Bear School Astartes

The temporary meeting set the overall direction for the investigation team’s actions.

That night, the logistics and forging teams went full speed ahead, preparing to cope with the explosive growth of the ancient tree forest.

The rapid growth of the ancient trees even caused changes in the terrain, making the previously defined monster territories unclear.

Monsters will fight again to compete for survival space and ecological status, while the logistics team must carve out new transport routes in such conditions.

In dealing with those dense bushes and vines in the ancient tree forest, the wear and tear on various tools will inevitably increase sharply. The forging team must fill this gap.

Everyone in the investigation team learned of the news that ”the arrival of the Molten Mountain Dragon has caused changes in the New Continent’s environment.”

Everyone became excited without prior agreement.

However, those still in the adaptation period on the Fifth Period Team were downcast because of this.

”The Commander-in-Chief isn’t someone who messes up and hurries to deploy forces in emergencies.”

Little Jack said to the dejected Aiden on the stone table.

”If you newcomers haven’t gained his approval, he’d rather let go of this rare ecological cycle than have you undertake missions. Everyone in the investigation team is very precious, and no mistakes can be made.”

Aiden sighed helplessly, glancing at the eager Wende next to him and Lann, who raised his glass to him.

”I understand that, it’s just... sigh, the recommended group has already gained mission access authorization for the Great Ant Mound Wasteland, they can handle any task below five-star level, while we’re still in the adaptation period—the difference feels huge.”

He scratched his head in boredom, looking as if he wanted to vent his energy through hunting.

Little Jack could only hold his glass to comfort him, ”After all, it’s the guild’s ace recommended group, plus they are people from another world. The most important thing is you haven’t been standing still, right?”

In other worlds, words like these would just be idle talk.

But in this world, people are in really good psychological shape. So, Little Jack’s few words actually revitalized Aiden.

”Gulp...” Aiden took a big swig of beer, ”You’re right. Starting again from one-star missions in the New Continent, it’s kind of nostalgic when you think about it!”

”What about you, Wende? I heard the Commander-in-Chief gave the recommended group some targets.”

”Us?” Wende said with a bit of anticipation, ”Targets don’t matter, it’s mainly the shipment rate... you understand!”

”A Fierce Jackal Dragon’s belly can yield two dragon gems! With this ecological cycle, I believe I can rack up a nice set of equipment. The Defense Force’s gear is good, but it lacks uniqueness. Monster material gear suits me better.”

”Okay.” Aiden’s face suddenly fell. ”I knew it. For someone like you, targets don’t matter at all.”

”What about you, Lann? Can you manage?”

”Not much for me either.” The Demon Hunter sipped his drink casually while conversing with Aiden.

”I’ll just learn a bit more outside of missions.”

”Oh~” Aiden looked at Lann meaningfully, his gaze making the Demon Hunter feel itchy.

With the announcement of ecological anomalies, word had spread that he’d been deceived by a Poisonous Demon Bird’s tongue, which stretched several meters.

Now everyone knew this handsome stranger from another world could incapacitate a Barbaric Jaws Dragon at first sight, yet also be humbled by a Poisonous Demon Bird.

”A fierce person with dual traits?”

No matter how you look at it, he certainly drew enough attention.

”What do you want to learn then, do you have any goals? Not to boast, though I was only a seven-star ranked Hunter before coming, my basic skills are solid.”

Aiden said, patting his chest to Lann, indicating that even though he couldn’t hunt outside yet, he was keen to find something to do at the base to stave off boredom.

”First, I need to brush up on monster knowledge, plus various creatures, herbs, and ore materials of the New Continent... There’s so much novelty there, I can’t cover it all alone and need existing knowledge summaries.”

Lann counted on his fingers, after only one mission, the Demon Hunter leveraged his alchemical talent to discover many potential things.

Like the flash bugs that burst into bright light when crushed, the intensity of which rivals the Demon Hunter’s [Dancing Star], yet it’s simply a natural luminescent insect.

If suitable alchemical methods are added, would these flash bombs become even more potent?

Not to mention blue mushrooms, paralysis mushrooms, and other plants and fungi.

Aibo seemed to pick a lot for tasting, but Lann merely scraped the mushroom caps and put them in his mouth to taste, deeply struck by the potent medicinal properties of New Continent plants.

Would these things offer direct medicinal effects if consumed by hunters with good digestion?

Minerals need no mention, many New Continent ores are exposed, not even needing to be mined below, as they naturally ’grow’ out!

The energy on this continent is so abundant, leading to extreme wealth of resources.

Lann had lost count of how many times he marveled at this.

Little Jack chuckled lightly: ”It’s because there are so many wonders in the world that scholars need to organize and pass on the knowledge. If you want to learn, I’m sure the folks at the research center wouldn’t refuse.”

Lann nodded.

”Also... today during the hunt, I noticed your gear occasionally had a faint red glow, what is that?”

Suddenly asked by Lann, Wende froze momentarily.

”Hmm? Oh~ You mean the charged slash with the sword within the Shield Axe.” Once he reacted, Wende said lightly.

”It’s just the usual [Qi Flow], channeling Qi Flow...”

”[Qi Flow]?!” Without waiting for further explanation, Lann raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. ”Do you guys have some energy system cultivated within your bodies?”

Having not used [Spirit Vision] much since arriving here, Lann immediately wanted to carefully ’see’ inside the hunters’ bodies.

”Cultivation? Energy system?” While Wende, before Lann switched his vision, was already quizzically looking at him, ”What’s that?”

Then came a round of wide-eyed exchanges.

Ultimately, through interactions with seasoned hunters Wende, Aiden, and Little Jack, Lann learned what their basic [Qi Flow] referred to.

[Qi Flow] was simply how hunters labeled their bodily strength.

It’s comparable to how [Force] refers to human power in the ”Iwami Stream” and ”Lonely Shadow Group Ninja Manuscripts.”

Iwami’s Sword Saint could slash out a huge Qi Flow Blade resembling a waterfall using [Force].

While hunters here could employ their distinct, tried-and-true [Qi Flow] to serve various purposes in various weapons and hunting scenarios.

”Oh, I have to learn that too.”

Lann raised his hand without expression, speaking like a studious person eager to sign up for training.

You’ve mentioned it’s a kind of ’martial technique,’ then my collecting habit must thrive!

”Aren’t you biting off more than you can chew?!”

Wende got close to Lann’s face, holding up a ”fourteen” hand gesture.

”Fourteen kinds of weapons! Fourteen technique systems! It took me over ten years to learn them all!”

Lann calmly pushed away Wende’s approaching face.

”Relax, I’m full of energy, have a good memory, and know my limits. Techniques for weapons I’m not interested in are just for understanding. That’s settled.”

”Missions won’t be fewer.”

Wende, pushed away, was helpless: ”I’m just worried you might drop dead someday.”

Lann patted his chest where two hearts were beating: ”This point alone is impossible!”