Chapter 39: I Like You

Before long, a rumbling sound came from the ground. In the distance, a massive creature appeared, rapidly approaching.

“Oh my god, I’m not sure I dare get on,” Guo Yinjv said, her face pale as she watched the rampaging dragon speed closer. “It looks so tall—I’m afraid of heights.”

“There are passenger seats on its back,” a volunteer said with a smile. “If you sit properly, you'll be fine.”

“It won’t eat people, will it?” Guo Yinjv hesitated.

“The Rampage Dragon is an official staff member here,” the volunteer replied, a hint of envy in his expression. “It’s not much different from a human—it doesn’t eat visitors.”

Seeing another tourist who’d arrived after him already climb onto the Rampage Dragon, Guo Yinjv gritted his teeth. “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

He walked to the side of the Rampage Dragon and, following the volunteer’s previous instructions, said, “Hello, Mr. Rampage Dragon.”

The Rampage Dragon nodded with distinctly human-like mannerisms.

Awestruck, Guo Yinjv felt much of his fear dissipate.

He climbed the soft ladder hanging at the dragon’s side, found a seat above, and buckled his safety belt.

Next to him sat a middle-aged man, who was now looking around with curiosity.

“Hello,” Guo Yinjv greeted, extending his hand.

“Hello,” the man replied, shaking his hand. “Your Chinese is very good.”

“I’m from Tianfu,” Guo Yinjv said with a smile.

“Oh?” The man looked surprised. “So am I.”

“It’s my second hometown,” Guo Yinjv explained. “Actually, I’m a video creator. My first home is in the Eagle Nation. You can call me Guo Yinjv.”

The middle-aged man laughed. “I’m a paleontology researcher. You can call me Yang Lei.”

[Yang Lei, the paleontology expert.]
[I wanted to apply for his graduate program when I was preparing for exams, but I just missed the cut.]
[You must have aimed for Shuimu University, you academic genius.]
[Nobody’s explained who Yang Lei actually is yet.]
…

“They say you’re very accomplished,” Guo Yinjv said, glancing away from his phone screen. “You know a lot about paleontology?”

Yang Lei waved his hand. “It’s all just theory on paper. This is my first time seeing a dinosaur in person.”

“It’s probably a first for everyone here today,” Guo Yinjv replied with a laugh. “What do you think of this place?”

“The climate here is very unusual…”

“Yes, completely different from outside. I’ve never smelled such fresh, natural air.”

Yang Lei nodded. “Have you noticed the humidity here…”

Guo Yinjv listened quietly, agreeing now and then, thinking to himself, “So that’s how it is.”

About ten minutes later, three more people arrived.

Now five in total, they rode the Rampage Dragon straight into the dense forest nearby.

Of the other three, one was a blonde woman with blue eyes, representing a foreign financial group. The other two were a researcher from a domestic pharmaceutical company and a reporter from a newspaper.

The five chatted and laughed together.

Guo Yinjv asked the most questions, while Yang Lei spent much of the time explaining things to the group.

Their journey was full of astonishing sights. They even witnessed several raptors attacking a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur.

If not for the appearance of the Rampage Dragon, which made the raptors temporarily retreat, the herbivore would have been dead already.

Even so, they all agreed that the herbivorous dinosaur wouldn’t survive much longer. They saw quite clearly that the cunning raptors hadn’t gone far, and would likely resume their assault as soon as the Rampage Dragon left.

As they continued their tour, marveling at the scenery, they eventually reached the Serpent Pavilion.

The enormous pythons there astounded them all over again.

Especially when a small python occasionally dropped from a tree branch, giving them quite a fright.

It wasn’t until they’d left the Serpent Pavilion that Guo Yinjv turned to the camera and said, “I swear I’m having snake soup for dinner today. I was scared out of my wits!”

Earlier, a small python had actually fallen down his collar, nearly scaring him off the Rampage Dragon’s back.

Fortunately, Yang Lei reacted quickly and grabbed the little snake. If it hadn’t been so slippery, he might have stashed it in his shirt for safekeeping.

After leaving the Serpent Pavilion, it was already noon.

Their previous experiences had brought the five of them closer together.

They discussed and decided to continue their journey as a group.

“Did everyone bring food?” Guo Yinjv asked.

“I brought a little bread,” Yang Lei replied first.

“I have a self-heating hotpot,” said the reporter.

“Wow, you came prepared,” said Guo Yinjv, envious.

“I’ve got my own coffee, happy to share,” he said, pulling coffee from his bag.

Then Guo Yinjv produced a veritable feast from his backpack: beef jerky, mung bean cakes, crystal pastries, chocolate bars, salted duck eggs, marinated eggs, spiced tofu, braised pig’s trotters, pickled chicken feet, and more.

The other four stared, wide-eyed.

“I brought quite a bit,” Guo Yinjv said, “these are all my favorite picks—let’s enjoy them together.”

[Haha, Professor Yang’s eyes are glued to the food.]
[Truly a food blogger.]
[It’d be a shame not to roast some dinosaur meat in a place like this.]
[Dinosaur: What are you talking about?]
…

After their meal, with the volunteers’ help, the group climbed aboard the roaring Bumblebee.

“Would you like to listen to music?” Bumblebee asked as soon as they got in.

“Just not that ‘Pick Your Teeth’ song,” Guo Yinjv quickly replied.

He’d been following Liang Xiaoyu’s livestream and knew Bumblebee’s musical tastes.

“You really don’t appreciate good music,” said Bumblebee. “Alright, something gentler then.”

Before anyone could respond, the intro to “Perfume Is Poison” began playing in the car.

“This one’s not bad,” Guo Yinjv commented as the melody and opening lyrics played.

“Of course it is! I have excellent taste,” Bumblebee said proudly.

Yang Lei and the other two who recognized the song looked out the window.

When the lyrics “Wipe your tears and sleep with you” came on, Guo Yinjv’s expression turned odd.

“Ahem, I take back what I said,” he remarked.

Bumblebee sniffed, “People who keep changing their minds are not likable.”

“But I like you,” Guo Yinjv sat up straight.

“Really?” Bumblebee’s speed picked up noticeably.

“Not just me, everyone likes you,” Guo Yinjv said.

“Haha, I know! You’re actually pretty cute yourself,” Bumblebee replied happily.

[Look at these two, buttering each other up.]
[Mutual flattery.]
[Never expected Guo Yinjv to be like this.]
[Flattering Transformers—how shameless.]
…

Soon, they arrived at their destination—the Arena.

“Is there a match going on?” Guo Yinjv asked.

“Someone’s challenging Brother Condor,” Bumblebee replied. “You all can try as well.”

Brother Condor?

Guo Yinjv caught on quickly.

It was that legendary condor from martial arts stories, with extraordinary skills.

They said if you maxed out your favorability with the condor, you could receive some incredibly powerful martial arts manuals.

“Let’s go check it out!” Guo Yinjv said.

They entered the arena and instinctively made their way to the stands.

There, over a hundred people were already seated.

All eyes were fixed ahead, where five people were battling a giant condor.