The Guardian Beasts’ first meeting was instantly tense, bristling with hostility.

Canines and felines have a natural wariness and animosity toward birds of prey.

"Everyone, relax."

Yang Qi quickly spoke up to stop them, activating his Basic Spirit Communication Technique to make introductions.

"Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, this is Qi Zai. He’s my new partner and your new friend. He’s one of us."

"Qi Zai, they are my family and friends. This is Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard. They’re all our companions."

"Come on, everyone say hello."

Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard froze for a moment at his words.

Their hostility and wariness slowly faded. Although they still kept their distance and watched him closely, they stopped growling and bristling, instead curiously sizing up the majestic great bird.

"MEOW?"

"WOOF!"

"WOOF WOOF!"

The furry kids all greeted him.

Qi Zai tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over the four "land creatures" below. He let out a gurgle from his throat, signaling his understanding.

’As long as Master says they’re friends, then it’s fine.’

Just as the atmosphere had started to ease—

RUSTLE~

SWOOSH!

The dense foliage of a large nearby tree shook, and two agile figures zipped lightly down a thick branch, landing on another large rock not far from Yang Qi.

It was the clouded leopards, Caiyun and Ta Xue.

They had followed the sound of Yang Qi’s whistle and the commotion here.

However, when Caiyun and Ta Xue’s gazes landed on Qi Zai—the large Beaked Eagle with a hooked beak and sharp talons perched on Yang Qi’s shoulder, exuding the intense aura of a raptor—they instantly bristled as if facing a mortal enemy.

"ROAR—WHINE!"

Caiyun immediately crouched low, letting out a deep growl full of warning and menace. Her beautiful fur bristled slightly, her tail flicked restlessly, and her gaze remained locked on Qi Zai.

As a predator of the mountain forests, she was well aware of the threat posed by such a large bird of prey, especially to young cubs!

"AWOO~"

Ta Xue, standing beside Caiyun, also growled at Qi Zai, her small ears pressed flat against her head.

’Great. Just when I calmed down the ones on the ground, the ones from the trees get all tense!’ 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Looking at this first "land and air" Guardian Beast meeting—a gathering of cat, dogs, leopards, and an eagle—with its delicate atmosphere and mutual suspicion, Yang Qi couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on, though he also found it a little amusing.

Maintaining the Spirit Communication Technique, he made the introductions again.

"Caiyun, Ta Xue, don’t be afraid. This is Qi Zai, my new partner. He’s not an enemy."

"Qi Zai, this is Caiyun and Ta Xue. They are my friends, too."

...

The Guardian Beasts were all different species with vastly different habits.

A meeting between felines and a bird of prey was bound to be tense.

Yang Qi knew very well that getting them to be truly close and work together in perfect harmony wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight.

It would take time for them to adjust, and it would also require a bond.

’Once my Cultivation reaches the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, I can try to pass the Ten Thousand Beasts Devouring Moon Technique on to them,’ Yang Qi mused.

Guardian Beasts that cultivate the same foundational Cultivation Technique would naturally develop a deep affinity and resonance with each other.

For now, as long as he could ensure they weren’t hostile, didn’t attack each other, and could coexist peacefully with his mediation, it would count as a preliminary victory.

"Come on, everyone relax. Have a snack."

Yang Qi took a few Strengthening Pills from his Hundred Pouches Belt.

With a flick of his fingers, he tossed a pill to each Guardian Beast, including Caiyun.

Xiaojiu leaped gracefully, caught it in mid-air, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard also jumped up nimbly to catch theirs.

Caiyun, a bit more reserved, also opened her mouth to catch it, swallowing with a slight ripple of her throat.

Even Qi Zai, perched on Yang Qi’s shoulder, bent his head and plucked one from Yang Qi’s palm.

As the Strengthening Pills went down, they brought a gentle, warm current.

The pills’ effect was immediate. Not only did they replenish their energy, but they also made the animals feel comfortable and relaxed.

The tense atmosphere visibly eased.

"That’s more like it."

Yang Qi smiled and instructed them through the Spirit Communication Technique, "From now on, when you meet in the mountains or at the Zoo, remember to help and look out for each other. You’re all my partners, a ’team’."

"WOOF WOOF~"

’Understood, Master.’

"MEOW!"

’Okay.’

"GURGLE~"

’No problem.’

The Guardian Beasts all responded.

Caiyun also let out a low growl and nuzzled Ta Xue beside her.

She looked up at the sky, glanced at Yang Qi, let out another low growl, and then turned. Her agile body disappeared into the dense thicket.

Ta Xue had been learning survival skills from her mother in the forest for the past few days, so it was a good time to return to her "dorm" at the Zoo to rest.

"Qi Zai, you should head back to the Zoo too. Go in through the ’skylight’."

Yang Qi patted the large bird on his shoulder.

Qi Zai let out a clear cry, beat his wings, and took off. His figure quickly blended into the deepening dusk as he flew toward the Zoo.

Yang Qi led Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, and Ta Xue down the familiar mountain path and out of the back hills.

...

「That evening.」

Yang Qi had just finished washing up and was about to begin his evening cultivation when the phone on his bedside table rang.

Seeing it was his grandma’s number, he quickly answered.

"Grandma."

"Oh, Xiaoqi, have you eaten yet?"

His grandma’s kind voice came through the receiver, followed by a string of concerned questions.

"I’ve eaten. I’m not tired, and work at the Zoo is going great. Don’t you worry, Grandma."

He answered with a smile, patiently listening to the old woman’s chatter.

His grandma then asked about the details of his life, reminding him to take good care of himself, eat well, and dress warmly now that he was living away from home.

After chatting about everyday things for a while, his grandma’s tone shifted, tinged with anticipation. "Xiaoqi, it’s the weekend tomorrow and the day after. Are you free? If you are, why don’t you come home for a visit? Grandma misses you."