Chapter 143: Dongxiang Spirit Beast Research Institute

"Aow—"

The cause of the Golden Lion's tilted neck was a sudden massive impact that displaced its bones and strained its muscle groups; there was currently no treatment available.

Chen Zhi could only apply pressure bandaging to temporarily relieve the Golden Lion's pain, but full recovery still depended on the Golden Lion's own healing ability.

The Golden Lion winced in pain, but every time it tried to turn its head, the little fox kicked it.

The Golden Lion felt not only its neck aching, but also its nasal bridge swollen and sore, on the verge of tears.

"Wang—"

While treating the Golden Lion, Bai Bai, who had already flown to Nandao and parked the large yacht, arrived and greeted An Sheng on the island.

"Come over here!"

An Sheng barked a dog-like command, scattering the monkey troop and all carnivores in the zoo, directly ordering Bai Bai to lead his wolf pack into the zoo.

The appearance of the giant white wolf immediately caused tension among the zoo's animals.

Even the Golden Lion, with its crooked nose and stiff neck, grew alert and stood up on its own.

"Sit down, all of you!"

An Sheng leapt down from the lion's head, squatted on the ground, raised both paws, pointed left and right, and continued whimpering:

"This is Tu Song Bai Bai, the River King who controls the night smuggling routes of the Changle River," the little fox introduced Bai Bai to the Golden Lion.

Then the little fox turned to Bai Bai and said: "Don't be fooled by this guy's crooked nose and slanted mouth—he's truly the Mountain King of Nandao Zoo, with connections reaching deep into the ocean."

The little fox sat on the ground, solemnly:

"The reason for this meeting today isn't anything major—just that you should get to know each other, so you don't accidentally flood the Dragon King's temple."

Bai Bai and the Golden Lion exchanged glances; their gazes weren't friendly, but mutually disdainful.

The little fox spoke, gesturing wildly and whimpering.

"What is Master Fuli doing?"

Chen Zhi, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in confusion.

Lin Ying looked at Master Fuli, recalling past encounters with spirit beasts, and spoke calmly:

"You've seen spirit beasts, and you've heard the Anquan Bureau staff say they're not isolated cases—they'll only grow more numerous over time, until they reach a threshold and are revealed to the public."

"But until then, secrecy is required."

"Is what Master Fuli is doing now meant to prevent spirit beast threats?"

Lin Ying spoke slowly, voicing her guess.

Master Fuli lived in Zhangxizhen; every time he left his territory, it was to strike hard against vicious, brutal spirit beasts.

The Golden Lion and the white wolf before him were unusually calm, unlike the ferocious, violent crocodiles of before.

Lin Ying guessed that Master Fuli's reason for inviting the Golden Lion and the white wolf tonight was likely an attempt to maintain local stability.

The three-way meeting lasted over an hour.

The main topics discussed were two.

The first was about food: An Sheng advised them to learn from him—not just beg for meals, but actively develop side businesses so they wouldn't go hungry.

The second was about spirit beasts: if they discovered any causing trouble in the future, they were to notify An Sheng immediately, who would strike hard and earn 【Spirit Power +3】.

Jule City was under Bai Bai's watch.

The coastal waters would be coordinated by the Lion King and the Orca, forming a "Spirit Power Earning Alliance for Master Fuli" to jointly crack down on smugglers and earn their keep.

After the negotiations, Bai Bai took the large yacht, carrying Master Fuli back to the Hunter.

"."

Witnessing the fox piloting the yacht, Lin Ying and Chen Zhi returned silently to Qing'ao Beidao, boarding the same yacht they'd arrived in, heading toward Jule City.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm going to a research institute focused on deep applications of spirit beasts. Are you interested?"

Inside the yacht cabin, Lin Ying asked Chen Zhi.

"Me?" Chen Zhi frowned, puzzled by Lin Ying's invitation: "You're inviting me?"

"More accurately, I'm dragging you into this," Lin Ying said calmly. "I have no particular liking or dislike for you—but Master Fuli trusts you, so I think I can afford to trust you to some degree."

"By the way! The spirit beast captured in Xiadong will be sent to that institute. Don't you want to know what it's like inside?"

"Don't worry! If you don't go, I won't tell you a thing about what I see—even if Master Fuli gets caught later and has to sew shoes."

Chen Zhi froze, his lips twitching.

"When you say that, have you considered Master Fuli's feelings?"

"Aren't you worried Master Fuli might just slap your face crooked, like he did to the Golden Lion?"

Lin Ying's expression didn't change. "Our affairs don't concern you. I'm just asking—are you truly not curious or worried at all?"

Chen Zhi gritted his teeth: "Fine, I'll go!"

You really are a wicked bastard!

That's Master Fuli! The White Fox Immortal! How could I not worry about his living conditions if he gets caught!

Wu… Master Fuli!

Lin Ying nodded slightly.

After the yacht docked, Lin Shu, who had been piloting it, drove a business car straight to the airport.

The nearest spirit beast research institute to Xiadong was located at the border between Xiadong and Xiazong regions.

Although the coastal area was secure, spies and infiltrators couldn't be ignored.

Upon arriving in Dongxiang City, Lin Ying boarded a company car arranged by Lin Holdings, heading to a non-public guesthouse to wait until the next day.

But before entering for a tour, Lin Ying and Chen Zhi were both assigned to a classroom for confidentiality training.

The instructor said nothing, only briefly explaining the consequences of leaking information.

Leaking isn't a big deal.

Just a background check, total asset seizure, a few hefty fines, and a random prison term of 3, 7, or 9 years—then you'll be old and broke, with only a few thousand yuan left to return home with.

Chen Zhi's face darkened, his eye twitching as he listened to the instructor describe this horrific outcome with casual indifference.

After the class ended, the deputy director, already waiting outside the classroom, smiled warmly, eyes gleaming, and greeted Lin Ying:

"Welcome, Miss Lin, to our 【Dongxiang Spirit Beast Research Institute】. I'm Deputy Director Yang Mingqing."

Accompanying Director Yang to welcome Lin Ying were several department heads and researchers.

Although Yang Mingqing was deputy director of the institute, he was not a research specialist.

His expertise lay in painting grand blueprints—highlighting the vast future prospects and formidable combat potential of spirit beast research.

Hmm. He was the one who specialized in drawing big pies on funding reports.

For this new leader of the Lin Clan,

Director Yang placed great importance—though not because of Lin's local business, but because the overseas Lin family controlled a major medical conglomerate.

Although Miss Lin's donations were generous, the overseas Lin medical group was the real big fish.

(End of Chapter)