Chapter 170: The Abandoned Site
Chapter 170: The Abandoned Site
Upon hearing these words, Chang Ba was even more excited than Chen Chuan, as the completion of this stage meant the latter could proceed to the most challenging phase of training.
While he had dared to attempt the previous stages, this one left him hesitant.
He had never imagined anyone could complete the first and second limits, but witnessing Chen Chuan's performance, a glimmer of hope emerged. Perhaps Chen Chuan could truly complete this training.
At this moment, Chen Chuan gradually suppressed the emotions stirring within him. Smiling, he asked, "Teacher He, can we proceed to the next stage of training?"
He Xiaoxing's smile caused He to fall silent for a moment. In that instant, he seemed to see the shadow of another student in Chen Chuan. He turned to look towards the area separated by barbed wire.
"Your next training will be over there."
Chen Chuan looked in that direction, feeling a sense of curiosity about the place.
"What kind of place is that?"
Chang Ba walked over and explained, "Many years ago, there was a water creature research base here. These barbed wires were set up by them. My grandfather said that conducting research on water creatures here was outright crazy.
Later, the group left, but the fish and some water creatures below became bizarre and strange. How should I put it... they became extremely ferocious. Fortunately, they are highly dependent on the local environment for survival. Despite the interconnected underground water flow, they haven't spread out even after so many years."
Chen Chuan realized the implications and asked, "So, the next stage of training involves diving and swimming there?"
Chang Ba, filled with excitement, eagerly added, "Not just that, but you also have to retrieve the marker that will be dropped from above within the specified time frame." He turned to He Xiaoxing, "Is that right, Uncle He?"
He Xiaoxing spoke to Chen Chuan in a solemn tone, "I must remind you that while the steps may seem similar, the level of danger is incomparable to what you've experienced so far. You can consider this, but completing this stage of training is not mandatory."
Chen Chuan glanced ahead and said, "Since we've come this far, I'd like to give it a try."
He was generally unwilling to take risks unless necessary, but now that they were here, he wanted to attempt this training, hoping to further improve himself. With his Second Self as a backup, he didn't need to be overly cautious.
Chang Ba looked at him and said, "Chen, if you can really make it through this time, you'll have free food and accommodation whenever you visit our town in the future!"
Smiling, Chen Chuan replied, "Since Little Chang has offered this, I can't let this opportunity pass." He paused, then asked, "You mentioned the fish inside are very fierce. What are they like?"
For something unfamiliar, he wanted to understand it beforehand and be prepared. It wasn't about showing off; it was about being well-prepared for the training.
"If you want to know, it's simple." Chang Ba returned to the vehicle, took out a specially designed fish trap, and carried a lead bucket. He rushed out excitedly, saying, "Watch me."
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Chang Ba returned with the fish trap on his shoulder and the bucket in one hand. He placed the bucket in front of the two with such precision that not a single drop of water splashed out.
Inside the bucket were three large fish, one black and two red. The black one had an extremely hard-looking head, as if encased in a shell. The smaller red one had a mouth filled with fine, sharp teeth, giving it a distinct appearance from ordinary fish.
"These two large ones are called Blue Carp, but we used to call them Crash Fish when I was young. The small red one is the Red Scaled Carp, also known as the Red-Eyed Carnivorous Fish in folk tales. The Blue Carp is incredibly fast underwater, and its head is like a battering ram. I've seen it following turbulent currents and smashing through rocks. If you're hit by it underwater, it's like being struck by a sledgehammer.
As for the Red-Eyed Carnivorous Fish, it can tear off a chunk of flesh with a single bite. A small number of them can be dealt with, but if you encounter a swarm, it's best to keep your distance. However, the fish in the water are far more diverse than these. I'll tell you more about them later."
He Xiaoxing said, "Bring the fish, and let's head inside."
"Okay."
The three returned to the vehicle, which drove towards the interior.
The barbed wire was only a hindrance to ordinary people, offering no obstacle to them. Moreover, it seemed that many people had been here before, as there were numerous openings in the wire.
After smoothly driving through, Chen Chuan noticed a fallen metal sign beside him. Thanks to the local climate, many foreign characters on the sign were still legible, suggesting the research institute might have had foreign connections.
"How many years has this experimental site been established?" Chen Chuan asked.
Chang Ba thought for a moment, "Around sixty years, I guess? My grandfather's generation already had it, and it was abandoned when my father was young, so it's been at least a few decades."
The vehicle drove further, and after about two miles, a building came into view, its surface marked with numerous bullet holes.
"This was the original experimental site, and it's surprisingly sturdy even after decades with minimal damage," Chang Ba said. "But the equipment inside was moved long ago. Over twenty years ago, a group of bandits occupied this place, but my father, the townsfolk, and a group of summoned combatants cleared them out. Nowadays, few people outside know about this place."
The vehicle stopped in front of the building. As they exited, He Xiaoxing instructed, "Little Chang, take the fish and grill them."
Chen Chuan nodded and proceeded to the vehicle to retrieve various knives. He expertly gutted the fish, removing their organs and scales, and then set up a grill to cook them.
Once the fish were grilled to perfection, Chang Ba seasoned them and handed one each to He Xiaoxing and Chen Chuan, saying, "Try it. Hehe, this is a rare delicacy that not many get to taste. Only we fighters can enjoy such a treat."
Chen Chuan took a bite, and his tongue tingled slightly from the spicy flavor, reminiscent of a particular chili pepper. The combination of the charred skin and the tender meat beneath it created a delightful taste sensation. The fish had delicate bones that became crispy after grilling, allowing him to chew and swallow the meat and bones together. Before long, he had devoured the entire fish.
After finishing, Chen Chuan felt a warm and satisfying sensation throughout his body, comparable to the effect of NutriCream. He commented, "This is really good stuff."
At this moment, he noticed faint signs of fading on his Second Self, but the damage was minimal and insignificant.
He Xiaoxing explained, "The fish here are highly nutritious, but they do contain toxins. It's not a problem for us fighters, and there's no need to expel the toxins immediately. If you feel overwhelmed by these fish, you can expel the toxins through your skin to deter their attacks."
He continued, "However, be cautious as some fish might become more attracted to you. So, choose wisely."
Chang Ba added, "I have no idea what this place was used for before, but I doubt it was for cultivating edible fish. Ordinary people can't enjoy this delicacy due to the toxins, but it's a bonus for us. After I started training, my father often brought me here for a feast."
Chen Chuan asked, "Little Chang, can you tell me about the fish species down there?"
"Then wait a moment," Chang Ba replied.
Chang Ba fetched a pen and a notebook and began drawing and describing the various fish species, showcasing his impressive artistic skills. Each fish was depicted vividly, allowing Chen Chuan to understand them at a glance.
"Let me clarify," Chang Ba said, "I'm only talking about the fish I've personally eaten. These are just a fraction of what's down there." As he spoke, he smacked his lips, savoring the memory of the flavors.
Chen Chuan now had a rough idea of what to expect. He decided to take a trial dive to assess the situation before proceeding. After a short rest, he put on his dive suit and approached a nearby abyss pit.
He Xiaoxing offered a warning, "Be cautious when searching for the marker. The tether rope might be bitten by the fish, and there's a chance of being swept away by the turbulent currents below. As you search, pay attention to whether the path above leads to the surface. If things don't look right, retreat early."
Chen Chuan nodded solemnly, understanding that this task was significantly more challenging than his previous training. It allowed for no margin of error.
Taking a deep breath, he dove into the pit. Immediately, he felt the water temperature was much warmer than on the surface. As he progressed, he realized the pit was a labyrinth of twists and turns, making it difficult to find the marker, let alone navigate back to the surface without getting disoriented.
Fortunately, one of his recent training achievements was learning to maintain internal breathing and activate his Alienation Organization when it was most active. This allowed him to rely on his instincts to recognize his surroundings.
Chen Chuan attempted to follow the passage, but as he turned a corner, a sudden surge of turbulent water rushed out, catching him off guard and sweeping him away. He felt a chill, knowing that if he was carried deep into the pit, it might be challenging to find his way back, even with the help of his Second Self.
In this critical moment, his willpower kicked in, and his Alienation Organization responded, allowing him to plant his fingers firmly into the pit wall and halt his body from being swept away. He pressed himself against the smooth pit wall, using his fingers and body to inch his way back.
Meanwhile, He Xiaoxing stood by another pit, his gaze fixed on something below. Beneath his clothing, faint patterns seemed to emerge, only to fade away after a while.
Chen Chuan, with the help of his hands and feet, slowly crawled out of the turbulent current's reach.
He realized that the situation was more complex than he had anticipated. It was better to proceed cautiously and understand the surroundings, as escaping once didn't guarantee future success.
Just then, he felt the oxygen around him becoming scarce, and within a short moment, countless sensations seemed to invade his body.
Stoneweed?
These must be them, but they felt much stronger and more aggressive than what he had encountered before.
However, Chen Chuan was no longer the fighter he had been a few days ago. He quickly activated his Alienation Organization to expel the stoneweed from his body while using his hands and feet to swim away as fast as possible. After about ten minutes, he managed to leave the infested waters, and the external invasion gradually weakened.
But before he could relax, Chen Chuan sensed something approaching at an incredible speed, heading straight for him!
...
(End of Chapter)
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