Li Fan fell asleep in bed after reading late into the night.
Due to his exceptionally fast learning progress, on the second day, in addition to practicing "Ichimonji Giri,"
Yu Shan also taught him the horizontal slash, stepping slash, and袈裟斩 (kesa-giri) that could be used while building up courage.
These attacks were derived from the build-up state, and while they had a delay in speed compared to normal attacks, the advantage was that they could still accumulate the courage gauge through the sword strikes.
As for practicing the "Gou-Ki Jin Zan" (Spirit Gauge Slash), there were indeed robust hunters at headquarters who used the Great Hammer.
However, Li Fan still felt it was safer to wait until he returned to Kala Village and have Kuku act as a sparring partner.
In the evening, the research laboratory was still working overtime with all staff.
He tentatively inquired with Todd about entering the top-secret archive.
The other party stated that the information in the top-secret archive was of great importance and could only be accessed according to the established procedures.
Li Fan had to temporarily shelve his idea.
After all, the Elder Dragon was jointly defeated by the Dragon Research Institute and the Guild, and the intelligence information available, besides here, was only at the Elder Dragon Observation Post.
On the third day at headquarters, the carapace submission was completed, he joined the Dragon Research Institute as an intermediate hunter member, finished learning the Great Sword's Courage style, and also learned about the progress of the Astalos investigation.
Having had a very fulfilling time, Li Fan felt it was time to return.
After bidding farewell to everyone, he went to the forging workshop at headquarters and said he wanted to purchase a Great Sword for the Courage style.
Two Felyne entered the warehouse and searched for half an hour, finally bringing out a black Great Sword covered in cobwebs and dust.
One Felyne shop assistant lifted the Great Sword sideways with all their might, while another Felyne held the hilt and slowly drew it from the scabbard, which was wrapped with purple striped knots.
*Clang!*
A flash of faint blue electric sparks! The slender, silver blade slowly emerged.
Li Fan observed it for a moment and commented that it was a Great Sword that looked very much like a Great Sword.
While the "Agito Type 1" and "Shield Crab Great Sword" were also Great Swords, their rough appearance lacked the exquisite feel that a Great Sword should possess, and the words "blade" and "sharpness" were completely unrelated.
This one was completely different; regardless of its overall shape or its sharp, silver blade, it looked like a proper Great Sword.
"This Great Sword is called Zanpakuto, nya! It's a Thunder element Courage Great Sword. Due to the high casualty rate among hunters using the Courage style, it's been unsellable, and it's currently on sale for only 29,999z."
The Felyne shop assistant enthusiastically introduced it.
A Courage Great Sword, with Thunder element...
Li Fan didn't hesitate much and paid the money.
"Guest! Here are the complimentary Electric Pouch and Insulated Gloves, nya. When maintaining and charging, please grip the hilt tightly and rub the blade against the Electric Pouch. The best indication is when the blade is filled with electric light."
"Thank you. Can I upgrade this Zanpakuto at blacksmiths in other regions?"
Li Fan inquired.
"No, nya. Although the Dragon Research Institute has long publicized the design blueprints for Courage-style weapons, the promotion effect has been poor, and the craftsmanship is complex. Currently, only the workshops at headquarters and the Pioneer Dragon Ship can perform upgrades."
The Felyne shop assistant explained.
"Alright."
Li Fan put on a scabbard strap over his armor and slung the two Great Swords across his back in a crisscross fashion.
He exited headquarters and looked up at the many airships hovering in the skyport. An idea struck him.
Not long after, Li Fan, leading two Cloud Sheep Deer, one male and one female, resembling fluffy balls, re-entered headquarters.
He presented his Dragon Research Institute member badge, confirmed the airship flight he intended to take, and then entered the roller-driven elevator, quickly arriving at the skyport.
The skyport was bustling with activity: monster carcasses being hoisted, hunters and crew members moving cargo crates, and a cacophony of voices.
Li Fan confirmed the airship number, led the two Cloud Sheep Deer, and boarded the ship via a suspended suspension bridge.
Dilu, who had been sleeping on the fluffy fur of the Cloud Sheep Deer, realized they were on an airship and jumped onto the deck, looking around curiously.
It was a medium-sized cargo airship, powered by propeller blades located below the fuselage on both sides.
After storing his luggage in the cabin and driving the Cloud Sheep Deer into a cage, Li Fan returned to the deck.
About an hour later, the cargo loading was complete, and the airship slowly departed.
Kala Village did not have a skyport, so it was naturally not a stop on this voyage, but it would pass by the vicinity along the flight path.
Li Fan leaned against the side wall and observed for about half an hour.
He felt that the flight speed was much slower than that of "Little Fool," and it was particularly cumbersome when turning.
The advantage, however, was that its stability was much better than riding "Little Fool," with very little turbulence, making it suitable for long journeys.
After thoroughly understanding the performance of the medium-sized airship through this experience, Li Fan felt a bit conflicted.
The airship's slow speed and performance were good for the safety of "Little Fool" at high altitudes.
If it couldn't catch up, how could it inflict effective damage?
However, this also indicated that in terms of flight capability, the airship was on a completely different level from Astalos.
Two days later, the crew vigorously rang a giant bronze bell on the deck, announcing that they had reached the vicinity of Kala Village and requesting passengers to disembark promptly.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Hunters holding gliders jumped off the high platforms on the side of the airship, one after another.
"Kid, is this kind of aerial drop really safe?"
Li Fan tentatively asked a crew member.
"Of course, the casualty rate is very low. Do you need your Cloud Sheep Deer to be tethered together?"
The young crew member asked.
"Yes, please. Thank you for your trouble."
This was a new species Li Fan was bringing back for the forest ranch. Although they were equipped with small gliders on their backs, if they weren't tied together with ropes, it would be hard to say where they would drift.
*Whoosh!*... *Whoosh! Whoosh!*
*Whoosh!*
With the strong wind inflating the gliders, they opened in mid-air.
Ah... it wasn't that dangerous, it actually felt quite exhilarating.
With this novel experience, Li Fan saw the location of Kala Village on the ground and, by changing his direction, flew towards it while drifting.
*Crash!*
Da Ju, who was cooking, heard a loud noise from the roof, and countless tiles and wooden boards fell.
He looked up and saw a pair of kicking legs on the ceiling.
"What's going on..."
Da Ju put down his spatula and had just stepped out of the Ancient Hunting Base when he saw two Cloud Sheep Deer, tethered together by ropes, land smoothly.
Climbing onto the roof with a ladder, Li Fan, who was stuck, gave an awkward smile.
"Long time no see, Da Ju."
Upon returning to the forest ranch, Li Fan placed the two Cloud Sheep Deer in the ranch enclosure.
He went to the research laboratory on the third floor of the investigation agency and found many intelligence reports about Zinogre posted on the wall.
Eudora was lying on the ground, fast asleep.
"It seems Eudora is also preparing for the repulsion operation, nya,"
Dilu said, finding a blanket and covering Eudora.
Li Fan learned from Da Ju that the Zinogre he had witnessed was residing in a large ore vein near the village.
Although the threat level was not high at the moment, the Guild branch and the village defense force were preparing for the worst.
The village was currently stable, but the price of ore had already tripled.
Li Fan sat down and thought for a moment, feeling that this situation was indeed difficult to handle.
The Zinogre was also ferocious, but it rarely attacked humans without reason.
Zinogre, on the other hand, had a strong territorial awareness, and anything within its line of sight was a target. When encountering its own kind, it would even fight to the death with its tail blade.
If a repulsion operation were to be carried out, it would be good if it succeeded, but if it failed.
The enraged Zinogre, in its exposed state due to injuries, would surely not rest until it had wiped out all surrounding life.
Therefore, even the decision of whether to launch an attack was a difficult one.
After Li Fan saw the location of the large ore vein, the only favorable news was that it was quite far from the village and towns.
Kala Village truly had a turbulent fate to be visited by three of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Li Fan sighed inwardly.
As for attempting to capture it, he certainly had the idea.
Although Zinogre could not fly, it was incredibly strong in ground combat.
Li Fan felt that if he wore boots with high fire resistance, he might be able to achieve a joint combat possibility on its back.
The ecological environmental requirements were a bit tricky, but after successfully capturing it, as long as he patiently explained that it was just a piece of Astalos carapace that had fallen in the Ancient Forest, he could surely persuade it to return.
However, there were still many problems to solve.
First, Zinogre had no flight capability and tended to fight to the death when encountering combat.
These factors were originally conducive to capture, but its combat power was simply too strong.
There was a high chance of being unable to defeat it.
Moreover, if it were in a high-risk area, it would be fine for Li Fan to run away if he couldn't win, as it wouldn't have much impact on the ecology of the chaotic high-risk area.
As long as it didn't provoke an Elder Dragon, an enraged Zinogre, even if it caused harm, would not threaten the safety of the village.
The difference here was that if Li Fan failed to capture it and fled, the nearby Kala Village might be gone.
Therefore, his idea was to wait until the Guild was powerless and announced the full evacuation of Kala Village, and then he would make a desperate attempt.
This way, it would not conflict with the Guild's deployment.
Secondly, after the Guild's operation, Zinogre's strength would be somewhat weakened.
Thirdly, the possibility of being witnessed would also be greatly reduced.
With the general idea settled, Li Fan began to draft a plan.
However, when it came to determining the main combat monster, he was still troubled.
Logically, there was no choice; only Puff had the ability to confront it head-on. Yet, after much thought, he still felt it wasn't entirely safe.
"Uh... you and Dilu are back."
At this moment, Eudora stretched and stood up from the floor.
"Yes, we just got back not long ago."
"Oh! You're also investigating Zinogre. Are you trying to capture it?"
Eudora asked, looking at the plan Li Fan was writing.
"For now, it's just a thought. I'm mainly worried that Puff might not be able to withstand it."
"Hmph, hmph. I've already investigated overnight. Among five-star monsters, there's only one that can directly contend with Zinogre."
Eudora said proudly.
"What is it?"
Li Fan asked, confused.
"Another Zinogre."
"Ah..."
This answer left Li Fan speechless.
However, upon closer thought, it seemed to make some sense.
Most monsters, regardless of their ferocity, would at least exchange a few words upon meeting.
Zinogre, on the other hand, would directly bare their tail blades and begin their confrontation with mutual combat.
The reason, according to ecological surveys, was likely the dispute over the ownership of large ore veins.
Because Zinogre's tail exterior required a massive amount of Canyne Ore for grinding and tempering,
conventional ecological environments could not meet the demand, leading to a state of chronic saturation.
This was like two individuals of the same species, both needing an extreme amount of resources to arm themselves. When they encountered each other in the wild, it was natural for them to fight to the death.
If one Zinogre could be captured to attack the Zinogre near Kala Village, with my and other monsters' assistance, this would be a sure win.
"I think what you're saying makes a lot of sense. Let's decide on this, and our next target..."
"Is Zinogre!"
Eudora exclaimed excitedly.
"It's Gobul!"
"Ah? Why?"
Eudora couldn't understand.
"Zinogre is a five-star monster."
Li Fan tentatively asked.
"This..."
Eudora suddenly remembered that unless a joint hunting contract was activated for a summons, a four-star hunter could not accept a five-star hunting quest.
"But if we go to the Sandy Plains and accidentally encounter a Zinogre..."
Li Fan said meaningfully.
"I understand! Let's go accept the quest now!"
Eudora said, and quickly ran downstairs.
Looking at the plan on the table, Li Fan also felt it was a bit risky.
However, he had no other concerns.
The Sandy Plains, being a high-risk area without villages or towns, meant that whether he angered Zinogre or couldn't win and fled, there would be no burden.
With the current setup, the capture ability of Great Balls was a weak point.
But even if it failed, at least there would be a Gobul to capture.
The reason for capturing Gobul was mainly to make the monster lineup more comprehensive in terms of environmental adaptability.
It didn't need to have strong combat power, but at least it should have sufficient self-preservation and detection capabilities in extreme environments like deserts and ice fields.
A short while later, Eudora returned with a hunting contract called "Table Manners on the Sand."
"So this is what Gobul looks like..."
Eudora looked at the monster images Li Fan had hung on the wall.
"Yeah, it's also a notorious monster. I chased it in the desert for 45... days."
"Ah! That's the desert! A 45-day pursuit hunt!"
Eudora was greatly shocked.
Because in the harsh desert environment, it was very difficult for a lone hunter to survive in the wild for 45 days, even without hunting.
"Yeah, but it still defeated me. I was carried away on a flatbed cart, and my injuries led to the failure of the hunting mission."
Li Fan said helplessly.
The hunting preparations immediately began.
For hunters to operate in the Sandy Plains, they couldn't do without special cold drinks.
Ice Mushrooms and Ice Crystals were both materials that could be used to concoct cold drinks.
For Gobul, which lurked in the sand, Sonic Bombs also had a powerful effect.
Since there was no shortage of money, the preparation of supplies was quickly completed.
Next was the combat training for Zinogre and Gobul.
Li Fan's strategy was not complicated.
Facing Gobul, with goggles and a scarf to resist sandstorms, and with monsters assisting, the odds of winning were high.
As for Zinogre, the strategy was to run as much as possible, letting it continuously expend its energy in an enraged state.
Once it stopped chasing and began to feed or rest, they would continue to harass it.
If they encountered a Diablos or a Barroth also active in the Sandy Plains, they could also use the method of provoking a fight to inflict heavy damage on Zinogre.
Only when it was in its worst state would they launch a frontal attack.
Li Fan explained above, while Eudora and Dilu took notes below, occasionally asking questions.
The team thus prepared behind closed doors at the investigation agency for three days.
On the morning of the fourth day, while looking at the "Cat's Grilled Meat" menu at the Felyne barbecue stall, Li Fan saw Stir-fried Tyrant Dragon Leg Meat with Onions, which was said to enhance fire resistance. He immediately ordered one based on the team's configuration.
The head chef, Deer Meat, took it very seriously.
He mentioned that the last time someone came to eat Felyne food here was during the "Moonlit Duet."
Because too few hunter teams ate there, the shop didn't have it prepared and it might take a day.
Li Fan could understand. Given the scale of Kokoto Village, it was common for hunter teams to come and eat Felyne food.
Kala Village probably only had a few times a year. The Cat's Grilled Meat stall couldn't possibly be prepared every day, so the appointment was set for the evening of the next day.
Li Fan then went to the Ancient Hunting Base and asked Yin Tie for advice on fighting Zinogre.
"If you use the Great Sword and the Great Sword, Zinogre is a good teacher."
Yin Tie took a sip of his tea and said meaningfully.
"What do you mean by 'good teacher'?"
Li Fan didn't quite understand.
"Some monsters, you can fight them for a year, and your weapon skills won't improve much. But Zinogre is different. Perhaps after just a few encounters, your understanding of weapon usage can undergo a qualitative change."
Yin Tie explained.
"Cough, cough... Aren't you going to focus on the hunters who lost their fights?"
Da Ju reminded him.
"Does that even need to be said? Li Fan has already decided to hunt it, so he must have thought it through."
Yin Tie said, but he still extended his prosthetic leg forward.
"Instructor Yin Tie, how do you know?"
Li Fan asked curiously.
"You, Eudora, and Dilu have consecutively completed four-star quests. You are now star hunters in the village, and every move you make is closely watched. A few days ago, you accepted a quest to hunt Gobul in the Sandy Plains. Anyone with a bit of sense would guess your purpose when you ask me for experience fighting Zinogre."
Yin Tie explained.
"No wonder..."
"Bring more Signal Flares. If the Guild's aren't effective, use the Dragon Research Institute's, especially the local Melynx rescue team. Although it's expensive to dispatch them once, as long as the money is sufficient, they can arrive at the scene the fastest, even facing Elder Dragons, and risk their lives to bring the injured away."
Yin Tie advised.
"Alright."
"Since you're here, I'll teach you a couple of tricks. But before that, I have a request I'd like you to help me with."
Yin Tie stood up, leaning on the table, and walked slowly to the wooden bed, kicking out a square box that was placed under the bed leg.
*Clang!* The wooden bed immediately collapsed to one side.
"You... what are you doing with this thing?"
Da Ju asked in surprise.
"Recognize reality, say goodbye to the past, and live the rest of your life well."
Yin Tie said, placing the square box on the table and opening the lid.
A very thick stack of documents was neatly arranged inside.
"These are 16 Special Hunting Permits, corresponding to sixteen discovered special individuals. You just joined the Dragon Research Institute, right? You're still an intermediate hunter."
Yin Tie said, staring at the blue badge on Li Fan's chest.
"Uh... yes."
"As long as these Special Hunting Permits are presented to the Dragon Research Institute, regardless of who it is, they can immediately establish a hunting contract and obtain the exact location of the special individual... I think they must have eliminated the simple ones by now, even if they haven't made much progress. What I want to entrust to you is this."
Yin Tie said, picking up the topmost one.
"Rathalos?"
"Yes, it's a very strong Zinogre."
"This is too difficult..."
Li Fan said with difficulty.
"I understand, but achieving revenge through my own efforts is already a luxury. I should also face reality. These special permits are like a demon in my heart, and I really can't bear to burn them, so I'm entrusting them all to you. It's normal if you don't want to participate. If you encounter a hunter who aspires to reach the peak, you can pass it on to them."
Yin Tie said with a faint smile.
"Okay, I will definitely fulfill your trust diligently."
Li Fan said solemnly.
The two humans and two Felynes immediately went to the training ground by the entrance.
"Li Fan, when facing Zinogre, first of all, you need to understand one thing: its tail blade's slash is by no means something that can be resisted by human strength, so any parry must be initiated from the side. This applies to the 'Mizukiri' (Water Cutting) as well."
Yin Tie said, assuming a sideways stance.
"What if I confirm that I cannot dodge it?"
"If you can't dodge, then use a rolling dive, or any method to try and get as far away from the tail blade as possible."
Li Fan listened and thought that this countermeasure was practical enough.
"Will using the Courage style Great Sword have an advantage?"
"Courage style... Right, since you've joined the Dragon Research Institute, you'll definitely choose to study the Courage style... Heh heh."
Yin Tie couldn't help but laugh.
"Sorry, I'm laughing at myself for overlooking something I should have expected. The Courage style Great Sword does have an advantage against Zinogre, but it also leads to a quicker death. I've only witnessed actual combat against Zinogre twice. The release of the 'Gou-Ki Jin Zan' is particularly memorable; I still can't believe such a wild Great Sword technique exists in the world."
Hearing Yin Tie's affirmation, and that there were indeed hunters who could fight Zinogre with the Courage style Great Sword,
Li Fan's confidence increased significantly.
"Let me tell you some insights that other hunters can't experience. Although I've hunted many Zinogre, it's the monster I admire the most."
"Admire?"
Li Fan found this word choice a bit strange.
"Yes, Zinogre fights with a belief in certain death every time. Therefore, even among five-star monsters, there are few that can match it. It cannot fly, and it has no clan to rely on from birth. It only has a tail blade that has been forged and sharpened to be searingly sharp. Facing such a monster, if you don't fight with the same determination to die, you'll easily be defeated."
Li Fan pondered.
It seemed to be saying that Zinogre, with its life-risking characteristic, gained an advantage by disregarding the cost.
If not treated with the same attitude, one might be at a disadvantage before even fighting.