Chapter Summaries

Shi Wen discovered that crows were attacking his beehives and watched the tiger cubs kill two of them and drive the flock away. He found three of the dogs injured, and suspected An Wa had led them to the hives to steal honey.

• Reheman and Abudu delivered six beehives to Shi Wen's pasture and explained how to care for them.
• Shi Wen watched the bees settle in and forage despite the cold weather.
• Shi Wen heard barking near the hives and rode over, where he found crows eating his bees.
• The tiger cubs leaped at the crows, killed two, and frightened the rest into flying away.
• The tiger cubs offered Shi Wen their prey, while he found Le Wa pecked and An Wa and Fu Wa stung.
• Shi Wen suspected An Wa had brought the dogs to steal honey before they joined the tiger cubs in chasing off the crows.

Shi Wen and the animals drove off crows that attacked the bees, then Yan Kexing told him he would leave on a research trip for about twenty-four days. After Yan Kexing departed, Shi Wen prepared the ranch for a severe cold wave while continuing to manage the animals.

• Shi Wen returned home with the tiger cubs and dogs after they fought crows that had attacked the bees, and he planned to have the cubs patrol again if the crows returned.
• Yan Kexing told Shi Wen he was going abroad on a research trip for about twenty-four days and offered to arrange for Gong Jiang and the other students to help at the ranch.
• Shi Wen declined to have the students work at the ranch, though he welcomed them to visit, and continued hiring Old Man Ma and the others to help manage it.
• After Yan Kexing left, a forecast warned that a major cold wave would bring temperatures down to seven or eight degrees below zero Celsius.
• Shi Wen had Old Man Ma and the others inspect and repair the livestock sheds, warehouse, and silage pits, and he kept the geese inside.

Shi Wen checked on his animals during a bitter snowstorm, warmed the house and livestock shed, and kept the herd indoors until the weather improved. After the wind stopped, he set out on his motorcycle with An Wa to inspect the ranch.

• Shi Wen let the sheep graze in the cold but kept a close watch on the pregnant cows and ewes, and continued training An Wa.
• When a nighttime blizzard woke him, Shi Wen checked the animals and lit the boiler to warm the house and livestock shed.
• The next morning, Shi Wen told Old Man Ma and the others to keep the livestock on dry feed until the storm passed.
• After the wind stopped, Shi Wen left Heiwa and several dogs to guard the house and took An Wa out to inspect the ranch.
• An Wa eagerly leaped onto the motorcycle and sat in front of Shi Wen.

While patrolling the ranch with An Wa, Shi Wen found large feline tracks in the snow and was attacked by a half-grown snow leopard. He knocked it unconscious and brought the dogs and tiger cubs home, then waited safely for Zhou Hongzhong and his team.

• Shi Wen found large feline tracks near the ranch’s northern fence and sent photographs to Zhou Hongzhong, who identified them as likely snow leopard tracks and headed over.
• A half-grown snow leopard lunged at An Wa, and Shi Wen protected the dog with a thunderous tiger-like roar.
• Shi Wen struck the snow leopard as it leaped, knocking it unconscious, then fled with An Wa on his motorcycle.
• Shi Wen got the dogs and tiger cubs inside, locked the doors, and told Zhou Hongzhong about the attack.
• Shi Wen comforted the frightened An Wa and the other dogs, then noticed that his throat hurt and his voice had gone hoarse.

Shi Wen recovered from a snow leopard attack and learned that his abilities had improved dramatically. After Zhu Ji rushed to verify his test results, Shi Wen spoke with Yan Kexing, who checked that he was safe.

• Shi Wen told Zhou Hongzhong where he had left the snow leopard, and Zhou Hongzhong's team took it away for treatment after finding it unconscious with a slight concussion.
• Shi Wen tested his abilities and found that his Divinity was 1227 and his Abilities were 1024, far higher than two months earlier.
• Zhu Ji called after seeing the test results and said he would bring a more accurate testing device to Shi Wen's home.
• Shi Wen sent Yan Kexing a photo, and Yan Kexing called to ask whether the snow leopard had hurt him.
• Shi Wen told Yan Kexing that he was fine and that Zhu Ji was coming over, then remarked on Yan Kexing's unfamiliar formal appearance.

Shi Wen took another test after Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo arrived, and Zhu Ji revealed that Yan Kexing was a ferocious beast while Shi Wen was an auspicious beast. Shi Wen’s readings remained unchanged as Zhu Ji predicted he could reach God-Level Abilities and described what that might mean.

• Shi Wen spoke with Yan Kexing by video before making dinner for the animals at home.
• Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo arrived with testing equipment, and Zhu Ji asked to study Shi Wen’s bodily waste as well as his blood.
• Zhu Ji explained that Shi Wen’s presence and bodily substances might affect the ranch, and suggested adding his waste to the manure being fermented for fertilizer.
• Zhu Ji revealed that Yan Kexing was a ferocious beast and said Shi Wen was an auspicious beast, then refused to explain further.
• Shi Wen gave another blood sample, and the results again showed Divinity 1,227 and Abilities 1,024.
• Zhu Ji said Shi Wen might become a God-Level Abilities User and described possible changes to his abilities, benefits, and influence.

After testing Shi Wen, Zhu Ji discussed his unusually high abilities with Yan Kexing and considered how the Anomaly Management Office could support his growth. Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo spent the night at Shi Wen’s home and planned to request funding for his ranch.

• Zhu Ji explained that transforming into a Qilin required enormous energy, then asked to stay overnight at Shi Wen’s home with Duan Kuo because of the snow.
• Shi Wen prepared the guest room with separate quilts, and Zhu Ji messaged Yan Kexing that they were staying there.
• Zhu Ji told Yan Kexing that Shi Wen’s tests showed Divinity 1,227 and Abilities 1,024, and Yan Kexing urged the office to form a team and create a growth plan for him.
• Yan Kexing said Shi Wen might raise more animals if he received additional funding or equipment, and Zhu Ji promised to recruit people and provide support.
• Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo discussed funding Shi Wen’s ranch instead of renovating his house, and Zhu Ji planned to write a report after returning.

Shi Wen and Zhu Ji reinforced the livestock sheds and prepared to insulate the beehives before the dogs returned carrying four hibernating marmots. After confirming the marmots were asleep rather than dead, Shi Wen collected them for safekeeping.

• Shi Wen explained that he was reinforcing the livestock sheds against the cold, and Zhu Ji joined the workers after breakfast.
• Zhu Ji played with the tiger cubs and Cong Zai while eating, then helped Shi Wen cover the sheds with felt.
• Shi Wen told Zhu Ji that his bees still needed insulation, and Zhu Ji praised him for staying grounded despite having Abilities.
• An Wa and the other dogs returned carrying four large marmots, and Shi Wen ordered them to put the animals down.
• Zhu Ji recognized that the motionless marmots were hibernating, and Shi Wen confirmed it before gathering them into a sack.

Shi Wen discovered that the snow leopard had been digging for marmots when it encountered him and An Wa, then learned that it had recovered and been released back into the mountains. He agreed to adopt a group of stray sheep and returned the marmots to their burrow before heading home.

• Shi Wen found snow leopard tracks beside a large burrow and realized the animal had likely come to hunt marmots, not attack the ranch.
• Shi Wen explained his theory to Zhou Hongzhong, who said the snow leopard had recovered from a slight concussion and been released with a tracking collar.
• Zhou Hongzhong offered Shi Wen a group of quarantined stray sheep, and Shi Wen agreed to adopt them.
• Shi Wen returned the marmots to their burrow, partly filled the entrance with earth, and took the dogs to cover the beehives before going home.

Shi Wen adopted six stray sheep and discovered that one was a promising breeding ram with an unusually old bloodline. After learning that local fat-tailed sheep had declined in quality, he invited Fu Meng, Zhang Deyuan, and others to see the ram, and they gathered at his ranch.

• Zhou Hongzhong delivered six treated stray sheep, and Shi Wen identified one ram as a potential breeder.
• Shi Wen signed the adoption papers and showed Zhou Hongzhong and the others the snow leopard’s marmot burrow, which they photographed without touching.
• Shi Wen sent samples from the ram to a testing agency, which confirmed he was a purebred local fat-tailed sheep with an old bloodline.
• Fu Meng told Shi Wen that local fat-tailed sheep had declined over the decades, with competition winners’ weights falling substantially.
• Fu Meng, Zhang Deyuan, and others came to Shi Wen’s ranch to see the ram.

Shi Wen encountered the same snow leopard that had been released far away, and it tried to charm him instead of attacking. He called Zhou Hongzhong to take it away again, leaving the ranch peaceful for now.

• Fu Meng and Zhang Deyuan admired the stray ram Shi Wen had taken in, and Shi Wen said he would try to nurse it back to health.
• A few days later, Shi Wen rode out with the dogs and tiger cubs to inspect the pasture.
• Near the place where the snow leopard had ambushed them before, the animals stopped and growled at its tracks.
• The snow leopard appeared, rolled over, and repeatedly called to Shi Wen in a raspy, cutesy voice.
• Shi Wen called Zhou Hongzhong, who brought people and a tranquilizer gun to capture the snow leopard and carry it away again.

Shi Wen asked his local pigeon-raising group why his young pigeons left peas in their feed, then invited nearby members to visit his ranch. Seven members arrived and followed him to see his pigeons, where they were surprised by his basic cages.

• Shi Wen checked the leftover feed and wondered why his pigeons kept leaving peas behind.
• Shi Wen posted a photo and asked the pigeon-raising group for advice, prompting members to discuss the peas and his mixed breeds.
• Shi Wen shared his location and invited the nearby group members to visit for milk tea and copper-pot mutton.
• Seven group members arrived with fruit and liquor, introduced themselves, and eagerly asked to see Shi Wen's pigeons.
• Shi Wen led the visitors into the livestock shed, where geese tried to peck at them before they commented on his basic pigeon cages.

Shi Wen showed his pigeon-enthusiast group the loft and the many breeds he had rescued from crow nests, and the visitors became eager to buy some of his birds. He told them he would ask his brother, Yan Kexing, and prepared to message him.

• Shi Wen showed the group his pigeons, and members identified seven breeds among his thirty-four birds.
• Shi Wen explained that he had found the pigeons' eggs in crow nests while checking his family's cornfield.
• The group members speculated that the pigeons might have descended from racing birds and discussed the harm caused by people who steal racing pigeons.
• The enthusiasts asked Shi Wen if they could buy some pigeons, and he said he would consult his brother, Yan Kexing.
• Shi Wen offered the visitors tea and planned to message Yan Kexing, whose chat with him still showed their good-night messages from the night before last.

Shi Wen discussed selling the pigeons with Yan Kexing and learned how much racing pigeons might be worth. After Gong Jiang showed him photos of Yan Kexing’s messages appearing on a meeting-room screen, Shi Wen agreed to keep two pairs and sell the rest, saving the proceeds for a meal together.

• Shi Wen asked Yan Kexing whether they should sell their pigeons, and Yan Kexing replied that either choice was fine while casting his screen during a meeting.
• Old Liu showed Shi Wen current racing-pigeon prices, and Shi Wen estimated his pigeons could sell for seven or eight hundred each.
• Gong Jiang sent Shi Wen photos of Yan Kexing’s WeChat messages displayed behind him during a meeting, prompting Shi Wen to tease Gong Jiang about entering them in a photography competition.
• Yan Kexing told Shi Wen they could sell the pigeons and keep one or two pairs, since the flock was a lot of work and its quality was average.
• Shi Wen agreed to keep two pairs and sell the rest, planning to save the money for a meal with Yan Kexing.

Shi Wen sold thirty pigeons to the group members for 39,000 yuan and watched his tiger cubs prove their hunting skills. When Yan Kexing returned, they found that the cubs and dogs had brought a still-living adult gray wolf to the ranch.

• Shi Wen kept two pairs of pigeons and sold the remaining thirty to the group members for an average of 1,300 yuan each.
• Shi Wen noticed that the tiger cubs had learned to hunt and could catch animals ranging from voles to red foxes and crows.
• Shi Wen picked up Yan Kexing, and they saw a gray animal the tiger cubs had dragged to the ranch entrance.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing identified the animal as a large gray wolf, which was wounded but still breathing.

Shi Wen discovered that the dogs and tiger cubs had caught the injured wolf outside the ranch after secretly jumping over the fence. The animals crossed back over and left Shi Wen trapped inside, urging him to follow.

• Shi Wen brought the injured wolf home, treated its wounds, and tied it up while Yan Kexing cooked for the animals.
• Shi Wen called Zhou Hongzhong, who warned him that wolves were roaming farther than usual and advised him to protect the ranch's people and livestock.
• Shi Wen patrolled the ranch the next day and found its fencing intact, leaving him puzzled about how the animals had caught the wolf.
• Shi Wen questioned the dogs and tiger cubs and threatened to take away their treats until Heiwa led him to a high slope by the fence.
• Heiwa, the other dogs, and the tiger cubs jumped over the fence, leaving Shi Wen behind and signaling for him to follow.

Shi Wen realized that his dogs and tiger cubs had driven off a wolf pack far beyond the ranch, then rewarded them for their victory. Later, wolves from that pack ambushed him on his way home, and he prepared to fight.

• Shi Wen followed the little ones to a bloodstained patch of grassland and realized they had fought a wolf pack there.
• He concluded that the animals had expanded their territory and attacked the wolves, then promised them a feast and a smaller patrol range.
• Shi Wen bought beef and mutton, and Yan Kexing prepared a meal for the dogs and Cong Zai while Shi Wen fed the tiger cubs raw meat with egg yolks.
• On his motorcycle ride home from town, Shi Wen recognized two wolves from the pack and tried to turn away.
• More than ten wolves surrounded Shi Wen, and he dismounted before two of them charged at him; he ducked and swung a heavy punch.

Shi Wen defeated a pack of wolves, then returned home with Yan Kexing. That night, wolves came near the house, and Shi Wen found a tiny puppy or wolf pup beneath a window.

• Shi Wen knocked out the wolves and their king with punches to their jaws, then called Zhou Hongzhong for help.
• Shi Wen noticed Yan Kexing’s heartbeat was irregular and took a mint from his pocket before contacting Zhou Hongzhong.
• Zhou Hongzhong arrived with his people to collect and treat the wolves, and Shi Wen and Yan Kexing went home.
• That night, the tiger cubs barked and scratched at the door as dogs chased dark shapes away from the house.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing found a tiny, newborn puppy or wolf pup beneath a window, and Shi Wen gently picked it up.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing took in a wolf-dog puppy from the pack and named him Langwa, then began caring for him together. The next morning, Shi Wen told Yan Kexing that Brother Fu had invited them to help with the village’s winter fishing.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing speculated that Langwa’s mother had brought him from the wolf pack because he was not fully welcome there, and Shi Wen decided to keep him.
• Shi Wen named the puppy Langwa and sent Zhou Hongzhong a message explaining how the puppy came to him.
• Shi Wen comforted Langwa through the night, and the next morning discovered the puppy’s eyes had opened.
• Shi Wen handed Langwa to Yan Kexing while he went to milk the goats, and Yan Kexing wrote a care plan for the puppy.
• Shi Wen told Yan Kexing that Brother Fu had invited them to help with the village’s winter fishing and share in the catch.

Shi Wen adjusted the pregnant ewes’ feed after finding they were below his target weight, and discovered his corn silage had fermented successfully. He and Yan Kexing then went to the village pond with their dogs and the newly adopted wolf pup, where Fu Meng admired it.

• Shi Wen recorded December 4 and increased the pregnant ewes’ feed to support their growing fetuses.
• Shi Wen opened a bag of corn silage, found it had fermented well, and fed it to the ewes while the pigeons pecked at some.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing finished the farm work, got ready, and brought their four dogs and the wolf pup to the village pond.
• Fu Meng greeted Shi Wen and Yan Kexing, examined the wolf pup, and said it would become a good dog.