Chapter 806: Chapter 148: Abandoned Town
Since there was some distance between Chen Wen and the bay crocodile, it didn’t catch up.
When Chen Wen and his companions reached the shore, the bay crocodile was still floating a hundred meters away in the water.
"That was so damn scary!"
A hint of fear flickered across Chen Wen’s face: "You can even encounter a bay crocodile here!"
"Bay crocodile?"
Upon hearing the name of another type of crocodile, Dahuang curiously looked at Chen Wen.
Chen Wen watched as the bay crocodile swam into the distance and then said: "Bay crocodiles are terrifying creatures. They can be considered the most powerful predators in the northern regions of this land, including the northern coastal waters. Even I, without precautions, have a high chance of being killed by a bay crocodile!"
Hearing this, Dahuang shivered in fear.
That’s indeed quite frightening!
"In any case, starting from today, you all better not come near the water alone. Even if you need to drink water, make sure to drink at a shallow area and always stay alert!"
Chen Wen cautioned the three animals and pulled the little mare away from the water’s edge.
Encountering a bay crocodile here isn’t too unusual.
Though they are called saltwater crocodiles, bay crocodiles prefer living in estuaries, mangrove forests, swamps, and other areas where saltwater and freshwater meet.
Of course, they will also venture into the sea and deep into the inland.
During the breeding season, female bay crocodiles even build nests more than 60 kilometers from the coast along freshwater riverbanks and hills, using shade from the trees for cover.
Thus, encountering bay crocodiles in freshwater is quite normal.
Chen Wen thought, while mentally preparing for the next course of action.
Seeing a bay crocodile here also indicates that this grand river flows directly to the sea.
There must definitely be people living along the coast!
...
After crossing the river, Chen Wen began to delve inland in the direction described by the Screaming Kite to seek rescue.
Along the way, Chen Wen noticed many traces left by humans.
Such as various types of household waste and signs of deforestation.
But what worried Chen Wen was most of the trash appeared quite old, bearing heavy marks from exposure to wind and sun.
Severely weathered.
Looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.
Moreover, the cut tree stumps also appeared aged, not like they were recently harvested.
Maybe it’s because this place is far from that town.
Chen Wen thought, feeling a bit anxious.
By nightfall, as he prepared to rest, Chen Wen lit a campfire and then called out to the Screaming Kite: "Go check near those buildings again, see if there are any lights, while I..."
But just as he was speaking, Chen Wen slapped his forehead: "Oh, let’s just go together, I almost forgot I can transform."
After saying this, Chen Wen instructed the other animals not to wander around and to be cautious with the campfire.
Then he decisively transformed into a Horned Bee-eater, more suited to this environment, and flew towards the vicinity of the buildings with the Screaming Kite.
...
Approximately several hours passed.
The Screaming Kite began circling over a pitch-black plain.
As the Horned Bee-eater formed Chen Wen approached, the Screaming Kite said: "It should be down below, do you want to go check?"
Glancing at the pitch-black ground, Chen Wen felt a bit uneasy.
He nodded: "Let’s go down and take a look!"
Saying that, the Horned Bee-eater formed Chen Wen gathered his wings and dove towards the dark plain.
Once near the ground, Chen Wen reverted to his human form and started searching around for human structures.
Several minutes later, he found them.
However, the condition of these buildings was quite poor!
After a quick inspection, Chen Wen saw that the exterior of these buildings had undergone a certain degree of weathering and damage.
The most important thing was that there were no humans here.
These buildings hadn’t been inhabited for years!
Chen Wen sighed, feeling a bit disappointed.
But as he moved through these buildings, he suddenly made a discovery at the center.
Using the slight night vision ability provided by his [Far Vision Sight], Chen Wen could roughly make out the situation here.
Near the center of these buildings, he saw a somewhat rundown notice board.
After approaching the notice board, Chen Wen immediately saw that it seemed to have some relatively new sheets of paper posted on the top.
He quickly moved closer to take a careful look.
It was written in English and other languages, two notices in total, Chen Wen focused on the English one.
The title read "A Letter to Hiking Adventurers," dated the end of last year’s rainy season.
The content roughly stated that the small town here, originally providing supplies, had relocated due to flooding. If supplies are needed now, head northeast, cross the river to reach the town.
Seeing this notice, Chen Wen’s face showed mixed feelings.
"So, the town relocated due to flooding."
Chen Wen rubbed his chin and found a very simple map on it: "Hmm, from the map it seems the new location of the town is quite far."
Once the Screaming Kite arrived, Chen Wen called upon the Screaming Kite and returned to the camp.
This abandoned town no longer holds exploration value.
Next, the direction must be changed to the new location of the town for a look.
...
The following day.
Chen Wen woke up early.
He led the wild mare and animals back the way they came, returning from the shoal to the east bank of the river.
Then he led the animals downstream along the river.
During the journey, Chen Wen saw many crocodiles.
There were freshwater crocodiles, and saltwater crocodiles, and the further downstream they went, the more saltwater crocodiles there were.
Thus, Chen Wen specifically cautioned the animals not to go near the water.
A peaceful day passed.
The second day, Chen Wen continued along the riverbank.
By noon, they reached a relatively flat riverbank.
But the riverbank was covered with shrubs and swamps with such terrain made Chen Wen feel a sense of danger.
"Dahuang, don’t go near those bushes, there’s danger there."
Seeing Dahuang happily nearing the swamp, seemingly intending to roll around in the mud,
Chen Wen hurriedly stopped him.
Hearing this, Dahuang seemed a bit puzzled, not sensing any danger from the bushes.
However, it still obediently retreated a bit.
At this point, Chen Wen brought Dahuang to his side, then used a stick he found in the bushes to strike close to the swamp.
As soon as Chen Wen struck, in the swamp, a terrifying creature was startled by the stick and launched an attack at it!
Whoosh!
Accompanied by a loud splashing sound, a mature bay crocodile suddenly stormed out from the bushes.
Chen Wen, seemingly well-prepared, swiftly ran off with Dahuang as the bay crocodile lunged out.
The bay crocodile, its mouth wide open, bit down where Chen Wen had been standing.
Snap!
With a heavy sound, the bay crocodile missed.
Dahuang, who was being held by Chen Wen, along with Taipan Snake and Screaming Kite watching from aside, were all startled.
"Why are there crocodiles here?"
"So scary!"
Dahuang was also shaken, asking Chen Wen: "How did you notice it? I didn’t sense it at all!"
Dahuang’s sharp nose and eyes were useless here.
"Bay crocodiles bury themselves in pits, you can’t smell them, so naturally you can’t sense them."
Chen Wen calmly replied: "I noticed it from the surroundings of the swamp where the bay crocodile was. When the bay crocodile entered the swamp, its heavy body left some deep grooves on the shore, indicating it might be resting in these water pits."
Having said that, Chen Wen added: "You must all be extra cautious, this place is extremely dangerous!"
