Working in a Zoo with Beast Taming System

Chapter 295: Chapter 182: Xiaojiu Becomes a Spirit Beast

It stood up and shook its satin-smooth fur. Its whole body seemed more coordinated and nimble.

"Oowoo~"

The Leopard was the first to sense the change, lifting its head and letting out a surprised cry.

’Sister Jiu has gotten stronger! She feels different!’

"Woof~"

Bai Wan sensed it too and barked in agreement.

’Sister Jiu is amazing.’

Although Hu Zi remained silent, his gaze toward Xiaojiu was one of clear approval.

A gratified smile appeared on Yang Qi’s face. He walked over and gently stroked Xiaojiu’s head.

"Good job, Xiaojiu. You’ve already had your breakthrough."

By producing Spiritual Power, Xiaojiu had officially become a Spirit Beast!

"Meow~"

Xiaojiu rubbed her head against Yang Qi’s palm.

’It’s alright, I guess.’

’Master, I feel a current of energy inside me. I can make it circle slowly through my body, but I’m still a little clumsy with it.’

’I feel like I can get even better.’

"No need to rush."

Yang Qi said gently, "Cultivation isn’t something you can achieve in a single step. Go eat first and replenish your energy. Once you’re full, you can continue to slowly get the feel for it."

He pointed to Xiaojiu’s food bowl, which held the Spirit Rice Porridge he had saved especially for her.

"Meow~!"

’Okay!’

Xiaojiu meowed happily, trotted over to her food bowl with light, nimble steps, and began to eat.

Watching Xiaojiu eat contentedly after her hard work cultivating, Yang Qi smiled, stood up, went upstairs, and entered the Cultivation Chamber.

He sat down cross-legged and, with the aid of the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array and the Meditation Cushion, began his nightly cultivation.

Perhaps inspired by Xiaojiu’s successful breakthrough, his mind was exceptionally tranquil during cultivation that night, and the circulation of his Magical Power felt smoother and more harmonious.

...

The next few days returned to a familiar, peaceful rhythm.

He fed the Gray Wolf and took care of the family in the Raccoon Hall.

He went to the Leopard Hall to visit the pregnant Big Flower and chat with her.

He took the national treasure, Tuantuan, out for some fresh air and gave him a specially "enriched" apple.

In his spare time, he completed the various coursework reports assigned by his instructor, Song Chunfang, to solidify his theoretical knowledge.

His lottery draws mostly yielded routine supplies like Qi Condensing Pills, Spirit Rice, and Strengthening Pills, though he occasionally received a Five Elements Spirit Stone.

On the bright side, he also obtained another Thunder Spirit Stone.

「One morning, a little after nine.」

Yang Qi had just picked up his cleaning tools and was about to enter the Raccoon Hall for the daily enclosure cleaning when his phone rang.

The caller ID read: Jiang Kai.

"Hello, Chief," Yang Qi answered.

"Xiao Yang, drop what you’re doing and get over to Monkey Mountain right away."

Jiang Kai’s voice came over the line. "There’s a situation with Great Sage."

"Great Sage?"

Yang Qi paused for a second, then replied, "Okay, I’m on my way."

He hung up, set down his tools, and hurried toward the Monkey Mountain exhibit.

Monkey Mountain was divided into two parts—an indoor activity area and a large, outdoor rock formation—connected by a passageway.

When Yang Qi arrived, he could see from a distance that a crowd had gathered outside the glass wall of the indoor activity area.

Not only were Jiang Kai, the zookeeper Liu Fei, and the Veterinarian there, but also a number of curious tourists, all pointing and murmuring about what was happening inside.

Yang Qi drew closer and saw the situation inside clearly through the clean glass.

Inside, on the rock formation and perches, the troop of monkeys had split into two groups.

Most of the macaques were huddled together in a corner, hiding fearfully and looking anxiously toward the center of the enclosure.

In the center of the area, the Monkey King, Great Sage, was attacking another, slightly smaller male macaque.

Great Sage was baring his teeth and letting out threatening shrieks as he chased the other macaque, pouncing, biting, and clawing viciously, showing no mercy.

The macaque under attack was powerless to fight back. It could only flee in a panic, already bearing several bloody scratches and screeching miserably.

"Xiao Yang, you’re here."

Seeing Yang Qi, Jiang Kai pointed at the scene inside the enclosure, his brow furrowed. "You see the situation. I don’t know what’s gotten into Great Sage these past two days. He’s become extremely aggressive and keeps attacking the other male monkeys."

"When we go in to stop him, he’ll stop and seem very agitated, but he won’t attack us."

"But once we leave, it isn’t long before he starts attacking again."

"We’ve tried everything—calming him down, feeding him, isolating the monkeys he attacks—nothing has worked."

"If this keeps up, not only will the other monkeys be in danger, but Great Sage’s own health will suffer."

"Xiao Yang, see if you can communicate with him. Ask him what’s really going on. If that doesn’t work, our only option will be to put Great Sage in solitary enclosure."

For a Monkey King accustomed to leading his troop and roaming a vast space, solitary confinement was undoubtedly a form of punishment and torment.

Standing to the side, Liu Fei had his arms crossed and a sour look on his face, but he didn’t say a word.

He was clearly unhappy with Yang Qi’s presence but knew there was nothing he could do about it.

Yang Qi paid no mind to Liu Fei’s attitude. After Jiang Kai finished, he simply nodded. "Alright, I’ll go in and have a talk with him."

"Be careful."

Jiang Kai added, then turned to Liu Fei. "Liu Fei, go open the staff access door."

Liu Fei silently walked over and used a key to open a small iron door that led into the indoor activity area.

Yang Qi stepped inside.

The moment he entered, the air in the enclosure seemed to freeze.

Great Sage, who had been in mid-pursuit, instantly froze. He turned his head warily, his wild eyes locking onto Yang Qi.

A low huffing sound rumbled in his throat, making him seem both agitated and on guard.

The battered macaque seized the opportunity to scramble away, fleeing to the farthest corner where it huddled into a ball, still trembling with fear.

Yang Qi didn’t approach immediately. He simply stood there, calmly meeting Great Sage’s gaze.

He subtly released the calming powder...

A moment later, Yang Qi began to walk slowly forward.

As he walked, he activated his Basic Spirit Communication Technique, trying to build rapport first.

"Great Sage, it’s me. Don’t be nervous. I just came to check on you."

Under the effect of the calming powder, Great Sage’s agitation subsided. However, instead of approaching Yang Qi as he usually would, he turned and, with a few leaps, bounded onto a platform on the rock formation. He squatted down and watched Yang Qi, his tail flicking restlessly.

Yang Qi stopped about ten feet from the rock formation, looked at Great Sage, and spoke again.

"Great Sage, what’s wrong? If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."

This Monkey King, Great Sage, was unlike the other animals who were cooped up in their enclosures all day.

The fellow was exceptionally clever and full of energy. He had mastered the art of "jailbreaking"—using the branches of a large tree that reached into the enclosure from the highest point of the outdoor rock formation to sneak out, unnoticed, and roam the hills behind the Zoo!

He could run through the woods, forage for food, explore, and enjoy his freedom.

Yang Qi had never revealed his secret.

In Yang Qi’s view, as long as Great Sage didn’t cause any major trouble, letting him blow off some steam and maintain his wild instincts was not a bad thing.

Faced with Yang Qi’s question, Great Sage was silent at first.

After a long moment, a low cry rumbled from his throat.

’I’m getting old.’