Free Web NovelChapter 236: Chapter 163: Two-legged Beast, Do You Want to Try It Too?
Supernatural cultivation was, of course, out of the question.
If this weasel had truly embarked on the path of a Demon Cultivator, its body would surely emit a "demonic aura" or abnormal energy fluctuations, distinguishing it from an ordinary wild animal.
But Yang Qi could perceive it clearly; the weasel only had the feral scent of a wild animal, with no trace of anything supernatural.
However, the weasel’s description of "feeling good when chickens are killed" and its body "feeling light and floaty" was anything but normal.
It was more like it had been poisoned!
A toxin that affected the nervous system, inducing hallucinations or an abnormal sense of euphoria.
The dose was probably small, not enough to be lethal, but it lingered in its system, continuously influencing its behavior.
"The first time you felt that ’good feeling,’ was a companion nearby, or were you yourself, in the middle of killing a chicken?" Yang Qi asked coaxingly, maintaining the Spirit Communication Technique.
Huang Daxian was clearly taken aback for a moment, seemingly trying hard to remember.
’I think... I think that’s what happened?’ ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
’Back then, I was hiding behind a rock when I saw ’Big Claw’ bite down on a chicken that was running around.’
’And then, I felt so good, so light and floaty...’
It was reminiscing, but the craving for "tasty treats" quickly pulled it back to reality, and it urged him impatiently. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
’Tasty treat.’
’Want to eat.’
"Not so fast."
Yang Qi didn’t indulge it right away. Instead, he pressed on with a key question. "Before you felt that good feeling, did you eat anything unusual? For example, some kind of grass you’d never seen before? Or a strangely colored mushroom? Berries? Seeds?"
Huang Daxian froze again. It lifted its head, its small, dark green eyes filled with astonishment.
’How did you know?’
’Two-legged Beast, you’re amazing!’
It seemed to think that Yang Qi guessing it had eaten something strange was a remarkable feat. With a hint of excitement, as if sharing a secret, it began to reminisce on its own before Yang Qi could ask again.
’I’d never seen that plant before.’
’It smelled a little fragrant, but also a little strange.’
’I couldn’t resist taking a few nibbles.’
’It tasted just okay.’
It tilted its head, looked at Yang Qi, and offered an invitation.
’Two-legged Beast, do you want to eat that plant?’
"..."
The corner of Yang Qi’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He replied politely, "Thanks, but I’ll pass."
But inwardly, everything suddenly clicked into place.
’Just as I thought!’
Although weasels are carnivores whose diet mainly consists of rodents and small birds, they occasionally nibble on plants to supplement their fiber intake, regulate their digestion, or simply out of curiosity.
This Huang Daxian had undoubtedly ingested a neurotoxic plant during one of its explorations—one that caused hallucinations or an abnormal sense of euphoria.
It might have been a poisonous plant, or a plant contaminated with fungi or mold.
After being poisoned, it just so happened to witness poultry being killed.
Under the influence of the toxin, it mistakenly associated the act of "killing" with that peculiar "sensation of pleasure."
Once this erroneous "conditioned reflex" was established, coupled with the potential for residual toxins in its system to constantly reinforce this connection, its behavior spiraled out of control.
It repeatedly snuck into chicken coops and duck sheds to carry out killings, all to "chase" that addictive "comfortable" feeling.
The more it killed, the more it wanted to kill, creating a vicious cycle.
Understanding the root of the problem, Yang Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
The problem was bizarre, but at least there was an explanation that followed the laws of nature, and there even seemed to be a solution.
Yang Qi squatted down. With a natural motion, he took a disposable paper cup, an unopened bottle of mineral water, and the Hundred Beasts Detoxification Powder—which he had just won from a lottery, replacing the Vitality Nutrient Cream—from his Hundred Pouches Belt, and continued to ask in a calm voice.
"Do you remember exactly where that plant was growing? Were there any special markings around it?"
However, Huang Daxian’s attention was now captivated by Yang Qi’s movements.
It watched, somewhat confused, as Yang Qi put the "tasty treat" that made it drool into a strange container and then added water.
It couldn’t help but move closer to sniff the water in the paper cup. The water gave off a fresh scent that made it feel comfortable and drew it in, but the allure didn’t seem as strong as before.
Its little brain couldn’t comprehend the difference, nor could it be bothered to figure it out. Anyway, everything this Two-legged Beast produced smelled good.
Yang Qi poured a small amount of the Hundred Beasts Detoxification Powder into the paper cup, added some mineral water, and used a clean little twig to stir it gently until it dissolved.
The powder dissolved quickly, turning the clear water a very faint, pale green. The gentle fragrance began to diffuse.
Then, Yang Qi placed the paper cup on the ground in front of Huang Daxian.
Huang Daxian immediately scrambled to the cup’s edge. It first gave the contents a wary lick. Finding the taste clean and sweet, with a scent that soothed both body and mind, it began to lap it up greedily, a satisfied "PURRR" rumbling in its throat.
In between drinks, it mumbled an answer to Yang Qi’s earlier question.
’Gone now. There was only one of that plant.’
’Didn’t even taste that good. Not as good as this water.’
’So good, so good...’
Huang Daxian buried its head and continued to drink the detoxifying water.
Yang Qi’s brow furrowed slightly at this.
The source plant that had poisoned the animal was gone, so he couldn’t collect a sample to identify its species and toxicity. A bit of a shame.
The toxic plant was likely not a native species. Perhaps a seed carried by a migratory bird from elsewhere had happened to sprout here. Finding that same plant again, or another of its kind, would be next to impossible.
"So be it."
Yang Qi didn’t dwell on it.
The priority was to solve the problem with the weasel before him.
