101: Holding too tightly

Lei Lie laughed heartily, patted Jiang Donghua on the shoulder, his tone cheerful but with a hint of warning.

"Junior Brother, your strength should only be that of a Great Dou Master, right? The road ahead won't be easy. If you really encounter danger, you must hide well. We might not be able to protect you completely while distracted."

Xiao Han's expression was calm, but his words also conveyed reality.

"As for that rare treasure, according to the inner academy strong ranking list's speculation, it's highly likely to be some kind of rare medicinal ingredient, perhaps even the legendary Fire Lotus, which is an invaluable treasure for fire-attribute cultivators and Alchemists."

Liu Qingsi's fingertips were entwined with a wisp of poisonous mist, and she glanced at Jiang Donghua with a half-smile.

"Speaking of which, since Junior Brother is Elder Mo Xuan's disciple, what is your Alchemist grade...?"

A test!

Jiang Donghua knew well that although these three were willing to take him along, they ultimately wanted to gauge his value.

After all, in this world where the strong prey on the weak, there is no goodwill without reason.

He smiled slightly, his tone humble but frank.

"I am but an unworthy Fourth-Grade Alchemist."

"Hiss—"

The three's expressions changed drastically. Lei Lie's eyes widened directly, and he exclaimed in a lost voice.

"Fourth-Grade?! How old are you?!"

Xiao Han's gaze sharpened, and his originally indifferent expression finally showed a hint of fluctuation.

The poisonous mist on Liu Qingsi's fingertips paused slightly, and her red lips parted, revealing a rare trace of surprise.

"A Fourth-Grade Alchemist, in terms of status, you can already compare to a Dou Wang Expert."

A Fourth-Grade Alchemist was a rarity, even in the Inner Academy!

They had originally only intended to do a favor and look after this Outer Academy disciple who might have a background, never expecting the other party to be a hidden Alchemist genius!

Lei Lie scratched his head, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Good heavens! Just now I was boasting about protecting you. Now it seems, if we really run into trouble, we might even have to rely on your pills to save our lives!"

Xiao Han was silent for a moment, then actually clasped his fists proactively, his tone a few shades more serious.

"Junior Brother Jiang, I was rude earlier."

A Fourth-Grade Alchemist was worth him putting aside the arrogance of being seventh on the strong ranking list!

Liu Qingsi's eyes darted around, then she suddenly chuckled softly.

"It seems we've stumbled upon a rare treasure on this trip."

The poisonous mist on her fingertips quietly dissipated, and her tone was uncharacteristically gentle.

"Junior Brother Jiang, if you need help with detoxification or alchemy later, please don't hesitate to lend a hand."

The attitude shift happened in a single sentence!

Jiang Donghua understood in his heart but was not annoyed.

This was reality; strength and value were the foundation for standing firm.

He cupped his hands and smiled.

"It is Donghua's good fortune that the three Senior Brothers and Senior Sister are willing to let me accompany you. If there is a need, I will naturally do my best."

Lei Lie excitedly rubbed his hands together.

"Hehe, with Junior Brother Jiang here, our chances of getting that rare treasure are even greater! If those guys on the strong ranking list knew we had a Fourth-Grade Alchemist in our team, they'd probably be green with envy!"

Xiao Han nodded slightly, then suddenly said.

"No time to lose, let's continue on our way. According to intelligence, that rare treasure is most likely to appear near the Lava Valley."

Liu Qingsi added.

"But be careful, besides Magical Beasts, there are also others from the strong ranking list eyeing this thing."

In the following days, Jiang Donghua completely witnessed the terrifying strength of the Inner Academy's experts.

Xiao Han, a Nine-Star Dou Ling!

With one sword strike, a cold light tore through the air, and a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast didn't even have time to let out a wail before it was shredded by the sword qi!

Liu Qingsi, a Seven-Star Dou Ling!

Where the poisonous mist passed, vegetation withered, and once a Magical Beast was tainted, its flesh and blood melted away in an instant, leaving only stark white bones!

Lei Lie, a Seven-Star Dou Ling!

His long staff swept across, causing mountains to collapse and the earth to crack. The hard shell of a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast was like paper in front of him, and with one strike, its brains splattered!

The three cooperated flawlessly, killing Fourth-Tier Magical Beasts as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. Jiang Donghua didn't even have a chance to act, only able to secretly marvel at the strength of these top talents from the Inner Academy!

One day during a rest, Lei Lie, while gnawing on roasted Magical Beast meat, asked vaguely.

"Junior Brother Jiang, did Elder Mo Xuan send you to this kind of place alone for training, just to hone your Dou Qi control?"

Jiang Donghua nodded.

"Master said my realm improved too quickly, and my foundation was unstable, so I needed to solidify it through life-and-death battles."

Liu Qingsi's red lips curled slightly, and she suddenly let out a soft laugh.

"Isn't that simple?"

Xiao Han looked up and said indifferently.

"Indeed simple."

Lei Lie laughed heartily and slapped his thigh.

"Got it! We'll just grab a Two-Star Dou Ling Level Magical Beast, beat it half to death, and then let Junior Brother practice on it, wouldn't that work?"

Jiang Donghua was stunned.

"This..."

The three acted on their words immediately!

Half a day later, a Two-Star Dou Ling Level Red-Scaled Python was sent flying by Lei Lie's staff, crashing heavily in front of Jiang Donghua, its scales shattered, a section of its tail broken, barely alive but still fierce!

"Junior Brother Jiang, go!"

Lei Lie shouldered his long staff, grinning.

"We'll back you up!"

Liu Qingsi's fingertips were wreathed in poisonous mist, and she said with a smile.

"Don't worry, if it dares to escape, I'll turn it into blood."

Xiao Han stood with his sword, adding indifferently.

"Don't rush to kill it. Leave it a breath, and slowly feel the use of Dou Qi in your body."

Jiang Donghua.

"..."

Were they treating him as a Magical Beast sparring partner?!

But the opportunity was rare. He took a deep breath, his blood fang saber blazed with fierce flames, and he suddenly charged towards the Red-Scaled Python!

"Roar—!"

The Red-Scaled Python roared in fury, opening its mouth to spew venomous fire, but Jiang Donghua dodged it by sidestepping, then backhanded a saber strike at its vital point!

"Clang!"

Sparks flew, the Red-Scaled Python rolled in pain, its snake tail lashing out like a whip!

Jiang Donghua executed Roaming Cloud Steps, his figure like a ghost, circling behind the snake, and slammed down with a Blazing Flame Palm!

"Bang!"

The Red-Scaled Python's head hit the ground, but its ferocity intensified, and it counterattacked wildly, disregarding its injuries!

"Good beast!"

Jiang Donghua's battle intent boiled, using both saber and palm, pushing his Dou Qi to the extreme!

In the distance, Lei Lie stroked his chin and commented.

"His moves are ruthless enough, but his Dou Qi circulation is still a bit sluggish."

Liu Qingsi chuckled softly.

"After all, his Dou Qi is a bit unstable. To achieve this much is already considered genius."

Xiao Han suddenly said.

"He's about to break through."

Indeed, Jiang Donghua's Dou Qi suddenly boiled around him during the fierce battle, and crimson flames shot into the sky!

"Boom—!"

A Five-Star Great Dou Master, achieved!

The Red-Scaled Python was sent flying by the shockwave, collapsing on the ground, barely alive.

Jiang Donghua sheathed his saber and stood, letting out a long breath of turbid air, his eyes sparkling with brilliance.

Lei Lie clapped and laughed loudly.

"Beautiful! Come on, let's find you another Three-Star Dou Ling Level one!"

Jiang Donghua stumbled.

"Senior Brother, how about we take it step by step?"

Liu Qingsi covered her lips and chuckled softly, and Xiao Han's mouth also curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

However, just at this moment.

"Rumble!"

From the direction of the Lava Valley in the distance, an earth-shattering explosion suddenly sounded, followed by a crimson beam of Red Light shooting straight into the sky!

Xiao Han's eyes narrowed.

"The rare treasure has appeared!"

Lei Lie shouted excitedly.

"Everyone who wants the treasure must have gone there, let's hurry!"

The three immediately activated their movement Dou Techniques.

Liu Qingsi held Jiang Donghua as she sped, a fragrant breeze assailing him, and the soft touch made his heart race and his cheeks flush.

But as she ran, she suddenly paused, as if she had thought of something, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"No, that's not right?"

She murmured to herself, then released her arm, gently setting Jiang Donghua down.

"You wait for us here."

Her tone was indifferent, yet brooks no argument.

Jiang Donghua hadn't yet recovered from the earlier intimacy, his face still flushed, and he didn't even dare to look directly into Liu Qingsi's half-smiling eyes.

"Senior, Senior Sister..."

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to begin.

Liu Qingsi's red lips curved slightly, and she gently tapped his forehead with her fingertip, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"What, Junior Brother, were you just complaining that Senior Sister was holding you too tightly?"

"N-no!"

Jiang Donghua quickly shook his head, his ears growing even redder.

"Heh, you're quite thin-skinned."

She let out a soft laugh, then her expression became serious.

"The competition for the rare treasure is no child's play. Those people on the strong ranking list won't show mercy. It's too dangerous for you to follow."

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, suppressing the restlessness in his heart, and said seriously.

"Senior Sister, I understand."

Liu Qingsi nodded with satisfaction, then turned to leave, her figure flickering, transforming into a blue afterimage, and streaking towards the Lava Valley.

Only after she had gone far did Jiang Donghua let out a long sigh, touched his hot cheek, and muttered softly.

"This Senior Sister is too uninhibited."