Bear School Astartes

At the same time, the arena also contains some contraptions and tools, such as the sliding cannon used during the Molten Mountain Dragon interception battle, and large boulders set in advance.

If the battle becomes too challenging, there’s even a dragon-slaying lance available for use.

In the New Continent Expedition Team, the arena’s existence isn’t for the entertainment of others with the flesh and ferocity of monsters.

Firstly, it’s to hone the hunters’ skills, and secondly, for more professional and detailed research into monster ecology.

When hunters capture monsters in the wild, there are paired compilers who record observations nearby.

However, battles ultimately are events full of surprises.

There’s no telling if they might crash into cliffs or caves, causing the compiler to lose track of the hunter and monster.

Moreover, monsters may not display all their abilities in a single battle with hunters.

That’s why carrying out one or more battles in a confined area with the full observation of the Ecological Research Institute members has great significance in understanding the ecology and physiological characteristics of monsters.

It’s a part of ecological research, with both challenge and entertainment value.

The individuals who spend the most time in the arena aren’t the hunters, but the observers from the Ecological Research Institute.

Last time, when Lann and the Ecological Research Institute dissected that Fierce Claw together, it was in the number one arena at Star Base.

One could say the second phase leader built an arena mainly for the researchers.

To the New Continent Expedition Team, exploring the vast and beautiful ecological knowledge of the New Continent is the most important goal and mission.

Thus, the second phase leader’s construction of the arena received much support, with high priority for tasks.

Now, the base in the Great Ant Mound Wasteland primarily serves as a material transit station, along with the number two arena.

But... there aren’t any powerful monsters in the number two arena right now.

The Flame King Dragon can’t possibly be like the starving Extinct Dragon or Terror Tyrannosaurus, why would it choose to fly to this base?

Lann thought about it for a while without any clues, but the destination was already in sight.

Fierce winds blow through the treacherous mountains.

The marked cloth strips tied on the surrounding mountain peaks during the Molten Mountain Dragon interception battle flutter noisily in the wind.

The rough and sturdy Investigation Team-style architecture appears and disappears between layers of mountains.

In certain areas blocked by terrain, there are ropes and cableways from the second phase team for easier movement.

And a fiery red figure strides freely, as if walking in its own territory, within the human-constructed base.

The already dizzying heat, with the appearance of the fiery red figure, surges once more!

Like a lion striding proudly, ignoring all else, the deep red wings on its back are retracted and not spread.

This is the first time Lann has seen the Flame King Dragon in person, rather than looking at texts and hand-drawn materials in the Ecological Research Institute.

The Ancient Dragon’s four-legged, dual-winged skeletal structure fits perfectly on the Flame King Dragon.

Except for the wings, the Flame King Dragon as a whole looks like a fiery red lion!

Its body is wrapped in scorching scales, a mane that resembles dancing flames, and its head sports long feline fangs. Its large horns curve backward.

But like glowing fireflies floating continuously from its body, along with the ultra-high temperature that easily distorts the air around it, make it seem more like a Celestial God than a lion!

The situation in the base now is indeed dire.

Though, as the Elu Cat messengers informed, the Flame King Dragon maintains an indifferent arrogance towards humans who don’t attack it.

However, its high temperature has already caused some materials in the base to spontaneously combust!

"Is this... the true Ancient Dragon?"

Tishaya looked from afar at the fiery red creature strolling naturally and leisurely in the valley base.

This Flame King Dragon’s body length is about twenty-one meters, a relatively normal size, not at the same level as the forty-plus meters-long Terror Tyrannosaurus previously seen.

But the demeanor and body of the Ancient Dragon naturally carry a divine aura from the top of the biological chain.

They possess wisdom, but fundamentally differ from humans, and hold power that surpasses their environment. All this makes creatures like Ancient Dragons be revered and feared as Divine Beings in many parts of the world.

Seeing this creature that soars above the natural environment moving alive in front of her, Tishaya’s reaction is already better than many people from this world.

Everyone observing the Ancient Dragon’s activities will feel a sense of awe during this process.

Belengar’s reaction pales compared to the female warlock.

But the Qilin snorted disdainfully.

What does that mean?

What do you mean by ’true Ancient Dragon’? Aren’t I an Ancient Dragon?

Yet now is not the time for Lann to concern himself with his Ancient Dragon friend’s emotional fluctuations.

"Hoo~ the situation hasn’t progressed to the worst-case scenario yet."

Seeing the wooden walls constructed with sturdy timbers at the base’s outskirts nearly about to catch fire, Lann slightly relaxed and spoke.

"At least no one is terrified enough to attack the Flame King Dragon recklessly."

Lann lightly pressed his gloved hand adorned with steel armor plating against the nearby rock, immediately hearing a faint ’sizzling’ sound.

This rock’s heat is fully capable of frying eggs and cooking meat.

The Demon Hunter’s cat eyes glanced at the Flame King Dragon, then firmly nodded.

"There’s no need to engage it in battle; the primary objective is to rescue the people first."

He made his judgment as a Hunter, and both Rong Buqiu and the black-and-white Elu Cat, who came from the base, nodded repeatedly at this judgment.

Although this Flame King Dragon suddenly broke into the base, its actions neither caused major ecological impact nor entered a combat state.

Indeed, there is no need to engage in a fight with an Ancient Dragon.

"How many people are still inside?"

"There are, there are..." The black-and-white Elu Cat counted on its little paws with its head lowered, "More than ten people, all are researchers from the Ecological Research Institute and preparators from the Supply Squad! We Elu Cats were dispatched to deliver messages because we’re light and fast!"

"Understood."

Lann nodded, then pushed the Qilin aside.

Although the Qilin is fast, this time the opponent is an Ancient Dragon that hasn’t intended to fight yet.

Though Ancient Dragons often pass by each other without a glance, simply passing through, it’s best not to let another Ancient Dragon add any variables at this tense moment.

"Need any help?" Tishaya leaned closer, her face sweating as if she had just bathed, and whispered, "I can cast a magic to resist the heat for you."

"Not needed for now."

Lann felt his current physical state; Mentos was updating his physiological data at the corner of his retina.

His body, after multiple modifications, has far greater resistance to harsh environments than a normal person.

Though he also feels very hot now, there’s no need to waste Tishaya’s precious and rare magic power.

"Rong Buqiu, you stay here too, you can’t handle the temperature over there."

After greeting Tishaya, Lann turned and instructed his Hunting Cat partner.

Rong Buqiu looked reluctant but still nodded.

"If only there was a [Cold Drink] right now, meow..."

[Cold Drink], a beverage used by New Continent Hunters to cool down and relieve heat.

While it’s said to cool down and relieve heat, this drink actually allows Hunters and Elu Cats to move freely in lava-filled volcanic areas wearing armor, without worrying about overheating.

In the Magic Middle Ages, it would qualify as a Magic Potion, but here in the New Continent, it benefits from the local thriving ecology spawning bizarre creatures.

They just use a piece of [Frozen Mushroom] as material, adding a little local alchemy mixture, which amounts to two bottles of [Cold Drink].

After making arrangements, Lann walked alone towards the base where the fiery figure strolled.

He did not disguise his form or footsteps because it would be pointless.

Rescuing people beside the Flame King Dragon, how could it not be noticed by the Ancient Dragon?

Anyway, it does not care.

Calmness, throughout the process, is the most crucial thing. Don’t let emotions worsen the situation.

Sure enough, when Lann walked close to the base, the Flame King Dragon’s careless blue eyes glanced here but quickly turned away with indifference.

"According to our known animal behavior analysis, the Flame King Dragon’s current attention is completely off the surrounding people, sir."

Mentos reported in his mind.

Lann’s hand was already on the latch of the base door, the iron buckle heating up so much that even through his gloves it felt scorching.

"Then don’t focus on it, focus on the human positions, we’ll take the people and go."

"Mission accepted, executing..."

On his retina, engineered by the bio-intelligence device, several positions likely to have people were marked based on Demon Hunter tracking data.

"Bang, bang..."

The Flame King Dragon’s claws stomped on the ground, leaving charred prints on the rocks.

"Sniff-sniff~snort-snort~"

It occasionally swayed its head and twitched its nostrils as if smelling something.

Lann’s actions beside it were met with complete ignorance and indifference.

By now, it was too close to the Flame King Dragon.

The air distortion made all images in front of Lann seem to waver like ripples.

In an instant, sweat poured down like rain, and Lann felt his respiratory tract being scorched by the hot air.

And as he approached the Flame King Dragon, he finally saw not only did the Ancient Dragon emit glowing and heated scale powder, but even as it walked.

Flames would burst forth from friction points in scale gaps, like at knee joints.

The scorched ground was left black.

Surely, this place cannot be lingered.

Once beside the Flame King Dragon, Lann immediately realized this.

At current temperatures, the moisture in the building timber is being rapidly dried out!

And beyond just wood, the base also stores cloth, fur, and even gunpowder!

The fact the base hasn’t spontaneously combusted is pure luck!

Indeed lucky, because the next moment..."Boom!"

The leisurely swinging tail of the Flame King Dragon, with red flame-like tuft at its tip, grazed a wooden pillar.

Suddenly, the pillar caught fire!