Caiyun was still unconscious, but her chest rose and fell evenly. Her vital signs had clearly stabilized.
"Mrrow..."
Ta Xue pressed its front paws against the glass, its nose close, letting out a low call.
Yang Qi crouched down and rubbed its head.
"Don’t worry, your mother is okay. The people in white coats will take good care of her, and she’ll recover soon."
Ta Xue turned its head and nudged the back of Yang Qi’s hand with its damp nose, its eyes full of reliance and gratitude.
Not far away, Cheng Xiaoou, Jiang Kai, Mei Ying, and Huang Zhongmu, who had rushed over after hearing the news, watched the interaction between Yang Qi and Ta Xue from a distance.
"It’s so remarkably human."
Cheng Xiaoou sighed softly. "Ta Xue was frightened itself, but it’s still worried about its mother. Such a good child. Xiao Yang is amazing."
"The trust between Xiao Yang and the animals wasn’t built overnight."
Jiang Kai added casually, "If it weren’t for him this time, the consequences would have been hard to predict."
Huang Zhongmu nodded, his expression grave.
"Yes, we were incredibly lucky."
The group continued to chat.
A moment later, the door to the treatment room opened. The head Veterinarian walked out and took off his mask, an expression of relief on his face.
"Director, Xiao Yang, Director Cheng..."
The head Veterinarian greeted them before beginning his report. "The initial examination and treatment for all three animals are complete."
"The clouded leopard is in the best condition. Although the dose of anesthetic was significant, it was administered in time, so there’s no damage to its internal organs or bones, just some superficial abrasions."
"We’ve already administered the antagonist, and we expect it to wake up within 24 hours. After that, it will need a few days of observation, nutritional supplements, and then it can be released once we confirm there are no long-term effects."
"The Chinese Merganser and the Chinese Pangolin are in similar conditions. They were caught in nets or traps and have minor struggle-related injuries and stress reactions, but no severe external wounds or internal bleeding."
"We’ve cleaned their wounds and replenished their fluids and energy. Their conditions are stable for now, and they will also need a few days of observation."
"Overall, none of the three animals’ lives are in danger, and their prognosis for recovery is excellent."
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That’s wonderful. A true blessing in this unfortunate situation."
Cheng Xiaoou remarked, "But honestly, this is the first I’ve heard that Cangshan actually has Chinese Mergansers and Pangolins."
"Me too."
Huang Zhongmu agreed, but his brow furrowed slightly. "The clouded leopard was a surprise, but we never expected the Chinese Merganser and Pangolin to be here. We have Xiao Yang to thank for this. He happened to run into them and was able to give chase immediately. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable."
"In any case, they’re all safe now," Mei Ying said with relief.
But Jiang Kai’s expression didn’t fully relax. He spoke in a low, serious voice, "I’m afraid this isn’t over."
All eyes turned to him.
"The commotion from today’s pursuit was too big."
Jiang Kai’s tone was grave. "Even though everyone involved in the operation was police personnel, there were quite a few onlookers. The news is bound to get out."
"’Cangshan has clouded leopards, Chinese Mergansers, and Chinese Pangolins, and even a Beaked Eagle that can help with pursuits’... Once news like this spreads, poachers might lay low for a while, but what about everyone else?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"Scientific institutions, university research institutes, animal protection organizations, and even people with ulterior motives operating under the guise of research... They’ll swarm in like sharks that have scented blood!"
"Requests to enter the mountains for expeditions, to set up observation points, or even to demand ’protective relocations’ will probably pile up on the forestry department’s desks very soon!"
At his words, Mei Ying’s mouth fell open, and both Cheng Xiaoou and Huang Zhongmu fell silent.
Before, the news about the clouded leopard had been deliberately controlled by the park and the Forest Police, limited to a small circle of people within Donghua.
And even then, there was that ridiculous incident where a rich heir like Wang Chenglong brought people into the mountains to secretly film the clouded leopard, only for his entire group to go missing and get injured.
Now, two more Class I protected species had appeared at once, and one of them, the Chinese Merganser, is a critically endangered species known as the "panda of the water"!
Wouldn’t all those people from the outside rush to Cangshan like crazy?
When that time comes, would the so-called "expeditions," "research," and "protection" instead become a new round of disturbance, or even destruction, for this pristine mountain forest and its precious animals?
"This is indeed a problem."
Huang Zhongmu rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Our park can cooperate with legitimate scientific research, but it must be orderly and controlled, not a free-for-all. And the core area of the back mountain must be protected. We can’t let anyone enter as they please."
"Difficult."
Jiang Kai shook his head. "Cangshan isn’t an enclosed nature reserve. It’s too vast, and its borders are too long. Our park can only manage this small section of the back mountain. As for the rest... the forestry department will be under immense pressure."
The group discussed the potential troubles ahead, and the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy.
Yang Qi stood to the side, listening quietly without interjecting.
’He wasn’t worried.’
’Because—’
’The Cloud Plate Enchanting Array will be ready soon!’
’All I need is one last Wind Spirit Stone and one Thunder Spirit Stone.’
’And I have twenty-seven lottery draws in my hand right now!’
’Given the System’s usual MO, the probability of drawing the necessary items at a critical moment like this is high!’
...
Taking Ta Xue back to the dormitory at the foot of the mountain, Yang Qi called over Xiaojiu and Liu Fu.
With one hand stroking Xiaojiu’s smooth fur and the other lightly tapping Liu Fu’s cool yet docile head, he began the lottery draw.
The first five draws were all regular supplies, nothing out of the ordinary.
The sixth draw—
[Congratulations, Host. You have drawn a prize: Low-grade Spirit Stone (Wind Attribute)]
’It’s here!’
Yang Qi’s eyes lit up.
A Wind Spirit Stone.
The ninth Wind Spirit Stone was in his hands!
The Wind-attribute Spirit Stones were all collected.
The seventh draw—
[Congratulations, Host. You have drawn a prize: Mid-grade Spirit Stone (Metal Attribute)]