131: Capital for Waves

Hong Yu, startled by Red Silk's glare, turned pale and quickly retreated with her head down, stumbling as she ran out. She stepped on a broken stone, almost fell, and fled awkwardly, clutching the wall.

On the other side, Bai Xiaofeng and Bai Wuchen, both with gloomy faces, left room c, surrounded by guards.

Although the two were forcibly separated by Eldest Young Master Bai Yan, the anger in their hearts had not diminished in the slightest.

Bai Xiaofeng's fists cracked as he clenched them, cursing inwardly.

"If it weren't for this dog, Jiang Donghua would have agreed to be my exclusive Alchemist long ago! Third Brother, that scoundrel, always goes against me!"

Bai Wuchen, on the other hand, fanned himself, appearing composed, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

"Ninth Brother, that brute, thinks a few low-grade Pill Formulas can win people over?"

"Heh, if he hadn't interfered, I would have convinced Jiang Donghua with Heavenly Serpent City's resources long ago!"

The two each schemed, both believing the other had ruined their good fortune, wishing they could find an opportunity to teach the other a harsh lesson!

Inside room c, Jiang Donghua sighed, looking at the ruined courtyard, and said to Red Silk beside him.

"Sigh, I thought I could freeload some benefits, but these two guys fought, and I got nothing."

Red Silk chuckled, her fingers gently caressing the short sword at her waist, and said.

"Junior Brother, you couldn't really expect them to obediently offer benefits, could you? These two are clearly restraining each other; neither will easily let you profit."

Jiang Donghua shrugged, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes.

"I was thinking, if they fought a bit harder, I might have been able to seize something, but unfortunately, Bai Yan arrived too quickly."

Red Silk raised an eyebrow.

"What, you wanted them both to be injured so you could reap the benefits?"

Jiang Donghua chuckled.

"Of course! Anyway, no matter who wins, they'll have to come to me for pills. By then, won't the price be up to me?"

Red Silk shook her head and laughed.

"You, you really won't take even the slightest loss."

Jiang Donghua stretched lazily and said.

"Come on, since there's no show to watch, it's time for us to get down to business."

"Business?"

Red Silk was puzzled.

Jiang Donghua sat leisurely in the dilapidated courtyard, casually taking out a pot of spiritual tea from his storage ring, and slowly poured a cup for himself and Red Silk.

"Senior Sister, don't rush."

He took a light sip, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"What we need to do now is to stay here obediently and not go anywhere."

Red Silk raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Aren't you afraid those two Young Masters will come looking for you later?"

Jiang Donghua chuckled.

"They have their own problems now."

He raised a hand and pointed outside.

"The City Lord of Heavenly Serpent City didn't just have these two sons. They fought fiercely here today, making it known to everyone. How do you think their other siblings will react?"

Red Silk was thoughtful.

"You mean someone will proactively come looking for you?"

Jiang Donghua nodded.

"Exactly. These two fools openly infighting clearly shows they are competing for resources. And an Alchemist who can make two Young Masters fight over him, do you think others won't be tempted?"

Red Silk couldn't help but laugh.

"You, you're really cunning."

Jiang Donghua shrugged.

"This is called waiting for the harvest."

Red Silk looked at Jiang Donghua's confident demeanor, feeling both admiration and helplessness.

"Alchemists are indeed troublesome guys."

She muttered to herself.

On the Fighting Qi Continent, the connections and influence of an Alchemist far surpassed those of experts of the same rank. Even a mere Fourth-Grade Alchemist could attract Dou Ling and Dou Wang Experts.

"Fortunately, I've always followed him."

Red Silk's lips curved slightly, a hint of slyness in her eyes.

She wasn't just staying by Jiang Donghua's side to be a shield.

"Just wait, one day, I'll make you willingly become my man!"

She gently caressed the short sword at her waist, calculating silently in her heart.

Inside room c, the distinguished guests who had been quietly sipping tea could no longer hold back and began to whisper among themselves.

"Tsk tsk, Third Young Master and Ninth Young Master actually fought fiercely in front of everyone. This is a rare sight!"

A middle-aged man in luxurious brocade robes squinted, his fingers gently tapping the table, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Indeed, I heard it was all for that Alchemist named Jiang Donghua."

A thin-faced old man next to him lowered his voice, shrewdness glinting in his eyes.

"To make two Young Masters fight like this, it seems this person is indeed not simple."

"Hmph, the Young Masters of Heavenly Serpent City have always engaged in open and secret struggles, but it's rare to see them resort to direct action like today."

A veiled woman chuckled, toying with a jade talisman.

"It seems this Alchemist's value is higher than we imagined."

Everyone nodded thoughtfully at the words.

The news spread throughout Heavenly Serpent City as if it had grown wings.

"Oh? Third Brother and Ninth Brother fought?"

Eldest Young Master Bai Wuya was wiping a gleaming longsword when he heard the news; his movements paused slightly, and a cold smile played on his lips.

"For an Alchemist?"

"Yes, Eldest Young Master."

The guard kneeling on the ground respectfully said.

"It is said that the Master is a Fourth-Grade Alchemist, and both Young Masters want to win him over."

"Heh, two fools."

Bai Wuya snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"A mere Fourth-Grade Alchemist, is he worth them losing their composure like this?"

He slowly sheathed his sword, his tone chilling.

"However, since they care so much, this Young Master wants to see what abilities this Jiang Donghua truly possesses."

"Third Brother and Ninth Brother are fighting?"

Fifth Young Lady Bai Qingshuang was pruning a spiritual flower when she heard the news; her fingers paused, and petals silently fell.

"Yes, Miss. It is said to be over an Alchemist."

The maid whispered.

Bai Qingshuang gently put down the scissors, a hint of contemplation in her eyes.

"To make Third Brother and Ninth Brother lose their composure like this, this person is definitely not simple."

She pondered for a moment, then suddenly revealed a meaningful smile.

"Go, prepare a generous gift. I want to personally meet this Master."

"Hahaha, well fought!"

Seventh Young Master Bai Wuying sat in the shadows, toying with a black chess piece, a sinister light glinting in his eyes.

"Third Brother and Ninth Brother have always been arrogant, and today they made such a spectacle of themselves in front of everyone. How delightful!"

"Seventh Young Master, should we also...?"

The black-clad man beside him whispered.

"No rush."

Bai Wuying sneered.

"Let them fight first. When they're both injured, we'll make our move."

He flicked his finger, and the chess piece landed steadily on the board with a crisp sound.

"Fourth-Grade Alchemist Master? Heh, I want to see if he's worth my personal attention."

In just half a day, the news of Third Young Master and Ninth Young Master fighting over an Alchemist had spread throughout Heavenly Serpent City.

Some scoffed, believing the two Young Masters were too impulsive, while others secretly schemed, beginning to investigate Jiang Donghua's background; even more, some had already started preparing generous gifts, planning to get a head start.

Meanwhile, inside room c, Jiang Donghua was still leisurely sipping tea, as if completely unconcerned by all of this.

Red Silk glanced at him, a half-smile on her face.

"Junior Brother, it seems your plan is very successful."

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, a hint of slyness in his eyes.

"This is just the beginning."

Indeed, not long after, footsteps began to sound outside room c.

The first to arrive was a burly Dou Wang Expert, clad in crimson battle armor, with a giant axe burning with faint flames hanging at his waist, clearly cultivating fire-attribute techniques. As soon as he entered, he laughed heartily.

"Hahaha, Master Jiang, I've long admired your name! I am Elder Zhao Lie of the Flame Sect, here to pay my respects today!"

He waved his hand, and two attendants behind him immediately carried in a heavy treasure chest. When opened, it revealed a box full of high-grade fire-attribute spiritual materials, including several rare Red Flame Marrow Crystals, worth a fortune.

"I hear Master Jiang's alchemy skills are extraordinary. These spiritual materials are a small token of my regard!"

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly and cupped his hands.

"Elder Zhao is too kind."

Red Silk stood by, her gaze sweeping over the spiritual materials, thinking to herself.

"This guy is certainly willing to spend a fortune."

Immediately afterward, several more Dou Wang Experts arrived, bringing a variety of gifts, some even making people laugh and cry.

A female Dou Wang from the Profound Ice Valley, as cold as ice, presented a Snow Spirit Ganoderma, said to help calm the mind and spirit, greatly benefiting Alchemists.

A short old man, smiling, handed over an ancient jade slip, mysteriously saying.

"Master Jiang, this is a remnant of an ancient Pill Formula. Although incomplete, if you can comprehend even a little, you will surely gain much!"

Jiang Donghua took the jade slip, swept his spiritual sense over it, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal, smiling.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior."

The most outrageous was a Dou Wang from the Joyful Sect. This person had an effeminate face and was followed by two charming maidservants. As soon as he entered, he cupped his hands and smiled.

"Master Jiang, I've long heard of your extraordinary alchemy skills. I have specially prepared a generous gift!"

He clapped his hands, and the two maidservants immediately stepped forward gracefully, their eyes flowing, and said sweetly.

"Your humble servants greet Master Jiang~"

Red Silk frowned. Before Jiang Donghua could speak, she stepped forward and said coldly.

"Excuse me, my Junior Brother is not interested in women. Please take them back."

The Dou Wang was stunned, then awkwardly chuckled.

"This young lady misunderstands. I just thought Master Jiang works hard refining pills daily and needs someone to take care of him."

Red Silk snorted coldly, her short sword slightly unsheathed by half an inch, a cold glint flashing.

"Care for him? With me here, you don't need to trouble yourself."

Seeing this, the Dou Wang's forehead broke out in a cold sweat, and he quickly waved his hand.

"I was rude, I was rude!"

With that, he quickly left with the two maidservants.

Jiang Donghua stifled a laugh from the side and whispered to Red Silk.

"Senior Sister, you rejected them a bit too directly, didn't you?"

Red Silk gave him a sideways glance, her tone dangerous.

"What, are you reluctant?"

Jiang Donghua immediately became serious.

"Of course not! Senior Sister is brilliant!"

Although these Dou Wang Experts sent strange and varied gifts, their goal was surprisingly consistent: to win over Jiang Donghua!

An unaligned Fourth-Grade Alchemist Master, if recruited, the benefits to a sect would be immeasurable!

Even if he couldn't be directly recruited, getting acquainted would make it much easier to request pills in the future.

Moreover, an Alchemist who could make two Young Masters of Heavenly Serpent City fight over him, how could he be an ordinary person?

For a time, room c was bustling. Jiang Donghua handled it with ease, neither offending anyone nor making any easy promises.

Red Silk, on the other hand, stood by with a cold face throughout. Whenever someone tried to send special gifts, she unceremoniously blocked them, clearly in a protective stance.

However, beneath this bustling facade, several gazes in the shadows coldly watched everything.

The Young Masters and Young Ladies of Heavenly Serpent City were naturally also paying attention to Jiang Donghua's movements.

"Hmph, a bunch of clowns, do they even deserve to try and win over Jiang Donghua?"

Bai Xiaofeng stood on a distant tall building, his eyes full of disdain.

Bai Wuchen, fanning himself, smiled faintly.

"It seems my prey has been targeted by quite a few people."

Bai Xiaofeng snorted coldly.

"Third Brother, don't think I don't know what you're planning!"

Bai Wuchen smiled but said nothing, his gaze growing deeper.

After everyone dispersed, room c finally returned to peace.

Red Silk closed the door, turned to Jiang Donghua, and raised an eyebrow.

"How was it, what's the haul?"

Jiang Donghua smiled as he counted the gifts on the table, nodding with satisfaction.

"Not bad, not bad. These spiritual materials are enough for me to refine several batches of high-grade pills."

Red Silk snorted softly.

"You're quite relaxed. Now the whole city is after you. Aren't you afraid of being forcibly kidnapped one day?"

Jiang Donghua laughed heartily, a hint of slyness in his eyes.

"Afraid of what? The more they fight, the higher my value. Besides, don't I have Senior Sister to protect me?"

He looked at Red Silk and winked.

Red Silk rolled her eyes at him, but her lips curved slightly upward.

"Smooth talker."

The reason Jiang Donghua was so calm and composed, even daring to fish in a place as chaotic as Heavenly Serpent City, was naturally because he had his reliance.

While leisurely sipping spiritual tea, he glanced at Red Silk out of the corner of his eye.

"Hehe, Senior Sister is indeed carrying Master's jade token."

Jiang Donghua chuckled inwardly.

"It seems the old man still doesn't trust me and specifically asked Senior Sister to keep an eye on things."

He wasn't worried about getting into real danger at all.

After all, if anyone dared to harm him, Red Silk only needed to crush the jade token, and Mo Xuan would sense it immediately.

By then, few in Heavenly Serpent City would dare to endure the wrath of a Fifth-Grade Alchemist!

Moreover, Mo Xuan had operated in the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy for many years and had a deep friendship with Iron Punishment, the leader of the Law Enforcement Team, and Dean Lei Tian of the Outer Academy.

If something really happened to Jiang Donghua, given Mo Xuan's protective nature, he would probably bring these two Peak Dou Huang Experts directly to their doorstep!

"What's there to be afraid of? This isn't training; it's clearly gilding!"

Jiang Donghua was secretly pleased.

At the same time, in the alchemy room of the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy, far away.

"Achoo—!"

Mo Xuan was concentrating on controlling the flames when he suddenly sneezed. The pill fire in his hand trembled slightly, almost ruining a batch of Dou Ling Pills that were about to be completed.

"Strange, who's talking about this old man?"

Mo Xuan rubbed his nose, his brows slightly furrowed.

He made a quick calculation with his fingers and suddenly sneered.

"Hmph, it must be that little brat Donghua, causing trouble outside again!"

Although he cursed him, a hint of indulgence flashed in Mo Xuan's eyes.

"Never mind, with that girl Red Silk following him, there shouldn't be any major trouble!"