Chapter 65

Have you ever caught a python?

No.

Do you think you can catch one by yourself?

I don't think so.

Hey, I can't either. If you really find a python, just call me, and I'll help you catch it!

Okay!

This conversation was still flashing through Steve's mind.

You don't think you can?

You don't think you can? Bullshit!

Watching Feng Yi drag the python over, Steve had countless words he didn't know how to express.

Call, call, call! You've already caught it, what do you need me for!

We agreed to catch it together if we found a python!

After confirming that Feng Yi was fine, Steve started to think—

Such a big and beautiful Burmese python, and I didn't even participate in catching it!

And it was Feng Yi who found it again!

Steve regretted that he must have missed a lot of important clues on his way, like tracks and shed skins.

Mainly, the weather changed too quickly, catching everyone off guard. Professor Zhou always said there were no released pythons in the area, so he overlooked some important clues!

Sigh!

If he had paid more attention to the surroundings, he wouldn't be just watching Feng Yi catch the snake now!

Another thing that hit Steve hard was Feng Yi's snake-catching technique and the strength he used to drag the snake, which he couldn't match.

Catching a python requires skill. If you don't grab it in the right spot, it can turn around and bite you.

So, looking at the snake, it was clear that Feng Yi had grabbed it accurately.

He thought he was the best snake catcher in the team, but now he had to admit that, apart from theoretical knowledge and experience, he was actually outmatched in other aspects!

I must be getting old!

On the other side, Cheng Si, hearing the commotion, also came over.

Holy shit! There really is a big python! Mr. Lei—

Cheng Si quickly called Mr. Lei to come and film. He didn't stop, either, pulling out his camera and starting to film.

Feng Yi stopped moving the python, holding it down to prevent it from escaping.

He was still panting, looking exhausted, and sweating.

That's not easy! To actually see a big python here! Did you and Steve catch it together, Feng Yi? Cheng Si asked.

Steve looked dejected: Feng Yi caught it alone.

What the hell?! Cheng Si looked incredulous. He looked at Feng Yi, then at the python on the ground, and then at Steve.

Seeing Steve nod, Cheng Si exclaimed again: What the hell! Feng Yi, you're amazing!

You're really going all out! Cheng Si patted Feng Yi's shoulder. Look at the sweat on your face. You didn't sweat that much even when you were carrying a big backpack in the sun and climbing the mountain!

Yeah! It's not easy! Feng Yi forced a smile. He couldn't tell them that he was sweating from fear, and he had indeed made a mistake, which made his character seem less credible.

Feng Yi wiped his sweat, thinking about how to smooth things over.

Professor Zhou and Mr. Lei came over, and they were also very excited to see the big python Feng Yi had caught. However, their expressions changed when they learned that Feng Yi had caught it alone.

Steve: I almost got scared out of my wits when I heard the call and saw that big snake wrapped around him. We all know how strong a big python can be.

Steve remembered very clearly. Once, during an international field expedition, he tried to catch a Burmese python over four meters long and was almost strangled. Even after catching it, he could barely walk, staggering and struggling, and there was no way he could run!

It took a lot of effort to pull the snake off his body, and he almost lost his grip!

The Burmese python in front of him was even bigger and longer than the one he had encountered. If it were Steve, even if he could catch it, he wouldn't be as easy as Feng Yi, especially when Feng Yi easily pulled the snake off his body, Steve almost couldn't believe his eyes!

Professor Zhou and the others stared at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi said, I was startled. I was just wandering around, and it was in the low bushes nearby, in an attacking posture. In a panic, I grabbed it and ran back to find Steve for help.

Steve: ...

You can't just run around with a big python, no matter how strong you are! Professor Zhou said.

It was a burst of energy. I could only do it for a short while. The python was too heavy to carry, so I put it down halfway and changed my position. My muscles are still sore, and my arms are almost useless. Feng Yi shook his hand.

Steve: ...

Steve went over and pinched Feng Yi's arm muscles.

You don't look like you have such strong muscles!

Feng Yi: Of course, I used to do a lot of strength training. After joining the team, I've been training all the time. Although it's not obvious, they are definitely strong and powerful!

Steve: If you went into acting, you could directly carry the female lead... no, you could even carry the male lead and run, without any special angles or props.

After thinking for a moment, Steve asked, Do you want to go into that field? I know some people in the entertainment industry.

Feng Yi shook his head: I've acted in a web series, but I'm not interested anymore.

Steve didn't ask further. He just thought that with that face and physical condition, it would be a waste not to enter the entertainment industry. He had a friend who ran an entertainment company and was always looking for such talent.

However, Steve also learned from Professor Zhou that Feng Yi was not short of money. If he wasn't interested in singing or acting, there was no need to enter the entertainment industry. Occasionally joining a scientific expedition was also good... just always made people's blood pressure rise.

Moreover, Feng Yi had a precedent of dragging a catfish at night, so the explanation of a short burst of energy was not impossible.

I won't comment on running with a python, as people have different physical conditions. But! How did you manage to easily pull it off your body?

While speaking, he wrapped the snake around his body, clearly feeling the constricting force of the python.

Of course, with others around and someone holding the snake, Steve dared to do this experiment. Otherwise, he would never want to be constricted by a python, as it could be fatal. Liking snakes doesn't mean wanting to be killed by them.

Steve felt it.

Although it was far from the constricting force of a hunting python, it certainly wasn't easy to pull it off once it was wrapped around!

Feng Yi: ... It wasn't in good condition, and it had no strength.

As he spoke, Feng Yi stared at the snake.

Suddenly, everyone felt a chill, as if a cold wind had suddenly blown by.

However, the weather in the mountains was unpredictable, so it wasn't too strange.

They continued to focus on the snake.

Bullshit! You think I haven't caught a python before...

Steve didn't believe it and reached out to pull the snake.

The part of the snake wrapped around his body was easily pulled off and fell to the ground.

Steve: ...

The others looked at Steve.

Steve looked at his hand: ... It really... didn't take much effort!

Feng Yi got excited: I told you, it wasn't in good condition.

Professor Zhou frowned, It seems so.

Hearing that the snake might be sick, everyone shifted their attention from Feng Yi.

Professor Zhou and the others began to examine the snake's physical condition and connected with the base for online guidance.

Feng Yi handed the snake to Steve and turned to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

He was too excited just now, and his mind didn't keep up. He was sweating from fear.

When Professor Zhou contacted the base, he also received the latest signal distribution map. The snake was not on it.

This is not a released one; it's likely a native of the mountains, Professor Zhou said.

Cheng Si looked carefully, It's about 5 meters long, which is just average, not huge. The pythons in the zoo are bigger and more visually impactful.

Steve laughed, A 5-meter-long wild Burmese python is already quite big. This one looks very strong and much heavier than the ones I've encountered before. There's no lack of food in these mountains. However, no matter how much they eat in the wild, their weight won't be as exaggerated as those in the zoo. Now, the ones raised artificially are like feeding pigs, competing to see who can raise the fattest and heaviest! They can easily weigh over 100 kg.

Steve preferred wild snakes. Looking at the artificially fed ones, which were all trying to break records, was like watching pigs.

Burmese pythons are not as heavy as anacondas or as long as reticulated pythons. Although anacondas and reticulated pythons are terrifying, their natural habitats do not include our country. The ones raised artificially or that have escaped don't count.

Burmese pythons have been protected in our country for a long time. However, they once invaded a swamp in another country, eating their way through and had to be manually captured.

Later, during the abnormal climate period, they were almost all eliminated.

Like snakes and lizards, these purely cold-blooded animals don't need to eat constantly to maintain their metabolism, unlike warm-blooded animals. They can go a long time between meals, minimizing their energy needs, but they are more affected by the environment and climate.

So, during the 20-year climate anomaly, a large number of cold-blooded animals were wiped out.

Think about it, even humans get sick when the weather suddenly changes and they don't take effective measures. For cold-blooded animals, which are sensitive to environmental temperature, it's even worse.

Cheng Si asked, So, the large individuals we can find now are only in zoos or other artificial environments? Do they still exist in nature?

Steve replied, They definitely exist, but in smaller numbers and are harder to find. Moreover, the individuals that survived the climate anomaly in the wild are stronger, and their offspring are likely to be even stronger. Be extra careful when you encounter them in the wild!

Seeing Feng Yi looking at them, Steve couldn't help but add, Don't be so reckless next time. Even if you are strong and the snake is in poor condition, don't take any chances!

Also, such short bursts of energy can damage your muscles. It's a good thing it was just a Burmese python. If it were an anaconda, I don't think you could carry it! A similarly long one could easily pin you down!

Feng Yi knew Steve meant well and listened obediently, Yes, I'll remember.