Chapter 1412: Searching for Bacteria
The next day, Ancier did not bother the elderly predators as guides.
Last night, they had explained the situation inside the Miasma Valley very clearly. The mushrooms that were also born and raised deep in the valley bottom were qualified for the job.
Originally, the leader of the third group also wanted to go with them as an editor, but was rejected by Ancil.
The reason for the latter's refusal is also very straightforward. The danger of this "collection mission" is actually quite high.
He was worried that the leader of the third phase of the regiment, who rarely personally participated in field investigations, was not smart enough. They did not have toothed hounds, and the pterosaurs were not easy to use in the canyon.
In the event of a chase, this female scholar who doesn’t like to wear shoes may have to be pulled by others to run.
The leader of the third phase of the regiment expressed deep regret, so he inserted Ajian, who was trying to sneak back to the research base to "take charge of the work", into the team and asked him to replace him and assist the hunters in their actions.
Anhil did not refuse this time.
The middle-aged scholar with pigtails in front of him looks like a lazy and decadent guy. Well, in fact he is.
But when it comes to understanding the Miasma Valley, Ajian from the third phase group is far above any hunter.
In the past twenty years or so, he has entered the Miasma Valley not one thousand but eight hundred times, and has long since honed the hard feet necessary for a field investigator.
If he really encounters any danger, he can run back alone without the need for him and Gale to cover him.
“Let’s start taking action.”
Anhil grasped the cable of the lifting device and jumped into the entrance to the Miasma Valley below first, followed closely by Gale.
Ajian was dejected, but under the stern gaze of the leader of the third phase of the regiment, he had no choice but to sigh and follow him.
With the help of the lifting device, in just a few minutes, they arrived at this underground world filled with miasma and bones.
The three people and the two cats each put on a mask to filter the miasma. As for the miasma protective stone, it was worn around Ancier's neck.
In this mission, the heavy crossbow he chose was the King Tooth Cannon [Thunder] equipped with a shield, and it also carried a large amount of shotguns.
If he is chased by dangerous monsters including a corpse dragon, he will be responsible for breaking up the rear.
"From what the predators say, the Corpse Dragon has been quite honest recently." Under the double isolation of the filter mask and the Strange Face Clan mask, Gale spoke angrily, "Should we go directly to the Corpse Dragon's lair? "
Anhil adapted and adjusted his breathing rate, "No need, our purpose is not to cause trouble for the corpse dragon. But to find fungal samples
To avoid trouble, we try to bypass the core area."
The mushroom also said: "The type of fungus we are looking for is in the southeast of the underground cave. Meows are quite common in the area, why don’t we just go there?”
“Hmm”
"In this case, I recommend going here." Ajian pointed in a direction. "Although it will take a few kilometers of detour, it can avoid the area where the Trasaurus is active.
Although for you, There shouldn't be a threat like the Misty Claw, but it's always good to save some ammunition, right?"
"That's right, Miasma Valley is your territory, and I'll leave it to you to plan the route. "Anhil nodded at him.
"The deck chairs and hammocks should be my territory," Jian muttered and started running.
The hunters followed closely behind, and Gale chuckled, "Hey? He's really not slow at running."
Facts have proved that bringing Ajian with him is indeed a wise choice.
It is true that Mushroom is a native of Miasma Valley, but what it is really familiar with is mainly the underground caves deep in Miasma Valley where sulfuric acid springs are spread.
As for the outer area of Miasma Valley, it is not too familiar.
Ajian is different. Before the passage was opened, few hunters came to the research base. Investigation activities into the Miasma Valley could only be carried out by scholars like them.
In order to avoid encountering monsters, they summarized a number of safe routes.
On the way to the underground cave area, which lasted nearly half a day, they didn't even encounter a large monster.
At the entrance to the cave area, Anhil couldn't help but look at him a few more times, "This is not the first time that you have led us.
I have been to the Valley of Miasma before. When we were there, the route you took us didn’t seem so smooth?”
Ajian scratched his head, "Perhaps it's because I'm particularly lucky this time? Or is it because of some influence that the large monsters don't show up much anymore?
I can't say, after all, it's been a while. Come down here.”
Anhil frowned when he heard this, but he didn't have the time or energy to investigate these in depth now.
"Keep walking, find the bacteria first."
The group continued to move forward.
Compared with when we came before, the underground cave area has not changed much.
The same beauty, the same silence.
From here on, it is completely the territory of the mushroom, which leads everyone through various narrow tunnels and even stone crevices.
Fortunately, big guys like Gordon or Ted didn't come over, otherwise we might have got stuck on the way.
At the reminder of the mushrooms, the hunters noticed that there were many fungi of different shapes growing beside the stalactites, between the cracks in the rocks, and even beside the sulfuric acid springs.
Although this cave area is quiet, it is by no means lifeless.
“Basically, cats cannot eat these, otherwise the best result is vomiting, diarrhea, and strange hallucinations. As for the bad results,”
He was originally very interested and kept explaining the mushrooms, but his ears drooped, "Many tribesmen leave like this, cat."
Gail rubbed its head hard, "If you don't talk about this, it's nothing like the corpse. Do you recognize the fungus that coexists with dragons?"
Mushroom nodded, "Of course, that kind of fungus is actually very common. Meow, can often be seen on animal corpses
If the wound comes into contact with the spores, the cat may be infected, which is almost certain to kill the cat.
In order to reduce the risk of infection with this fungus. Maybe, the bodies of the companions cannot be buried, and can only be cremated, or put into sulfuric acid springs to be digested.”
Mushroom lowered his head again.
Gail curled his lips. This group of predators had a miserable life before. No wonder there were only a few left in the entire group.
Anhil fell into deep thought.
Easy to grow on corpses. It stands to reason that in such a closed environment, the spores are everywhere, and the cadaver dragon covered in carrion is easily infected.
Then why was it not infected before? Is it because of the ancient dragon species’ strong immune system?
After all, I have never heard of an ancient dragon species that died of illness
But how did the wound get infected later? Does the condition of "injury" have to be met at the same time for the corpse dragon to be infected with this fungus?
If this is the case, it is estimated that he must have been seriously injured and his own immunity has been greatly reduced before the spores can take advantage of it and become infected.
Anhill retained this speculation and planned to share it with scholars later.
Professor they will find out the real reason.
"I found it, meow!"
Anhil, who was thinking while walking, was awakened by the cry of the mushroom.
Next to the stalactites, among the fungus plants that look like giant dandelions, there is the corpse of a bat.
The highly decomposed corpse was covered with silky cocoon-like vesicles, which were also wrapped in pus-like liquid. It looked slimy, almost exactly the same as the Mist Miasma Corpse Dragon seen earlier.
"That's it, let's start sampling." Anhil took out a strong empty glass bottle.
"Oh my god." Gale's whole face wrinkled.
She wasn't afraid of getting dirty, but she really didn't want to touch this corpse whose flesh and blood tissue was almost melting and covered with strange fur.
Anhil, who is a bit mysophobic, also had a face full of resistance.
He looked at Ajian, who was wandering in his mind, and then at Mushroom, who had a normal expression, and decisively handed the glass bottle to the latter.
“I’ll leave it to you, mushrooms. I’ll treat you to a feast later” (End of Chapter)