I Cultivate in a Government Office

Yang Wenqing looked at them, unsure for a moment how to describe his feelings. He had just clearly felt Lady Shuanghua’s disdain, while Lian Xing regarded him as a junior.

Director Li took a few steps forward. His attitude was respectful but not servile as he spoke in a tone one might use with a colleague, "Lian Xing, Shuanghua, this is Yang Wenqing. He has come to attempt to form a bond with your chick. He is the director of the Lingshan New District branch in Coral City, a disciple of Director Qin Huaiming, and he cultivates the Yuqing True Dharma."

Lian Xing’s gaze lingered on Yang Wenqing a little longer, his eyes showing human-like contemplation and assessment. After a moment, he let out a clear, sonorous cry.

Upon hearing this, Shuanghua finally turned her head. Her proud eyes sized up Yang Wenqing from top to bottom before she let out a series of short, sharp cries, her tone dripping with criticism. She then flapped her wings, kicking up a small breeze, as if expressing her displeasure to her mate.

Lian Xing turned his head and gently nudged his mate’s neck feathers with his long beak, letting out a series of low calls. The very rhythm of his cries seemed to convey patient persuasion.

Shuanghua’s proudly held head lowered slightly. Though she kept her face turned away, wearing an expression that clearly said, ’I’m not happy about this, but I’ll humor you,’ she voiced no further objections, merely continuing to watch Yang Wenqing from the corner of her eye.

Yang Wenqing was secretly amazed. ’The way this pair of Spiritual Birds interacts is just like a human couple with completely different personalities. The husband is rational, gentle, and a good communicator, while the wife is haughty and direct, yet ultimately trusts his judgment. That level of almost besotted trust creates a strangely charming contrast.’

Having placated his mate, Lian Xing looked back at Yang Wenqing. He let out two calm calls and inclined his body slightly, gesturing for Yang Wenqing to follow.

Director Li and Qin Huaiming remained where they were. Qin Huaiming nodded to Yang Wenqing and said in a low voice, "Go on. Follow Lian Xing. The chick is in a cave behind the waterfall."

"Yes."

Yang Wenqing took a deep breath to steady his nerves, then stepped forward to follow the elegant, deep-blue figure.

Lian Xing walked at an unhurried pace, leading Yang Wenqing around to the side of the waterfall. A narrow path, perpetually slick from the mist, led through a fissure in the rock face, hidden behind the thundering curtain of water. Inside was a natural cave.

The cave was dry and warm, its floor padded with thick layers of soft hay and fragrant leaves. In the center, a mound of even softer, fluffier blue down rose and fell with gentle breaths.

It was a chick, no bigger than a fist. Its feathers had yet to fully grow in, revealing patches of healthy, pink skin. It was curled up and fast asleep amidst the warm down. When Yang Wenqing entered, it seemed to sense a stranger’s presence. Its fuzzy head twitched slightly, and it let out a faint PEEP.

Lian Xing walked over to the chick and lowered his head, using his long beak to preen his child’s downy feathers with extreme gentleness. He then turned to Yang Wenqing and let out a soft, encouraging call.

Yang Wenqing understood the gesture. He slowly moved closer and sat down cross-legged a few feet from the chick. Following his master’s instructions, he closed his eyes and sent out his consciousness, gently reaching toward the tiny form that radiated a vast Spiritual Light of life.

He first sensed a hazy consciousness, but it was immediately severed. It felt like a rejection.

Fortunately, Lian Xing, who was standing nearby, let out a soft cry. A golden halo enveloped Yang Wenqing, and he clearly felt a powerful consciousness drawing him forward.

Soon, a childish voice echoed from the depths of his Sea of Consciousness: "Who’s there? You’re disturbing my sleep..."

The thought then swept over Yang Wenqing: "A human? One with acquired cultivation? Your connection to the Spiritual Attribute is so clumsy... Huh, wait a minute..."

The chick’s thoughts suddenly paused, as if it had discovered something incredibly interesting. Its full attention focused on a subtle yet profoundly mysterious ’anomaly’ deep within Yang Wenqing’s consciousness.

"You have something really fun in there!" The chick’s thoughts grew excited, like a child discovering a new toy. "The aura your body gives off is way tastier than that boring old Spiritual Qi outside!"

Yang Wenqing realized what it was: the projection of his Golden Core World. The Spiritual Qi it naturally produced was immensely attractive to the little creature!

All traces of disdain and aloofness vanished from the chick’s thoughts. Instead, it actively drew closer, filled with a pure sense of delight and longing.

"It smells so good! Even better than Daddy’s Divine Art! I want it! Give me more, please!"

Just then, Yang Wenqing felt a very distinct gaze upon him. He instinctively opened his eyes and met the round, clear irises of the chick, which had, at some unknown point, managed to push its body upright.

’Didn’t they say this chick hadn’t opened its eyes yet?’

As this thought crossed his mind, Yang Wenqing couldn’t help but feel a flicker of concern.

Just then, Lian Xing let out a distinctly joyful cry. Then, he spoke in a human voice, "Young man, it seems my daughter is quite fond of you. That being the case, are you willing to accept the responsibility of caring for and guiding her?"

The voice was so direct it startled Yang Wenqing. He looked up at Lian Xing, and after a moment of silence, replied, "It would be my honor. I will do everything in my power to prove worthy of your trust."

The process was so smooth it left him feeling a bit dazed. He had expected a series of trials and tribulations, but it turned out the only test was the chick’s own willingness.

A flash of approval crossed Lian Xing’s blue eyes. "Very good. This child’s spiritual senses are naturally sharp. For her to approve of you, you must have some extraordinary qualities. Since she likes you, it must be destiny."