Chapter 70: Who Is the Victor

The newcomers in the streaming room were equally astonished when the silhouette of a crocodile appeared on the screen. Crocodiles, wild boars, wolf packs...

After analyzing the video, many viewers pieced together the general story: several crocodiles killed a massive wild boar, but were then intercepted by a pack of gray wolves.

“By the way, what kind of crocodile is this? How did it manage to kill a wild boar? Could it be a Yangtze crocodile?” someone asked in the chat. For most people in Daxia, their knowledge of crocodiles was limited to the Yangtze crocodile.

Someone quickly replied, “For the record, the Yangtze crocodile never grows longer than two meters. This one’s almost three meters—definitely not a Yangtze.”

“That’s right, the Yangtze crocodile belongs to the short-snouted species, with a very short head. These four have wide, long jaws, totally different from the Yangtze’s features...”

“Host, aren’t you supposed to be an outdoor science streamer? Hurry up and explain!”

“That’s right, Wen, we need you now!”

“Don’t tell me Wen doesn’t know either.”

Once someone took the lead, a chorus of viewers began urging her for answers.

Lin Xiaowen answered helplessly, “I actually specialize in felines, not crocodile species...”

For a science streamer to be stumped by her fans was awkward, to say the least.

At that moment, another viewer posted, “Judging by their characteristics, they look a lot like saltwater crocodiles. These are the largest of all crocodile species, and the world’s biggest reptiles. Mature male saltwater crocodiles can reach seven meters... But their limbs are severely atrophied and can’t support their bodies—these four are pretty odd!”

“That’s right, I thought they looked familiar, very much like saltwater crocodiles. Everyone can look it up online,” someone chimed in.

Many viewers opened their computers and started searching for information and making comparisons.

More and more people in the chat supported the saltwater crocodile theory:

“No doubt about it—it must be saltwater crocodiles. I’ve checked: they live near rivers and lakes in tropical and subtropical regions. The Tiannan Mountain nature reserve isn’t far from the sea, and the climate fits their requirements perfectly...”

“In ancient times in Daxia, saltwater crocodiles used to exist, only disappearing in modern times.”

“It’s confirmed, definitely saltwater crocodiles.”

...

“But their thick, muscular limbs are clearly different from saltwater crocodiles. Their gait is more like some extinct lizard-crocodile. Could they be prehistoric creatures?” some viewers persisted.

“That’s right, crocodiles never had such developed limbs!”

“I’m more inclined to believe this is a new species never seen by humans...”

Amidst all the debate, a few viewers focused on something strange:

“Did anyone notice that the largest one looks really majestic, and there’s a big ‘king’ character on its forehead?”

“No kidding—it really does. Crocodiles used to be called ‘pig-dragon’ in ancient times; let’s call this one ‘Dragon King.’”

After evolving to Tier 3, all the scales on Lu Chen’s back had turned gray-black, except for several earthy brown patches on his head, which stood out and resembled the “king” character from Daxia’s script.

“Guess, who do you think will win between the wolf pack and the unknown crocodiles?”

“I bet a yacht on the wolf pack. Their group coordination is top-notch. With more than twenty wolves together, even a tiger would retreat. And on land, crocodiles are at a disadvantage—their speed is slow, and they’re better at ambushes...”

“I’ll bet on the unknown crocodiles.”

“I support the wolf pack.”

“Wolf pack supporter +1”

“+2”

...

The majority of viewers in the streaming room sided with the gray wolves. Only a handful voiced support for the crocodiles.

Although one crocodile looked huge, the terrain was clearly against it. In most people’s minds, crocodiles on land are always slow and clumsy.

What’s more, there were over twenty gray wolves. If they launched a group attack, the crocodile wouldn’t be able to fend them all off and would surely be killed. As for the few smaller crocodiles, viewers didn’t even consider them a threat.

The wild boar lying in a pool of blood was probably ambushed while drinking at the riverbank.

***

A drone, and humans?

Seeing the drone hovering overhead, Lu Chen felt a sense of helplessness. He had hidden with his three saltwater crocodile companions for so long, and now they’d finally been discovered.

He’d anticipated this moment, but hadn’t expected it to arrive so suddenly—it caught him off guard.

With the gray wolf pack blocking the way, it was impossible to search for the humans controlling the drone.

At this point, he still didn’t know he was being streamed live.

As for the threatening growls from the wolf pack, Lu Chen paid them no mind.

He’d spent great effort to kill the king wild boar and had no intention of surrendering it. Moreover, the boar was likely mutated and could provide at least two thousand energy points.

If it’s a fight they want, then a fight they’ll get!

Now weighing over three hundred pounds, even against the largest gray wolf king, he had a crushing advantage.

His only concern was for the saltwater crocodile companions at his side.

After a brief consideration, Lu Chen had an idea.

A few deep, resonant growls, and the elder crocodiles retreated into the shallow water.

“What’s going on? Are the crocodiles finally backing down from the wolf pack, planning to escape...?”

“Smart move—these crocodiles must have some brains.”

“Wait, why is their leader still staying put?”

Thanks to the broadcast on DouShou platform and the viewers’ spontaneous sharing, the number of people flooding into the stream surpassed thirty thousand in just two minutes, and was still climbing.

Under the expectant gaze of all watching, the wolf king finally made a move.

“Awooo...”

The instincts of a carnivore told it that the giant reptile before it wasn’t to be trifled with. So the wolf king didn’t attack, only opened its mouth and let out a low growl.

At the wolf king’s command, four gray wolves stepped out from the pack.

They split into two teams, flanking from left and right.

Lu Chen also let out a low roar, leaping swiftly in one direction.

Since he’d been discovered by humans, there was no need to hide anymore—it was time for a battle to remember.

After all, once this fight was over, he wouldn’t be able to stay in Tiannan Mountain any longer.

He exploded with speed, pushing it to the limit!

Before the two wolves could dodge, the stench of blood was already upon them.

Thud!

His powerful claws struck down.

With full force, Lu Chen’s claws could break the spine of a pig weighing nearly two hundred pounds, let alone a small gray wolf.

Crunch... A dull sound, the creature rolled on the ground, howling.

Almost simultaneously, Lu Chen caught sight of another attacking wolf.

He whipped his crocodile tail out—smack—sending it flying over two meters.

Before it could regain its footing, his gaping jaws clamped down on its throat.

Blood spurted wildly.

Qualitative change brings quantitative change. As Lu Chen’s body grew, his methods of attack became more varied. Besides the death roll, his hundreds of pounds of claw force and over a meter-long tail had become powerful weapons.

This was also one of the main reasons he had confidence in defeating the wolf pack.