The ecological research institute delivered both good and bad news.
The good news was that after extensive research on the remaining shell of the Elder Dragon, heat-resistant armor was developed. It offered excellent resistance to fire-elemental damage, burning damage, blast status, and high-temperature environments. The base camp's workshop was working overtime, and theoretically, all personnel could be equipped before the operation.
The bad news, however, was that bombardment tests on the shell confirmed the damage inflicted during the previous capture operation was negligible. The Elder Dragon's actions were more a response to external stimuli than to pain. In contrast, the pore-blocking tactic Li Fan devised on the spot proved more effective in affecting the Elder Dragon. Yet, this was still far from enough to make it change its destination.
Operational preparations also encountered difficulties. The Starfall Outpost was too far from the瘴气之谷 (Zhàngqì zhī Gǔ - Valley of Miasma), and the land routes became increasingly rugged and perilous as they went deeper. Li Fan suggested exploring a sea route directly to the lower levels of the瘴气之谷 (Zhàngqì zhī Gǔ - Valley of Miasma), which immediately broadened everyone's perspective.
Twelve days after the operation preparations began, through the joint efforts of the investigation team and the supply team, a massive cave connecting to the sea was discovered. Although the lava pool within the cave was separated from the seawater by a mere sliver, making it appear perilous, it was a rare landing point. Even more unexpectedly, the investigation team confirmed that this was one of the Elder Dragon's routes to the planet's core.
Fly arrived by boat in the cave and, looking back at the vast opening leading to the sea, a plan quickly formed in his mind. The destination to which the Elder Dragon would be guided was now decided.
"Guiding the Elder Dragon towards the sea... that's impossible, isn't it?" Eudora said in surprise, looking at the latest operational deployment issued by the outpost in the炎火号 (Yánhuǒ Hào - Flame Fire) ship's deck restaurant.
"It's the only way. Otherwise, even if we manage to repel it like the Lao Shan Lung, we can't guarantee it won't continue towards the depths of the planet's core," Aibo said helplessly.
"So that's how it is," Eudora realized. While the operations to confront the Lao Shan Lung and the Elder Dragon seemed similar, there were no planned mountain routes carved out by the ancient kingdom of Dondurma. Even if repelled, the Elder Dragon would still delve deeper into the planet's core. Guiding it to the sea was the only option.
"Li Fan, do you think this operation has a good chance of success?" Eudora asked tentatively.
"Sigh," Li Fan shook his head and sighed, conveying his attitude.
"It seems it's truly very difficult. But if the guiding operation fails, the Starfall Outpost will have to evacuate, and the pursuit of the Steel Dragon will also be impossible," Eudora said with some dejection.
"Don't worry, there should be a way. Aibodylu, have there been any ecological reports lately that are worth noting?" Li Fan inquired.
Aibo flipped through a booklet and reported, "Local monsters show strong hostility towards the Elder Dragon, which has been confirmed by the investigation team."
"It's probably similar to the rejection of the Thunder God Dragon and Wind God Dragon on the mainland, just less intense," Li Fan deduced.
"Uh, I wanted to mention that too, meow," Dilo said, looking down at the booklet.
"It's not particularly noteworthy, but if you think a report is valuable, feel free to mention it," Li Fan said.
"Okay, meow. The Elder Dragon's constant path-clearing has caused many cracks in the mountain strata of the瘴气之谷 (Zhàngqì zhī Gǔ - Valley of Miasma), and a large amount of miasma is drifting towards the Coral Highlands."
"That will affect the ecosystem, right?"
"Yes, meow, but the strange thing is that in all the areas where large amounts of miasma have leaked, the lower-level miasma disappears quickly, and rain appears above to counteract the rising miasma. So, the ecological disaster predicted in the report hasn't occurred." Dilo reported.
"That's a very strange phenomenon, as if someone is manipulating it, and it seems to be the result of cooperation between two parties. Who submitted this report?" Li Fan asked.
"It was submitted by the third-term squad leader, Ni Zhen, meow."
"Very valuable, thank you both."
After breakfast, Li Fan went to the incubation room in the ship's cabin. He observed the red and white striped Rathalos egg for a moment, confirmed everything was normal, and then approached a thick, open book to examine it carefully.
"A normal Rathalos egg should have hatched two months ago. What's going on..." Li Fan muttered in confusion. The New World's life energy was so abundant; a later hatching wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. The inexperienced parents, Little Fool and Naughty, perhaps didn't have a clear concept of the incubation period and didn't pay much attention. It was Li Fan, who had reviewed numerous ecological reports and had incubation cycle data, who was most worried. However, he also knew that worrying wouldn't help, and given the egg's unusual circumstances, he could only wait patiently.
Since the direct sea route was established, preparation progress had been advancing significantly each day. Li Fan had scouted the cave twice. Fly's overall operational plan was simple and crude: build a wall to block the path in the area connecting the cave and the depths of the planet's core. If the Elder Dragon couldn't pass, it would have to turn and head towards the cave entrance facing the sea. However, given its ability to carve through mountains, the success rate of this operation was slim.
One month after the operation began, a new turning point appeared. A giant combat airship named "Ecology" from the Guild arrived at the Starfall Outpost's port. It not only brought a large amount of operational supplies, but the Dragonator mounted on its bow also rekindled hope in everyone. However, Li Fan knew that the outpost still lacked the decisive element for victory. So, late at night on the deck, he pondered countermeasures alone.
The only entities he possessed that could significantly impact the Elder Dragon were Huihui and Shanshan. Huihui lacked energy, and Shanshan's super-modification project was still ongoing. Although it had reached a state where it could be deployed, facing the Elder Dragon, apart from entangling it and using its sliding body to slice its shell with its scales, it didn't seem to have many effective attack methods.
"Meow meow..." Li Fan considered a possibility. Since he understood the Elder Dragon's motives, the Nergigante's attacks also made sense. Given its terrifying strength capable of easily crushing the Elder Dragon's shell, it might possess the ability to quickly break through the shell and attack vital points. However, the Nergigante was also a dangerous entity for Li Fan at this moment.
"Strange, an operation with almost no chance of winning. How did the guiding operation succeed in the game? Was it really just plot armor?" Li Fan suddenly thought of a question. Recalling various details from the game, the Elder Dragon suffered heavy bombardment, Dragonator attacks, hunter attacks, and Nergigante attacks during this battle. But when it turned to face the sea, it seemed to have made that choice itself.
"Did I get the direction wrong from the beginning?" Li Fan sighed softly.
Four days later, according to intelligence relayed by the investigation team, the Elder Dragon would pass through the cave at dusk. The operational members were making final preparations on the newly constructed wooden barricade. Large Pterodinos carrying hunters shuttled back and forth, and carts loaded with cannonballs sped along the passage. At this moment, the sky outside the cave turned from clear to overcast, and a fine rain began to fall. Several streams of yellowish miasma emerged from the rock crevices on the side of the cave. Puff and Scarred Fang visited the vicinity, issuing a warning that two powerful, unknown monsters from the Coral Highlands and the depths of the瘴气之谷 (Zhàngqì zhī Gǔ - Valley of Miasma) were moving towards the cave. Li Fan speculated that the approaching monsters were the Vaal Hazak and the Namielle. As Elder Dragons that inhabited these regions, they clearly did not want the New World to suffer ecological destruction. However, they seemed to lack the Nergigante's tracking ability and couldn't pinpoint the Elder Dragon's location, so they could only move in a general direction.
*Boom~ Boom~* With the ground trembling, Fly gathered everyone at the top of the barricade for final deployment. Due to the experience gained from the previous operation, the operational strategy hadn't changed much. However, Fly also emphasized the severe challenges of this operation. The cave was considerably wider than the canyon, but with the mountain strata obstructing the view, the Elder Dragon would directly enter the firing range once it appeared. This greatly shortened the available engagement time.
Regarding the combat flow, in addition to the newly added pore-blocking tactic, there was also the deployment of detonating explosives buried within the rock pillars above to cause rockfalls. Defense against the Nergigante was entrusted to the Sword Master.
Soon, the Elder Dragon's massive body appeared in the depths of the orange cave, filled with overflowing lava. It didn't hesitate upon encountering the vast water pool within the cave and walked directly into it.
*Hiss~ Hiss~* The high-temperature rocky shell caused a large amount of steam to rise.
"Open fire! Deploy!" Fly immediately gave the command.
*Boom! Boom!* Cannon fire and hunter deployment commenced simultaneously. Amidst the roaring explosions, hunters clad in heat-resistant armor landed directly near the heat-dissipating organs. The recovery of the heat-dissipating organs was significantly higher than the ecological research institute had predicted. However, under the brave assault of the hunters, they were quickly destroyed again.
Li Fan observed for a moment and, seeing the operation proceeding in an orderly fashion without any unexpected issues, called out to Eudora to take him to the Elder Dragon's head.
"Aren't you commanding the pore-blocking operation? And the Nergigante hasn't appeared yet?" Eudora asked, very surprised.
"They are so skilled at damaging the heat-dissipating organs that they don't need command to throw rocks. And precisely because the Nergigante hasn't come, I have a chance to go to the head," Li Fan explained.
"Alright! Grab the wire!" Eudora said, lifting Li Fan and flying towards the Elder Dragon's black, smoky head.
Upon landing, the Thunderclap Divine Blade was directly inserted into the black rock shell. With sparks erupting, a small amount of lava also gushed out.
"I wonder if you can feel the Elder Dragon! Can you hear me?" Li Fan shouted while gripping the hilt of the blade and continuing to thrust it deeper.
*Boom~ Boom~* Amidst the black smoke and the roar of cannons, Li Fan could barely hear his own voice and began to doubt his current plan.
*Roar...* However, a moment later, the slightly slow-reacting Elder Dragon responded to Li Fan's call with a low growl. Its meaning was: "I can't hear you."
"Can't hear you, can't hear you, how did you respond!" Li Fan felt the Elder Dragon was toying with him.
*Roar...* "The scent from the needle makes me curious about the needle?" Li Fan realized that the Thunderclap Divine Blade had indeed attracted the Elder Dragon's attention. It seemed his guess was correct; the Elder Dragon had also experienced the era when the Wind God Dragon and Thunder God Dragon roamed the land.
"You dislike this scent, don't you?"
*Roar...* "If you dislike it, why come to the New World and do the same thing as them."
*Bang~* After Li Fan posed this question, the Elder Dragon's forepaw, submerged in the water pool, suddenly stopped.
*Roar...* "Fear. Why is this reason the same as the Lao Shan Lung's..." Li Fan said with some surprise.
*Roar...* "Our senses are too strong; no matter where we hide, we can sense their presence. So, you were forced by the Black Dragon?" The Elder Dragon remained silent for a long time before responding with a growl.
"The Black Dragon didn't force me. Our fear is innate, deeply rooted in our consciousness. The Black Dragon is just helping me escape further... I understand. You have no malice, but you've been used. A long time ago, another Elder Dragon visited this place, and its death caused a devastating blow to the New World's ecosystem," Li Fan stated immediately.
*Roar!* The Elder Dragon let out an excited roar. Dilo quickly produced sound-blocking gloves and covered Li Fan's ears.
"Don't listen to the Black Dragon's nonsense. You've brought new life? If you die in the depths of the planet's core, at least half of the species on the entire New World will go extinct."
*Roar!* The Elder Dragon let out a defiant roar. The rock pillars hanging from the ceiling of the entire cave began to fall in large numbers under the impact of the sound waves.
"You want evidence? I don't have it on hand. But since you say your senses are strong, those approaching Elder Dragons and the anomalies they're causing won't be coming to greet you, will they?" Li Fan asked. The Elder Dragon became agitated and fell silent.
*Bang! Crash!* A large hole suddenly burst open in the rock strata at the top of the cave, followed by a roar from its back.
"It's the Nergigante, meow!" Dilo shouted after confirming the target with a telescope.
"I can't stay here any longer. I'll leave the rest to your judgment," Li Fan said, decisively drawing the Thunderclap Divine Blade.
*Boom! Boom!* The Elder Dragon's movement resumed. The Nergigante and the Sword Master were in a standoff. The Dragonator on the bow of the Ecology was in position, awaiting the order to fire. Li Fan surveyed the situation and decided to assist the Sword Master first.
The Elder Dragon's pace quickened. The wooden barricade was no match for its massive body.
*Plop~ Splash* The rock strata above the passage to the planet's core, towards which the Elder Dragon was heading, cracked and collapsed, revealing a giant Serpent King Dragon skull. It was the eternal king, the monster that the aged Elder Dragon had most yearned for in its life. The reason was simple: in its eyes, it had never known fear. Looking down at the humans fighting like ants on the barricade, despite the disproportionate size, they still did not retreat. The Elder Dragon felt a pang of sorrow, realizing it had lived its life in fear, constantly making the wrong choices.
*Roar~* At this moment, the Elder Dragon let out a long, clear cry, and its forward momentum suddenly shifted sideways.
"Damn it, Shanshan, why are you popping out from here? The passage to the planet's core is so narrow, the Elder Dragon will get you stuck." Li Fan, who also saw the Serpent King Dragon skull, didn't have as many profound feelings.