Chapter 99

"Don't be like that, I bought this thing for over 70,000, and the transportation, travel, and maintenance costs add up to more than 80,000.

"Moreover, when I bought it, the seller said this zodiac coin has been around for some years, almost a hundred years? I haven't studied these coins, but I was attracted to the design and brand of this pendant. The high price is due to the design and brand premium."

"I understand."

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Feng Yi, of course, knew that such designer items were expensive because of their design. This zodiac coin, placed in today's market, wasn't worth much. He was only interested in this coin, but he had to buy the entire pendant.

"Is this to be paid at the cash register?" Feng Yi asked.

"It's a non-sale item, just transact directly with me. You can transfer the money to me."

Spending 200,000 and getting back 80,000, Yu Suo felt a bit more balanced.

Of course, she was willing to transfer the zodiac coin pendant to Feng Yi for two reasons. First, she believed Feng Yi had extraordinary appraisal skills and was worth befriending. With her collecting hobby, she might need Feng Yi to appraise items she liked at any time.

Second, she wasn't particularly fond of this zodiac coin pendant. When she bought it, she valued the original brand of the designer, and she liked a few designs from this brand. She bought the pendant along with other items, as they were all unique designs, and displaying them was a matter of pride.

However, Yu Suo noticed that Feng Yi was always focused on the zodiac coin on the pendant, not interested in the pendant or the designer brand.

"Do you like these coins?" Yu Suo asked.

"I am indeed very interested in these zodiac coins," Feng Yi admitted.

"Then I'll keep an eye out for you when I go out to collect items, to see if there are more like this."

"Thanks. But I'm not interested in every zodiac coin; it depends on the connection."

Feng Yi was indeed interested in collecting zodiac coins with a common origin.

Not every zodiac coin had a connection to the one Feng Yi owned. Those without a connection were probably just ordinary decorations, not worth collecting.

Yu Suo nodded, "I understand. Like me, some bags may look similar, but if the details are off, I won't collect them, no matter how classic they are!"

Yu Suo looked at Feng Yi as if they were kindred spirits.

Feng Yi: "…"

Actually, it's not the same.

But it's hard to explain.

Before leaving the store and heading back to Yuxiu Community, Feng Yi called the butler from his car.

"I just received a zodiac coin, and I think it has a common origin with the one I wear. I've already sent you a photo. The patterns on the coin are different from the one I wear."

The butler's tone was neutral, "There seems to be such a design, most of which come from the Feng family, made by the successor. The design and casting are decided by the successor.

"For example, if you evolve successfully, you will be responsible for casting zodiac coins to bless the younger generation."

Feng Yi was surprised, "There's... such a task? How do you make them? What are these coins for?"

"That's not something you need to worry about now. Your focus should be on the upcoming important stage! You should feel that you're approaching the critical point."

"Is it like the 'hatching' concept you mentioned before?" Feng Yi asked.

"Exactly. Only after truly passing the initial stage and evolving to the next stage can one be considered a successor. So, don't think too much about it before then."

The butler's tone was unusually serious when talking about these things.

But Feng Yi understood what the butler meant.

It's like trying to write an edict before inheriting the throne—overreaching.

But there was a question that had been bothering Feng Yi for a long time:

"So, why did you choose me initially?"

The reason of being good-looking was too far-fetched. For such a significant evolution, the more Feng Yi experienced, the more he realized it couldn't be explained away by just being good-looking.

The butler's response was less dismissive this time, "Because your 'hatching' potential is the greatest."

The butler chuckled, "So, don't underestimate yourself. Your talent and luck are both excellent. After Feng Lady, the Feng family has selected through generations, both direct and collateral lines, and ultimately chose only you.

"Of course, don't be arrogant. The path of evolution has countless possibilities, and each stage is a major challenge. Your first key challenge is coming. Are you ready to face it?"

Feng Yi was again made nervous by the butler's words.

"Before, there was a feeling of... a major change about to happen. It was a strange feeling. But now I don't feel anything."

The butler: "…"

There was a sound of flipping pages over the phone.

Feng Yi waited quietly.

After a while, the butler's tone was unusually troubled, "It's not mentioned in the notes."

Feng Yi: "…"

The butler reassured, "Don't worry too much. Try to perceive more, and if you can't perceive, create conditions to perceive. The more you use your senses, the sharper they will become. And don't forget your instincts."

Feng Yi: "…"

His instincts were on the verge of leaving home, spreading their wings.

But he couldn't back down from evolution!

"Alright! I'll find a time to perceive again, and if there are no conditions, I'll create them."

Putting this heavy topic aside, Feng Yi had another important matter to consult.

"Recently, some little swans have appeared near my house in the suburbs. Two batches fell into my yard today. Why do they keep landing in my backyard?"

The butler thought for a moment and asked, "Do you sleep in the backyard?"

"Uh, yes, I sleep there. The grass in the backyard is comfortable. Is this related to the swans landing there?"

"Yes, definitely. During your evolution, some energy will escape, and this energy might trigger the formation of active factors, affecting plants and animals. However, at this stage, the impact on plants and small animals might be greater.

"When you finished the rapid weight gain period, the escaped energy was more, and the impact range was larger, so the first batch of little swans didn't land there. But as the impact in other areas fades, the places you frequently stay become clear coordinates to them. The active factors there are more attractive to them."

Feng Yi understood, "So, to solve this problem, I just need to change where I sleep, and wait for the active factors in the backyard to dissipate?"

"Should be."

"How long will that take?"

"Unknown. It's not mentioned in the notes."

"…Alright."

He still needed to make some changes to the backyard.

"Oh, right, what if someone wants to sample from my backyard? Will there be a problem?"

Having participated in scientific expeditions, Feng Yi knew how research teams would handle such situations.

The southern area of Yushan would have sampling points, and his backyard was now a target for many research teams. Sampling was inevitable.

The more he tried to stop it, the more suspicious it would seem.

"Let them sample," the butler said.

Feng Yi was relieved. It made sense. His aunt had direct contact with the Joint Security Bureau and was familiar with such procedures.

Feng Yi wasn't wrong. As soon as he returned to Yuxiu Community, he was informed that a research team wanted to sample from his backyard.

Feng Yi was confident this time, "Go ahead. Has the community decided how to modify my backyard?"

The community leader replied, "After discussion, we have two options. One is to build a shelter in your backyard, and the other is to open a door directly in your backyard. Of course, the choice is yours, as it's your yard."

Feng Yi now knew why the swans were landing in his yard. Comparing the options, he preferred the second one.

Building a shelter would be troublesome and affect the grass growth. But opening a back door with an electronic lock, which could be controlled remotely, was more convenient. If he no longer wanted the door, he could simply block it.

By opening the back door, if more swans landed, he could control the door remotely to let the rescuers in to help the swans, even if he wasn't there.

Given the importance of the swans, someone would likely be waiting nearby as soon as they landed. He didn't have to worry about the swans damaging his grass.

"I choose the second option."

When Feng Yi arrived home, a few people were waiting. The community leader introduced him, "This is Director Liu from Rongcheng Wildlife Rescue Center. The one organizing the equipment is Professor Pan from Rongcheng University, the leader of their research team. They came to the southern area of Yushan on the first day the little swans landed here."

Feng Yi greeted Director Liu and Professor Pan.

With Feng Yi's permission, Professor Pan excitedly led his students to sample in the backyard.

Director Liu was pleased to hear that Feng Yi chose the second option, which was to open a door in the backyard wall.

"Don't worry, we'll handle the construction, no cost to you. It will be done within two days!"

"Will the construction noise disturb the little swans?" Feng Yi asked.

"Actually, the little swans don't stay here all the time. They move between the southern Yushan beach and the area behind Yuxiu Community. We'll set up bait upstream to attract them. Generally, we don't interfere or feed them, but now we have no choice. More little swans are expected to arrive, and it will be harder to manage with more of them. It's quite a headache."

Despite his words, Director Liu couldn't hide his smile.

Feng Yi noticed the smile and said, "More little swans here is good for Rongcheng."

Indeed, Director Liu's smile widened, "Of course! The number of overwintering little swans reflects the local ecological environment. The more swans, the better the environment!"

Director Liu's enthusiasm grew as he criticized some media for using imprecise terms.

"Little swans are little swans. If they just say 'swans,' who knows which kind? Big swans? Little swans? Mute swans? Black swans? It's very misleading!"

Feng Yi: "…Yes, that's true."

Director Liu, excited, continued, "Little Feng, sometimes 'big' and 'small' don't refer to the adult and juvenile forms of a species. For example, giant pandas and red pandas are completely different species! One is in the bear family, giant panda genus; the other is in the red panda family, red panda genus.

"Juvenile giant pandas are called giant panda cubs, not red pandas.

"Of course, big swans and little swans are more closely related, both in the duck family, goose subfamily, and swan genus. The ancient term 'hong hu' refers to high-flying birds like geese and swans."

Mentioning 'hong hu,' Feng Yi recalled his instinct on the verge of leaving home.

After some thought, Feng Yi asked, "Director Liu, why do migratory birds migrate?"

"It's an instinct, ultimately for survival."

"Then how do they determine their migration routes?" Feng Yi asked.

"There's been debate, with various theories. I believe they have an internal 'compass' that guides them. You know what a compass is, right?"

Feng Yi nodded, "Yes, like the tool the Taoist priests use in TV shows to catch demons."

Director Liu: "…"

This analogy left Director Liu speechless.

"Cough, a compass is a tool that follows magnetic field rules to guide direction."

"Does the human body have such a 'compass'?" Feng Yi asked.

"I think some people do, some don't. Like some people have a strong sense of direction, while others are directionally challenged."

"Are there directionally challenged birds in migratory flocks?"

"Definitely, but with evolution, some are eliminated. Stronger migratory birds can adapt their routes. Researchers have proven this.

"During climate anomalies, the wintering grounds of some migratory birds become complex. Unstable water levels limit their food sources, so their routes change. When the climate returns to normal, the changes in routes become more evident. They move to artificial wetlands, closer to humans.

"This is a smart choice. With strict protection laws, people won't harm them. If they are sick, they will be treated. When food is scarce, humans provide food. So, I believe the leaders in the migratory flocks are very wise, knowing how to make choices that benefit the group."

Feng Yi: "So, the leaders in the flocks have strong 'compasses'?"

Director Liu: "…You could say that."

Why does this young man's focus always seem off?

But Feng Yi didn't think his focus was off.

Feng Yi felt he had grasped the key point!

Instincts also need a 'compass' to guide them!

Feng Yi didn't know if his 'compass' was strong, or even if he had one.

But since he didn't know, he would create conditions to find out!

How to create these conditions?

Feng Yi decided to go on a spontaneous trip!

The next day, Feng Yi stood at a shop entrance, his gaze deep.

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