I Have a Golden Crow

Chapter 863 - 574: The New Power of the Mountain Realm

Sea Realm, at the beach.Heaven Returning Wood Mo stood quietly, with a large leaf cocoon wrapped around the tree, healing the creature within.

Under the tree stood three figures, none other than the master and disciples of the Cyan Sect.

Yang Qingqing stood with her hands behind her back, gazing up at the Heaven-Returning Tree Cocoon.

The sound of waves hitting the shore mixed with the voices of the disciples entered her ears together.

The more she listened, the more admiration grew in Yang Qingqing’s heart: "So..."

Du Yu paused, looking at the graceful, pale green figure ahead.

Yang Qingqing: "You found the mountain temple and teamed up to eliminate the Demon Emperor inside."

Du Yu: "Yes."

Yang Qingqing: "You rescued the Seven Treasure Spirit, and Mengnan contracted the Ancient Spiritual Artifact·Seven Treasures Staff, owning a space of her own."

Li Mengnan bowed her head obediently: "Yes."

Yang Qingqing: "And Du Yu contracted a Demon Fire."

Du Yu: "Hmm... Yes!"

Yang Qingqing let out a light sigh, her face showing a faint smile.

A hint of relief, but more of admiration.

Du Yu quietly moved forward, looking at the side profile of the Immortal Master.

The smile of his master filled his heart with a sense of accomplishment.

In fact, there was something even more satisfying!

That was... hmm, just now when he mentioned subduing the Demon Fire, the look on Master Qing’s face was so bewildered.

When the elegantly poised and aloof Emperor Qing unintentionally showed a hint of cuteness, it was simply delightful~

"Rustle~"

The branches of the trees surged, and everyone looked up immediately.

As the branches and leaves unraveled, a big black sheep fell down, standing steadily on the ground.

The healing effect of the Heaven Returning Tree Cocoon was undoubtedly effective, and the roasted lamb chops that Prince Yan had been longing for were now raw meat again, no longer fragrant and crispy.

"Baa." The Black Fire Sheep Servant found Du Yu with its dull sheep eyes, then bleated, ignoring everyone else.

Du Yu knew very well that the big black sheep didn’t deliberately ignore Master Qing, as its gaze had swept over the trio.

But in the face of such a magnificent woman of the Human Race, the big black sheep was indifferent; since being subdued, it only acknowledged Du Yu.

Yang Qingqing: "This will be a loyal servant."

Du Yu nodded in agreement.

Due to the racial characteristics, the Black Fire Sheep Servant would inevitably be extremely loyal.

And it would be blindly loyal, stubbornly loyal; once it determined something, not even eight horses could pull it back.

Yang Qingqing looked up and down at the Black Fire Sheep Servant, her heart sighing.

Purple Abyss Water Drops, Cinnabar Red Demon Flame.

The effects of these two Celestial Materials and Earthly Treasures were horribly terrifying.

Fortunately, her disciple was upright, using such harsh methods only against the inherently evil Black Fire Sheep Servant.

If such Celestial Materials and Earthly Treasures fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"Master Qing."

"Hmm." Yang Qingqing returned to her senses, responding softly.

"I’m taking the black sheep to the Mountain Realm. Will Master Qing come with us?" Du Yu asked softly.

"No, you all go ahead."

Such a response was not unexpected by Du Yu, so he continued to ask: "What about finding the Black Robe in the Peach Blossom Realm?"

Yang Qingqing: "You go look for it first. If needed, I’ll call you back to the bureau."

Du Yu hesitated for a moment and still asked, "Does the issue of the Demon Fire need to be reported separately to Director Shu?"

Yang Qingqing: "Report the task to me; that’s sufficient."

Du Yu was taken aback; this didn’t seem like Master Qing’s usual style?

Could it be...

Du Yu’s heart was stirred: "Has Master Qing been promoted?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Qingqing slightly raised her eyebrows, looking at Du Yu.

Li Mengnan wore a bewildered expression, even though she didn’t know how Du Yu came to that conclusion, but seeing Master Qing’s expression...

"Wow!" Li Mengnan couldn’t help but ask, "Really, Master Qing?"

Yang Qingqing nodded: "Vice Director, acting in charge of the Third Department. Director Shu is in the process of a breakthrough and hasn’t been at the bureau for some time."

"Congratulations, Master Qing."

"Congratulations, Master Qing!" The pair of disciples were sensible, speaking in unison.

Yang Qingqing, however, felt slightly helpless because she also wanted to focus on cultivation.

Her ambition was never here; she joined the Twenty-Ninth Bureau and took charge of the Third Department due to responsibility and obligation.

Having a military background, she was willing to heed the call of Great Xia and did indeed want to make a difference.

The truth proved that what she did was very meaningful.

Ancient Spiritual Artifacts manifested frequently in this era, with crises erupting everywhere.

Under Yang Qingqing’s management, the Third Department handled each incident appropriately time and again.

Under Yang Qingqing’s leadership, the Third Department, with nearly perfect results, has navigated for Great Xia till now, hence her rapid promotion to this position.

As for why it was "nearly perfect," it was due to the situation with Gossoxone’s Purple Gold Dragon Pattern Bracelet.

However, although there were some hiccups in that mission, the final result was good; the Third Department not only patched that gap but also turned the tide of public opinion.

Overall, this report card is indeed quite outstanding.

And with Yang Qingqing leading, the Third Department’s "excellence" continues.

What Du Yu didn’t know was that Yang Qingqing was personally recommended by Great Xia Seven Saints·Cheng Feng.

For others, it might be a cause for wild delight, but not for Yang Qingqing...

After all, mundane duties are merely empty titles.

Especially after she became an Emperor and stepped into a new level, her focus needed more shifting.

Fortunately, with a good disciple·Li Jing, acting as her right hand, Yang Qingqing lived a tranquil life.

Even so, Yang Qingqing knew well that someday in the future, she might follow in the footsteps of Director Shu Qinghe.

In the pursuit of the Great Path and worldly affairs, enough level of Demon Tamers often face the same choice.

"Master Qing... aren’t you happy?" Du Yu cautiously asked.

Yang Qingqing said, "Your performances are excellent, and the bureau has some thoughts about you, intending to make some changes in your positions.

"However, I’ve managed to suppress it all."

Upon hearing this, Du Yu felt a surge of joy in his heart and immediately responded, "We’ll do whatever Master Qing arranges."

Li Mengnan also nodded repeatedly, "Mm-hmm."

Looking at her obedient apprentices, Yang Qingqing’s mood improved considerably.

She then explained a few things, "You are Paper Crane Disciples, different from us regular Demon Tamers.

To this day, no one has seen your limits, so your focus should be on cultivation.

Completing a task takes at most just three to five days, solving various crises, which justifies the Great Xia’s investment in you.

But if you pursue a career in government, shifting your focus, you’d be putting the cart before the horse."

It was rare, but Master Qing gave such a long and earnest speech.

"Don’t worry, Master Qing, we understand," Du Yu grinned, "We don’t want to be stuck in the bureau, dealing with a bunch of messy stuff."

Yang Qingqing: "..."

Li Mengnan agreed, "Exactly, exactly, it’s like being tied down, so uncomfortable!

Practicing on our own is much freer... uh."

As she spoke, the girl suddenly realized that Vice Director Yang in front of her was the one tied down in the bureau.

If not for being skilled in the Demon Skill·Rotten Wood Shattering, everyone would take a long, long time to meet with Master Qing.

Even though Master Qing has such heaven-reaching abilities and can cultivate within the Sea Realm, she’s inevitably entangled with affairs, disturbing her peace of mind.

This is terribly uncomfortable for a Demon Tamer who has just become an emperor and aims to become a saint!

For a moment, Du Yu and Li Mengnan said nothing.

Awkward!

But Emperor Qing was magnanimous, treating her apprentices with warmth.

She gave the two a gentle look and said, "Go ahead, report back to me if anything happens."

"Yes."

"Yes!" Du Yu flipped his hand, and both he and a sheep vanished into the distance.

Heaven-Returning Wood Mo: ???

This time, Yang Qingqing couldn’t help but burst into laughter, shaking her head as she watched the large tree left behind.

"Hehe." As the bell shadow shimmered, Du Yu returned, "I forgot the main contributor."

Mo: "..."

"Give me a moment, Master Qing." Du Yu said to Immortal Master, and with the bell shadow shimmering again, he and the tree vanished.

Yang Qingqing was a bit puzzled but stood where she was.

Little did she know, Du Yu and the Heaven-Returning Wood hadn’t gone to the Mountain Realm, but back to the Cold Lake Shore.

Within seconds, with the outline of the ancient bell reappearing, Du Yu surprisingly held four grilled fish in his hand?

"Here, Master Qing, you haven’t eaten in a while, have you?" Du Yu handed over a fragrant grilled fish, "This is Cold Water Fish from under the Cold Lake, very plump."

Yang Qingqing reached out to accept it, nodding slightly, "Go ahead."

"Phew~"

As the energy of the ancient bell surged, the grilled fish, roasted to a golden hue, released an even more enticing aroma.

Yang Qingqing picked up a wooden branch, bringing it to her lips, and took a gentle bite, leaving a trace of grease on her lips.

Meanwhile, inside the Mountain Realm.

Du Yu was holding a black sheep horn in one hand and skewered grilled fish in the other, eating with great gusto.

"Mm." Little Fen Yang had a satisfied look on his face, "So delicious~"

Du Yu deeply agreed and took another big bite.

Flying alongside, Li Mengnan was also busy eating, which made all the creatures in the Mountain Realm cry with envy...

One by one, the Yue Mountain Lions and Desert Lynxes watched them longingly as they flew away, drooling.

Next, they all shifted their attention, hunting for Evil Snow Rabbits.

"Hiss..."

"Roar!" Guided by the sound of hunting, Du Yu and Li Mengnan flew straight ahead.

According to Jia Rong Grass, Lin Shiwei was herding sheep, crossing the grassland at the mountain’s foot, heading north to the mountains.

If considered from the Peak of All Mountains as the center, to its left was Lion’s Roar Peak, while ahead was an expansive wilderness forest, essentially the hunting ground of Du Yu’s subordinates.

Flying further north through the forest, with his excellent vision, Du Yu spotted the girl’s figure on a ridge.

The ridge, which should have been barren, was now overtaken by Jia Rong Grass.

Just like in Xiangming Valley, Jia Rong Grass had established its own territory once again.

"Third sister!" Li Mengnan quickly flew down, handing over the last grilled fish, "Here, Senior Brother Fu made this."

Lin Shiwei took it casually, but her gaze was fixed on the sky.

She saw Du Yu holding a black sheep horn in one hand, descending slowly, and tossing Lord Demon General in front of the sheep herd.

"This place isn’t bad." Du Yu surveyed the surroundings, the ridge wasn’t too high and was connected to the hunting forest area.

Lin Shiwei: "Why don’t we name this place Black Sheep Ridge?"

"Sounds good!" Du Yu approached the Black Sheep herd, pressing his hand down, "Lie down, lie down!"

"Baa~"

"Baa..." The Black Fire Sheep Servants couldn’t understand human speech yet, but they understood Du Yu’s gestures.

Each standing Black Fire Sheep Servant got down on all fours, watching their master.

Du Yu reached out and patted the face of the Demon General·Black Fire Sheep Servant, as the Demon Soul appeared in his palm, "You will lead your tribe and live here.

The Deep Red Grass Leaves are saint-level demonic plants, greatly beneficial for your cultivation.

You must train them day and night, drilling them into an elite force, always ready for battle!"

"Baa!" The Black Fire Sheep Servant nodded heavily, its expression still dazed, but its voice was firm.

"Good." Du Yu nodded in satisfaction, "What name should I give you?"

Li Mengnan quickly suggested, "Black Sheep Sheep, Sheep Black Black!"

Du Yu: "..."

Seeing Du Yu’s speechless look, Li Mengnan pursed her lips, "Tch~ You really don’t appreciate it."

Du Yu’s face darkened, "Sheep Black Black, your nickname will be Hei Hei?"

Li Mengnan displayed her signature silly smile, "Hehe~"

"We’ll decide later." Du Yu shrugged, flipping his hand, "Let’s go, we need to find the Ancient Spiritual Artifact·Black Robe."

It’s said that the Black Robe has an incredible defense?

Feels a bit contradictory, though,

If it’s really that impressive, how did it get shattered?