Chapter 56

After handling all the goods for Lu Yue, Feng Yi began preparing for the scientific expedition to the Nanchong Nature Reserve.

That 1000 points weren't easy to earn. As an outsider in the field of scientific research, Feng Yi needed to do a lot of preparatory work to smoothly earn those 1000 points.

He researched and read literature, even buying a map of the Nanchong Nature Reserve to study in conjunction with the materials, so he wouldn't be clueless and have to ask others about everything when he got there.

The scientific expedition team had a heavy workload, and no one would have the time to explain unrelated things to him.

Learning new knowledge as an outsider would definitely be stressful. However, this wasn't the first time Feng Yi had experienced such a situation.

Back when he acted in web dramas, he wasn't from a performance-related major, but to be more competitive, even for a low-budget web drama that might not even air or become popular, he still put a lot of effort into preparation.

He took professional classes, learned to play the piano, practiced alone at home, memorized lines, and imitated the performances of veteran artists. It was much more tiring back then.

Now, while researching materials related to the scientific expedition, although there was pressure, he didn't feel any aversion or irritability.

In an unfamiliar field of knowledge, he could learn bit by bit. He didn't aim to be a great help to the scientific expedition team, but at least he shouldn't be a burden.

Also, learning can change brain structure!

At the same time, during this period, Feng Yi continuously strengthened his control over his eyes. Once they entered the mountains to start the scientific expedition, it wouldn't be so convenient to change his contact lenses.

When it was time to report, Feng Yi had a suitcase and a travel bag. Inside were sunglasses, masks, and shock-absorbing pads.

After some thought, Feng Yi still brought his contact lenses.

Although his control over his eyes had improved, and he could control the changes in his pupils, what if he needed them?

...

There was a hotel next to the Nanchong Nature Reserve, and Feng Yi reported there.

Many people came to report at this time, mostly young people around 20 years old, mostly college students.

Feng Yi pulled his suitcase in the direction indicated by the sign.

"Hey, bro! Are you here to report? Which school are you from? Which team are you volunteering for?" A student, also pulling a suitcase and wearing a university T-shirt, struck up a conversation with Feng Yi.

"I've graduated from university. I'm volunteering for Team N6," Feng Yi replied.

"Oh, N6... Team N6?!"

Feng Yi's appearance made him look like a rich young man who had never suffered, but in this context, in the environment of a scientific expedition, he gave the impression of someone just there to gain experience.

But he was actually volunteering for Team N6?

And he was accepted?

The student sized up Feng Yi, as if trying to guess if he was telling the truth.

However, Feng Yi wasn't at all nervous and let him look.

"Team N6 is responsible for reptiles..." The student looked away, took out a handbook, and quickly flipped to the page introducing Team N6.

"Exactly! Amphibians and reptiles!" The student put away the handbook and looked at Feng Yi again, his eyes now like those of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Team N6 is full of tough guys! I heard they're mainly going to investigate snakes in the deep mountains?" The student probed.

Feng Yi nodded, "That's right."

After Feng Yi registered with his barcode, the student watched from a distance to confirm the authenticity.

The receptionist verified Feng Yi's barcode and ID, and upon seeing "Team N6," they were quite surprised. However, with so many people reporting, they didn't ask unnecessary questions.

"Here's your pass. Follow the signs to the bus stop. There's a bus waiting ahead, and it will leave for the Nanchong Nature Reserve research base once it's full. You'll be assigned dormitories there..." The receptionist briefly explained the precautions.

Feng Yi thought he would stay at the hotel, but it turned out he needed to stay in the dormitories at the research base. However, it didn't matter to him.

After verifying his identity, the receptionist conducted a simple security check. Every year, some volunteers brought dangerous tools, no matter how many times they were warned.

Feng Yi didn't bring any dangerous tools and cooperated fully.

The security personnel briefly checked Feng Yi's items. There were no dangerous items, but...

Sunglasses and masks were understandable, but what were the height-increasing pads and contact lenses for?

Is this a reality show?

The security personnel's smile was a bit stiff.

These weren't prohibited items, but the combination was strange. Could they be useful for Team N6's scientific expedition?

It was hard to understand!

Feng Yi didn't care as long as they weren't prohibited. He took his pass and headed to the bus stop.

The student who had been watching Feng Yi saw him successfully get his pass and head to the bus stop, quickly taking out his phone to share his "don't judge a book by its cover" experience with his classmates.

When Feng Yi arrived at the bus stop, the bus was already half full. He boarded with his pass and waited a short while until it was full.

The bus took them directly to the Nanchong Nature Reserve research base.

However, they weren't assigned to the core area of the research base. The dormitories here were for the volunteers participating in the scientific expedition. The research base also used these dormitories as temporary student accommodations when collaborating with universities and high schools.

Standard four-person dorm rooms, with beds above and desks below. Feng Yi's assigned room already had two people, but they weren't there.

After tidying up his luggage and bed, Feng Yi took his pass to the cafeteria for a meal. He had already eaten a big meal before coming, but he was a bit hungry again.

The meals were subsidized, and most of the dishes didn't require additional payment. Only a few special, refined dishes required extra payment.

Feng Yi wasn't particular about food now; anything that filled his stomach was fine.

After eating two portions, Feng Yi didn't immediately return to the dorm. The research base had a large exhibition hall, and he went to browse.

Many people had reported today, and the exhibition hall was crowded in several areas. One area was particularly crowded. Feng Yi inquired and found out that an outdoor streamer was live streaming there, along with an expert. Both were from Team N6.

If it were another team, Feng Yi wouldn't be interested, but hearing it was Team N6, he went over.

Since it was inside the research base, the live streaming equipment wasn't too complex.

Two people were sitting in front of the live streaming camera.

The younger one was definitely the outdoor streamer Cheng Si. At 22, he was already well-known in his industry.

However, Feng Yi didn't know much about him. He didn't know if Cheng Si had participated in scientific expeditions before, but the team must have had a reason for letting him join, such as promoting environmental protection.

Cheng Si's hair looked messy and casual, but each strand was perfectly disheveled, probably taking a long time to style.

However, this didn't mean he was vain. Each person who succeeded in their field had their strengths. Cheng Si's fame in the outdoor streaming community wasn't just about show.

The middle-aged man next to Cheng Si, who looked to be in his 40s with a distinct mixed-race appearance, was Professor Shi Difu, also known as Steve.

Professor Shi was more famous and had influence across different circles, even being invited to some entertainment variety shows.

His mixed-race appearance was very attractive, which gained him a lot of popularity, but he was genuinely talented. He was a renowned herpetologist and explorer.

Of course, from Feng Yi's perspective as an outsider—

Herpetologist + Explorer = Various death-defying acts + Various thrills

He was a tough guy!

When Feng Yi arrived, the two had already been live streaming for over 10 minutes. They were discussing topics related to the scientific expedition, and they were currently talking about snakes.

There were definitely many online viewers, and the live streaming site wasn't empty, with many people gathered around. However, everyone listened quietly, and discussions were kept low or through their phones.

Feng Yi got a cup of water, found a place to sit, and listened to Professor Steve's online lecture with the others.

"Most snakes move in a winding manner, and some can move very quickly! Different types of snakes have their own crawling techniques...

"Unlike the large pythons that many people know. Pythons move in a straight line, with wave-like muscle movements from head to tail, propelling the snake forward..."

Cheng Si glanced at the questions from online viewers and, after Professor Shi finished a segment, asked:

"Professor Shi, a viewer asked, 'If you encounter a snake in the wild, should you run in a straight line or an S-line?'"