I Have a Golden Crow

Don't even mention Xiaoyan dying in battle, even if something happened to the Firethorn Tree, I probably couldn't handle it.

"Clip-clop~clip-clop~" Bai Yujing's Snow Hoof trotted lightly, stepping into the home.

On the way in, the thoughtful butler tree helped Du Yu remove his Demon Soldier Bow, took off his coat, and untied his shoelaces.

The Firethorn Tree naturally noticed the dense Demon Breath around Du Yu's body. It was quite puzzled, not sure what had happened to Du Yu.

The Firethorn branches escorted Du Yu all the way into the master bedroom. Watching him struggle to dismount from the deer, then collapse headlong onto the big bed, it grew even more curious.

He left full of energy—why is he a wobbly mess the moment he gets back?

"Here, take your Little Tai Sui." Du Yu summoned the plush toy, nudged Little Tai Sui's butt, and sent him over to the Firethorn Tree. "You two play together. Tai Sui has been resting for a long time, it's about time to train again."

By the way, Tai Sui has already reached Earth Level·Minor Achievement Stage."

"Ying!" Little Tai Sui had been lying on Du Yu, but after being pushed down, instantly rolled across the bed.

Having been nourished inside Du Yu's body, Little Tai Sui was undoubtedly growing at a shocking pace!

Especially after refining a Saint-level Demon Soul in the Shadow Gu Tower, even sleeping inside his Acupoint Home, Little Tai Sui was cultivating.

Just like Little Orange Pig…

If nothing else, Xiaoyan and Ghost Firefly should be about to level up too.

This title "Mother of the Demon Spirit Realm" isn't for nothing—at this moment, inside his Yutang Acupoint, the limbs and torso of the Demon Soul·Little Du Yu had fused tightly together.

No longer as fragile as before, when it could be dismembered at any time.

"Ying!" Little Tai Sui was very obedient. He stretched his limbs, and let out a little whine to the Firethorn Tree.

Poke~

The Firethorn Tree leaned forward a branch, wound around the plush toy, and another branch poked Little Tai Sui's butt.

"Ying!"

Poke~

"Ying!" The little guy struggled nonstop, dragged out of the master bedroom by the branches.

Du Yu stroked the deer head at the bedside, watching Little Tai Sui's figure as he left, when a thought suddenly struck him.

Master Qing once said she really wanted to see the Bamboo Grove and do some secluded cultivation for a while.

She loves Demonic Plants so much—she's bound to fall for that sea of bamboo…

Over there, her mood would surely improve by a lot.

The more Du Yu thought about it, the better the idea seemed!

"Brother Tree, my phone is in my coat pocket, can you grab it for me?"

Very soon, a branch rolled up the phone and brought it into the master bedroom.

Du Yu took the phone, immediately scrolled through his contacts, and found Xu Yihai, staff member of the Bamboo Grove Realm.

Xu Yihai, as the eligibility inspector, had met Du Yu along with the squad soldiers when Du Yu finished contracting the Chi Bear and left the Otherworld. He learned about the magical things Du Yu experienced there.

The Demon Spirit Squad wanted to know why the Tai Sui Fire Bamboo Tribe respected Du Yu so much, and why they went to such lengths to build him a bamboo courtyard.

Xu Yihai's focus, however, was on Chi Bear·Little Tai Sui.

After all, Great Xia only grants a limited number of Chi Bear contracts.

Xu Yihai had to keep track of Little Tai Sui's growth, and had directly said before: if any problems arise while raising the Chi Bear, just ask him for help.

Du Yu gathered his thoughts and dialed the number.

Unfortunately, the other side didn't pick up—maybe too busy with work?

Du Yu propped himself up on the bed, leaned against the headboard, and scrolled through his phone.

Aside from calls with his oldest brother and third sister, there were no other call logs, but there was a call from the Demon Spirit Bookstore…

Right!

The reward for the final exam is here!

About a week ago, Wang Zongying from the bookstore had contacted him to discuss the prize.

Except he'd been so tongue-tied at the time, who knows if Brother Wang understood anything?

Du Yu thought for a moment, then called back.

Wang Zongying answered quickly, and with a hint of teasing in his voice: "Xiaodu? Got time to pick up your rewards?"

"Ah, Brother Wang." Du Yu scratched his head. "Just got back from a mission. So, is the Demon Soldier custom order ready?"

The final exam rewards included: one Library Ring, three Demon Lamp Po, and a choice of either a Demon Pet or Demon Soldier.

Based on his own situation, Du Yu decisively chose a custom Demon Soldier.

With Xiaoyan, Ghost Firefly, Xiaobai, and Tai Sui—four Demon Pets in total—Du Yu felt his energy had reached its limits.

His current team was super harmonious and loving. Best not to break up the vibe needlessly.

Raising Demon Pets, in a way, was like Du Yu's journey to becoming Sea King.

Now, he splits his love into four—it feels just right~

If he wants any more Demon Pets, Du Haiwang figures he needs to keep cultivating...

More importantly, this time the bookstore's Demon Soldier reward is Xuan Platinum Quality!

Newbie Level Demon Soldiers are always Heroic Bronze or Unyielding Silver Quality.

The Demon Soldier Linked Beads in Du Yu's hand barely escaped the Newbie Level. It could be considered Glory Gold Quality.

Back when he custom-ordered the Linked Beads, the bookstore didn't offer many array options; in the end, Du Yu chose an offensive-type Demon Soldier Array.

And thus, Demon Soldier·Chain Bead came to be.

The reward Demon Soldier this time is different!

A Level Four· Platinum Quality Demon Soldier lets Du Yu choose from all kinds of arrays: offensive, defensive, control, or support.

Du Yu hesitated for a long while between support and control, but eventually picked control!

On his path so far, Du Yu has been constantly adjusting his role within the team.

With Xiaoyan, Ghost Firefly, and Bai Yujing leveling up, his pets are now explosive DPS, near-invincible tanks, and frighteningly fast as well.

Earlier, Du Yu protected his Demon Pets.

Now it's the stage where his beloved pets take him to new heights!

On the other hand…

Control-type Demon Soldier Arrays only appear on Demon Soldiers of Xuan Platinum Quality or above!

Support–array Demon Soldiers become available once you reach Glory Gold Quality.

So… make the most of it!

Wang Zongying: "The Demon Soldier is done—a Fire Element Demon Soldier Bow, blades on both sides, control-type Demon Arrow Array."

Du Yu pressed on: "How's the array? What does it do?"

"Heh." Wang Zongying played mysterious, chuckling. "You'll know once you try it out for yourself.

Come soon to claim your reward, those three Demon Lamp Po are just too tempting. Having them sitting in the bookstore's warehouse has everyone green with envy, haha!"

"Alright, Brother Wang, I'll head over tomorrow," replied Du Yu, though he still felt a bit weird about it all.

The Demon Lamp Po that everyone treasures like gold are, for Du Yu, pretty much useless!

Demon Lamp Po are used to help cultivate Demon Souls.

But inside Du Yu, the Shadow Gu Tower is refining a Saint-level Demon Soul—he doesn't spare a glance for Demon Lamp Po.

"Eh? Brother Wang, incoming call on my end."

"Go ahead. See you tomorrow."

Wang Zongying ended the call, and Du Yu answered Xu Yihai's call.

"Du Yu?"

"Brother Xu, long time no talk," Du Yu sat up straight.

Xu Yihai's voice was caring: "Is your Chi Bear having trouble?"

"Nope, my Little Tai Sui's doing great—already Earth Level·Minor Achievement Stage."

"Oh?" Xu Yihai sounded stunned, then praised him repeatedly: "Not bad, not bad, really not bad!"

"Mm…" Du Yu hesitated a moment, then asked, "Brother Xu, I wanted to ask—how can I qualify to enter the Bamboo Grove?"

Xu Yihai: "You're a Demon Tamer with a contracted Chi Bear. As long as you apply, we allow you to bring your Chi Bear back home to visit, or return to the tribe to report."

"I can bring someone along, right?"

"Of course, though the person you bring won't be eligible to contract with a Chi Bear themselves. We'll still need to review them."

Contract a Chi Bear…

Hearing this, Du Yu couldn't help but ponder secretly.

Thinking of Master Qing cradling Little Tai Sui, Du Yu could tell she really liked the little guy.

She completed an Ancient Spiritual Artifact mission, for Great Xia's cause, and for the safety of a land's people—and in the end, lost her Demon Pet during the task.

A Demon Tamer like that truly deserves to contract with a Chi Bear.

Even setting aside Gourd Mountain, Yang Qingqing's name had shown up on the list for conquering Shadow Gu Tower!

Still, Du Yu couldn't make decisions for Master Qing.

He'd just help her get the qualifications first; as for whether she wants to contract in the end, that's her choice.

Right now, the main goal is just to bring her into that sea of bamboo, for some peace and recovery.

Thinking this, Du Yu said, "Brother Xu, I'd like to trouble you with something…"

Saying so, Du Yu looked upward.

As if he could see, through the ceiling, a lonely figure above in the house.

All this time, you've been the one protecting me, caring for me.

Maybe, now I can do something for you…