100: Inner Court Ranking

The three Inner Academy Students' gazes were like lightning, instantly locking onto another Fourth-Tier Magical Beast—the Dark Gold Demon Spider.

"Looks like there's still some harvest."

The Stern Youth's lips curled slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Kill it and see if there's a magical core."

The Sturdy Youth, holding a crimson flame beast armor, grinned, battle intent surging.

The three cooperated tacitly, with almost no unnecessary communication; their figures flashed, and they had already surrounded the Dark Gold Demon Spider in a triangular formation.

"Sword Shadow!"

The Stern Youth drew his sword, and the longsword behind him suddenly unsheathed, transforming into several sharp sword qi, instantly blocking the Demon Spider's retreat.

"Mountain-Shaking Staff!"

The Sturdy Youth let out a low roar, sweeping his long staff, and violent Dou Qi surged like an angry tide towards the Demon Spider, forcing it to retreat step by step.

"Poison Corrosion!"

The Blue-Clad Maiden gently twirled her jade flute, and the faint green poisonous mist from her fingertips transformed into fine threads, silently coiling around the Demon Spider's eight long legs, instantly slowing its movements.

"Hiss—!"

The Dark Gold Demon Spider let out a sharp hiss, a look of terror appearing in its eight dark gold eyes, struggling wildly, but it was already useless.

"Die!"

The Stern Youth's eyes turned cold, and his sword light was like lightning, instantly piercing through the Demon Spider's head!

"Bang!"

The Demon Spider's massive body crashed to the ground, its eight long legs twitched a few times, then completely fell silent.

The Sturdy Youth strode forward, used his long staff to pry open the Demon Spider's head, reached in, and indeed pulled out a magical core glowing with dark golden light!

"Another magical core!"

He grinned, clearly very satisfied with this harvest.

Only then did the three truly have leisure to look at Jiang Donghua.

The Stern Youth's gaze was sharp, sizing him up, especially when he saw the blood fang saber in his hand and the crimson flame beast armor on his body, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Little brother, who are you?"

He asked directly, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable pressure.

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, suppressing the surging Dou Qi within him, and cupped his fists.

"I am Jiang Donghua, an Outer Academy Student of Jia Nan Academy. Thank you, three senior brothers and sisters, for your help."

"Outer Academy Student?"

The Blue-Clad Maiden's eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"How can an Outer Academy Student like you have Fifth-Tier weapons and armor? And, you actually dare to venture deep into this mountain forest alone?"

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, not answering directly, only saying,

"It was a fortunate acquisition; I came out to gain some experience."

The Stern Youth's gaze was profound, seemingly seeing through his caution, and he said lightly,

"Being able to fight a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast alone, your strength doesn't seem like that of an ordinary Outer Academy Student."

The Sturdy Youth laughed heartily, patting Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Who cares, this kid really suits my taste! How about it, want to join us? The depths of this mountain forest are not peaceful; it's too dangerous for you alone."

Jiang Donghua's heart stirred. These three were powerful, and if he could travel with them, he might be able to gather more information about the Inner Academy, or even find an opportunity for a breakthrough.

But he didn't agree immediately, instead asking tentatively,

"Are the three senior brothers and sisters on some mission?"

The Stern Youth glanced at him and said lightly,

"Hunting high-tier magical beasts, collecting magical cores, and by the way..."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly frowned and abruptly looked up towards the depths of the dense forest.

"Something's coming!"

Jiang Donghua's heart tightened. Following his gaze, he saw a pair of scarlet giant eyes slowly opening from within the distant tree shadows, and a cold, violent aura surged like a tide!

"Fifth-Tier Magical Beast?!"

"Go!"

The Stern Youth reacted extremely quickly, grabbing Jiang Donghua's shoulder, his figure like lightning, instantly retreating rapidly!

"Boom—!"

Almost at the same instant, the ground where they had stood was shattered by a giant black claw, gravel flying, and dust rising!

Fifth-Tier Magical Beast—Shadow Demon Tiger!

The owner of the scarlet giant eyes finally revealed its true form: a colossal black tiger, as large as a small mountain, enveloped in a chilling shadow Dou Qi, its fangs menacing, its claws like blades. With every step it took, the ground trembled slightly!

"Damn it, how can a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast appear in the outer perimeter?!"

The Sturdy Youth's face changed slightly, but his battle intent increased rather than decreased.

"Retreat first! We can't directly confront this beast!"

The Stern Youth said in a deep voice, while his speed did not diminish, leading Jiang Donghua swiftly away from the battlefield.

The Blue-Clad Maiden followed closely, poisonous mist swirling at her fingertips, ready to block any pursuit.

Jiang Donghua was carried along at high speed, his heart filled with shock.

These three, facing a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, could still remain so calm, and even had the capacity to bring along a burden like him!

Inner Academy Students are indeed formidable!

A moment later, the four finally shook off the Shadow Demon Tiger's pursuit and stopped in a hidden cave.

"Phew, we're safe for now."

The Sturdy Youth let out a long breath, plopped down on the ground, and grinned.

"Little brother, you weren't scared just now, were you?"

Jiang Donghua shook his head and cupped his fists.

"Thank you three for saving my life."

The Stern Youth nodded slightly and said lightly,

"It was nothing."

The Blue-Clad Maiden, however, stared at Jiang Donghua's arm, her brows slightly furrowed.

"You were poisoned by the Blood Shadow Demon Spider?"

Jiang Donghua nodded.

"Yes, but I've suppressed it with Dou Qi."

The maiden snorted coldly.

"Suppressed? This poison can corrode Dou Qi. If you drag it out any longer, this hand of yours will be crippled."

Without another word, she grabbed Jiang Donghua's wrist. Faint green poisonous mist swirled around her fingertips, actually infiltrating in reverse along the poisoned veins!

"Hiss..."

Jiang Donghua gasped, feeling a sharp pain from his arm, but the purplish-black poison was forced out at a visible speed!

"Don't move!"

The maiden said coldly.

"My poison cultivation just happens to counteract its poison. Bear with it!"

Jiang Donghua gritted his teeth and nodded, but he was secretly surprised.

This maiden's poison-attributed Dou Qi could actually counteract the Blood Shadow Demon Spider's potent venom?

What a domineering Poison Cultivator!

A moment later, the poison was completely expelled. The maiden retracted her poisonous mist and said lightly,

"It's done."

Jiang Donghua moved his arm, found that the numbness had completely disappeared, and immediately thanked her solemnly.

"Thank you, Senior Sister!"

The maiden glanced at him and suddenly said,

"You have the smell of poison on you, but you're not a Poison Cultivator. What have you been in contact with?"

Jiang Donghua was startled, then remembered that he had tried to refine poison pills under Mo Xuan's guidance. Although he hadn't succeeded, he inevitably got some traces of poison on him.

"I just occasionally came into contact with some poisonous substances; I wouldn't consider myself a Poison Cultivator."

He explained vaguely.

The maiden looked thoughtful but did not press further.

At this moment, the Sturdy Youth laughed heartily, patting Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Alright, stop with all the thanking! We've fought side by side, let's get acquainted!"

He pointed to the Stern Youth.

"This is Xiao Han, number seven on the inner academy strong ranking list, a sword cultivator!"

Then he pointed to the Blue-Clad Maiden.

"This is Liu Qingsi, number twelve on the strong ranking list, a Poison Cultivator!"

Finally, he patted his own chest.

"I'm Lei Lie, number fifteen on the strong ranking list, specializing in staff techniques!"

Jiang Donghua's heart trembled. strong ranking list students!

The Jia Nan Academy inner academy strong ranking list included only the top talents in the Dou Ling realm. Those who made the list were all monstrous existences!

These three were all strong ranking list powerhouses!

Xiao Han looked at Jiang Donghua and said lightly,

"Now, it's your turn to speak."

"An Outer Academy Student, able to fight a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast alone, and with Fifth-Tier weapons and armor, who exactly are you?"

Lei Lie and Liu Qingsi also stared at him intently, clearly very curious about his background.

Jiang Donghua gave a wry smile, knowing he couldn't hide it, and said,

"To be honest, my master is Mo Xuan."

"Mo Xuan?!"

All three changed color simultaneously.

Lei Lie's eyes widened.

"That Fifth-Grade Alchemist from the Outer Academy?!"

Liu Qingsi's eyes flashed.

"No wonder you have Fifth-Tier equipment; so you're his elder's disciple."

"No wonder I could smell a scent I dislike on you; so you're an Alchemist!"

Xiao Han was silent for a moment, then suddenly said,

"In that case, you should join us."

"This mountain forest hasn't been peaceful lately; high-tier magical beasts are frequently appearing, and there are even rumors of a rare treasure appearing."

Jiang Donghua's heart skipped a beat.

"rare treasure?"

Lei Lie grinned.

"How about it, interested?"

Battle intent ignited in Jiang Donghua's eyes, and he nodded without hesitation.

"I couldn't ask for more!"