Chapter 249: Working Leopard 2 |
Jia Liangcai followed the team through the bronze gate.
After arriving in the forest, he curiously observed his surroundings.
When he had joined Home, it was already during the Gobi Desert period.
So this was his first time seeing this forest.
It was currently daytime in the forest. After the main force arrived, they split into twenty teams, scattering in all directions, with the majority felling trees.
Another portion was tasked with gathering fresh water and collecting plants.
Cao Biansheng came up behind Qin Ziwen. "Guild Leader, is this your first map? Feels a bit similar to our first map back then."
"Similar?"
"Very similar." Cao Biansheng spread his arms, breathing in the fresh air around him. "Not just similar, the temperature is about the same too, including the types of trees here. Also, we had two suns in the sky as well."
Qin Ziwen waved to the Crowned Eagle that had followed him over.
The Crowned Eagle walked over with a waddling gait, curiously looking around.
Behind the Crowned Eagle, Little Black One hung its head low, acting sneaky.
Chitu stood beside Little Black One. Taking advantage of being taller, it secretly nudged Little Black One with its rear. Caught off guard, Little Black One stumbled forward a few steps, almost falling over.
"What are you doing!" Qin Ziwen noticed its mischief. Chitu quickly stopped its movements.
"Speaking of which, will the altars around here continue to refresh cards after the residential complex leaves?" Qin Ziwen looked up at the Crowned Eagle.
If the altars stopped refreshing cards after people left, it would mean their existence was to serve the residential complex.
But if they kept refreshing cards even without people, it would mean their existence wasn't influenced by the residential complex.
"How did you guys get here?" Qin Ziwen frowned. He had originally planned to bring only the Crowned Eagle, but the other two little guys had actually sneaked over.
"Whose idea was this?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Crowned Eagle guiltily lowered its head, its eyes darting around nervously.
Chitu raised its head high, practically shoving its face forward so its master could see its little expression.
As for Little Black One, it stared blankly at its surroundings, filled with curiosity about everything. Suddenly, it spotted a field mouse on the ground. With a fierce pounce, its head plunged into the grass, tail sticking straight up.
Two seconds later, it forcefully pulled its head out of the dirt, face covered in grass bits and soil.
Ever since eating the Sky-Touching Fruit last time, this dazed stupidity still hadn't worn off!
Qin Ziwen was a bit worried. The aftereffects of the Sky-Touching Fruit were lasting longer than expected.
Of course, it could also be that it ate too much at once and got fruit poisoning.
His gaze fell on the Crowned Eagle. With just one glance, Qin Ziwen guessed whose idea it was.
"You keep an eye on Little Black One. Don't let it run off." Qin Ziwen instructed Chitu. After thinking for a moment, he still felt uneasy, so he called Qin Ziwu over to have him watch over this dragon and horse.
After giving his instructions, Qin Ziwen mounted the Crowned Eagle and flew towards the stone toad cave.
The Crowned Eagle was fast, reaching the cave entrance in less than half an hour.
Not far away, two Black Falcons flew over. Halfway there, they recognized the Crowned Eagle. As if seeing a harbinger of disaster, they immediately turned tail and fled.
"Screech—"
A sharp cry tore through the sky.
Above them, a giant bird dove down from above.
Qin Ziwen recognized it. An old acquaintance.
"Monkey-Eating Eagle."
That big bird that had attacked the residential complex several times before.
It hadn't shown up much after that.
And now, they ran into it right after returning.
When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. The Crowned Eagle recognized this "old friend" who had chased it dozens of miles across the sky back then, forcing it to hide in the forest for over an hour.
The Crowned Eagle suddenly accelerated, charging straight at the Monkey-Eating Eagle.
"Wait, I'm still on your back!"
The intense G-force pushed Qin Ziwen down. He quickly bent over, grabbing the feathers on the eagle's back with both hands.
Two giant birds, each with an eight-meter wingspan, shot towards each other like two fighter jets.
At the moment before collision, the Monkey-Eating Eagle dipped down, ultimately swerving to avoid it.
"Screech—"
As they passed by each other, the Crowned Eagle let out a triumphant cry.
It turned its head, glaring fiercely at the Monkey-Eating Eagle.
Its body banked sharply, the angle extreme.
Qin Ziwen spread his arms, wrapping them around the Crowned Eagle's neck. He felt his legs nearly lift off.
The Monkey-Eating Eagle flew past the Crowned Eagle. It didn't look back, instead flying further away.
But while it wanted to flee, the Crowned Eagle had no intention of letting it go.
It increased speed, chasing from behind.
The Monkey-Eating Eagle gained altitude, trying to shake off the Crowned Eagle.
But the Crowned Eagle was faster.
Closer and closer, until finally the Crowned Eagle positioned itself above, its claws stabbing into the Monkey-Eating Eagle's back like knives.
Then it pressed down relentlessly.
The Monkey-Eating Eagle tried to struggle, but its strength was no match for the Crowned Eagle's.
The Crowned Eagle stepped on it, both birds plummeting from the sky.
"Whoosh—"
A large cloud of dust erupted from the ground.
At the last moment, the Crowned Eagle released its claws. The Monkey-Eating Eagle crashed heavily to the ground. After gliding in a circle, the Crowned Eagle gracefully landed on its back.
Its sharp beak hammered down like a mallet. Once, twice, three times.
It pecked the Monkey-Eating Eagle until its flesh split open and its skull cracked.
Qin Ziwen said, "Didn't know you held such a grudge."
The Crowned Eagle cooed twice, releasing its claws. The Monkey-Eating Eagle's spine was nearly pulled out, and a large hole was smashed open in its skull. It was clearly dead.
Qin Ziwen felt a wave of emotion. He vividly remembered the first time he saw the Monkey-Eating Eagle, watching this giant bird descend from the sky, hiding under a tree with his younger brother.
Times had changed. Now, seeing the Monkey-Eating Eagle again, it was no longer an opponent on the same level as the Crowned Eagle.
Just now, he could feel the Crowned Eagle's control over the surrounding air currents.
It had to be said, when dealing with these large aerial birds, the Crowned Eagle's ability to control air currents undoubtedly gave it a huge advantage.
After all, a bird's flight capability essentially relies on the curved cross-section of its wings affecting airflow.
Thinking about it this way, if it faced other superhuman-class flying birds, wouldn't the Crowned Eagle's ability give it a significant edge?
"Rustle, rustle—"
Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the grass nearby.
Qin Ziwen turned his head. The Crowned Eagle's neck even rotated a hundred and eighty degrees, staring directly behind them.
In the grass, a leopard was carefully lifting its paws on tiptoe, preparing to leave.
Its feet were moving, but its head remained alert, facing the direction of the man and bird.
When both the man and bird turned their heads simultaneously, six eyes met.
The Golden Leopard felt very wronged.
It was just taking a nap here.
Then two birds fell from the sky.
It was seriously considering, if it left now, would that be okay?
Suddenly, the Golden Leopard twitched its nose. Its gaze towards Qin Ziwen carried a trace of confusion.
This person's scent... seemed somewhat familiar?
...