Chapter 410 - 220: A Chance Encounter with the White Dragon Jade Spirit Dolphin (Part 2)
Chapter 410: Chapter 220: A Chance Encounter with the White Dragon Jade Spirit Dolphin (Part 2)
He immediately focused, sending his Earth Listening Technique out like a probe toward the shallow water.
He quickly got a "clear view" of the situation.
On a gravel shoal shielded by reeds, a smaller, likely juvenile porpoise was wedged on its side between two large boulders. Its pectoral fin and part of its torso were out of the water as it struggled in vain.
But the water was too low—the tide was ebbing—and it was powerless to break free.
The afternoon sun beat down on its exposed skin. The situation was critical.
But the tour boat was still moving, a fair distance from the dock.
With everyone watching, how could Yang Qi explain how he knew a porpoise was trapped there?
And how could he use his abilities to rescue it?
Yang Qi’s mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged. He even managed to banter along with Ye Haibing.
Soon, the tour boat slowly pulled up to the dock.
The group followed the crowd off the boat and onto a sturdy wooden boardwalk, the setting sun stretching their shadows long behind them.
"Well, today was an eye-opener."
Gao Zhenyue stretched. "Alright, let’s find a place to eat. I’m starving to death."
"I know a good seafood place around here that specializes in river fish. It’s just a little pricey..." Ye Haibing started scrolling through her phone, looking for the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Song Wan was checking on Overlord. The dog had started to look a little seasick near the end of the trip and was now acting sluggish.
Yang Qi seized the opportunity. With a slightly apologetic look, he said, "You guys figure it out. I need to use the restroom. I drank too much water on the boat."
"Huh? Oh, sure. Make it quick. It’s right over there."
Gao Zhenyue pointed toward the public restrooms in a nearby park.
"Okay, be right back."
Yang Qi answered, then added casually, "By the way, I might take a quick detour through those reeds. I think I saw a pretty rare water bird fly in there earlier. I’m going to check it out and maybe snap a few pictures. You guys pick a place, send me the location, and I’ll head straight there to meet you."
His "Animal Expert" persona was proving to be incredibly convenient.
Bird-watching and taking photos—it was a perfectly reasonable excuse.
"Fine, just be quick about it. Don’t get so caught up rescuing a bird that you lose track of time," Ye Haibing said with a laugh.
Qian Yu nodded. "Be safe. It’s slippery in the reed beds."
"Got it."
Yang Qi gave a wave, turned, and strode quickly in the direction of the restrooms, which was also toward the reed beds upstream.
Bai Wan, Leopard, and Hu Zi started to follow, but he stopped them with a mental command.
[You don’t need to follow. Stay here.]
Xiaojiu, however, leaped nimbly from his shoulder and padded silently along at his heels.
’At a time like this, an extra pair of cat’s eyes couldn’t hurt.’
Leaving the boardwalk and avoiding the main footpath, Yang Qi quickly slipped into a dense thicket of reeds.
The tall, withered-yellow autumn reeds easily concealed his figure.
Once inside, Yang Qi dropped all pretense of slowness. He channeled his Magical Power and executed the Spirit Crane Body Technique, darting through the reeds and leaving only a faint RUSTLE in his wake.
Xiaojiu kept pace right behind him.
Soon, man and cat neared the shallow shoal he had "listened" to earlier.
Peeking through a gap in the reeds, he could already see the gravelly bank and the gray shape on it, its tail fin feebly slapping the water.
The situation was worse than his "listening" had revealed.
The river had receded even further. The porpoise’s body was mostly exposed to the air, lying in a tiny puddle. Its skin was visibly dry, and its breathing was shallow and rapid.
Its struggles grew weaker. Its round eyes, half-closed, were filled with despair.
Yang Qi didn’t rush out immediately.
He first scanned his surroundings cautiously. The spot was extremely secluded, far from any tourist paths. The riverbank here consisted of a steep slope and dense woods; it was highly unlikely anyone would wander by.
There was only the rustle of wind through the reeds and the gentle lapping of the river.
’Perfect.’
Without further hesitation, Yang Qi waded swiftly toward it.
[Untamed "White Dragon Jade Spirit Dolphin" detected. The Host may bring it back to the sect to earn contribution points.]
’White Dragon Jade Spirit Dolphin?’
’That’s a pretty cool name.’
"Hey there, don’t be afraid. I’m here to help you."
Yang Qi reached the porpoise’s side and activated his Basic Spirit Communication Technique. He extended a hand, gently touching the creature’s smooth, though now somewhat dry, skin.
The porpoise shuddered, its round eyes flying open to stare at Yang Qi.
[You’re a Two-legged Beast?]
[How can you speak our language?]
"I can do a lot more than that."
Yang Qi smiled, took out a block of Vitality Nutrient Cream, and slipped it into the porpoise’s mouth.
The porpoise instinctively swallowed.
Instantly, a gentle warmth spread through its body, sweeping away the exhaustion, pain, and panic. In their place came a rush of vigor and joy.
[What is this?]
[It’s so good!]
The porpoise chirped happily.
[Thank you, Two-legged Beast.]
"You’re welcome. First, let’s get you out of here."
Yang Qi’s voice was gentle.
He quickly examined the rocks pinning the porpoise.
Two massive boulders were interlocked, creating a narrow crevice. The porpoise’s pectoral fin and a portion of its torso were wedged tightly inside. When the tide receded and the water level dropped, it became trapped.
Pulling it out by force was not an option; that would injure its delicate skin and bones.
’It needs water, lubrication, and space.’
Yang Qi decisively took out the Jade Water Calm Wave Pearl and channeled his Magical Power.
He commanded the water.
This time, the level of control required was even greater than when he’d saved the person from drowning.
Yang Qi needed the current to act like nimble fingers, delving into the crevices between the rocks to wash away the gravel and sand pinning the porpoise. Simultaneously, he had to form a soft "cushion" of water beneath the porpoise to both lift and lubricate its body.
As he channeled his Magical Power, the Jade Water Calm Wave Pearl began to glow faintly.
Instantly and silently, the clear river water began to flow and converge in a way that defied all logic.
Individual streams, as if alive, burrowed beneath the massive boulders and into their crevices, gently but persistently washing away the earth and sand.