I Have a Golden Crow

”Xiaoyu?”

In front of the Mountain Fire Blade Realm’s gate, a crowd was gathering, and the number kept growing.

Among them, a handsome, valiant young man waved and greeted with a smile.

”Brother Chuan, you’re here too.” Du Yu braced himself against the torrential rain and strode forward.

Lin Chuan laughed, ”You came alone?”

”Shiwei hasn’t advanced to Great Demon Tamer yet,” Du Yu explained.

”Well, what rotten luck.” Lin Chuan threw an arm around Du Yu’s shoulders, the gesture very friendly. ”Did you hear the alarm? The Demon Spirit Squad is clearing out the area. No one’s allowed in for now.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Before Du Yu could respond, a commotion started at the gate.

”What the hell! Does it look like I care about money?” A grumpy middle-aged man walked out of the Otherworld, escorted by two soldiers. ”I finally made time to get to Mountain Fire Saber, and now you’re kicking us out?”

He might say money’s not an issue, but his actions sure were honest.

Guided by the soldiers, he headed to the registration desk on the left and signed in his ID info.

This group of Demon Tamers had been forced to end their trial early—they’d obviously lost out a bit, and the best the book house could do was let them in free next time.

Funny, really.

The Mountain Fire Saber only allowed in those at Great Demon Tamer level or above.

So, the folks gathering at the gate right now—real powerhouses!

Great Demon Tamers, Demon Taming Generals, maybe there was even a Demon Taming Emperor among them?

Maybe.

A whole crowd of big shots—even if they muttered complaints, they still obediently got led out by the squad. The scene was honestly kind of hilarious.

”Sigh...” Lin Chuan heaved a heavy sigh. ”I wonder which unlucky soul wants to take on the Mountain Fire Saber today.

By the way, let’s grab a couple of drinks later, yeah? I still owe you for that Celestial Punishment business last time.”

Du Yu: ”No need to thank me, Brother Chuan. If you’ve been cultivating under the blade, that’s your own skill.

And besides, it’s Master Qing protecting you, not me—you shouldn’t thank me.”

”Ha, either way, you can’t leave!” Lin Chuan smiled. ”Wait a bit, let’s see who’s challenging the Mountain Fire Saber.”

Du Yu lowered his voice, ”I have to go.”

”Hm?” Lin Chuan said, ”All these years, and no one dared to challenge the Mountain Fire Saber. Now you finally get to see it with your own eyes! This is a rare chance.”

Du Yu’s smile got even more awkward.

He pulled the Cold Lake Sword from his waist, dangling it from his hand and giving it a small shake.

Lin Chuan was instantly stunned!

Truth is, he’d already sensed something was off with Du Yu’s Demon Soldier.

It’s just, the long sword stayed strapped to Du Yu’s waist, and with his short-sleeved shirt hanging over it, the hilt was covered up.

Before, Lin Chuan kept wondering why Du Yu was suddenly training in swordsmanship. But most of his attention had actually been snagged by the Ice-colored Jade Marrow Bow.

And the moment Lin Chuan finally saw the sword hilt, that’s when it hit him!

Lin Chuan’s look of confusion gradually shifted to shock. ”You’re the one challenging the Mountain Fire Saber?!”

Even though the rain was pouring and noisy, the crowd was filled with powerhouses—all of them had sharp hearing.

In an instant, everyone’s eyes turned their way.

The grumpy guy from before hadn’t left either—he was still waiting for the challenger to show up. Like everyone else, he wanted to witness this life-or-death showdown.

But wait, the contestant’s right next to me?

And it’s a kid?

Gray T-shirt and shorts, a baseball cap on his head—way too casual. Is he here for sightseeing?

The middle-aged man yelled, ”So you’re the punk who got me kicked out...”

But the more he talked, the quieter he got.

Because Lin Chuan had turned his head, giving him a cold, hard glare.

Lin Chuan was the Mountain Fire Blade Realm’s resident holdout—most folks here knew him.

Everyone also knew he was a disciple of the Ancient Pine Tower’s powerful Lin Family.

That meant, no matter their own power, just out of respect for the Lin Family, these big shots would give Lin Chuan some face.

Besides, Lin Chuan was now a Demon Taming General, and most people gathered here were just Great Demon Tamers.

Under Lin Chuan’s intimidating gaze, the man shut right up.

The guy had thought he didn’t know Du Yu, but the longer he looked, the more he realized—he actually DID recognize this young man?

Turns out, he wasn’t the only one; the others at the gate recognized Lin Chuan first, then Du Yu after.

Isn’t this the Number One Paper Crane Disciple at Shaohai!

Ancient Pine Tower’s Du Yu?

”Xiaoyu.” Lin Chuan tightened his hold on Du Yu’s shoulder. ”Even if you’re itching for a fight, there’s no need to hurry so much. You only just became a Great Demon Tamer, didn’t you?”

Du Yu: ”Master Qing allowed it.”

Lin Chuan: ”Huh?”

As soon as Du Yu mentioned Yang Qingqing, Lin Chuan, even if he was skeptical, had no choice but to believe him.

Du Yu would never dare use Master Qing’s name to fib.

”You...” Lin Chuan scowled, then waved over someone at his side.

A subordinate immediately handed him a phone.

As Lin Chuan made the call, Du Yu felt a warm glow in his heart—it was nice to have someone care about you.

”Don’t bother. She won’t pick up...” But before Du Yu had finished, the call went through.

Lin Chuan: ”Auntie? I ran into Du Yu over at Mountain Fire Saber.”

Du Yu just remembered—Master Qing was Chief of the Third Department, and her Rotten Wood Avatar was currently stationed at Great Xia Capital City·Twenty-Ninth Bureau.

Lin Chuan hadn’t spoken more than a couple sentences before the other side hung up.

He looked utterly helpless as he lowered the phone.

Du Yu grinned. ”You didn’t trust me, huh?”

Lin Chuan dared not cross his aunt—when talking to her, he was downright deferential, even timid, but when it came to Du Yu?

He really wanted to give Du Yu a good kick.

”Mr. Du Yu?”

”Here.” Du Yu turned, peering through the rain and the crowd, and spotted a few soldiers.

”I’m off, Brother Chuan.” Du Yu shrugged off Lin Chuan’s arm.

”I’ll walk you over.” Lin Chuan seemed to have made up his mind, his voice firm.

Du Yu: ”Hm?”

Lin Chuan scolded with a smile, ”If you get yourself hurt right under my nose, never mind Master Qing tearing me apart—even Shiwei would have my head.”

Du Yu said helplessly: ”You’re a Demon Taming General—if you come with me, how am I supposed to finish my mission?”

Lin Chuan opened his mouth to retort, but just then, a soldier’s voice urged from afar: ”Mr. Du Yu?”

”Let’s do that meal next time.” Du Yu waved goodbye with a smile and strode forward.

Lin Chuan watched Du Yu vanish into the crowd, and couldn’t help but shout, ”Be careful!

That’s a promise for today! When you come out, I’ll throw you a party!”

In the crowd, an Ice-colored Jade Marrow Bow suddenly lifted above the heads, swaying side-to-side.

”Hide your sword.” That was the first thing the soldier said to Du Yu.

Du Yu slid the long sword back into his waist, using his shirt tails to cover the hilt. Then, escorted by the soldiers, he stepped onto the scorched earth.

The heavy rain was healing the cracked ground, but also turning it muddy.

That kind of terrain wasn’t exactly favorable for Du Yu.

But the storm had its perks—after all, the Mountain Fire Saber’s high temps were always an invisible killing edge.

Right now, though, the cool air was perfect for Du Yu to work hard for a long time.

The soldiers escorted Du Yu all the way, finally halting at the foot of the mountain where the Mountain Fire Saber stood tall.

Just then, the blade unleashed another wave of Blade Souls, and the soldiers all stepped in, helping clear the way.

The leading officer stood next to Du Yu, giving his instructions again and again.

Once this wave of Mountain Fire Blade Souls was handled, the Demon Spirit Squad quickly withdrew.

Du Yu was left alone at the mountain’s base, gazing up at the Divine Weapon atop the peak.

In the curtain of rain, the Mountain Fire Saber was shrouded in billowing steam, its fierce flames flickering in and out of sight—a truly spectacular sight!

”Ying!” Little Tai Sui, brimming with fighting spirit, appeared in front of Du Yu.

Immediately, Tai Sui pulled on a Red Bamboo Leaf Cloak, donned a Red Bamboo Leaf Conical Hat, and drew a Bamboo Stick in his hand.

”You’ve seen the Mountain Fire Saber before—we fought its Blade Souls for hours in the underground training camp. This time, we face its true fury.” Du Yu crouched, tidying the chubby critter’s collar.

”Ying!” Little Tai Sui nodded, those big dark eyes totally serious.

Du Yu encouraged him, ”Relax—you’re already Celestial Peak now, and your Demon Skills are at Xuan Platinum Level.”

The Mountain Fire Blade Souls will have a hard time piercing your defense.”

He straightened up and murmured, ”Don’t just go activating your Ancient Body. Wait for my command.”

Du Yu’s plan was simple—take it one step at a time.

Ren Chengguo had warned: the stronger your Demon Pet, the fiercer the Mountain Fire Saber’s response.

If Little Tai Sui went all out with Ancient Body, his stats would skyrocket—not scared of any Spirit-level Divine Beast.

But every new wave of attacks from Mountain Fire Saber was sure to ramp up in intensity.

The first wave, Du Yu could breeze through with Ancient Chi Bear, Ancient Yan, Desolate Silver Lynx....

But the next round—would absolutely be a nightmare!

So he couldn’t let things escalate too much right from the jump.

”Ying?” Little Tai Sui suddenly whipped around to look behind.

Wreathed in layers of rain, a Mountain Fire Blade Soul spotted the man and bear, and shot at them at once.

”Drive it back—don’t smash it.” Du Yu ordered.

”Ying!” Little Tai Sui gripped his Bamboo Stick tight, growling as he swung viciously at the onrushing Blade Soul.

Clang! A crisp sound!

Tai Sui was practiced and precise—

The Mountain Fire Blade Soul was sent flying several meters by brute force.

Meanwhile, Du Yu, following the soldier’s earlier directions, drew the Cold Lake Sword from his waist.

Not as a weapon—but more like a taunt.

He raised the Cold Lake Sword high, waving it at the Blade Soul.

The Blade Soul had barely steadied itself when it completely snapped!

It had no eyes, but its perspective on this world was unique and all-destroying.

But the Three-foot Qing Peak in Du Yu’s hand, especially the ”Twin Dragons Playing with a Bead” coiling the hilt, provoked a rage in the Blade Soul like never before!

”WOMMMM!!!” The Blade Soul trembled so violently it seemed ready to explode on the spot...

To be honest, the number of Mountain Fire Blade Souls that had died to Du Yu probably wasn’t quite a thousand, but it was close.

Yet he’d never seen the Blade Souls so furious—ever!

”RUMBLE RUMBLE!”

Du Yu’s heart leapt, and he jerked his head upward.

The thunderous roar shook the very world—

But it didn’t come from the rolling thunderclouds, but rather from the mountaintop—from where the Divine Weapon stood!

”Ready!” Du Yu barked, hurling the Cold Lake Sword with all his might.

Swoosh~

Swoosh~ swoosh~ Sharp, splitting sounds pierced the air!

From the steamy cloud up above, an endless stream of Mountain Fire Blade Souls shot forth, their razor edges slashing through sheet after sheet of rain.

Each Blade Soul even sliced through raindrops, carving wild water lines through the air...

CRACK!

Dark clouds churned—lightning flashed, thunder roared!

It was as if the heavens themselves were answering Mountain Fire Saber’s fury.

And just fifty meters ahead of Du Yu, a dragon, crafted out of Blade Souls, tore straight through the little Cold Lake Sword.

Amid the flood of blades, the Cold Lake Sword was utterly destroyed—no body left to bury!

Gulp. Du Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously.

In his left hand, the Ice-colored Jade Marrow Bow began to burn with fire at each end, flames crawling to the center.

Just as the two fire lines twisted to form a bowstring...

The raging dragon of Blade Souls suddenly broke apart, spreading to fill the entire sky.

Countless Blade Souls whipped their edges, every tip leveled straight at Du Yu!

”Woooo~!” Little Tai Sui bellowed, bamboo stick pointing at the heavens, mocking the Blade Souls with everything he had.

If you want to hurt my master, you have to get through me first!

Come on!

Xiongxiong’s not afraid—Xiongxiong can take a beating!