Chapter 552: Chapter 252: The T... Tiger Is Coming Down the Mountain!

"Hello, big guy."

Lian Po paused mid-bite and glanced warily at Xiaojiu. But when he felt the reassuring mental message from Yang Qi—’He’s one of us’—he relaxed and responded with a low growl.

"Hello."

"KREEE—"

A clear cry rang out from high above as Qi Zai’s massive form began to descend, circling slowly downward. The downdraft from its wings flattened the surrounding grass and trees.

Lian Po felt the oppressive aura of the raptor in the sky and tensed instinctively, a low rumble starting in his throat.

"Relax, Lian Po. They’re my partners, just like you."

Yang Qi soothed him, then introduced him to Xiaojiu and Qi Zai. "This is Lian Po. He’s our new partner from now on."

Xiaojiu flicked its tail and suddenly sent a thought to Lian Po.

"How about a bath, big guy?"

"Uh..."

Lian Po, who was in the middle of his meal, froze. He stopped eating, embarrassed, and instinctively sniffed himself.

With his enhanced intelligence, Lian Po understood more now.

The circling Qi Zai descended a little lower and let out a soft cry.

"He really does need a wash."

Lian Po was speechless.

A look of chagrin crossed the tiger’s face. He opened his mouth as if to defend himself, but ultimately just let out a low, embarrassed growl.

"I... I’ll go wash now."

With that, he quickly devoured the rest of the beef, turned, and headed toward the stream deeper in the valley with staggering yet determined steps.

Yang Qi smiled, shook his head, and followed.

’Actually, a single Cleaning Talisman could solve this whole hygiene problem.’

’But Lian Po is a Wild South China Tiger. I’m taking him back to Xianlai, where he’ll have to undergo official inspections, registration, and possibly even face the media and the public.’

’The obvious injuries, the parasites, all the signs of his life in the wild—they’re the most authentic, irrefutable proof of his origins. They’re his badges of honor.’

’Cleaning him up too early with supernatural means would be counterproductive.’

’This evidence needs to be preserved. Lian Po has to undergo a formal, transparent process of examination, treatment, and adaptation at Xianlai.’

’It’s a matter of respecting science and being accountable to the public. More importantly, it will provide the most solid, indisputable proof for my teacher Song Chunfang’s academic theories!’

’So, a bath is fine, but only with regular stream water.’

’Those injuries, the filth, the parasites...’

’For now, they all have to stay.’

...

The clear stream water washed away the surface layer of dirt and odor from Lian Po’s body, invigorating him considerably.

He stood on the bank and shook his massive body vigorously, sending water droplets flying everywhere.

Though he was still gaunt, his fur matted and dull, his eyes were noticeably brighter. Much of the weary listlessness of his twilight years had been washed away.

Yang Qi stood to the side, watching him shake himself dry while mentally running through the next steps.

’Report this directly to the Hanxi Province Forestry Bureau and go through the official channels?’

The thought barely had time to form before he dismissed it.

’No way.’

’This is a Wild South China Tiger!’

’A species so rare that there hasn’t been confirmed physical evidence of one in the country for years. A national treasure among national treasures. A discovery big enough to rock the entire wildlife conservation community and even draw international attention.’

’Once I report it, the Hanxi provincial authorities will treat him like the ultimate treasure. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in the province, set up a reserve, and put him under the tightest research and protection protocols.’

’Forget about taking him with me; I’d be lucky to even see him again.’

’Even with my senior brother’s power and influence, it would be difficult for him to intervene and force the issue when it involves a province’s core interests and major scientific and political ramifications.’

’Conventional methods are a dead end.’

But Yang Qi had unconventional methods.

With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved a palm-sized, drab gray, and utterly unremarkable cloth pouch from his Hundred Pouches Belt.

The Spirit Beast Pouch!

It contained its own internal space, capable of holding living creatures, sustaining them, and shielding them from any form of detection.

"Lian Po, get in here and rest for a bit. I’m taking you home."

Yang Qi communicated telepathically, aiming the mouth of the Spirit Beast Pouch at Lian Po.

Though Lian Po was curious about the small pouch, he had absolute trust in his master. He didn’t resist, merely letting out a low growl.

"Okay."

The next moment, Yang Qi channeled his Magical Power into the Spirit Beast Pouch.

The mouth of the pouch suddenly generated an invisible suction that enveloped Lian Po.

With a flash of light, Lian Po’s massive body instantly shrank, turning into a streak of light that was drawn into the Spirit Beast Pouch.

The pouch bulged for a moment before returning to its normal shape and settling lightly in Yang Qi’s palm, as if its swallowing a whole tiger had been nothing but an illusion.

"All set."

Yang Qi placed the Spirit Beast Pouch in an inside pocket and patted it.

He then turned, beckoned to Xiaojiu, and mentally contacted Qi Zai, who was high above.

Without further delay, Yang Qi executed his Body Technique. Cradling Xiaojiu, he moved like a phantom through the forest, flitting quickly and stealthily back the way he came.

High above, Qi Zai kept pace, serving as both lookout and guide.

...

By the time he returned to the parking lot where his SUV was parked, the sky was completely dark. A glance at the time showed it was around ten o’clock at night.

The lot was silent. The black Wrangler sat parked inconspicuously.

Yang Qi had no plans to stop in town for the night.

He quickly got in, started the engine, and placed the Spirit Beast Pouch containing Lian Po on the passenger seat. Xiaojiu hopped into the back.

Qi Zai let out a long cry from the sky and ascended again; it would fly back to the rear mountain of Xianlai on its own.

The SUV’s engine roared to life as it pulled out of the parking lot. It soon merged onto the pitch-black provincial highway, speeding toward Donghua City.

Yang Qi pushed the car to the legal speed limit, tearing down the road.

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