I Have a Golden Crow

”Ruuu...” The Wolf Lake Dog crouched in the grass, its blood-red eyes locked intently on the people in the distance. Suddenly it let out a roar, ”Awooo~!”

Lin Shiwei frowned deeply. That sound wasn’t meant to intimidate the enemy—it sounded more like it was summoning companions?

Near a giant tree in the distance, the bushes rustled again, and yet another pair of red eyes lit up.

Li Mengnan’s face was full of shock. ”There’s more?”

Du Yu’s gaze sharpened, and the Xiaobai beneath him retreated instinctively, ”It’s not just those two; there are more!”

A single Earth Level Wolf Lake Dog obviously wouldn’t pose much trouble for them, but what if there was a whole pack?

After the Wolf Lake Dog let out its wolf-like howl, more and more Wolf Lake Dogs began to silently reveal themselves.

Xiaobai spun around abruptly, and Du Yu’s gaze instantly shifted: ”There are some behind us too!”

The ”wolf” genes hidden within the Wolf Lake Dogs were now on full display before everyone’s eyes.

By the time they realized something was wrong, the Wolf Lake Dog pack had already surrounded them!

One, two, three... eight!

And these were just the ones out in the open—there could be even more hidden!

”This is supposed to be the Newbie Realm, so why does it feel like the Bottomless Pit?” Li Mengnan gripped her twin swords, no longer ”dizzy from riding a deer”—the fright had snapped her sober.

Lin Shiwei was utterly puzzled. ”They’re clearly working together to hunt and coordinate—this isn’t how Cold Beasts usually act!”

Lin Shiwei had always believed that the reason the Cold Beasts could be suppressed by the Demon Spirit Squad—and never escape the Bottomless Pit—was because their internal conflict was way too intense!

This group of naturally savage, cruel Cold Beasts destroyed everything in sight, wherever their eyes laid!

This was exactly why every Bottomless Pit was a scene of chaos—Cold Beasts killing each other, unable to organize an effective attack.

But this pack of Wolf Lake Dogs...

Du Yu said in a low voice, ”Even though this doesn’t fit the Celestial Treasure Race’s Cold Beasts’ nature, it suits Wolf Lake Dogs perfectly.”

The Wolf Lake Dog’s trademarks: loyal and dependable!

Only, different from when they were sane, now that they’d joined the Cold Beast ranks, the Wolf Lake Dogs considered those also invaded by Cold Qi as pack-mates—and bared their fangs and claws at the Human Race.

”Woof! Woof, woof!” The barks finally signaled the beginning of the battle.

In the distance, Wolf Lake Dogs on either side of the giant tree had wisps of water swirling in front of their faces, quickly assembling into diamond shapes.

Lin Shiwei suddenly felt Water Demon Breath surging beneath her feet; she pushed off and darted to the side.

”Pshh!”

A pillar of water shot from the ground, straight toward the sky.

Meanwhile, another water jet targeted Bai Lu, who easily dodged it as well.

”Focus fire on the left!” Du Yu shouted; that was the weakest point in the encirclement. With the bowstring humming taut, Du Yu used One Arrow, Two Beads, firing into the lone Wolf Lake Dog in the left-side bushes.

Swoosh!

A wall of water quietly formed up, blocking the Wolf Lake Dog’s front.

Unyielding Silver·Water Iron Curtain!

”Go, Wind Witch!” Li Mengnan strode forward with long legs, and the Wind Witch hovering by her face soared up into the sky.

A square water wall could block the front, but not overhead.

Lin Shiwei also surged forward. Her Rose Double Spirit perched on her shoulder, its flower bud head suddenly bursting open—flaming rose petals shot toward the sky.

Unyielding Silver·Fireworks Dance!

”Woof!”

”Awooo~!” Howls and barks filled the air, and lines of water jets streaked across the battlefield like a rain of spears and arrows!

”Let’s go, we’ll harass them!” Du Yu nudged Xiaobai’s antlers to the right, and Bai Yujing instantly dashed forward.

The two girls went left, but he went right?

Prince Du wasn’t escaping—he fired arrow after arrow in Rapid Fire; though his aim was a bit off, he still managed to distract the enemy.

A full five Wolf Lake Dogs instantly had their attention drawn by Du Yu!

You could tell, the Wolf Lake Dogs were fiercely wolfish, trying to complete a well-organized, disciplined, and clearly divided hunt.

But Cold Qi had invaded them after all—their tempers were volatile, liable to blow at the tiniest spark!

Five Wolf Lake Dogs, vexed by Du Yu’s harassment, immediately turned to hunt him down.

”Woof!”

”Woof woof!” With angry barks, streams of water, thick with Demon Breath, brushed past Du Yu.

Water pillars shot up from the ground, and even a Wolf Lake Net tried to ensnare him, but none could touch Xiaobai!

”Nai!” Bai Yujing raised her deer head high and let out an elegant, spirited cry!

Xiaobai was indeed running for her life; it sounded desperate, but her stance was just so graceful...

Rather than an escape, it looked more like she was toying with her foes.

Left~ right~ left~

Xiaobai strolled leisurely, cool and unhurried.

”Woof!”

”WOOF!!!” Too bad Du Yu couldn’t understand Wolf Lake Dog language, but if he had to guess, they were definitely cussing him out?

Chase? How could Wolf Lake Dogs ever catch up to a Dust Spirit Deer?

Kill? Though their Demon Skills were great for hunting, they just couldn’t read Bai Yujing’s movements!

Now there was another problem!

The Wolf Lake Dogs couldn’t predict Xiaobai’s path—but neither could Du Yu...

If Xiaobai just dashed ahead, Du Yu could at least pop off a couple shots.

But with her zigzagging up and down, left and right like she was using a controller for cheat codes, Du Yu was left totally bewildered!

Forget drawing the bow, right now Du Yu was desperately gripping the deer’s belly with his legs, one hand on an antler, his body swaying left and right—worried he’d be thrown off at any moment...

”Slow down, Xiaobai, I can’t... uh.” Du Yu felt his head spinning.

He’d just been laughing to himself—thinking Big Bro Mengnan was ridiculous for getting dizzy on a deer?

But now, in the heat of battle, Du Yu was getting a real taste of what Little Mengnan felt.

With a deer like this, who wouldn’t get dizzy riding it?

”Nai~” Suddenly, Xiaobai flicked her tail and stopped dead. Turns out, all those Wolf Lake Dogs behind had been left in the dust.

Du Yu shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

Xiaobai then swiveled ninety degrees, facing a large tree, and called out, ”Nai!”

”Hm?” Du Yu looked up, seeing nothing odd about the tree—but Xiaobai lowered her deer head, taking up a fighting stance.

Enemy behind the tree?

Du Yu didn’t hesitate—a rush of Demon Breath condensed on his forehead, and the Ghost Firefly Torch instantly took shape.

”Get ready.” Du Yu sent the command through their Contract, a hollow Fireball forming in his hand.

Fire Spirit Skill· Candle Core Cannon!

It was a pity Xiaoyan was over helping the two girls; otherwise, Spark Splash would’ve been even more effective.

Du Yu loaded the shell into the torch head, gripping the Ghost Firefly Torch and aiming at the distant tree: ”Ghost Firefly Lantern Fireworks!”

Little You Ying shut her eyes tight, and a Wind Pillar shot out.

Whoo~

The Ghost Firefly Lantern Firework drew a perfect arc, landing right behind the tree.

But before the Candle Core Cannon struck, a silhouette darted out.

Du Yu: ”Ah?”

That figure skidded sideways in a half-crouch, scratching long grooves in the ground—the dodge was downright stylish.

Even flashier, he was wearing camouflage...

Bang! The Ghost Firefly Lantern Firework exploded behind the tree—a rush of scorching air shuddering outward in a blast wave.

Soldier: ”...”

Du Yu: ”...”

The young soldier stood up and explained, ”This is an infected Wolf Lake Dog pack, numerous and formidable. For your safety, my job is to stand guard here.”

Du Yu nodded sheepishly. ”Sorry, really sorry.”

The soldier was confused. ”What Demon Skill did you just cast? I didn’t sense any Demon Breath at all.”

”I...oh~!” Du Yu was about to answer, but Xiaobai spun around and bolted.

Little You Ying: (O_O)?

Where’s my master?

The Ghost Firefly Torch spun in place, big eyes wide with confusion, and after looking around finally turned to the soldier, face full of questions.

Where did you hide my master... huh?

The effortlessly cool deer-riding boy popped out from the woods again.

He snagged the handle of the Ghost Firefly Torch, spun Bai Yujing around, and vanished from the soldier’s line of sight once more.

From afar, Prince Du’s voice floated back: ”Talk to you later~~~”

In the forest, Du Yu’s upper body listed to one side, legs clamped tight around the deer’s belly. Only after racing out a dozen meters did he finally manage to sit upright.

No good. How’s he supposed to fight like this?

He didn’t even have a Contract with Xiaobai, couldn’t communicate telepathically, and couldn’t anticipate her moves in advance.

She was too fast, and always changing direction—sooner or later, he’d end up falling off at this rate.

”Xiaobai, let’s set up a few ground rules.” As the Immortal Deer sprinted, Du Yu leaned low and shouted.

”Nai~”

Meanwhile, in the other skirmish—

With Du Yu distracting most of the Wolf Lake Dogs, Big Bro and Third Sis’s battle pressure eased dramatically.

Especially thanks to Li Mengnan having Xiaoyan’s help—and Lin Shiwei with an actual Celestial Level Dust Spirit Deer on her side!

Usually, Dust Spirit Deer don’t fight; they avoid people, steering clear of any conflict.

But now, as Lin Shiwei’s Demon Pet, this Celestial Level·Great Success Stage Dust Spirit Deer would naturally fight with all its heart to protect its master.

The dust-deer shapes conjured up by Immortal Mist charged into enemy ranks, smashing the Wolf Lake Dogs so hard they had no fight left in them.

”Nai!”

Glory Gold·Dust Fog Assault!

One Wolf Lake Dog was doing its best to dodge the Flame Rose Petal Rain, when it was body-slammed by a Dust Spirit Deer formed of mist—and flung far away.

Crack! The Wolf Lake Dog’s Demon Breath Battle Robe shattered to pieces.

Lin Shiwei wasn’t about to give it a chance to reform its armor. She sprang off the ground, lunging ahead: ”Pierce!”

Unyielding Silver·Rose Thorn!

The Rose Double Spirit had two vines—one wrapped Lin Shiwei’s body, the other lashed out at her foe!

The tip of the outstretched vine morphed into a sharp lance, chasing the Wolf Lake Dog that’d been knocked flying, and stabbed straight through its belly.

”Awoo~ awoo~” The Wolf Lake Dog whimpered in agony, thrashing, pinned to the tree by the Rose Thorn.

Thud!

A muffled thump!

Lin Shiwei closed in on the tree, but instead of punching, she pressed her palm onto the Wolf Lake Dog’s head, pinning it tightly to the bark.

”Shhh...” Lin Shiwei made a silencing gesture with her lips, as if comforting this suffering creature, murmuring, ”It’s okay, it’s okay.”

As she spoke, Lin Shiwei held the Wolf Lake Dog’s head in place—while Flame Soul Imprisonment erupted from her body!

Hiss! The outline of the burning spirit grabbed the other vine twined around its master—the tip stabbed up through the Wolf Lake Dog’s lower jaw.

Chhk!

With the sound of the spike piercing flesh, the Wolf Lake Dog finally stopped struggling.

Flame Soul Imprisonment quietly withdrew; as it flowed back inside its master, it also swept the vine back around the girl’s waist and belly.

Lin Shiwei cocked her head, gently nudging the Rose Spirit on her shoulder with her cheek: ”Next time, aim better—it’ll hurt less.”

”Mmm.” The Rose Double Spirit answered sweetly, pulling the long thorn from the Wolf Lake Dog’s body and whipping it to the left!

”Hmm?” Lin Shiwei’s body tensed; she reflexively hopped right, twisting halfway around and raising her guard.

”Woof!” A Wolf Lake Dog, eyes glowing red, lunged at her ferociously.

Clearly, it wasn’t one of the original pack—this had to be backup from elsewhere.

Clang!

Chhk! One arrow broke its battle robe, the second pierced its head.

One Arrow, Two Beads!

The Fire Arrow came hurtling in like a tiger snatching its prey—the vine that had whipped out hadn’t even made contact, but the ambushing Wolf Lake Dog was already dead, swift and clean.

The savage Wolf Lake Dog instantly changed its attack angle.

Its head was pierced by the Fire Arrow, sending its body flying sideways past Lin Shiwei, pinning it far into a tree.

Du Yu’s back?

Lin Shiwei looked toward the direction the arrows had come from, but... there was no sign of Du Yu at all?

Only a faint wisp of Immortal Mist still remained in the woods, tracing out the fleeting outline of the deer-riding boy.

Lin Shiwei’s beautiful eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help licking her lips.

So... Cavalry Archer?

In the sky, Bai Yujing chased wind and sun!

Arrows string beads, shooting meteors to the moon!

Nothing more needs saying—

Speed. That’s everything!

...

Three Chapters today. 12.17.20