Feeling Li Fan's helplessness, the Mud-Fish Dragon jumped even more joyfully.
Layers of mud continuously surged, making progress increasingly difficult.
"I can pull you up, meow, but the duration is quite short."
Dill, riding a wind-bag cloud, flew over to inform him.
"No, the Qi Resonance attached to the blade is still just a normal blade. Even attacking from a high place would hardly stop the Mud-Fish Dragon from thrashing."
Li Fan had considered using a charged slash to strike the ground and absorb Qi, but even where his feet touched, there was only soft mud.
As for the mud waves rolling in, their impact was too low to even meet the standard for activating a Foresight Slash.
"It's jumping over, meow!"
Dill exclaimed as the Mud-Fish Dragon leaped high and smashed down.
"Retreat!"
Following Li Fan's instructions, the wind-bag cloud immediately flew away.
Splash! Whoosh...
The Mud-Fish Dragon, falling into the mud swamp, stirred up an exceptionally high mud tide.
"Li Fan! Uh... seems fine, meow."
Dill had been worried about Li Fan, but after seeing the mud tide recede, a mud-covered figure still standing firm, her worry immediately dissipated.
The Mud-Fish Dragon, its eye heavily wounded, didn't dare to approach further and instead used jumps to create distance.
"Are all monsters on the New World this persistent..."
Li Fan wiped the mud and water from his face, vaguely recalling the feeling of being toyed with by annoying monsters in the game.
The mud swamp continued to spread, and the Mud-Fish Dragon, holding the home-field advantage, seemed to believe the enemy could no longer harm it, letting out a joyful roar.
"On the mud swamp, no one can defeat me... Hmm, well said."
Wiping mud from his gauntlets, Li Fan reached into the collar of his armor and produced an orange-yellow flower.
*Screech~*
As the petals unfolded, a golden jade stone was revealed.
*Click!* The Ancestral Storm Jewel was inserted into the slot of the Thunderclap Godly Blade.
*Crack! Crack!*...
A large amount of electricity spread outwards from the blade.
The Mud-Fish Dragon, not yet realizing the gravity of the situation, felt it had retreated to a safe distance and immediately launched another mud swamp attack.
It lunged sideways, leaping towards Li Fan's location.
*Boom! Zzzt!*
A flash of golden light, accompanied by a smell of scorched earth, drifted into the air.
*Thump!* The Mud-Fish Dragon's body crashed vertically into the mud swamp, stirring up another mud tide.
However, after landing this time, the Mud-Fish Dragon didn't move again.
Although this lightning-infused slash was terrifyingly powerful, it still had no effect on the mud.
*Splat~*
Li Fan was once again splashed with mud and water, but to his surprise, the lightning generated by the Ancestral Storm Jewel did not pierce his armor and injure him due to its immense power.
He peeled away the layers of mud accumulated on his gauntlet; the innermost layer had already hardened.
"Could the mud on the innermost layer have resisted the electric shock?"
Li Fan considered this the most plausible explanation.
Since the transport route to the Great Deserted Land was not yet connected, the Mud-Fish Dragon's corpse held little value for Li Fan.
He decided to let it return to dust and earth, resting in the mud swamp.
In the afternoon, Cang Luo was safely escorted back to the camp.
Looking at the research equipment displayed in the tents of the three elderly Dragonkin scholars, Cang Luo said with regret, "I misunderstood the Commander and the others."
"What's wrong?"
Li Fan glanced at the tents, not noticing anything amiss.
"I was insistent on coming to the Great Deserted Land for investigation, and everyone objected and refused to provide logistical support. I thought they just didn't believe in my research direction. Now I see I was too reckless back then; such an action was no different from seeking death."
Cang Luo explained.
"So, that contract for searching for Dragonkin scholars at the outpost was looking for you?"
It was already strange for a scholar to travel alone in the wilderness without a Wingdrake. Combined with that missing person contract, Li Fan connected the dots.
"It must have been. How embarrassing. I thought I could learn from the Great Leader and Master Hara..."
Cang Luo sighed.
Li Fan also realized that simply surviving alone in the New World wilderness was extremely dangerous.
Individuals like the Great Leader and Master Hara, who could also gather ecological intelligence, were undoubtedly wilderness survival experts in the Monster Hunter world.
In the evening, escorted by Yudora, the three elderly Dragonkin scholars returned from their investigation.
They were both relieved and happy to see Cang Luo.
The institution that issued the contract was the Ecological Research Institute within the outpost.
Currently on an investigation mission, the team had no immediate plans to return. Cang Luo was also willing to join the scholars' team to conduct ecological surveys of the Great Deserted Land.
Half a month soon passed.
The exploration of the Starstone ore veins remained without progress, and the Zorah Magdaros seemed to have vanished.
However, it had contributed significantly to the ecological observation of the Great Deserted Land, and together with Aipo, they had compiled the first draft of the map.
In recognition of their achievements, the three elderly Dragonkin scholars even named newly discovered flora and fauna after the team members.
Thus, Li Fan Tomatoes, Dill Strawberries, and Yudora Frogs came into being.
One evening, the investigation team returned to the camp. The vehicle was no longer loaded with piles of unknown plants, but with a giant stone bearing dark red patterns.
Also present was a hunter using a Kinsect Glaive as a cane to support himself.
Li Fan recognized the flag of the First Fleet tied to the Kinsect Glaive, a banner bearing the symbol of the Azure Star. Even though the hunter's face was obscured by his hood, his identity was confirmed.
It was the Dragonkin fellow who had been knocked out and needed rescue upon their first encounter with a Nergigante.
"My name is Murl, and you must be Li Fan, the leader of the Fifth Fleet?"
The hunter pulled back his hood, revealing tightly braided hair and the pointed ears of a Dragonkin.
"Yes, hello Murl."
"You are indeed extraordinary. Perhaps the Fifth Fleet can bring new hope to this continent. I will rest at the camp for one night before departing. Apologies for the intrusion."
Murl said politely and then sat by the campfire.
Seeing that he didn't seem eager to probe further, Li Fan found it strange.
But then he realized that Murl had returned with an investigation team, so the outpost and the Fifth Fleet's situations had likely already been explained to him on the way.
Cang Luo greatly admired Murl, and the two began chatting by the fire.
At midnight, the elderly Dragonkin scholar Bertus announced the investigation results.
"The appearance of this Zorah Magdaros trace here indicates it passed through the vicinity. Based on the analysis of the trace samples, it should have been within the last three days."
Skree held a magnifying glass and searched the newly compiled map. Based on the marked locations of the discovered traces, he pinpointed the area Zorah Magdaros was heading towards.
"Looking at it this way... it's heading towards the end of the Great Deserted Land."
"Could it be the Great Canyon!"
Cang Luo suddenly thought of a possibility.
"Where is the Great Canyon?"
Skree lowered his head to search again, but the map showed no such annotation.
"Murl told me. He shared many details about his solo expeditions, mentioning that the end of the Great Deserted Land is a great canyon. He also asked me to convey this information back to the outpost for the Commander, Fray."
Cang Luo informed them.
"The Great Canyon... perhaps that's not its final destination?"
Bertus found this ecologically illogical.
"But if we are to intercept it, this would be the most suitable location."
Li Fan interjected.
Murl, by the campfire not far away, looked surprised.
His intention in asking Cang Luo to relay the information to Fray was precisely to convey this point.
Fray, upon hearing it, would immediately understand. It was a normal situation, and Li Fan's comprehension was unexpected.
"This... is too insane."
Cang Luo shook his head quickly.
"In any case, let's transmit the information back and transport this trace for further research."
Li Fan gave the deployment.
The investigation into Zorah Magdaros had achieved a breakthrough.
The creation of the initial map allowed a hunter team composed of a few elite members of the Fifth Fleet to successfully visit the Great Deserted Land and commence hunting.
Although a safe and reliable transport route could not be established, if a large number of Fifth Fleet hunters were dispatched to escort the transport team, the risk could be minimized.
The Ignis was summoned, and the truck carrying the Zorah Magdaros trace was attached. Items needing to be taken from the camp were packed.
In less than an hour, the team began heading towards the outpost.
"This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but the Commander won't agree, will he?"
On the deck, Yudora asked, puzzled.
Fray had even assigned Diyan as a guide for hunting a Great Jagras, let alone a desperate attempt to intercept and capture Zorah Magdaros.
"That's true, but Yudora, let's think from another perspective. If you were Fray, could you think of a better plan than this?"
Li Fan retorted.
For large-scale operations like this, Astera's interception of Lao-Shan Lung served as the most valuable standard template.
However, even that operation relied on the canyon terrain within the mountains.
This meant that if this opportunity were missed, no amount of future resources or manpower would allow for a similar operation.
"Hmm... indeed, there are no better options. But do you think it's possible to succeed?"
Yudora inquired.
"No, it will absolutely fail."
Li Fan stated firmly. He believed that even if the "Meow-Meow" hadn't interfered, this operation would have ended in failure.
"Ah? Then why are you still insisting?"
"To accumulate experience and prepare for the next success."
"So... you believe there will be another suitable terrain along Zorah Magdaros's path for an ambush?"
Yudora inferred.
"Perhaps."
Li Fan did not give a definitive answer.
Two days later, the news that Zorah Magdaros would pass through a great canyon reached the Astera base.
The Elder's Crossing naturally involved various terrains. For those who didn't understand deeply, it wasn't surprising that Zorah Magdaros, having crossed from the sea, would pass through a terrestrial great canyon.
However, for some, this intelligence held extraordinary value.
The Commander, upon receiving the intelligence, did not make an immediate judgment or express any opinion. Instead, he locked himself in his bedroom. After a full day and night, he summoned all the investigation team leaders to the Chamber of the Five Dragons for a small-scale discussion.
The stained-glass windows depicting the legend of the Five Dragons on the ceiling cast colorful hues under the moonlight.
Fray leaned back in his chair, his face filled with anxiety and fatigue.
Li Fan was surprised to see the usually resolute old man from the game looking so worn.
"The latest intelligence gathered, its meaning is clear to everyone, isn't it?"
Seeing that everyone was present, Fray began to inquire.
A moment of silent deliberation indicated that everyone understood the significant implications.
"Commander... we believe in you."
Aipo couldn't help but offer encouragement.
"Ah, thank you, Aipo. I've been so busy lately I forgot to say, the map you compiled has been of decisive help in exploring the Great Deserted Land."
Fray said with a faint smile.
"It's mainly thanks to the survey map drawn by Li Fan. Otherwise, even if I followed the scholars every day, I wouldn't have been able to draw it so comprehensively."
Aipo informed them.
"And also Li Fan, I heard about you rescuing Cang Luo. You truly are the lucky star of the outpost."
Fray exclaimed.
Lucky star? That's a good title, sounds cheerful and auspicious.
Li Fan thought to himself, then immediately stated his stance directly.
"Commander, I support launching the Zorah Magdaros capture operation in the Great Canyon."
Everyone was somewhat surprised. They all knew it was the only option.
But facing a certain defeat, most people would not bravely confront it.
A light flashed in Fray's eyes, but it quickly dimmed.
"This is a battle we are bound to lose..."
Fray murmured to himself.
"Yes, but the valuable experience of large-scale operations is priceless, especially in the New World."
Li Fan finished, and the Chamber of the Five Dragons fell silent again.
"Cough cough..."
Li Fan cleared his throat.
Yudora, receiving the signal, stepped forward.
"Everyone, my hometown, Astera, gradually grew under the constant ravages of Elder Dragons. As pioneers of the New World, if we don't dare to try, who else will conduct in-depth investigations of the Elder's Crossing? I now declare my support for launching the Zorah Magdaros capture operation, even if it's a battle with no chance of victory."
*Clap! Clap!*....
Aipo clapped forcefully, exclaiming, "Well said, Yudora!"
"Alas... as expected, the young have more spirit."
The Swordmaster sitting in the back sighed.
"I agree, but to establish combat facilities, we must transport the technical team members to the Great Canyon as soon as possible."
A short old man wearing a miner's hat with a bug-catching cage expressed his opinion. Li Fan remembered him as the head of the technical team.
"In that case, the supply transport team must also set off as soon as possible."
Alice, the head of the supply team, smiled charmingly and also expressed her stance.
Gradually, more team leaders voiced their opinions, and the capture of Zorah Magdaros operation quickly entered the discussion phase.
Confidence was rekindled in Fray's eyes.
Late at night, after the preliminary plan was discussed, everyone immediately began preparations throughout the night.
"Li Fan, please wait a moment."
Fray called out to Li Fan, who was about to leave.
"What is it, Commander?"
"Thank you for strengthening my resolve."
Fray said gratefully.
"You're welcome. Such a significant decision must carry unimaginable pressure. I believe you will be able to lead everyone to unravel the mystery of the Elder's Crossing."