Chapter 16

These young rich Nth generations, with a bit of money or power at home, usually act somewhat arrogantly. However, the Joint Protection Bureau doesn't care about your background, doesn't show favoritism, and doesn't care about money. They are a group of staunch defenders of "data."

Survival is a topic of global concern. Establishing the "Sixth Database" is aimed at ensuring longer-term survival. The Joint Protection Bureau, which serves the "Sixth Database," occupies the moral high ground, has policy support, and holds power, and they won't give you any face.

When facing such a group, even the local tough guys dare not confront them head-on.

Whoever is caught by them, shouting "My dad is XX," will only receive a cold response: "Great, let's call your dad over to talk as well."

Therefore, it's a wise choice to admit your mistake promptly.

Of course, the Joint Protection Bureau doesn't have the time or energy to pay attention to those who just talk big, but if someone's big talk is heard, they will still receive a bit of a warning.

The five helicopters, which everyone was watching, landed on the helipad near the Yueshan management department.

This time, the Joint Protection Bureau sent eight people, and the planes were mostly loaded with equipment related to data collection.

The leader was tall and slender, in his forties or fifties, with a stern face and a serious demeanor. He quickly walked into the building and took the investigation summary from the head of the Yueshan management department.

The head said, "Captain Yuan, we compared the DNA sequencing results with multiple target sequences in the Xiaolong breeding center's database. This snake has a genetic relationship with some individuals in the breeding center."

He then opened a document and handed it over, "We also found that five years ago, a smuggling gang was dismantled near Yueshan, and this gang had stolen a snake egg from the Xiaolong breeding center."

"One?"

"Yes, the breeding center only lost one snake egg. According to the records at the time, the egg fell off the car during the chase, and no one knew where it rolled to. Now it seems that this Xiaolong was likely hatched from that egg."

Yuan Qie's brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the investigation report. Due to the short time, it only recorded partial information.

"So, this snake was likely hatched naturally in the wild and has been living in the Yueshan reserve for five years?"

"That's the information we've collected so far. The artificial hatching rate of Xiaolong is now quite high, and the survival rate of the young has greatly improved, so their numbers are much better than before. However, these are all artificially raised, and the wild release has not been successful. Not just for Xiaolong, but for other animal breeding bases, the release plans have progressed slowly, and some have even shown signs of regression.

"The ecological chain has become distorted. Even if the climate returns to normal, it's still quite difficult for many animals to adapt. The Xiaolong found today, which has survived in the wild for five years, may have multiple beneficial mutations in its genes, which is an evolution that allows it to better adapt to the wild environment. The specific conclusions will have to wait for further research, as the time is too short, and many tests haven't come back yet."

Yuan Qie then asked, "What about Feng Yi?"

The head replied, "I've already asked him. He said it was his first time catching a snake, and he caught it so accurately purely by talent. Ha, do you believe that?"

"I believe it." Yuan Qie flipped through the investigation report on Feng Yi, "Some people do have this talent."

The head was taken aback, surprised to hear such words from Yuan Qie.

"Feng Yi? I want to ask him a few questions." Yuan Qie said.

"...He's having dinner."

Feng Yi and his two companions had cooperated with the Yueshan departments, saying everything they could. They thought they would leave soon, but were told that the Joint Protection Bureau people would come and ask them a few more questions, and then they could go.

Alright, there's nothing to be afraid of, just repeating the questions they've already answered.

After dinner, Feng Yi waited for the person who would ask the questions. The badge on the person's chest revealed their identity.

"Joint Protection Bureau, Yuan Qie. I'm currently in charge of the investigation into the Xiaolong incident at Yueshan." Yuan Qie sat down opposite Feng Yi.

"Hello." This was the first time Feng Yi had spoken to someone from the Joint Protection Bureau up close.

Feng Yi thought the other person would ask again why he could catch the snake so accurately, but unexpectedly, Yuan Qie didn't mention it and instead talked about the snake's origin.

"Being able to hatch and survive in the wild is indeed not easy. But after five years, the internal parasites are severe, and it probably wouldn't have survived another month." Yuan Qie's tone was calm, showing no emotion.

Feng Yi felt that the snake's survival was quite legendary, with a lot of luck!

Yuan Qie then asked, "From the nature reserve, it ventured into the human activity area. What do you think? Was it chasing prey and got lost?"

"Self-preservation, I guess." Feng Yi said, which was his first thought when he heard about the incident.

Yuan Qie nodded, "That makes sense."

Seeing that Yuan Qie seemed to accept his explanation, Feng Yi quickly added, "I'm just guessing, don't take it seriously!"

Yuan Qie looked at him, "What you said is definitely the first thought that came to your mind."

Feng Yi: "...Yes."

"It's still very valuable. I'll record it truthfully." Yuan Qie wrote down what Feng Yi had said, then got up and left.

Feng Yi was bewildered.

Just that?

That's it?

You, the Joint Protection Bureau, who doesn't give anyone face and only cares about evidence and data, are being so casual?!

Seeing the other person about to leave, Feng Yi called out, "I really was just guessing, don't be so hasty!"

Yuan Qie's lips curled slightly, but quickly flattened.

After Yuan Qie left, Feng Yi and his two companions were told they could leave, and a car was dispatched to take them back to the farmhouse.

Since Feng Yi was well-covered when he was photographed during the day, and Wu Ji and Qian Feiyang had a low presence, they didn't attract much attention from other tourists when they returned to the farmhouse.

The day had been intense, and when they returned to the farmhouse in the evening, Wu Ji was questioned by his parents, and Qian Feiyang went to rest in his room.

Feng Yi called the old butler and told him about the day's events, including the encounter with Yuan Qie from the Joint Protection Bureau.

The butler, upon hearing the name Yuan Qie, said, "Oh, the young Yuan from the Joint Protection Bureau. I haven't seen him in a long time, about ten years."

Feng Yi: "Young... Young Yuan? You know him?"

The old butler: "Not well. Over ten years ago, Mrs. Feng assisted the Joint Protection Bureau in investigating a case of poaching and consuming protected wild animals. At that time, young Yuan had just joined the Joint Protection Bureau and was not very steady, and he was often embarrassed by Mrs. Feng."

Back then, Yuan Qie had just joined the Joint Protection Bureau and encountered a big case, which was a time of high spirits. Facing Mrs. Feng, who relied on "I guess" and was exceptionally skilled at catching snakes, Yuan Qie maintained a skeptical attitude.

After being embarrassed many times, Yuan Qie had to admit that Mrs. Feng's guesses were always particularly accurate, even more precise than the conclusions they reached after days of analysis!

Later, Yuan Qie accepted the reality. Some people indeed have that talent, not only catching snakes as easily as eating, but also having an intuition that is incredibly accurate!

Feng Yi, feeling a bit stifled, said, "So, is he trying to save face from the embarrassment he faced back then by getting it from me?"

The butler laughed and comforted him, "Ah, it's a small matter, don't worry about it. He was just joking with you. They are very busy, always running around like robots, busy saving the world and being Earth's guardians, and they don't have time to bother with you."

The butler added, "Your body is changing, and you are emitting some kind of aura. This time, the Xiaolong might have been attracted to this aura. Compared to other humans, the Xiaolong was more friendly to you, which was also a choice for self-preservation."

Feng Yi: "...Really, it came to me on its own? For self-preservation?"

The butler said, "Most likely, but that's not important. What's important is that you might start changing in the next couple of days."

Feng Yi was surprised, "So soon! The weekend isn't even over, and the adaptation period is over? I'm about to start... changing?"

The butler's tone was serious, and his voice slightly low, "Evolution. Every step forward gives you a bit more ability to survive. The process of evolution will be accompanied by pain. No one can help you through this process, not even me. You have to endure it yourself. Are you mentally prepared?"