"Senior Brother Fu, you seem to be in good spirits?" Du Yu dismounted from the deer and spoke casually.

Much better than twenty days ago at least.

"I'm fine." Fu Jianzhou smiled, "Don't worry about me. I'm ready for assignments anytime.

It's just that Bai Lan prefers quiet places and has been teaching me to play the flute.

If I lived at home, it would disturb the other residents, so I came here instead."

"Mm." Du Yu stepped forward and plopped down on the stone steps, undeterred by their dirtiness, "How's your experience with West Xia's Flute... uh, Bai Lan?"

"Pretty good. Over time, she's been in much better spirits."

"Isn't Bai Lan curious about today's Great Xia? Doesn't she want to go out and see?"

Fu Jianzhou was silent for a moment, then softly said, "She will, eventually. Let's take it slow."

Du Yu nodded thoughtfully, "By the way, did you ask what specific effects West Xia's Flute has?"

Fu Jianzhou looked down at the white jade flute in his hands, gently wiping it, "Two. One is to soothe nerves and lull people to sleep.

The other is to agitate nerves, making all creatures tense up."

Du Yu interjected, "To instigate slaughter among themselves."

Fu Jianzhou looked surprised, "Hmm?"

Du Yu smiled, "In my dream, I saw the prowess of her flute shattering armies, with the Beast Race's army suspicious and attacking each other."

Fu Jianzhou suddenly understood and explained, "The flute's sound probably has a greater impact on the Beast Race. Though Demon Beasts have intelligence, they haven't shed their beast nature and instincts drive them.

If it were human soldiers under the flute's influence, our soldiers could largely overcome the tension caused by it."

"It's not that easy to overcome." Du Yu pouted.

"Why?"

"If they're hot-tempered and impulsive, or if there's already discord within the team, people will fight anyway." Du Yu said casually, "By the way, did Bai Lan tell you anything else?"

Fu Jianzhou shook his head, "Give us some more time."

"Hmm..." Du Yu nodded apologetically, not explaining further.

Actually, he wasn't urging Senior Brother Fu to complete the historical research on the spiritual artifact; he was just curious, yet Senior Brother misunderstood his intention.

Lin Shiwei timely shifted the topic, "Senior Brother, where are you staying?"

Fu Jianzhou smiled, "This is a villa, there's plenty of space."

Li Mengnan blinked, "Aren't you afraid being out here in the wilderness at night?"

Fu Jianzhou: "..."

Li Mengnan, a bit embarrassed, hurriedly said, "Um, um, what do you eat?"

"Wild vegetables and fruits. I'm a Great Demon Tamer, Mengnan, I can go quite a while without eating." Feeling the genuine concern from his junior brothers and sisters, Fu Jianzhou was warmed at heart and spoke gently, "Don't worry about me. You should head back."

"Huh?"

The sudden dismissal caught the trio off guard.

Fu Jianzhou: "Now that you've seen I'm fine, you can rest assured and head back. If Master Qing has tasks, contact me anytime."

Seeing their troubled expressions, Fu Jianzhou continued, "Even if you don't trust me, trust Master Qing's judgment.

I need to meditate."

Du Yu hesitated, "Senior Brother, do you need any supplies? We can bring them for you."

Fu Jianzhou extended his hand, wrapping it around Du Yu's shoulder, "Don't worry, Junior Brother, I..."

Before he finished speaking, Fu Jianzhou's appearance suddenly changed!

His once melancholic and handsome face transformed into a beautiful, phantom-like visage.

Bai Lan smiled at Du Yu, softly saying, "I haven't mastered my music yet."

"Mm... Mm." Du Yu nodded lightly.

He understood the underlying message from Bai Lan: You can leave now.

As the beautiful visage faded away, Fu Jianzhou looked resigned, "You should leave."

Du Yu looked into Fu Jianzhou's eyes, softly advising, "Take care of him."

Fu Jianzhou was momentarily startled, yet replied, "I will."

Without further explanation, Du Yu stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes, "Xiaoyan! Xiaoyan?"

"Ying!"

Turning his head, Du Yu spotted a river of pear blossom petals cascading from the distant sky.

Such a beautiful scene could easily mesmerize.

Xiaoyan nimbly leaped into the air, her fiery red figure dancing gracefully among the white petals, before landing in Du Yu's arms.

The stream of petals flowed past, forming beside Fu Jianzhou.

Hua Mantang was no longer the mischievous Xiaohua of its youth. It nestled obediently next to its master, its fox eyes watching the three of them.

That long pear blossom tail swayed gently, as if bidding them farewell.

The trio exchanged glances and, with no other choice, bid farewell and departed.

Passing through the overgrown ruins, the trio returned to the car, each lost in their thoughts.

After a while, Li Mengnan, cradling Xiaoyan, whispered, "I was really looking forward to ancient spiritual artifacts."

"Why?" Du Yu glanced at the rearview mirror.

Li Mengnan played with Xiaoyan's fluffy ears, "Ancient spiritual artifacts have too much influence on a person!

Senior Brother Fu's condition seems fine, but he's changed so much, it's really..."

"That's not necessarily true. My Shadow Gu Tower and Master Qing's Bell Bracelet are quite remarkable." Du Yu looked at the dilapidated villa gates in front and sighed, "West Xia's Flute just has a deep obsession, I suppose."

After a pause, Du Yu continued, "In the future, before we contract a spiritual artifact, we should carefully discern it.

Shadow Gu Tower mentioned that each of us can contract 1 to 2 spiritual artifacts, at most 3.

Beyond that, our bodies won't be able to handle it."

Lin Shiwei looked at Du Yu with a strange expression, turning her head, Contracting 2-3 spiritual artifacts?

Du Yu naturally sensed the girl's gaze and shrugged, "We operate on the frontline, with such advantageous conditions, why let other Demon Tamers benefit?"

Lin Shiwei's lips curled up slightly, "Don't let the leaders hear that; we might get fired."

Du Yu chuckled carelessly; anyway, I will hand-pick and contract up to 3 spiritual artifacts!

No matter what, I must select wisely and contract the full three spiritual artifacts.

We will still need to check with the Shadow Gu Tower before making future contracts, to see if it's willing to accept them.

Senior Brother Fu was probably possessed by the spiritual essence of the flute. We don't have anything to worry about with Bai Lan, but she does seem lenient with Demon Pets like Pear Blossom Fox.

Lin Shiwei: "Shall we head back?"

Li Mengnan, thumbing through her contact list, said, "So, where are we going?"

Lin Shiwei replied, "To my place, shall we? To see Bai Lu and Yiren."

Li Mengnan blinked, her face lighting up, "Let's see how Yiren is doing... huh? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Du Yu spoke hesitantly, "I might just be too tired."

With that, Du Yu stumbled off the cement and bumped into Little Tai Sui, who was playfully jumping around.

"Little Fen Yang?"

"Yay~" Burningsun Golden Crow, brimming with energy, followed by flooding the space inside Du Yu, filling him with immense heat.

"The Chi Bear Race's bloodline is within them, separate from Xiaoyan and Ghost Firefly!"

"Yes!" Little Fen Yang chirped with delight, "I'm going to fully awaken Little Tai Sui's bloodline!"

"Oh?" Du Yu's heart skipped a beat.

It was indeed beyond his expectations for Little Tai Sui, a later addition to the team, to be the first of his to become an "Ancient Demon Pet!"

Of course, Little Fen Yang is also an Ancient Golden Crow.

Lin Shiwei: "Shall we head back then?"

Li Mengnan's eyes brightened at once, her mood swinging from one extreme to another, "Let's go see Bai Lu and Yiren... Eh? What's wrong?"

Lin Shiwei frowns, turns to look at Du Yu, "Back home?"

Holding Xiaoyan in her arms, Li Mengnan replied, "Where are we going?"

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