Chapter 16: Fetal Movement

"Perhaps whoever contributed the most gets the most light orbs? Han Ning contributed the most, so he got the largest share," Chen Yan mused aloud.

Liu Feng shook his head. "That's not right. Going by your logic, Minghu dealt more damage to the Giant Crocodile Lizard than Zhou Wan, so why did Zhou Wan receive more Energy than he did?"

Did these guys really not notice their injured companion lying in the corner?

Speechless, Han Ning reminded them, "I don't know, but we can discuss this when we get back. Hurry up and check on Minghu's condition."

"Oh right, how is Minghu?!"

Hearing the reminder, the other three finally reacted and hurried over to Lu Minghu.

Earlier, Lu Minghu had been struck directly in the shoulder by the Giant Crocodile Lizard's saliva. The attack had blown a massive, bloody hole through his right shoulder. He had bled all over the ground and passed out from the trauma.

Even now, despite being nourished by the Energy Balls, his face remained deathly pale. He looked like he was at death's door, exhaling more than he inhaled.

The good news, however, was that the wound had stopped bleeding.

Zhou Wan quickly checked Lu Minghu's body and analyzed the situation. "He's lost a lot of blood, but he doesn't seem to have sustained any major injuries elsewhere.

"We shouldn't stay here long. The stench of blood is too strong; it could attract more monsters at any moment."

Liu Feng scanned their surroundings and spoke up. "Let's head back as soon as we bandage Minghu's wound. We've all suffered heavy injuries, and today's haul is already substantial enough."

Without any hesitation, Zhou Wan set down her Compound Bow and swiftly retrieved a waterproof first-aid kit from her backpack. "I've learned some first aid. Let me handle the wound."

Opening it deftly, she took out antiseptic solution, hemostatic bandages, and gauze before crouching beside Lu Minghu.

"Hold him down. Don't let him move," Zhou Wan instructed. Her voice was as calm as ever, but she spoke noticeably faster.

Chen Yan and Liu Feng hurried forward. One held down Lu Minghu's shoulders, while the other pinned his legs.

Zhou Wan carefully cut away the clothing around Lu Minghu's shoulder, exposing the mangled puncture wound. The flesh around the edges of the injury was an unnatural grayish-white, showing faint signs of corrosion.

With furrowed brows, she first used a large amount of Qingshui to flush the wound, then quickly poured on the antiseptic solution.

"UGH..." Still unconscious, Lu Minghu's body twitched instinctively from the intense pain.

Zhou Wan remained unfazed. She used gauze to absorb the dirty blood and antiseptic, then pressed a large wad of hemostatic cotton tightly against the wound before wrapping it securely with bandages, layer by layer.

As Zhou Wan focused on bandaging, Han Ning, who had been vigilantly keeping watch over their surroundings, suddenly furrowed his brow.

"Look at the Giant Crocodile Lizard's belly," he spoke up out of the blue, drawing everyone's attention.

"What is it?" Liu Feng immediately went on high alert, quickly looking in the direction Han Ning was staring.

By the dim light filtering in from the window, they could faintly see the Crocodile Lizard's massive, pale scale-covered belly rising and falling in an extremely faint, rhythmic motion.

"Its... its belly is moving?" Chen Yan also noticed the anomaly.

Liu Feng stood up and walked over to the dead Giant Crocodile Lizard. Reaching out, he pressed his fingers against the cold, slippery scales, feeling the weak pulsation underneath.

His expression shifted rapidly. "Could this... could this be a pregnant female?"

"Whether it's a lizard or a crocodile, aren't both of those egg-laying creatures?" Han Ning asked in astonishment.

Liu Feng's eyes turned ruthless as he declared decisively, "No matter what's inside, we have to dispose of it!

"Come give me a hand."

He turned around and picked up the Oil Saw.

"I got it." Chen Yan stepped forward to help pin down the corpse.

Han Ning watched Liu Feng pull the Oil Saw's starter cord, then glanced back at the Crocodile Lizard's slightly heaving belly.

A Spiritual Light flashed in his mind, and a bold idea suddenly surfaced.

"Wait," Han Ning blurted out.

Liu Feng paused his movements and looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"If there really is an unborn hatchling inside... I want to take it with me."

"Take it with you?!" Liu Feng, Chen Yan, and even Zhou Wan, who was mid-bandage, froze. They stared at Han Ning as if he were a madman.

"Are you crazy? Taking a monster's spawn back with us? Aren't you just nursing a viper in our bosom?" Chen Yan was the first to object.

Liu Feng frowned deeply, locking eyes with him. "Brother Han Ning, this is no joke. We've all just seen exactly how dangerous this thing is."

The reason Han Ning wanted to take the little Crocodile Lizard was because he was thinking of his Animal Companion Skill.

He wondered if he could use his Animal Companion Skill to form a contract with it. That way, he would gain another helper. They had all witnessed the Crocodile Lizard's combat prowess; it was nothing short of terrifying.

Of course, he couldn't say that outright, so he had to tell a lie.

"Knowing your enemy is the first step to beating them. I want to take it back to do some experiments. Don't worry—if this thing goes out of my control, I'll kill it without hesitation."

Everyone fell silent.

Han Ning had contributed the most this time; it was no exaggeration to say he had saved all their lives.

His request forced the others to consider it seriously.

Liu Feng remained quiet for a few seconds before finally saying, "I have no problem with it."

Chen Yan's brows were tightly knit. He clearly disapproved, but with Han Ning's strength and recent contributions staring him in the face, he could only reply helplessly. "You're the Captain. You decide. But if anything goes wrong, it's his responsibility."

"I agree with Han Ning's attempt. We need more information about these creatures," Zhou Wan voiced her support.

"Alright." Liu Feng stopped hesitating and told Han Ning, "Safety first. The moment it acts up, you must dispose of it immediately."

"Understood," Han Ning promised.

"Let's get to work!" Liu Feng restarted the Oil Saw, its piercing buzz echoing out once more.

He signaled to Chen Yan and Han Ning. "Hold it down!"

Using his right arm, which still had some strength left, Chen Yan pinned down one side of the Crocodile Lizard's corpse.

Han Ning controlled several vines, wrapping them around the other side and the tail to secure the carcass in place.

With a grave expression, Liu Feng gripped the Oil Saw tightly with both hands, aimed it at the slightly heaving belly, and carefully pressed down.

BZZZT—BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ!

The high-speed rotating teeth of the saw clashed violently against the tough Scale Armor. It screeched with a deafening noise, sending sparks flying in all directions.

Amidst the teeth-grating sound of cutting, the Leather Armor was sliced open.

Instantly, an indescribable, incredibly pungent stench gushed out—a sickening mixture of foul fishiness, copper blood, and some bizarre mucous odor.

"URGH..." Catching the brunt of the stench, Chen Yan and Liu Feng, who were the closest, instantly changed color. They nearly threw up right then and there.

Han Ning also felt a wave of intense nausea surge up his throat.

As the incision widened, copious amounts of translucent, viscous liquid resembling egg whites bubbled out.

Forcing down his discomfort, Liu Feng continued operating the Oil Saw to widen the cut.

Once the opening was large enough, the three of them leaned in. By the ambient light, they finally saw what lay inside.

Curled up within the Crocodile Lizard's massive abdominal cavity was a small creature, roughly eighty centimeters long, completely enveloped in a thin, grayish-white fetal membrane.

Its physical form had already fully developed—it was essentially a miniature Crocodile Lizard.