’Chiyou’s mount? Kung Fu Panda?’

Li Xiang looked at the little creature. Of course he couldn’t bring himself to hunt it.

’This is a giant panda, after all. They’re incredibly rare, a national treasure. In the future, it’ll even become a High Tier, Tier Fifteen being with astounding combat power. If I could lure it back to the base to stand guard or even use it as a mount, that would be incredibly cool.’

Li Xiang checked his surroundings. Seeing no hidden surveillance cameras, he had a thought and dismissed his Black Mountain Profound Armor, revealing his true face.

As his aura was revealed, the little creature was startled, but it was quite bold. It didn’t run away; instead, it turned back to look at Li Xiang in surprise.

Although its face was adorable, its bright black eyes held a glint of cleverness and caution.

The panda was only seventy or eighty centimeters long, fluffy and chubby like a little ball. It looked to be only two or three years old, not yet an adult.

Generally, pandas under a year and a half old are considered cubs and need their mother’s care to grow. From a year and a half to four years old, they are in their sub-adult stage, like adolescents. Their family would still be nearby.

Around the age of four, their weight and size approach that of an adult giant panda. They also become sexually mature and can begin to find mates and reproduce.

However, wild giant pandas often mature later, and their interest in mating is quite low—one might even say they’re indifferent. Otherwise, their population wouldn’t be so scarce.

Female giant pandas typically only go into heat once a year, and for a very short period. If they don’t mate during that window, they have to wait another year.

It’s not like humans, who can technically do it any time, 365 days a year. Of course, it’s not a good idea when a woman is on her period, but men don’t have one. In theory, as long as a man is healthy, he could go at it every day.

’Take someone like me, for example,’ Li Xiang thought. ’An Extraordinary Being, overflowing with vigorous energy. In theory, I could indulge every single night. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to. People are capable of self-control.’

"What are you doing up so late, having a midnight snack?" Li Xiang said with a wave, greeting the adorable panda cub.

The panda glanced at him a few times before ignoring him, turning its head to continue munching on the spring bamboo shoots in its paws.

"I’ve got tons of spring bamboo shoots at my place. How about you come home with me? You can have all you can eat, and I’ll even peel them for you!" Li Xiang cajoled.

But clearly, the panda didn’t understand him. His words fell on deaf ears.

"Our meeting must be fate. Here, little guy, Big Bro... no, Daddy will treat you to a fruit!" Li Xiang picked out a Tier One Spirit Fruit from his inventory.

’Even though this panda would one day evolve into a High Tier, Tier Fifteen Exotic Beast, right now it was just an ordinary cub. He was afraid it wouldn’t be able to handle a Spirit Fruit of too high a Tier.’

However, even though it was only a Tier One Spirit Fruit, the sweet fragrance that wafted from it the moment he took it out immediately caught the panda cub’s attention.

’This was a genuine Extraordinary fruit rewarded by the system, after all.’

The panda cub had never encountered something so wonderful. It twitched its nose, immediately tossed aside its bamboo shoot, and scurried over to Li Xiang.

"Here, Daddy will feed you!" Li Xiang made a show of feeding it. But just as the panda opened its mouth wide, Li Xiang snatched the fruit away.

Panda: "..."

As it turned to leave, Li Xiang once again held the fruit out. The panda opened its mouth wide again, and once again, Li Xiang snatched it away.

"HUFF... PUFF..." The little creature panted with frustration, swiping its small paws and baring its teeth. It was clearly getting angry.

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Here!" With a gentle toss, Li Xiang sent the fruit flying right into the panda cub’s mouth.

The panda cub’s eyes instantly lit up, its adorable face showing an expression of pure delight. Then, CRUNCH, CRUNCH... in no time, it had devoured the fist-sized, apple-like Tier One Spirit Fruit.

"SQUEAK, SQUEAK~" The panda sidled closer, holding out its paws and opening its mouth toward Li Xiang, obviously wanting more.

"Say ’Daddy’!"

The panda paused for a moment, then let out a jumble of noises. "COO~" "AWOO~" "HUMPH~"

"Not bad. You can make quite a few different sounds." Li Xiang stopped making things difficult for it. This panda was highly Spiritual, but it obviously wasn’t going to be able to say ’Daddy’. ’Even the Little Fox hasn’t learned to say ’Daddy’ yet.’

He was just indulging a mischievous whim, teasing the little creature. He’d seen pandas at the zoo before, but always from a distance, separated by glass or an enclosure.

"Here, have another one!" Li Xiang took out another Tier One Spirit Fruit. This time, as he fed it and the little creature was busy eating, Li Xiang made his move!

He gently stroked its head and back, and even patted its bottom a few times.

’So soft!’

In the distance, the mother panda appeared, charging toward them in a fury.

Li Xiang instantly released his aura. The mother panda jolted in fear and tried to skid to a halt, but its momentum was too great. It tumbled head over heels into a nearby ditch.

However, being plump and sturdy like a giant, round ball, the mother panda was naturally uninjured.

The panda cub immediately ran over to its mother’s side, squeaking "SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK." Its expression was clearly one of excitement, and it kept pointing at Li Xiang, as if to explain, ’He’s my friend! He gave me something good to eat!’

’Holy crap, has it really become sentient?’

’Its Spiritual quality is every bit as high as the Little Fox’s.’ 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Li Xiang crept closer, but he received no system prompt. Clearly, the mother panda was just an ordinary animal.

"I’ve gotta go. Bye-bye."

Li Xiang took a couple of steps, then paused. He pointed in the direction of Li Family Village and shouted, "My home is that way, a few hundred kilometers from here! If you’re ever free, come and visit!"