Free Web NovelChapter 277: Chapter 176: Surprising New Reward (Part 3)
Yang Qi weighed his options.
Eighteen mutated-attribute Spirit Stones. That was no small amount.
Conventional Five Elements Spirit Stones were already hard to come by; Spirit Stones with the Wind and Thunder attribute were rarer still.
This was undoubtedly a process that would require time and luck.
Pushing aside his thoughts about the Spirit Stones, Yang Qi focused his attention back on the Array’s description. The more he read, the brighter his eyes grew.
The functions of this Cloud Plate Enchanting Array were incredibly unique and practical!
In essence, it was a large-scale, gentle Illusion Array and Defense Array.
Its illusory effect wasn’t an indiscriminate attack.
According to the description, this Array had a negligible effect on creatures without awakened intelligence.
In other words, ordinary birds, beasts, insects, and fish could move freely within the Array. They would feel almost nothing out of the ordinary, free to forage for food and return to their nests.
To them, the formless illusion and misty clouds created by the Array might as well not exist.
However, as soon as a creature possessed a certain degree of "awakened intelligence"—the ability to perform complex thought, memory, and judgment—it would be affected by the Array!
The higher the intelligence, and the more active and complex the thoughts, the stronger the effect would be.
The Array would agitate their minds, amplifying their directional confusion and interfering with their judgment of distance and time. This would ultimately lead them to wander in circles, as if trapped by a ghost wall.
No matter which way they went, they would unknowingly end up back where they started. Blissfully unaware, they would simply think they had misremembered the path or encountered something "weird."
Better still, the Array itself had no active offensive or lethal capabilities. Its purpose was simply to confuse and deter.
There was no danger unless the trapped person attempted to use brute force to destroy the Array’s foundation.
And should anyone try to break through the Array by force, the Wind and Thunder Power hidden within would be unleashed.
At that point, fierce winds would tear through the area covered by the Array, kicking up sand and stones. Simultaneously, lightning would flash and thunder would roar with terrifying force.
This wind and thunder were not natural phenomena, but manifestations brought forth by the Array Power.
But to the uninformed, it would simply look like a freak weather event!
Because of this Wind and Thunder Power, electronic devices like drones would also be unable to enter the area covered by the Array.
’Brilliant!’
A surge of excitement rose in Yang Qi’s heart.
’If I set up this Cloud Plate Enchanting Array deep in Cangshan, covering the core area and extending outward into parts of the inner mountain...’
’...then half of Cangshan would transform from a semi-public training ground where I have to avoid prying eyes into a secret domain, almost like my own private backyard!’
Ordinary hikers, trekkers, and even regular mountain patrol staff would, upon entering the Array’s range, get lost and walk in circles, inexplicably ending up right back where they started.
’As for those with ill intentions, or people like that drug lord from before who try to hide deep in the mountains—if they wander in, they’ll either be trapped until they give up from exhaustion or trigger the wind and thunder by trying to break through, sending them fleeing in terror.’
’Either way, it would effectively stop them from going any deeper, protecting the peace of the forest and, indirectly, my "secret base."’
’The animals already living in the mountains would be almost completely unaffected, free to go about their lives.’
’The Array Plate and its flags would all be under my control.’
’Spirit Awakened animals like Caiyun, Ta Xue, and Qi Zai would just need to wear a Token marked with Magical Power, one that shares the same source as the Array Power.’
’This would make it much more convenient to go into the mountains to cultivate, and to set up special arrangements on the mountain behind the Xianlai Zoo in the future.’
Of course.
’Once the Cloud Plate Enchanting Array is in place, it’s bound to attract all sorts of attention.’
’Research teams, survey teams, exploration teams... they’d all come swarming.’
’But so what?’
’The world is full of places with unexplained mysteries.’
’The sudden appearance of an illusion-inducing phenomenon deep in Cangshan would ultimately be chalked up to a magnetic field anomaly.’
’After all, the Ancient Goose Forest and the central valley behind it already have abnormal magnetic fields!’
’Cangshan has no major mines, nor is it a strategic location. It’s just a forest where animals live.’
’They’re not going to level the place with artillery and missiles!’
...
...
"Expert Yang, it worked! You not only saved ’Da Wei,’ you’ve also done our zoo a huge favor."
Lu Gangsheng gripped Yang Qi’s hand, his gratitude sincere.
"Director Lu, you’re too kind. I was just doing my job," Yang Qi said with a smile.
His gaze then shifted to Yu Xiulian.
Yu Xiulian had reined in her earlier sharpness.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to Yang Qi. After studying him for a few seconds, she solemnly extended her right hand.
"Expert Yang, I formally apologize for my skepticism and rudeness, both before I arrived and just now!"
Her voice was clear, without a trace of awkwardness.
"I was being narrow-minded, judging you by your age and credentials. The facts prove that your expertise in interpreting animal behavior and in psychological communication is far beyond the ordinary."
"’Da Wei’s’ reaction says it all. You are a truly capable expert. I, Yu Xiulian, am thoroughly convinced."
Her apology was so direct, frank, and sincere that it made Yang Qi see her in a better light.
"You’re too kind, Director Yu. You were acting out of a sense of responsibility for the animals. I understand."
Yang Qi shook her hand. "Now that the cubs have returned safely, it would be good to let them spend a few more days with ’Da Wei’ to ease his loneliness. As for the subsequent exchange, I’m sure you and Director Lu will negotiate a more suitable arrangement."
"Of course."
Yu Xiulian nodded, glancing at the large and small Northeast Tigers enjoying each other’s company in the enclosure. "Seeing ’Da Wei’ like this puts our minds at ease," she said. "It’s no problem at all for the cubs to stay here a while longer. We can discuss the specific details of the transfer later."
...
With the matter perfectly resolved, evening began to fall.
Lu Gangsheng warmly invited Yang Qi and Yu Xiulian’s group to dinner. The occasion served three purposes: to express his gratitude, to formally welcome his colleagues from the Nanling Zoo, and to celebrate "Da Wei’s" recovery.
The atmosphere at the dinner was lively.
Yu Xiulian’s attitude toward Yang Qi had changed considerably. She proactively asked for his contact information. Then, she, Yang Qi, and Lu Gangsheng fell into a deep discussion about the behavior of large felines.
’And here I must once again thank Teacher Song Chunfang for that crash course!’
Yang Qi combined the knowledge he’d read in books with the practical experience he’d gained from interacting with various animals through his Basic Spirit Communication Technique. He offered many insights that were refreshingly new to Yu Xiulian, Lu Gangsheng, and the other Veterinarians present, earning him rounds of praise.
The young man who had muttered "anyone can be an expert these days" also found an opportunity to approach Yang Qi. Blushing, he offered a toast and an apology, which Yang Qi magnanimously accepted.
After dinner, Lu Gangsheng personally arranged for a car to take Yang Qi to the high-speed rail station.
As he walked into the station, Yang Qi’s phone suddenly buzzed twice. He immediately stepped to the side, stopping to unlock it.
[Tamed "Cyan Green Stinging Dragon" detected. Host may abduct it and return to the sect to obtain contribution points.]
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