In the late morning, a taxi slowly drove into Xishu Garden, passed by a lakeside pavilion, and finally stopped in front of a building.

"See you tomorrow, see you tomorrow." Du Yu said as he opened the car door and got out.

From the front passenger seat, Li Mengnan stuck her head out and called after Du Yu's back, "Sleep! You'd better get some proper sleep!"

Du Yu didn't even turn his head, just waved his hand.

On his shoulder, Xiaoyan was sitting backwards, raising her big fiery red tail and wagging it at Li Mengnan.

Li Mengnan's fierce expression changed instantly; she waved goodbye with a smile, "Byebye Xiaoyan~"

But Du Yu didn't get the hint and quickly ran into the building, dashing into the elevator…

"Ying~" Xiaoyan hooked Du Yu's neck with her long tail, rubbing her fluffy little head against his cheek.

"Now that your beloved is gone, you finally remember me?" Du Yu said with a grin.

"Ying~" Xiaoyan whined coquettishly, her two tails wrapping left and right around Du Yu's neck. Her petite body dangled against his chest as she used her head to nudge his chin.

"You'll see her again tomorrow." Du Yu grabbed Xiaoyan by the scruff and set her back on his shoulder. "You can mess with her then."

"Ying!"

Man and Demon Pet, perfectly united in opinion!

Stepping out of the elevator, Du Yu was once again swallowed by a sea of green.

"Home again." Du Yu murmured softly, effortlessly weaving through the green corridor and stepping into his home.

As soon as he walked in, he saw that under the Firethorn Tree in the far side of the living room, a snow-white Little Immortal Deer was nibbling on a Firethorn branch, pulling off a green leaf.

Du Yu froze for a moment. Wait, what?

Xiaobai was so gutsy! Even dared to eat the Firethorn Tree?

Haha~ Evil Fire Tree, your day has come!

The Firethorn Tree sensed someone coming and quickly stretched out its branches, curling them toward the door.

"Nai?" The Little Immortal Deer turned its head curiously, its big, lively eyes blinking in disbelief.

For a full two or three seconds, just as the Firethorn branch was tangling up Du Yu, the Little Immortal Deer bounced over excitedly: "Nai!"

In an instant, the Firethorn branch entwined around Du Yu "loosened up," retreating at lightning speed!

"Nai!" The Dust Spirit Deer hopped and skipped toward Du Yu, finally leaping into the air.

"Xiaobai, did you miss me?" Du Yu crouched down and scooped up the little snow-white one.

"Nai~" The Dust Spirit Deer snuggled its fluffy head into Du Yu's arms, rubbing left and right as if it wanted to burrow into his body and enter his Acupoint Home.

Du Yu's smile stiffened a bit, and a trace of guilt rose in his heart. He kept stroking the Little Immortal Deer's head, suddenly at a loss for words.

Xiaoyan crouched atop Du Yu's shoulder, peering condescendingly at the cuddly creature in her master's arms, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

She stretched down a fiery red tail, nudging the Little Immortal Deer's chin, gently lifting its tiny deer head.

Golden-brown fox eyes met the lively black eyes of the deer, a truly unusual scene.

Du Yu also felt like the atmosphere was getting a bit weird~

Just as he was about to say something, footsteps echoed from the wooden stairs in the distance. Du Yu hurriedly stood up with Xiaobai in his arms: "Master Qing, you're home."

"I just got back not too long ago." Yang Qingqing stood at the top of the stairs, eyes twinkling with a hint of a smile as she looked at the travel-worn Du Yu. "Had a fruitful day?"

"Yes, Master Qing. I didn't slack off for a second today," Du Yu replied immediately.

Yang Qingqing teased, "No wonder that girl told you to get a good night's sleep."

Du Yu blushed awkwardly. Dang, even a macho's voice is that loud? If the folks on the 17th floor heard, then maybe the whole building…

Seeing Du Yu flustered, Yang Qingqing let her disciple off the hook. "How is your cultivation going? Did you level up?"

"Yes, Master Qing. I just leveled up this morning."

Yang Qingqing raised her eyebrows. She'd asked casually, but Du Yu gave a definite answer.

Based on all the info gathered, the past few days had been the peak period for Paper Crane Disciples to advance to Demon Tamer Journeyman—like there was no cultivation threshold, one after another charging through the door.

But while others were just advancing, Du Yu had already been a Demon Tamer Journeyman for half a month, and even jumped from Initial Stage to Minor Achievement Level!

She really owed Little Shi Yi a thank you for delivering such a treasure of a disciple.

Of course, Yang Qingqing had been the one to invite Du Yu, but if Lin Shiyi hadn't bought her that meal, Yang Qingqing would never have called him first.

When Paper Crane Disciples first awakened, who would really take them seriously?

"Master Qing?"

Yang Qingqing walked toward the sofa. "You registered for the city's event, right?"

"Yes. Li Mengnan and I put a team together and signed up for the first session." Du Yu cradled the Little Immortal Deer and hurried after her.

"The prizes are generous: customized Demon Soldiers and Demon Pets, plus a Library Ring." Yang Qingqing glanced at Du Yu, who was standing straight and proper. "You really need a ring."

"Heheh." Du Yu scratched his head shyly. "But which Library is the ring for? The rewards notice didn't say."

Yang Qingqing gave a wave of her hand; flowering vines climbing up the walls stretched out, weaving a floral leaf chair behind Du Yu.

She asked in return, "Why do you think our city is called Ancient Pine Tower?"

Du Yu had actually researched the city's history when he first arrived.

He sat down and replied, "They say that over a hundred years ago, a Demon Tamer Elder named Lin Songgu rescued this town from disaster, but died in the Demon Spirit Realm·Bottomless.

People built a watchtower next to the Bottomless Demon Spirit Realm, and to honor Mr. Songgu, named it Ancient Pine Tower.

The city was later renamed as well."

Yang Qingqing nodded, quietly watching Du Yu.

Du Yu's thoughts turned, and he said, "South of the city—Bottomless Bookstore? Isn't that a battlefield? That's where the Demon Spirit Squad trains, right?"

Yang Qingqing: "Since there's a bookstore, of course they also accept Demon Tamers from the public."

Du Yu nodded, but his mind started to churn.

Master Qing's words were absolutely correct, but in reality, almost no civilian Demon Tamers set foot in the Demon Spirit Realm·Bottomless.

The Cold Qi there is just too strong. If the Twin Tree Realm has less than 1%, then in the Bottomless Demon Spirit Realm, it's up to 30%!

And that's just the first few layers underground—the deeper you go, the thicker the Cold Qi.

That place isn't for cultivation at all. There's a massive Demon Spirit Squad permanently stationed, and it's mostly used for military training exercises.

Of course, if you go a few more levels down, it's no longer just "training"—it's an actual battlefield; real fights with real weapons.

So, civilian Demon Tamers basically ignore that realm. Nobody wants to make trouble for themselves.

Du Yu frowned and asked, "The event is in Bottomless?"

Yang Qingqing spoke softly: "The city's bookstore and culture bureau want you all to get a basic feel for what the battlefield is like, to walk the same path the elders once fought on.

The caves called Bottomless are everywhere in Great Xia. You're already a Demon Tamer Journeyman; it's good for you to see it for yourself."

Du Yu's heart skipped a beat. "Master Qing, over the past half month of cultivation, I never encountered Cold Qi—why is that?"

Yang Qingqing's lips curled up; she nodded at the Little Immortal Deer in Du Yu's arms.

Looking down, Du Yu saw Xiaobai resting against his chest, nose prodding his Spirit Ruins Acupoint.

"Because of the Fire Spiritual Qi in my body?"

Yang Qingqing: "Cold Qi is attracted to Demon Breath and repelled by Spiritual Qi."

Du Yu brightened: "That's great. That's one less thing I have to worry about in cultivation."

Yang Qingqing sighed softly: "Long ago, when our ancestors were all Spirit Masters, they never took Cold Qi seriously—it never bothered them.

But after the Human Race started cultivating Demon Breath, Cold Qi became like a side effect. Originally, it only devoured Demon Beasts—now it's started to plague humans as well."

Du Yu pondered, then asked, "Master Qing, since Cold Qi hates Spiritual Qi, this time when I go into Bottomless, will it team up and come after me because of the crowd?"

Yang Qingqing: "It won't. Since ancient times, there have always been people paving this path for you. Besides, if Bottomless was actually harmful to you, I wouldn't let you take part in the event."

"Good, good!" Du Yu nodded repeatedly.

Yang Qingqing paused, then said slowly: "The prizes are set. If you do well, I suggest picking a customized Demon Soldier. This time, they're really made to order, with your input."

"Yes, Master Qing."

"Also, the Demon Pet reward I owed you for conquering the Shadow Gu Tower—I'd like to postpone giving it."

Du Yu cradled the Little Immortal Deer, gently rubbing her head: "Yes, Master Qing."

"Hmm?" Yang Qingqing raised her brows. "No questions?"

Du Yu grinned widely: "As long as I listen to my master, I'll never go wrong."

"Heh." Yang Qingqing chuckled softly and offered a kind explanation: "Adding too many Demon Pets to your team all at once will split your energy. Your pet team might run into all sorts of trouble—conflicts over time management, lack of care, and so on.

I'll hold onto your reward until I feel you're ready for it."

Du Yu nodded firmly: "Okay!"

Looking at her well-behaved, obedient disciple, Yang Qingqing felt more and more satisfied. "Alright, go to bed now."

Du Yu hurried to explain: "Li Mengnan was just messing around, Master Qing. I'm really not tired."

"Go. To. Bed."

Du Yu opened his mouth, but in the end, dared not defy his master's order. "Yes, ma'am."

Yang Qingqing watched Du Yu's departing back; her gaze grew complicated, as if she was struggling with something.

Du Yu didn't notice. He quickly returned to his large bedroom, tidied up briefly, then brought Xiaoyan and Xiaobai into the bathroom.

This time, Xiaoyan had company for her water fights!

However, as soon as Du Yu slipped into the bathtub, his fantasy of them playing together didn't happen.

Xiaobai, being shy, clung to Du Yu's arms, gently nuzzling the Spirit Ruins Acupoint on his left chest, ignoring everyone else.

Xiaoyan tried several times to connect with Xiaobai, but only got shyness and dodging in return.

"This is our new teammate. Her full name is Bai Yujing, but we call her Xiaobai," Du Yu said, grasping Xiaoyan and explaining, "She's a bit timid, but the more you two hang out, the better it'll be."

"Ying!"

Du Yu was confident Xiaobai would fit into the team.

After all, when he first got home, he'd caught Bai Yujing munching Firethorn leaves…

Even Du Yu himself wouldn't dare try a stunt like that!

So there was every reason to believe, as long as Xiaobai felt the team's kindness, she'd blend in soon enough.

Honestly, the bathroom was already steamy, and with Xiaobai there, thin mists drifted everywhere—it really felt like an Immortal Realm…

Du Yu held Xiaoyan, soaking her in the hot water like a fiery red towel, then draped her over his own face, lying back in pure bliss.

Ahh~ now this is the life a king deserves!

He barely lay back before Xiaobai, who was sniffing his Spirit Ruins Acupoint, got a nose full of water and shot upright with a splash. "Nai!"

"My bad, my bad! Hey, don't cry!"

...

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