Chapter 185: Chapter 167: Obedient
And just like that, Li Qian had his research subject: Chicken Hair, a Red Feather Chicken that was brimming with energy and high spirits.
Li Qian wondered if a certain mythical figure from his past life would be spinning in their grave if they found out about this.
After designating Chicken Hair the Red Feather Chicken as Li Qian’s research subject, the two didn’t leave. Instead, they began observing once more.
As time ticked by, a Red Feather Chicken finally began Crying as it neared six in the morning.
Just as they had observed yesterday, a Red Feather Chicken used the Light Energy Storage Skill immediately after Crying.
Chicken Hair was among them, using the Light Energy Storage Skill. Its entire body glowed with a faint golden light, giving it a rather mystical appearance.
Just as Gao Yaxin had described yesterday, the Red Feather Chickens were still using their Skills, despite the overcast sky.
However, the power of the Skills was clearly a tier weaker than on a sunny day, and the golden light emanating from their bodies was much fainter than it had been yesterday.
Li Qian observed intently, as did Gao Yaxin.
Not long after, about half an hour later, all the Red Feather Chickens that had mastered this Skill ceased using it.
Li Qian witnessed it all again, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
Unable to figure it out, he simply asked, "Sister Yaxin, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Gao Yaxin asked.
Li Qian said, "I’ve noticed that the Red Feather Chickens here only use the Light Energy Storage Skill after they crow."
"As everyone knows, only roosters crow. What about the hens? Does that mean they can’t master this Skill at all?"
Hearing this, Gao Yaxin shook her head helplessly. "I’m not sure if the hens can master this Skill, but based on what I know so far,"
"not a single hen has managed to master it."
Hearing this, Li Qian pressed his forehead. "The situation seems a bit complicated."
"Don’t take it too hard," Gao Yaxin said reassuringly. "So many Breeders are researching the evolutionary path of the Red Feather Chicken."
"To this day, no one has produced any significant results. That just proves how difficult this is. We have plenty of time, so there’s no need to rush."
"If you knew the topic was so difficult, why did you choose it for your research back then?" Li Qian asked, smiling at Gao Yaxin.
A faint, bitter smile touched Gao Yaxin’s lips. "We were young and reckless. The three of us didn’t think it through. Our graduation thesis was on this subject, so in a moment of passion, we bought this Cultivation Base."
"Now we finally understand why this research topic is called a ’bottomless pit.’"
The research progress is still only at 87%. That alone is enough to prove how difficult it is.
The remaining 13% wouldn’t be easy to complete. And after that brief line of questioning, a theory was already beginning to form in Li Qian’s mind.
The Red Feather Chicken—or rather, the Golden Crowned Red Feather Chicken—likely had more than one Evolutionary Form with even greater Potential.
The roosters and hens might have completely different evolutionary paths. This would mean that the final research progress would most likely exceed 100%, just like with the Koi Carp’s evolution.
"It is a bit of a pit," Li Qian said, "but I’m not completely without a clue. After observing for the past two days, I can already make a few basic judgments."
Li Qian thought for a moment before sharing his assessment. This was based on the current mission progress, so there was no doubt it was correct.
He continued, "First, the key to its evolution probably isn’t the Fire Element. It’s the Light Energy Storage Skill."
"I can’t say for sure if it’s directly related to the Light Element, but I’d suggest you try experimenting in that direction."
"Beyond that, there’s another Skill I believe is also critical: the Light Absorption Skill."
"If you can manage to use these two Skills in tandem, you might get some unexpected results."
Gao Yaxin nodded. ’I don’t really agree,’ she thought, but she didn’t voice any objections. "That’s certainly one direction to take," she said.
Now that all the other avenues have led to dead ends, this direction is actually worth a shot.
Li Qian could tell that while Gao Yaxin was agreeing on the surface, she probably didn’t take his advice seriously. He didn’t let it bother him, though.
After seeing that the progress was only at 87%, Li Qian had already made up his mind. He would be leaving this place in a few days.
87% progress might not seem low, but it was still a long way from completion. It’s certainly not something that can be finished in a week or two.
Li Qian had no intention of staying here any longer, not even for the free room and board.
Of course, if he could push the research progress forward a bit more before he left, he’d be more than happy to do so.
Besides, Li Qian felt he’d given her enough hints. If Gao Yaxin actually followed his suggestions, she would definitely make some headway.
Having made his decision, Li Qian said no more. He planned to leave in a few days.
To test his theory, Li Qian took advantage of a moment that afternoon when a sliver of sunlight finally broke through the day’s gloom. He asked Gao Yaxin to bring him a Light Element Silver Fox.
After lunch, in an open area not far from the small white building, Li Qian commanded the Silver Fox, "Xiaobai, use the Light Absorption Skill."
In reality, neither Light Energy Storage nor Light Absorption actually required sunlight to be activated.
However, the Skills were certainly more effective under direct sunlight.
That was why he had specifically chosen this rare window of opportunity.
Upon hearing Li Qian’s command, Silver Fox Xiaobai didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately used the Light Absorption Skill.
The Silver Fox was a fairly common Light Pet Beast with low Potential. Even when it evolved into a Sunlight Fox, it would only reach the rank of Tier Five Commander.
Thus, it wasn’t particularly valuable.
Of course, since it wasn’t his Contracted Pet Beast, Li Qian had to use certain... methods to make Silver Fox Xiaobai obey his commands completely.
The best deterrent was Xiaoliu, who was standing right behind Li Qian and staring at Silver Fox Xiaobai with a menacing expression.
Silver Fox Xiaobai had no doubt that if it dared to disobey the human Beast Master before it, that fierce-looking brute would pounce in the very next second.
To save its own hide, Silver Fox Xiaobai chose discretion as the better part of valor. It would obediently do whatever Li Qian commanded.
Its main goal was just to be obedient. If he said east, it wouldn’t even think about going west.
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