The Glavenus blinked its slender eyes. Seeing the other party raise an arm to block, the cyan fan-shaped light membrane that spread out above its head did not flash intensely.
*Snap~* The horizontal horns on both sides closed again.
"Eudora! The Glavenus is trying to escape again!"
Aibo shouted a warning.
"Damn it, it's deliberately toying with me!"
Eudora floated and pursued again, but had not flown more than a few dozen meters.
The Glavenus suddenly turned its head again, and the fan-shaped light membrane above its head opened.
Since being flashed once would leave its eyes seeing stars for a long time, Eudora, though angry, could only raise his arm to block again.
But halfway through raising his hand this time, he suddenly lowered it and pointed to the direction behind the Glavenus.
*Wooo~ Woooo~*
The Glavenus tilted its neck and let out a mocking roar.
As if to say that such a trick was too childish for it.
But its keen hearing quickly detected the sound of claws landing on the ground behind it.
The Glavenus slowly turned its neck and found a monster with a shell like armor attached to its body.
*Roar~*
The Tigrex let out a low growl, meaning "What's wrong with you, little brother?"
The Glavenus had naturally never seen a Tigrex before, but judging by its size, aura, and the savage aura it exuded, it was clearly no ordinary monster.
*Roar.*
After a moment of hesitation, the Glavenus let out a tentative, soft roar.
As if to say it was going to perform a magic trick for its elder brother.
*Roar?*
The Tigrex, having never heard such a request, was stunned.
*Tap~ Tap~*
The fan-shaped light membrane opened and closed rapidly twice, naturally drawing the Tigrex's attention.
*Swish!* A bright flash.
The Tigrex's only remaining eye was filled with golden light.
*Roar!*
*Bang! Bang!*
Temporarily blinded, the Tigrex flailed its foreclaws wildly, and two nearby pieces of Coral had their tips shaved off into fragments.
The terrified Glavenus immediately accelerated its escape.
"Calm down, Tigrex!"
Li Fan, who had descended, spoke, and the enraged Tigrex immediately stopped its wild scratching.
"Go and familiarize yourself with the area. If you encounter danger in the瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley), you can retreat and recuperate."
Li Fan instructed.
The Tigrex quickly shook its head, the bright light and dizziness greatly alleviated.
It responded with a low growl and darted into the nearby coral forest.
The Tigrex's ghost fire was derived from the scales of decaying monster carcasses.
The 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley), piled with countless monster carcasses, could generate scales almost infinitely, and here it was also blessed by a life energy field.
Li Fan wanted the Tigrex to familiarize itself with the new continent's environment, which was preparing the Tigrex.
"That was... a Tigrex!"
Aibo landed with a startled cry and quickly crouched down to collect the Tigrex's tracks.
"Yes, it's truly incomprehensible that a Tigrex would appear on the new continent. How is your progress?"
Li Fan inquired.
"Alas~ We've found a suitable area to establish a camp, on a high platform formed by coral. It's not only sufficiently hidden but also quite spacious. However, by the time Aibo and I returned with lumber, the tent we had built had been torn to shreds by monsters, and the three boxes of portable rations were left empty."
Eudora sighed helplessly.
"The Glavenus did it?"
Li Fan surmised.
"That's right. Aibo collected traces from the scene and confirmed that the culprit was the Glavenus."
... "No wonder you were so anxious during the pursuit. There are backup supplies on the airship. In any case, let's re-establish the camp first."
Monster harassment of camp construction was not a problem in Li Fan's eyes.
Because as long as the monsters were allowed to roam freely in the surrounding area, it would create a strong deterrent.
Later, when the hunters moved in and launched large-scale hunts, with a large number of human footprints around the camp, not many monsters would dare to cause trouble.
Before sunset, the camp was re-established.
Eudora stayed to guard, while Aibo began ecological research.
Li Fan took the Flame Fire and began to return to the Great Canyon.
The primary purpose of this was to search for the tracks of the Zorah Magdaros, and also to complete the commission from Commander-in-Chief Fley.
The establishment of the camp was now complete, with only the exploration of the ground route and the placement of insect-trail markers along the way remaining.
Ten days later, the investigation team led by Di Yan arrived at the Coral Highlands camp.
This seemingly ordinary visit was of great significance to the Starry Outpost.
It meant that hunters could now travel to this area to undertake hunting missions, and related investigations would soon commence.
After another six days of travel, the investigation team rendezvoused with the Third Expeditionary Force, thus connecting the ground routes between the Starry Outpost and the research base.
The Third Expeditionary Force ended its days of isolation and helplessness.
Due to the frequent dangers encountered by Pterodactyls flying in the area, the Ecological Research Institute developed an auxiliary equipment called the Gliding Suit for the Coral Highlands area, which had extreme altitude differences.
However, due to its relatively low safety, very few hunters applied for it.
In the early morning, Li Fan got up from his hammock at the research base.
Yesterday, he had been researching the descent plan with Ni Zhen and several Dragonborn scholars until late, so he ended up sleeping at the base.
The research base was now very different from half a month ago. The influx of a large amount of supplies and personnel had revitalized the place.
The modified half-ship hull, which was once a high-risk vehicle towed by only three small airbags, had become a mobile observation facility equipped with five giant airbags.
Everything was ready, and today was the day to descend into the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley).
Li Fan checked his personal belongings and went to the first floor with Dilu.
"Commander of the Fifth Expedition, are you really going to do this? Why don't we wait for the old man to arrive and hear his opinion?"
Di Yan couldn't help but try to dissuade him.
The exploration of the Coral Highlands had only just begun.
Di Yan thought it was too risky to go to the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley) now.
"Don't worry, I plan to replicate the model of going to the Coral Highlands in this exploration."
Li Fan replied.
"Establishing a camp in a place like that... it's impossible, isn't it?"
Di Yan said incredulously.
"That area is indeed very dangerous, but as long as we raise the entry threshold and guide hunters to go according to their own circumstances, I think it will be fine."
Li Fan informed him.
"I still feel it's too risky."
Di Yan showed a look of helplessness.
The Ancient Forest had already been dangerous enough for the outpost.
Who would have thought that in less than two months, Li Fan, the Commander of the Fifth Expedition, would be heading to the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley)?
"There's no other way. During the high-altitude reconnaissance in this period, I've been searching for the tracks of the Zorah Magdaros, but I've found nothing, so I have to focus my attention on other areas."
... Li Fan gave his reason.
"It's a pity that there are still many missions in the Coral Highlands, otherwise I would definitely accompany you."
Di Yan sighed.
"It's alright, we'll have opportunities to cooperate in the future."
"Li Fan, we've reached the descent area."
Ni Zhen called out.
"Let's go!"
Li Fan said, and Eudora, Aibo, Dilu, and the three of them and the cat walked out of the first-floor cabin.
At this time, the half-ship hull was still floating in the air, with heavy fog all around, and the area below the cliff was a sea of white mist.
"If you want to be safe, I won't say much. If you face a desperate situation below, you can try to fire a signal flare for help. I can't guarantee it will be effective, but at least someone will bring back your bodies."
Ni Zhen informed them.
"If we fire a signal flare for help in the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley), will someone come to our rescue?"
Eudora asked incredulously.
"Yes, her name is Master Harud, and she is one of the few in the investigation team who can travel alone in the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley)."
Ni Zhen informed them.
"The partnership between hunters and scribes was also proposed by her."
Aibo said excitedly.
"I remember now, Master Harud is the idol you were talking about, right?"
Eudora asked tentatively.
"That's right."
Aibo admitted.
*Clang clang~*
A heavy iron chain with an anchor slowly descended.
"Do airships use anchors too?"
Eudora asked in surprise.
"The research base was modified from a ship. To save trouble at the time, we kept the anchor, and didn't expect it to be useful now."
Ni Zhen explained.
"Wait, is the descent plan you researched this?"
Eudora said, looking at the descending anchor.
"Yes, there are too many uncertain factors below. If we encounter danger, we can still pull us up."
Li Fan informed them.
"I originally wanted to fly down directly, but since there's a more secure method..."
Eudora said, stepping off the ground, approaching the anchor, and hugging the chain.
Then he threw out two silk threads for Li Fan and Aibo.
"Regarding this descent coordinate, Master Harud called it the upper area in her records, and it's a necessary path she often takes between the two areas. Theoretically, it should be safe."
Ni Zhen informed them.
"Understood."
Li Fan stated firmly.
"Lower the anchor!"
Ni Zhen waved upwards.
*Clang clang...*
The anchor was slowly lowered, and the three of them and the cat quickly disappeared into the white mist.
After a moment, a metallic hum was heard, and the chains were fully released.
The anchor swayed gently in the air. The three of them and the cat on it looked down at the mountain range shrouded in yellow mist below, feeling a little lost.
"The altitude difference here is too ridiculous."
Li Fan said helplessly.
This was not due to a lack of meticulous planning, but rather based on Master Harud's ability to pass through by climbing alone.
Who would have thought that the climbing height she could achieve would be so incredible.
"It seems I'll have to do it."
Eudora said, and immediately threw out two silk threads.
"In this case, other hunters would have to rely on the dangerous Gliding Suit to visit."
Li Fan surmised.
"Uh, many injured people in the camp were injured while wearing the Gliding Suit."
... Aibo grabbed the silk thread and informed them.
As they descended and explored, the color of the cliff face gradually changed from a dull dark blue to an earthy yellow.
Soon, a strong smell of decay wafted over.
"Ugh~ This... *gag*."
Aibo immediately gagged.
Even though she had collected countless monster tracks and smelled all sorts of foul odors, the strong smell, like that of a decaying corpse, was still unbearable for her.
"What's wrong, Aibo? Are you feeling unwell?"
Eudora slowed down his descent and looked back.
"Uh, a little... Why are you all fine?"
Aibo wiped the corner of her mouth and asked with surprise.
"We have undergone special training. This is just a minor situation."
Li Fan informed her.
"As expected, being the chief hunter of the Dragon Calendar Institute is no coincidence... *gag*~"
Before Aibo could finish speaking, she gagged again.
After her urge to vomit subsided slightly, Aibo immediately thought of a solution.
"When we land, I'll need to eat something to suppress it... No, I'll eat it now."
*Crunch~* The familiar sound of opening portable rations followed.
Halfway through eating, Aibo's expression suddenly froze, and she exclaimed, "That's... that's a skull of a Snake King Dragon!"
As a giant serpentine skull suspended in mid-air appeared, the true face of the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley), shrouded in yellowish mist, gradually revealed itself.
On the mountains covered in decay, viewed from above, the decaying rocks and piled-up bones intertwined, making it impossible to discern the curves of the peaks.
Occasionally, a few faint red specks indicated signs of life.
But upon closer inspection, it was discovered that these were shallow pools of corpse fluid formed by the long-term decay of numerous monster carcasses.
Compared to the dreamlike Coral Highlands above, calling this place hell would not be an exaggeration.
"What a terrifying ecosystem..."
Eudora voiced his feelings.
"I can't believe... such a place exists in the world."
Aibo, chewing on her food, was equally shocked.
Li Fan had been in the Monster Hunter world for such a long time that he thought he was immune to the shock of the ecosystem.
But upon seeing the truly anti-human area of the 瘴气之谷 (Miasma Valley) with his own eyes, his heart couldn't help but stir.
He believed this might be humanity's instinctive aversion to such environments.
"Eudora, there's a platform over there. Let's land there."
Li Fan instructed.
"Okay... No, there seems to be a monster up there."
Eudora warned.
"That's a Great Jagras. It's fine."
Li Fan indicated not to worry.
"Great Jagras... its fangs have a potent paralyzing effect. You must be careful."
Aibo informed them.
There was no comprehensive record of the Great Jagras's ecology, but it had been confirmed that its upper jaw's two fangs contained paralyzing venom.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best."
Eudora promised.
A black-skinned lizard with a snake-like head was digging at a pile of decaying bones with its foreclaws, seemingly searching for something.
Hearing the noise from above, the snake-like head immediately raised and looked up.
"Stop looking and leave quickly."
Li Fan, suspended in the air, instructed.
*Roar!*
The Great Jagras roared, clearly not buying Li Fan's expulsion.
Li Fan said no more, drew his Thunderclap Divine Blade, and threw it towards the ground.
*Crash! Sizzle~*
As it pierced the ground, a cloud of碎骨 (shattered bone) flew up, and golden lightning spread outwards from the impact point.
The ferocity in the Great Jagras's eyes immediately receded. It slowly retreated a few steps, then turned and fled quickly.
"It seems I won't have to make a move."
Eudora said with some disappointment after finding a rocky area to land on.
"No, we still have to fight."
Li Fan said, sharpening his blade with a whetstone.
"Didn't the Great Jagras run away?"
Eudora was confused.
"It's going to call its subordinates."
"I didn't expect it to be a pack leader. But if it's not an opponent, gathering the pack won't help, right?"
Eudora asked, confused.
"Not necessarily. If other individuals in the pack can release considerable paralyzing venom, then in group combat, their combat effectiveness will improve qualitatively. Let's fight cautiously."
Li Fan explained the reason.
...
Zhao Lala reminds you: Remember to collect after reading.