Chapter 65: Warning! An Outer Sect Elder Is Spying

"Great King" was a male Northeast Tiger in the prime of his life, acquired through an exchange with another zoo three years ago.

When he first arrived, he was a star at the Zoo, attracting countless visitors who would stop to watch.

But as time went on, the novelty wore off, and his popularity gradually faded.

Of course, as a top predator, his overall popularity at the Zoo was still second only to the "Four Great Stars."

...

When Yang Qi arrived at the Tiger District, he saw Chen Ze and Great King’s main keeper, Wei Dayuan, standing outside the safety barrier, talking in low voices.

"What’s the situation?" Yang Qi asked as he walked over.

"You’re here, Brother Qi."

Chen Ze greeted him first, then pointed at the enclosure and said, "I’m not sure of the specifics. Great King didn’t eat this morning. He’s barely touched the meat we gave him."

"I was on patrol in this area and heard Old Wei muttering to himself, so I came over to check on Great King’s condition. I noticed he seemed agitated—it didn’t look like he simply had no appetite. That’s why I called you to come take a look."

"Ah, Chen Ze is probably overthinking things."

Wei Dayuan, who was standing to the side, chimed in. He had a good relationship with Chen Ze and spoke frankly. "I don’t think anything’s wrong with Great King. Maybe it’s just the muggy weather, or maybe he’s just not hungry right now."

"You call this nothing?" Chen Ze said, extending his hand and pointing inside the tiger enclosure.

Yang Qi looked where he was pointing.

Inside the spacious tiger enclosure, a massive Northeast Tiger was lying on its side on a patch of dry sand. Its condition was indeed somewhat abnormal.

It was panting heavily, its tongue lolling slightly out of its mouth. Its chest heaved noticeably, its amber tiger eyes were half-closed, and its gaze seemed a bit unfocused and...

’Vexed?’

It was May, the transition from late spring to early summer. Although the temperature was rising, it was far from unbearably hot.

A healthy Northeast Tiger should never be panting with its tongue out like a dog to cool off.

What was even more striking was that in another corner of the enclosure, a common chicken—put there for "environmental enrichment"—was leisurely scratching at the soil with its claws, looking for insects to eat, completely unharmed.

For an adult male Northeast Tiger, which would normally be extremely territorial and show no mercy to intruders, this was highly unusual.

"..."

Wei Dayuan looked at Great King panting with his tongue out inside the enclosure, then at the lively chicken. He opened his mouth but was speechless.

"...Alright, something is definitely a little off with Great King. I was just thinking I should get a veterinarian to come take a look."

"You were hesitating because you were afraid they’d find a problem, right?" Chen Ze said irritably.

"..."

Yang Qi didn’t say anything. Curious, he moved a little closer to the enclosure to observe carefully.

[Mission Triggered: The vexation of the "Iron Armor Fierce Tiger" has been discovered. Host, please resolve this issue as soon as possible and help the Spirit Beast return to normal.]

’So there really is a problem!’

’Vexation... it’s most likely not a physiological problem.’

’Iron Armor Fierce Tiger?’

’That’s a domineering name. It fits a Northeast Tiger’s appearance.’

Yang Qi’s interest was piqued, but his expression remained unchanged.

After watching Great King’s agitated panting for a moment, he turned his head to Wei Dayuan and said, "Open the side gate. I’m going in to take a look."

"Huh?"

Wei Dayuan was so startled he almost jumped. He waved his hands frantically. "No, no! Absolutely not! Great King has been at the Zoo for a few years, but he grew up in a semi-wild environment. His wild instincts are still intact! It’s too dangerous to go in there. I think we should just hurry up and get the Veterinarian to examine him."

"Get the Veterinarian to come and sedate Great King?"

Chen Ze immediately retorted, "Don’t you know that repeated sedation has a big impact on an animal’s health? Besides, in Great King’s current state, what if something goes wrong during the process?"

"That’s still not an option! If something really happens, no one can bear that responsibility!"

Wei Dayuan insisted on his point, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

He was, after all, the person primarily responsible for Great King. The adult male Northeast Tiger was indisputably the "number one most dangerous" animal in the entire Zoo. When it truly went berserk, even watching from behind the bars was terrifying, let alone getting close to it.

"How about this."

Seeing the situation, Yang Qi took out his phone. "I’ll call Minister Jiang."

With that, he walked to the side and dialed Jiang Kai’s number. He briefly explained Great King’s abnormal condition and his own assessment. He believed it likely wasn’t an illness, but rather a state of vexation and discomfort caused by some emotional or environmental factor. He then requested permission to enter the enclosure to observe and attempt to calm the tiger.

On the other end of the line, Jiang Kai was silent for a few seconds before asking with a slight nervousness in his voice, "Xiao Yang, how confident are you?"

"Ninety percent."

As usual, Yang Qi didn’t give an absolute guarantee, but his tone was steady and certain.

Hearing this, Jiang Kai thought for another moment, then said, "Alright, I trust your judgment. But safety first. Wait a minute. I’ll call Lao Zhao from the security department right now and have him bring a tranquilizer gun and an emergency team over immediately. They’ll stand guard outside the enclosure just in case."

"Also, once you’re in the enclosure, if you notice anything wrong, get out immediately or give us a signal."

"Okay." Yang Qi didn’t refuse this safety measure and agreed.

Zhao Dalong received the call and acted quickly. He soon arrived at the Tiger District with three fully equipped security guards.

They brought not only a tranquilizer gun, but also riot shields, steel poles, and other equipment for dealing with sudden beast attacks.

Seeing the security department’s serious, ready-for-action formation, many nearby visitors were also drawn over. They gathered curiously outside the safety line, pointing and murmuring, not knowing what was happening.

The staff from the Veterinary Station also received the notice and rushed over. After observing Great King from a distance through the glass, they reached a conclusion similar to Yang Qi’s.

"Abnormal behavior, lack of interest in live prey. There is definitely a physiological or psychological condition. Further examination is essential."

When Wei Dayuan heard that even the Veterinarian said so, he grew even more nervous.

"It’s fine. Don’t worry," Yang Qi said reassuringly.

"Just relax, Old Wei. When Brother Qi takes action, success is guaranteed!"

Chen Ze clapped Wei Dayuan on the shoulder, his tone filled with a mysterious confidence in Yang Qi. "Not just anyone can earn the title of ’Druid’."

Hearing this, Yang Qi glanced at him but said nothing.

He walked to the sturdy iron gate on the side of the tiger enclosure and waited as Wei Dayuan, under the watchful eyes of Zhao Dalong and his team, nervously took out his keys and unlocked the gate.

"Xiao Yang, be extremely careful! If anything seems wrong, get out immediately!" Zhao Dalong urged in a low voice, holding the tranquilizer gun and keeping his eyes fixed on the enclosure.

"Understood."

Yang Qi nodded. Amidst the rising and falling gasps of the crowd of visitors behind him, and under the nervous gazes of Wei Dayuan and the others, he slowly walked into the tiger enclosure.

[Warning! Warning! The hidden spying of an Outer Sect Elder has been detected! Host, please be cautious in your words and actions. Do not use any obviously abnormal methods, lest you reveal the sect’s secrets!]

???

’What the hell?’

’Outer Sect Elder??’