Yang Qi was prepared. The moment the flash fire erupted, he hugged the heavyset man and dove forward, rolling twice on the ground and shielding them from some of the impact and flying debris with his own body.

The others nearby, including the two young men who had wanted to help, were all stunned by the sudden flash fire, either dropping to the ground or scrambling away.

A wave of heat washed over their heads, and everyone’s faces turned pale.

...

After a moment, once they confirmed there were no more explosions, a few of the braver onlookers, though still shaken, ran over to help Yang Qi up.

"I’m fine. Go check on the others."

Yang Qi waved a hand and got to his feet.

The force of the flash fire had been considerable, but with his current physique and the Tier One Middle-Grade Body Protection Talisman he wore, an impact of this level wasn’t even enough to trigger the talisman’s automatic defense. He only felt a slight heat and a jarring sensation on his back, nothing more.

"Brother, you’re incredible!"

The people who came to help looked at the completely unscathed Yang Qi, then at the wreckage of the still-burning car, and were overcome with admiration, all giving him a thumbs-up.

"If you hadn’t shouted just now, these two kids..."

The two young men, who had nearly been caught in the fiery blast, were now terrified in retrospect, and their eyes filled with gratitude as they looked at Yang Qi.

"Thanks, man."

"That was amazing, bro."

...

After the thanks were exchanged, Yang Qi and the others worked together to carry the unconscious heavyset man, moving farther away from the burning vehicle.

As they moved him, Yang Qi discreetly channeled a wisp of Magical Power into the man’s body, protecting his organs—especially his heart, which had taken the brunt of the shock.

Soon, the piercing wail of sirens grew closer as fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances arrived on the scene.

The professional rescue crews sprang into action, extinguishing the flames, cutting open the vehicle, and rescuing other trapped victims.

Yang Qi helped out on the side, using the opportunity of lending a hand to discreetly channel a wisp of Magical Power into several other unconscious, critically injured victims as they were rescued, protecting their hearts and major organs.

None of them were dead yet, but their injuries were severe. Whether they would ultimately be saved would depend on their will to live and the quality of care at the hospital.

As the first heavyset man he’d rescued was being loaded into the ambulance, Yang Qi looked at his grime-covered, slightly distorted face and thought he looked familiar.

’Where have I seen him before?’

The ambulance doors slammed shut, its siren wailing as it sped off, interrupting Yang Qi’s train of thought.

Police were at the scene maintaining order and gathering evidence, and reporters who had heard the news were also arriving.

Yang Qi didn’t linger. He returned to his car and, at the direction of a traffic officer, drove away.

...

...

The accident on the overpass delayed Yang Qi for quite some time.

He had called Song Wan and Gao Zhenyue in advance to explain the situation.

So, when they met up in front of the pet shop, Gao Zhenyue didn’t press for details about the accident. He just looked at the late-arriving Yang Qi and teased him.

"Brother Qi, you’ve got some luck, huh? Hitting a traffic jam the second you leave the house. Maybe you should check your horoscope before you go out next time?"

Yang Qi couldn’t be bothered with his friend’s wisecracks. He looked directly at Song Wan and asked, "So, have you picked one out yet?"

The pet shop was quite large, with two floors and a bright, clean interior.

In addition to the usual sections for cats and dogs, there was also a dedicated "exotic pets" area.

Fluffy chinchillas, chubby hamsters, hedgehogs curled into balls, lizards basking on heated rocks, brightly-feathered parrots, and even tanks of swimming goldfish.

"I have."

Song Wan pointed to two enclosures behind a glass wall. "The Bengal Leopard Cats and the Maine Cats. I think they’re both great; they look so cool. Yang Qi, can you help me decide which one is better?"

’She calls this "picked out"?’

Yang Qi was speechless. ’She hasn’t even decided on a breed yet.’

Still, looking at the two breeds Song Wan had pointed out—the Bengal Leopard Cat with its gorgeous markings resembling a wild leopard, and the Maine Cat, which was huge with fluffy fur and a regal aura—both definitely had an "imposingly cool" look.

It seemed Song Wan was intentionally aiming for that kind of look.

Yang Qi looked at the Maine Cats first.

They were certainly majestic, but despite their large size, Maine Cats generally have gentle, clingy personalities. They’re known as "gentle giants." They weren’t really suitable for apartment living, as they need plenty of space.

Besides, while the ones Song Wan had pointed out looked gentle enough, their spiritual potential was mediocre. They were just ordinary, pretty pet cats.

He then turned to the Bengal Leopard Cat enclosure.

This breed was a hybrid of the Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat. It inherited the leopard cat’s gorgeous appearance, but its temperament had been stabilized through generations of selective breeding, making it legal to own.

True wild leopard cats are a nationally protected Class II species, and their private ownership and trade are strictly forbidden.

Behind the glass wall, several Bengal Leopard Cats were playing or resting. Their fur was glossy, their markings were clear, and they were indeed very beautiful.

Yang Qi’s gaze swept over them one by one.

These cats were striking in appearance, but the "Spiritual Light" in their eyes was weak. They were merely at the level of an ordinarily intelligent pet.

Then, his gaze fell on a Bengal Leopard Cat in the corner, slightly larger than the others, lying by itself. As if sensing his stare, the cat suddenly lifted its head, its golden pupils locking precisely onto Yang Qi’s gaze. It shot him an impatient glare and let out a "meow" tinged with obvious displeasure.

’What are you looking at?’

’Oh-ho, this one’s got quite a personality.’

’That air of impatience, and those eyes, so much more spirited than the other cats’...’

"That’s the one."

Yang Qi said to Song Wan, pointing at the "large-sized" Bengal Leopard Cat that was glaring at him.

’Its temper might be a bit foul, but its spiritual potential is definitely stronger than the others. It’ll have a much higher ceiling for training.’

"Okay!"

Seeing that Yang Qi had made his decision, Song Wan didn’t hesitate for a second. She immediately called over a staff member to handle the purchase and pick out all the necessities: cat food, litter, toys, a cat bed, and so on.

The chosen Leopard Cat seemed to realize what was happening. It glanced at Yang Qi through the glass, then at the excited Song Wan, before turning its head away with a flick of its tail.

Once all the paperwork was done, the three of them headed back to the apartment Song Wan shared with Qian Yu, carrying the Bengal Leopard Cat in a carrier. Through its mesh window, its aloof and disdainful expression was plain to see.

Gao Zhenyue and Yang Qi helped carry everything inside.

The moment they were through the door, Song Wan eagerly opened the carrier and let her new companion out.

The Bengal Leopard Cat, whom Song Wan had personally named "Overlord," first stood cautiously at the doorway for a few seconds, observing its surroundings. Then, it strode into the living room with an arrogant gait.

It didn’t hide in fear like most cats in a new home. Instead, like a monarch surveying its territory, it carefully "inspected" the new environment.

Sniffing here, looking there.

It went into every room for a tour, not even sparing the kitchen, bathroom, or balcony.

As it inspected everything, it let out a series of high and low "meows."

Song Wan followed close behind, her face full of adoration and excitement. Listening to Overlord’s cries, she said happily,

"Yang Qi, look! Overlord seems to be getting familiar with his new home. He’s meowing so cheerfully—I think he really likes it here! This is great!"

Yang Qi stood in the living room, watching Overlord’s picky demeanor and listening to its cries, and almost burst out laughing.

’Likes it here?’

’It’s clearly expressing its disdain!’