Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

At Bai Lingyun’s words, Han Yu started in surprise, his gaze snapping to the solitary white crane. “Has something happened to Senior Brother Hua?”

The crane, possessing a spiritual intelligence, dipped its vermilion crown in a slow, solemn nod.

Han Yu’s heart sank. “What happened? Is he… is he still with us?”

“Let me ask,” Bai Lingyun interjected, stepping forward. “I practice beast taming; I can understand its intent.”

Bai Lingyun communicated silently with his own crane, which then chattered and postured with Hua Qi’s bird. A moment later, Bai Lingyun let out a long breath, his shoulders sagging in relief.

“Senior Brother Hua is alive. He fought someone outside the sect and brought back two refugees, but… he lost an arm in the battle.”

Bai Lingyun pointed toward the administrative district. “He is currently at the Deacon’s Office with the two survivors.”

Lost an arm? Han Yu’s expression tightened. For a cultivator, losing a limb was a grave injury. That Hua Qi had managed to return alive suggested the battle had been vicious.

At least he kept his life, Han Yu thought. That is a fortune amidst misfortune.

He beckoned Hua Qi’s crane to lead the way. Driven by curiosity and concern, Bai Lingyun followed, with Bai Shiqi and the little girl, “Vinegar Saucer,” trailing behind.

Leaving the Battle Hall, Bai Shiqi retrieved a magical artifact shaped like a large Plantain Leaf. He tossed it into the air, where it expanded and hovered, allowing him to step onto it effortlessly.

Han Yu watched the boy manipulate his Spirit Breath with practiced ease. “Junior Brother Bai, what level of Qi Refining are you now?”

“Second layer,” Bai Shiqi replied modestly.

Han Yu couldn’t help but marvel. “A Single Wood Spirit Root is truly terrifying. In less than a month, you’ve already reached the second layer.”

“It isn’t just my speed,” Bai Shiqi added earnestly. “Master has helped me a great deal. Without him, I wouldn’t be this fast.”

Bai Lingyun looked on with undisguised envy. “If only I had such aptitude. Seventeenth Brother is destined to become a Golden Core cultivator one day.”

Han Yu nodded in agreement. The group sped toward the Deacon’s Office on their artifacts.

Inside, Elder Bai and Senior Sister Li Yunxia were already managing the situation.

When Hua Qi saw Han Yu enter with the white crane, a look of emotion crossed his pale face. “Junior Brother Han, you didn’t need to come. I let the crane wander to show I was alive.”

He gestured to his bandaged shoulder with his remaining hand. “Deacon Liu has already administered a Rejuvenation Pill and a Blood Generating Pill. The injury has stabilized. It’s just a pity about the arm… cultivation will be somewhat inconvenient from now on.”

Han Yu looked at the empty sleeve where Hua Qi’s left arm used to be. His robes were shredded, and the bloodstains were still tacky and wet.

“What happened?” Han Yu asked.

Hua Qi beckoned to the two figures cowering behind him. “This child is Ji Yida’s niece. She is six years old.”

He sighed heavily. “When I went to handle Ji Yida’s funeral arrangements, I found his family in ruins. His parents had passed away. His eldest brother, a merchant, was captured by the Spirit Beast Sect and taken to Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain—fate unknown. His younger brother was a drunkard and a gambler who died in his twenties, leaving behind a wife and this niece.”

Hua Qi’s voice hardened. “The wife was heartless. When her husband was alive, she endured his beatings in silence. But the moment he died, she sold her own daughter to a landlord and remarried.”

“I investigated the landlord. They hadn’t tortured the girl, but they frightened her and beat her palms. I couldn’t leave her there, so I paid to buy her back.”

He glanced at Senior Sister Li. “I’ve already spoken to Senior Sister Li. She agreed to let the girl stay at the Spirit Field Department. At least she won’t starve.”

Han Yu looked at the dark-skinned, emaciated girl. She looked even more wretched than “Vinegar Saucer.” At least Vinegar Saucer had Bai Shiqi to protect her; this girl had been betrayed by her own mother.

“What’s your name?” Vinegar Saucer asked from her perch on Bai Lingyun’s crane.

“I’m called Stinky Girl,” the skinny girl whispered, using the humble nickname given to village children.

“Do you want to ride the big white crane?” Vinegar Saucer offered.

“I rode it on the way here,” Stinky Girl replied softly. “Uncle Hua let me.”

The two little girls began to chatter, their innocent voices filling the room, momentarily masking the tragedy that had brought them together.

Han Yu turned his gaze to the second survivor—a strikingly beautiful woman of about eighteen or nineteen.

“This is Miss Qi Feiyan,” Hua Qi introduced. “She possesses a Novice Keepsake Token from our Wanchun Valley and intends to join the sect.”

“She was being hunted by a Demonic Cultivator in the late stages of Qi Refining near Qiuxian Town,” Hua Qi explained, his face grim. “A Wanchun Valley token cannot be allowed to fall into demonic hands. Furthermore, she is a descendant of a former disciple. I couldn’t just stand by and watch her die.”

Han Yu frowned deeply. “Senior Brother Hua, that was impulsive.”

He looked at the empty sleeve again. “Without absolute certainty of victory, how could you rush in to save someone?”

Hua Qi gave an awkward, pained smile. “Before we fought, I didn’t expect the Demonic Cultivator to be so strong. I thought that with my training in the Battle Hall, I could hold my own.”

“Besides, we were so close to the valley. I figured even if I couldn’t win, I could run. The situation was urgent… I just acted.”

Han Yu remained silent, offering no validation.

Was it true? Is this woman good or bad? Who knows.

If it were him, he wouldn’t have gambled his life like Hua Qi.

A late-stage Demonic Cultivator chasing a mortal, conveniently witnessed by a sect disciple? The setup smelled like a trap. Han Yu would rather let a stranger suffer bad luck than bet his life on a coincidence. If she was killed, he could always avenge her later from a position of safety.

Of course, if it were a friend, the calculation would be different. But for a stranger? Never.

Han Yu glanced at Elder Bai, his suspicion evident in his eyes.

Elder Bai seemed to read Han Yu’s thoughts. “I will handle this matter properly,” he said calmly. “We have just tested her aptitude. Qi Feiyan has Water and Earth dual Spirit Roots. Her talent is quite good.”

“However, rules are rules. She must cultivate first, become an Outer Disciple, and accept sect assignments before she is fully trusted.”

The beautiful woman, Qi Feiyan, bowed gracefully. “Yes, Elder Bai.”

Seeing that Hua Qi was stable and the sect elders were taking control, Han Yu didn’t linger. He greeted Senior Sister Li and returned to his cave mansion to resume his routine.

That night, Han Yu sat cross-legged, condensing the Star Luo Thread.

Above him, the seven bright stars shone down. He ignored them, focusing on his internal energy.

Suddenly, he felt a sensation of fullness. A surge of joy washed over him.

Success.

The sixth Star Luo Thread was finally complete. Tomorrow, he could begin condensing the seventh.

Just as he finished his session, Elder Lu’s voice drifted over, stopping him.

“Disciple. Be vigilant in the coming days. The sect may have been infiltrated again.”

Han Yu paused, turning to his Master. Elder Lu’s expression was grave.

“Among the disciples recruited at the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony, there may be sleepers arranged by our enemies. The two people Hua Qi brought back today—and even Hua Qi himself—you must not trust them too deeply.”

Han Yu was shocked. “Senior Brother Hua? You think he’s compromised?”

“That Qi Feiyan… the timing is too coincidental,” Elder Lu mused. “We checked her, and she seems clean. Hua Qi may truly be innocent. But doubt is a survival tool. If there is even a sliver of suspicion, keep your distance.”

Elder Lu paced slowly. “The outside world uses methods far more vicious and bizarre than anything you have seen in Wanchun Valley. You cannot guard against them with naive trust.”

“And that includes Senior Brother Bai’s new favorite disciple, Bai Shiqi. You must be wary of him as well.”

Han Yu’s eyes widened. “Even him? He’s just a child.”

“I didn’t suspect him initially,” Elder Lu said darkly. “But we received news today. The beggar boss, Wei Baoyu… he escaped from the Nanli Kingdom authorities.”

Han Yu stiffened. Escaped? A mortal escaped the royal guards?

“That is a massive anomaly,” Elder Lu continued. “Senior Brother Bai naturally wants to trust and protect his disciple, so I cannot openly criticize him. But the connection is dangerous.”

Elder Lu looked Han Yu in the eye, his gaze intense.

“Do not lightly trust anyone who has approached you recently.”

“I have a feeling that the Little Sky Net Sect sending Lin Lingxiu to challenge you was merely the opening move.”

“For you, the real trouble is just beginning.”