Chapter28: Wild Boar
In what Lei Jiu dubbed a remarkably sturdy mountain, they encountered surprises that continued to unfold. Descending the mountain's other side, they hadn't gone far when they reached the junction of the densely vegetated area and spotted a sizable mountain spring.
This spring was significant, with water gushing out to form a stream over a meter wide and half a meter deep. Its flow far surpassed that of the two springs on Huanghuang Island. Despite the island's ample rainfall, Huanghuang Island, which lacked rice fields, didn't require additional irrigation. Yet, even with only two small springs, it could barely sustain a population of 5,000.
With Huanghuang Island's population expected to reach around 5,000 before and after the next island merger, Lei Jiu knew their next fusion target must have freshwater resources. Lei Jiu's choice of mountainous terrain for exploration was also influenced by the likelihood of finding springs there.
Why, you ask? Haven't you observed how prevalent mountain springs are on Earth? Given their abundance, providing additional drinking water for billions of people, it's unreasonable to assume there are none here, unable to support even thousands, right? Though Huanghuang Island hadn't yet experienced water shortages, few besides Lei Jiu and Nangong Cuo recognized the spring's significance. Luo Zheng and others expressed admiration for its taste and sweetness.
Even Nicotine remained indifferent. Understandably so, as in Bracada, which had previously dominated the mountains, water scarcity had never been an issue.
Based on the presence of granite and the Big Eye Spring, Lei Jiu decided this island would be their next fusion target. On their descent, their route diverged from their initial path, meandering to expand the scope of their search.
"What's that?" "Nicotine, what's wrong?" Compared to those walking on the ground, Nicotine, floating several meters above, had a broader field of vision, especially where the woods were sparse.
"Oh, there's a large birch forest below. I thought this mountain was all aspen and spruce trees!" Nicotine remarked, his tone subdued.
"Birch forest? Aspen, spruce?" Lei Jiu, initially oblivious, recognized these tree species upon Nicotine's mention. He had no particular reaction, having knowledge of these species. However, Nicotine's comment prompted a sudden recollection. "These tree species..."
"What about them?" "It just occurred to me that some animals, particularly active in aspen, birch, and spruce forests during summer, also frequent sub-alpine meadows with water sources!"
"Meadow? Ah, it seems to exist, but it's obscured by trees, so I can't gauge its size! What kind of animal is it?" "Wild boars! They often travel in groups!"
"Oh!" Nicotine's nonchalant response contrasted with Lei Jiu's solemnity. Nonetheless, it was just wild boars. Even a group wouldn't pose a threat with Nicotine present.
"The island master mentioned we've encountered many herbivores but not a single carnivore!" "Indeed!" While ordinary wild boars didn't concern Lei Jiu, he worried about encountering evolved monsters.
Soon after, they stumbled upon a herd of wild boarsâ€"monstrous ones. Three towering wild boars, weighing several tons and over two meters tall, charged toward them, accompanied by a dozen smaller ones.
"Protect the island master!" Luo Zheng shouted, confronting the largest boar, while two militiamen faced the others. As the boars charged, the team formed a human barricade to withstand the impact.
Finally, after a tense struggle, the charging boars were stopped. Lei Jiu realized he underestimated the combat power of the militiamen, whose strength proved invaluable in halting the boars' onslaught.
However, Lei Jiu's relief was short-lived as he realized the boars were not ordinary beasts but monsters.