"Aow—"
The reason for the golden-furred lion's twisted neck was the sudden attack by a tremendous force, causing bone displacement and resulting in muscle strain. There is currently no treatment available.
Chen Zhiyu could only apply pressure bandaging to temporarily relieve the lion's pain, but full recovery would rely on the lion's own healing abilities.
The golden-furred lion grimaced in pain, but whenever it tried to look back, the little fox would kick it.
The golden-furred lion felt that besides the pain in its neck, its nose was also sore and swollen, and it felt a bit like crying.
"Woof—"
While the lion was being treated, the white giant wolf, who had already docked the big boat on the South Island, also arrived and greeted Ansheng, who was on the island.
"Over here!"
Ansheng barked like a dog, scaring away the monkey troop and all the carnivores in the zoo, directly leading the white giant wolf and its pack into the zoo.
The appearance of the white giant wolf immediately made the animals in the South Island Zoo tense.
Even the crooked-nosed and stiff-necked golden-furred lion became vigilant, standing up voluntarily.
"Sit down everyone!"
Ansheng leaped off the lion's head, squatted on the ground, raised both of its paws high, and pointed in the directions on its left and right, continuing to mewl:
"This here is Tu Song A-bai, the King of Rivers and Seas, who manages the smuggling routes on the Changle River at night." The little fox introduced A-bai, who led the wolf pack, to the lion.
Then, the little fox looked at A-bai and said, "Don't be fooled by its crooked nose and mouth; it is indeed the mountain king of the South Island Zoo, with connections reaching the Deep Sea District."
Sitting solemnly on the ground, the little fox said:
"The reason for the meeting today isn't a major issue; it's just so you can recognize each other to avoid any unintentional conflict in the future."
A-bai and the golden-furred lion exchanged a glance, the look in their eyes far from amicable, more like mutual disdain.
The little fox opened its mouth, gesturing and mewling.
"Master Fox... What is this all about?"
Chen Zhiyu, seeing the situation, couldn't help but have a question mark appear above his head.
Lin Ying looked at Master Fox and, recalling various confrontations with spirit beasts in the past, blandly said:
"You've seen spirit beasts and heard those Security Bureau staff say that spirit beasts aren't isolated cases. As time goes on, their numbers will only increase until, upon reaching a certain threshold, they'll be revealed to the public."
"But until then, it still needs to be kept secret..."
"What Master Fox is doing now should serve as prevention against spirit beast hazards?"
Lin Ying slowly spoke, voicing her speculation.
Master Fox lived in Changxi Town, and every time he left his territory, it was to launch strong attacks against those ferocious spirit beasts.
The golden-furred lion and white wolf in front of them had particularly gentle temperaments, unlike the fierce and brutal crocodiles from before.
Lin Ying guessed... the reason why Master Fox actively arranged a meeting with the golden-furred lion and white wolf tonight was probably an attempt to uphold the peace and stability of the area.
The three-sided meeting lasted over an hour.
The main topics of discussion were twofold.
Firstly, the issue of food; Ansheng suggested they learn from him, developing side businesses apart from free meals to ensure they never go hungry.
Secondly, the issue concerning spirit beasts, suggesting that if they discover any future disturbances by spirit beasts, they notify Ansheng immediately, prompting a resolute intervention, gaining [Wish Power +3].
Jiule City would be overseen by A-bai.
The coastal areas were to be coordinated by the lion king and orca, forming a [Help Master Fox Earn Wish Power Alliance] to tackle smugglers and earn provisions.
After the discussions were settled, A-bai piloted the big boat, taking Master Fox back to the Hunter.
"........."
Witnessing the fox piloting the big boat, Lin Ying and Chen Zhiyu returned to Qingao North Island with a silent look, boarding the yacht they arrived on, heading back to Jiule City.
"Tomorrow morning, I plan to visit the research institute deep into the application of spirit beasts. Are you interested?"
Sitting inside the yacht cabin, Lin Ying asked Chen Zhiyu.
"Me?" Chen Zhiyu, slightly furrowing her brow, felt puzzled by Lin Ying's invitation: "You want to invite me?"
"More precisely, I want to drag you into this." Lin Ying said with a calm expression: "I neither like nor dislike you... but Master Fox trusts you, so I feel I should extend some trust to you too."
"By the way! The spirit beasts caught in the Xia Dong area will be sent to that research institute. Don't you want to know what the environment there is like?"
"Rest assured! If you don't come with me, I won't tell you what I see there, even if Master Fox falls into the net in the future and has to tread the sewing machine..."
Chen Zhiyu was taken aback, her mouth twitching slightly:
"Did you consider Master Fox's feelings when you said that?"
"Aren't you worried Master Fox might, just like how he taught that golden-furred lion a lesson, slap your face?"
Lin Ying's expression remained unchanged: "The matters between us don't need your concern, I'm just saying, are you truly completely curious yet have no worries?"
Chen Zhiyu gritted her teeth: "I'll go!"
You this guy... really are wickedly troublesome!
That's Master Fox! The White Fox Immortal! How could I not be concerned about his unfortunate living conditions if he gets caught?
Oh... Master Fox!
Lin Ying nodded slightly.
After the yacht landed, Lin Shu, who originally piloted the yacht, drove the business car straight to the airport.
The closest spirit beast research institute to Xia Dong is at the border between the Xia Dong region and the Xia Zhong region.
Despite the safety around the coastal area, one must be cautious of spies and the like.
After arriving in 'Dongxiang City', Lin Ying boarded a company car specially arranged by the Lin Group Holding Company heading to a private hospitality site, waiting for the next day.
But before entering for the tour, both Lin Ying and Chen Zhiyu were arranged to attend a confidentiality class.
The instructor didn't say much, merely explained the potential consequences of leakage.
There's no big deal about leaking information.
It's simply a matter of probing into your background, imposing crippling financial penalties, slapping you with hefty fines, and serving a random 3, 7, or 9-year jail sentence, leaving you old and broke with just enough money to return home.
Chen Zhiyu was left with a black line on her face, her eye twitching, as she listened to the instructor's nonchalant description of the scenario like a hellish painting.
After the class ended, the deputy director who had long been waiting outside the classroom, greeted Lin Ying with a beaming smile, his eyes sparkling as he welcomed her:
"Welcome, Miss Lin, to our [Dongxiang Spirit Beast Research Institute]. I'm Yang Mingqing, the deputy director here."
Accompanying Director Yang in welcoming Lin Ying were some department heads and researchers.
While Yang Mingqing is the deputy director of the institute, his expertise isn't in research itself.
His field is more about drawing grandiose blueprints of spirit beast research and their vast future prospects, along with strong combat capabilities.
Mm... He's the one specialized in fundraising for research, painting grand visions in reports.
Regarding Lin Ying, the new helm of the Lin family.
Director Yang places great importance on her, not due to Lin's local industry, but because of the overseas medical group owned by the Lin family...
Although Miss Lin's donations are generous, the overseas medical group of the Lin family is the true big fish.