even if the Wind Dragon came, it would surely be fine."
The male researcher said, unscrewing the cap of the hot drink bottle and taking a large gulp.
"Ah! You've already had two hot drinks today! Can you be more economical? What if the supplies are delayed?"
The female researcher showed a pained expression.
"I don't want to either. It's too cold outside these past two days. If I don't drink hot drinks, I'll freeze awake in the middle of the night. I found a patch of wild chili plants during the day. I'll go collect some tomorrow, and we'll definitely get through this."
The male researcher said helplessly.
"Sigh... I hope so."
The female researcher closed her thick notebook, rubbed her eyes, and extinguished the oil lamp.
After an unknown amount of time, the male researcher, who had woken up, felt very hot.
This extremely rare situation immediately put him on guard.
Although he was confident in his physical condition, getting seriously ill in the wild was still very dangerous.
The male researcher immediately got up to check and found that it wasn't him who was hot, but the temperature inside the entire tent was wrong.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he walked to the tent flap.
Clink! His foot stepped into water.
"Water... it's flowing in?"
With a drastic change in expression, the researcher lifted the tent flap and saw only a dazzling orange-red sphere in the sky and the Frozen Archipelago, its ice melted to expose the earth.
Before he could react to what was happening, a giant storm, carrying wind and frost, was approaching the scorching orange-red sphere with world-devouring might.
The storm and the blazing sun were converging before his eyes.
Whoosh~
In an instant, all anomalies vanished.
Two figures, flapping their wings, appeared in the dark night sky, gazing at each other from afar.
"It's so warm... Is it morning?"
The female researcher rubbed her eyes and got out of bed.
"Record! Elder Dragon!"
A simple statement instantly awakened the female researcher.
Grabbing the notebook and pen from the table, and taking the binoculars hanging from the tent hook.
The female researcher ran to the entrance and handed out the binoculars.
"Target Kushala Daora. The tip of the left horn on its head has a broken mark. There are multiple minor injuries on its body. It is presumed to have just experienced a battle."
The male researcher spoke while holding the binoculars, then turned to the other side.
"Target Teostra. No obvious injuries on its body... No, there's a large defect at the end of its tail. It is preliminarily presumed to be the individual that attacked Dondurma. The two are currently confronting each other. Combat is highly likely to occur."
"I've recorded it all!"
The rapidly writing female researcher replied.
"Take the records and escape quickly."
The male researcher pointed to the small boat.
"No, we go together."
"Don't be foolish. This is the branch's control area. As long as Elder Dragons are sighted, researchers must track them, let alone two of them."
"Then let's each track one!"
The female researcher still insisted.
"Listen to me, someone has to transmit the news..."
Whoosh~ Whoosh~
As the two were in a stalemate, the Steel Dragon and the Blazing Sun Dragon flapped their wings and flew towards each other.
The expected battle did not occur.
Shortly after the two Elder Dragons flew past each other at extremely close range, the Blazing Sun Dragon turned and flew towards an unknown direction.
As for the direction the Steel Dragon went, the two researchers knew very well: it was towards the area of the Abandoned Shrine where Hinomoto Village was located.