"You've advanced." Lin Shiwei looked at the beautiful Immortal Deer leaping down, then glanced up at the youth sitting atop it, a smile lighting up her face. "Congratulations."

"Yeah, advanced." Du Yu reached out and patted Xiaobai's head, full of emotion. "She's growing so fast, it feels like a dream."

Xiaobai advanced to Earth Level·Initial Stage on August 16th, the very day Du Yu and Lin Shiwei sent her home for a visit.

And now it's September 30th.

In just a month and a half, Xiaobai has already advanced to Heavenly Level·Initial Stage!

A whole big leap in stage—can you even imagine what that means?

Master Qing, that "substitute trainer," is honestly terrifying. Especially the process from Great Demon Tamer to Demon Taming General—it was basically like boosting Xiaobai's ranking!

As Du Yu stroked Xiaobai, he couldn't help but think—If only Master Qing would make a Contract with me, too...

If she advanced to Demon Taming General, maybe I could at least force my way into the Demon Tamer ranks!

Speaking of which, I really wonder what it's like to hang out in an Acupoint Home?

Lost in thought, Du Yu instinctively glanced to the side, staring at that delicate, pale green silhouette.

Yang Qingqing had no idea what Du Yu was thinking, but she did feel like her little disciple's gaze was acting a bit weird?

"What's up?"

"Ah." Du Yu snapped back to reality, hurriedly shifted his gaze, and shook his head again and again. "Nothing, nothing."

"Ring ring~ ring~"

Yang Qingqing shook her wrist. Du Yu's body tensed, and almost involuntarily, he lifted his head to meet Yang Qingqing's eyes.

"What were you thinking about?" Yang Qingqing sat on the sofa, elegantly crossing her legs, eyes raised to Du Yu.

"Uh." Regaining control, Du Yu fumbled for words, stammering, "People... can't make Contracts with people, right?"

Yang Qingqing: ???

Li Mengnan and Lin Shiwei both looked dumbfounded, and Li Jing's expression was something else entirely.

No wonder he's Master's favorite little disciple—he's never been smacked by her, eh?

"You little rascal." Yang Qingqing glared at Du Yu with a smile—he's really gone crazy wanting more power. "Nope, only with Demon Beasts."

Du Yu's thinking was out there, but honestly? That's exactly the direction Great Xia has been researching so hard!

If people could Contract with people, the possible effects would be absolutely terrifying!

It'd be like Russian nesting dolls—you'd just keep stacking, and one person could haul thousands into battle!

Yang Qingqing didn't bother with Du Yu's daydreams, and turned instead to her two female disciples. "There's an Earth-level Demon Spirit Realm in the South Suburb of Shiyan City, and things have been pretty unstable there lately."

Ancient Pine Tower City, as an Earth Level City, manages five county-level cities, and Shiyan City is one of them.

Li Mengnan and Lin Shiwei stood at attention, ears perked for instructions.

Yang Qingqing: "That Twin Tree Realm has produced a lot of Demon Beasts being devoured by Cold Qi lately.

This was originally a job for the Demon Spirit Squad, but since the Twin Tree Realm is a lower level, it's perfect for student trials. I contacted them and took the assignment for you."

Du Yu asked, "Is there a lot of Cold Qi there?"

"It was over the limit a while back, but I hear it's returned to normal now."

Yang Qingqing thought for a moment before speaking again. "The Demon Beasts there are basically all below Earth Level, but after the Cold Qi invades them, their power increases by some degree.

And sometimes Demon Beasts there even break through to Earth Level and reach Heavenly Level Initial Stage. From every angle, it's an ideal place for your team's training.

Tomorrow morning, you'll leave for Shiyan City."

Lin Shiwei and Li Mengnan exchanged glances and nodded. "Yes, Master Qing."

"Work out your own meetup spot." Yang Qingqing beckoned at Xiaobai.

"Nai?" Xiaobai jogged over curiously, sniffed at the woman's fingers—she thought Master Qing was about to give her Spiritual Qi, but instead, she just got a finger on the nose.

Goofy little Xiaobai instantly dissolved into a swirl of Wind Demon Breath, merging into Master Qing's body.

Looked just like a cute, gullible girl being coaxed...

With the mission assigned, the group left the chaos of the office under Master Qing's lead.

Actually, Li Jing wanted to escort Master Qing downstairs.

But seeing the paperwork scattered everywhere, Yang Qingqing decided to have her disciple tidy up the office instead and wouldn't let him see her out...

On Master Qing's instruction, Lin Shiwei drove to South Suburbs Bottomless.

Clearly, she hadn't forgotten her earlier promise, planning to help Du Yu find a real Demon Soul for his Shadow Gu Tower.

Spirit-level Demon Soul!

After dropping them off, Lin Shiwei and Li Mengnan were shooed home by Yang Qingqing.

From what Master Qing said, the mission in Shiyan City might take a long time, so the two needed to prepare and explain things to their families.

Du Yu watched the departing SUV, waving until it vanished from sight, and then turned back around.

"Let's go."

"Yes." Du Yu eyed Yang Qingqing's gorgeous dress and her high heels.

He held back, but couldn't bring himself to say anything.

After all, she's a goddess—practically ethereal. She might even be able to fly... Oh, right!

Master Qing really can stand in midair!

He'd seen it outside the Shadow Gu Tower. Which meant—she can fly, so wearing any kind of shoes just doesn't matter…

"Master Qing."

"Yes?"

Trailing after her toward the study, Du Yu asked quietly, "Which Demon Pet Demon Skill do you use to fly like that?"

Yang Qingqing smiled. "Wind Trace Steed."

Wind Trace Steed?

I've seen that one—its whole body is made of ghostly lines, really gives an 'Undead Horse' vibe. Super cool.

Little Shiwei's family has a whole herd of them. They're crazy fast—Xiaoyan can't even keep up.

"Oh, that's right, Master Qing. If a Demon Tamer reaches a certain Level and can cooperate with their Demon Pet to cast skills, does that mean we don't need to summon Demon Pets out to fight anymore?"

"For most situations, you don't need to bother the Demon Pet inside you."

Yang Qingqing patiently explained, "But when Humans and Beast Race team up to perform Demon Skills, the power and effect are much lower.

If your Demon Pet's outside of you and casts the Demon Skill itself, it can use 100% of its ability."

"Oh, I see."

Yang Qingqing: "Also, when Humans reach a certain Level, they can borrow the power of nature to support Demon Pets in casting spells.

To do that efficiently, the Demon Pet has to be outside of you and cast spells on its own."

"Got it!" Du Yu pulled the study door open.

"Hello… Master Qing?" Behind the bar, Wang Dabao rose with a polite smile, but froze when he saw who'd come in.

Du Yu followed her in and waved with a grin. "Morning, Brother Dabao."

"Hello." Wang Dabao snapped out of it, a little nervous. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

One reason was that Yang Qingqing is a famous university teacher and Demon Taming Scholar.

The other, more compelling reason: Yang Qingqing comes from a military background, which is why soldiers respected her even more.

Though her military career only lasted a few years, it was glorious, and she's a household name in Ancient Pine Tower Territory.

Yang Qingqing nodded with a smile. "I'm looking for a Spirit-level Demon Beast—I'd like my disciple to experience high-level combat. You'll need to discuss with your higher-ups, since we might go pretty deep in."

"Understood."

While the soldier made his report, Yang Qingqing glanced at the blackboard displaying the mission list. Seeming to remember something, she murmured, "This place should really suit you."

Following her gaze, Du Yu looked up, too.

He saw the single type of task and clear points listed on the board, and instantly knew what Master was getting at.

"Mm… yeah." Du Yu nodded softly and didn't hide it. "This is definitely more secure for me.

I used to fight in the Newbie Demon Spirit Realm. They do have points tasks there, but they're time-consuming and not very efficient for earning points."

Yang Qingqing tilted her head a bit, looking down at the boy beside her. "You've already collected your bonus for clearing the Shadow Gu Tower project. That's some security."

"Heh heh." Du Yu scratched his head. "I just want to give my Demon Pets the best, you know? Can't just keep spending and never earning. Plus, I've been eating and drinking at your house every day…"

Yang Qingqing's lips turned up slightly. "It's just fruit. Plus, you're my disciple."

Du Yu mumbled, "Still can't keep freeloading at your home… Oh, right, Master Qing, do you have anyone living downstairs?"

At that, Yang Qingqing couldn't help but laugh.

Xishu Garden clearly isn't the kind of home a beginner would dream of. You can tell—this kid may not be rich yet, but he's got ambition.

"Yes."

Du Yu looked a bit disappointed. "Ah... The neighbor downstairs must be really tolerant. I train every day, clanging around upstairs, and they've never come to complain.

At some point, I should really go apologize."

Yang Qingqing: "No need for that."

"Huh? You know them?"

Yang Qingqing beamed at Du Yu. "That's my old apartment."

Du Yu: ???

Yang Qingqing: "I kept raising more and more Demonic Plants, and I ran out of space at home, so I bought the top floor."

"So downstairs…"

Yang Qingqing: "It's empty."

Empty?

The way you put that—aren't you just saving it for me~

16th floor, and it even has a 6. That's perfect!

Du Yu's heart fluttered, and he cautiously asked, "Are you planning to sell, Master Qing?"

Yang Qingqing leaned on the bar, giving Du Yu a knowing, amused look—seeing right through his little scheme.

Day after day of cultivation, missions, more cultivation—in the monotony of Demon Taming life, a little disciple barged in and brought a unique kind of fun.

"Master Qing?"

"No plans to sell. I like my peace and quiet, and it's nice with no one living below."

Du Yu put on a sweet face. "Just think about me as a buyer! I'm super quiet!"

Yang Qingqing lifted her brow. "You?"

Du Yu: "Even if I'm training at home, I'm only stomping on the 15th floor—I couldn't possibly be pounding on the ceiling."

Yang Qingqing cocked her head slightly, gesturing at the mission list on the blackboard. "Then you'd better work hard—I'll save it for you."

Du Yu was instantly pumped. "Of course! I've already got 200,000… Uh, yeah, you know that 200,000, you gave me that money."

Yang Qingqing: "..."

Du Yu: "How much more do I need to save?"

Seeing Du Yu's hopeful expression, Yang Qingqing suddenly changed her mind.

After all this time, she's seen everything Du Yu's done.

This boy is different from others—he already works so hard, he doesn't need extra motivation to push him forward.

Maybe, what he really needs is a home—a place where he can finally feel settled and at peace.

Wang Dabao hung up the phone. "Master Qing."

Yang Qingqing raised her hand slightly, signaling the soldier to wait, and gazed at Du Yu for a while before softly saying, "You can live there first."

"Ah? But that won't do—that's just…"

Yang Qingqing cut him off. "The place is sold to you. I'll just take the money out of your future bonuses. There are still plenty of ruins to explore out there—a ton of programs waiting for us to tackle.

And anyway, you'll be heading to the front lines sooner or later. Every time you earn enough, just give it to me."

Du Yu: "Uh, this…"

Am I really going to have my own home?

Can I raise Demonic Plants, build a paradise for my beloved pets?

And live right next to Master Qing, sneak upstairs for fruits? Ah~ that's just perfect!

Yang Qingqing took the equipment from the soldier. "What did the leaders say?"

Wang Dabao: "The higher-ups approved, but please be careful."

"Thank you." Yang Qingqing nodded politely and headed out with the equipment.

Du Yu stumbled after her, so dazed he forgot to even say goodbye to Wang Dabao.

Yang Qingqing looked back a little and, seeing Du Yu completely out of it, couldn't help but tease him, "I'll just take your card for now."

"Ah, it's in the desk drawer, Master Qing, help yourself."

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