Geralt sealed the bottle with a cork, then held it up to examine the body.
After a moment, he muttered, "The energy flowing here has also been condensed into the potion. I hope there won't be any problems."
Having finished brewing the potion, Geralt left the kitchen and sat on the deck.
At this time, Epona came to the deck and gathered everyone to report the recent abnormal ecological reports found in the Ancient Forest.
First, hate birds, which generally only eat carrion, gathered in large numbers to attack herbivorous dragons.
Then, a pack of poison-fanged birds was suddenly attacked by an unknown creature.
A large number of Jagras left their habitats and wandered around.
The chief of the Odd-Eyed tribe disappeared, and the entire tribe fell into chaos.
These simultaneous anomalies were taken very seriously by the Starfall Outpost.
"Using outdoor monitoring to constantly update intelligence and grasp the regional situation, what an impressive feat. How many people did you use?" Geralt asked.
"Hunters active in the Ancient Forest... about two hundred." Epona gave a rough estimate.
"All hired by the Guild?" Geralt inquired.
"You can say hired, but in essence, it's more like cooperation. After all, hunters have to hunt." Epona informed him.
"I'd like to ask a side question."
"Please."
"Are there any measures here to avoid the erosion of white frost?"
"What is white frost?" Epona asked, confused.
"A disaster that freezes everything. Many worlds have been destroyed because they could not stop its spread," Geralt explained.
"I've never heard of it." Epona shook her head.
"Have you ever experienced an invasion from the outside world?"
"No."
"Such abundant energy, yet it hasn't been invaded..." Geralt was quite surprised by this answer.
The Monster Hunter world immediately became special in his eyes.
"Geralt, in the worlds you've visited, do you often encounter invasions?" Li Fan asked.
"Except for those destroyed by white frost, most worlds encounter one every so often."
"Looking at it this way... it's not much better here. Although threats from outside the world are fewer, some calamities within the world are enough to wipe out most living beings," Li Fan stated.
"Calamities... do you mean war?"
"No, monsters."
"Monsters... you seem to have mentioned this to me before, saying that the world you are from is a world where humans fight fiercely against monsters," Geralt recalled.
"If they are indeed monsters, are you confident you can handle them?"
"Of course, that's what I'm best at."
Seeing Geralt's confident demeanor, Li Fan dismissed the idea of making the first move out of fear of failure.
There was also a difficulty here, which also restricted his actions.
That was the lack of means to track the Leshen.
With the tracking and investigation methods here, some intelligence might be found, but it would still be very difficult to pinpoint the Leshen's location.
The anomalies reported by Epona earlier had actually been investigated in depth by the hunters and scholars at the outpost for some time, but they hadn't even found a trace of the Leshen.
Three days later, the Crimson Scale hovered over the Ancient Forest.
"I think this airship can descend a bit lower," Geralt said, noting that the airship was still more than ten meters above the ground.
Unbeknownst to him, Li Fan had already asked Feri to hover at an extremely low altitude to accommodate Geralt.
"It's okay, watch me." Li Fan said as he stood on the railing and demonstrated.
"Don't..." Geralt had only uttered one word before Li Fan leaped down.
With knees slightly bent and standing upright, Li Fan not only stood on the grass unharmed but also waved upwards.
During the three-day journey, Epona had introduced a lot of information about the Monster Hunter world.
The fact that falling posed no danger was the most incomprehensible thing to Geralt.
"No wonder you were so daring before..." Geralt muttered, then vaulted over the railing with one hand and jumped out of the airship.
"I told you it wouldn't hurt, you'll get used to it after a few more times."
"Hmm, it seems so, but what if you're hit by something falling?" Geralt asked, posing the question.
"That's different. Usually, it's the one below who's unlucky... Why are you asking this question?"
"Epona, something's falling!" Geralt informed her, looking up.
"Ah! Quickly dodge!"
With a thud, Epona, sprawled out like a starfish, landed on the grass.
"Uh... I tripped." Epona got up, supporting herself with her hands.
"This still doesn't hurt." Geralt propped his chin with one hand, his eyes filled with surprise, and something within him was stirring.
"No, no, this kind of landing still has risks, even here. It's just that Epona wasn't wearing armor and her weight was lighter, so she didn't get hurt," Li Fan quickly explained.
He didn't want Geralt to mess around and have an accident, so he quickly explained.
The temporarily formed partnership then set off.
As for safety measures, the Crimson Scale would fly overhead, Epona had emergency flares, and Ye Ye was also stealthily following.
This setup was foolproof for protecting two people in the Ancient Forest.
As for suppressing the surrounding monsters so that the two could investigate without interference, Li Fan planned to have Little Dumb and Naughty roar at each other, pretending to have a domestic dispute.
After all, there was a limit to predation, but domestic violence was different. As long as it appeared within sight, it would be treated as an outlet for anger.
After deploying everything, Li Fan returned to the cabin to continue researching the capture of Pi Dan.
He wasn't in a hurry at first, but because it was a type of Fire Dragon he had never seen before, it was impossible to cultivate it without understanding its exact characteristics.
Also, this little guy was too mischievous. At least one of the dragons, Little Dumb or Naughty, had to be on constant watch to ensure Pi Dan didn't leave the nest and cause trouble.
Two hours later, the airship reached the top of the Ancient Forest. Little Dumb, with half-open eyes, was holding Pi Dan in its mouth, looking exhausted.
Pi Dan looked at the airship, blinking its curious red eyes, appearing exceptionally energetic.
After Li Fan explained the plan, Little Dumb roared back Naughty, who had left the nest to hunt.
As for where Naughty was going, it was naturally to the Crimson Scale.
"Heh heh."
Faced with Li Fan, who was rubbing his hands and chuckling sinisterly, Pi Dan sensed that the situation was not right and ran towards its parents after landing.
But before it could run a few steps, Li Fan grabbed its claws and dragged it towards the Crimson Scale.
Aowu~ Aowu~ Aowu~...
Amidst a mournful cry, the Crimson Scale left the treetop nest.
With the investigation skills of a demon hunter and Epona's assistance and guidance, significant progress was made in the incident.
The next step was to track the monster's location. However, it was already nearing night. After consulting with Geralt, Epona decided to rest for the night at a nearby public camp before continuing the investigation the next day.
Just like the field investigators and scholars they encountered during the day, the attitude of the people in the public camp was equally warm and friendly.
This made Geralt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
"Why are the people here so selfless?" Geralt asked, looking at the flickering campfire.
"Perhaps it's because only through sufficient cooperation and a deeper understanding of the ecosystem can they survive in the long run. It's like making a full meal; someone needs to hunt for ingredients, someone needs to pick vegetables, and someone needs to cook," Epona explained.
"What a clever analogy... What kind of person is Li Fan in your eyes?" Geralt asked.
"In my eyes, Li Fan is an omnipotent person, a guiding star who can lead the Fifth Expedition. Commander Frai said that at his current pace, he will surely become a great hunter remembered by history," Epona said with great pride.
"Does he never feel lonely?"
"Lonely... impossible. He has Dilu, Eudora, and a group of Felyne companions. Our Fifth Expedition also supports him from behind," Epona immediately denied.
"It seems something has changed him, but that's good," Geralt sighed.
"Uh... Uncle Geralt, what was the Li Fan you knew before like?" Epona asked tentatively.
"He was full of mysteries, had exceptionally firm beliefs, but didn't like to cooperate with others very much," Geralt replied.
"Eudora! Quickly catch Pi Dan!" On the deck of the Crimson Scale, Li Fan, who had chased from the cabin stairs to the deck, shouted as he saw Pi Dan spread its wings and leap out of the railing.
Eudora floated up from the kitchen table, the Dragon Gem on her back glowing, and all the wind sacs on her armor instantly filled.
Grabbing Pi Dan's wing bones from above, Eudora began to ascend.
At this time, Dilu and Patch on the deck had already spread out a large net.
Eudora released Pi Dan with a gentle toss. Pi Dan flipped several times in the air and landed in the net.
Aowu~ Aowu~ Aowu~...
A heart-wrenching wail sounded.
"Did you hurt Pi Dan, meow?" Patch asked worriedly.
"No, meow, this net has no hooks," Dilu couldn't understand.
"Don't be fooled by Pi Dan, it escaped like this just now," Li Fan reminded them. The two cats quickly tightened the net until there was no more room to shrink, completely immobilizing Pi Dan.
"Li Fan, didn't you say you wouldn't use violence?" Eudora asked curiously as she landed on the deck.
"I didn't use violence, Pi Dan was acting," Li Fan replied.
"That's impossible. This little Fire Dragon can act already." Eudora looked at Pi Dan, who had tears in its eyes, and was quite surprised.
Pi Dan seemed to notice that many people were watching it and began to sob loudly.
Seeing this, Li Fan's gaze deepened.
"Alright, since Pi Dan is in this state whether I use violence or not, then I have no burden... Dilu! Patch!"
"We're here, meow!" The two cats answered in unison.
"Bring up the Diablos Lance," Li Fan instructed. The two cats immediately dashed downstairs and into the cabin.
Hey meow~ Hey meow~ Hey meow~...
Not long after, the two cats, chanting in rhythm, carried the Diablos Lance out of the cabin.
The Pi Dan, which had been pitifully crying a moment ago, froze the instant it saw the Diablos Lance. Its collapsing body immediately got up.
Li Fan said nothing, merely pointing to the entrance of the cabin. The net-wrapped Pi Dan then began to walk, quickly heading over.
Returning to the incubation room and closing the door, Pi Dan on the ground seemed much more docile than before.
But Li Fan, after a day of capture attempts, deeply knew that these were all illusions.
Pi Dan only appeared docile on the surface; it was surely still plotting its escape plan in its heart.
He took the notebook from the table. The plans of "temptation with food," "conspiring for the future," "playing the parents' emotional card," and "introducing other female Fire Dragons as playmates" were all crossed out.
Finally, only "enduring the dragon" remained as an option that had not been tried.
"This plan is also a test for myself. Pi Dan, are you ready?" Li Fan asked tentatively.
Pi Dan looked around the room, shaking its head from side to side. Realizing there was nothing resembling a Diablos Lance inside, it didn't pay much attention.
What Pi Dan didn't expect was that Li Fan's face would come close the next moment.
The man and dragon began to stare at each other.
The next morning, Li Fan, with bloodshot eyes, opened the door to the incubation room.
Pi Dan, chirping with joy, ran towards the cargo hold without stopping.
Clang~ Creak~ Creak~...
The sound of crates shattering and raw meat being gnawed echoed.
Li Fan, leaning against the wall and sitting on the ground, looked utterly dejected.
"How can there be such a difficult young beast... I should look at Xiao Ming to change my mood."
Li Fan immediately opened his handheld game console. Seeing the daily attribute boosts of the Elder Dragon, his depressed mood quickly eased.
However, when he thought of the crisis Xiao Ming was about to face, he couldn't help but sigh.
Facing the Black Dragon, the best option was naturally to flee. But where could he find an environment more suitable for Xiao Ming than the Elder's Cradle if he left the New World?
Moreover, based on Xiao Ming's previous attitude, he would definitely never submit to such a thing.
Li Fan felt it necessary to come up with a backup plan.
"Li Fan! Li Fan! Dilu has observed that Geralt is fighting an unknown monster, meow!" Feri's voice sounded from the intercom in the ship's corridor.
Li Fan immediately ran into the cargo hold, picked up Pi Dan along with the raw meat it was carrying, and put them into the incubation room.
"There's a situation outside, wait for me." Li Fan said, then hurried to the deck.
Observing through binoculars, Geralt, holding a long sword, was fighting a monster with antlers and a bone mask.
A large number of hate birds circled around the monster, as if controlled by it.
"What kind of monster is that, meow?" Dilu asked in surprise.
"That's a Leshen," Li Fan informed her.
Whoosh!
As Geralt extended his palm, a burst of flames erupted forward.
This was the Igni sign, a magic used specifically for incinerating enemies.
Flames ignited on the Leshen's withered, tree-like body.
Taking advantage of the moment to shake off the flames on its body, Geralt lunged to its side and swung his long sword in a fierce vertical slash.
"Such powerful attack moves, meow," Dilu exclaimed.
The flames on the Leshen's body dissipated. Instead of immediately intercepting Geralt's attack, it plunged its arms, made of sharp branches, deep into the ground.
At the same time, a large number of hate birds flew towards Geralt and began a coordinated pecking attack.