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Chapter 147: Don't Call Me for the Silver Party?
Chapter 147: Don't Call Me for the Silver Party?
"Go on, have at it! Give it your all!"
Lu Chen waved his hand dismissively at the male crane, which had been standing between him and the other cranes, and watched as it flew towards the female who had been waiting with bated breath.
In the distance, the female crane had been eagerly awaiting her suitor. Now, the two cranes, under Lu Chen's watchful gaze, hesitated and twisted their way into the tall grass.
A clear, crisp call rang out from the grass, surprising Lu Chen as he turned to leave.
At first, the call was sweet and melodious, sliding smoothly through the grass. After a while, it turned harsh and grating, only to finally fade into silence.
The next morning, Lu Chen woke up early to find that something mysterious and subtle had changed among the rest of the spirit cranes after the first successful pairing. It was as if something was brewing beneath the surface.
Realizing that the time was ripe, Lu Chen decided to strike while the iron was hot. He gathered all the spirit cranes together and announced, "Today, I've gathered you all to organize a little get-together and play some games. This will help you get to know each other better and foster deeper connections."
He continued, explaining the three games they would play: "The first game is a race to find the fastest spirit crane. Sometimes you need to be fast, sometimes slow, and sometimes a mix of both. Today, we will find out who among you is the speedster, so give it your all and show your peers what you've got!"
"The second game is a partner challenge. Pair up, one male and one female crane. Bind one of your legs together and work as a team to complete the tasks." He paused, then added, "As for the males who haven't found a partner yet, well, it's time to step out of your comfort zone and pair up for this game."
"Lastly, we have a foraging and feeding game. Search the wetlands for spirit herbs, roots, tender leaves, and spiritual clams and snails. Then, take turns feeding your partner."
"At the end of these games, female cranes can choose their suitors based on their performance. Let's get these love birds into the river of love!"
As the spirit cranes looked on in bewilderment, Lu Chen called out two cranes to demonstrate the games according to his instructions. Soon enough, the cranes were playing enthusiastically, their joyful calls filling the air above the lively wetlands.
Seizing the opportunity, Lu Chen headed to the Beast Taming Hall to retrieve some items he would need later. But when he returned to the camp, he was stunned by the scene before him. The bucket of supplies he carried clattered to the ground.
Over a dozen pairs of spirit cranes were entangled in the water, their long necks twisting together like braided dough!
"Wow, don't call me for the silver party?" Lu Chen muttered through gritted teeth.
Then, a realization hit him. "Now that I think about it, it might be better if they don't involve me. After all, birds of a feather flock together, and my participation might change the nature of their interactions."
However, this also proved that his efforts over the past days hadn't been in vain. By adjusting the mental and physical states of the spirit cranes, he had naturally and effortlessly guided them towards procreation.
That night, the wetlands resounded with a chorus of calls, as if the cranes were competing with each other. Lu Chen found it hard to get a good night's rest.
Over the next two days, spring was in full bloom at the camp, thanks to Lu Chen's efforts. Spirit cranes paired up left and right, their affection on full display as they entwined affectionately.
Lu Chen even noticed that some cranes participated daily, always with a different partner, and both male and female cranes were equally enthusiastic. For a moment, he found himself struggling to keep track of the complex relationships forming among the cranes.
A few days later, Lu Chen went to the Beast Taming Hall to collect some items and seek out Xu Yi.
"Senior Brother Xu, the hundred spirit cranes I'm raising have mated several times recently, and I estimate that quite a few of them will be successful in their pregnancies."
"Is that so? What role did you play in this, Junior Brother Lu? Did you force the spirit cranes to mate, or did you let them procreate naturally?" Xu Yi asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I merely provided a little guidance," Lu Chen replied humbly.
Xu Yi heaved a sigh of relief at Lu Chen's words, worried that the spirit cranes might exhibit extreme behavior again. "Let's go, Junior Brother Lu. Take me to see them."
Eager to witness the scene Lu Chen had described, Xu Yi hurried towards the camp with Lu Chen.
As soon as Xu Yi set foot on the ground, he could see that Lu Chen's words were true.
In the wetlands, dozens of spirit cranes frolicked in the air, their long necks entwined in playful dances of affection. It was clear to see which pairs had formed bonds.
"Junior Brother Lu, I am truly astonished," Xu Yi exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with delight as he took in the lively scene before him. It had been many years since he had last witnessed such a heartwarming sight.
Despite his joy, Xu Yi knew that they still needed to verify if the cranes were indeed pregnant. With a gentle leap, he landed in front of a female crane that stood out from the rest due to her peculiar demeanor. He placed his hand on her abdomen and channeled a probing spell, seeking to uncover the truth.
Even though only a short time had passed, Xu Yi's extensive experience in caring for spirit cranes allowed him to immediately sense that this particular female crane was indeed in the process of gestation.
"Excellent!" Xu Yi exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face. He quickly flew to another female crane and confirmed that she, too, was carrying a precious cargo.
Moments later, Xu Yi returned to Lu Chen's side, his eyes shining with excitement. "Based on my initial scans, fifteen female cranes are already in the early stages of pregnancy."
Xu Yi's eyes widened as he continued, "There are only around forty female cranes in total, and in less than ten days, three out of ten have become pregnant. Junior Brother Lu, how did you achieve this?"
The high pregnancy rate among Lu Chen's cranes far exceeded the annual birthrate in the wetlands, leaving Xu Yi impressed and curious.
"It's quite simple, actually," Lu Chen explained with a smile. "I removed the pressures of survival, food, and shelter, and showed them that procreation isn't a difficult process. I also fostered natural attraction and admiration between the male and female cranes."
"By doing these things, the issue of spirit crane reproduction was naturally resolved."
Xu Yi, however, was still perplexed. "Junior Brother Lu, I understand what you did, but I have more questions. How did you help them see past their survival struggles and view procreation in a positive light?"
Lu Chen suggested, "Let's put ourselves in their feathers for a moment, Senior Brother Xu. Imagine you're a cultivator enslaved by a Nascent Soul stage demon. From dawn to dusk, you toil for this cruel master, only to be met with hunger and discomfort at the end of the day. Your life feels hopeless, with no end to the drudgery in sight. In such a situation, if you were asked to procreate and become a mere breeding tool, would you have the desire or motivation to do so?"
Xu Yi fell silent as he considered Lu Chen's words, placing himself in the cranes' feathers. After a moment's hesitation, he replied, "I suppose... I would not."
(End of Chapter)
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