"Whew..."
Ansheng squatted on the steps of the hot spring pool, exhaling a breath of stagnation, and comfortably squinted his eyes.
The thirty-six to thirty-seven degrees of the hot spring wasn't too hot; it was just the right temperature to soothe and relax. Unlike Ah Qing, who soaked in the big pool for a while, then went with Qiu Lingling to the adjacent smaller and hotter spring pool, Ansheng stayed put.
Uncle Jinlong dived into the pool with a splash, paddling his four little legs like a crocodile.
Ah Bai stood by the hot spring pool, staring sternly at the steaming water. After testing it with his back foot, he shook his dog head repeatedly, clearly harboring a deep disdain for the high temperature of the hot spring.
"Master Fuli, won't you go join Ah Qing and the others by the fish pond?"
Lin Ying, wearing a black split swimsuit with a cover-up on top, sat beside Master Fuli at the pool's edge, dipped into the second step to soak her upper body, and looked at Master Fuli with a smile, asking.
"Too lazy to dry my hair. I still have to go out later; I'll take a bath when I get back!"
Seeing Lin Ying approaching, Ansheng turned to look at her and said with a moan.
Tonight, he had already arranged to meet with the Orca family but decided to meet at Stone Lion Town, considering Old Li was also in Xia Dong, for a face-to-face in the evening.
"Master Fuli, honest and fearless, always helping the weak and supporting the fallen, but a little relaxation shouldn't be too much trouble now and then."
Lin Ying chuckled gently, picked up Master Fuli from the water and placed him on her lap, raising her arm, using the petting techniques taught by Ah Qing, she pinched Master Fuli's shoulders and under his chin, making him emit a series of happy groans involuntarily.
"At the dining table earlier, Ah Qing was still talking about Master Fuli, saying that this month is your first birthday, and she wants to give you a small surprise."
"Is there any gift you would like? I can accompany you to Chang'an City when the time comes for your birthday."
Master Fuli's birthday was in November, and just now at the table, Ah Qing had asked Chen Zhiyu if it was still possible to reserve ostrich legs since Pet Paradise was closed.
Ah Qing had promised Ansheng before, saying she'd get him an ostrich leg for his birthday.
Huhu turning one, he's grown and needs big drumsticks to eat.
"Is there such a thing?" Ansheng was taken aback, the expression on the little fox face froze for a moment. He naturally remembered when his birthday was, but speaking of birthdays momentarily made him feel bewildered.
The last time, celebrating a birthday seems like... going back to when he just graduated in his past life?
"Yes, Ah Qing has always remembered." Lin Ying affirmed to Master Fuli.
"Preparations are underway now; it seems like it's going to be quite lively."
Ansheng nodded gently, a trace of joy appearing on his cheeks: "I knew I didn't misjudge Ah Qing. She's never selfish with food and regularly distributes provisions."
"But....."
"There's one more thing, I feel like my brain is itchy, like it's growing or something..."
Lin Ying chatted as if idle, and although Ansheng didn't catch any hidden meanings, he vaguely felt like Lin Ying was..... urging marriage?
"Growing..... growing a brain? Three heads and six arms?" Lin Ying was slightly stunned hearing the groans from Master Fuli, flashing a look of surprise as she turned sideways to ask, looking at Master Fuli's side face.
"Impossible, three heads and six arms, that's something belonging to supernatural abilities even in fantastical worlds."
Ansheng turned sidelong, raised his mouth and pecked at Lin Ying's forehead, clearing her head of feudal superstitions, then quietly started explaining about Unos to Lin Ying.
The Security Bureau's categorization of Spirit Beast traits doesn't really touch the true essence; Spirit Beasts don't need to be divided into categories like [Physique Enhancement], [Tribal Traits], [Human Society Specialization], or [Unos].
Spirit Beasts... No, creatures evolved through the catalytic effect of Spiritual Particles only need to be divided into two categories.
One category is [Physique].
Another category is [Wisdom].
The former is the general term for physical specialization, while the latter is the general term for mental and spiritual specialization.
When the two reach a certain level and achieve balance, it becomes what Li Wenkang refers to as the [Primordial Life Form].
Further forward might be the [Flawless Perfection] formed by the First Epoch Life, or the [Black Fungus Mother Colony] of the Second Epoch creatures.
"So, in other words.... Ah Qing's ability should belong to the [Unos Specialization]?"
Lin Ying, after finishing what Master Fuli said, curiously asked Master Fuli.
"No, no.... don't worry about that fellow, this specialization is simply called [Will] specialization." Ansheng looked at Lin Ying and said: "I can feel that I should be able to specialize in this area once now. But, compared to Unos, my first specialization probably can't achieve things like Telekinesis."
"Ah Qing might be stronger in this area than me, but she probably hasn't reached Unos' level."
At this point, Master Fuli had a contented smile on his face, looking at Ah Qing, who was sitting on the slide, ready to launch into the hot spring.
Master Fuli's expression was like that of an old village chief in a mountain village, seeing the first college student in the village.
Changxi Town..... there's something to say about this place.
Skinny Dog Creek's wild boars, gluttonous snakes, Chen Nian, and even the neighborhood bodybuilding champion next to Ah Qing's house, or from a certain perspective, Lin Ying and Lin Bingyun, all belong to the reckless.....
Even Lai Foo, all have a robust physique.
Extraordinary like Chen Nian, never having even taken a shot of Spiritual Particles needle, remarkably can tear apart wild brown bears by hand, brown bears! According to estimates, the strongest ones can weigh up to half a ton.
And Ah Qing's trait turns out to be [Will].
An Ah Qing coming from a village of reckless, she must be the village's first college student.
"So.... Do you need me to prepare anything for you? Medical facilities or just head to the hospital?"
Lin Ying had a serious expression as she looked at Master Fuli, inquiring if he needed any medical equipment prepared.
Master Fuli had experienced growing a tail himself many times before, very experienced, even when Lin Ying saw Master Fuli, he already bore two tails.
But growing a brain... no matter what, it was the first time, and involved such a complex area as the brain region.
Lin Ying couldn't help but worry about Master Fuli.
"Throw the hospital up for resale among secondhand goods....." Ansheng looked at Lin Ying, raising his head, speaking confidently:
"I, Master Fuli, I'm developing internally and externally, unlike those landlords implanting coffins of dragons inside themselves."
"I do good deeds, evolve steadily..."
"So... what now?" Lin Ying hesitated and opened her mouth: "Should we intoxicate Ah Qing and the others to create a safe space for your advancement, Master Fuli?"
"No, not necessary, Ah Qing may become extremely food protective when drunk." Ansheng shook his head repeatedly at what Lin Ying said, rejecting her suggestion.
"I wanted to say, um..... I've grown a little. I once promised you; you're the exclusive recorder of the 'Huhu Growth Diary.'" Ansheng turned around, facing Lin Ying directly with an invincible and justified expression.
"You can't quit your job halfway!"
Lin Ying's expression froze, her face suddenly becoming gentle and smiling with curved eyebrows, she reached out and hugged Master Fuli, pressing cheeks together:
"Okay, I'll always be responsible for keeping records. I'm immensely looking forward to your growth, Master Fuli..."
"Currently, I should still be in my prime, retirement seems a bit distant for me."
Lin Ying was in a cheerful mood, extending her arms to support Master Fuli's undercarriage, smoothing his back fur.
"Oh, by the way, actually, I've always had a small question I've been meaning to ask you. It's about that little girl I saw at your house before, Lin Tongshu, the one who pulled a machine gun from her petticoat."
"Her name doesn't sound too auspicious, does it?" Ansheng was a bit curious and asked. He'd always wanted to joke about that little girl's name but never had the chance, and today, with a relaxed atmosphere, seemed a good time to gossip about it.
"Tongshu's name? It's a nickname her grandfather specifically gave her to remind her that apart from winning and losing, there's actually another extreme choice in life."
"Can't win, can't afford to lose, so... might as well drag the enemy into a self-destructive explosion." Lin Ying thought for a moment and said.
"....that's pretty extreme." Ansheng retorted.