I Have a Golden Crow

”Nice!” Du Yu was secretly delighted. Seeing Little You Ying, who had run back with glowing runes beneath its feet, he quickly rushed over to meet it.

”Mmm~ mmm~” Little You Ying had just finished the assessment and was obviously exhausted. It could barely hold the giant torch in its hand steady, and ran in a wobbly, zigzagging manner.

It looked exactly like a little drunk, staggering about.

All that was missing was for its eyes to turn into spirals~

”Careful.” Du Yu wrapped his hands in demon breath and scooped up the Ghostly Firefly Doll.

Little You Ying blinked its big eyes, looking utterly pitiful. That final endurance attribute assessment had really worn it out.

”Cheer up, You Ying! We got second place!” Du Yu hugged the Ghostly Firefly Doll and even threw a handful of imaginary flowers in the air.

”Mmm~” Little You Ying let out a startled cry.

Du Yu stretched out his arms, ready to catch the falling You Ying from above, but instead, it stopped in midair, standing high up, staring down at its master in confusion.

Du Yu: ”...”

Lin Shiwei watched this scene with a smile and said softly, ”Mengnan, do you want to try the assessment too?”

”Ah...” Li Mengnan hesitated a little.

Both she and Lin Shiwei had already reached Demon Tamer·Minor Success Stage, and the demon pets inside them were all above the celestial level, some at the initial stage, some at the minor accomplishment stage.

Although she qualified for the assessment, Li Mengnan knew her own strength—her demon pets would have a hard time getting onto the rankings.

The only one worth showing off, the Dust Spirit Deer, didn’t even fall within the scope of the celestial level assessment.

When Yi Ren was first obtained, she was already at Celestial Level·Peak Stage—a wild, fully-formed demon beast.

According to the library’s assessment rules, Li Mengnan needed to have owned Yi Ren for more than 18 months to participate in the rankings.

With that in mind, if Li Mengnan chose to take the assessment after Du Yu, it would feel a bit like overestimating herself, wouldn’t it?

Lin Shiwei saw through Li Mengnan’s concern and gently reminded her, ”It doesn’t have to be about rankings. We can review the various attribute scores for your demon pets. For the next stage, it helps to know how best to cultivate them.”

”That’s true.” A wave of demon breath flickered across Li Mengnan’s forehead. She swept her right hand in front of her face and reached forward.

”Hu-ha!”

A unique roar echoed out, and a wave of scorching heat billowed by—a Fire Orange Pig appeared in stunning fashion!

Du Yu had just coaxed Little You Ying down from the sky and was immediately drawn in.

Celestial Level Fire Orange Pig!

This fellow was at least 1.2 meters tall, with an oval, ball-shaped body, looking solid and sturdy, standing upright on two legs.

Its skin was a bright orange-red, decorated with fiery red markings—messy, flame-like streaks all over its body.

Especially striking were its eyes—the pupils actually resembled patterns of crimson flames!

They were exactly the same as the grooves on demon soldier arrays—super cool!

Clearly, when the human race was designing the patterns for fire attribute demon soldier arrays, the inspiration came straight from the eyes of the Orange Pig clan!

The Fire Orange Pig had rather stocky legs and long, thick arms, complete with proper thighs and calves, upper and lower arms.

Ignoring its height for a moment, it really looked like a powerful and formidable wrestling champion!

The Fire Orange Pig might only stand 1.2 meters tall, but its aura was totally 2.1 meters! It glanced left and right, quickly sizing up the surroundings.

”Hello?” Du Yu stowed Little You Ying away, walked up to the Fire Orange Pig, and greeted it: ”Do you remember me?”

”Lu?” The Fire Orange Pig seemed a little confused.

Du Yu: ”When you were little, I even used you as a pillow to sleep on.”

The Fire Orange Pig tilted its head, but since it didn’t really have a neck, the whole body leaned with the head, just a little to the side...

Du Yu drew the corners of his mouth awkwardly.

Friend, you still have tusks growing out of the corners of your mouth!

You look so tough, but your movements are this adorable. Is that really okay?

Li Mengnan took a step forward and patted the pig’s head, ”This guy slept all the way here—how could he possibly remember you?”

Du Yu: ”That’s true, ha.”

Li Mengnan muttered under her breath, ”If it weren’t for the Demon Pet Contract binding us, it wouldn’t even recognize me.”

”Lu!”

Fire Orange Pig: ╰(‵□′)╯

Du Yu jumped a little. Wow, this chubby thing has quite the temper?

”Don’t yell!” Li Mengnan smacked the pig’s head again. ”Am I wrong? When you first woke up, didn’t you butt me?”

”Lu~” The Fire Orange Pig grumbled in grievance.

That really was an accident.

Li Mengnan had always looked after the young Little Orange Pig, providing it with a safe and nurturing environment, feeding it tasty fruit whenever she had it.

Yet when Little Orange Pig evolved into Fire Orange Pig, the very first thing it did upon waking up was slam Li Mengnan against the wall, even smashing her Demon Breath Battle Robe.

Thinking of this, the Fire Orange Pig hung its head in shame—it really had been too groggy back then.

”Go on, LuLu, go take the assessment.” Li Mengnan bent slightly and patted the Fire Orange Pig’s back. ”Listen to the staff’s instructions, okay? Good luck!”

”Lu!” The Fire Orange Pig waddled off on its squat legs, swinging its plump body, cheerfully trotting toward Wang Zongying.

Du Yu: ”LuLu?”

Li Mengnan straightened up: ”That’s its nickname. Cute, right?”

Du Yu gave her a strange look. ”Don’t tell me... its full name is Pig LuLu.”

”Who’s called Pig LuLu!” Li Mengnan’s cheeks turned red. She whispered, ”We call it Fire LuLu.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Li Mengnan, you never disappoint!

Wind Witch, Fire LuLu... brilliant!

Thank goodness I gave Yi Ren a normal name, otherwise, I can’t imagine the consequences!

Du Yu’s mind whirred and he asked, ”What’s your Electric Soul Imprisonment called? Thunder Flash? Electric Crackle?”

”Get out of here.” Li Mengnan shot Du Yu a glare. ”Didn’t name it.”

Du Yu: ”Hmm?”

Beside him, Lin Shiwei whispered, ”The Imprisoned Race isn’t entitled to a name—their collective title is just ’Slaves.’”

Du Yu opened his mouth but said nothing in the end.

Indeed, normal demon pets need to be distinguished from the Imprisoned Race. Those parasite beasts can only ever play two roles: master or servant.

Either the demon tamer is its master, or it is the master’s master.

That’s just how the Imprisoned Race exist—there’s no way around it.

Everyone waited patiently, and soon, Fire LuLu came back, exhausted and panting.

For a Celestial Level·Minor Achievement Stage demon beast, Fire LuLu’s scores were pretty decent.

But compared to the crowd of Celestial Peak powerhouses, this chubby fellow still had a long way to go.

Li Mengnan half-knelt, gently comforting her beloved pet.

Though she might seem scatterbrained daily, in terms of being a demon tamer, she was a qualified owner.

The girl’s words were gentle, full of encouragement. Before long, Fire LuLu raised its piggy head again with pride!

In those big eyes decorated with flame patterns, an actual spark flashed: ”Lu!”

Fire Orange Pig: ╰(‵□′)╯

Du Yu only now realized, either this guy had a temper or it just loved to shout.

It’s this tired already, but still showing off with a pose~

Li Mengnan had just finished comforting her pet and was about to summon Wind Witch to test her own cultivation results, when Section Chief Wang Zongying stopped her.

”Everyone, pause for a moment.” Wang Zongying set down his phone, clearly just receiving notification, ”The library leaders want to see you all.”

Li Mengnan withdrew the Fire Orange Pig. Du Yu and Lin Shiwei exchanged glances as well.

Wang Zongying: ”This is also Master Qing’s intention. Should I take you up now?”

Du Yu: ”Alright, thank you, Brother Wang.”

Wang Zongying smiled, ”No need to be so formal. Come on.”

The group bid farewell to the assessment staff. Under Wang Zongying’s guidance, they took the elevator to the 7th floor. Only after escorting the trio to the door of a meeting room did Wang Zongying turn and leave.

The trio quickly straightened their clothes and gently knocked on the door.

”Enter.” With a man’s voice from inside, the trio pushed the door open and filed in.

In the spacious conference room, an oval conference table sat in the center.

The three from Master Qing’s group took seats on the side near the door, while five middle-aged men and women in suits sat by the windows.

As soon as they walked in, Du Yu raised his eyebrows in mild surprise, because he actually recognized the woman sitting at the center among the leaders!

Isn’t that Director Shu Qinghe?

The woman wore a business suit, which clashed with her classical temperament—she looked a little uneasy in it.

”Ahem.” Fu Jianzhou pressed his fist to his lips and coughed softly, lowering his head.

Du Yu snapped back to himself and politely greeted the unfamiliar leaders: ”Hello, everyone.”

Then he looked at the woman in the center seat. ”Hello, Elder Shu.”

Shu Qinghe’s icy expression softened slightly as she gave a little nod.

For a moment, everyone present was a bit surprised, though they controlled their expressions well and showed nothing.

Shu Qinghe’s ”iciness” was genuine—partly due to personality, partly due to her cultivation as a demon tamer.

Generally, when people discussed the strongest in Great Xia, they excluded the Seven Saints of Great Xia from consideration.

As the Demon Taming Emperor, Shu Qinghe was naturally part of Great Xia’s top tier.

Plus, with her high status, no matter how she behaved, you could only grit your teeth and comply, following the rules.

Everyone had gotten used to Shu Qinghe’s ways, so when she nodded at a kid, Du Yu instantly became the meeting’s focal point.

”Sit.” Yang Qingqing spoke softly, breaking the silence in the room.

The trio sat quickly. Looking at the line of leaders opposite, Du Yu couldn’t help but feel like he was at a job interview.

Shu Qinghe: ”There are six in total.”

Yang Qingqing: ”Yes.”

Shu Qinghe looked at the papers on the table. ”I see you have another disciple with considerable skills.”

Yang Qingqing: ”He’s serving in the military—he has his own plans for his life.”

Hearing this, Du Yu’s heart skipped—he actually had another senior brother or sister?

Fu Jianzhou really could keep a secret—after all this time, he’d never said a word about it.

”Mm.” Shu Qinghe nodded and turned her gaze to Du Yu.

Du Yu straightened up instinctively.

Shu Qinghe: ”Xiaoyang has found herself a fine disciple.”

Du Yu put on his best-behaved look and wisely didn’t respond.

Shu Qinghe: ”This meeting kept getting postponed, all because you arranged a vacation for her.”

”Uh.” Du Yu was at a loss, unsure how to face Shu Qinghe.

During the Gourd Mountain mission, Elder Shu and Master Qing both personally protected his life, even losing their beloved pets in that intense effort.

Du Yu of course didn’t believe Elder Shu was trying to get a contract with the Chi Bear from him.

After all, with a status like Elder Shu’s, everything was hers for the asking.

So why did she mention this...?

Yang Qingqing glanced at Du Yu, her mind whirring.

In truth, ever since the master and apprentice first arrived at Gourd Mountain, she’d sensed Shu Qinghe’s growing appreciation for Du Yu.

Especially that remark: ”Strict family upbringing, huh.”

It sounded like criticism, but was actually an acknowledgment.

Standing in Shu Qinghe’s position, she’d met all kinds of people—obsequious, cowardly, and more...

Young Du Yu had stood before the Demon Taming Emperor, under that daunting aura, yet remained calm and composed, respectful to his master.

That was truly an excellent quality.

Later, in the subsequent mission, Du Yu went on to take Gourd Mountain himself, accomplishing what others had failed at for months—showing both his ability and potential.

Then, after Shu Qinghe was reassigned, and wanted to meet the pair again, she heard Du Yu had actually arranged for his master to vacation at Bamboo Grove...

Of course, Shu Qinghe herself was also a mentor, with disciples under her.

From the perspective of an elder and a teacher, her appreciation for Du Yu only deepened step by step.

At this moment, silly Du Yu still didn’t realize that, fresh out of college, he’d already won over the highest boss...