"WOOF!"
[Let’s go~]
"WOOF WOOF!"
[These people talk so much nonsense.]
Bai Wan and Leopard barked as they followed Yang Qi, chasing in the direction the Eagle Owl was leading.
"This..."
Professor Zhou watched Yang Qi’s figure quickly disappear into the darkness. He then looked up at the Eagle Owl, which had taken flight again to lead the way, his face filled with shock and contemplation.
Having studied avian ecology for many years, he was deeply familiar with the intelligence and habits of birds, especially raptors like owls.
Such a clear, purposeful act of "seeking help," and from a human of all things...
This completely defied his understanding!
"Simply incredible... Could it be true, as the rumors say, that this Advisor Yang has an extraordinary affinity for and ability to communicate with animals?" Professor Zhou muttered to himself.
"Minister Jiang, what’s the story with this Advisor Yang?"
Senior Engineer Li couldn’t help but ask Jiang Kai.
Jiang Kai gave a wry smile. "Yang Qi is an outstanding keeper at our park, and he’s also a specially appointed Animal Expert for the city bureau. He does indeed have unique insights into animal behavior and... and certain special talents."
"I’m not entirely sure about the specifics myself. But he’s always reliable, so let’s just wait for news."
’I was hoping to keep Yang Qi’s profile low.’
’So much for that. With an owl coming to him for help, there’s no way he can keep a low profile now!’
The experts and graduate students in the camp were abuzz with discussion, all filled with curiosity and doubt about the sudden "owl’s plea for help."
Some found it too bizarre, while others were skeptical.
Only Professor Zhou stared intently in the direction Yang Qi had gone, lost in thought.
...
Yang Qi circulated his Magical Power, focusing it in his eyes, and followed the Eagle Owl’s guidance, moving swiftly through the mountain forest in the dead of night.
Bai Wan and Leopard flanked him, one on his left and one on his right. Their keen senses helped Yang Qi avoid the snakes and insects active at night.
The Eagle Owl flew in short bursts, stopping and starting, always staying at a distance Yang Qi could keep up with.
After about twenty minutes, they had traveled far from the camp and the planned research route, entering a denser, more remote mountain hollow.
A faint smell of blood and the scent of an animal’s pained struggle began to fill the air.
’We’re almost there.’
Yang Qi’s heart tightened, and he quickened his pace.
Passing through a patch of low shrubs, he came upon a small clearing in the forest ahead.
Moonlight filtered down through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating the scene in the clearing.
There, an animal with a body like a small goat lay on its side in a patch of flattened grass. It had short forelimbs, long hind limbs, a very short tail, narrow, pointed hooves, and long, erect ears. It was convulsing in pain, and a pool of dark red blood had formed beneath it.
Its abdomen heaved violently, and a small part of a fawn’s body could be seen between its hind legs, but it was unable to give birth.
It was a Lin She!
’The "long-horned deer" the owl mentioned... I thought it would be an actual deer.’
Neither male nor female Lin She have antlers.
’The owl must have mistaken the Lin She’s long, erect ears for "antlers."’
At this moment, the Lin She’s eyes were filled with pain, exhaustion, and despair. Its breathing was already incredibly faint.
Meanwhile, in the darkness at the edge of the clearing, several pairs of emerald-green eyes glinted with greed and hunger.
It was three wolves!
Clearly, they had also been drawn by the scent of blood and were waiting for the weak Lin She to lose all ability to resist, ready to enjoy a feast.
’Good thing I got here in time.’
Yang Qi let out a soft breath.
Lin She were hunted to near extinction for the valuable musk they secrete. Their numbers in the wild are extremely low, making every single one exceptionally precious. They are a Class-I protected species in the country.
"GRRR—"
The wolf pack had noticed the arrival of Yang Qi and his two dogs. They let out threatening low growls but seemed wary of the Spirit Beast aura emanating from Bai Wan and Leopard, so they didn’t pounce immediately.
"Bai Wan, Leopard, watch these wolves. Don’t let them get close."
Yang Qi gave the order to Bai Wan and Leopard without hesitation.
"WOOF WOOF~"
"WOOF-GRR!"
Bai Wan and Leopard immediately charged forward, barking ferociously. Their fur stood on end as they stood like two guardian deities between the Lin She and the wolf pack, unleashing the full might of their Spirit Beast pressure.
Deterred by an imposing presence far exceeding that of ordinary fierce dogs, the three wolves quickly retreated behind the shrubs but did not leave, instead circling the perimeter.
The Lin She was also frightened, cowering on the ground and trembling all over, its eyes filled with utter despair.
Seeing this, Yang Qi quickly walked over to the Lin She and knelt.
[A "Ten-mile Musk" experiencing a difficult birth has been detected. Host, please intervene as soon as possible to help the Spirit Beast deliver its young.]
’Ten-mile Musk?’
’The musk of a Lin She is that potent after its bloodline is activated?’
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here to help you."
As he thought, Yang Qi used his Basic Spirit Communication Technique, spoke gently, and took out a piece of Vitality Nutrient Cream, offering it to the Lin She’s mouth.
The Lin She instinctively opened its mouth and began to eat.
Yang Qi reached out and gently placed his hand on the Lin She’s heaving neck, slowly channeling a thread of gentle Magical Power into it to help stabilize its breathing and ease its pain.
As it ate the Vitality Nutrient Cream, the Lin She felt a change within its body. Despite its timid nature, its will to live was rekindled.
It turned its head to look at Yang Qi, a faint, helpless whimper escaping its throat.
"It’s okay. We’ll get through this together."
Yang Qi soothed the animal while examining its condition.
He sent his Magical Power to travel over the Lin She’s abdomen and extended his Spiritual Sense to perceive the fawn’s position. He discovered that it was in a breech position. Compounded by the mother’s exhaustion, the fawn was stuck in the birth canal.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Yang Qi murmured, then circulated his Magical Power to protect his hands and began to gently and precisely help adjust the fawn’s position.
Though it was his first time doing this, his technique was remarkably steady.