The month-and-a-half journey through the Bamboo Grove was finally drawing to a close.

Looking back, Du Yu felt like it was all a dream.

He had taken part in the Chi Bear Race's grand martial festivities, witnessed their unique culture, and alongside Little Tai Sui, achieved an impressive top-eight finish on the Earth List.

He ventured deep into the Purple Bamboo, met the Tai Sui Bamboo Tribe's hidden powerhouse—Yinsuo, and even had the fortune to encounter a One-Sided Demon Thunder, gazing upon the magical Bamboo Shadow Thunder Pool.

All of these could be called unexpected delights.

This journey, Du Yu got everything he wanted!

He advanced in rank, breaking through and growing alongside his Demon Pet in spectacular fashion.

With days of quiet cultivation and tireless polishing, the Little Du Yu inside him had become even more refined.

This was, after all, the most crucial step on the road for a Demon Tamer to become a god, and Du Yu had already laid down a solid foundation for himself.

Most importantly, he wished to help Master Qing unwind, and also hoped for his teacher to contract a Chi Bear she liked.

Yang Qingqing didn't let her disciple's goodwill go to waste; during her time recuperating in the Red Bamboo Courtyard, she gradually let go of the shadows in her heart, and provided Du Yu with countless screensaver-worthy moments.

It was just a pity that all Du Yu could do was record them with his naked eyes.

Du Yu was sure that these beautiful scenes would be etched in his mind for a long, long time.

Plus, the Forbidden City had been added to the team, and in the process of cultivation, Master Qing had even advanced by a Small Tier!

Two words: Perfect Ending!

On the 25th, following Master Qing's instructions, Du Yu and Hongye thoroughly tidied up every inch of the Red Bamboo Courtyard. Afterward, the master and disciple set out on the road home.

It's worth mentioning that before leaving the Bamboo Grove, Du Yu once again tore up the Demon Pet Contract with Hongye.

As far as Hongye was concerned, she was already used to it.

It's just a contract, right~

Tear it up again and again, and you get used to it...

What Du Yu couldn't get used to was the Demon Spirit Squad inviting him for tea yet again. No matter how polite they were, Du Yu couldn't shake the feeling that he was a suspect being interrogated.

The funny thing is, as Du Yu was "having tea," his phone finally charged up; the moment he turned it on, it started buzzing non-stop.

For a second, Du Yu almost fooled himself into thinking he had lots of friends...

Among the flood of unread messages, there was a text from Senior Brother Li Jing letting him know he was safe, telling Du Yu to rest easy with Master Qing; all was well at school.

There was also a message from Senior Brother Fu Jianzhou, inquiring about how Master and disciple were doing.

Then came caring inquiries from eldest brother and third sister—compared to Lin Shiwei, Big Bro Meng was a total chatterbox!

In Li Mengnan's chat box, there were all kinds of daily questions and "cultivation progress reports," and among them, Du Yu even spotted a "Wind Cotton Candy Recipe"?

Seeing such an odd message left Du Yu completely dumbfounded!

50 grams of milk powder, 35 grams of butter, 60 grams of dried fruit, 180 grams of wind cotton grass leaves...

Good grief~

This big girl's treating me like her memo pad?

Besides those close to him, there were also a couple messages from his teammates from the end-of-term exams.

Poor Lin Shumeng called him "Uncle" a bunch of times, trying to invite Du Yu to train together, but Du Yu hadn't replied at all—who knows if she'd be upset.

The chats were business as usual, but there was one text message that seemed totally out of place.

The sender didn't say who they were—just sent a handful of words: "If you've got time, let's chat."

Totally mysterious!

Who even are you and why would I chat with you?

It wasn't until Du Yu left Chi Bear Paradise and was in line to board at the airport that he suddenly snapped awake!

"Let's chat"?

Could this text from the unknown number be from Elder Cheng Feng?

The Great Xia Seven Saints—Blazing Fire Thunderclap!?

Back at Gourd Mouth, right before the team set out on their mission, Elder Cheng Feng really did say something like that.

But plans can't keep up with changes, and Elder Cheng Feng vanished together with the rampaging Flame Soul Imprisonment during that teleportation, never to be heard from again.

By the date, the message had come a week ago.

Maybe Elder Cheng Feng had finally gotten his Demon Pet under control, survived the crisis, and remembered the promise?

With a mix of anxiety and excitement, Du Yu and Master Qing boarded their first-class seats, and Du Yu handed his phone to the woman next to him. "Master Qing."

"Hmm?" Yang Qingqing took the phone, glanced at the text, "What is it?"

Du Yu spoke quietly: "Do you recognize this number? Could it be Elder Cheng?"

Yang Qingqing raised her brows and pondered a moment before answering gently, "Just ask, but be respectful in your tone."

"Okay." Du Yu took back the phone and started typing. He muttered softly, "Master Qing, aren't you acquainted with Elder Cheng?"

Yang Qingqing chuckled, "I only met him once; I don't have Mr. Cheng's contact info."

"Hmm..." Du Yu pursed his lips and sent the message. "Oh right, Master Qing, how did you meet Elder Cheng?"

Yang Qingqing didn't answer, her beautiful eyes flickered in thought.

She glanced down at Du Yu's left chest, then raised her eyes and looked straight at him.

That little gesture was all Du Yu needed to know his master's meaning.

It really was because of the Shadow Gu Tower!

Du Yu: "That senior failed?"

After all, when they had entered Gourd Mountain, Cheng Feng was the first to charge in, and after he fell into the valley, the cold qi all around did not dissipate.

In other words, Cheng Feng wasn't a Spirit Master.

Yang Qingqing gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

Du Yu was speechless—was Master testing his eyesight?

Could you at least nod a little more obviously, is that so hard?

Of course, Du Yu could only complain inwardly and dared not say a word aloud.

He whispered, "Master Qing, what do you think… that senior wants with me?"

"No idea."

Du Yu couldn't help feeling a bit of dread, "He failed, but I succeeded twice in a row—plus, I took the tower away. What if he…"

"Heh." Yang Qingqing laughed softly, raised her hand, and lightly flicked Du Yu on the forehead.

"Thunk~"

"Uh." As his Demon Breath Battle Robe trembled, Du Yu clapped a hand over his forehead.

Yang Qingqing: "That's a senior who protects our Great Xia. Don't let your mind wander."

"Okay." Du Yu pouted, glancing at his phone—there was no reply from the other side.

Honestly, if it really was Cheng Feng, who knows how long it'd take to actually get in touch with him.

Not to mention the Great Xia Seven Saints—even little nobodies like Du Yu sometimes went a couple months without turning their phones on.

Since the plane hadn't taken off yet, Du Yu used the time to give a safety update to his two senior brothers.

His reply to Senior Brother Li Jing let him know Master Qing was heading back to the Ancient Pine Tower.

And his reply to Senior Brother Fu... heh heh~

Sure enough!

A bit over three hours later, when Du Yu and Yang Qingqing exited through the arrivals hall of Songta Airport, Fu Jianzhou was already waiting for them!

"Over here!" Fu Jianzhou was already over 185cm, and on his tiptoes, waving furiously—there was no way to miss him.

Yang Qingqing glanced lightly at Du Yu, while he, with his backpack and suitcase in tow, hurried forward: "Hi, Senior Brother! What brings you here?"

Fu Jianzhou: ???

Why am I here?

You told me your flight number, plus departure and arrival times—how could I not come?

Fu Jianzhou looked at Du Yu, half exasperated, half amused, then casually took the younger brother's suitcase. As soon as he saw Master Qing, he greeted politely, "Master Qing."

"Let's go." Yang Qingqing said softly—there were too many people around.

Even though she tried to stay low-key, swapping into a dark woolen coat, she still drew curious glances from the crowd.

Walking beside Senior Brother, Du Yu grinned and started filling him in: "Oh, by the way, Master Qing contracted a Chi Bear! One with a Wood and Thunder Attribute."

Fu Jianzhou immediately turned toward the woman behind him. "Congratulations, Master Qing."

"Mm." Yang Qingqing stepped out of the arrival hall, feeling the bright sun and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

When she left, her hometown was swept by a frigid wind and heavy snow.

But now on her return, the sun was shining and spring was full in bloom.

It had been a long time since she'd felt so like returning after ages away.

Ever since joining the army as a teenager, then retiring and working at the academy, becoming a teacher—no matter which department she was in, she always played a crucial role.

It made it so she couldn't leave, or rather, never had the option to leave at all.

Responsibility and duty kept her firmly tied to the squad, trapped in this city of ever-changing seasons, the Ancient Pine Tower.

With each turn of the seasons, she felt it keenly.

For how many years now, this was her first time taking a month-and-a-half away, and in such comfort, deep in the bamboo woods she loved.

She owed all of this to Du Yu's efforts.

His arrival had changed so much...

"Master Qing."

"Hmm?" Yang Qingqing broke from her reverie, looking at Du Yu—at some point, they'd reached the parking lot and stood by Senior Brother Fu's car.

Du Yu had a hand on the car door and peered curiously at the absent-minded woman. "Ready to head home?"

"Mm-hmm." Yang Qingqing smiled, patting Du Yu's shoulder gently. "Thank you."

With that, she slid into the car.

Du Yu shut the car door softly, puzzled.

So polite, huh?

You didn't act like this when we were on vacation in the Bamboo Grove!

Baffled, Du Yu clambered into the front passenger seat. Little did he know, what Master Qing was thanking him for wasn't for opening her car door—but for this rare journey she'd gotten.

Fu Jianzhou started the car, checking the rearview mirror to look at Master in the back. "You both look like you lost weight."

"Don't get me started." Du Yu pursed his lips. "When I go with you to the Bamboo Grove, at least I get some fish and meat.

With Master Qing, it's wild fruits and bamboo leaf tea every day!

It's been a month and a half—I'm craving a big spicy hotpot just talking about it."

Yang Qingqing: "..."

Fu Jianzhou glanced sidelong at his junior brother.

You really aren't afraid of anything anymore, huh!

Yet what Fu Jianzhou couldn't accept was, Master Qing actually just turned to look out the window, not punishing the younger brother at all?

Fu Jianzhou couldn't figure it out, so he tried to make up for it while driving, "You both might have slimmed down, but your energy is great."

Yang Qingqing suddenly asked, "How's your cultivation been going?"

"Reporting, Master Qing—I just hit the Great Success Stage a few days ago."

Yang Qingqing nodded approvingly, "Not bad."

Fu Jianzhou stayed humble, "Finally broke through the shackles. Things are going much smoother now."

"What about Mengnan and Xiaowei?"

Fu Jianzhou: "Both junior sisters have been at the Ten Thousand Plants Garden this whole time, going through plenty of hardships."

Yang Qingqing: "Why weren't you with them?"

Fu Jianzhou hurriedly explained: "Master Qing, I've been training with them just like you told me to.

Later, after both of their Dust Spirit Deer advanced to Spirit Level, their battle power skyrocketed—you could say it became safe enough for them on their own, so both junior sisters 'laid me off.'"

Du Yu's eyes lit up: "Spirit-level Dust Spirit Deer?"

Fu Jianzhou nodded rapidly, "Yeah, their progress is unbelievable. Even I can't keep up with them anymore..."

Du Yu grew excited. "They're still at the Ten Thousand Plants Garden? I'm gonna go hang out with them!"

Fu Jianzhou: "Aren't you going home to rest first? Drop off your luggage at least?"

"Ah… yeah, true." Du Yu scratched his head, "Better head home first. I've left the Fire Phoenix Tree alone for ages—it'll need some coaxing."

Fu Jianzhou: "..."

Yang Qingqing gently smiled, quietly watching the lush greenery roll by the car window.

She knew the Fire Phoenix Tree's temperament well; tonight, Du Yu was in for it.

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