Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Chapter 194: Smooth Breakthrough

“The Great Zhou Crown Prince is back?” Han Yu asked, surprised. “Wasn’t the transaction already completed?”

“He has returned,” Elder Lü confirmed, stroking his beard. “We don’t know why. Perhaps he wants another Hundred-Year Spiritwood Heart. Or perhaps something else entirely.”

Elder Lü frowned slightly. “Tomorrow, the Sect Leader will take us to meet them. We need to see if there is new intelligence and figure out what this unexpected royal guest is really after.”

Han Yu nodded, filing the information away. He then shifted the topic to the day’s events at the Battle Hall—specifically, Qi Feiyan’s aggressive courtship of Hua Qi.

“Master,” Han Yu concluded, “I know she passed the inspection. Her history seems clean. But my intuition… I cannot shake the feeling that there is something wrong with that woman.”

“I checked her myself,” Elder Lü said slowly. “Her meridians and dantian show only the Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method. No hidden seals, no foreign energy.”

He looked at Han Yu with a gentle but firm expression. “Disciple, I trust your instincts. But we cannot persecute a Dual Spirit Root disciple based on a gut feeling. Wanchun Valley is not a sect that kills its own without proof.”

“Besides,” Elder Lü added, “even if she was sent by someone, she is effectively a blank slate. She started her cultivation here. If we treat her well, she might become a true disciple of Wanchun Valley. Loyalty can be cultivated.”

Han Yu considered this. “You make a fair point, Master. We will give her a chance.”

For now, he thought. If she makes a move, she dies. Simple as that.

“Good,” Elder Lü said. “Keep watching her. Now, tell me about your progress.”

“With your ‘Universal Comprehension,’ the Wood Spirit Body Refining Technique should be proceeding smoothly.”

Han Yu nodded.

“And the Soul Condensing Sword Art?” Elder Lü asked, a hint of concern in his voice. “Don’t push yourself too hard. Soul techniques are notoriously difficult. Most Foundation Establishment cultivators wait until the late stage to even attempt them.”

Elder Lü smiled reassuringly. “If you find it too difficult, don’t worry. I spoke to Sect Leader Qi. He has agreed to personally guide your soul when you are ready. With a Golden Core cultivator’s assistance, you won’t need to struggle alone.”

Han Yu froze.

Master… why didn’t you say that earlier?

He had just spent a precious Sword Heart Spirit Crystal and endured the agony of having his soul shredded by Sword Intent… and now he found out there was a safe, guided option available all along?

He swallowed the retort. No matter. The crystal gave me true Sword Intent. A guided session wouldn’t have given me that.

“Thank you, Master,” Han Yu said, bowing deeply. “I am grateful for the Sect Leader’s offer.”

He straightened up. “However… it is no longer necessary. I have already mastered the Soul Condensing Sword Art and begun condensing my soul.”

Elder Lü’s smile froze. He blinked, processing the words.

“You… what?”

“I have learned it.”

Elder Lü stared at his disciple, his expression shifting from shock to pure, unadulterated delight.

“Universal Comprehension… truly Universal Comprehension!” Elder Lü laughed, slapping his thigh. “Disciple, you constantly surprise me! I thought you would need a year just to grasp the basics! Your talent is far beyond our estimates!”

“The Sect Leader was right to choose you as the successor. His eyes are sharp as torches!”

Han Yu smiled awkwardly as his master heaped praises on him. If you knew I cheated with a System item, you might be less impressed.

Han Yu returned to his room, escaping his master’s exuberant pride.

The night was quiet. Han Yu sat by the window, holding a Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pill.

The Boss Crow was waiting for him. The massive bird didn’t return to the Spirit Beast Bag; instead, it lay prostrate on the floor, its dark golden eyes fixed on Han Yu with unusual intensity.

Master, the crow projected, its mental voice serious. Tonight is the night. I am breaking through to the Late Qi Refining Stage.

If anything goes wrong… please help me.

Han Yu nodded solemnly. “I’m right here.”

Beast cultivation was much like human cultivation—the higher you climbed, the steeper the cliff. For a wild beast, a breakthrough was a moment of supreme vulnerability. A distraction or a spike in energy could lead to death.

The crow swallowed the pill.

It closed its eyes, its breathing slowing until it entered a deep, coma-like trance.

Han Yu settled onto his meditation mat, taking out a Jade Slip on Artifact Refining. He would guard his companion through the night.

Time ticked by. The moon climbed high and began its descent.

As he studied the Jade Slip, Han Yu’s mind wandered to his stockpile of Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart.

Eighteen blocks. All drained of spirit energy.

They were useless for cultivation now, but perfect for crafting. He considered engraving them with explosive arrays. With his current Qi Refining cultivation, precision engraving was difficult, but the Soul Condensing Sword Art improved his control significantly.

If I turn these blocks into ‘Object Explosion Technique’ grenades…

The thought was interrupted by a sudden surge of Spiritual Qi.

Han Yu looked up.

The Boss Crow was glowing.

A rhythmic pulse of energy radiated from its body. The bird, originally five feet long, began to stretch. It wasn’t just growing; it was evolving.

Its bones cracked and lengthened. Its tail feathers extended, trailing out to nearly seven feet. The black plumage took on a metallic sheen, harder than steel yet softer than silk. Spiritual Qi poured into the room, swirling around the bird like a vortex, feeding the transformation.

Han Yu watched, ready to intervene, but the process was stable.

A quarter of an hour later, the light faded.

The Boss Crow opened its eyes. Dark gold irises burned with newfound intelligence and power.

It flipped onto its feet with terrifying agility. It now stood two feet tall at the shoulder, a sleek, lethal predator.

It ruffled its feathers, releasing a wave of pressure that was unmistakably Late Stage Qi Refining.

Caw.

Master. I made it.