"Maybe whoever contributed more gets more orbs? Han Ning contributed the most, so he got the most," Chen Yan pondered aloud.
Liu Feng shook his head:
"No, that doesn't make sense. By that logic, Minghu dealt more damage to the Giant Alligator Lizard than Zhou Wan, so why did Zhou Wan receive more energy than him?"
These people... haven't they noticed there's still an injured companion in the corner?
Han Ning sighed inwardly and reminded them:
"Who knows? We can discuss this later. Hurry and check on Minghu."
"Oh right, how is Minghu?!"
The other three snapped to attention and quickly gathered around Lu Minghu.
Lu Minghu had been directly hit by the Giant Alligator Lizard's saliva on his shoulder, leaving a bloody hole in his right shoulder. Blood had pooled around him, and he had passed out from the pain.
Even with the energy orb's healing effects, his face remained deathly pale, his breathing shallow and labored.
The only good news was that the bleeding had stopped.
Zhou Wan swiftly examined Lu Minghu's condition and analyzed:
"He's lost a lot of blood, but there don't seem to be any other major injuries."
"We shouldn't stay here too long. The smell of blood is too strong—it could attract more monsters," Liu Feng observed, scanning their surroundings. "Let's bandage Minghu's wounds and head back. We're all pretty injured, and we've already made good progress today."
Without hesitation, Zhou Wan set down her compound bow and pulled a waterproof first-aid kit from her backpack.
"I know some first aid. I'll handle the wound."
She worked efficiently, opening the kit and retrieving disinfectant, hemostatic gauze, and bandages before crouching beside Lu Minghu.
"Hold him down so he doesn't move," Zhou Wan instructed, her voice still calm but noticeably faster.
Chen Yan and Liu Feng immediately stepped forward, one pressing down on Lu Minghu's shoulders while the other held his legs.
Zhou Wan carefully cut away the fabric around Lu Minghu's shoulder, revealing the gruesome puncture wound. The edges of the injury had turned an unnatural grayish-white, showing signs of corrosion.
Her brow furrowed as she first flushed the wound with water, then quickly poured disinfectant over it.
"Ugh…" Lu Minghu twitched unconsciously from the pain.
Unfazed, Zhou Wan used gauze to soak up the blood and disinfectant before pressing a thick wad of hemostatic cotton firmly against the wound. She then wrapped it tightly with bandages.
…
Just as Zhou Wan was focused on the bandaging, Han Ning, who had been vigilantly watching their surroundings, suddenly frowned.
"Look at the Giant Alligator Lizard's stomach," he said abruptly, drawing everyone's attention.
"What is it?" Liu Feng tensed, immediately following Han Ning's gaze.
In the dim light from outside, they could just make out the faint, rhythmic movement of the lizard's pale-scaled belly.
"Its... its stomach is moving?" Chen Yan also noticed the anomaly.
Liu Feng stood up and walked over to the dead Giant Alligator Lizard. He pressed his fingers against its cold, slimy scales, feeling a faint pulsation beneath.
His expression changed. "Could this... be a pregnant female lizard?"
"Whether it's a lizard or crocodile, aren't both species egg-laying?" Han Ning asked in surprise.
Liu Feng's eyes turned fierce as he declared firmly, "Whatever's inside, we need to deal with it."
"Give me a hand."
He turned to pick up the chainsaw.
"I'll help." Chen Yan stepped forward to hold down the carcass.
Han Ning watched Liu Feng pull the chainsaw's starter cord, then glanced at the faintly undulating belly of the alligator lizard.
Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through his mind.
"Wait!" Han Ning called out urgently.
Liu Feng paused and looked at him questioningly. "What is it?"
"If there really are unborn offspring inside... I want to take one with me."
"Take it?!" Liu Feng, Chen Yan, and even Zhou Wan who was bandaging her wounds all froze, staring at Han Ning as if he were insane.
"Are you crazy? Taking a monster's offspring back? Raising a tiger only to invite disaster?" Chen Yan was the first to object.
Liu Feng frowned deeply, staring at Han Ning. "Brother Han Ning, this isn't a joke. We've all seen how dangerous these things are."
Han Ning wanted the baby alligator lizard because of his Animal Companion skill. Perhaps he could use it to form a contract with the creature, gaining a powerful ally—they'd all witnessed the terrifying combat prowess of these lizards.
Of course, he couldn't explain this directly, so he lied instead:
"Know thy enemy to win every battle. I want to take it back for research. Don't worry—if it proves uncontrollable, I'll eliminate it immediately."
Silence fell over the group.
Han Ning had contributed the most in this battle, effectively saving all their lives. His request demanded serious consideration.
After several seconds, Liu Feng finally spoke. "I have no objections."
Chen Yan's brow remained furrowed in clear disapproval, but given Han Ning's demonstrated strength and contributions, he reluctantly conceded:
"You're the team leader—your call. But he takes full responsibility if anything goes wrong."
"I support Han Ning's attempt. We need more information about these creatures," Zhou Wan voiced her agreement.
"Alright."
Liu Feng made his decision and told Han Ning,
"Safety first. At the first sign of trouble, you eliminate it immediately."
"Understood." Han Ning gave his promise.
"Let's proceed!" Liu Feng restarted the chainsaw, its deafening roar filling the air again.
He signaled to Chen Yan and Han Ning: "Hold it down!"
Chen Yan used his still-functional right arm to press down one side of the lizard's carcass.
Han Ning manipulated several vines to secure the other side and tail.
Liu Feng's expression turned grave as he gripped the chainsaw with both hands and carefully lowered it toward the faintly pulsing abdominal area.
Screeeeech—screech screech screech!
The high-speed rotating teeth ground violently against the tough scales, producing an ear-piercing noise and sending sparks flying.
As the sickening cutting sound continued, the hide split open.
Instantly, an indescribably pungent stench—a mixture of blood, fishy odor, and some strange mucus—gushed out.
"Ugh..." Chen Yan and Liu Feng, standing closest, turned pale from the foul smell and nearly vomited on the spot.
Han Ning also felt a strong wave of nausea rising in his throat.
As the incision widened, large amounts of translucent, egg-white-like viscous fluid gushed out.
Liu Feng suppressed his discomfort and continued operating the chainsaw to enlarge the cut.
When the opening was sufficiently large, the three of them leaned in and, under the light, saw the scene inside.
Within the Crocodile Lizard's massive abdominal cavity curled a small creature about 80 centimeters long, its entire body covered in a thin grayish-white fetal membrane.
Its form was already largely developed—it was completely a miniature version of a Crocodile Lizard.