Bear School Astartes

Originally, it was already very hot on these ruins of the transit base.

But when Lann looked down,

he saw that the gap he had left after blasting open the arena gate was still emitting waves of heat.

This indicated that the heat inside was significantly higher than outside!

Lann glanced at Wende, who happened to look back.

The two nodded to each other, both drawing a bottle of [Cold Drink] from their weapon belts and downing it.

Rong Buqiu and Gaffi shared a bottle, as their Elu Cat frames are much smaller than humans, so they need much less potion.

This drink, made by directly grinding and processing [Frost Shrooms] from the New Continent, highlights the wonders of New Continent biology.

Upon entry, it wasn’t just a ’cooling sensation’; it was downright ’numbing cold’!

Lann speculated that if these mushrooms were consumed directly without processing, they’d freeze one’s mouth and esophagus.

After drinking the milky white [Cold Drink], a refreshing sensation spread gently from the stomach throughout the body, fighting against the external heat.

Whether it was Lann or Wende, or Rong Buqiu and Gaffi, they all let out a sound of satisfaction, akin to drinking a chilled beverage.

"Ah~"*4

After the [Cold Drink], the environment became bearable.

Moreover, the effect of the [Cold Drink] lasts several hours.

"The herbs and plants from the New Continent are amazing." Lann said as he tossed the empty bottle aside. "I actually wanted to transplant some last time, to see if I can cultivate them on my side."

"It’s quite troublesome, as you know. Biological invasion is a major issue."

Wende said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"If you seriously want to try transplanting, you need scholars to specialize in managing it. And there are subsequent experiments, observations... a lot of work."

Although Wende was cautious about the topic, he didn’t completely reject it.

While ecological invasion is serious, the exchange of crops, herbs, spices, etc., between regions has been common since ancient times.

Generally, it’s easier and safer to manage plants than mobile animals.

Besides, Lann wasn’t too sure if these species could survive away from the New Continent’s flourishing ecological power.

He squatted down, the knees guards and the back of his hand of his new armor set touched the ground with a slight clink.

Lann lay on the ground, starting to crawl through the gap he had reserved in the arena.

As he bent forward, he said to Wende behind him without looking back, "Of course, I know it’s troublesome. Why else do you think I brought Tishaya?"

In the Magic Middle Ages, those who valued and understood the concept of ecosystems were probably only Druids.

But firstly, their group had too many environmental zealots, and Lann actually didn’t know any Druids personally.

It’s said the Sintra Royal Family once employed a Druid from the Skellig Islands, Moscow.

But Lann only met him once, and it wasn’t in Sintra, but near the Brook Leon Forest, and after Sintra’s fall, they never met again.

Excluding Druids, Tishaya was the only one truly knowledgeable and understanding, with hard biological knowledge.

Her crystal cultivation project already clearly demonstrates her research level in biology.

But talking to Wende about this now was just idle chat before the hunt.

With the help of the [Cold Drink], Lann pushed through the heat, crawling through the rock crevice.

Rong Buqiu followed closely behind him.

Behind them came the duo of Wende and Gaffi.

Once they crawled through the crevice, they all held their breath, concentrating.

Standing on the high ground outside, the temperature was like a massive steamer.

The heat made the air ripple like water waves, swaying and hazy.

Glowing red scales fluttered in the air, like ash not yet burned out.

Everywhere were black scorch marks from explosive powder, with the smell of gunpowder lingering.

This was the bait provided by the investigation team to stabilize the Flame King Dragon over the past few days.

Undoubtedly, this much gunpowder produced by the investigation team can far surpass the natural purity of combustible stones or natural minerals in nature.

"It’s truly been indulging for these many days."

Lann said in a low voice, moving to the edge of the platform, his boots treading on the scalding rocks, and looked at the sunken center.

Wende, along with the two Elu Cats, cautiously followed him step by step.

In the arena’s sunken center, the Flame King Dragon lay lazily like a big cat.

Its wings tucked on its back, with its mane-covered head resting on its crossed front paws.

It hadn’t yet noticed the hunters entering.

Which was normal, given it had been comfortably surrounded by ample gunpowder these past days.

The strong scent of gunpowder was sufficient to mask any other smells at the moment.

Although both Lann and Wende were equipped with gear made from [Fog Nest Master] materials,

Lann’s armor wasn’t heavily armored; the main materials of Smaug Dragon Scale and dragonhide had completely lost their activity.

Aside from having some ominous impact on the wearer, it didn’t leave any overly exaggerated presence.

Wende easily controlled the violent and maddening aura that his [Fog Nest Master Set] gear carried,

making it not difficult for him to suppress it.

Otherwise, he would have had trouble riding the Pternodon on the way to Great Ant Mound Wasteland.

The tail of the Flame King Dragon lazily swept across the ground.

Even just brushing the ground left a charred mark.

In some of those charred places, there were even glowing spots.

That was the brightness of rocks heated to near melting point.

"Split up." Lann observed the Flame King Dragon for over ten seconds, confirmed it hadn’t noticed anyone had entered, and turned to Wende. "Check what equipment in the arena is still usable."

"We can make the first move with a surprise attack."

Wende’s expression was strange, and he also lowered his voice: "Are you sure there’s anything that’s not broken in this situation...?"

He pointed to the arena, which now looked like a volcanic crater.

"But the craftsmen in the processing house and the transport team of the supply squad didn’t just bring it gunpowder, right?"

Lann spread his hands and then pointed to a position above the arena.

That position originally had a rockfall trap, with many stones wrapped in a net.

But on the day the Flame King Dragon arrived, after Lann led it to the arena, the net couldn’t withstand its high temperature, self-combusted, and the rockfall came crashing down.

Now, that position wasn’t empty, but instead had a large iron cage filled with huge stones.

Wende raised an eyebrow and said nothing more.

The two exchanged signals and quietly split in different directions.

Rong Buqiu and Gaffi, like two caterpillar-like cats, crawled cautiously, following them with wriggling movements.

After searching around, Wende gestured from afar to Lann, indicating that he found the ready-to-use Dragon Slinger, but nothing else.

In a place where the Flame King Dragon had been staying for several days, having two machines still operational was already a testament to the craftsmen’s solid skills and reliable materials.

Having confirmed the surprise attack plan, Lann signaled Wende, who was already holding the trigger rod of the Dragon Slinger, with a countdown motion.

As soon as the countdown was over, the battle would start decisively.

Lann’s raised fingers dropped one by one, and at his leg, Rong Buqiu began to purr softly, seriously arching its body, entering a battle-ready state.

Meanwhile, the Flame King Dragon lazily lay on the ground.

It seemed this time, the hunters had secured the first move.

However, just when Lann had two fingers left to lower.

"..."

Invisibly, above the only gap of this cylindrical semi-enclosed mountain.

Suddenly, a peculiar yet intense feeling poured down from above everyone’s heads like a bucket of cold water.

Savage, brutal... the will and ferocity that seeks to annihilate everything!

The vertical pupils in the Demon Hunter’s eyes constricted suddenly. Beside his leg, Rong Buqiu’s tri-colored fur stood on end, making the whole cat look like it had puffed up a size!

And in the distance, Gaffi’s reaction was much the same as Rong Buqiu’s.

Wende, who nearly pulled down the Dragon Slinger’s trigger rod, suddenly looked up towards the sky.

A black dot appeared, abruptly intruding into the circular sky framed by the tubular mountain.

At first, this black dot appeared tiny against the blue background of the sky.

But quickly, it expanded at high speed!

It was falling... no! It was propelling itself downward!

The Flame King Dragon, originally lounging lazily in the depression of the arena.

Almost in sync with Rong Buqiu and Gaffi, its fiery red mane suddenly puffed up!

The sudden oppressive aura caused it to instinctively bristle!

And for something to make a genuine Ancient Dragon instinctively react that way upon sensing its aura... it could only be another Ancient Dragon Level creature!

"Roar!!!"

The roar that felt familiar to Lann.

Right after that aura crushed down, it exploded!

Almost simultaneously, the Flame King Dragon’s previously relaxed muscles tightened suddenly!

Like a startled large cat, it used the sudden tension in its muscles to leap sideways from its lounging position.

Just as the Flame King Dragon jumped sideways, its four paws not even all touching the ground to stabilize.

"Boom!!!"

A familiar method of entry for Lann and Wende, with equally familiar destructive power!

The shadow smashed down directly from the sky without losing speed!

The solid ground shattered upon impact, and the erupted debris and dust formed a large, earthy yellow cloud.

Rong Buqiu, lying on the ground, was lifted off entirely by the tremor!

The ground shook, and the upper layer of the cylindrical mountain had loose rocks breaking off and falling due to the tremors.

Using its body as a weapon, without restraint... only that old familiar ’being’ could do it!

— Nelugit!

The Extinct Dragon!