This sudden earthquake shook the earth and mountains with a rather intense tremor. Although it didn’t reach the point of cracking the ground, such a tremor would surely be detected and an official announcement issued.
But recently, no one has heard of any earthquakes near Weixian County, especially since the probability of an earthquake there is extremely low, with only a few historical records.
Furthermore, the Cliff Centipede just mentioned that they encountered an earthquake in the valley yesterday and were forced to leave.
This earthquake is very peculiar and unsettling.
Meeting everyone’s gaze, Song Wei understood the gravity of the situation, her expression unusually serious: "No, and when I came to investigate yesterday, I didn’t encounter such a situation."
Shi Gang’s thoughts turned, his brows furrowed, perfectly exhibiting his maturity and composure as an Association Consultant: "Alright, then we’ll first report the situation here to the higher-ups and have the Association send professionals over to investigate the details of the earthquake."
"Okay."
Seeing Shi Gang’s calm response, everyone immediately felt assured, and Song Wei nodded in agreement: "Okay."
Shi Gang pondered for a moment, then turned his head to look at Shi Yu and spoke sternly: "Alright, you come with me first to investigate the situation, while Wei takes her disciples and moves away from here."
As an Association Consultant, he must be the first to investigate the basic situation before the professionals arrive to better collect information and analyze the circumstances.
As for the others, Shi Yu’s group of apprentices lack the ability to protect themselves and must leave first, and Song Wei would appropriately protect them.
Shi Yu cooperated seamlessly with him and, being already a capable mid-level Beastmaster, could handle special situations together with Shi Gang.
"Alright." Shi Yu nodded firmly without hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Song Wei’s face showed hesitation. She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak for a while.
As a Forest Ranger, she knew that in a special situation, she must follow the guidance of a stronger individual, whose strength might come from experience or skill.
No matter the source, Shi Gang, as an Association Consultant, is undoubtedly the stronger one, and everyone should obediently follow his directions.
Su Bamboo thought the same.
She really wanted to tell her master and second master that she wished to go with them to investigate too, but upon seeing their serious faces, her eager heart calmed down.
No, this matter is very important and very serious.
As a Beastmaster set to enter the Beast Taming Academy next year, Su Bamboo was very aware of one thing: with her current abilities, getting involved in such a situation would only hold her masters back and distract them.
Thus, it’s better for her to retreat obediently and learn about the event from her masters afterward.
With many thoughts swirling in her mind, Su Bamboo quelled her ideas, smiled at her masters, and said: "Master, Second Master, I’ll wait for your return."
Meanwhile,
Along with the recent earthquake, the Violent Cloud Sparrows flapped their wings, flying higher into the sky, quickly becoming little black dots disappearing into the boundless sky.
Clearly, this group of temperamental creatures was not willing to argue further with the Cliff Centipedes.
Seeing the Violent Cloud Sparrows leave, the Cliff Centipedes, too, had no heart for entanglement, and with the chaos just caused by the earthquake, they were also preparing to leave this place.
Shi Gang, however, stopped them and asked: "Where is the valley where you reside?"
After being pointed in a direction by the leading Cliff Centipede, Shi Gang nodded and, with Shi Yu, strode forward as Song Wei and the apprentices prepared to return to Daping Village to report the situation here.
After walking some distance, once the figures of the people were out of sight, Shi Yu suddenly spoke: "Brother, what do you think?"
Shi Gang gazed straight ahead at the bare woods, the undulating snowy mountain ranges spanning the horizon, his voice deep: "It’s surely caused by a Pet Beast."
He paused slightly, wording his thoughts slowly: "It’s simple, this earthquake wasn’t detected. Even the nearby Daping Village didn’t feel it, indicating the impact area is very small."
"The impact area is small, but it happened both yesterday and just now, absolutely caused by some Pet Beast."
Shi Yu nodded: "Same as my thoughts."
"Mm." Shi Gang retrieved the clumsy Rock Meteor Giant and instead dispatched the agile Monstrous Strong Monkey to alert the surroundings. His voice was unhurried but conveyed a noticeable hint of heaviness, "But if it’s caused by a Pet Beast, the strength must be formidable."
To be fair, both his Pet Beasts were approaching Tier Three yet couldn’t cause such an earthquake.
Even a Tier Three Pet Beast might find it difficult to do so.
If the truth is as he speculates, then surely a terrifyingly powerful wild Pet Beast resides in this area, posing a severe threat to the safety of the surrounding region.
As an Association Consultant, one of his duties is to scrutinize the safety hazards in Baokun City’s various areas, vigilant against high-risk wild Pet Beasts.
Encountering such a situation, he must step forward.
"So the valley is right ahead, isn’t it?"
After walking for about ten minutes, a valley suddenly appeared before them, standing amidst the snow-covered ground were the bare trees, a stark contrast to the lush summer scene.
Shi Gang slightly raised his head, his excellent vision clearly spotting the small Flowing Cloud Sparrows perched on the branches, their small bodies chirping noisily.
Shi Gang couldn’t help but pout: "These little things are as noisy as the Violent Cloud Sparrows."