Chapter 469: Chapter 235: I Want a Tiger! Not a Pet Cat

His speed was astonishing, leaving a blurry cyan afterimage as he streaked through the withered yellow mountain forest, racing toward the central region of Cangshan.

Having broken through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, the power of his Spirit Crane Body Technique had increased accordingly. Fueled by the ceaseless flow of Magical Power within him, Yang Qi traversed the complex and rugged mountain terrain at a speed far exceeding that of a regular off-road vehicle. He moved silently, the only sound a faint whisper of his clothes cutting through the wind.

Xiaojiu lay securely in his arms, its sharp eyes vigilantly scanning the path ahead.

Before ten in the morning, Yang Qi had already ventured deep into the heart of Cangshan. The surrounding trees grew taller and denser, and signs of human activity were nonexistent.

The air was filled with the unique scent of a primeval forest—damp and with a hint of decay.

He slowed down, got his bearings, and headed toward the core of the wild female South China Tiger’s territory—the location of her den, as he remembered it.

As Yang Qi stealthily approached a clearing near the den, he heard the youthful cries of "Awoo~ awoo~" and the sounds of tumbling and playful fighting in the distance.

Pushing aside a low-hanging holly bush, the corners of Yang Qi’s mouth turned up involuntarily.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, dappling the forest clearing.

Two fluffy, roly-poly tiger cubs, about four or five months old, were rolling on the ground, pouncing, nipping, and chasing each other, having the time of their lives.

Although they weren’t much larger than an adult cat, their black-on-yellow stripes were already distinct, and their fur was bright and glossy.

But their innate tiger’s might and an endearing, cub-like charm were perfectly blended, making one feel both affection and a sense of caution.

It had been a few months, and the two little ones had grown quite a bit. They were also much more robust and lively.

On a sun-drenched rock not far away, the sleek, powerfully built female South China Tiger was lounging lazily. Her amber eyes were half-closed as if she were dozing, but the tip of her tail twitched lightly from time to time as she vigilantly scanned her surroundings, keeping her two cubs firmly within her sight.

When Yang Qi’s figure emerged from behind the trees, the mother tiger immediately lifted her head in alert. A low, short, warning growl rumbled in her throat, but there wasn’t much hostility in her eyes. Instead, a flash of familiarity crossed them, an emotion akin to ’You’re here again.’

’Two-legged Beast, what is it?’

The mother tiger let out a low growl.

"Two things."

Yang Qi stopped at a relatively safe distance, a gentle smile on his face. Using the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, he said, "First, I came to see you and the two little ones. The weather is getting colder. Has your hunting been going well? Do you need my help with some food?"

"Awoo~"

The mother tiger uttered a low growl, her gaze softening a little.

’Thanks.’

’I can still hunt for my own food.’

’There’s no shortage of things to eat in the mountains. Especially this season, some beasts are fattening up and run slow.’

Her tone carried a trace of confidence befitting an apex predator.

Cangshan’s ecosystem was well-preserved. There were plenty of ungulates like wild boars, deer, and roe deer. With her strength, providing for herself and her two cubs was no problem.

"That’s good."

Yang Qi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two still-frolicking tiger cubs before turning back to their mother. His tone grew serious. "The second thing is, I’d like to ask for your help. Do you know any others of your kind?"

"Specifically, tigers that are older, who might be having a hard time hunting and are struggling to survive alone in the mountains due to old age, injury, or other reasons?"

Hearing this, the mother tiger’s amber eyes instantly sharpened. She rose slowly to her feet, her massive body exuding a silent pressure. She stared intently at Yang Qi, a deeper growl rumbling in her throat.

’Two-legged Beast, what are you planning?’

Yang Qi could feel her wariness and protective maternal instincts flare up.

He quickly tried to placate her, explaining honestly, "I have a Zoo. You can think of it as a place where many different kinds of beasts gather to help and take care of each other."

"Right now, it’s still missing a powerful tiger like you."

"If a tiger goes there, it can get plenty of food and clean water. If it gets sick, it can receive timely treatment. If it’s lonely, it can have companions to keep it company."

"I will do my utmost to give them a living environment that is as spacious, natural, and comfortable as possible."

"Awoo?"

The mother tiger tilted her enormous head, seeming a little confused, yet also curious.

’That good?’

’No need to hunt, and Two-legged Beasts will treat you if you get sick?’

’And companions?’

"Yes." Yang Qi maintained his smile. "But there is a downside. The territory there isn’t as big as it is in the wild. It’s probably only about the size of a single, ordinary mountain."

He gestured with his hands, trying to make it as visually clear as possible.

Sure enough, upon hearing "the territory is only the size of a single mountain," the curiosity in the mother tiger’s eyes vanished instantly. She lay back down on the rock, yawned, revealing her bone-white fangs, and let out a low growl filled with obvious disdain.

’Such a small territory? What’s the point?’

’I’m better off being free in my own mountains.’

Yang Qi had long expected this reaction.

For a wild tiger in its prime, with its own territory and the ability to hunt, even the best captive environment couldn’t compare to the freedom of the vast wilderness.

"That’s why..."

Yang Qi picked up the thread of the conversation and explained earnestly, "The ones I’m looking for are the tigers that are old, weak, or so seriously injured that they can no longer survive on their own in the wild."

"For them, wouldn’t a place that’s safe and secure, where they don’t have to worry about food or injuries, be much better?"

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