168: One day I will also step into the Dou Wang realm.

Hearing that familiar voice, Jiang Donghua was first stunned, then his pupils constricted, and he stared intently at the Black Robed Man who was slowly taking off his mask.

When that old face, full of wrinkles but with a mischievous smile, was fully revealed, he suddenly widened his eyes and blurted out.

"Master?!"

Mo Xuan laughed heartily, casually tossing his black robe aside, revealing a simple grey robe with some medicinal dregs still clinging to the cuffs, clearly having rushed over immediately after refining pills.

He stroked his beard, his eyes full of playful amusement.

"Not bad, not bad. Unflustered in the face of danger, and even daring to bluff with the identity of an Alchemist. You have the demeanor of this old fellow back in the day!"

The other Black Robed Man also chuckled softly, raising a hand to remove his mask, revealing a face that was both dignified and somewhat amiable. It was none other than Lei Tian, the Dean of the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy!

Jiang Donghua’s mouth twitched, and veins throbbed on his forehead. After a long moment, he squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"You two old fellows are playing this trick?!"

Red Silk had also recovered by now, coughing twice while clutching her throat, her eyes flickering with Lightning Light, clearly both shocked and angry.

She stared coldly at Lei Tian, her voice hoarse but filled with questioning.

"Dean, what is the meaning of this?"

Lei Tian cleared his throat, stood with his hands behind his back, and feigned seriousness.

"Ahem, Red Silk, this is the Academy's test for you. After all, you left the Academy without permission this time and even got involved with the Bai Family and the Yao Family. We had to see if you had the ability to handle a crisis."

Mo Xuan, meanwhile, smiled and patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder, adding.

"As for you, Stinky Kid, this old fellow just wanted to see if you would risk your life to save your companion. Not bad, you didn't disappoint your master!"

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said with a fake smile.

"Then I really must thank Master for his guidance."

Mo Xuan pretended not to hear the gritted teeth in his words and nodded in satisfaction.

"Mm, knowing gratitude, very good!"

Red Silk snorted coldly, Lightning Light faintly visible in her eyes, clearly extremely displeased with this test. But constrained by Lei Tian's identity, she ultimately said no more, only stating coldly.

"Since the test is over, can we return to the Academy now?"

Lei Tian nodded.

"Naturally."

He turned his gaze to Jiang Donghua and said meaningfully.

"You, Stinky Kid, are quite daring, even scheming against the two old fellows of the Yao Family. Bai Yan is now severely injured, and Yao Jidao and Yao Sha have also suffered greatly. They won't let this go."

Jiang Donghua shrugged, unconcerned.

"Anyway, with Master and the Dean here, what do I have to fear?"

Mo Xuan cursed with a laugh.

"Stinky Kid, now you know how to cling to powerful figures?"

Lei Tian shook his head and chuckled, then said seriously.

"Alright, this is not a place to linger. Although the people from the Bai Family and the Yao Family are temporarily restrained, there's no guarantee that other experts won't pursue us. We'll set off immediately and return to Jia Nan Academy!"

Jiang Donghua and Red Silk exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

As the sun set, the afterglow sprinkled on the forest path, stretching the shadows of the four long.

Jiang Donghua walked at the very front, a blade of grass in his mouth, his expression lazy, as if the life-and-death crisis from moments ago had never happened.

Mo Xuan and Lei Tian, the two old fellows, walked side by side, conversing in low voices, occasionally letting out a few meaningful chuckles.

And Red Silk walked half a step behind Jiang Donghua, her clear, cold eyes now flickering with an unusual brilliance, her gaze occasionally falling on him, carrying a hint of scrutiny, a touch of complexity, and even a dash of fervent passion.

This man was actually willing to take poison for her.

He even threatened to self-destruct his soul, just to secure a sliver of hope for her survival.

Red Silk had lived for so many years, seen countless so-called geniuses and experts, but a man like Jiang Donghua, who was clearly as cunning as a fox yet could risk his life at a crucial moment, she had never seen before.

"Heh, interesting."

A barely perceptible curve formed on her lips, and Lightning Light flickered in her eyes, like a beast that had locked onto its prey.

Since you're willing to fight for me, wouldn't it be a disservice to this sentiment if I didn't claim you?

As Jiang Donghua walked, he suddenly felt a chill down his back, as if something dangerous had fixed its gaze on him.

He instinctively turned around, meeting Red Silk's aggressive eyes.

"Senior Sister?"

He blinked, a little puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

Red Silk's expression remained unchanged, still as cold as frost, only tilting her head slightly and saying faintly.

"Nothing, I just thought your performance just now was quite good."

Jiang Donghua was stunned, then grinned, revealing a hint of roguishness.

"Of course, after all, I'm Senior Sister's Disciple, I can't let you lose face, can I?"

Red Silk snorted softly, saying nothing more, but her gaze deepened.

This guy, he really responds to gentleness, not toughness.

It seems a different approach is needed.

Ahead, Mo Xuan and Lei Tian exchanged glances, both revealing meaningful smiles.

"Old Lei, it seems our test this time unexpectedly brought about a match?"

Mo Xuan stroked his beard, chuckling softly.

Lei Tian shook his head and chuckled.

"That girl Red Silk is cold and proud; not many can move her heart. This Stinky Kid has some skill."

"Of course, don't forget whose Disciple he is!"

Mo Xuan said proudly.

Lei Tian glanced at him, saying faintly.

"However, if your Disciple is really targeted by Red Silk, his future days won't be easy."

Mo Xuan and Lei Tian exchanged glances, clearly a little impatient with the efficiency of traveling on foot.

"Two little kids, walking so slowly, how long will it take?"

Lei Tian shook his head, and with a flick of his sleeve, a magnificent Dou Qi instantly condensed behind him into a pair of brilliant Lightning Light wings, crackling with electric arcs and exuding astonishing power.

Mo Xuan also chuckled, his old body trembled, Dou Qi surged, transforming into a pair of solid wind wings, and the surrounding air currents swirled with it.

"Stinky Kid, don't just stand there, hold on tight!"

Mo Xuan grabbed Jiang Donghua by the back of his collar, lifting him like a small chicken.

"Hey, hey, hey—Master! Gently!"

Before Jiang Donghua could react, he was already suspended in the air, his feet off the ground, scaring him into quickly clinging to Mo Xuan's arm.

On the other side, Lei Tian also reached out and embraced Red Silk. Before she could speak, he carried her into the air.

"Go!"

"Boom—!"

The two pairs of Dou Qi wings vibrated violently, and the four instantly transformed into streaks of light, soaring straight into the sky!

Jiang Donghua was initially a little flustered, but soon, his gaze was completely captivated by the scene below. The ground was rapidly receding beneath his feet!

Towering ancient trees became tiny green dots, rolling mountain ranges unfolded like a painting, and rivers meandered like silver ribbons!

The strong wind howled, making his robes flap, but the exhilarating feeling of looking down on everything made his heart pound and his blood boil!

"Is this what it feels like to fly?!"

He widened his eyes, unable to help but exclaim.

Mo Xuan laughed heartily.

"How about it, Stinky Kid, envious, aren't you?"

Jiang Donghua's eyes gleamed with fervent light, and his fists unconsciously clenched.

"One day, I will also step into the Dou King realm and condense Dou Qi wings!"

"Ambitious!"

Mo Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

Jiang Donghua grinned.

"That's natural!"

On the other side, Red Silk was carried by Lei Tian, her expression still cold, but her gaze occasionally darted towards Jiang Donghua.

Watching him excitedly looking around like a child, her lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

This guy, usually as cunning as a fox, now looked like a naive country bumpkin who hadn't seen the world.

But he was quite cute.

Lei Tian noticed her gaze and smiled meaningfully.

"What, captivated?"

Red Silk immediately retracted her gaze, reverting to her aloof demeanor.

"Dean, you're overthinking it. I was just observing the terrain."

Lei Tian smiled without speaking, thinking to himself.

"This girl, her mouth is quite stubborn."

At the speed of a Dou Huang expert, a journey that would normally take several days was covered in just a few hours.

As the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, the outline of a magnificent city gradually became clear: Jia Nan Academy!