Chapter 156: Chapter 136: Xiaojiu’s Discovery

The seventh lottery draw—

[Congratulations, Host! You have received a prize: Mid-grade Spirit Stone (Gold Attribute)]

"A Mid-grade Gold Spirit Stone!"

Yang Qi’s eyes lit up.

He had previously drawn Mid-grade Spirit Stones of the four attributes—water, wood, fire, and earth—one after another. Only the gold attribute was missing.

The Five Elements Mid-grade Spirit Stones were finally complete!

Tonight, he could get to work on strengthening the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array!

The quality and stability of the Spiritual Qi provided by Mid-grade Spirit Stones were far superior to that of low-grade ones. The Array’s effectiveness would surely be enhanced dramatically, which would be a huge help to Yang Qi’s cultivation speed.

Filled with this anticipation, he began the final lottery draw.

[Congratulations, Host! You have received a prize: Comprehension +1]

"This is great!"

Yang Qi’s face lit up with joy.

A permanent increase in his comprehension ability.

This was already the fourth time he had received the "Comprehension +1" reward.

The enhanced comprehension made it much more convenient for Yang Qi to balance his studies and his cultivation.

...

The bountiful rewards from this morning’s lottery draw left Yang Qi in an exceptionally good mood all day. There was even an imperceptible lightness in his expression.

First, he fed the Gray Wolf and the little raccoon as usual, then headed to the Beaked Eagle Cage.

As soon as he opened the door and walked in, Qi Zai, perched in the tree, keenly sensed something.

It lowered its head, its round eyes carefully sizing up Yang Qi for a moment, and let out a soft gurgle from its throat.

[Master is very happy today.]

"You noticed, huh?"

Yang Qi used his Spirit Communication Technique and smiled. "Something good happened."

As he spoke, he flipped his hand over. From his Hundred Pouches Belt, he took out three longan-sized, sparkling, and smooth Spirit Rice Balls. They emanated a faint, fragrant aroma of rice and fluctuations of Spiritual Qi. He held them out in his palm toward Qi Zai.

"Here, have a taste of something good."

[What’s this?]

Qi Zai tilted its head curiously, looking at the small, non-meat morsels.

Its carnivorous instincts weren’t stimulated, but a desire for pure energy, originating from a deeper, life-level craving, was ignited.

The rice balls held a strange allure for it.

Without further hesitation, it stretched out its neck, deftly snatched a rice ball with its beak, and swallowed it.

The next moment, Qi Zai’s eyes widened abruptly, its pupils even contracting slightly.

A gentle, comforting warmth instantly spread from its stomach throughout its entire body, nourishing every inch of its muscles, bones, and feathers. Even its spirit felt refreshed!

The sensation was even more wonderful than the most tender innards of any prey it had ever eaten.

[Delicious, delicious!]

Qi Zai gurgled excitedly. Without waiting for Yang Qi to offer more, it eagerly pecked up the remaining two rice balls in his palm. Then, still wanting more, it flapped its wings and looked at Yang Qi with expectant eyes.

[Master, is there more?]

[This is so delicious!]

"Yes, here are three more for you."

Yang Qi took out another three and fed them to Qi Zai.

After it had quickly devoured them again, he said, "You can’t eat too much of this good stuff at once. I’ll bring you more tomorrow."

[Oh, I see.]

Although Qi Zai was a little disappointed, it couldn’t help but let out a contented gurgle as it savored the memory of the wonderful sensation.

[So delicious.]

[Master, have you eaten?]

"I’ve already eaten." Seeing how much Qi Zai loved them and that it even remembered to "care" about him, Yang Qi felt very gratified.

’This little guy’s spirituality has grown so quickly since the contract. It’s already starting to understand sharing.’

After watching Qi Zai finish its beef strips as its "main course," Yang Qi finally left the cage.

...

Back in his dorm, Yang Qi continued to bury himself in the coursework assigned by Song Chunfang.

The effect of the newly acquired "Comprehension +1" was significant. The technical terms and complex theories that once required repeated contemplation were now much easier to understand.

His reading speed and memory retention had also clearly improved, saving him a great deal of time and effort.

In the afternoon, the sun began to set in the west.

Yang Qi took Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard and went into the mountains behind the Zoo.

The main purpose of this trip into the mountains was to refine the Divine Abilities seed rewarded by the system.

"Grass and Trees Are Soldiers"!

To refine this kind of Divine Abilities seed, which contained the dao-rhythm of nature, it was best to do it in a natural environment rich with the aura of plants and vibrant life. Doing so would achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Although the Zoo had decent greenery, it still fell far short of a real mountain forest in terms of the "quantity" and "wild vitality" of its vegetation.

Moreover, the refining process could cause some unusual phenomena. The risk of doing it in the Zoo, with its many people and prying eyes, was too high. Going into the mountains was the safest choice.

After entering the mountain forest, Yang Qi did not call for Ta Xue.

Clouded leopards are typically nocturnal animals.

At this time of day, Ta Xue was likely fast asleep with its mother, Caiyun, in a hidden den or high up in the treetops.

He led his four Guardian Beasts deeper into the forest.

They crossed several outer mountain peaks until they reached the border between the outskirts of Cangshan and the truly pristine inner mountain region.

Here, the woods were denser, with overgrown shrubs and tangled vines. The area was rarely visited by people, and the air was filled with the rich fragrance of plants and earth.

Yang Qi found a clearing in the forest, surrounded by tall trees, with a relatively flat and open center.

Using the Spirit Communication Technique, he first instructed the most steady one, Hu Zi.

"Hu Zi, you stay by my side and keep watch."

"WOOF!"

Hu Zi let out a low bark in acknowledgment and lay down beside the rock where Yang Qi was sitting cross-legged. Its ears perked up, and its eyes scanned the surroundings.

Next, Yang Qi looked at Bai Wan and Leopard.

"Bai Wan, Leopard, you two spread out. Use this spot as the center and patrol the surrounding area."

"If you notice anything unusual, like a person or a large wild animal approaching, report back immediately."

"Woof~"

"WOOF WOOF!"

Bai Wan and Leopard understood the command. Each gave a low bark, then quickly turned. One went left and the other right, darting into the dense forest like two arrows loosed from a bow and disappearing from sight.