Chapter 170: The Abandoned Site
Chapter 170: The Abandoned Site
Upon hearing these words, Chang Ba was even more thrilled than Chen Chuan, for the completion of this stage meant that Chen Chuan could proceed to the most challenging phase of his training.
If he had dared to attempt the previous stages, this one left him feeling daunted.
He had never imagined anyone could complete the first two limits, but now, witnessing Chen Chuan's performance, a glimmer of hope emerged within him. Perhaps Chen Chuan could truly complete this training.
At this moment, Chen Chuan gradually reined in the emotions that had been stirring within him. He smiled and asked, "Teacher He, can we move on to the next training stage?"
He Xiaoxing fell silent for a moment upon seeing Chen Chuan's smile, for in that instant, he seemed to see the shadow of another student in him. He turned to look towards the area separated by the barbed wire fence.
"Your next training will take place 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 research base for aquatic life here. These barbed wire fences were set up by them. My grandfather used to say that anyone who came here to study aquatic life must be out of their minds."
"Later, that group of people left, but the fish and other aquatic life below remained, becoming bizarre and ferocious. How should I put it... they were extremely vicious, but fortunately, they were highly dependent on the local environment for survival. Despite the interconnected underground water flow, they haven't spread out over the years."
Chen Chuan also realized this and said, "So, the next stage of training involves diving and retrieving the marker that will be dropped into the water?"
Chang Ba, brimming with excitement, immediately added, "Not just that, but you also have to retrieve the marker within a specified time. Isn't that right, Uncle He?" He turned to look at He Xiaoxing.
He Xiaoxing, addressing Chen Chuan, said solemnly, "I must remind you that while the steps may seem similar, the level of danger far exceeds what you've experienced thus far. Consider that this stage of training is not mandatory."
Chen Chuan glanced ahead and replied, "Since we've come this far, I'd like to give it a try."
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't take unnecessary risks, but now that he was here, he wanted to attempt this training, believing it might further enhance his abilities. With the support of his Second Self, he didn't need to be overly cautious.
Chang Ba looked at him and said, "Brother Chen, if you can pass this trial, you'll have free food and accommodation whenever you visit our town!"
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Since Brother Chang has offered, I can't pass up this opportunity." He paused for a moment, then asked, "You mentioned the fish inside are ferocious. What are they like?"
Unfamiliar with the subject, he wanted to gather information beforehand to ensure proper preparation. It wasn't about showing off but being well-prepared for the training.
"Oh, that's easy." Chang Ba returned to the car, retrieved a specially designed fishing net and a lead bucket, and rushed out enthusiastically, saying, "Watch me."
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Chang Ba returned with the fishing net slung over his shoulder and the bucket in his hand. He placed the bucket in front of the two with precise control, 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 incredibly hard-looking head, as if encased in a protective shell. The smaller red one had a body covered in crimson scales and a mouth filled with fine, sharp teeth, giving it an appearance distinct from ordinary fish.
"These two large ones are called Blue Carp, or 'Zhuangzhuang Fish' as we called them when I was young. The smaller red one is known as the Red-Scaled Carp, or 'Red-Eyed Piranha' in folklore. The Blue Carp is incredibly fast underwater, and its head is as hard as a rock. I've seen it following turbulent currents and smashing into rocks. If you're hit by one underwater, it's like being struck by a hammer.
As for the Red-Eyed Piranha, it can tear off a chunk of flesh with a single bite. A small number of them can be handled, but encountering a swarm is a different story—the best option is to stay as far away as possible. However, there are many more fish species in the water than just these. I'll give you more details later."
He Xiaoxing said, "Let's bring the fish with us and head inside."
"Alright."
The three returned to the car, which drove through the opening in the barbed wire fence.
The fence was no obstacle for them, and it seemed that many others had visited before, as numerous gaps had been cut into it.
Once inside, Chen Chuan noticed a fallen metal sign on the side. Thanks to the local climate, some foreign words on the sign were still legible, suggesting that the research institute might have had foreign connections.
He asked, "How long has this experimental site been established?"
Chang Ba thought for a moment and replied, "About sixty years, I believe. It was already here during my grandfather's time. It had been abandoned since my father's childhood, so at least a few decades."
The car drove further in, and after about two miles, a building came into view, its surface still bearing visible bullet holes.
"This was the original experimental site," Chang Ba explained. "It's surprisingly well-preserved after all these years, with little damage. However, the equipment inside was removed long ago. Over twenty years ago, a group of bandits occupied the site, but my father, along with the town's fighters and some other fighters he contacted, cleared them out. Nowadays, few people outside know about this place."
The car stopped in front of the building, and as they stepped out, He Xiaoxing instructed, "Brother Chang, take the fish and prepare them."
"And to Chen Chuan, 'After you eat these fish, you can go back down.'"
Chang Ba acknowledged with a sound and quickly fetched various knives from the car. He expertly gutted and scaled the fish, then brought out a grill and skewered the three fish on it.
After a while, when the fish were grilled to perfection, he sprinkled on some seasoning and handed one to He Xiaoxing and Chen Chuan each, saying, "Try my cooking. Hehe, this is a rare delicacy. Ordinary people can't enjoy this, only we fighters can."
Chen Chuan took a bite and felt a slight tingling sensation on his tongue, as if he had eaten something spicy. The combination of the charred skin and the tender meat beneath it was incredibly delicious. The fish had fine bones, and after grilling, they became crispy, allowing him to chew and swallow the meat and bones together. It didn't take long for him to finish the fish.
After eating, he felt a warm and cozy sensation throughout his body, no less than the feeling after consuming nutrient creams. He said, "This stuff is pretty good."
Although he noticed that his second self was showing faint signs of dematerialization, the damage was very minor.
He Xiaoxing said, "The fish here are highly nutritious, but they carry a bit of poison. This isn't a problem for us fighters. There's no need to expel the poison immediately. If you feel overwhelmed by these fish, you can expel the poison from your skin to the outside, which will stop them from attacking you."
"But be cautious, as some fish might target you instead. So, choose wisely."
Chang Ba added, "I wonder what this place was used for in the past. We thought it wasn't for cultivating edible fish, right? Ordinary people can't enjoy this delicacy because of the poison, but it's a blessing for us. After I started training, my father often brought me here for a feast."
Chen Chuan said, "Little Chang, tell me about the fish species inside."
"Then wait a moment."
(End of Chapter)
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