Chapter 258: Chapter 170: Sword Pointed at the Heavens, Divine Abilities Formed

Before Yang Qi could even give the signal, the flock of nocturnal raptors couldn’t hold back any longer.

The largest of the Eagle Owls was the first to move. It spread its wings and dove like a silent gray cloud, landing precisely beside one of the rocks.

The other, slightly smaller owls followed close behind, each pouncing toward the other two rocks.

All the owls used their sharp—yet at this moment, exceptionally "gentle"—beaks to quickly peck at the Vitality Nutrient Cream.

The wonderful flavor and the warmth flooding their bodies made them narrow their eyes in pleasure, their throaty rumbles filled with immense satisfaction.

"Payment settled. Let’s work together again if we get the chance. See you all later."

None of the owls, busy feasting with relish, paid Yang Qi any mind.

Yang Qi chuckled and shook his head. Deciding not to disturb them further, he turned and walked back to the campfire to rejoin Deng Lei and Tang Bin.

By now, the young man had calmed down and was recounting his thrilling and bizarre day to Deng Lei and the other rescue team members.

Apparently, around noon, he had tried to lead away a pursuing wolf pack by deliberately making noise and throwing food, successfully drawing most of their attention.

A few of the wolves chased him for a long way, but strangely, they seemed only to pursue him without ever actually attacking.

The scrapes on his body were mostly from falling down or getting scratched by branches as he fled in a panic.

But in his desperate flight through the dense forest, he had been bitten by snakes on two separate occasions—once by a rat snake and once by a green snake, both common and non-venomous.

He managed to hold out until dusk. Guessing the wolves had likely dispersed, he tried to get his bearings and leave the mountain, only to unluckily stumble into the territory of a sounder of wild boars and their young!

The protective sow was incredibly aggressive and, without hesitation, led her family in a charge right at him.

Scared witless, the man took off in another desperate sprint. During the chase, he felt a sharp pain in his ankle for a third time.

This time, it was a startled Black Rat Snake that had bitten him—also non-venomous.

Just as he was nearing despair, thinking he was about to be gored by wild boar tusks, a lithe, spotted figure shot out from the side bushes like a lightning bolt.

The appearance of a clouded leopard threw the boars into disarray. The lead sow, in particular, was wary of this apex predator of the mountain forests, and her charge faltered.

The man seized the opportunity, scrambling away to escape the boars’ pursuit. Utterly exhausted, he finally took refuge in a relatively concealed crevice between two rock faces.

To his fear and confusion, the clouded leopard that had scared off the boars didn’t leave. Instead, it had followed him and was now perched in a tree, silently watching him.

The man recognized it as a clouded leopard. He was shocked that such a top-level protected species even existed in Cangshan, but a deeper fear quickly flooded his heart.

’Is this predator treating me like some kind of monkey, just watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike?’

That was why he had forced himself to use a lighter to ignite the dry branches he’d gathered, hoping the fire would scare it off. He had also found a stick for self-defense, which led to the scene Yang Qi and the others witnessed upon their arrival.

When Deng Lei told him the clouded leopard wasn’t stalking him but was actually protecting him from other wild animals, the man’s jaw dropped in astonishment. An indescribable mix of emotion and absurdity washed over him.

’A wild clouded leopard... protecting a human?’

And when he learned that the entire rescue was initiated because Yang Qi’s own Beaked Eagle, Qi Zai, had discovered the injured Professor Yu and his junior colleague; and that after alerting the authorities, Yang Qi had then "recruited" a flock of owls for an aerial search that ultimately located him...

The PhD student was left utterly speechless. His mouth opened and closed a few times, but no sound came out.

His entire worldview had been shaken to its core.

When he finally processed it all, he began thanking Yang Qi and the rescue team profusely, his words earnest and emotional.

As for how much he truly believed this fantastical tale of a messenger Beaked Eagle, an owl search party, and a guardian clouded leopard... well, only he knew for sure.

After all, as a PhD with rigorous scientific training, his rational mind and existing knowledge base struggled to fully accept such a story.

Regardless, the outcome was a good one.

Aside from being "kissed" by non-venomous snakes three times, numerous scrapes, and a sprained ankle from all the running, the man had no serious injuries. He was badly shaken, but physically, he was in good shape.

After a brief rest, the group prepared to head out of the mountains.

This time, Hu Zi, Leopard, and Bai Wan led the way, having memorized the scent from their journey in. The rescue team and Forest Police supported the injured man, with Yang Qi and Deng Lei bringing up the rear.

With flashlights cutting through the darkness, they followed a relatively clear path, trudging wearily out of the mountains.

By the time the group finally emerged from the forest and saw the scattered lights of the distant city once more, it was already past midnight.

A cool night wind washed over them, and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Deng Lei needed to take the man to the hospital for a full check-up and to have his wounds treated. They would also meet up with Professor Yu and the other student, who had been taken there earlier.

Yang Qi, with the three police dogs in tow, drove back to the Zoo.

Back at his dorm in the small villa by the mountainside, the courtyard was silent.

He went inside, flicked on the lights, and first put on a pot of Spirit Rice Porridge for his furry companions and himself. Then, he set up the "Demon Extermination Array" in the backyard to reap his contribution points.

Finally, he took a long, hot shower, washing away the day’s exhaustion, dust, and the lingering scent of the forest.