Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Chapter 195: Astonishing Talent

Han Yu ran his hand along the Boss Crow’s newly grown, seven-foot wingspan.

The feathers were as black as midnight, gleaming with a metallic luster. The massive bird puffed out its chest, its dark golden eyes radiating pride.

Whoosh.

It flapped its wings, whipping up a localized cyclone. The wind pressure alone carved shallow gouges into the stone floor. This wasn’t a technique; it was sheer physical force. A simple flap now carried the kinetic energy of a mortal warrior’s blade.

Han Yu assessed the transformation. The wings, beak, and talons had hardened to the level of early Qi Refining magical artifacts. Standard techniques would bounce off its plumage. A low-level defensive barrier would shatter under its claws like glass.

Go, Han Yu projected.

The crow shot into the sky like a black arrow, vanishing into the dawn light.

A few seconds later, it dove. It plummeted like a meteor, pulling up at the last second to strafe the training dummies in the courtyard.

Caw!

The bird opened its beak, unleashing five deep-cyan wind blades.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.

The targets were obliterated, deep gashes carved into the wood.

“Not bad,” Han Yu murmured, nodding in approval. “Each blade is stronger than before. Five in rapid succession… that’s enough to breach the defense of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.”

He glanced at the bird as it landed. “Is the hierarchy still stable? The flock listens to you?”

The Boss Crow let out a scoffing caw. Who would dare disobey me?

Just then, footsteps approached from outside the courtyard.

“Disciple?” Elder Lü called out. “I saw your spirit bird taking flight. Are you ready? It is time to see the Sect Leader.”

“Coming, Master.”

Han Yu tidied his robes and stepped out, the massive crow hopping dutifully behind him.

Elder Lü stopped dead. He stared at the spirit beast, his eyes widening as he took in its increased size and aura.

“Wait,” Lü said, blinking. “I didn’t notice earlier… did it break through?”

“Yes, Master. Last night. It is now a Late-Stage Qi Refining beast.”

“Late Stage?” Elder Lü circled the bird, reaching out to tap a feather. It rang like metal. “Tsk, tsk. Incredible. The jump from mid to late stage is a massive hurdle for spirit beasts. For it to happen so smoothly… you must be feeding it well.”

“The crows work hard,” Han Yu said modestly.

In truth, it was more than just hard work. Han Yu had fed the flock his own essence blood and bound them with the Beast Heart Psychic Pact. This wasn’t a master-slave relationship; it was a symbiosis. They were fanatically loyal because they were part of him.

“Well, they are certainly… spirited,” Elder Lü muttered. “The sect’s white cranes have filed several complaints. Apparently, your flock is quite the bully.”

Lü glanced at the Boss Crow. The bird returned the look with an expression that clearly said, ‘And I’ll do it again.’

Elder Lü sighed. “Don’t look at me like that. Leave the cranes alone. No one is going to punish you, so stop holding grudges.”

Han Yu flicked the crow’s beak. Clang.

“Did you hear the Master? No more bullying the cranes.”

The crow grumbled a reluctant assent.

“Alright, enough bird talk,” Elder Lü said, stepping onto his flying boat. “Let’s go.”

They landed before the massive bronze tripod outside the Main Hall. Inside, Sect Leader Qi, Elder Yan, and Elder Wen were already deep in discussion.

“…Planting the Mystic Spirit Ginseng isn’t the hard part,” Elder Wen was saying. “The problem is keeping it. It tries to escape underground. We’ll need a Golden Core cultivator on guard duty 24/7.”

“I’ll do it,” Elder Yan volunteered immediately. “You plant, I guard. Foolproof.”

Elder Wen smiled at him. “Naturally. I wouldn’t trust anyone else.”

She turned back to the Sect Leader. “The Jade Spirit Berry is trickier. It needs geothermal liquid to grow. It’s rare and finicky. Han Yu’s request for it was… ambitious.”

Han Yu stepped forward, bowing. “It is due to the Sect’s generosity that I can even make such requests. If it causes trouble, the fault is mine.”

“Nonsense,” Sect Leader Qi waved a hand. “If we succeed, the entire sect benefits. And the intelligence we get from the traveling merchant regarding the Central Heaven Domain? That is worth more than Spirit Stones.”

Elder Wen chuckled, twirling a lock of her snow-white hair. “I wasn’t complaining. You just have too many schemes, boy. If my lazy disciple Lu Yun had half your brain, I’d sleep better at night.”

Elder Lü burst out laughing. “Schemes? You don’t know the half of it. This kid… he’s already condensed his soul. Without guidance.”

Silence descended on the hall.

Sect Leader Qi, Elder Yan, and Elder Wen all froze, turning to stare at Han Yu.

“He… what?” Elder Wen asked.

“He condensed his soul,” Elder Lü repeated, beaming like a proud father. “Successfully.”

“Did you help him?” Elder Wen asked suspiciously.

“Me?” Elder Lü scoffed. “I didn’t touch soul arts until Foundation Establishment. I was planning to ask the Sect Leader to help him. But nope. He just did it himself.”

Sect Leader Qi let out a breathy laugh. “Universal Comprehension… truly, the name fits.”

“Elder Lü,” Qi said, shaking his head, “your disciple’s talent is… frightening.”

Elder Lü laughed again, louder this time.

Elder Wen narrowed her eyes at him. “Lu Qing, you’re enjoying this too much. Are you trying to provoke me because my disciple is lazy?”

“No, no,” Elder Lü waved his hands, realizing he might have pushed too far. “I just found out last night. I had to tell the Sect Leader so he wouldn’t waste time preparing a ritual.”

“Is that so?” Elder Wen smiled sweetly—a dangerous sign. “Or do you just like showing off?”

Under the combined gaze of three heavyweights, Elder Lü started to sweat. “Sect Leader… aren’t we going to the market? We should leave.”

Sect Leader Qi smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Yes, we are going. And since we have so much to discuss… Elder Yan and Elder Wen should come with us. You can chat with Elder Lü on the way.”

Elder Lü’s face fell. You did that on purpose.

Sect Leader Qi’s eyes twinkled. Absolutely. You stole the disciple who learned my ‘Star Luo Traction Technique,’ and now you brag about him? Suffer a little.

Han Yu kept his head down, wisely deciding that the politics of Golden Core elders was a battlefield he wanted no part of.

The group boarded the Green Jade Gourd and flew out of the valley, arriving quickly above the Green Grain Market.

They landed in front of the restaurant and were ushered to “Room B” by the nervous shopkeeper.

The door opened.

The traveling merchant’s Foundation Establishment puppet stood there, a welcoming smile painted on its wooden face.

“Sect Leader Qi! I was just telling His Highness the Crown Prince that you would be arriving.”

The puppet stepped back, gesturing grandly. “Please, come in! I have brought news, and I am eager to trade.”