"This bottle of Ancient Dragon Blood was brought from the main continent. The workshop will need it for developing cutting-edge weapons in the future, so this is all we can spare for you."
The second-phase team leader explained.
"It's alright, we'll find other ways to solve the issue of injecting dragon energy."
Li Fan understood.
Ancient Dragon Blood was a top-tier material even on the main continent, let alone on the new continent where it couldn't be produced.
"That's good then. Yudora, the firing pin switch for the ignition stone inside the sword will be set on the hilt, just like the switch for opening the nozzle shield. Both are triggered by a strong grip. However, without injecting dragon energy, there will be no effect even if it ignites. It will be just like when you tried to charge it earlier."
The second-phase team leader explained the usage of the Dragonic Heat Mechanized Blade [Fierce Star].
"So complicated."
Yudora exclaimed.
"Once you get used to it, it's actually quite easy to master. Where was I? Ah, yes. At this point, the Dragon Gem inside the sword isn't active. You need to inject enough material with dragon energy, then introduce a large amount of strong airflow, and finally trigger the ignition stone's firing pin switch. That's when the Dragon Gem will start to operate."
After the second-phase team leader finished speaking, the workshop fell silent.
"And then?"
Yudora asked.
"I don't know, but I suggest you try it out in the field."
The second-phase team leader said with a solemn expression.
"Although the usage is a bit complex, I feel this is a very powerful greatsword. Thank you."
Yudora expressed her gratitude.
"You're welcome. Crafting weapons and armor for hunters is our mission. We hope you can achieve even better hunting performance with it."
The second-phase team leader smiled with satisfaction, looking at the Dragonic Heat Mechanized Blade [Fierce Star] that he had poured his heart into.
"Why do we need to test it in the field?"
Yudora asked, confused, as they walked out of the workshop.
"The structures in the base are built from ship wreckage and wouldn't withstand this greatsword."
Li Fan informed her.
"There's a newly built training ground outside the base, meow."
Felyne offered a suggestion.
"Oh! Then let's go to the training ground."
Yudora's eyes lit up.
The two humans and one Felyne soon arrived at the training ground nestled in the jungle.
"It's a bit rudimentary, meow."
Felyne commented after observing for a moment.
The entire area lacked any proper training equipment, let alone mechanical models.
The only things available for physical training were the rings tied to tree trunks.
Agility training was done by continuously leaping over large wooden barrels.
Only the thick, round wooden pillars used for weapon training looked sturdy and reliable.
Yudora selected the sturdiest-looking one and approached it.
The other hunters and Felynes stopped their training and watched intently.
"Airflow, dragon energy, ignition."
Yudora softly recited the conditions for activating the crimson Dragonic Orb and then began her attempt.
Her feet were staggered, and she held the Dragonic Heat Mechanized Blade [Fierce Star] horizontally in front of her.
Yudora didn't rush to swing and charge. Instead, she focused her thoughts and guided the airflow.
Whoosh~
Misty white airflow swirled around the Wind Serpent armor.
The wind sacs on the surface glowed with a green light and gradually swelled.
Whirr~ Whirr~
A large amount of airflow was drawn into the sword, and a hollow, ethereal metallic sound echoed.
"She's already got the hang of it, meow! Yudora is amazing! Li Fan, why are you standing so far away?"
Felyne was speaking when he noticed Li Fan was no longer beside him. He turned to look for him and finally found him in the bushes behind them.
"The farther away I am, the better I can see the whole picture."
"That's so philosophical, meow! I thought you were hiding because you were afraid of getting caught in the blast."
Felyne said, suddenly understanding.
"Yudora! The workshop used aged Ancient Dragon Blood! You should shake it before you try to charge!"
Li Fan shouted a reminder.
"Okay!"
Yudora replied and then vigorously shook the hilt of the sword.
Crackling~ A small amount of fine black electricity surged from the sword.
Seeing this, Felyne quickly ran to the bushes where Li Fan was.
"I want to see the whole picture too, meow."
So, the human and the Felyne poked their heads out of the bushes to watch.
"The preliminary conditions are met. Now it's time to charge."
Yudora took a deep breath, gripped the hilt tightly with both hands, and swung the greatsword behind her.
Click~ The nozzle shield opened.
Inside the sword, the firing pin struck the ignition stone, creating a burst of fine flames.
Hiss~~
From the dark nozzle at the tip of the greatsword, a patch of orange-yellow light appeared, then instantly turned crimson.
Boom! A strange red light flashed within the training ground.
Sizzle~ Sizzle~
Yudora slid forward, close to the ground. To avoid being propelled by the blast, she had to stomp her feet hard.
However, as the accumulated power was injected, the strip of red flame from the Dragonic Heat Mechanized Blade [Fierce Star] became increasingly intense, showing no signs of weakening.
A moment later, even though her feet were sinking into the ground and she lowered her center of gravity by bowing her body further, Yudora's body was still slowly moving forward under the influence of the blast.
"The charging injection has compressed the dragon energy even further..."
Li Fan analyzed.
"If you can't hold on, use the 'Drop Sword Technique'! Don't hurt yourself!"
Li Fan advised.
Theoretically, loosening the grip slightly would cause the nozzle shield to close, interrupting the dragon energy blast.
However, for Yudora's safety, Li Fan thought the Drop Sword Technique was the safest option.
"I'm starting to get the feel of it!"
Yudora responded intermittently and with difficulty.
Li Fan and Felyne regained some confidence, but after only a moment, the earth and rocks beneath Yudora's feet suddenly cracked.
Two trenches were carved into the ground by her dragging feet.
Even at this point, Yudora stubbornly refused to let go. Li Fan and Felyne had no choice but to leap out of the bushes to rescue her.
The round wooden pillar used for slashing training was within reach. Even if Yudora could swing her sword, she had missed the optimal timing.
In a flash, Yudora chose to increase the amplitude of her backward swing, directing the nozzle towards the ground.
Whoosh~ Boom!
"Yudora's flying, meow."
"This can be considered a way to escape the crisis."
The human and the Felyne looked up at Yudora, who was gradually flying away, with rather complicated feelings.
For the next period, Yudora spent all her time, besides daily strength training, mastering the Dragonic Heat Mechanized Blade [Fierce Star].
Her previously aerial movements turned into reckless charges.
Wyverns would rather take a detour to fly back to the base than share the sky with Yudora.
Meanwhile, Li Fan was continuously optimizing the capture plan while waiting for that crucial commission.
A week passed quickly.
In the evening, the dust-covered Grand Guild Master entered the Felyne Pavilion.
"Hey, you're back, are you?"
The chef, with his arms crossed, asked in an unfriendly tone upon seeing him.
"It's been a while, I've missed you. The same Surf-and-Turf combo."
The Grand Guild Master said with a smile.
"Ignoring my taunts, could it be that you've encountered something troublesome? Surf-and-Turf combo! That's his special way of making it, don't get it mixed up!"
The chef shouted, and the entire kitchen sprang into action.
The entire team was enjoying dinner at the stone table. Upon seeing the Grand Guild Master return, they greeted him.
"I was planning to find you after dinner, but I didn't expect to meet you here."
The Grand Guild Master said, coming over to the table.
"Munch munch~ Is there a commission?"
Aibo, chewing on a skewer of grilled meat, inquired.
"That's right. As soon as I returned to the base, I went to see Fray. After our discussion, I feel this... might only be manageable by the Chief Hunter team. Of course, it depends on your opinions."
The Grand Guild Master said with a hint of helplessness.
"What's the specific situation?"
Although Li Fan knew the plot, more information wouldn't hurt.
"Murl, who went missing in the Elder's Recess, I found him at the end of an inverted ley line."
"Is he alright?"
Li Fan asked.
"He's very enthusiastic. He's even set up a small camp to investigate a major discovery he's made."
The Grand Guild Master informed him.
"What major discovery?"
Aibo put down his skewer of grilled meat and stood up to ask.
Anything Murl considered a major discovery was definitely unusual.
"If we can investigate it thoroughly, we might be able to unravel all the mysteries of the Ancient Dragon's Crossing."
The Grand Guild Master said.
"That's amazing! So Commander Fray will issue the investigation contract tomorrow and call everyone to go, right?"
Aibo asked with anticipation in his eyes.
"No."
The Grand Guild Master sighed.
"Why, Grand Guild Master?"
Aibo couldn't understand.
"The Dragon Crystals we collected on the periphery already have an unusually high concentration. The energy settled in the deep core is immeasurable."
The Grand Guild Master spoke with a clear sense of powerlessness.
"Are you saying there might be some kind of life form in the core?"
Aibo immediately understood his concerns.
The restrictions on hunting on the new continent were indeed more open.
It even allowed private individuals to issue contracts for hunting Elder Dragons.
However, for some unknown and terrifying existences, it was definitely necessary to stay away.
"Fray also considered giving up, but the final breakthrough in unraveling the mystery of the Ancient Dragon's Crossing is right before us. And even if Fray ordered the investigation to be terminated, given Murl's personality, he would definitely proceed without hesitation, even if it meant defying the investigation team's decision."
The Grand Guild Master revealed the part that troubled him the most.
The five investigation teams had visited the new continent precisely to unravel the mystery of the Ancient Dragon's Crossing.
Now that they had finally found the key to the mystery, it was beyond reach due to a threat beyond their comprehension.
If the investigation were to stop here, no one could accept it.
"The path to seeking truth is always fraught with danger."
Li Fan sighed.
"You can refuse. No related information will be leaked. This is a promise from Fray and me."
The Grand Guild Master said solemnly.
Gathering the top hunters for a small-scale contact was the best option at the moment.
Because if the anticipated threat materialized, a larger number would only attract more attention without much practical benefit.
"I accept the commission."
Li Fan said very decisively.
"Perhaps you should consider it carefully?"
The Grand Guild Master, seeing Li Fan's swift reply, advised him.
"I have many questions about this continent. If I don't take this step, I may never find the answers."
Li Fan gave his reply with great determination.
"I'll go too."
Yudora stated her position.
"Your bandages..."
The Grand Guild Master, with concern in his eyes, started to speak but stopped.
"It's just minor injuries. They'll be healed by midnight."
Yudora said dismissively.
"Are the camp cooking utensils complete?"
Aibo inquired.
"Murl isn't too concerned about food... You're going too?"
The Grand Guild Master said in surprise.
"Of course! Otherwise, who will make Felyne food for the Chief Hunter team?"
Aibo said very firmly and then high-fived Yudora.
"I feel your determination. I will also accompany you all."
Encouraged, the Grand Guild Master's confidence surged.
The operation plan to head to the point of convergence was thus initiated.
After agreeing to meet at the base in the Elder's Recess, Li Fan began his final preparations before departure.
Three days later, the Crimson Fire arrived at the Coral Highlands, a region dotted with massive craters.
Seeing that his digging and drilling techniques had been sufficiently honed, Li Fan informed Shanshan that they were about to depart and then piloted the Giant Serpent Citadel towards the coast to load the Serpent Emperor Ballista.
The Giant Serpent Citadel's land speed was not slow, and there were no terrain obstacles to limit it.
With the Crimson Fire guiding from above, they reached the coast in less than four days.
A fierce storm was raging along the coast, but Shanshan was unfazed and began the loading operation diligently.
Clang clang~~
The slowly descending Serpent King's skull hovered above the coast.
Crack~ The jawbone, dislocated and swinging downwards, slammed onto the beach, constantly being washed by the torrential rain.
After securing the Serpent Emperor Ballista with golden silk threads, Shanshan dragged it in front of the jawbone.
Seeing that several yellowish fangs obstructed the path, he decisively used a sickle to cut them off.
"Everything is going smoothly, meow! Looks like it'll be over soon!"
Inside the hull, Felyne, drenched by the rain, shouted his report.
"The deck is shaking too much! You should go back to the cabin, Felyne! I can handle it here!"
Li Fan shouted a notification.
"Okay, meow!"
Felyne responded and then quickly ran on the constantly tilting deck, leaped, and slid into the Felyne slide.
By now, the Serpent Emperor Ballista had been fully dragged into the Giant Serpent Citadel's mouth. All that remained was to secure it. Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What kind of terrible weather is this? I was hoping to catch some sun."
Li Fan muttered to himself.
Boom!
A flash of white light erupted from the dark clouds, followed by thunder.
"Such a sudden lightning strike..."
Li Fan wasn't startled by the thunder, but the fact that his Thunder God Dragon gear didn't transmit any sense of the impending strike was unexpected.
Could there be something wrong with this rain?
Li Fan immediately picked up his binoculars and scanned the surroundings.
Under the cover of the dark clouds, a blurry arc-shaped silhouette stood atop the dark cliff in the distance.
What is that?
Despite the rain, Li Fan stared for a long time but couldn't identify it.
Boom! In the flash of white light and thunder, he finally saw it clearly.
It was a creature facing the sea, with its back to him.
The silhouette in the darkness wasn't clear because its wings, which covered its body, were even more purely black.
"Narwa the Tempest?"
Li Fan immediately became alert.
But then he thought, if it were an ambush, why would it have its back to the target?
(End of this chapter)