I Have a Golden Crow

”The Commander of the Northern Corps has successfully occupied the Ancient Wilderness City. All candidates, mission failed, please exit the field.”

Listening to the unfamiliar voice of a man in the invisible headphones, Liu Juncai sighed silently and ordered the Mud Hands beneath his feet to descend.

It turns out, the implied meaning of ”eliminate the Northern and Southern Commanders” was to prevent the commanders from occupying the city and ascending to the position of City Lord.

”Let’s go.” As the two landed, two soldiers emerged from the ground and waved to the duo.

Du Yu pointed at the giant Lin Shiwei. ”What about our teammate?”

”Don’t worry, the exam is over. Someone will go and pick her up.” The soldier looked up at Du Yu atop the deer and responded.

”Hmm...”

As they retraced their steps and exited the West City Gate, outside were already a group of students from Shaohai Province, with a bus waiting not far away.

”Juncai.”

”Sister Cai, are you hurt?” A group came forward, offering concerned greetings.

Liu Juncai had a complex expression, his gaze sweeping over all the students: ”I’m sorry, I made a wrong decision, wasn’t clear enough about the mission understanding, and led everyone down the wrong path.”

Seeing their leader who bravely took responsibility, Lin Shihao stepped forward to continually offer words of comfort.

Since leaving the field, Lin Shihao and the others were quickly healed by the soldiers, gathered here while awaiting, and had learned the detailed situation in the city through other students who had exited.

The words that came through the invisible headphones earlier were not only for the students in the city but also for those waiting outside the city gate.

Lin Shihao, in earnest self-reflection, thought if he was in Juncai’s position, he might have made the same decision.

After all, the exterior of the exam was too deceptive.

Most people believed their opponents were other provincial students, not the Ancient Desolate Corps.

Liu Juncai turned to Liu Junxing beside him, his expression becoming more guilty: ”Your concerns were valid.”

Back in the General’s Mansion, when Liu Juncai made the decision, Liu Junxing had clearly raised a question.

Liu Junxing put an arm around his cousin: ”You’ve done well. It’s just that the bookhouse was cunning, obviously setting traps for us to fall into.”

”Yes, Sister Cai.” Liu Junlong spoke comfortingly, ”Even so, we joined the Northern Corps, to counter students from other provinces, not to help the Ancient Wilderness Commander.”

Liu Juncai was surrounded by the group, while Du Yu stood high above.

Due to the noble and celestial manner of the Dust Spirit Deer, almost no one dared to approach.

For such a Demon Beast that could only be admired from afar, the students felt a profound sense of awe.

Only Li Mengnan, truly one of their own, dared to approach, showing a concerned look.

”You’re alright, huh.” Li Mengnan stroked the deer’s neck, watching as Du Yu dismounted.

Du Yu looked miserable: ”I thought I was coming for an exam, but it turns out I was here for a lesson.”

Clearly, the mindset of the bookhouse and the students were on different levels.

The students aspired to shine on a higher stage and become famous.

Whereas the bookhouse was thinking about how to educate and inspire young students, preparing them for potential crises ahead of time.

Li Mengnan carefully examined Du Yu, confirming he was fine, and felt a sigh of relief inwardly.

Everyone’s level of frustration was different.

Li Mengnan certainly felt regretful as well, but as a team member, the pressure she bore was far less than the leader, Liu Juncai.

”Sister Wei is out.”

”Lin Shiwei...” Amidst the cheers, Du Yu and Li Mengnan turned their heads to look.

Lin Shiwei’s demeanor was very appropriate, she nodded politely to everyone and then walked straight towards Bai Lu, without speaking.

Under the driver’s call, everyone boarded the bus one after another.

Compared to the lively discussion atmosphere on the way here, now, everyone was very quiet.

As the vehicle gradually left the desolate road and turned onto the highway, Du Yu glanced again at the distant Ancient Wilderness City.

This final exam was truly full of twists and turns.

Speaking of which, the Ancient Wilderness Hammer as a Demon Soldier is indeed formidable!

Throughout the entire exam process, everything within the test field was entirely crafted by the Ancient Wilderness Hammer.

If someone could form a contract with such a Demon Soldier...

One person could resist a thousand troops!

Du Yu mused silently, realizing that his reverence for the Mountain Fire Saber was still not enough.

Releasing the Mountain Fire Blade Soul is probably just the most basic array effect of the Mountain Fire Saber?

”Du Yu.” Li Mengnan held onto the seat, came to sit beside Du Yu.

”Why did you come over?” Du Yu sat up and looked forward to the left.

Since boarding, Li Mengnan had been sitting with Lin Shiwei.

”Third Sister wants some peace.” Li Mengnan whispered.

Du Yu sighed inwardly, such an assessment’s outcome inevitably impacted Lin Shiwei.

And understandably so, she fought so hard, carrying everyone’s hopes and expectations.

But in the end, the examiner told her she went the wrong way...

”I told Third Sister her ranking would be high.” Li Mengnan murmured softly, ”But I comforted in the wrong direction.”

Du Yu: ”The mission failed, so the score can’t be high.”

Li Mengnan nodded matter-of-factly: ”Yes! Everyone’s mission failed.

With everyone losing points, it’s like no one loses points.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Indeed, it is exactly like that.

Li Mengnan whispered, ”You too will rank at the top. Since everyone’s mission failed, the evaluation standard can only be battlefield performance, right?

Third Sister just said you performed particularly well when fighting Liu Chuang and Xiang Ying.

Full authority in command, even Bai Lu was controlled remotely by you.”

Du Yu shook his head: ”Not necessarily, as we went the wrong way. Maybe the better the performance, the more points deducted.

Besides, some people might not lose points.”

Li Mengnan: ”Hmm?”

Du Yu shrugged: ”Hening Army, they probably didn’t even find the General’s Mansion before being sent out. That is to say, they didn’t stray off the path.”

Li Mengnan: ”...”

Right! The Hening Army didn’t even have the choice.

Being weak limited our detour?

It really is... well, hard to say.

Du Yu suggested, ”Go sit with Shiwei.”

”Third Sister said she wants some quiet time alone.”

Du Yu said softly, ”Then just hold her arm and sit quietly with her.”

Li Mengnan’s heart was moved; as long as she could comfort Lin Shiwei, she didn’t mind brazenly approaching her.

Du Yu suddenly said, ”When a girl says no, she actually means yes.”

Li Mengnan widened her eyes and looked at Du Yu.

You?

Understand girls?

Du Yu gently pushed Li Mengnan’s shoulder. ”Go ahead, I’m fine. She needs you more than I do.”

”Oh.” Li Mengnan replied softly as she got up and walked to the front seat.

To her surprise, Lin Shiwei was startled by the girl’s return.

Until Li Mengnan held her arm and rested her head on her shoulder, Lin Shiwei was bewildered.

Then, she accepted it.

However, this made Li Mengnan a little unhappy, because...

Du Yu seemed to be right?

The two-hour bus journey was quite long. When the students returned to the designated hotel, the staff from the bookstore immediately issued a notification, announcing that this semester’s final exams were over, and the students were free to leave.

The three from the Yan Organization discussed for a while and decided on a flight two hours later.

It’s worth mentioning that when Du Yu helped his elder brother and third sister pack, he suggested they enter the Sea Realm.

Subjectively, Du Yu wanted Shiwei to change her mood, and that beautiful, serene island was also suitable for post-war recuperation.

But objectively... such behavior seemed akin to fare evasion?

Just another life hack~

However, Du Yu’s suggestion was denied.

Even though, once Du Yu opened the door, the two women could return to a comfortable and cozy home, Lin Shiwei restrained this thought.

The girl’s mood had eased a lot, and she didn’t want Du Yu to embark on the journey home alone.

She was also certain that previously, on the bus, Li Mengnan’s return was definitely instigated by Du Yu.

Speaking of which, becoming a Demon Tamer has quite a significant impact on one’s approach to life.

Demon Tamers are used to caring for their pets, providing timely feedback to Demon Pets, not missing the little things in life to form emotional bonds...

So much so that Demon Tamers’ methods of nurturing pets might affect their human companions.

Hmm...

Du Yu and the others returned to the Ancient Pine Tower; it was already evening.

He drove the car he had left in the parking lot for several days, sending the two women home before returning to Prince Du’s Mansion.

”Brother Tree, tree... uh.”

In front of the security door, Du Yu habitually knocked, pausing slightly.

”Ka-cha~”

The golden leaf opened the door, though clearly a leaf, it looked left and right quite humanly.

”Xiaoye.” Du Yu immediately corrected himself, smiled awkwardly, and touched the leaf, ”Did you miss me?”

The Golden Leaf swayed its golden branches up and down, making a nodding motion.

Two golden branches also reached down, obediently untying Du Yu’s shoelaces and slipping off his shoes.

Du Yu stepped inside, filled with emotion.

It had only been three days away, and the exam lasted only one morning, yet returning home felt like several weeks had passed...

He wasn’t sure if the Golden Leaf truly missed him, given the short period.

But one thing was certain, he was somewhat missing Prince Yan.

”Ying?” As a surge of Fire Demon Breath appeared on Du Yu’s forehead, a Fire Fox fell down, and Du Yu caught it in his arms.

”Did you miss me?” Du Yu leaned down, nudging Xiaoyan’s nose with his.

Xiaoyan blinked, her golden-brown fox eyes looking as if she was observing a fool.

Miss you?

Weren’t we always together?

Especially during the exam, your Demon Soul was always in my Qi Sea Acupoint home.

”Come on, let’s bathe~” Du Yu carried Prince Yan into the bedroom, ”We’ve been fighting all morning, covered in dust.”

Xiaoyan didn’t think Du Yu was very dirty, given he had washed his face after returning to the hotel.

”Hmm, okay.” She raised her head, her pink little tongue licking Du Yu’s cheek.

Du Yu was startled: ”Don’t speak, how can I bathe you if you’re talking? Just ying!”

Oh my~

This charming and sultry sister’s voice almost sent this prince away!

”Hehe~” Prince Yan giggled softly, burrowing her fluffy head into Du Yu’s neck.

Du Yu: ”...”

Entering the bathroom, after filling a tub with a bubble bath, Du Yu finally took his beloved pet and relaxed comfortably inside.

”Ah~ home.” Du Yu grabbed one of Xiaoyan’s big tails, swirled it in the hot water, and placed it on his forehead.

Returning to the cozy home and recalling the thrilling final exam, it felt like a dream.

Du Yu thought silently, swirling another tail to cover his eyes, slowly drifting into dreamland.

He didn’t know how much time had passed; the hot water had cooled.

The remaining two long tails of Xiaoyan gradually heated up, becoming scalding to keep the water warm for Du Yu.

As she secretly heated the bathwater, she suddenly sensed something.

Fire Demon Breath was also emanating from Du Yu’s body.

”You didn’t sleep?” Xiaoyan said reproachfully.

She moved the tail covering Du Yu’s eyes, only to find him still in a dream?

And the Fire Demon Breath surging from Du Yu’s body was getting denser, and denser...

”Heh...” Du Yu suddenly took a deep breath of cold air, abruptly sitting up, sending water splashing everywhere.

Am I about to level up?

Great Demon Tamer!?