Chapter 1444 The Sound of Bamboo Leaves

After attending the funeral, everyone’s mood was heavy.

However, the mission must continue, and the Chi Bear Race is still waiting for Du Yu to escort them home.

This mission was carried out by Qing, Yu, and Wei.

Fu Jianzhou went to the Sea Realm, and Jiang Feng went to the Peach Blossom Realm.

And after this memorial service, Li Mengnan became increasingly homesick and anxious to return home, so Du Yu naturally did not force her to accompany him.

After bidding farewell to the others, Du Yu tore open a spatial rift and stepped into the Bamboo Grove’s Red Bamboo Courtyard.

Subsequently, Yu and Wei led Master Qing through the Mountain Realm and You Huang Realm, capturing all the Chi Clan warriors and tribe members within the Spiritual Artifact.

"Phew~"

The Bell Shadow flickered, and Qing, Wei, and Yu appeared once more in the Red Bamboo Courtyard, while Yang Qingqing’s Jade Gourd was already filled with black and white dumplings.

"This place won’t be sufficient, Master Qing?" Du Yu spoke up.

The small Red Bamboo Courtyard couldn’t hold thousands of Chi Bears.

"We’ll go to Crescent Lake Shore," Yang Qingqing said casually, summoning the Forbidden City.

This was the pet she had just reclaimed from the Chi Bear Tribe in the Mountain Realm.

Yang Qingqing’s heavy heart unexpectedly received good news; the Forbidden City had finally advanced to the Peak Stage of Demon Emperor thanks to the nourishment of Tai Sui Bamboo.

"Woo~~" The Forbidden City roared to the sky, its voice echoing throughout the bamboo forest.

Demon Emperor·Peak Stage!

At last! As a latter addition to the Master Qing’s team, she had finally caught up with the main force!

The Forbidden City had been transformed from a young age by the Bamboo Shadow Thunder Pool, unlocking its Ancient Body, with aptitude far exceeding other Demon Beasts.

Later in the You Huang Realm·Cold Bamboo Garden, the Forbidden City was gifted a Tai Sui Wood Bamboo by the Chi Ancestor.

From then on, she advanced fiercely on the path of cultivation, unstoppable.

To know that she advanced to the Great Success Stage of Demon Emperor on June 3rd, and today is only September 17th, she is already at the Peak Stage of Demon Emperor!

In just three and a half months, she advanced a small tier, what does this mean?

Never forget that, during the past three and a half months, the Forbidden City spent most of her time on the battlefield as one of the eight hundred warriors!

Therefore, she was full of confidence regarding the matter of becoming a Saint!

She turned her head and looked at her owner.

Yang Qingqing naturally felt happy for her beloved pet; her usually expressionless face finally showed a faint smile.

"Ying~" The Forbidden City restrained her aura, softly cooing.

She just hoped that in future crises, the owner would have one more choice.

The Forbidden City also wanted to fight bloodily like other Demon Pets, battle for her owner and shield her from dangers.

Yang Qingqing nodded lightly: "I heard your intention."

"Ying!"

The Forbidden City, full of determination, clenched her bear paw: "I can study Holy Level Demon Skills now."

Yang Qingqing cautioned: "You may dabble slightly, but do not force yourself."

The Chi Bear Race is particularly special, able to dabble in Holy Level Demon Skills at the Peak Earth Level.

This further distinguishes the Chi Bear Race from other Demon Beast groups in the world.

As the Chi Bears say: We are not just a Demon Beast group, we are the Chi Bear Tribe, and more so, a Chi Bear civilization!

Before Du Yu recovered the Tai Sui Wood Bamboo for the Chi Clan, the Chi Bears couldn’t advance to become a Saint; their strong members were stuck at the Peak of Demon Emperor.

And yet, the Chi Bears wanted to create Tai Sui Bamboo, to expand their territory and tribe, ensuring better continuation of their race.

Thus, through endless long years, the Chi Bears diligently researched day and night, ultimately...

They still failed.

The bamboo in the Chi Bears’ hands still couldn’t undergo qualitative changes, failing to become Tai Sui Bamboo, the mother of Bamboo Grove.

But by a twist of fate, the Chi Bear Race figured out how to employ Holy Grade Techniques shallowly at the Peak of Demon Emperor!

The Holy Grade Technique of Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear is named "Star Traveling and Electric Conquest".

This is an Instant Teleportation technique, during which the body of the Thunder Bamboo Chi Bear shatters like a star, only to be reconstituted by endless electric currents.

In fact, Du Yu had witnessed this technique long ago.

That was a few years ago, when the master and disciple recovered the lost Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo.

That night, countless Chi Bears gathered around the Red Bamboo Courtyard to welcome the Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo home.

The Celestial Flash Race Leader made a stunning appearance, assembling at the courtyard door through a method of electrical aggregation.

That was the Holy-grade Demon Skill, Star Traveling and Electric Conquest!

"Rest assured, master, the Forbidden City will certainly master it," the Forbidden City said solemnly.

Yang Qingqing frowned lightly: "I said, I allow you to dabble, but you must not force yourself."

This time, Yang Qingqing’s attitude was somewhat more forceful.

After all, to employ Holy Grade Techniques with a Demon Emperor’s body is purely defying the heavens!

No matter how much the heavens favor the Demon Beast Race, violation of rules can lead to consequences from a slight oversight.

The Celestial Flash Race Leader dared to use the Demon Skill·Star Traveling and Electric Conquest because it had undergone long years of hard cultivation.

At that time, the Celestial Flash, although lacking the title of a Demon Saint, was infinitely close to the Demon Saint Tier.

The Celestial Flash Race Leader simply lacked the hardware facilities for becoming a Saint, merely lacking the Tai Sui Wood Bamboo.

Now, the Chi Bear Race already has the key to open the door to becoming a Saint.

The Forbidden City doesn’t need to take risks; she can entirely wait to advance to become a Demon Saint before practicing the technique, when it will naturally be achievable.

"Ying." The Forbidden City was splashed with cold water, her previously exuberant spirit now somewhat subdued.

Yang Qingqing placed a hand down, pointing to the ground beside her.

"Ying~" The Forbidden City immediately got on all fours and crawled in front of the woman.

Yang Qingqing sat down beside her: "Crescent Lake."

The Forbidden City cautiously asked: "You are upset."

Yang Qingqing’s heart softened, petting her beloved pet’s fur: "Go faster."

"Ying!" The Forbidden City sped swiftly through the bamboo forest.

Behind, Little Tai Sui carried Yu and Wei, seeing Miss Forbidden City sprint, Tai Sui hurried to follow.

On the journey, Du Yu saw one team of soldiers after another.

The soldiers, without exception, stood at attention and saluted, seeing the master-disciple trio off.

The two Chi Bears moved like the wind, one behind the other, rushing into Crescent Lake Shore.

The lush bamboo forest remained, but the towering Tai Sui Bamboo was not visible.

However, the Tai Sui Bamboo was about to appear because...

"Crunch!" Yang Qingqing casually threw the Jade Gourd into the depths of the bamboo forest, the sound of the Jade Gourd shattering was exceptionally crisp.

"Woo!"

"Woo woo~" In an instant, a horde of wooing creatures filled the bamboo forest.

Thousands of black and white balls piled up into a mountain, the sight was indescribably cute.

The three master and disciples were not spared either, as the Chi Bears kept rolling in all directions, they were buried in the pile of plush toys too.

Du Yu and Lin Shiwei slowly flew up, looking down at the way the Xiongxiong rolled about.

The next scene deeply moved Du Yu.

Previously, the Chi Bears were all trapped inside the Jade Gourd, tightly imprisoned by it.

The warriors from the Mountain Realm met with the Chi Bear people inside the You Huang Realm, but they were unable to move a bit.

Now, the Chi Bears, completely freed from their shackles, were finally releasing their inner emotions.

The 800 Chi Bears set out for the continuation of the Chi Bear Race!

The Chi Bears left behind in You Huang constantly thought about their warrior kin.

When they met again after several months, the scene was utterly uncontrollable.

In the chaotic sounds of wooing, the Chi Bears embraced each other excitedly, cheered with joy, and even cried tears of happiness!

However...

The Chi Bears left in the You Huang Realm were overwhelmed by the joy of reunion.

Most of them didn’t notice that the expressions of the warriors returning from the Mountain Realm were not quite natural.

No matter what, the intensity of the Chi Bears’ emotions left Du Yu full of reflections.

He knew in his heart that the joyous atmosphere wouldn’t last long.

Some Chi Bears were destined never to find their families, to never see their brothers and sisters.

A total of 86 warriors died on the battlefield, their bodies were brought back to the Mountain Realm and temporarily buried in a bamboo forest.

Moreover, the number of casualties might still rise.

Because there were still dozens of Chi Bear warriors existing as Demon Souls within the Acupoint Home of human soldiers.

Can these Chi Bears rebuild their bodies?

It can only be left to fate.

Du Yu did his utmost since he returned from logging and rushed to Xiangcha City, and the Mountain Army had no further casualties.

What’s more, Du Yu returned the Mountain Army to the Mountain Realm half a month earlier.

But Du Yu was not an almighty divine being.

Before the logging, he had cultivated for two months under the Twin Trees, but during this period, he could not traverse back in time to save those Mountain Army soldiers who perished.

He once considered using the vacant Acupoint Homes to help the Demon Souls of the Mountain Army rebuild their bodies.

But the Chi Bears, Enchanting Demons, Yue Mountain Lions, Lynxes, etc., in Demon Soul state, could disperse at any moment. They couldn’t make reckless moves, nor leave the acupoints of human soldiers.

Therefore, Du Yu had to find each soldier in possession of Mountain Army Demon Souls and asked Little Fen Yang to help stabilize and nourish the Demon Souls.

Fortunately, the efforts of Du Yu and Little Fen Yang had shown impressive results.

Unfortunately, Little Fen Yang could only assist the Demon Souls of Fire Attribute Demonic Beasts...

As for the Mountain Army Demon Souls of other attributes, the Burning Sun Supreme was powerless.

Du Yu also couldn’t graft Fire Attribute onto the Demon Soul state soldiers of the Mountain Army.

Everything truly depends on fate.

Returning to the present, at this time, a total of 86 Chi Bear warriors’ bodies and Demon Crystals were being carried by a unit led by Hongye.

This unit was located within Master Qing’s Map of Jiangshan, waiting for Master Qing to open the map and to escort the heroes home.

As for Yang Qingqing...

She rode on the Forbidden City, retreating to the side from afar, unwilling to disturb the atmosphere, nor to see the Chi Bears saddened.

However, what must come, will inevitably come.

"Woo!" In the ocean of Chi Bears, a little Chi Bear, less than 1 meter tall, struggled to move, anxiously searching for something.

To human eyes, all Chi Bears looked almost the same.

But for Chi Bears, every face was different.

"Woo!" The Chi Bear struggled to push through the bear crowd, resting a hand on the arm of a tall Chi Bear.

With a heart full of joy, the little Chi Bear looked up at the tall tribesman’s face looking down, and immediately, the little Chi Bear’s face stiffened.

Not this one, not this one again.

Still not this one.

"Warrior, have you seen my dad? He’s from the Ninth Wind Bamboo Tribe, his name is Feng Zhi."

The Chi Bear warrior’s eyes dodged a bit, opening his mouth, but before he could say anything, the little Chi Bear proceeded to search forward again.

One by one, Chi Bears stood out in this joyful ocean.

The lively noises at the Crescent Lake Shore gradually faded under the actions of this unique group.

One Chi Bear warrior after another stood motionless like a stake, quietly allowing the tribesmen to search.

From afar, Yang Qingqing let out a deep sigh, unfolding the Seven-foot Map of the Realm with one hand.

Several enormous Dixiu Leaves sent out a hundred Chi Bears.

"Woo! Woo!!!" cried the little Chi Bear, emotions surging in its heart.

Dad!

Dad, you’re okay!

The little Chi Bear finally saw the long-desired Feng Zhi, crying tears of joy, scampering with its short legs, dashing forward.

However, it had just covered two steps before halting.

With tear-blurred eyes, the little Chi Bear saw each Chi Bear warrior carrying a tribesman.

These tribesmen were either bodies or Demon Crystals.

Including its father Feng Zhi, whose face was so grave, was holding a Wind Element Chi Bear Demon Crystal in his arms.

"Woo~"

"Woo~~~" The sorrowful roars of the bears, the mournful sobs, echoed across the Crescent Lake Shore.

Just a second before, it was a sea of happiness, and the next, the joy of reunion vanished without a trace.

"Shasha~"

An autumn breeze swept across the Crescent Lake Shore, gently swaying the bamboo forest, making the bamboo leaves rustle.

Hongye cradled a cold, slightly decayed corpse, tenderly whispered, "Kinsman, do you hear it?"

"Can you hear?"

"The sound of bamboo leaves."

"Kinsman, we are home now, we are home."