Working in a Zoo with Beast Taming System

’The rewards for a True Disciple are this generous?’

Yang Qi was slightly astonished as he sensed the new information flooding his mind: the profound tenets of the *Great Derivation Spirit-Controlling Technique (Foundation Establishment Chapter)*, the faint impression of the diagram for the Hundred Trees Nourishing Body Array, and the seed of a Divine Ability called *Every Blade of Grass a Soldier*.

The sheer generosity of these rewards far surpassed anything from before.

Receiving the next installment of his main Cultivation Technique ahead of schedule meant he no longer needed to worry about his path after the Qi Refining Stage. He could simply continue cultivating step by step.

The Hundred Trees Nourishing Body Array was all about one thing: nourishment.

It required one hundred trees, each at least thirty years old, one hundred Wood Spirit Stones, and an Array Plate to set up. Being within the array would soothe a living creature’s body and soul, and even extend its life.

And as for the Divine Ability, *Every Blade of Grass a Soldier*, it was even more powerful.

In the Cultivation World, the term "Divine Abilities" typically referred to powers that transcended ordinary Magic, a symbol of a true High-tier Cultivator.

Although it was currently just a "seed" that required Yang Qi to spend time and Magical Power to "refine" before he could even begin to use it, its potential and value were undeniable.

’To be rewarded with three such important things at once...’

While this was certainly related to his promotion from Inner Sect Disciple to True Disciple, the deeper reason was likely his new teacher: Song Chunfang!

The status of a Supreme Elder in the Beast Taming Sect was likely even higher than he had imagined, and her corresponding real-world influence was surely immense. It was so significant that the system had given him such a generous "discipleship gift."

Sure enough.

After they had formally established their teacher-student relationship, Song Chunfang earnestly advised him on the importance of being rigorous, down-to-earth, and perseverant in his academic pursuits. She also gave him detailed instructions on the upcoming enrollment procedures, the materials he needed to prepare, and the initial direction his studies would take.

They chatted for a little while longer before Song Chunfang, saying she didn’t want to disturb Yang Qi’s work or rest, took her leave with Cheng Xiaoou and Cheng Yao.

Yang Qi respectfully saw the three of them to the gate, watched until they were out of sight, and then returned inside.

He closed the door, pulled out his phone, and searched online for information on "Song Chunfang."

The search results were a revelation.

Song Chunfang wasn’t just a professor at Handong University, a doctoral advisor, and the former dean of the School of Life Sciences.

She was also an executive director of the National Wildlife Conservation Association, the vice president of the Mammalogical Society, the deputy secretary-general of the Animal Behavior Society, and a senior advisor to several national nature reserves...

She held more than a dozen such titles, each representing her authority and widespread influence in its respective field.

Then there were her awards and honors—

The Handong Province Award for Outstanding Contributions to Technological Innovation, the First-Class Prize for Advancements in Forestry Science from Handong Province, the Special Grand Prize for Technological Advancement from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration... The list of awards went on and on.

In terms of academic achievements, she had published nearly a hundred high-level papers, authored multiple monographs, and spearheaded more than ten major national-level research projects.

More importantly, she had frequently served as a member of national expert delegations on academic exchange trips to numerous countries in Europe and the Americas, earning a prestigious reputation in academic circles both at home and abroad.

But her most eye-catching credential was—

An academician candidate!

’She’s a true titan standing at the apex of her field!’

Yang Qi put down his phone, his mind reeling with emotion.

No wonder the system had designated her a Supreme Elder and offered such lavish rewards.

Becoming the student of a mentor of her caliber was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the kind that countless students in related fields could only dream of.

"Looks like I really hit the jackpot this time," Yang Qi murmured.

But he was also well aware that this wasn’t entirely due to luck.

First, Song Chunfang had previously served as the director of the Donghua Wildlife Park. She had an emotional connection to the place and followed its development, which created a natural sense of affinity and a foundation for her interest in him.

Second, the strong recommendations from the zoo’s leadership, such as Huang Zhongmu and Cheng Xiaoou. Their evaluations and endorsements had played a crucial role.

Third, and most importantly, was Yang Qi’s own concrete track record over the past two months.

From resolving various animal behavioral issues within his own zoo, to handling the brown bear escape crisis at the Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo, and now, to the industry-wide attention sparked by Big Flower’s septuplets...

Yang Qi’s abilities and "talent" had earned him initial recognition within the professional community, and his name was starting to get out.

Without these solid achievements, it would have been nearly impossible to catch the eye of an academic of Song Chunfang’s caliber on the strength of connections alone.

Fourth, there was the superhuman "animal affinity" and communication ability that Yang Qi himself demonstrated. This was an extremely rare and valuable "talent" in its own right, and an excellent foundation for a career in related research and practice.

The right time, the right place, and the right people—only the combination of all these factors could have led to him successfully becoming her student.

Of course, studying under a teacher of this caliber meant that pressure and glory went hand in hand.

Song Chunfang had made it clear that her standards were high, and that was no empty boast.

In the days that followed, Yang Qi’s "good luck" quickly transformed into "packed busyness."

With a word from Song Chunfang, his enrollment procedures were greenlit all the way, and everything was settled in less than two days.

Then, before Yang Qi could even get comfortable with his new system rewards, Song Chunfang’s "attentiveness" arrived punctually via email and messaging apps.

A massive trove of digital files, a catalog of required reading—much of it in the original English—a list of recommended courses to audit, and several potential research topics to start mulling over...

The sheer volume of the data packet and the depth of the material were enough to make even a former programmer like Yang Qi, who had switched careers mid-stream, feel his scalp tingle with dread.

Thankfully, he had drawn the "Comprehension +1" reward three times in previous lotteries, which had significantly boosted his learning ability, comprehension, and capacity to extrapolate.