Chapter 437 - 227: Congratulations to the Host for Participating in the "Hundred Sects Grand Competition
Chapter 437: Chapter 227: Congratulations to the Host for Participating in the "Hundred Sects Grand Competition
"Traditional methods of behavioral observation and intervention are largely based on statistical regularities and projections of subjective human experience, and thus have inherent limitations."
"In my work, I have found that the root causes of many abnormal animal behaviors—such as stereotypy, aggression, and fear avoidance—are often hidden in extremely subtle, atypical signals, or are closely linked to environmental stressors and past traumas that humans fail to perceive."
"For example, a carnivore’s aggressive tendencies toward clothing of a specific color may stem from a memory from its youth, associated with a Veterinarian in a similarly colored uniform who once caused it fright..."
Yang Qi conducted an in-depth analysis based on actual case studies, such as Xiong Ba’s violent reaction to the man in the flat cap, the Gray Wolf Happy’s unusual vigilance, and even the intense dependency exhibited by "Stone."
He emphasized how to establish behavioral baselines for individual animals through more detailed, long-term observation in order to capture "abnormal signals." This would be followed by comprehensive intervention combining various methods like environmental enrichment, positive reinforcement, and desensitization training.
The paper placed special emphasis on the core roles of "empathy" and "building trust" in the intervention process. It argued that a keeper or researcher should not merely be a "manager" or an "observer," but should strive to become a predictable and trustworthy part of the animal’s environment.
"...When we stop viewing animals merely as subjects of research or management and instead try to understand their unique ’languages’ and ’logic,’ respecting their individual differences and emotional needs, we may find gentler, more fundamental solutions to many seemingly intractable behavioral problems."
"This will not only improve animal welfare but also provide new insights for Zoo management, conservation breeding, and even wildlife rescue."
He wrote nearly five thousand words, a flowing piece with theoretical depth and practical case studies. It was further enriched by a unique, humanistic perspective born from his insights on animal handling, making it substantial without being dry.
After typing the last word, Yang Qi rubbed his fingers.
The paper never once mentioned the Spirit Communication Technique or his Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity. However, the observations—so detailed it was as if he had been there himself—and the incisive analysis were undoubtedly products of his extraordinary abilities.
It was an unfair advantage, but one he wielded with logic and persuasive evidence.
With the document finished, he clicked "Save."
As was his routine, Yang Qi entered the Cultivation Chamber. There, amidst the dense Spiritual Qi of the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array, he circulated the Great Derivation Spirit-Controlling Technique until deep into the night.
The next day was his day off.
Yang Qi rose early. After breakfast, he gathered Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard. With Liu Fu camouflaged on his backpack strap, he hopped into his Wrangler and once again hit the road back to his hometown.
The trip was uneventful.
Around ten in the morning, the car entered his home village.
The concrete road at the village entrance was a decent width, but a few kids, around seven or eight years old, were chasing each other and roughhousing, blocking most of the path.
Yang Qi slowed down and lightly tapped the horn.
Hearing the horn, the kids giggled and moved to the roadside, curiously eyeing the formidable-looking SUV.
Just then, a young man in casual clothes with messy hair emerged from a fork in the road, carrying a battered toolbox.
He saw the SUV slowly approach, and when he recognized Yang Qi in the driver’s seat through the windshield, his face instantly soured. He snorted, turned his head away, and pretended he hadn’t seen him.
Yang Qi saw him too. A smirk played on his lips. He stopped the car right in front of the man, rolled down the window, and stuck his head out. With a taunting grin, he yelled out.
"Well, well! If it isn’t Brother Bo! What’s this, the sun rise in the west today? How come you’re not at the shop, busy with your ’trade-ins’ and ’upholding traditional craftsmanship’?"
The young man was Yang Bo, a peer of Yang Qi’s from the same village and his "arch-nemesis."
A while back, out of greed, Yang Bo had swapped a customer’s new car components with old parts. This led to the car getting into an accident. In the end, not only did he have to pay a hefty sum in compensation, but his shop was also shut down for a while by the authorities for "rectification," causing him to lose face completely in the village.
Now that Yang Qi had brought the incident up to his face, Yang Bo’s expression turned as ugly as if he’d swallowed a fly.
He stiffened his neck, about to retort, when the kids on the side—who loved nothing more than a good spectacle—started shouting first.
"Haha, Uncle Bo’s shop is closed!"
A stocky boy laughed loudly. "My mom said it’s ’cause he did too many wicked things and got what was coming to him!"
"Payback! Payback!"
The other kids chimed in, hooting and hollering with glee.
"Get lost! What do you little brats know? Go play somewhere else!"
Humiliated and enraged, Yang Bo shooed the kids away by swinging his toolbox at them. Then, he shot a vicious glare at Yang Qi in the car, his words dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I was wondering who it was. Turns out our ’great expert,’ Brother Qi, is back! What protected species did you manage to get your hands on this time? Be careful you don’t get reported again. So embarrassing to lose all that money."
"Oh, I brought one. Too bad you can’t see it."
Yang Qi shrugged with a look of mock pity, then started the car, preparing to drive on.
Just as the car began to slowly roll forward, about to pass the fuming Yang Bo on the roadside, Yang Qi suddenly poked his head out again. He pointed dramatically above Yang Bo’s head and yelled in an exaggerated tone.
"Look! Right above your head!"
Startled by the sudden gesture and shout, Yang Bo instinctively jerked his head up to look at the sky—
In that split second, a sparrow flying overhead, seemingly startled by the noise below, fluttered its wings. A fresh, grayish-white dollop of bird poop fell from the sky with impeccable timing, landing with a SPLAT right on Yang Bo’s upturned face.