Chapter 181: Chapter 144: The Lovesick Crimson Flame Frenzied Lion
[Host has arrived at the Friend Sect]
[Mission triggered: A "Crimson Flame Frenzied Lion" with a heavy heart has been detected. The host is requested to resolve the issue as soon as possible, help it recover, make a name for yourself, and enhance the sect’s reputation.]
’A mission!’
Yang Qi’s heart tightened, but his expression remained calm.
He slowly walked over and stopped about two meters from the stone platform.
This distance wouldn’t make the lion feel too threatened, yet it was close enough for him to proceed with his next move.
Facing the prone lion, he slowly crouched down, bringing himself to its level. At the same time, he mobilized his Magical Power and quietly activated the Basic Spirit Communication Technique.
"Hello, Bart. My name is Yang Qi. I’m a friend, and I’m here to help you."
Yang Qi spoke in a gentle voice, "Can you tell me why you’re not eating? Are you uncomfortable somewhere, or in pain?"
The male lion on the stone platform, Bart, seemed to sense something and once again lifted his heavy eyelids.
His amber eyes, which should have been majestic and sharp, now looked somewhat dim and bewildered.
He stared at Yang Qi for a few seconds, a low, questioning rumble issuing from his throat.
[What kind of beast are you?]
[Why do you feel a bit different from the other Two-legged Beasts?]
He didn’t feel threatened. On the contrary, he sensed an aura from Yang Qi that made him instinctively relax, even feel a little drawn to him.
"I’m the Two-legged Beast who’s here to help you."
Yang Qi smiled, not directly answering the lion’s question about his "species." He continued, "Bart, can you tell me why you aren’t eating? Is there any part of you that hurts or feels uncomfortable?"
[No...]
Bart let out a low growl, his tone filled with a deep weariness and detachment.
[I don’t want to eat...]
[Go away, Two-legged Beast.]
[You can’t help me.]
With that, he let out a huge yawn, apparently having lost all interest in continuing the conversation. He rested his head back on his front paws, returning to his previous listless state.
Yang Qi grew even more curious.
’This lion has no major physical problems—the Veterinarian checked him over several times. He isn’t completely refusing to communicate, either. But he seems to have some deep, self-imposed emotional block, so severe that it’s affecting his basic survival instinct to eat.’
After thinking for a moment, Yang Qi, instead of leaving, took another small step closer, stopping about a meter and a half away from the lion.
This was extremely close—close enough to clearly see the texture of the lion’s thick mane and the slight rise and fall of his body as he breathed.
Outside the enclosure, Zhao Mingfeng, Lu Gangsheng, and the others watched with their hearts in their throats. The two security guards tightened their grips on their tools, ready to rush in at any moment.
Yang Qi, however, was calm. He slowly extended a hand, gathering a trace of Magical Power in his palm, and gently pressed it onto the lion’s broad, sturdy shoulder. He then began to knead, slowly and powerfully.
"Come on, Bart, talk to me. If you don’t tell me, how will I know if I can help? Maybe I really do have a solution."
Yang Qi continued to guide and question him while massaging him.
The muscles under his palm were tense at first, but as the Magical Power seeped in and the comfortable massage continued, they quickly relaxed.
[PURRRR~]
Enjoying the massage, Bart involuntarily let out a low rumble from his throat, much like the purr of a satisfied cat. His emotional defenses began to soften as well.
[You’re pretty good at massages for a Two-legged Beast.]
"Then can you tell me what’s bothering you so much you don’t even want to eat?" Yang Qi pressed, deciding to strike while the iron was hot.
Bart fell silent for a moment, as if hesitating. Finally—perhaps because it had been too long since he’d had anyone to confide in, or perhaps because the comfort and trust Yang Qi exuded had made him lower his guard—a voice tinged with obvious shyness, conflict, and pain spoke up.
[I... I’ve fallen in love with another beast.]
[She’s so beautiful.]
[The most beautiful beast I’ve ever seen.]
Hm?
The massaging motion of Yang Qi’s hand paused slightly, and he felt a flash of amusement.
’So this big guy is lovesick?’
’Has he fallen for some "lioness" and is now sick with longing, to the point he can’t even eat?’
’It’s an uncommon situation for a ferocious beast, but an understandable one.’
"There’s nothing wrong with that, Bart."
Yang Qi maintained the Spirit Communication Technique, his tone understanding as he comforted the lion. "Wanting to find a mate, falling for a beautiful female—that’s a completely normal instinct."
"Is it one of the lionesses in the next enclosure? That’s simple. I can arrange for you to meet them right away."
[No... it’s different...]
Bart’s voice was thick with even more conflict, and even a hint of embarrassment.
"How is it different?"
Yang Qi continued to probe, glancing toward the lioness enclosure next to the observation area. "There are two very beautiful, healthy lionesses over there. I’ve seen them. Do you think they aren’t pretty enough? Or that your personalities wouldn’t match? Have you even met them?"
Bart didn’t answer immediately.
Yang Qi continued to massage his back, waiting patiently.
After a long moment, Bart’s throat constricted, and he let out an embarrassed growl.
[She’s not a lion.]
"Oh, so it’s not the lioness from next door."
Yang Qi replied automatically. The words had barely left his mouth when he froze. His massaging hand stopped, and a look of astonishment spread across his face as he pressed for clarification.
"Wait! Bart, did you just say ’not a lion’?"
"The one you’re in love with isn’t a lioness of your own kind? Not a lion?!"
After Yang Qi asked this, the huge body of the male lion, Bart, suddenly went rigid on the stone platform.
Then, he turned his head with excruciating slowness, his amber eyes—a mixture of shyness, pain, longing, and the panic of being found out—meeting Yang Qi’s shocked gaze.
[Yes. She’s not a lion.]
