’My comprehension has increased again!’

If you want your Cultivation to progress quickly, the quality of your Spiritual Root is one factor.

Comprehension is also key.

If you can’t grasp or fully understand a Cultivation Technique, how are you supposed to improve your Cultivation?

Those monstrously talented geniuses, even if their Spiritual Root quality is a bit lacking, will still see their Cultivation soar.

Yang Qi’s comprehension had started at an ordinary level. After three increases from the system’s lottery, he could now be considered a cut above the rest.

...

Buoyed by the joy of his increased comprehension, Yang Qi refilled the bowls for his little guys at home with fresh cat and dog food. After giving each of them a good petting session, he left the house full of energy to start his daily work routine.

First, he went to the warehouse to pick up the feed, then pushed his cart to feed the animals enclosure by enclosure.

The first stop was the Gray Wolf District.

As soon as he opened the outer gate of the enclosure, a gray figure came trotting over excitedly. It was Happy.

He circled Yang Qi relentlessly, his tail wagging like a propeller.

[Two-legged Beast, you’re back!]

[Where did you go? I haven’t seen you in forever!]

In the distance, the Wolf King, Ao Tian, maintained his regal demeanor. He didn’t approach, merely nodding slightly in Yang Qi’s direction from afar as a greeting.

"It hasn’t been that long. Just two days. I had some business to take care of in the Provincial Capital."

Yang Qi used the Basic Spirit Communication Technique to reply to Happy while placing fresh chunks of meat into the feeding trough.

Happy seemed less interested in the food than he was curious about Yang Qi. He watched Yang Qi’s movements and continued to chatter.

[The Provincial Capital? Is it fun? Is there good food?]

Then, his eyes lit up as he seized the opportunity to make a request.

[Two-legged Beast, since you’re back, shouldn’t you take me out to play?]

[I haven’t been out in so long!]

[And the yummy food! Roasted chicken, roasted chicken!]

’This little glutton, still thinking about roasted chicken,’ Yang Qi thought, amused.

He answered while cleaning the area around the feeding trough.

"Alright. If there’s time after the Zoo closes this evening, I’ll take you out for a walk."

[Thanks, Two-legged Beast!]

Happy hopped on the spot in excitement.

Leaving the wolf enclosure, he came to the raccoon enclosure.

From a distance, Huan the Second spotted Yang Qi. He immediately dropped the ball he was playing with and, with a WHOOSH, scurried to the gate on his short little legs. He stared eagerly at Yang Qi through the wire mesh, his beady black eyes wide, and let out an urgent cry.

[Two-legged Beast, where did you go?] 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

[When are you going to take me and big brother out to play again?]

[I promise I won’t run off this time, really!]

[Right, big brother?]

Huan University, who was slowly playing with a ball in the corner, was suddenly put on the spot. He looked up blankly, glanced at the excited Huan the Second, then at Yang Qi. After a few seconds of dull-witted delay, he mumbled a reply.

[Right, right.]

Yang Qi held back a laugh.

He responded while putting out their food.

"Maybe the day after tomorrow. If the weather’s good, I’ll take you two brothers out for a walk after the Zoo closes in the evening."

[That’s great! You’re the best, Two-legged Beast!]

Huan the Second was so happy he spun in circles inside the enclosure.

When he fed the lynx, the creature stood off to the side, aloof and indifferent.

Yang Qi didn’t disturb it, simply leaving the food and water before departing.

Once all the feeding was done, he returned the tools and strolled toward the cafeteria.

It was breakfast time, and the cafeteria was bustling with noise.

"Xiao Yang is back."

"Yang Qi, nice one!"

"Brother Qi, you’re awesome! You can even ’tame’ a brown bear, that’s insane!"

...

The moment Yang Qi stepped through the door, everyone—from colleagues eating their meals to the cooks serving food behind the counter—saw him and greeted him with a smile.

Apparently, word about the incident at the Red Star Zoo had already spread around Donghua. Although the details might have been fuzzy, the core story of "Yang Qi calming a rampaging brown bear" was enough to leave everyone in awe.

A gentle smile on his face, Yang Qi returned their greetings one by one.

After breakfast, he continued with his daily routine of cleaning the enclosures.

While he was cleaning the lynx’s enclosure...

[Congratulations, Host, for being elected as an "Outstanding Disciple." Contribution Points +1000]

’Huh?’

Yang Qi froze, a puzzled look on his face.

’Outstanding Disciple?’

At almost the exact same moment, the phone in his pocket began to vibrate.

He took out his phone and saw a message from the Donghua Zoo’s main work group chat.

Office Director Mei Ying had just posted the commendation list for this quarter’s "Advanced Employees," and the first name on the list was none other than "Yang Qi."

The group chat was instantly flooded with congratulatory messages like "Congratulations, Yang Qi," "Well-deserved," and "Brother Qi is mighty!"

His colleagues didn’t seem too surprised. After all, Yang Qi’s performance lately was obvious to all. Especially after his trip to the Provincial Capital where he even "handled" a brown bear—his abilities left nothing to be said.

Winning an award was only natural.

"Getting a zoo-wide award actually gives a system reward? And a whole 1,000 contribution points, no less."

Yang Qi was equally delighted.

This was undoubtedly a windfall.

’Time for a ten-pull!’

The first seven pulls were all restocks of regular consumables. Although some were duplicates, they were at least practical.

The eighth pull...

[Congratulations, Host, you have drawn a prize: Mid-grade Spirit Stone (Fire Attribute)]

"A Mid-grade Spirit Stone, and it’s Fire Attribute!"

Yang Qi’s eyes lit up.

’Keep pulling!’

This time, he got a block of Vitality Nutrient Cream.

’Pull again.’

[Congratulations, Host, you have drawn a prize: Mid-grade Spirit Stone (Earth Attribute)]

"Another Mid-grade one, and it’s Earth Attribute."

The corners of Yang Qi’s mouth turned up.

That made three Mid-grade Spirit Stones in one go, all of different attributes.

"Not bad!"

Calming himself, Yang Qi continued his cleaning work with renewed vigor.

...

As evening fell, the Zoo’s closing announcement played over the speakers.

Keeping his promise, Yang Qi first went to the wolf enclosure and brought out the ecstatic Happy. They took two laps around the quiet, post-closing Zoo grounds.

Happy was as curious as ever, sniffing this and that. In the end, he got his wish: a fragrant roasted chicken. He devoured it until his snout was greasy, completely satisfied.

After returning Happy to his enclosure, Yang Qi turned and headed for the Giant Panda Hall.

He was still wondering how to appease Master Tuan, who was probably still sulking because he had disappeared for three days and hadn’t taken him out for his walks.

He arrived at the Giant Panda Hall.

He greeted the staff.

Yang Qi pushed open the small door connecting the Panda Hall’s inner enclosure to the outer yard and slowly walked in.

In the outdoor activity area, Tuantuan was sitting in his usual spot with his back to the door, methodically munching on a stalk of tender bamboo.

Hearing footsteps, his round ears twitched. His nostrils flared instinctively, twitching a few times.

Suddenly, his bamboo-chewing came to an abrupt halt.

Then, the panda’s roly-poly body swiveled around with a speed completely unlike his usual laziness. The small eyes within his black patches instantly focused on Yang Qi. He sized him up for two seconds, as if confirming something.

Then, a unique sound came from his throat—one filled with obvious surprise, yet seemingly mixed with a hint of grievance and complaint.

"Maa~!"

[Two-legged Beast, so you’re still alive!]

’What the...?’

’What kind of thing is that to say?’

’I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?’

’Sheesh.’

Amused, Yang Qi walked over.

Using the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, he called out.

"Tuantuan, you look like you’ve gotten a little fatter again."

WHIMPER~

The giant panda stood up indignantly, twisting its plump waist.

[How am I fat? I’ve obviously gotten thinner!]