"It is a great honor to be chosen as a mentor. I will lead you all to the ultimate realm of hunters," Pabobo declared, standing tall and making his promise. Perhaps due to his peculiar art style, no hunter dared to step forward for a long time.
"The title 'Peak Hunter'... I know who it is!" Yudora exclaimed, realization dawning on her.
"Who?" Li Fan asked curiously.
"Legend has it there's a top hunter who only hunts wearing shorts, uses incredibly strange weapons, and willingly accepts significantly shortened contract periods for extreme challenges," Yudora explained. *Naked speedrunner, that can't be right, this is the real world.* Li Fan became even more perplexed after Yudora's explanation.
"What a peculiar top hunter. Pabobo and Pazhizhi... judging by their names, are they related?" Li Fan looked at Pazhizhi, who was also on stage recruiting hunter trainees.
"I'm not sure about that. I'm going to choose a mentor. Do you have anyone in mind?" Yudora inquired.
"Time is too short. I need to get information from the dean and plan my long journey. A mentor? Could it be..."
"That's right. Peak Hunters have achieved great heights in their Great Sword mastery. Before heading to the new continent, I must also strive to improve," Yudora confirmed.
"Alright. When our team reunites, I hope we can all become the people we envision," Li Fan said. Though the parting was sudden, Li Fan understood the importance of self-improvement.
"Okay, you also need to be careful. And be sure to get regular updates on external information. You absolutely must return before you depart," Yudora urged, then quickly hurried towards the stage.
After the training course concluded, Li Fan went to the investigation room set up by the Dragon Calendar Institute at the Guild Headquarters. Research on the Steel Dragon, Elder Dragon, and Mantis was still ongoing. The Hunter's Guild wasn't incapable of analyzing the material samples; it was simply that the aftermath of the recent crisis was too extensive, so they sought the Dragon Calendar Institute's help to share the burden. Vega, who was in charge, was delighted to see Li Fan. After a brief exchange, she handed him a thick stack of documents.
"Where did you get those special hunting permits?" Vega asked curiously.
"Mentor Yintie gave them to me."
"I thought so. Who else would be so reckless as to hunt special individuals alone? I need to inform you of a few things. The Dragon Calendar Institute currently only has one large Dragon Ship, and with a large number of high-level hunters arriving in Dongduoluma for the Fifth Fleet selection, there will be a significant delay in information regarding special individuals," Vega informed him.
"I'm aware of that." The observation and confirmation of special individuals involved two parts: the Dragon Ship tracking them and the hunter teams. Normally, the Dragon Calendar Institute, which researched special individuals, would acquire the latest firsthand information more frequently. However, with both primary intelligence-gathering forces either in or en route to Dongduoluma, the observation and tracking of special individuals were naturally affected.
"The remaining issue is safety. The Dragon Calendar Institute has always wanted special individual corpses for in-depth research into the causes of monster mutations. But due to the extremely high hunting difficulty, they primarily focus on collecting traces and ecological observation. I understand your desire to help the Dragon Calendar Institute as a chief hunter, but in terms of danger, I do not recommend you hunt these special individuals," Vega expressed with concern. On paper, Li Fan undoubtedly possessed enough strength to attempt such hunts. However, special individuals were far more dangerous than ordinary monsters, and no one could guarantee that accidents wouldn't happen.
"I am fully aware of the dangers of this expedition. Monster mutations have been a primary research topic for the Dragon Calendar Institute since its establishment, and I am willing to contribute," Li Fan stated firmly.
"Such a stubborn hunter. However, it is precisely because of individuals like you that ecological research can achieve continuous breakthroughs. It's a pity the Dragon Calendar Institute can no longer offer you much assistance," Vega sighed.
"I am already grateful for the amount of information I've gathered. This is also a great opportunity to hone my skills. I need to go back and plan my long journey. I won't disturb you further, Dean," Li Fan said, rising to leave.
"Wait, Li Fan. The route you're planning... is it for hunting special individuals?" Vega asked tentatively.
"Yes." Information has a delay, and upon reaching the sighting area, the monsters might have already migrated. However, if one were only hunting a single target, there would be no need to plan a route; one could simply head there directly.
"Your long journey plan involves hunting two special individuals?" Vega probed.
"No."
"Then there are other contracts along the way..." Vega sighed. After all, even the berserk hunter of the past only targeted the Embermane, so she felt she was overthinking things.
"I intend to hunt ten."
"What? Ten!" Vega could no longer remain calm.
In the evening, Li Fan completed his route planning. The ropes binding the numerous ships at the dock were untied, and the Flamefire set sail, departing Dongduoluma. For monsters, combat was the fastest way to improve their strength, which was precisely why Li Fan chose to undertake a series of hunts targeting special individuals. The primary target among these was the Embermane, active in the desert region. Li Fan had promised Mentor Yintie that he would avenge him once he was capable, and now was the time.
Five days later, at dawn, above the Ruined Peaks. The Great Ape returned to its deck perch, feeding blue mushrooms into its mouth with its tail while holding an ecological record in its palm, studying it intently. The treasure-hunting team was adjusting their newly purchased cat-shaped airship, and the culinary team was preparing breakfast for the members. The scene was lively.
"Dilu meow! We've arrived at the area Li Fan marked meow!" Phiri, who was steering the ship while standing on a wooden crate, called out towards the bow.
"Okay meow! I'll go inform him," Dilu said, quickly running into the ship's cabin and entering Li Fan's room to deliver the message.
On deck, Li Fan first observed the surroundings with binoculars. "Ever since Huihui left, the territorial disputes between monsters in the Ruined Peaks seem to have become more frequent." Li Fan noticed three monster battles with just a brief glance.
"Is Xixi's opponent here meow?" Dilu flipped open the book at her waist and asked.
"Yes, but Xixi is likely not a match for it currently, so I need to assign Xixi a bodyguard." After speaking, Li Fan opened two Poké Balls, and Huihui and Xixi appeared on either side of the airship.
"Huihui, Xixi's safety is entrusted to you. But remember to create more opportunities for Xixi to fight the Thunderlord alone. Don't just impulsively kill the Thunderlord, and conserve energy as well..." *Roar!* Huihui responded with a roar.
"Xixi, don't rely on Huihui too much. If Huihui ever runs out of energy in the future, you'll need to protect it," *Roar!* Xixi gave its assurance.
"I'm not sure when I'll be back to pick you up. If the Thunderlord dies too early or narrowly escapes, Xixi, you can also try sparring with other five-star monsters. Be careful," Li Fan said, feeling somewhat uneasy about the two monsters going off to fight independently. However, even with the accurate locations provided by the Dragon Calendar Institute's intelligence, it was only a general area. Actual tracking and pursuit required long-term investigation by hunter teams. If Li Fan were to accompany them all, it would take at least half a year to a year for the monsters to complete their entire special training plan. Furthermore, the new continent only had one human settlement, located on the outermost edge. Aside from ecological survey needs, it was generally incapable of undertaking hunting activities. Therefore, it was suitable for the monsters to be in a free-range state rather than staying in Poké Balls for extended periods. Li Fan also intended to let the monsters adapt beforehand. As for safety, even the Guild and the Dragon Calendar Institute found it difficult to track Elder Dragons in the past. At this point in the Elder Dragon's migration, the Elder Dragons had already departed, making the chance of encountering them negligible.
"Huihui! Xixi! Go for it meow!" The Flamefire continued to fly forward, and Li Fan and Dilu waved goodbye.
Three days later, following the planned flight route, they arrived at the Ice Sea region, an area the team had never set foot in before. Yuanjiao, Leige, Cheche, and Yayaya departed. The special individual these four monsters were to face was a Brachydios named Arrogant Hookclaw. Among them, Yuanjiao and Cheche disliked each other, which made Li Fan a bit worried, so he asked the steady Leige to mediate.
Four days later, Wanpi, Xiaobendan, Kuku, and Yeye departed. These four monsters would need to travel for some time to reach their destination, the Ancient Forest, the area where the monster camp was originally established. According to the Dragon Calendar Institute's intelligence, the special individual Night Bird, Obscure Concealment, was residing in the forest. As for the meaningless appellation "Obscure Concealment," the intelligence indicated it originated from the Guild's number one assassin of the night. It was said that this assassin possessed the special ability to completely conceal their form, which was very similar to the Night Bird's ability to become invisible, hence the name.
"Regarding Obscure Concealment, you can first have Yeye try to communicate and see if you can become friends. If not, then you can fight," Li Fan said to the sky, deploying his plan. Even as a special individual, the Night Bird, in theory, would not be as brutal and bloodthirsty as the Thunderlord or Arrogant Hookclaw. Yeye had been with Li Fan and the other monsters for a considerable time, accumulating many communication skills. If the other party was willing to share their method of becoming a special individual with Yeye, that would be ideal.
Watching the monsters fly away, Li Fan felt a sense of emptiness. Unfortunately, time was of the essence; otherwise, he would have accompanied them to make more detailed plans.
"From here, it's about a day and a half to Kara Village meow. Should we go back and visit?" Dilu asked tentatively, looking at her notebook.
"Don't worry, Kara Village is within the planned route, just a bit later. Xiongda and Taimai, I miss you so much..." Li Fan sighed, looking in the direction of Kara Village. The status display in his handheld device showed that Xiongda and Taimai had been missing him.
Five days later, the Flamefire landed at the Sandstone Cave stronghold in the desert region. After making necessary supplies and inquiring about the progress of the Fifth Fleet preparations, the Flamefire set sail again. After a day of flight, they reached the sighting point of the special individual Zinogre, the Embermane, as indicated by the intelligence. Li Fan was accustomed to not finding any traces in the surrounding areas. The scorching sun baked the land. Descending onto the hot sand, Li Fan found a cave to shelter from the sunlight.
*Gulp... gulp.* After finishing a bottle of cold drink, Dilu curiously asked, "Li Fan, why don't we use the airship to search?"
"The desert region is half our home ground, so there's no need to go to such trouble," Li Fan replied.
"Half our home ground meow..." Dilu couldn't quite understand.
"They're here," Li Fan said, rising from the rock he was leaning against. Dilu looked at the undulating desert in the distance, and a yellow dorsal fin, about half a meter high, was rapidly approaching.
"It's Big Mouth meow!" Dilu exclaimed.
*Whoosh~* As the sand rapidly sank, a giant mouth appeared from beneath the sand.
"Long time no see, Big Mouth. Miss me?"
*Puff! Puff! Puff!* Rhombus-shaped carapaces emerged from the sand, and a large amount of sand and air was sprayed outwards from within the shells.
"It's not that I didn't want to come, I've just been too busy. You have no idea what I've been through," Li Fan explained.
"I can vouch for that meow," Dilu said, raising her paw.
*Puff. Puff.* The spraying of sand and air immediately weakened. After appeasing Big Mouth, Li Fan introduced his accompanying monsters: "Let me introduce you to two companions. This one is called Zhanzhan. You used to be neighbors. This one is Shanshan. She's very talented at building."
*Puff. Puff.*
"Of course, it counts. Whoever bullied you, I'll get revenge for you in bulk this time. But before that, I'd like to gather some information. Has a rather unusual Zinogre been active in this area recently?" Li Fan inquired.
*Whoosh~* The sand dispersed in a circular pattern.
"You know its location? That's great! And one more question, are there any large ruins buried in the sand nearby?"
*Puff! Puff!* Sand and air were sprayed out vigorously twice.
"There are too! Then all the requirements for special training are met. Big Mouth, take us to the place with the buried large ruins first." After speaking, Big Mouth submerged into the sand, its raised yellow dorsal fin accelerating as it twisted and moved forward. Li Fan and Dilu returned to the Flamefire and followed behind.
After about an hour of travel, Big Mouth arrived at a location that looked no different from other parts of the desert. Li Fan descended and couldn't discern any abnormalities.
*Bang! Bang! Hiss.* Zhanzhan, who had charged forward, stopped and realized that several golden silk threads were tied to the flame-shaped shell on its back. It turned its neck and saw that Shanshan was hitching a ride.
*Roar.* With a low growl, a wave of heat emerged from Zhanzhan's mouth, seemingly dissatisfied with carrying the weight all the way.
*Clang! Clang!* Brilliant golden light, dazzling under the scorching sun, flashed as its foreclaws, equipped with sickle-like claws, collided twice. Zhanzhan, seeing that they were about to compete, immediately swung its tail blade into its mouth.
"Don't fight among yourselves. Next time we move, Shanshan, you'll carry Zhanzhan, and then we'll be even. The priority now is to excavate the ruins," Li Fan advised.
*Roar?* Zhanzhan looked back at Shanshan's size and couldn't help but feel confused. Shanshan approached Li Fan and drew a picture of grilled meat on the sand with the tip of its sickle-like claw.
"Alright, you hunt and eat first. We'll provide support. Zhanzhan, you're responsible for that side."
*Roar.* Zhanzhan let out a displeased roar and moved its legs, running towards its assigned position.
"Zhanzhan seems unhappy meow," Dilu observed.
"Zhanzhan says it's the main force against the Embermane, and Shanshan can only drag it down. Sigh..." Li Fan felt that Zhanzhan's misunderstanding of Shanshan's role was quite serious.