The Fungal Parasitic Beast's power is hard to gauge. Its physical strength isn't particularly strong, but it can still manage to carry a couple of tons.
Its true strength lies in its self-healing ability. You could even say that as long as there's a water source, it can regenerate indefinitely. As long as the parasitic organism in its body isn't eradicated, it remains an endlessly tireless super warrior.
Furthermore, it possesses human memories, and this person used to do boxing and has extensive experience with firearms, making the Fungal Parasitic Beast extremely skilled with weapons.
It's very suitable for urban combat.
Considering the circumstances of Master Fidelity's factors, the Security Bureau dispatched the Fungal Parasitic Beast to assist the Chang'an woodcutters.
"Investigating the Qinling mutation..."
Ansheng wore a peculiar expression and quipped, "Aren't you worried it might suddenly go berserk? The nature of a parasitic beast is to want to take a bite upon seeing a strong guy."
"How is what you're doing any different from sending a pure iron South Tung to a copper bazaar?"
The Qinling mutation has increased the number of Spirit Beasts, and yet the Security Bureau sends a parasitic beast known for its robust parasitic nature here?
Ansheng couldn't even imagine how intense things would get locally.
"But it's the most suitable. It's a fungus, and we're currently in the area south of Qinling, which still lacks heating in winter, in a warm and humid monsoon zone."
"In terms of adaptability to damp forests, it would be hard to find anything in the South that surpasses it," Su Qiyuan explained to Master Fidelity.
The field personnel team cannot access the current list of Spirit Beasts that have been enlisted or are collaborating, but the Security Bureau has a clear list internally. They have their reasons for dispatching the Fungal Parasitic Beast.
Moreover, the main goal of this trip is not to explore but to ensure the students' safety.
With a humanoid Spirit Beast around, there are more flexible responses to any situation.
"Anyway, when sleeping at night, make sure to wrap yourself tightly," Ansheng declared resolutely.
Su Qiyuan & Bai Tao: "......."
It seems Master Fidelity is quite cautious of the "big boy" who picks things up automatically!
......
After a roughly three-hour drive.
The Xinxing Agricultural Science College reached the destination of the southern foothills. The southern slope of Qinling is rich in natural resources and is historically the site of the Zhou Dynasty's rise, the location of "Mingxiu plank road secretly crossing Chencang," and also one of the postal routes for transporting lychees into the palace, referred to in the "A solitary steed kicks up red dust, and the concubine laughs".
The students arrived at a famous Jing Town within the Crested Ibis Ecological Garden.
Students stepping off the bus witnessed an incredibly breathtaking scene before them.
Mountains dressed in green garments stood tall like horizons. The nearby city, set against these dreamlike peaks, made them appear as if floating in a celestial realm between colorful clouds.
"Wow..."
Though Ansheng had traveled far and wide and seen spectacular sights, and even descended a hundred meters underground to witness a prehistoric forest maintained in its original form, he still couldn't help but marvel when faced with peaks that seemed like the skyline.
He even saw glacier-like scenery.
"Alright, students."
"Before we start distributing rooms and arranging matters for going into the mountains, I have a few words to say..." said a slightly plump woman in her fifties, simply dressed and holding a climbing stick:
"After entering the mountains, don't easily believe the School of Animal Science students when they say the insects are non-toxic. Treat all snakes as poisonous, whether you recognize them or not."
"Next, we will distribute route maps for observation activities. You absolutely must not deviate from these maps. The southern slope area doesn't just have glacier relics but also Sky Pit clusters and caves..."
"For those who stray, it won't just be your subject that's in jeopardy, it'll be your lives hanging on a thread."
Before room allocation, the dean of the College of Agriculture reminded everyone of the precautions and arranged corresponding leaders.
"......"
Hidden in A-Ching's travel bag, Ansheng rolled his eyes, not wanting to speak.
The Crested Ibis Ecological Garden is a scenery, and all accessible areas have been developed.
The undeveloped regions are proof of a hell even civil engineers shy away from.
They had no desire to know how many cubic meters of concrete would be needed to fill the cave until it overflowed.
"Solid young man?"
"Any interest in doing postgraduate study? We have some expertise in animal ecology and microbiology," said the professors from the School of Animal Science as they got off the bus, immediately heading to the College of Agriculture, pulling aside a young man in sunglasses with a cold demeanor and green glow in his eyes, gently coaxing him.
The old man pinched the arm of the parasitic beast and instantly offered a spot for graduate school.
Students unaware of the situation looked completely stunned.
"Not interested. I'm looking for my dad." The Fungal Parasitic Beast gave a quick glance at the old man and woman, turned, and walked towards the already packed Qinling Town.
It held a bank card in its hand.
During its brief learning period at the research institute, the Fungal Parasitic Beast learned one thing.
It needs to find Dad, contribute to household expenses, and ask Dad for his bank account number.
Its current monthly salary is 23,000, and it plans to send Dad 5,000 every month as a retirement fund.
Not fulfilling filial duties is one of the three unfilial acts, and not supporting Dad might lead to facing Dad's sledgehammer.
"Little An, be honest at home! I'm going to attend a drone class."
"If you really have to go out, be mindful of those School of Animal Science students. When it comes to castrating animals, they usually don't use anesthesia, two sticks clamp together, and a big stone comes smashing down..."
A-Ching patted the little fox's head, instructing it to revive the glory of the dog family by staying home and watching over the house as she and her eleven other dormmates went off to class.
"A-Ching..."
"Some things, you don't have to describe so graphically for me."
Once the cabin was empty, Ansheng, facepalm, looked towards the door and said out loud: "Though I haven't used it yet, it's something that can convey pain very clearly to me."
"Ugh... damn sticks and stones."
Ansheng quipped, and without a second thought, pushed open the window and took off outdoors, totally ignoring A-Ching's instructions.
It's like implying that the School of Animal Science loves breaking basketballs.
Master Fidelity's name resonates in the Spirit Beast Circle.
"Why are you so lazy? Aren't we supposed to investigate the Qinling mutation? Why is there no action yet?"
As Ansheng sauntered outside and arrived where the security team was gathering, he asked the Snake Woman and Monkey King.
"Master Fidelity has arrived?"
Shedding her snake scales, the Snake Woman with short hair, clad in a black leather jacket with hands in her pockets, had a bit of a tomboy vibe. Upon seeing Master Fidelity, she squatted down, and as she bent over, a cauliflower lancehead hidden in her clothes was squeezed, causing its head to pop out of her collar.
"Hiss—"
The tail tip of the cauliflower lancehead waved goodbye, greeting him.
The Snake Woman reached out, shook hands with Ansheng, and said:
"We're currently planning the route. According to the plan, I'll stay at the camp while the Monkey King and the new parasite head into the mountains towards Golden Thread Gorge to get the golden monkeys to handle an affair."
As the Snake Woman explained the operation, Ansheng glanced at the Monkey King.
The Monkey King was also a young man, slightly plump, fair, gentle, and sporting sideburns.
"......." Ansheng turned away, looking exasperated.
"???"
Uncertain why Master Fidelity seemed unimpressed as he looked over, the Monkey King felt there was somehow disdain aimed at him.
"Oh..."
Ansheng sighed, full of resignation, and remarked:
"It seems..."
"The path up the mountain will require self-reliance."
The Fungal Parasitic Beast and Monkey King.
Regardless of appearances, they didn't seem ideal for riding, causing Ansheng to nearly lose interest in exploring the southern slope of Qinling.