Chapter 66

Seeing that Feng Yi had a good attitude about admitting his mistake, Steve no longer held onto the matter.

Professor Zhou, however, said a few more words.

"The wild forest isn't just about having strength."

Worried that the python might have been injured by the constriction, Professor Zhou said seriously, "I'll emphasize again, if you feel any discomfort, you must speak up. Safety is the most important!"

Feng Yi nodded in response, "Sure! Don't worry, I know."

As he spoke, Feng Yi retracted his aura.

Earlier, to make the python more cooperative, he had released the hidden aura. As his evolution progressed, his control over it became increasingly proficient.

As the old butler had said, snakes, whether small or large, were just pets or food to them.

With the continued evolution, his body underwent constant mutations, and the suppressive, predatory aura became more pronounced and qualitatively different.

If he had released such an aura at the fishing pond in Yueshan Rural Leisure Park, the little green dragon would never have approached him, and might have avoided him from a distance.

When Feng Yi retracted his aura, the Burmese python visibly perked up, and its struggles became more vigorous.

Initially, Professor Zhou was concerned about its condition and had already connected with the base for a check-up. The results showed that the snake was very strong and healthy, although it had some parasites. Overall, its condition should have been very good, and it shouldn't have been so listless.

Seeing it now so vigorous, they conducted a second check and were reassured.

"It hasn't shown any drug reactions, and there's no sign of mouth infection. Although we don't know why it was so lethargic and weak earlier, its current condition is quite good. We'll have to wait for the sample test results for more details."

After the climate anomaly, to protect endangered wildlife and establish the latest gene bank for endangered species, non-invasive sampling is generally used when encountering target animals. For snakes, they also use shed skin and feces for multiple analyses.

When Feng Yi was holding the python earlier, it had defecated, so these samples also needed to be collected.

Feng Yi quietly sat on the side, watching Professor Zhou and his team examine the python's mouth, skin, and cloaca...

It was quite stressful to watch.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Feng Yi turned away and started munching on a compressed cookie from his bag.

Seeing that Professor Zhou was almost done, Cheng Si asked, "Professor Zhou, do you think I can do another live stream now? It's not easy to encounter such a large python in the wild."

Professor Zhou thought for a moment, then asked Steve about the snake's current condition and nodded, "Sure, but don't make the live stream too long. We'll release the snake back into the forest later."

"That's perfect. We can show everyone the moment the research team releases the python back into the forest. It's a positive message."

With their approval, Cheng Si set up and started the live stream.

As he had expected, catching such a large Burmese python in the wild was very attractive and engaging, and the number of online viewers quickly soared.

The large python in the camera was quite impressive, a completely different experience from visiting a zoo.

Comments started flying as soon as the live stream began.

Cheng Si interacted with the fans based on the comments.

"Looks more weathered? Hey, field research is tough. Rain and sun are common, and so are rock climbing and dealing with various venomous insects..."

"...This python isn't big? Not as big as in the zoo? Well, you can't compare them like that!"

Cheng Si explained the points Steve had mentioned. Encountering such a large python in the wild is already quite rare!

Later, the online audience asked some questions. Some Cheng Si couldn't answer, so he directed the camera to Steve, who continued the interaction.

"What do you do if you encounter a large python in the wild? If it's in China, most large pythons you encounter are Burmese pythons..."

"Specific situations require specific analyses. It depends on how big it is and whether it's hungry."

"For example, the one I'm holding now is over 5 meters long. If encountered in the wild, it might indeed show aggression..."

Steve began explaining different scenarios and how to handle them.

What he had said about the 5-meter-long Burmese python potentially attacking humans was also known to Professor Zhou and his team.

So, when Feng Yi blamed the python and said it had shown aggression towards him, no one doubted it.

After Steve finished, he saw another question on the screen and smiled.

"What do you do while it's swallowing? Yes, they swallow slowly, but I think you're a bit naive. I have to tell you a harsh fact. Most pythons that are large enough to attack humans don't make low-level mistakes. When they start swallowing, the prey is already doomed, allowing them to swallow slowly and safely."

"Bite, constrict, and swallow. First, they bite to get a grip, then constrict to death. The 'death roll' skill of pythons is well-known. After constricting, they swallow. They only start swallowing when the prey is no longer a threat. So, if you want to survive, your chance is in the first two steps."

After a moment, Steve added, "Of course, some pythons are too greedy and try to swallow prey too quickly or continue swallowing even after eating a lot, eventually bursting their bellies and dying. These are examples of mutual destruction, not escaping from a python's mouth."

Cheng Si chimed in, "Snakes seem greedy, especially large ones like pythons! The one that burst its belly trying to swallow a crocodile was a Burmese python, right?"

Steve nodded, "I've seen reports about that."

Cheng Si: "So, some snakes are both stupid and greedy, their brains are just muscles!"

Feng Yi, munching on his cookie nearby, thought, "…Even though it's not about me, it feels a bit off."

Cheng Si didn't like what he said either: "That's just a small part. Many snakes are very smart."

Then Steve started sharing stories about "smart snakes."

However, he didn't have much time, as Professor Zhou had set a time limit for the live stream.

So, Steve briefly shared a few stories, satisfied his urge to talk, and handed the live stream back to Cheng Si.

Cheng Si continued interacting with the online audience.

"Scary, right? Yes, I was scared when I first saw it..."

Seeing someone asking about who caught the snake, Cheng Si said, "It wasn't me, it was one of the experts in the team, not Steve, but another very skilled person!"

Cheng Si looked at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi waved his hand.

Cheng Si understood that Feng Yi didn't want to appear on the live stream.

"The expert has other things to do and can't come for the live stream..."

Cheng Si continued chatting with the online audience.

Feng Yi didn't want to stay there any longer. It was time for Professor Zhou and his team to go to the place where Feng Yi caught the snake to collect more samples and look for other signs of life. Feng Yi got up to lead them.

As Feng Yi left, Cheng Si adjusted the camera to Steve.

The snake had just opened its mouth, and Steve said he would explain the teeth of the Burmese python.

From this angle, Feng Yi appeared briefly in the live stream, just a back view.

Cheng Si didn't pay much attention at first, but as he read the comments, he noticed someone saying—

"Even though it's just a back view and the hat is different, the person just now felt a bit like Snake Brother! Didn't someone guess that Team 6 South had invited Snake Brother? The person just now looked a bit like him! The height is similar too!"

Seeing this comment, Cheng Si's heart skipped a beat, and a certain image flashed through his mind.

However, since the live stream was ongoing, he couldn't be distracted and temporarily suppressed his thoughts.

After Steve finished talking about the teeth, Cheng Si continued chatting.

This time, he noticed more people mentioning "Snake Brother." Some might have seen the earlier comment, while others might have made their own guesses from the brief appearance. Some even directly asked if the person who caught the Burmese python was "Yueshan Snake Brother," but Cheng Si ignored these questions.

With a smile, Cheng Si continued:

"Cobra? We might be lucky to encounter one later in our route...

"KC? KC also depends on luck...

"Team 6 South planned this route to encounter more snakes, but what species we encounter depends on luck.

"But I think our team has good luck! We even managed to film a crocodile lizard!"

Cheng Si chatted until Professor Zhou and his team returned with the samples.

The end of the live stream showed the reticulated python being released back into the forest. Professor Zhou gave a few words to guide the correct release practices.

Releasing it in the right place is called a release; releasing it in the wrong place is an invasion or a death sentence.

Before releasing the reticulated python, Feng Yi patted its head.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Watching the reticulated python disappear into the forest, Feng Yi felt relieved.

This matter with the python is over, but next time, I must be more careful.

He smiled and stretched.

"...Brother?"

A voice softly came from the side.

Feng Yi was halfway through his stretch when he shuddered.

He looked at Cheng Si, who had moved closer.

What are you shouting for!!

Who is your brother?!!

Cheng Si never spoke like this before, and Feng Yi almost shivered with goosebumps.

Cheng Si continued staring at Feng Yi.

After the live stream ended, Cheng Si looked through his phone album. He had saved several screenshots from news articles about the Yueshan Green Dragon incident.

Yueshan Snake Brother was a legendary figure who had appeared in news from multiple countries!

How many outdoor streamers envied the traffic "Yueshan Snake Brother" had back then!

Cheng Si looked at his phone, then at Feng Yi, and confirmed with Professor Zhou that Feng Yi indeed lived near Yueshan. Professor Zhou didn't say more.

However, Professor Zhou's reaction deepened Cheng Si's suspicions.

Cheng Si: "Snake Brother? Yueshan Snake Brother??"

Feng Yi: "..."

Did my disguise fall off again?!!

"Idol!"

Cheng Si became even more excited.

Seeing Feng Yi's reaction, Cheng Si knew he was right!

He grabbed Feng Yi's hand.

Feng Yi tried to pull away but couldn't.

"Brother! Will you take on a disciple?!" Cheng Si asked.

"No!"

Feng Yi thought: I don't even know how I caught the snake!

Taking on a disciple would mislead people!

That would be a sin!