Its breathing grew heavy, and a low, unintelligible growl rumbled in its throat.
As the video progressed and the scenes of the liger cubâs birth and its comparison with normal cubs appeared, Bart began to pace restlessly on the stone platform, its tail thrashing irritably.
When the video finally froze on the intensely jarring comparison shotâ
"ROARâ!!!"
A deafening, furious roarâfilled with anger, shock, disbelief, humiliation, and even a trace of fearâerupted from the depths of Bartâs throat.
The immense shockwave of sound reverberated within the enclosure, so powerful it even made the stand holding the display screen outside tremble slightly.
The emotions within the roar were complex and intense, hitting everyone with visceral force.
Everyone in the observation area was startled by the sudden roar, their hearts skipping a beat.
Guo Xiaoyun couldnât help but ask in a low, worried voice, "This... Was it too much stimulation? Might it backfire?"
"I-I donât know."
Zhao Mingfengâs palms were sweating with nervousness, and he subconsciously glanced at Lu Gangsheng beside him.
Lu Gangsheng didnât respond. He was completely focused, binoculars raised, intently studying Bartâs every subtle movement and facial tic, trying to interpret the lionâs reaction from the perspective of animal behavior.
Yang Qi also remained silent, but inwardly, he felt a slight shift.
The others might have only heard anger and agitation in the roar, but he understood its true meaning.
âThis is impossible!â
âWhat is that monster?â
âWhy is this happening?â
âNo... Thatâs not right...â
In short, Bartâs defenses had been shattered!
His established worldview had been utterly shattered by the cruel and "abnormal" images!
"Play the second video clip again," Yang Qi suddenly said in a low voice.
"Huh? Again?" Zhao Mingfeng was taken aback, a little hesitant.
âHe reacted so strongly to it once,â he thought. âIf we play it again, wonât something terrible happen?â
But seeing the calm certainty in Yang Qiâs eyes, and remembering that the man was the "attending physician" here, Zhao Mingfeng steeled himself and signaled to the technician. "Do as Advisor Yang says. Play it again!"
The large screen outside the enclosure lit up again, and the "tragic" tale of the male lion and the White Tiger "uniting" to give birth to a liger began to unfold once more.
This time, Bartâs reaction inside the enclosure was even more intense.
He no longer just stared. He began to pace back and forth anxiously, his massive claws scraping against the floor and producing a harsh, grating sound.
When the comparison shot of the liger cubs appeared on screen again, he suddenly reared up, slamming his front paws hard against the sturdy metal bars with a tremendous CLANG.
At the same time, a series of even more furious and anguished roars burst from his throat.
"ROAR~!"
âItâs not like that!â
âMonster! Thatâs a monster!â
âThatâs not a cub, itâs a monster!â
âTwo-legged Beast, come out here! Get out here!â
This last cry was exceptionally clear, confirming Yang Qiâs suspicions.
Bart wasnât going berserk. Rather, in the wake of his shock, confusion, and shattered worldview, he was subconsciously seeking an explanation and confirmation from the one being he felt he could "communicate" with, the one who "might know the truth": Yang Qi.
"Director, Teacher Tong, Minister Zhao..."
Yang Qi turned and spoke quickly to the assembled leaders, "Bart is calling for me. Iâm going in."
"What? Youâre going in now?" Zhao Mingfeng was still worried.
"Be careful," Tong Xiaoyue urged, her expression full of concern.
Guo Xiaoyun nodded as well. "Stay safe. If anything seems off, get out of there immediately."
Yang Qi nodded to show he understood, then opened the door to the staff corridor and walked into the inner section of the enclosure.
He didnât get too close, stopping a few paces from the metal barrier and calmly regarding the frenzied-looking lion inside.
The moment Bart saw Yang Qi, he lunged at the barrier as if heâd found his target. His enormous head nearly squeezed through the gaps in the bars as he opened his cavernous maw and let out a deafening roar right at Yang Qi, blasting him with a wave of hot, fetid air.
"ROAR~!"
âTwo-legged Beast! What is that thing on the screen?!â
âThatâs not a cub, is it?!â
Facing the suffocating blast of air, Yang Qi held his breath, his expression remaining perfectly calm and composed.
Activating his Basic Spirit Communication Technique, he said aloud, "Thatâs right. Itâs a monster. Didnât I tell you before? When different kinds of beasts are forced to breed, the offspring they produce often turn out to be âmonstersâ like that."
Bart froze, his paws still pressed against the barrier. His massive jaws slowly closed, but his bloodshot eyes remained fixed on Yang Qi, his gaze a whirlwind of complex emotions.
Swirling within them were shock, lingering fear, shame, and a trace of dazed confusion from being struck by the "truth."
Yang Qi spoke calmly again. "That beast you like, the White Tiger named Duke... Iâve found out where he is. If you want toâ"
"ROAR!!"
Before Yang Qi could finish, Bart cut him off with another furious roar, his cavernous maw flying open again to spray a hot, saliva-laced gust of air.
Yang Qi had been expecting it. He remained standing in the same spot, simply holding his breath again.
Outside the enclosure, the observers jumped again.
Their shock was immediately followed by a wave of admiration for Yang Qi.
The sheer courage to stand unflinching before a roaring lion was something few people possessed.
Anyone else would have either frozen stiff or their legs would have given out. They might have even pissed themselves in fright.
Inside the enclosure, Bartâs roars were filled with humiliation and a sentiment akin to "impotent rage."
âStop talking!â
He clearly understood what Yang Qi was about to say and felt an intense resistance and shame toward the topic.
Yang Qi suppressed a smile and continued to fan the flames. "So you donât want to see him anymore?"
"ROAR~!"
That did it. Bart was completely incensed, letting loose an even more furious roar at Yang Qi.
âI told you to stop talking!â