Chapter 50: The Clouded Leopard Strikes Again

After a rough inspection, Lu Chen finally felt at ease. The valley was indeed full of snakes, and a significant number of them were venomous. As for enormous creatures like the reticulated python, there were only a few. At least until now, he had not encountered a second one.

Reptiles are extremely sensitive to changes in external temperature, and it was the presence of the geothermal hot springs that had caused the snakes to gather in the valley, making them unusually active. The snake population consumed vast amounts of food each day—this was also the reason for the scarcity of animals on the shore and fish and shrimp in the lake.

For Lu Chen, these snakes were the best prey. If he settled here with the three young saltwater crocodiles, they would not have to worry about food for a while.

As for the venomous snakes living in the valley, Lu Chen no longer feared them. The “scale armor defense” attribute had proven itself powerful; even the teeth of the several-meter-long reticulated python could not penetrate his scales, let alone the tiny venomous snakes. Though their venom was deadly, as long as he protected his eyes and mouth, he was essentially safe. However, the young crocs would need to be extra careful when foraging.

Additionally, they could hunt on the outskirts of the valley. The lush grasslands here would likely attract many herbivores during the winter season.

After careful consideration, Lu Chen decided to officially begin the migration plan.

Leaving the valley, he let Jin Dot climb onto his back again and followed the stream downstream. As for the unfinished python meat, it would have to remain buried at the bottom of the water for now.

It had taken half a day to come, but now, following the current, he moved swiftly. In just two hours, he had traveled over a hundred miles.

At one spot along the shore, Lu Chen happened upon a troop of macaques foraging. He set Jin Dot down and left alone.

When he was still several hundred meters from the cave, he suddenly raised his head from the water. On the wind, a faint scent of blood drifted through the air—so faint it was almost imperceptible. But from it, Lu Chen recognized the scent of Little Croc Sister—she was hurt!

No, Croc Boss was there too! And that clouded leopard!

Lu Chen’s mind went blank; a boundless terror surged from his heart and swept through his body. Since crossing over into the body of a saltwater crocodile, he had come to regard his three companions as an irreplaceable part of his life. It was no exaggeration to say he had watched the little ones grow, day by day.

In the days when the four siblings depended on each other, Lu Chen was not just Croc Number Three—he was more like their elder brother, or a parent shielding them from the storm.

He had taught them all their hunting skills. He even hoped to watch the little ones safely grow up.

Now, frantic with worry, his limbs churned rapidly, sending up white waves on the river’s surface.

A low roar echoed from the shore. A large, earth-gray cat rose outside the crocodile’s den, its beastly eyes radiating a cruel and savage light.

Courting death!

Seeing Lu Chen return, the clouded leopard had not fled, but remained at the entrance. From its scent, Lu Chen instantly recognized his old enemy and thief.

But compared to two months ago, its appearance was drastically changed. Its once glossy coat was now dull and mangy; its ribs stood out starkly beneath the skin. It seemed that after injuring a leg, its hunting prowess had plummeted, and it had gone hungry for a long time.

Lu Chen realized that this creature was no longer a match for him. If they fought, he was confident he could finish it in under half a minute.

With a shriek, Lu Chen paddled even faster.

But before he could reach the shore, the clouded leopard suddenly turned and fled into the depths of the forest, its earth-gray form vanishing into the undergrowth.

Lu Chen had no time to chase it. He hurriedly stuck his head into the den and called out. The thick, foul scent of blood assaulted his nostrils.

At the familiar voice, three weak but excited cries answered from within. To Lu Chen, the sounds seemed terribly feeble.

“Hiss hiss…”

“Roar hiss… roar hiss…”

The little ones cried as they crawled out of the den one after another—Croc Boss, Croc Number Two, Croc Number Four—all present, at least still alive. But all were injured.

Croc Number Two had clear slash marks on his back, already beginning to scab over. Croc Boss had lost a section of his tail, the wound still bleeding.

Lu Chen was not too worried about that. From his inherited instincts, he knew that young crocodiles could regrow lost tails like lizards or geckos, though it took longer (this is not fiction—it’s a recent scientific discovery; look it up if you wish).

The most seriously injured was Croc Number Four, with two deep punctures in his belly, clearly torn by the clouded leopard’s fangs. The wounds were festering, reeking of rot.

The little one’s breath was faint, its spirit utterly depleted. It snuggled beside Lu Chen and let out two low hisses, as if voicing its grievance and terror.

Then Croc Number Four closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Damn it! He had never imagined that his brief absence would lead to such a disaster at home. If he had known, he should have tracked down the clouded leopard by scent and killed it days ago, instead of leaving this menace alive.

After surveying the scene, Lu Chen pieced together the likely sequence: not long after he left yesterday, the clouded leopard attacked. The three young crocs had fought and retreated, finally hiding in the den to preserve their lives.

Fortunately, the leopard’s injured hind leg had never healed, greatly weakening its hunting abilities, or the three young crocs would not have survived.

A dragon’s reverse scale must not be touched. Seeing his three siblings in such a state, Lu Chen was filled with boundless murderous rage, wishing he could find the beast and tear it to pieces at once.

But the most urgent matter was how to save Croc Number Four. Crocodile blood contains antimicrobial peptides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that speed up wound healing. But this was not a cure-all; they could still suffer infection and even die.

Given Croc Number Four’s current state, if the illness continued, death was certain.

What to do?

Lu Chen instantly thought of the various antibiotics in the human world. He had no idea whether they would work on crocodiles, but with no other options, he had to try.

Within a dozen seconds, Lu Chen had resolved to make a trip to the human world.

But first, he had to settle the three little ones. He could not guarantee that the despicable clouded leopard would not return, so for safety’s sake, it was best to let them hide in the den.

As for himself, Lu Chen plunged into the icy river and quickly caught a dozen or so fish. With these, at least, they would not go hungry for now.

The clouded leopard would have to wait; he would settle that score later. That creature was doomed, no matter what.

After calling to the little ones a couple of times, Lu Chen slipped away into the river.

Half an hour later, he had reached the river’s mouth. Orienting himself, he swam along the winding coastline toward the distant horizon.