I Have a Golden Crow

During his stay in the Bamboo Grove, Du Yu's mind completely calmed down.

Regarding the constant advice from his mentor to "devote himself to cultivation," Du Yu gained a clearer understanding.

The only regret was that Bai Yujing was not there with him.

The climate in the bamboo forest nourishes people, the environment nourishes people, and the fruits nourish people even more.

If Xiaobai were here, he would probably be very happy...

In the blink of an eye, time had already moved to December. Du Yu had been stationed in the Bamboo Grove for over a month.

Du Yu cultivated a Demon Breath Battle Robe of the Demon Tamer level and even cultivated some residual souls. Although not very dense, he could stabilize the Elemental Demon Soldiers.

Compared to improving himself, during this period, Du Yu focused more of his energy on training his demon pets.

Xiaoyan and You Ying each have as many as five demon skills. Du Yu spent all day training with his beloved pets, determined to bring each demon skill to the Glory Gold Level.

The two little guys worked very hard, whether it was the Ghost Fire Talisman·Guard or the Shadow-Luring Fire Fox, their training yielded impressive results.

Little You Ying could even manifest the mysterious runes to help teammates defend against attacks.

On Xiaoyan's three tails, the summoned three fire foxes could dart left and right and leap, no longer just mechanically charging in a straight line!

The Third Level is indeed a turning point where demon pets rise and the human race declines.

From this stage onwards, Du Yu also had to gradually adapt to the reality of being protected and carried by his demon pets.

It is worth mentioning that Du Yu also contracted with Hongye, on the night when she brought the Fire Pomegranate Fruit.

Little Fen Yang met with Hongye in the Acupoint Home immediately and helped her search for her ancient bloodline in the days that followed.

According to Little Fen Yang, this task wasn't difficult.

Unlike leading the Fire Fox Race and Ghost Firefly Race, the bloodline of the Chi Bear Race is really quite pure.

"Du Yu, Du Yu~"

"Hmm?" In the courtyard, Du Yu paused slightly in his motion of drawing the bow with a Demon Soldier Bow, clad in clothes woven from bamboo leaves.

Little Fen Yang: "I'm ready~"

Du Yu slowly put down the Demon Soldier Bow, puzzled.

From afar, the Ghostly Firefly Doll watched curiously, not knowing why the master stopped his attack while still in training.

Little Fen Yang: "We can release Hongye now."

"Succeeded?"

"Yes." Little Fen Yang muttered, "Sister Hongye is quite impressive; you'd better release her soon.

She is about to advance to the Demon General level!

If she advances inside your body, your body will be overwhelmed and burst!"

Du Yu: "..."

What a fantastic way to die, huh?

Little Fen Yang: "By the way! Sister Ta is so pitiful, she's been hungry for so long."

"Hmm..." Du Yu scratched his head. Being overwhelmed or starving indeed was a dilemma.

As early as early November, the Evil Soul Dog Demon Soul in the Shadow Gu Tower had been completely refined.

In this Bamboo Grove, Du Yu had no means to find demon souls for the Shadow Gu Tower.

Fortunately, the demon breath in the Bamboo Grove was abundant, making the Shadow Gu Tower quite content, so the matter was left aside for now.

"It's time to go back." The blazing Demon Soldier Bow in Du Yu's naturally lowered hand quietly vanished.

A week ago, Senior Brother Fu had mentioned that they could return in early December.

Now that Hongye could return to the tribe, it was indeed time.

Looking at the beautiful bamboo house and courtyard and smelling the bamboo fragrance at the tip of his nose, Du Yu felt a bit reluctant to leave.

December, it must be quite cold back home by now.

Looking at the red bamboo leaf woven shorts and shirt he was wearing, Du Yu couldn't help but smile.

This outfit was a gift from the Tai Sui Fire Bamboo Tribe.

There was also a conical hat and a red bamboo leaf cloak woven in the house.

Considering that one bamboo leaf could expel Du Yu from the borders once, he would have been chased out by the soldiers a thousand times over...

As Du Yu's senior brother, Fu Jianzhou was naturally an esteemed guest of the Bamboo Grove as well.

He was also gifted red bamboo leaf clothing, which could be considered a considerable blessing.

The reason why the Chi Bear Tribe treated the two brothers with such respect left both Fu Jianzhou and the Demon Spirit Squad quite puzzled.

To this question, the Chi Bear Tribe's clan leader did not provide much explanation.

The little hint offered was that the Chi Bear Tribe unanimously believed: Du Yu's talent was rare in the world, and this boy had the potential to become a saint!

Such a divine chance was to be treasured, and it was worth fostering a good relationship with little friend Du Yu.

As for what others thought of such a statement, Du Yu wasn't sure.

But upon hearing it, Du Yu felt immensely bashful inside.

Dammit... these big bears really know how to brag!

Fortunately, Prince Du had thick skin; eating, drinking, and even bathing in the small river, he forgot the 'becoming a saint' matter within a few days.

"Phew~"

A wave of demon breath spread across Du Yu's forehead as Hongye's figure pieced together.

"Hmm." With her hands clasped together, a respectful expression, and a slight bow, Hongye whispered.

In return, Du Yu bowed slightly. "That's about enough. In the future, you don't have to stay in the Acupoint Home anymore."

Listening to Du Yu's words, Hongye wasn't very surprised.

Because of her great strength, she had a clear understanding of the subtle changes in her body.

Hongye: "Thank you for your assistance, both to me and to our entire race."

Du Yu nodded, "You should go back and inform the tribe leader of this good news. My senior brother and I should make our departure."

"You are leaving? To where?" Hongye asked.

"Home, of course." Du Yu grinned, "Just like you, I miss home too."

"This..." Hongye wanted to persuade Du Yu and the Golden Crow to stay. Their generous help was beyond gratitude from the Chi Bear Tribe.

But when Du Yu mentioned the idea of "home," Hongye found herself at a loss for words. In the face of a traveler yearning to return home, it was indeed difficult for her to insist on them staying.

"I will sever the contract now." Du Yu slightly raised his hand, and unexpectedly, a faint thread appeared between a human and a bear's forehead.

Normally, this thread linking a human and their pet is invisible.

Only when the contract is annulled does it reveal itself.

"Alright," Hongye nodded gently.

She carried the mission of the tribe's revival, fiercely seeking to reach the peak of the Demon Saint level.

Bamboo Grove·Tai Sui Fire Bamboo is the mother of the Wood and Fire dual-elemental Otherworld.

It is the place most consistent with Hongye's own attributes and the best location for her arduous cultivation.

Naturally, Hongye wouldn't follow Du Yu on his southward or northward journey, nor would she selfishly occupy a human acupoint home of a Demon Tamer.

As for the recognition of Du Yu in her heart as her Demon Tamer, she had never expressed it to Du Yu.

"Snap~"

Du Yu pinched the thread with both hands and gently tugged.

Both the human and the bear closed their eyes, only feeling their temples pounding vigorously.

The contract between a human and pet is equal.

With proper communication and mutual consent, canceling the contract didn't cause any substantial harm to either party.

Hongye quickly regained her composure, though without the contract, she could only summon the Demon Soul, enveloping Du Yu: "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation journey in the future, or if you need anything...

Such as conquering the Otherworld, defeating enemies, or any need, you can come to Bamboo Grove anytime to find me."

"Haha, alright." Du Yu laughed and gave Hongye's furry belly a pat, "You should hurry back. Oh, and there's no need for you to see us off."

"Yes." Hongye obediently turned and left, but as she was walking out of the courtyard, she glanced back once.

She silently watched Du Yu walk into the Bamboo House until his figure disappeared, and then she stood still for a while before she turned away.

In the courtyard, Little You Ying was still playing carefree with Hua Mantang.

Xiaoyan jumped onto the bamboo wall, watching Hongye's receding figure, clearly aware of what had happened, softly mewling a farewell: "Mew!"

Yet Hongye's steps did not falter; she kept her head down, silently departing.

"Senior Brother Fu." Inside the Bamboo House, Du Yu called out, looking at the young man sitting cross-legged in meditation on the bamboo bed.

"Hungry?" Fu Jianzhou opened his eyes and smiled, "Shall we go fishing?"

"Senior Brother, you mentioned before that we would head home in early December."

Fu Jianzhou raised an eyebrow slightly, "Willing to go back now?"

Du Yu walked to the window, looking at the demon pets frolicking in the courtyard, "Training is done, I feel ready to head out."

Fu Jianzhou nodded in agreement, the few demon pets of the junior brother are truly elite among elites.

Each more adorable than the last, yet fiercer in battle!

Especially the newly joined Little Tai Sui, who just ascended to Mortal Level·Great Success Stage a few days ago, with ever-growing energy.

The little fellow wields a small bamboo stick, diligently practices all day, showing off everywhere with immense vitality!

Fallen leaves drifting by it even have to endure a smack...

While thinking, Fu Jianzhou got up and went to the window, looking towards the courtyard.

Only to see Little Tai Sui sprawled out on the ground, sound asleep.

Hmm... it must be tired from training.

"It is indeed time to head back," Fu Jianzhou casually remarked, "Just in time for Master Qing to assess our cultivation results, haha."

"What's so funny?" Du Yu curiously looked at Fu Jianzhou, wondering why his senior brother laughed.

Fu Jianzhou: "Just thinking how Master Qing might react when he sees that you've contracted a Spirit Level Peak Chi Bear."

"Hongye doesn't intend to leave the tribe, I respect her decision and left her here."

"Oh?"

The two brothers were chatting casually while packing their bags, Du Yu changed into a washed yet unworn gray tracksuit.

Honestly, the Red Bamboo Leaf clothes are better, every day with one trip to the river, bath and laundry done all at once.

Du Yu folded the Red Bamboo Leaf garments neatly and carefully placed them into his backpack. This is a keepsake, a gift with commemorative significance, perfect for hanging in the study room after returning home.

Though the conical hat was not easy to pack, he had to carry it by hand, praying that the equipment wouldn't be confiscated by soldiers when exiting the Otherworld...

That evening, as the sun set in the west.

Du Yu and Fu Jianzhou bid farewell to the courtyard they had lived in for a long time, retracing their steps back to the particularly abrupt "subway entrance" where they arrived.

Along the way, they were indeed not disturbed by the Chi Bears, indicating that Hongye had conveyed Du Yu's parting words effectively.

However, when Du Yu reached the exit, just as he was about to descend the steps, Fu Jianzhou gently patted his shoulder.

"Senior Brother?"

Fu Jianzhou tilted his body slightly, hinting with a nod towards the distant bamboo forest: "You never noticed, but she's been seeing us off all the way."

"Huh?" Du Yu turned back, looking, and saw a solitary figure quietly standing beside a cluster of green bamboo.

She's wearing a red conical hat, strikingly different from the green sea of bamboo around her, watching him from afar.

Du Yu's heart was stirred, he waved while loudly shouting, "Work hard in your cultivation, Hongye, and advance soon! I will return to visit you!"

Hongye raised a hand, pinching the brim of the conical hat, gently pressing it down.

Like she was nodding, acknowledging the master's command, or possibly silently bidding farewell...