Chapter 470 - Taming the Gold 2 Ring
The transition to the second gold ring was marked by a fundamental shift in the ecosystem that left Zhao momentarily breathless.
Where the first ring had contained patches of Golden Noses scattered across varied terrain, the second ring was dominated by a single, massive forest of the creatures. They had evolved here, grown larger and more sophisticated.
"Sweet dragon of..." Zhao caught himself before the curse could fully form, aware that even whispered words might carry farther than intended in this place.
The Golden Noses here stood at least twice as tall as their younger cousins, their multiple trunks together were now thick enough that a dozen men almost couldn’t wrap their arms around them. Their golden horns had developed intricate branching patterns that created a canopy of deadly spikes high overhead, while their long snouts had gained longer beaks that glowed faintly with accumulated mana.
Most unsettling of all, they moved a lot more.
Not quickly, not dramatically, but with a deliberate coordination that transformed the forest into a living labyrinth. As Zhao watched, a section of the forest shifted position, the massive creatures stepping in perfect unison to close what had been a corridor through their ranks.
"They’re not just joining against predators," Zhao realized with growing unease. "They’re actively managing their territory together."
His raptor’s camouflage flickered nervously between different patterns before settling on something that approximated bark texture.
Zhao pulled out his remaining vial of marking fluid, noting with dismay how little remained. The original mixture had been calculated for crossing the first ring’s patches of Golden Noses, not navigating an entire forest of their evolved cousins.
"Going to have to make this stretch," he muttered, applying the smallest amount he could manage while still maintaining the scent’s effectiveness.
The larger Golden Noses also reacted differently to the marking fluid than their smaller relatives had. Instead of simply entering defensive mode, they began a low, thrumming communication that resonated through the ground like distant thunder. The sound was felt more than heard, a vibration that seemed to bypass his ears entirely and speak directly to his bones.
"They’re talking to each other," Zhao whispered, fascination overcoming fear. "Getting ready to fight together against him?"