I Have a Golden Crow

The sun sets in the west, by the Crescent Lake Shore.

Countless Chi Bears bury the corpses of Chi Clan Warriors and Demon Crystals in this bamboo forest.

The autumn wind blows through the bamboo forest, making the bamboo leaves sway.

Amid the pleasant rustling sound, the whimpering and sobbing of the Chi Bears are hidden.

On the southern hill, Yang Qingqing stands silently with her arms crossed behind her back.

Du Yu and Wei stand behind her, gazing at the Chi Bear Tribe mourning.

”Zzz~zzz~”

The sound of electric currents emerges, and a 2-meter-tall Chi Bear forms on the hill.

It releases a huge Demon Soul, enveloping the trio: ”Human Race.”

Du Yu can tell this is the voice of Elder Yinsuo.

Yinsuo looks at the sorrowful trio and comforts them: ”Do not feel sad for us, look at the falling bamboo leaves.”

Lin Shiwei gazes into the distance, looking down at the lakeside bamboo forest.

Pieces of bamboo leaves dance in the wind, carrying a trace of poignant beauty, scattering to the ground.

”The fallen bamboo leaves will merge into the soil, turning into nutrients, nourishing the bamboo forest to grow more vigorously.”

Yinsuo also gazes into the distance: ”Every warrior who dies is for the prosperity of the Chi Bear Tribe, for the continuation of our race.”

Lin Shiwei does not respond, only her naturally hanging hand gently clasps Du Yu’s hand.

Yinsuo: ”Now, the warriors’ fallen leaves return to their roots, forever with the Bamboo Grove, witnessing the growth and unending life of the Chi Bear Tribe.”

”Fallen leaves return to their roots,” Du Yu muses over this phrase.

For warriors who fight on the battlefield, these four words are indeed moving.

If I accidentally die on the battlefield, where will my final resting place be?

Ancient Pine Tower?

That would be a good place.

”Ugh.” Du Yu suddenly feels a twinge in his hand and grins.

Lin Shiwei clasps his hand, giving it a gentle but firm squeeze.

General Lin’s strength is such that she could easily crush Du Yu’s Demon Breath Battle Robe.

But she did not do that; this action, with a hint of reprimand, seems more like a reminder to Du Yu.

Du Yu turns to look, also seeing the somewhat annoyed expression in Lin Shiwei’s eyes.

Little Shiwei... surely is assertive.

About dying in battle, am I not even allowed to think about it?

”Du Yu.” Yinsuo suddenly communicates mentally.

”Hmm?”

”She is right, you really shouldn’t think about those things,” Yinsuo says solemnly. ”Your life is destined to be a grand and majestic masterpiece.

The past three years do not represent the entirety of this masterpiece.

On the contrary, this masterpiece has only just begun.”

Du Yu is somewhat bewildered, carefully pondering Yinsuo’s choice of words.

This?

When I completely destroyed the Cold Tree, standing atop the Twin Tree Realm...

You tell me that my life has just begun?

A flicker of brightness passes through Lin Shiwei’s eyes; this is what she wanted to hear! Rather than anything like dying in battle.

Yinsuo: ”Take Hongye along.”

Du Yu and Wei both look toward Elder Yinsuo.

Yinsuo: ”I will select a hundred clan members to follow Hongye into your Mountain Realm.

I believe this new Chi Bear Tribe will add a touch of color to your life’s masterpiece.”

Du Yu agrees without hesitation: ”Okay!”

Yinsuo: ”Hongye has the potential to become a Saint. I dare say, if she follows you, her achievements will go beyond that.”

Du Yu feels a stir: ”You’ve seen it all?”

Yinsuo indeed smiles: ”That cannot be said.”

”Heh.” Du Yu snorts lightly.

This Old Divine Stick, as always, maintains his style.

Yinsuo suddenly says: ”There is one thing I can say.”

Du Yu: ”What?”

Yinsuo: ”May you be calm and unhurried, brave as ever, embracing this grand and turbulent life journey.”

Du Yu slightly opens his mouth, for the words Yinsuo said today far exceed his expectations.

Moreover, is this truly something a bear should say?

Upon hearing these words, even Yang Qingqing, who stood silently ahead, turns to look at Yinsuo.

Yinsuo smiles, joins his hands together, and bows to the three: ”You two should stay for a night in the Bamboo Grove.

Tomorrow morning, I will let Hongye lead the clan to the Red Bamboo Courtyard.”

”You two?” Just as Du Yu opens his mouth, Elder Yinsuo’s body shatters, disappearing without a trace.

Du Yu feels miserable!

This Divine Stick, truly bothersome!

The hill falls into silence.

After a long time, Du Yu discards all the messy thoughts and looks at the silhouette ahead: ”Master Qing, shall we go back and rest?”

He can sense that the woman’s emotions and state are not good.

Understandably so, attending two funerals in one day, whose mood could be good?

Upon hearing her disciple’s words, Yang Qingqing softly sighs in her heart.

Yinsuo’s mystifying rhetoric is enough to make everyone rack their brains.

In such circumstances, yet Du Yu does not immerse himself in Yinsuo’s words but cares about her state instead.

Yang Qingqing looks back, seeing Du Yu’s concerned eyes, and softly says: ”I will return to the Sea Realm; the rest of the matters, you two handle.”

”Okay.” Du Yu flips his hand.

Yang Qingqing suddenly says: ”No need to see me off.”

Du Yu instinctively follows the command, and with the contraction of the Bell Shadow, only Master Qing’s figure disappears.

”Ugh.” Du Yu feels a bit helpless.

Being too obedient can be quite a trouble.

Du Yu originally intended to send Master Qing back to the mansion, after all, most of her Demon Pets were inside the Jiangshan Map, the Sorrow Seabird was struggling against the sea, so she lacked the ability to fly.

However, Du Yu’s body was very honest and subconsciously carried out the command.

”No need to go, Master Qing wants to have some quiet time alone.” Lin Shiwei gently advised.

”Hmm.” Du Yu nodded, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat peculiar.

He seemed to understand why Elder Yinsuo had said, ”Both of you.”

Damn,

you really have to count something this trivial?

Since when did my Master Qing sleep at my house bear’s place?

Meanwhile, at the Sea Realm, Sea Reef.

Yang Qingqing’s face was full of wonder, constantly looking up, gazing at the horizon.

In her sight, a Towering Giant Tree stood proudly.

Has the Shatang Tree successfully advanced?

The Saint Level Shatang Tree, standing at 200 meters tall, was already quite grand.

But now the Shatang Tree had grown to an astonishing size, a complete transformation!

The entire island seemed to be covered by the branches of the Shatang Tree.

Fortunately, its branches grew upwards at a slant, and the branches were far enough from the ground, not plunging the island into darkness.

Is it a thousand meters tall?

Perhaps it is.

For a moment, Yang Qingqing found it hard to ascertain the exact measurements of the Supreme Shatang Tree.

”Whoosh~” A giant leaf descended from the sky.

The deep red Shatang Leaf was like a fiery cloud, covering all over her head.

Only to see the leaf slightly curl, its edge gently laying close to the ground, cautiously padding under her feet.

”Congratulations.” Yang Qingqing said softly.

”Thank you, Master Qing!” The Shatang Tree was overjoyed, wanting to share its inner joy, but its active thoughts quickly settled down.

As a Supreme Level Shatang Tree, its perception had become sharper.

It immediately sensed that Yang Qingqing’s heart was quite heavy.

Being Du Yu’s Demonic Plant, the Shatang Tree naturally felt a duty to take good care of its master’s mentor.

As the leaf swept across the long Begonia Forest, slowly descending to the Shatang Mansion, Yang Qingqing also noticed the differences in the mansion.

The whole Shatang Mansion seemed to have proportionally expanded.

Presumably, because the trunk of the Shatang Tree had proportionally enlarged, leading to the Shatang Courtyard becoming quite crowded.

So, the Shatang Tree took it upon itself to expand the entire mansion several folds outward.

”After the upgrade, what changes have you experienced?” Yang Qingqing asked.

Shatang Tree: ”I can release more concentrated Wood and Water Demon Breath.

Wood Demon Breath enhances plant growth, and when Water Demon Breath is concentrated enough, it can even form streams.”

Yang Qingqing: ”Oh?”

Demonic Plants below the Saint Level can only release Demon Breath, without the ability to utilize it further.

For instance, no matter how concentrated Du Yu’s Golden Leaf’s Fire Demon Breath is, it cannot ignite flames on its own, only using external forces to set itself alight.

”Whoosh~” The edge of the Shatang Tree leaf curled up again.

As a wave of concentrated Water Demon Breath passed by, droplets of water sprinkled down.

Yang Qingqing reached forward, seeing the droplets on her palm: ”In the future, Du Yu won’t need to store fresh water in the Sea Realm anymore.”

The water gathered from the Water Demon Breath is naturally not the bitter and astringent seawater.

Shatang Tree: ”Yes, Master Qing.”

Yang Qingqing pondered for a moment and said, ”Does this count as a utilization of rules?”

Shatang Tree replied, ”Apologies, Master Qing, I haven’t realized any rules, it’s purely a growth in power.”

”No need to apologize, I’m just greedy.” Yang Qingqing casually said, fiddling with the crystal-clear droplets on her fingertips.

Some truths, she and her apprentice already understood, just unwilling to give up.

Shatang Tree: ”Master Qing, the effects of Shatang Fruit should also be enhanced.”

”Hmm.” Yang Qingqing nodded, ”Wait for Du Yu to return, you can test it with him.”

The Shatang Tree understood Master Qing’s meaning, the deep red leaf slowly moved north, sending the woman to the main house entrance.

”Thank you.” Yang Qingqing couldn’t help but chuckle with a shake of her head.

Even if her apprentice wasn’t present, she could still feel his attentive care.

As one of the Twin Gods of the Sea Realm, and a Supreme Level Demonic Plant,

such an entity was carefully observing her expression, serving her respectfully.

All this, naturally, was because of Du Yu.

”Du Yu, Du Yu...” Yang Qingqing murmured, recalling Elder Yinsuo’s words.

A magnificent journey of life?

It will be exciting, and it will be treacherous.

Yang Qingqing sighed lightly, unsure if she could still protect Du Yu completely.

Unconsciously, the roles they played had already changed.

Yang Qingqing silently lowered her gaze, stepping down the Shatang Leaf one step at a time.

Just as she set foot back home, her body suddenly trembled lightly!

Immediately, waves of Demon Breath surged within her.

The Shatang Tree instantly realized something!

Its leaf edge quickly curled up, lifting the woman back onto the leaf, while intense Wood Demon Breath continuously surged from the leaf.

Then, the Shatang Tree called upon the Firethorn Tree, with numerous Firethorn Leaves releasing concentrated Fire Demon Breath, rushing towards the mistress.

Yang Qingqing’s beautiful eyes widened, her forlorn expression turned somewhat complex.

Under the cover of her apprentice’s two Demonic Plants, she slowly sat down.

In her mind, it was filled with Du Yu’s caring face.

A complicated smile gradually appeared on her face.

Indeed,

my path of Demon Taming is you.

This road to ascend the heavens,

you still, in the end, took me along...