Monster Hunter: I can hear the monsters' thoughts

Chapter 464 Forbidden Zone, The Revolving Dragon
Sky Mountain.

Although there are no hunters in the village of Sinard, people occasionally need to go into the mountains to collect herbs and fruits. Therefore, a sufficiently hidden and safe camp has been set up in the foothills, so hunters do not need to worry about it.

Sky Mountain is not far from the village of Shinard. There is no need to take an airship; you can enter the Sky Mountain area simply by connecting a few lock bridges. It was not until the hunters actually set foot on this land that they understood why it was named after the sky.

For this mountain peak that pierces the sky like a sword, towering into the clouds is no exaggeration. Standing on the lock bridge and looking down, you will find that the entire mountain is completely hidden below the sea of ​​clouds from its foot. Looking up, you will find that most of the mountain above looks like a castle in the air, as if the laws of physics are being rubbed into the ground.

Even with Julius's extensive experience and knowledge gained from years of travel, the unique terrain of the Sky Mountains made it arguably the best hunting ground.

However, upon closer inspection, one will find that those seemingly suspended rocks are actually supported by countless tough vines growing on them, which barely maintains the shape of the "mountain" from collapsing.

Of course, relying solely on plants for support is not stable. As the hunters entered the Sky Mountain area, they discovered that huge rocks would occasionally collapse from above. Most of them would fall into the depths of the white sea of ​​clouds, while some would crash onto the surrounding sloping ground, shattering into pieces and occasionally producing a dull thud.

(As shown in the picture, setting aside the combat experience of TGY, from a purely visual perspective, I think the map design of Mount Sky is the most imaginative in the entire Monster Hunter series. Even though it still uses a small, miniature garden-style map, it allows people to truly feel a vast otherworld that is completely different from reality.)

The constant threat of falling rocks from above forced the hunters to be on high alert, always watching what was happening above them. After all, even with strong armor, being hit on the head by such a large rock could still cause a concussion and knock them unconscious.

The senior monk who had volunteered to lead the hunters into the mountains seemed quite used to this. While calmly climbing the suspension bridge, which had an incline of over sixty degrees, he explained to the group:

"It is said that a long, long time ago, Sky Mountain was no different from other mountains in the area, and its height was not particularly outstanding. However, a particularly violent geological change occurred in a short period of time, which caused the mountain to be uplifted rapidly. It was only thanks to a large number of tough vines that the main structure was maintained and did not collapse, which is how it became what it is today."

The senior monk smiled and said, "The specific cause of that geological change is now impossible to ascertain; all that remains is a legend passed down orally."

"One day, the injured snake coiled itself around the mountain, painfully squeezing the mountainside and thrashing upwards, eventually triggering violent geological changes."

"Another legend?"

Fabius frowned instinctively, carefully placing his feet lightly on the wooden planks of the suspension bridge, fearing that the weight of his heavy armor and spear might collapse the bridge, which had existed for who knows how many years.

Fortunately, the wooden planks here seem to be quite sturdy. The scene of the planks breaking and the carnage falling into the sea of ​​clouds remains just a figment of my imagination.

He composed himself and began to speak:

"The previous legend you mentioned has already caused quite a bit of trouble in the primeval forests across the sea. I think we should have more respect for ancient legends."

The head monk chuckled and nodded:
“You’re right. Legends are often based on historical evolution. However, even to me, this legend is far too outrageous. If such a huge creature really existed, I think it would be enough to be called a god, wouldn’t it?”

Lin Lin, who was carefully trying to avoid being hit by a boulder falling from above: ...

A giant crab, a huge snake? Geological changes?
Is this not our eternal king, the immortal emperor, the symbol of death and life, the great being who can regenerate the planet, the Serpent King (Emperor) Dragon?
Was Sky Mountain born because of the Serpent King Dragon?
As for the injury and pain... is it because it is fighting against something equally powerful?

It's hard to imagine what other being in this world, besides taboos like the Black Dragon, could threaten the existence of the Serpent King Dragon.

Could it be a Ground Cryoth Dragon? Or is its pain not due to the battle, but simply because it happens to be in the process of molting?
Damn, I've taken over the role of the protagonist of four generations. Am I going to have to fight this kind of guy in the future? With the size of the Serpent King Dragon, it's hard to say whether a single Super Amped Spectre attack would even break its skin. I really can't do anything to this kind of being!
Lin Lin was lost in thought and didn't even notice that they had successfully arrived at the camp at the foot of Sky Mountain under the guidance of the Grand Monk.

"Okay, we're here."

The senior monk wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and pointed in a direction that seemed to be an ancient ruin. The ribbons wrapped around the gate fluttered in the howling wind, and the two stone doors were tightly closed, locking everything inside.

"That's the restricted area."

At this moment, the head monk's expression also became solemn:

"This is the source of the evil wind that swept across the entire Sky Mountain. It was later sealed by the first Great Monk, and all villagers were strictly forbidden to approach it."

"Now, I, the current head monk of Sinard Village, grant permission and request that you hunters enter the forbidden area!"

The hunters all straightened up and nodded to the high monk.

As the highest-ranking hunter among those present, Julius took the lead and placed his hand on the stone door of the restricted area.

However, he did not immediately exert force to push open the stone door, but instead turned to look at Lin Lin and Ye Zi behind him:

"If we don't find any trace of that guy after we go in, we will proceed with the ecological survey of the entire Sky Mountain as planned."

"If that guy is indeed in the restricted area, we'll go first and weaken it as much as possible to create conditions for your next battle!"

Yes, leading the charge.

Since the Celestial Dragon completed its metamorphosis and became a genuine Ancient Dragon, Julius never imagined that he could defeat it with just his four-person team.

If the Tianhui Dragon hadn't posed such a significant threat, and if the action hadn't been slightly delayed, the scale of the ecological disaster would have expanded to an unimaginable extent, forcing all the residents of Xinard Village to evacuate, and if Lin Lin hadn't had Tiaotiao as a powerful ally, and if Lin Lin hadn't personally fought the Tianhui Dragon and severed one of its horns, giving him a glimpse of victory, he wouldn't have adopted such an aggressive strategy at all.

Nadia looked around, trying to ease the tense and awkward atmosphere:

"These are all just our speculations after all. Maybe that guy isn't even here?"

Lin Lin took two steps forward and stood in front of the stone gate as well. His eyes were fixed on the door that had been closed for thousands of years. He took a deep breath and felt the power within his body begin to stir.

Since he completely refined the Mad Dragon Virus in the primeval forest and became a human at his limit, Lin Lin's immune system has also been working hard. As long as the Mad Dragon Virus enters his body again, it will be refined instantly, providing him with even stronger power.

At this moment, the activity of the power within the body only indicates one thing: "The concentration of the Mad Dragon virus in the air is very low, but not zero."

"That guy is probably inside."

"Then let's proceed according to plan and take it down!"

Without further hesitation, Julius exerted force with both hands and slowly pushed open the stone door that had been sealed for thousands of years.

As the gap between the stone gates widened enough to allow airflow, a gust of black wind eagerly rushed out and blew over everyone present.

Through the cracks in the stone door, one could vaguely see that the interior space was almost pitch black, as if the sunlight had been completely blocked, making it extremely dim—that was the overwhelming Mad Dragon virus, which floated in the air and, accompanied by the ever-burning winds of the high mountains, blew to every corner of the entire Sky Mountain. The open stone door provided another channel for the Mad Dragon virus to spread.

The scene left the hunters looking at each other in bewilderment. They didn't even need to go inside to confirm that their target had indeed arrived here.

Julius raised his hand and fired a signal flare into the sky, then nodded to Lin Lin and Ye Zi before striding into the restricted area.

Following closely behind him, the three hunters from the elite team stepped forward one after another, their eyes showing no sign of retreat.

Finally, Aiden gently patted Lin Lin on the shoulder, revealing his signature sunny smile:

"Don't be so serious. Look on the bright side. Maybe we won't even need the two of you to lift a finger; we could take care of that guy on our own."

The four members of the elite team entered the restricted area, their figures quickly disappearing into the darkness formed by the dense Mad Dragon virus, becoming difficult to see. In the camp, only Lin Lin, Ye Zi, and the Grand Monk remained.

Lin Lin remained calm amidst the black wind, while Ye Zi, as one of the first hunters infected with the Mad Dragon Disease after Lin Lin, had already developed an astonishing resistance through constant struggle with the Mad Dragon virus. This bit of Mad Dragon dust had almost no effect on her. Only the head monk of Xinaer Village, who was infected with the Mad Dragon Disease for the first time, quickly turned pale and his body soon appeared somewhat unsteady.

Lin Lin kindly took out a Dispelling Fruit from his prop bag and handed it to the High Monk:
"Taking this will make you feel a little better. Julius and the others should still have a lot of medicine that can cure the Mad Dragon Disease on their airship, so there's no need to worry too much."

"Also, leave the battlefield to us hunters. As the battle intensifies, the scales released by the Heavenly Dragon will become even more terrifying. At that time, the legendary evil winds that sweep across the land will reappear. The village will need you to stabilize the people's hearts."

Yoko also spoke up, urging them to leave, her voice calm:

"If we succeed, all will be well, but if we fail, at least someone will be able to organize the villagers' evacuation."

The head monk opened his mouth, wanting to stay and stand with the hunters, but couldn't find the words to object. After a moment, he nodded emphatically:

"Everyone, good luck to you!"

……

After the chief monk left, only Lin Lin and Ye Zi remained in the dull and oppressive camp. The two of them, now alone, had no interest in talking and kept glancing at the half-open stone door.

"Can't we just go in and join the battle?"

After a moment, Yoko finally spoke and asked.

Lin Lin shook his head:

"Putting aside the common sense that no more than four people can hunt at the same time, the coordination between us and the top teams is a problem."

"We are both melee swordsmen. If we rashly join the battle, we might interfere with each other and expose our weaknesses, which would be fatal when facing the Heavenly Dragon."

Lin Lin turned to look in the direction of Sinard Village. Shortly after Julius fired the signal flare, two airships took off again and headed toward the restricted area. On the bow of one of the airships, which resembled a large whale, stood a giant dragon with a completely black body.

However, due to the occasional falling rocks over Sky Mountain, the two airships could not get too close and could only hover in the airspace where they would not be covered by falling rocks.

Lin Lin glanced at the two dragon-slaying spears gleaming coldly on the bows of the two airships, then turned to stare into the deep darkness behind the stone gate. He then closed his eyes and activated his perception abilities to the fullest extent.

……

Within the restricted area.

Guided by instinct, the Heavenly Dragon returned to its birthplace and began releasing its scales to spread the seeds of life.

However, after that fierce battle, its body suffered considerable injuries. Therefore, the Heavenly Returning Dragon focused most of its energy on circulating the power of the Mad Dragon to recover from its injuries, rather than releasing its scale powder with all its might. This resulted in the scale powder covering only the area around the restricted area so far, rather than covering the entire Sky Mountain.

As for why it has been back here for two days, while Sky Mountain seems to be perfectly normal?
Because dysentery has an incubation period...

Tianhuilong lay quietly on the ground, channeling the power of the mad dragon within its body to alleviate the pain in its body. Involuntarily, it recalled the culprits who had brought it suffering.

That damned electric scooter, and those despicable humans—once I've recovered from my injuries and completed my mission of spreading life, I'll make you pay the price!
Just as it was filled with rage, a strange noise suddenly appeared in the forbidden area, which should have been filled only with the ceaseless sound of the wind.

Tenkai Ryu slowly opened his eyes, looking at the four hunters lined up in front of him, who had drawn their weapons. His eyes were first filled with shock, and then revealed a boundless killing intent.

I never expected they would actually track me all the way here!
Since that's the case, I'll start with the four of you as the beginning of my path of revenge! Feel the pain and fear!

(End of this chapter)