On the blood-red snow, a crescent-shaped broken tusk lay quietly.
Beside it was the carcass of a wild boar.
It was precisely because of this that Yang Lin, at first glance, mistook it for the tusk of the wild boar in front of him.
However, after confirming that the tusks of the wild boar in front of him were not missing, he immediately dismissed this idea.
Another, more significant reason was that this tusk was a bit too long.
A typical wild boar tusk was at most six to seven centimeters long, while this one, even broken, was still nearly 10 centimeters.
Its diameter was also thicker, almost two centimeters, and faint, finely serrated bone spurs could be seen on its sides.
Seeing this, Yang Lin casually placed the broken tooth on the wound in the wild boar's throat for comparison.
Once the comparison was complete, everyone present fell into even deeper silence.
"It seems this must be the tooth of a Guoshanhuang. Only such a tooth could tear apart a wild boar with its astonishing defense."
After saying this, Yang Lin turned his gaze to the fallen tree nearby.
From his perspective, this tree, as thick as a bowl, must have fallen after a powerful impact.
Unconsciously, an image formed in his mind of a giant beast swatting a wild boar towards a tree, causing it to fall.
As Yang Lin reconstructed the scene, Li Changhai said with a grim expression:
"Director Yang, should we send for more reinforcements from the foot of the mountain?"
"No need. The more people there are, the more sensitive the Guoshanhuang will become. Our current situation is actually the safest."
After saying this with a calm expression, Yang Lin quickly pocketed the broken tusk.
"Let's go, we'll continue forward. I believe it won't harm us."
"Director Yang is right. This old man also feels there won't be any issues. I've been in and out of this forest so many times without incident," Old Mr. He quickly added.
"This..."
Although still apprehensive, with both authorities speaking, Li Changhai could not say anything more.
He took out his compass, checked the direction, and led the team again towards the Yinyu River.
As they gradually moved away, amidst the swirling snow, a colossal, golden figure came riding on the wind and snow.
As Yang Lin and the others disappeared from sight, this colossal beast plunged back into the forest.
In just a few seconds, it had vanished.
...
"Director Yang, ahead is Dalongtan, which is also the habitat of the golden snub-nosed monkeys in the Shennongjia Forest Region. There are about 1200 Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys living there."
Li Changhai explained the situation ahead to Yang Lin as he struggled forward through the forest.
As soon as he finished speaking, a television reporter who had been following them couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Captain Li, why is it called Dalongtan? Are there any legends associated with it?"
"Yes, did dragons once live there?"
Upon hearing this topic, everyone present perked up their ears.
However, Li Changhai just laughed.
"No, no, it's not a place that relies on mythical stories to attract tourists."
"Dalongtan was converted into a golden snub-nosed monkey research base many years ago. Before it was converted, there was just a small ditch. There were no dragons, but there were plenty of giant salamanders. Perhaps the mountain people back then mistook the giant salamanders for dragons."
After hearing Li Changhai's explanation, everyone understood, but also felt a little disappointed. Yang Lin was the exception.
Having witnessed the giant skeletal remains at the bottom of the sea in Dolphin Island, he wouldn't be surprised even if a real dragon appeared before him now. In fact, he might be a little scared.
What others saw as ancient divine beasts, he saw as large mutated animals, and dragons were no exception.
As they talked, an artificially constructed complex of buildings appeared before them.
Seeing this complex, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. After walking in the mountains for so long, they feared that the elusive Guoshanhuang would suddenly leap out and bite them.
Without realizing it, they quickened their pace.
Ten minutes later, a large stone engraved with "Home of the Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys" appeared before them.
Simultaneously, groups of golden snub-nosed monkeys were seen milling about.
It seemed that due to the heavy snow sealing off the mountain, the researchers at the research base were long gone, and these mountain spirits had become the masters here.
Upon seeing Yang Lin and the others approach, a leading golden snub-nosed monkey walked over with an apple.
To Yang Lin's surprise, this golden snub-nosed monkey handed him the apple. Its gaze seemed to say, "You're here, old friend. There's nothing much to offer, just take this. You look so thin, your fur is falling out, eat more."
"Good heavens, if this were released, the monkeys on Mount Emei would say it's a reversal."
"Why only give apples to Director Yang? Why not to us?"
"Perhaps it's because they see a familiar face in Director Yang."
"Film it, film it."
...
As they were amused by the behavior of these golden snub-nosed monkeys, Yang Lin looked at the apple in his hand with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.
He had always been the one feeding the animals; this was the first time he had been fed by an animal.
What's more, he had come empty-handed this time and had no return gift, which made him feel a little embarrassed.
"I'll have to donate a batch of food for you when the snow melts later."
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, the previously quiet monkey troop suddenly became agitated.
They began to run towards the inside of the research base's compound wall as if out of control.
Seeing this, their recently relaxed nerves immediately tensed up.
"What's going on? Could it be the Guoshanhuang?"
"It's possible. Should we hide inside?"
"They look very scared. Even if it's not the Guoshanhuang, it must be some kind of carnivorous beast."
"Quick, quick, let's hide in the base too."
.....
As they spoke, everyone suddenly became flustered.
However, in the next second, strange cries echoed from the mountain forest beside the base.
Listening to these cries, Yang Lin's gaze immediately followed the sound.
When his vision swept to an unknown large tree nearby, a white figure had inexplicably appeared on its treetop.
Before he could figure out what kind of animal this white figure was, three more identical white figures darted out from other trees.