The viewers in the live stream were surprised that they were witnessing two battles so soon after entering the jungle. Even the indistinct roars emanating from the live feed filled them with anticipation.
"What kind of animal's roar is that? Could it be a big tiger?"
"Impossible, there are no tigers in Guangxi. There are black bears though."
"Black bears? Are two bears fighting then?"
"It's also possible a black bear is fighting some other creature."
"Something that can fight a black bear in this forest can only be a wild boar. Another bear versus boar battle?"
…
As the viewers were filled with questions, Yang Lin and the others cautiously approached the scene, following the sounds of the fight.
When Yang Lin tiptoed and parted a large leaf, two animals of different appearances appeared before them. Not far from these two animals lay a goat-like creature with horns on its head, motionless. One of them was the clouded leopard that had just hunted a red squirrel on the tree trunk. Opposite the clouded leopard was an adult leopard, twice its size, covered in coin-shaped markings. The animal lying on the side was indistinguishable due to the obstructed view.
Seeing this, Yang Lin didn't know what to say. They had encountered two leopards in such a short time since they started climbing the mountain.
"Teacher Xiao Liang, it seems our luck is good today. We've encountered two Class I protected animals consecutively," Yang Lin said playfully, looking at the two leopards in the field.
Teacher Xiao Liang, standing beside him, responded with equal excitement: "Indeed, there are very few wild leopards in the entire Daming Mountain Nature Reserve, and clouded leopards are even rarer."
"It seems the biological resources in this area are very well protected, otherwise, they wouldn't congregate here to hunt."
As they spoke in low voices, both of them lay down simultaneously, just like the onlookers in the live stream.
"So exciting, clouded leopard versus leopard. Who will win?"
"Isn't that obvious? It's the leopard, of course. One is a small to medium-sized predator, the other a large predator. They're not in the same weight class."
"Not necessarily. Clouded leopards are small and agile; they might have an advantage in nimbleness."
"You're too naive. Let me tell you, I'm 180 pounds, and you're less than 90 pounds. Let's see you be nimble. Besides, leopards are not slow compared to clouded leopards."
"Why would an underdeveloped assassin challenge a fully geared assassin?"
"I bet 5 Mao, the clouded leopard gets instantly killed this round."
…
Just as everyone was guessing who would win the battle, the situation changed again. A low roar came from the clouded leopard's small body, and in the next second, it lunged forward with its front paws. The leopard didn't hesitate and leaped forward with its agile body. Before anyone could get a clear look, the clouded leopard's small form was instantly sent flying several meters, landing heavily on the ground and struggling to get up. Even through the screen, everyone could imagine how much pain it was in.
"As they say, karma comes around, and heaven spares no one."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. It just ate a little squirrel and immediately ran into something stronger."
"This is the true cruel nature. There's always someone stronger than you."
"Isn't the human world the same? It's essentially a larger version of nature."
"Will this clouded leopard be killed instantly?"
"If it's not killed instantly, it will probably be bitten to death by the leopard next."
"No choice, it's fate."
At this moment, everyone believed the leopard would walk over and finish off the clouded leopard. However, to everyone's surprise, after easily defeating the clouded leopard, the leopard didn't even glance at the fallen clouded leopard. Instead, it turned and walked towards the other motionless animal lying on the ground. Like a victor, it opened its mouth and picked up the animal, weighing around a hundred pounds, from the ground.
It was then that Yang Lin clearly saw the appearance of the creature being carried in the leopard's mouth.
"Huh? Teacher Xiao Liang, isn't that a serow?"
Hearing Yang Lin's words, Teacher Xiao Liang immediately nodded.
"That's right. This should be an adult male serow. Its ancient names include 'heavenly horse' and 'four-like.' Don't let its silly appearance fool you; they are not easy to catch."
"They usually like to eat various plants that grow on cliff edges."
"This one probably wasn't hunted by the leopard and clouded leopard. It most likely fell to its death from the cliff above us."
"They were probably fighting over the ownership of this serow carcass."
"Fell to its death?"
Hearing this, Yang Lin couldn't help but look up. Indeed, there was a sheer cliff above them. At this moment, everyone remembered the Himalayan tahr that had performed so brilliantly in the sports meet.
"I was wondering if there were animals that specifically waited below cliffs to scavenge, and it turns out there are."
"It didn't get hunted by a carnivore but fell to its death. It's probably a disgrace to its species."
"More than that, its ancestors would laugh at it even in death."
"No 'daredevil skills' but likes extreme sports."
"Not eating the grass in this large forest, but choosing to eat by the cliff. How stubborn. Now it's ended itself."
"By the way, that clouded leopard has been lying there for a long time. Isn't anyone going to speak up for it?"
"Hahaha, it deserved it. Trying to snatch the leopard's kill."
"Could this thing be some kind of feline honey badger? It didn't hesitate at all when it lunged."
"Looking at its condition, it's probably not going to survive in this jungle, even if it doesn't die."
While the netizens were discussing, Yang Lin and Teacher Xiao Liang finally got up from the ground. The next second, Yang Lin walked directly towards the clouded leopard that had been swatted away by the leopard. The cameraman quickly followed suit. When they reached the clouded leopard, they saw three long claw marks on its chest, so deep that the bone was almost visible. Besides these three claw marks, multiple bones throughout its body appeared broken.
Seeing such injuries, Yang Lin took a deep breath. He never imagined that the leopard's seemingly casual swipe could inflict such severe injuries. However, perhaps due to its formidable vitality, even after suffering such heavy damage, it still stared at Yang Lin fiercely, emitting low, threatening growls from time to time. To the viewers in the live stream, this seemed a bit ungrateful. However, Yang Lin showed no impatience. The next second, amidst the puzzled gazes of everyone, he walked towards a nearby bush. As he gently parted the bush, a scene that surprised everyone appeared before them.