The Eagle Owl on the branch suddenly stiffened. Its round eyes widened, staring intently at the small, seemingly unremarkable "thing" in Yang Qi’s palm that stirred an intense longing from the depths of its soul.

The gurgling sound in its throat grew hurried, and its wings spread wide involuntarily, betraying its intense inner turmoil.

Finally, instinct overcame all caution.

The owl’s talons pushed off the branch. Its broad wings unfolded silently as it dove toward Yang Qi’s palm like a nimble and swift phantom of the night, its sharp beak slightly parted, its target clear.

The Vitality Nutrient Cream!

Just as the owl was about to snatch it from his palm, Yang Qi flicked his wrist. With another thought, the Vitality Nutrient Cream was instantly withdrawn into his Hundred Pouches Belt and vanished.

The owl snatched at empty air. It flapped its wings, bewildered, hovering less than a meter off the ground for a moment before landing on a lower branch of a nearby shrub.

It tilted its large head, looking quizzically at Yang Qi’s empty palm, and let out an aggrieved and disgruntled gurgle.

’The yummy thing is gone.’

’I want to eat it.’

"You want to eat it, right?"

A gentle smile appeared on Yang Qi’s face. He activated his Spirit Communication Technique and spoke softly, "No problem. Do something for me, and I’ll give you something delicious."

’Do what?’

The owl tilted its head.

"Help me find someone."

Yang Qi said directly, "A Two-legged Beast like me, but he’s alone. He’s probably in the mountains over there right now."

Yang Qi turned and pointed toward the mountain forest to the west.

"How about it? Help me out? If you can find him, you’ll get as much of that delicious stuff as you want."

The owl’s large head tilted to the other side, as if it were seriously considering this "deal."

’A lone Two-legged Beast?’

’In the western mountains?’

Striking while the iron was hot, Yang Qi added in a consultative tone, "Oh, and it would be best if you could also call on your companions, or any other owl friends you know who are active in this area, to help with the search."

’Can they eat it too?’

The owl asked subconsciously, revealing a strong possessiveness over the "delicacy," yet it also seemed to understand the principle that there is strength in numbers.

"Of course!"

Yang Qi nodded affirmatively. "Anyone who helps with the search, whether it’s you or your friends, will get a share of the good stuff. I always keep my word."

As he spoke, to further demonstrate his "sincerity" and pique the owl’s interest, he took a Strengthening Pill from his Hundred Pouches Belt and gently tossed it to the owl.

The owl reacted with lightning speed. It tilted its head, precisely caught the small pill in its beak, and swallowed it with a GULP.

Its body trembled visibly, the frequency of its wing beats quickened, and a comfortable gurgle rumbled in its throat.

’What is this stuff?’

’It feels so good.’

"That’s just a basic snack. The kind you smelled earlier is even tastier, feels even better when you eat it, and is even better for your bodies," Yang Qi explained with a smile, dangling an even bigger bait.

The owl was completely won over!

The wonderful sensation from the Strengthening Pill was already irresistible, not to mention the Vitality Nutrient Cream that made its very soul tremble.

’Okay.’

’I’ll go find my companions right now.’

After replying, the owl’s broad wings snapped open. It eagerly took to the sky, not flying directly west, but first darting deep into the mountain forest behind them, its figure quickly vanishing among the dark trees.

’It worked!’

Yang Qi’s confidence solidified. He clenched his fist, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

He then turned and calmly walked back to where Deng Lei, Tang Bin, and the others were gathered.

"How did it go, Advisor Yang? What was the outcome of your talk?"

Deng Lei immediately stepped forward, asking eagerly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The two remaining police officers also stared at Yang Qi expectantly.

Although Tang Bin and the other few rescue team members said nothing, their gazes were also locked on Yang Qi’s face, filled with scrutiny and deep suspicion.

"It’s handled!"

Yang Qi smiled faintly. "It agreed to help. It’s already gone to gather its companions in this area to search to the west together."

"This..."

Tang Bin and the others exchanged glances again, a mix of disbelief and bewilderment on their faces.

They desperately wanted to say something, like "This is absurd," "How can we pin our hopes on a bird?" or "How could it possibly understand, let alone actually go find someone and rally its companions?"

But seeing Yang Qi’s confident and genuine expression, and considering that they really had no better, more viable search plan at the moment, they opened their mouths but ultimately swallowed the words on the tips of their tongues.

They remained silent, but the distrust in their eyes hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

Deng Lei’s eyes, however, lit up. He pumped his fist, exclaiming excitedly, "Great! That’s fantastic!"

It felt as if a great weight had been half-lifted from his heart.

No matter how bizarre the process, as long as Yang Qi said "It’s handled," he was willing to believe a miracle would happen.

"Yeah, Advisor Yang is amazing! Now there’s hope!"

A young police officer at the side couldn’t help but chime in with an excited whisper, his face full of admiration.

Yang Qi smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

"It’s too early to call it a success. Let’s wait for them to bring back news."

...

Amidst the group’s complex and varied emotions—some hopeful, others doubtful—time seemed to slow to a crawl.

The mountain forest was quiet, with only the rustling of the night wind through the treetops and the faint chirping of distant insects.

Just as Tang Bin was about to lose his patience and once again suggest they resort to a more "conventional" backup plan—

"HOO-HOO... HOO-HOO..."

A low, distinctive, and familiar owl’s cry suddenly echoed from deep within the forest behind and to the side of them, breaking the silence of the night.