109: Good younger brother Jiang Donghua

Liu Qingsi's originally icy countenance instantly bloomed into a bright smile the moment she clearly saw Jiang Donghua, her eyes sparkling.

The chilling, toxic aura that usually made people tremble completely vanished, replaced by a rare gentleness.

"Younger Brother Jiang?"

Red Silk, who had originally been leaning against a stone pillar with her arms crossed, waiting to watch a good show, suddenly straightened up, a hint of astonishment flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"That poison woman actually showed an expression like that?"

She knew Liu Qingsi too well; this woman normally disdained all men, and even for the top ten prodigies on the strong ranking list, she would at most give a cold nod.

Yet now, she was actively approaching an unknown New Student, even with a hint of shyness?

The surrounding Inner Academy Students were even more dumbfounded; the few guys who had been gloating and waiting for Jiang Donghua to suffer now had their jaws practically hitting the floor.

"I... I didn't see wrong, right? Senior Sister Liu actually smiled?"

"Did she just say Younger Brother Jiang? Why does that tone sound like she's acting spoiled?!"

Some even rubbed their eyes, suspecting they had fallen under an illusion.

Liu Qingsi, however, was completely oblivious to the shock of those around her. She walked lightly up to Jiang Donghua and even reached out to brush away non-existent dust from his shoulder.

"Didn't we agree to contact each other in a few days?"

Her voice was soft, completely unlike her usual cold demeanor.

"The cost of this mysterious spirit pill is on me. You must not refuse."

As she spoke, she flicked her finger, and a gold card from her storage ring landed in Jiang Donghua's palm.

Red Silk finally couldn't hold back.

"Wait!"

She flashed between the two of them, her red dress fluttering, carrying a hint of exasperation.

"Liu Qingsi, are you crazy? Who exactly is this boy?!"

Liu Qingsi's smile instantly turned cold, and dark green Dou Qi once again coiled around her fingertips.

"None of your business."

She enunciated every word.

"Dare to speak another word, and I don't mind letting you sample the good poison I just developed."

Red Silk's pupils constricted, and she subconsciously took half a step back. Others might not know, but she was aware that Liu Qingsi had indeed been recently refining a potent poison capable of taking down even a Dou King!

Jiang Donghua coughed lightly at the right moment, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Senior Sister Liu,"

He shook the token in his hand.

"Actually, I came this time for the matter we agreed upon."

Liu Qingsi instantly reverted to her gentle demeanor, even taking half a step closer.

"Tell me."

The two whispered intimately, and the ears of those around them perked up.

The speed of this facial change made Red Silk's eye twitch.

When did that poison woman learn such a trick?!

Liu Qingsi also hadn't expected that the medicinal liquid would be prepared so quickly.

She spoke calmly.

"Wait for me here. I'll go call Xiao Han out."

Liu Qingsi turned and walked toward the entrance of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, her dark green clothes swaying gently, leaving behind a crowd of dumbfounded Inner Academy Students.

The moment she walked away, the crowd instantly erupted.

"Holy crap! I didn't mishear, did I? Did Senior Sister Liu just say Xiao Han?!"

"Xiao Han, the 'ice demon' ranked seventh on the strong ranking list? Doesn't that guy constantly stay in seclusion? Liu Qingsi can actually call him out directly?!"

"What is this kid's background? He can make Liu Qingsi personally run errands for him?!"

A few bolder students couldn't help but crowd around Jiang Donghua, bombarding him with questions.

"Brother, what is your relationship with Senior Sister Liu?"

"Are you the young master of some hidden family? Or perhaps..."

"Could you be Senior Sister Liu's fiancé?!"

Jiang Donghua's mouth twitched slightly, thinking that this group of people certainly had vivid imaginations.

Just as he was figuring out how to brush them off, a fragrant breeze suddenly wafted over.

Red Silk had somehow moved right beside him, her jade hand resting lightly on his shoulder, her red lips almost touching his earlobe, her breath like orchids.

"Little Younger Brother~"

Her voice was sweet and syrupy, yet carried a fox-like cunning.

"Big sister is very curious, you know. What exactly are you and that poison woman plotting?"

Jiang Donghua's expression didn't change. He calmly took half a step back and spoke solemn nonsense.

"Actually, I am Senior Sister Liu's distant cousin."

Red Silk.

"...?"

Everyone.

"???"

Jiang Donghua continued to fabricate a story.

"My family elders told me to seek refuge with her and bring some local specialties along."

Red Silk narrowed her eyes, gently rubbing her chin with her fingertips.

"Oh? Then what about the medicinal liquid and Xiao Han that were just mentioned?"

Jiang Donghua sighed, feigning profoundness.

"A secret family recipe, for curing baldness."

Red Silk.

"..."

Everyone.

"..."

Who the hell would believe that!

Red Silk nearly laughed out of anger. Just as she was about to press him further, she suddenly sensed something and sharply turned her head toward the entrance of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

A bone-chilling coldness suddenly spread out, and a thin layer of frost even condensed on the ground.

"Xiao Han?!"

Everyone instantly fell silent, retreating several yards in fear.

strong ranking list number seven, "ice demon" Xiao Han!

But the scene that followed plunged the entire Inner Academy into instant silence.

Everyone's eyes were wide open, staring intently at the sight before them, as if they had witnessed the most absurd scene in the world.

That Xiao Han, known as the "ice demon," who constantly wore a cold expression and rarely bothered to speak.

Actually!

Was smiling?!

Moreover, not only did he smile, but he even stepped forward and gave Jiang Donghua a firm hug!

"Brother Jiang, I'm truly sorry to have made you come all this way yourself!"

Xiao Han patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder, his tone carrying a rare hint of warmth.

Boom!

At this moment, the understanding of all the surrounding students was completely overturned.

"Did I... did I fall under an illusion?"

Someone fiercely pinched himself.

"Impossible! The last time Senior Brother Xiao Han smiled was a year ago when he secured the seventh spot on the strong ranking list!"

"And he actually initiated a hug?! Doesn't he hate physical contact the most?!"

Red Silk's pupils were shaking, and she nearly crushed the mysterious spirit pill in her hand.

What the hell is going on?!

She stared intently at Jiang Donghua, calculating wildly in her mind.

"What is this kid's background? He can make Liu Qingsi gentle as water, and also make Xiao Han passionate as fire?!"

Jiang Donghua, however, remained calm, having long anticipated this scene. He merely smiled slightly.

"Senior Brother Xiao, you're too kind. I have already prepared the item."

Saying this, he took out a jade vial from his storage ring. The bottle was crystal clear, and the flowing crimson liquid inside was faintly visible, radiating a gentle aura.

Xiao Han's eyes lit up. He quickly took it, his voice even sounding slightly excited.

Red Silk's eyes shifted, and her mind rapidly weighed the pros and cons.

To be able to make a cold and arrogant poison woman like Liu Qingsi gentle as water, and an ice demon like Xiao Han treat him with such warmth, this seemingly harmless younger brother in front of her was likely someone who kept his true abilities hidden!

She had just smugly accepted his third-grade pill; thinking about it now, it was like plucking hair from a tiger's mouth!

She pursed her red lips, and a smile three times more charming than before instantly bloomed on her face. With a slight flip of her slender jade fingers, the mysterious spirit pill was held in her palm and presented to Jiang Donghua.

"Oh dear, Younger Brother Jiang~"

Her voice was sweet and cloying, carrying a hint of playful reproach like a spoiled child.

"Big sister was just joking with you. How could I truly accept your pill?"

Jiang Donghua was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and smiled.

"Senior Sister Red Silk, you are too polite. Since I said it was payment for your help, there is no reason to take it back."

Hearing this, a barely noticeable flicker of tension crossed Red Silk's eyes, but her face remained beaming, and she even stamped her foot in mock annoyance.

"No way, no way!"

Her tone was firm, even carrying a hint of slight anger.

"How could I, your big sister, take advantage of you? You must take this pill back, or I will get angry!"

With that, she forcefully shoved the pill into Jiang Donghua's hand, her fingertip lightly tracing his palm in a subtle, provocative manner.

Jiang Donghua felt helpless and could only accept it, shaking his head and smiling.

"Since Senior Sister insists, then this junior brother will respectfully obey."

Only then did Red Silk narrow her eyes in satisfaction. As her red dress swayed, she reverted to her seductive and charming appearance.

"That's better~"

She let out a charming laugh, then her eyes darted around, and she asked tentatively.

"But, Younger Brother Jiang, you seem very familiar with Junior Sister Liu and Senior Brother Xiao, don't you?"

Jiang Donghua smiled without speaking, only lightly stroking the mysterious spirit pill in his hand, his gaze profound.

Seeing this, Red Silk became even more certain in her heart.

This kid is absolutely not simple!

Just then, Xiao Han finished inspecting the medicinal liquid in the jade vial, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He then solemnly patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Brother Jiang, I, Xiao Han, will remember this favor!"

The moment he said this, the entire area was once again in an uproar!

What kind of background did this Jiang Donghua have to make the "ice demon" Xiao Han personally owe him a favor?!

Red Silk's pupils slightly contracted, and she sighed inwardly, fortunate that she had reacted quickly, otherwise, she might have hit a brick wall today!

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding Inner Academy Students who had their ears pricked up and were eager to eavesdrop, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Let's go, find a quiet place."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Liu Qingsi and Xiao Han exchanged glances, immediately understanding.

"Go to my residence."

Xiao Han said in a deep voice. The coldness around him slightly receded, but the inviolable pressure still made the onlookers subconsciously retreat a few steps.

Liu Qingsi, on the other hand, lightly waved her hand, and dark green Dou Qi dispersed like a thin mist, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance. This made the faces of the restless students change, and they quickly covered their mouths and noses and backed away. Everyone knew that even a tiny bit of that poison woman's Dou Qi would be enough to cause them serious trouble!

"I have already sent someone to inform Lei Lie."

Liu Qingsi spoke calmly, then looked at Jiang Donghua, her tone softening slightly.

"Let's go, Younger Brother Jiang."

The three walked side by side. Wherever they passed, the crowd automatically parted, no one daring to block their way.

Red Silk bit her red lip, a flash of unwillingness in her eyes. Just as she was about to step forward to follow, Xiao Han suddenly turned back, his cold eyes sweeping over her like knife blades, making her body freeze.

"Red Silk, don't cause trouble."

Xiao Han's voice was low, carrying a warning tone.

Red Silk's expression slightly changed, but ultimately, she didn't dare to force her way in. She could only stomp her foot resentfully, watching the three people walk away.

"Hmph! Acting all mysterious!"

She muttered softly, but inside, she grew increasingly curious: what was the background of the master Jiang Donghua spoke of, and that mysterious medicinal liquid?

Xiao Han's residence was located deep within the Inner Academy, a standalone dormitory constantly shrouded by icy Dou Qi. The surroundings were silent and deserted, with even the sound of insects and birds being rare, clearly influenced by his ice-attribute Dou Qi.

Upon entering the room, Jiang Donghua casually set up a soundproofing barrier. Only after ensuring no one could eavesdrop did he solemnly take out the vial of crimson medicinal liquid.

"This medicinal liquid has been improved by my master. Its potency is stronger than before, but extreme caution is required when consuming it."

His tone was serious, and his gaze swept across Liu Qingsi's and Xiao Han's faces.

"If anything goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Xiao Han nodded, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Just then, heavy footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Brother Jiang, you finally made it!"

The moment Lei Lie entered, his gaze locked onto the medicinal liquid in Jiang Donghua's hand, his eyes filled with fervor.

"Is the item ready?"

Jiang Donghua nodded and handed him another vial of medicinal liquid.

"Senior Brother Lei, this is your share."

Lei Lie took it and grinned.

"Good! That's straightforward enough! If you ever need anything in the future, just come to me!"

Jiang Donghua had already divided the jade vial into three portions on the way here.

Seeing the shock on the three people's faces, Jiang Donghua's lips curled into a subtle smile. He then casually shook the jade vial in his hand, his tone calm but containing deep meaning.

"Don't underestimate these few drops. This was jointly refined by the Outer Academy's Alchemy Department Elders, Li Changhai, Huang Dashan, and my master, Mo Xuan."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three people's faces. Seeing their expressions grow even more solemn, he continued.

"We used three fifth-tier demonic cores for the water element alone."

"Hiss—"

Liu Qingsi, Xiao Han, and Lei Lie simultaneously drew a sharp breath, the shock in their eyes no longer concealable.

Three great Fifth-Grade Alchemists working together?!

And three fifth-tier demonic cores were used?!

What level of medicinal liquid must this be?!

One must know that fifth-tier demonic cores are inherently priceless. It is a huge stroke of luck for an ordinary Alchemist to obtain even one, yet the three Elders mentioned by Jiang Donghua actually invested three at once and jointly refined them!

The value of this medicinal liquid likely far exceeded their imagination!