Ao Tian was uncooperative, but Yang Qi didn't force the issue.
The Wolf King had its pride; trying to force it to train would only be counterproductive.
Taking out his phone, Yang Qi called Jiang Kai.
"Minister Jiang, this is Yang Qi. I'd like to request permission to take Happy out of his enclosure for a walk. I'll keep him on a leash and stay within the designated areas of the park. Would that be okay?"
Taking a wolf out for a walk?
On the other end of the line, Jiang Kai hesitated. "This... there's no precedent for this. Won't it be risky?"
Happy's previous escape was an accident, a special circumstance.
Yang Qi was prepared for this. He explained, "Minister Jiang, you've heard about Happy's personality. He's a lot like a dog—very active and energetic."
"A proper walk will help alleviate his anxiety from being cooped up in the enclosure. It's good for his mental health and will also help him cooperate better with daily management and behavioral training."
"I'll keep him on the leash the entire time to ensure safety."
Jiang Kai mulled it over on the other end. Thinking of Yang Qi's incredible abilities and how Happy was indeed different from other wolves, he finally relented.
"...Alright. Since you're so confident, I'll approve it. But you must guarantee absolute safety. Stick to the logistics area and the designated paths, avoid the main visitor areas, and don't be out for too long."
"Understood! Thank you, Minister Jiang!" Yang Qi was delighted.
Permission granted, Yang Qi immediately took out a sturdy leash and gestured to Happy, who was still savoring the aftertaste of the chicken leg.
"Happy, come here!"
Happy trotted over eagerly.
Yang Qi deftly put the collar on him and clipped on the leash.
Then, under the curious gazes of the other wolves and the tourists outside, he took out his keys and opened the door of the staff passage that connected to the activity yard.
Happy let out an excited little whine and shot out impatiently, his big, fluffy tail wagging like a pinwheel.
The other wolves didn't react much, merely watching.
Only the Wolf King, Ao Tian, widened his icy eyes. He shot to his feet, staring intently at the door that had been opened and then closed, and at the human outside leading Happy. For the first time, astonishment—and a faint, imperceptible flicker of emotion—surfaced in his gaze.
Yang Qi ignored Ao Tian's stare. After carefully locking the enclosure, he led the joyful Happy, who looked about to jump for joy, and slowly walked away from the wolf area under the stunned gazes of a few visitors.
...
With his tongue out, tail wagging furiously, and a bounce in his step, Happy's behavior, paired with his Gray Wolf appearance, created a strong and adorable contrast. He looked just like an oversized husky.
The few tourists they encountered on the path were startled at first, but after seeing he was securely leashed and acting very "dog-like," they relaxed.
Some even smiled and pointed, but no one panicked in the slightest.
Yang Qi walked him for a while, eventually reaching the relatively quiet area behind the raccoon exhibit.
He tied Happy's leash securely to the trunk of a large tree outside an enclosure, patted his head, and gave him an order.
"Wait here quietly. No barking."
"WHIMPER~" Happy lay down, his eyes surveying the surroundings.
Yang Qi went to the raccoon enclosure and began behavioral training with the two adult raccoons.
The training mainly consisted of basic commands, like following a target stick and entering a transport crate.
With his Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity, the two raccoons were quite cooperative. Though their movements were sluggish, they successfully completed all the tasks.
When the training was over, Yang Qi untied the leash and strolled with the still-eager Happy along the designated secluded paths in the park for a while longer.
It wasn't until evening that he, accompanied by Happy's reluctant whimpers, took him back to the wolf enclosure and safely returned him to his pen.
...
That evening, Yang Qi cooked his usual portion of Spirit Rice and shared it with Xiaojiu.
Afterwards, he sat cross-legged on his bed and focused on circulating the Moon Invitation Qi Refining Art, absorbing the energy from the Spirit Rice to condense his Magical Power.
A little after nine o'clock, his phone rang. It was Director Huang Zhongmu.
"Xiao Yang, the search party has been coordinated. Tomorrow morning at six sharp, assemble at the Zoo's main entrance. You're heading into the mountains to search for the clouded leopard. I've already had Minister Jiang arrange for someone to cover your duties."
"Yes, Director. I'll be there on time!"
After hanging up, Yang Qi's mind rippled with emotion, but he quickly calmed himself and returned to his cultivation.
Just before midnight, the Magical Power within his Dantian had increased by another ten wisps.
As the clock struck midnight, the system processed its daily settlement on schedule.
[Daily work complete. The host has fed three types of Spirit Beasts, cleaned two Beast Gardens, and trained two types of Spirit Beasts. Contribution Points +35]
'Cleaning enclosures and behavioral training really do give contribution points!'
Yang Qi was very pleased as he looked at the increased points.
At the same time, he thought, 'If training the wolf and the raccoons gives rewards, then training Xiaojiu should too!'
The environment for this mountain search for the clouded leopard would be complex. Bringing along the sharp-sensed and agile Xiaojiu might prove unexpectedly useful.
With this in mind, Yang Qi meditated to regulate his breathing, conserving his energy until his alarm clock rang precisely at 5:30 in the morning.
He got up crisply, washed up, and got dressed.
He shouldered a backpack containing a small amount of food, water, and emergency supplies, then placed Xiaojiu on his shoulder.
The little fellow seemed to know they were going out, obediently hooking its claws into his clothes and perching steadily.
By the time he reached the Zoo's main entrance, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
He saw that Zhao Dalong, Cheng Xiaoou, Huang Zhongmu, Jiang Kai, and the other Zoo executives were already there.
"Director, Director Cheng, Minister Jiang, Chief Zhao..." Yang Qi greeted them one by one.
Jiang Kai stepped forward, clapped Yang Qi on the shoulder, and advised, "Xiao Yang, be careful in the mountains. Safety first."
"Understood." Yang Qi nodded.
Cheng Xiaoou then introduced a calm, steady-looking man of about thirty who wore glasses.
"Xiao Yang, this is Zhang Zhi from our Conservation and Research Center. He's quite knowledgeable about mountain environments and wildlife. He'll be going into the mountains with you this time."
"Brother Zhang, hello. I'm Yang Qi." Yang Qi nodded in greeting.
"Yang Qi, hello." Zhang Zhi nodded back, his tone even.
They had only exchanged a few words when two sturdy men in hiking gear, carrying large packs, ran up to them.
Zhao Dalong's expression hardened as he scolded them, "Chen Ze, Fang Dawei, what took you so long?"
"Alright, what matters is that they're here. We can talk about the rest when you get back."
Huang Zhongmu raised a hand to stop Zhao Dalong. He clapped his hands, his gaze sweeping over Yang Qi, Zhang Zhi, and the two security guards, Chen Ze and Fang Dawei, before speaking in a serious tone, "Now that everyone's here, I'll say a few words."
"Your mission in the mountains this time is to cooperate with comrades from the Forestry Bureau and the Forest Police to search for the trail of the mother clouded leopard and her cub. The primary objective is to confirm the cub's safety and attempt to guide or rescue them."
"During this time, you must pay attention to your own safety. Cangshan is not the Zoo. Anything can happen in there!"
"The search party as a whole will be guided by experts from the Forestry Bureau, with our Zoo assisting. The Forest Police will provide equipment support. A Ranger will also join you as a guide. The others will be waiting for you at the mountain entrance."
"Remember, follow all commands. You must all come back to me in one piece! Understand?"
"Understood!"