"Eing?" Xiaoyan jumped onto Du Yu's shoulder, softly calling out.

"It's okay, it's okay, Little Tai Sui is fine. That giant bamboo shoot is pouring life force into Tai Sui, healing his body." Du Yu spoke gently, soothing the rest of his beloved demon pets.

"Mmm~ Mmm~" Hearing that her little brother was unharmed, Little You Ying waved her torch even more joyfully.

Du Yu gazed at the giant bamboo shoot on the battlefield below, his heart filled with emotion.

Little Tai Sui, a real divine pet in the making!

Though young, Little Tai Sui's execution is terrifyingly strong, and he trusts his demon tamer unconditionally.

Despite being weak and having his element restrained by the opponent, he has no fear of powerful enemies and is brimming with courage.

So passionate, so explosive!

At this young age, Little Tai Sui is already showing a "fight to the death" spirit. Give him time, who knows how far he'll go?

Speaking of which, the whole self-destruct thing... better not use it so often in the future.

Even with some damage immunity, whose demon pet wouldn't hurt to lose...

Du Yu thought to himself, his eyes blazing as he stared at the massive bamboo shoot.

"Eing!!!"

"Oooo~~~" The shouts from the Chi Bear audience pulled Du Yu back to reality.

At this moment in the valley battlefield, three other pairs of Chi Bears were still fighting. Two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears faced each other, while the other matches were Wind vs Fire, Water vs Thunder.

In terms of ferocity, without a doubt, the two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears' battleground was the most terrifying!

Using their home field advantage, the two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears crazily hurled demon skills like they cost nothing.

The hollow bamboo shoots surrounding the battlefield released a Wood and Earth dual attribute demon breath, perfectly suiting the Earth Bamboo Chi Bears.

Since the hollow bamboo shoots were of exceptionally high quality, the two Earth Level Earth Bamboo Chi Bears replenished their demon breath at incredible speed, so there was no need to worry about energy consumption at all.

Right now, the two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears were locked in a magical duel!

They stood at north and south ends, their hollow bamboo sticks jammed into the ground. Cracks tore through the earth, snaking like long serpents toward the enemy.

Du Yu had never guessed that when two cracks in the ground collided, they might seem to merge, but the thick demon breath at the meeting points actually caused repeated explosions!

"That damage output..." Du Yu couldn't help but click his tongue. He'd thought Earth Bamboo Chi Bears would be the most stable, at least defense-oriented. But in reality, it was nothing like that.

Under the feet of the two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears, the cracks had already turned into "spider webs."

Dense and spreading rapidly.

At the midline, where the two spider webs' edges met, explosions rang out non-stop!

The other Chi Bears fought as warriors, wielding sticks, battling up close.

But these two Earth Bamboo Chi Bears were more like mages, bombarding each other with magic arrays...

Du Yu turned to look at Master Qing, wanting to say something, but suddenly realized Yang Qingqing's focus wasn't on the two Earth Element Chi Bears?

Following the woman's gaze, Du Yu looked toward the left side of the battlefield.

There, a Water Bamboo Chi Bear and a Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear were fighting, their "eing eing" cries coming one after another.

Du Yu's heart stirred, and he glanced again at Master Qing, reading a trace of fondness in her eyes.

It's hard to say – does she like the round Chi Bears, or the bamboo leaf cloaks they're wearing?

Yang Qingqing silently watched the battle below, then suddenly spoke: "The battlefield is down there."

"Ah." Du Yu looked awkward, quickly lowering his head to watch the battle.

From start to finish, the woman never looked Du Yu's way.

Even so, with her keen perception, she still noticed her disciple sneaking glances at her from time to time.

After a long moment, Yang Qingqing's eyes carried a hint of feigned reproach as she finally faced Du Yu.

Just as Du Yu was sneaking another look at Immortal Master...

"Uh, hehe~" Busted, Du Yu scratched his head, grinning. "Master Qing, I saw you were really focused on the Thunder-Water battlefield. Do you like those two Chi Bears?"

Yang Qingqing wasn't stingy with her praise. She nodded gently: "That Purple-leaf Chi Bear is very spirited."

Following her gaze, Du Yu caught the Water Bamboo Chi Bear swinging its bamboo stick with all its might, trying to freeze its opponent.

At that moment, the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear's purple leaf cloak was already caked with frost and snow.

"Eing!" The Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear suddenly roared, pointing its purple bamboo stick at the sky.

"Crack!"

A lightning bolt exploded out of nowhere!

The purple lightning was clearly not natural—it had formed from the lightning elements in the air.

Like a writhing snake, the lightning appeared abruptly in midair, connecting to the tip of the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear's stick—and then blasted down on its own body.

In an instant, the purple leaf cloak was enveloped in a dense web of purple electrical currents.

Unyielding Silver · Tai Sui Thunder!

"Clatter, clatter!" After a string of crisp sounds, the frost on the purple leaf cloak was blasted to pieces.

That scene was just flat-out awesome...

The Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear's opponent was also blasted right off its feet by the sudden lightning!

"Eing!" With a fierce roar, the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear charged forward!

Having just been struck, the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear was completely unharmed—and its speed had ramped up, as though its physical attributes had been activated?

While the Water Bamboo Chi Bear was still flying backward, the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear had already closed in and slammed it with a stick!

"Bang!"

The Water Bamboo Chi Bear's back collided hard with the giant bamboo shoot at the edge of the field.

The Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear gave the opponent not a moment's respite; it was like a purple cannonball, charging in with thunderous force.

"Zzz~ zzz~"

On its dazzling purple leaf cloak, streams of electrical purple currents raced and crackled brilliantly.

Purple always symbolized nobility and mystery.

Combined with the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear's aggressive charge, it gave Du Yu a unique sense of "violent beauty."

"Not bad, really not bad." Du Yu nodded lightly. "Master Qing, do you like her?"

Yang Qingqing was puzzled inside: "Why do you keep asking this way?"

Du Yu: "If you like her, Master Qing, you could contract a Chi Bear."

"Contract a Chi Bear?" Yang Qingqing was stunned—it was obvious that she'd never thought of that before.

After a brief pause, she replied casually: "Chi Bears can't just be contracted by anyone."

Du Yu replied matter-of-factly: "Of course Master Qing is qualified."

"Heh." Yang Qingqing smiled, but did not comment further.

Du Yu gazed at the Thunder Chi Bear dominating the field, and softly said, "I've already put in an application for Master Qing."

Yang Qingqing: "Hm?"

"Whoosh~" At the same time, two giant bamboo shoots suddenly sprang up from the battlefield below, wrapping around both the Water and Thunder Chi Bears.

Du Yu could tell: it wasn't a draw—the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear had won handily.

A cool woman's voice came again by his ear: "So, this was the real reason you brought me on this trip."

Du Yu didn't respond; he turned to Master Qing and continued, "There are still tournaments the next couple of days, with Heavenly and Spirit level Chi Bears yet to appear. Master Qing, you can wait and watch some more."

Yang Qingqing quietly watched Du Yu, and Du Yu looked back at her in all innocence.

The little platform was silent—even the mischievous Little You Ying had stopped, sensing the curious atmosphere, watching the pair with a face full of wonder.

Sunlight fell to the valley floor, illuminating Du Yu's face and making his smile extra heartwarming.

Previously at home, when Du Yu confessed to his master about asking leave for her, he'd felt a tinge of unease. But right now, he was absolutely confident.

After all, Master Qing had just reached a new rank yesterday. Shouldn't that happy mood last at least a few days?

After a long while, Yang Qingqing let out a deep sigh in her heart.

Clearly, I'm supposed to be the master here...

"Eing!" Down below, Little Tai Sui called out—sure enough, the Chi Bear Race's healing demon skills are strong; after such a short time, Little Tai Sui was already fully healed.

"Jingle~ jingle~"

Yang Qingqing reached out her left hand, and with the pleasant sound of bells, the tiny Chi Bear immediately flew up.

Little Tai Sui had wanted to go to Du Yu, but ended up diving into the woman's arms instead.

The little guy had no right to resist, so Yang Qingqing just hugged, squeezed, and smooshed him as she pleased.

"Eing!" Little Tai Sui gave Du Yu a pleading look, hoping his master would rescue him from this fiendish grasp.

Du Yu: "..."

No way, no way,

You don't actually think I'd dare rescue you, right?

"What do you think of her?" Yang Qingqing pointed at the battlefield below, indicating a just-bloomed bamboo shoot.

Inside, a Chi Bear in a purple bamboo leaf cloak waved her bamboo stick excitedly, calling out "eing eing."

Du Yu: "Huh?"

Is Master Qing actually thinking about contracting a Chi Bear?

Yang Qingqing ignored Du Yu, instead pinching Little Tai Sui's ear. "In the future, you can be with her—grow up together."

Du Yu: "..."

Wait, you weren't talking to me...

"Eing?" Little Tai Sui blinked his shiny black eyes. Is she finding me a playmate?

This Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear big sis sure looks strong.

Du Yu whispered, "Master Qing, aren't you going to wait and see the Heavenly and Spirit level Chi Bears?"

Yang Qingqing: "A lower level is better."

Indeed, that's the rule in the Demon Taming World.

Demon Tamers are best off contracting young, relatively weak demon pets, so they can build emotional bonds as they grow together.

If you want a truly loyal demon pet, the tamer must invest a lot.

Especially in those early times when the demon beast is weak and clingy, the tamer's companionship lays the firm foundation of the relationship.

Soon, the top three were decided.

Since there was no winner in Little Tai Sui's battle, only three Chi Bears made it to the finals: one Wind Bamboo Chi Bear, one Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear, and one Earth Bamboo Chi Bear.

The rules of the finals were changed at the last minute—three Chi Bears fought in a free-for-all, making the audience "eing" in excitement, calling it a real treat.

Unfortunately, the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear didn't get first place.

The Earth Bamboo Chi Bear, making full use of home field advantage and nearly unlimited demon breath, took first on the Earth List in the end.

In fact, from the moment the Wind and Thunder Bamboo Chi Bears didn't team up, the result was already set in stone.

Master and disciple didn't go find the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear right away. Instead, after the crowd dispersed and on their way back to the Red Bamboo Courtyard, they sent Hongye to negotiate with the Thunder Bamboo Tribe.

Du Yu also told Hongye privately to make everything clear: it was Master Qing who wanted to contract the Chi Bear, and the Wood and Thunder attribute Chi Bear couldn't have its ancient bloodline restored by Lord Golden Crow.

Some things had to be clarified in advance to prevent any misunderstandings later.

And most importantly, they needed to keep Lord Golden Crow's secret safe.

Fortunately, the existence of the Ancient Golden Crow was only known within the inner circles of the major tribes. The vast majority of Chi Bear Race members respected Du Yu only because of the clan leader's orders.

That afternoon, while Du Yu and Yang Qingqing were cultivating in the Red Bamboo Courtyard, Hongye, sent out on an errand, finally brought news.

In the contract, Hongye respectfully reported: "Master, Thunder Bamboo Elder Tai Sui requests your presence."

Du Yu frowned: "Elder?"

Hongye: "Each Tai Sui Bamboo tribe is managed by its current clan leader. Above the clan leaders, there are five grand elders.

The five great powers usually live in seclusion, ignoring worldly affairs. I suppose the elder wishes to use this opportunity to meet the Ancient Golden Crow."

"Ah." Du Yu scratched his head. Well, it's fine by me, but if they want to meet the Golden Crow, shouldn't they come visit instead?

After asking curiously, Du Yu received an interesting response.

Hongye: "Thunder Bamboo Elder Tai Sui hides away in a very special place—inside the Bamboo Shadow Thunder Pool. He can't leave—you'll understand when you get there."

"Thunder Pool?" Du Yu felt a hint of excitement. This place... sounds dangerous?

"Yes. Master, please wait a moment—I'll come fetch you."

"Oh."

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