I Have a Golden Crow

Lin Chuan waited for nothing.

Most of the crowd at the main gate had already dispersed. Although the Mountain Fire Saber had fully recovered, according to the notice from the bookstore, the Mountain Fire Blade Realm would only open to the public three days later, just in case any accidents happened.

So people left one after another. Only Lin Chuan and his two attendants kept waiting anxiously for Du Yu to appear.

As for Du Yu...

He could really hide!

Lin Chuan waited for over half an hour, and when Du Yu finally showed up, he was already at the Otherworld Gate.

Obviously, he had tunneled his way up from underground.

”You sure are cautious, aren’t you?” Lin Chuan laughed, stepping forward.

”Uh.” Du Yu scratched his head awkwardly, saying to the soldier beside him, ”So, my challenge is over, right? The Mountain Fire Saber has recovered as usual.”

The lead soldier’s face was full of admiration, nodding heavily: ”Yes, Mr. Du.”

”Good.” Only after hearing this did Du Yu step forward and walk out through the Mountain Fire Blade Realm gate.

Du Yu’s every move was cautious. If he didn’t get a definite confirmation, he probably wouldn’t have stepped out of the Otherworld at all.

”Haha.” Lin Chuan laughed and reached out, slinging an arm around Du Yu’s shoulder. ”Awesome, Xiaoyu! Second only to the Mountain Fire!”

That title was amusing.

As for the ”Number One of Mountain Fire,” that was undoubtedly Master Qing.

Du Yu grinned. ”Awesome, my ass. I was scared to death.”

As he spoke, Du Yu put on a look of lingering fear, turning to glance at the mountaintop.

Lin Chuan had watched the whole thing and completely agreed in his heart. ”Come on, bro will buy you a drink to calm your nerves. Let’s celebrate properly!”

Du Yu looked a bit uneasy. ”Brother Chuan, I’m totally exhausted right now, body and soul. I just want to go home and get some real rest.”

Lin Chuan: ”Mm... fair enough.”

After all, Du Yu had just gone through a life-and-death battle. Both physically and mentally, he’d been through a huge shock. Wanting a quiet recovery was completely normal.

Lin Chuan didn’t push, showing just the right amount of restraint. ”Next time, then. I’ll owe you one.”

”Thanks for waiting for me all this time, Brother Chuan.” Du Yu said gratefully. A Demon Tamer’s time was precious, and Lin Chuan was a Demon Taming General after all.

However long Du Yu hid underground, that’s how long Lin Chuan waited outside the gate.

Yet after all this, Lin Chuan ended up with nothing to show for it...

He’d meant to have a drink with Du Yu, and ended up being turned down.

”No need to thank me. Besides, I got to watch and learn a lot.” Lin Chuan headed toward the parking lot with Du Yu. ”By the way, how did you manage to make contracts with the Dust Spirit Deer and Desert Lynx?”

Du Yu: ”...”

After repeating the Paper Crane Disciple’s scripted explanation, Du Yu had Lin Chuan drive him home.

As he watched the black car head down the highway, one of the attendants asked, ”Brother Chuan, what about the video?”

Lin Chuan still felt sentimental, silently watching the car leave.

But on hearing this gentle reminder, a strange smile appeared on his face. ”Send it to Master Qing.”

By the time Du Yu returned to Xishu Garden, it was already afternoon.

”Good afternoon, Xiaoye.” Du Yu handed the Ice-colored Jade Marrow Bow to the golden stems and leaves, letting it help him untie his shoelaces.

The 200-kilometer drive had done a lot to calm Du Yu’s mind.

This trip to the Mountain Fire Saber had been fraught with danger—he’d barely come out alive!

Du Yu knew well, the Mountain Fire Saber hadn’t even gone all out. That kind of divine weapon was basically a walking bug-level cheat.

He wondered when he himself would get a divine weapon...

Thinking inwardly, Du Yu headed straight for the bathroom.

Alcohol to calm the nerves? Nothing beats a hot bath!

He filled the tub, then sank in and stretched out comfortably.

”Ah~” Du Yu lay back, relaxing completely.

This was the proper after-battle enjoyment.

”Ying~” With a soft whimper, a fiery red figure appeared, landing right on Du Yu’s chest.

Those golden-brown fox eyes held a hint of grievance. ”Why didn’t you call me?”

Du Yu: ???

Prince Yan sprawled across Du Yu’s chest, several long fiery tails gently flicking the water behind him.

Du Yu felt totally numb and just didn’t bother replying.

He could change his mind about earlier, too.

Drinks? Not as comfortable as a bath with Prince Yan!

Pity Xiaobai was just too big to curl up in the tub anymore. He’d never again see her funny little choking-on-water face...

”Nai~”

”Hm?” Du Yu closed his eyes to rest and replied in his mind, ”What’s up, Xiaobai?”

”I’m about to advance.” The ethereal, clear voice carried a special sweetness, echoing in Du Yu’s head.

”That’s great!” Du Yu perked up. ”I’ll have the Shadow Gu Tower send you more Demon Breath.”

Bai Yujing: ”I need some Wind Demon Breath to help.”

”Fire Demon Breath won’t do? You...? Mm.” Du Yu sat up straight. Now wasn’t the time to argue about this.

Advance first, talk later!

As Du Yu got up, the Firefox Towel that had been lying on his chest immediately slipped into the hot water.

Du Yu hurriedly scooped it out, communicating in his mind, ”Hold on, just a second.”

He showered off quickly and, by the time he was putting on his clothes outside, his wet body was already steamed dry.

Within just 30 seconds, Du Yu had entered the Mountain and Sea Bell.

You want Wind Demon Breath?

Got it!

Anything you want is in my Mountain and Sea Bell~

Du Yu leaped lightly, and the Immortal Deer formed under him.

Bai Yujing soared high, flying over the dense Begonia Forest, straight for Shatang Mansion.

Beneath the Shatang Tree, Du Yu still didn’t see Master Qing, but there was a young girl looking up, watching the flying Immortal Deer.

”Talk later when I get back!” Du Yu leaned over, waving to Lin Shiwei below.

”Mm.” Lin Shiwei nodded softly, watching Du Yu fly away.

Du Yu spotted Lin Shiwei in Shatang Courtyard, then saw the diligent Fire LuLu cultivating in Firethorn Courtyard.

”Luuu!” Little Fatty Pig immediately left the Fire Phoenix Tree battlefield, raising its braised pig hoof high in the air, looking full of energy.

”You two together.” Du Yu waved his hand, tossing Little Tai Sui down.

”Ying!” Little Tai Sui, confused, tumbled from the sky, panicking a bit, before a Bamboo Leaf Cloak draped itself over him.

Below, the Fire Phoenix Tree had already stretched out a branch, catching the chubby little guy securely.

”Luuu!”

”Ying!” Pig and bear met each other’s eyes.

Though Little Tai Sui had just been through a tough battle, at that moment, his fighting spirit was rekindled!

As for Du Yu, he rode Bai Yujing right into the Dust Spirit Garden.

After flying a while, he found Li Mengnan sitting cross-legged under a Wind Chime Tree, meditating.

The two Yan Organization generals had been cultivating inside the Mountain and Sea Bell, striving to break through to Great Demon Tamer.

But judging from their choices, the poor Fire Phoenix Tree seemed to have been abandoned?

”Ding-ding~ ding~”

The white Wind Chime Tree shook lightly, letting out a string of pleasant sounds.

Li Mengnan opened her eyes and looked up, ”Where did you run off to?”

”Mountain Fire Saber,” Du Yu dismounted the deer and said casually, ”Picked up a ring while I was at it.”

”Eh?” Li Mengnan was stunned, ”You took on the main mission of the store?”

”Yeah.” Du Yu dismounted, raising his hand, ”Xiaobai’s about to advance—Wind Chime, could you give us a few fruits?”

”Ding-ding~ ding~”

The shimmering white leaves slowly reached down, bringing small Wind Chime Fruits.

Bai Yujing lifted her deer head and bit into the tasty treat.

As the wonderful flavor spread across her tongue, she squinted her deer eyes happily and called out, ”Nai~”

”So soon, and she’s advancing again.” Li Mengnan stood up and gently stroked Xiaobai.

”All thanks to Master Qing.” Du Yu replied.

”Oh.” Li Mengnan enjoyed the feel of the snowy fur, ”Master Qing still has two empty Acupoint Homes, right?”

Du Yu: ”Why?”

Li Mengnan muttered, ”If only Master Qing could take me in, I’d be able to break through to Great Demon Tamer right away.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Noticing Du Yu’s look, Li Mengnan blushed a bit. ”What, can’t I dream?”

”Actually,” Du Yu said with a weird expression, ”I thought the same thing before.”

”Oh.” Li Mengnan pursed her lips, but believed Du Yu would have thoughts running in the same direction as herself...

She sensibly stepped back, giving Bai Yujing a calm environment to advance.

Du Yu also took the hint, moving with Li Mengnan around to the other side of the Wind Chime Tree.

He asked softly, ”So how’s the gathering of Demon Souls coming?”

”Still crafting, it’s taking a long, long time.” Li Mengnan replied quietly, ”Just like you and Master Qing advised—compress, condense, craft.”

Du Yu also spotted the glass jar under the tree. ”Why have you only absorbed one Demon Lamp Po?”

Li Mengnan: ”Master Qing made a training plan for me. I’ll absorb the rest over the next couple weeks. By then, my Demon Soul should be nearly ready.”

Du Yu: ”So, in about two weeks, you can advance?”

”Hopefully.” Li Mengnan glanced at Du Yu. ”Thanks, by the way. Demon Lamp Po isn’t something you can just buy, it’s been a huge help.”

Du Yu grinned. ”If you advance quickly, that’s thanks enough for me.”

”Oh?”

Du Yu shrugged. ”I’m just too strong. I could crush you with one hand. Sigh... the loneliness of being an expert, soooo lonely.”

Li Mengnan: ???

”You dare rebel, challenging your big bro?”

”Shush!” Du Yu gave her a silencing gesture, motioning toward the Dust Spirit Deer nearby.

Li Mengnan blushed and gave Du Yu a little glare.

Du Yu whispered, ”If you can draw the Fire Attribute Celestial Punishment, I could piggyback and push for Great Demon Tamer·Minor Success Stage.”

Li Mengnan composed herself, pondering a bit. ”Then I’ll go cultivate at the Fire Phoenix Tree now.”

Du Yu shook his head, ”No need—stick to your training plan. Don’t change things rashly, or you might never break through.

And anyway, just because you specialize in one attribute doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily call down that attribute of Celestial Punishment. Senior Brother Fu is the perfect example.”

Li Mengnan: ”Mm...”

Du Yu: ”By the way, where are Bai Lu and Yiren? Did you drive them off by hogging the Wind Chime Tree?”

”Pfft.” Li Mengnan scoffed at Du Yu, ”The four of us are getting along just fine, thank you. Bai Lu and Yiren took the baby into the woods to play.”

”Nai~~~” Suddenly, Bai Yujing let out a beautiful deer cry.

Wild winds whipped up, Wind Demon Breath surging everywhere.

The two under the tree looked over to see Bai Yujing’s body growing noticeably larger.

She held her snowy head high, long deer neck elegant to the extreme.

The magical flowers on her antlers shimmered with dreamy beauty, seemingly illusionary.

”Heh...” Li Mengnan clutched her chest, even her sigh trembling.

Even though she’d spent every day and night with Yiren, she simply couldn’t resist the beauty of the Dust Spirit Deer.

”Tap~ tap~ tap~”

Snowy hooves tapped the ground as the Immortal Deer approached Du Yu.

Her eyes curved in a happy smile, those lively deer eyes turning into twin crescents.

”Congrats.” Du Yu reached out, hugging the lowered deer head. ”We’re one step closer to building our own Demon Spirit Civilization.”

”Nai~” Bai Yujing shrugged off Du Yu’s embrace, swung her antlers, and tossed him onto her back.

The Immortal Deer soared with the wind, high-spirited and full of energy.

Both master and beast were in great spirits, even the Wind Chime Tree chimed joyously.

Only poor Li Mengnan, shielding her face against the wind, was left a mess—eating dust all alone...

Bai Yujing flew higher and higher, her deer cries echoing across the sky.

Du Yu didn’t try to stop her—it was his own turf, after all. As long as everyone’s happy, who cares about a little wildness... hmm?

Du Yu froze, and Bai Yujing underneath him suddenly came to a halt.

Far to the north, at the edge of the beach beyond the Begonia Forest, Du Yu spotted a tiny deer standing atop a giant boulder.

And right in front of the little deer, a huge Dragon Head was lowering itself, staring down at the little one...