185: You're going to fight spirits too!

A few days passed in a flash. As Jiang Donghua stepped out of the secret chamber, a familiar delicate fragrance wafted towards him.

The scent carried a hint of sweetness, mixed with a subtle, almost imperceptible allure, like a mandrake blooming in the dark of night, making one's heart flutter.

Before he could react, a dark shadow pounced on him like the wind, carrying surging waves, and directly crashed into his arms.

The touch was soft and elastic, almost making him stumble.

"Donghua! Look, has anything changed about me?"

Red Silk's voice was filled with unconcealed excitement. She released her embrace, took a step back, and lightly spun a circle in front of him.

Today, she was wearing a tight black dress. The fabric clung to her curves like flowing water, outlining breathtaking arcs.

The skirt had a very high slit, and as she spun, her long, jade-like legs were vaguely visible.

The neckline was slightly open, revealing a expanse of fair skin. Her collarbones were exquisitely sculpted, and further down, her proud curves almost threatened to burst through the fabric.

Her makeup was also more alluring than usual, with fiery red lips and slightly upturned eyes, carrying a hint of wild charm.

Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, gently swaying with her movements, adding a touch of seductive allure.

Jiang Donghua raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze sweeping over her, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"What's this? Dressed so enchantingly today?"

Hearing this, Red Silk pouted her red lips and lightly, but not too gently, punched him on the chest.

"Bah! Can't I dress up for myself?"

Although she said this, her eyes held a hint of anticipation, clearly wanting to hear some praise from him.

However, with just that slight approach, the man seemed to want to flee in disarray.

Seeing Jiang Donghua's somewhat embarrassed look, a sly glint flashed in Red Silk's eyes. She deliberately leaned in closer, her red lips almost brushing his ear, her breath like orchids.

"Oh ~ our Alchemist Jiang can get shy too? You weren't like this before ~"

Jiang Donghua coughed lightly, turning his head slightly, his earlobes quietly reddening. But then, he frowned, realizing that Red Silk's aura was much stronger than before!

"You, a Nine-Star Dou Ling now?!"

He looked at her with some disbelief.

Red Silk proudly lifted her chin, gently tapping his chest with her fingertip, and said with feigned flippancy.

"What? Only you are allowed to break through, and I'm not allowed to improve?"

Jiang Donghua's gaze sharpened, and his soul perception quietly swept over her, confirming that her aura had indeed reached the Peak of Nine-Star Dou Ling, only a step away from a Dou Wang Expert!

One must know, the last time he saw her, she had just entered Eight-Star Dou Ling not long ago. This speed was simply incredible!

Seeing his shocked expression, Red Silk couldn't help but let out a giggle, making a playful face, her tone carrying a hint of teasing and disdain.

"Hmph! With so many fire spirit pills for you to eat like candy, even a pig could become a Nine-Star Dou Ling!"

Though she said this, a subtle softness flickered in her eyes.

After all, if it weren't for the extremely high quality of the pills Jiang Donghua refined, she wouldn't have been able to break through in such a short time.

And those fourth-grade pills would definitely be hot commodities no matter where they were sold or exchanged for resources!

Then, her gaze shifted, and she sized up Jiang Donghua, a hint of surprise and admiration appearing in her eyes.

"But you actually broke through to Dou Ling too? Not bad! Looks like you haven't been slacking off ~"

She reached out and patted his shoulder, wearing an expression that said 'I'm very satisfied', but the smile at the corner of her mouth couldn't be hidden.

Jiang Donghua shook his head helplessly, but a smile also appeared in his eyes.

"The feeling is mutual."

Red Silk's red lips curled slightly, and her fingertip gently lifted Jiang Donghua's chin, her eyes holding a hint of challenge.

"Oh, Junior Brother, do you think you're very powerful just because you broke through to Dou Ling?"

She narrowed her eyes, smiling like a cunning fox.

"Do you want your Senior Sister to test you, to see if you're just for show?"

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow, reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her a bit closer with the momentum, and chuckled.

"Senior Sister cares about me so much, could it be that you're looking for an excuse to take advantage of me?"

"Bah!"

Red Silk's ear tips reddened slightly, and she fiercely pulled her hand back, glaring at him.

"Don't be so conceited! I'm afraid you'll go out and embarrass yourself!"

Jiang Donghua spread his hands, feigning helplessness.

"Alright, since Senior Sister is so eager to 'guide' me, then Junior Brother will just have to oblige."

Red Silk snorted lightly, turned and walked out, leaving a remark as her skirt swayed.

"Don't cry if you lose!"

Jiang Donghua shook his head and chuckled, stepping to follow her.

Jia Nan Academy's arena was located in the center, a massive circular structure made entirely of obsidian. Ancient runes were carved into its surface, faintly emitting subtle energy fluctuations, which both reinforced the venue and prevented the aftermath of battles from spilling out.

The arena's interior was tiered, surrounded by layers of spectator stands, capable of accommodating thousands of students.

Although it wasn't a formal competition, many students were still sitting in groups of two or three in the upper sections, either cultivating, sparring, or quietly discussing the academy's recent prominent figures.

In the center of the venue was a spacious circular platform. The ground was paved with a special material, incredibly hard; even a full-power strike from a Dou Wang Expert would struggle to leave a mark.

The edges of the platform were inlaid with several pale blue crystals, which would automatically activate a protective barrier once a battle began, ensuring the safety of onlookers.

Red Silk lightly tapped her toes, gracefully leaping onto the platform. Her black dress fluttered in the wind, her long legs vaguely visible. With one hand on her hip, she beckoned to Jiang Donghua, her smile flamboyant.

"Come, let Senior Sister see how much you've improved during this time?"

Jiang Donghua calmly walked onto the platform, and after standing firm, he smiled slightly.

"Senior Sister, please be merciful."

"Less nonsense! Take this!"

Red Silk let out a soft cry, her Dou Qi erupting, and the pressure of a Nine-Star Dou Ling swept out.

Before her words finished, she had already transformed into a black shadow, charging forward!

Red Silk moved like lightning, Lightning Attribute Dou Qi crackling around her. With a step of Thunder Shadow Steps, she instantly transformed into an afterimage, directly closing in on Jiang Donghua!

"Junior Brother, don't get zapped numb!"

She let out a charming laugh, flipped her jade hand, and Lightning Light flickered in her palm. The profound rank mid-level Dou Technique, Instant Thunder Art, suddenly erupted!

"Boom!"

A dazzling bolt of Lightning Light ripped through the air like a silver serpent, striking directly at Jiang Donghua's face!

Jiang Donghua's eyes narrowed. He executed Roaming Cloud Steps, his figure sliding sideways like smoke, narrowly dodging the attack.

The Lightning Light grazed the corner of his clothes, exploding into a scorched mark on the ground.

"Senior Sister, you're really ruthless."

He chuckled lightly, Fire Attribute Dou Qi surging within him. His fists suddenly ignited with fierce flames, and Heavenly Stellar Overlord Fist was launched with full force!

"Bang!"

The fist wind, wrapped in scorching flames, roared like an enraged dragon, charging directly at Red Silk!

Red Silk's red lips curled slightly. Thunder Shadow Steps moved again, her figure flickering like a ghost. She actually dodged sideways just as the fist strike was about to hit, and at the same time, countered with a whip kick, wrapped in Lightning Light, fiercely lashing towards Jiang Donghua's waist!

"Lightning Whip Kick!"

Jiang Donghua reacted extremely quickly, crossing his arms to block, Fire Attribute Dou Qi condensing into a shield in front of him.

"Boom!"

Lightning Light and fire collided, erupting in a dazzling flash. Amidst the surging airwaves, both of them retreated several steps.

Red Silk shook her slightly numb right leg, her fighting spirit growing stronger.

"Not bad, quick reaction!"

Jiang Donghua shook his wrist and smiled.

"Senior Sister's Lightning Whip Kick has quite a lot of power."

"Hmph, this is just the beginning!"

Red Silk let out a soft cry, the Lightning Light around her surged, and her speed increased by another third. Thunder Shadow Steps was pushed to its limit, and her entire being flickered on the platform like an illusion, making her difficult to catch!

"Let's see how long you can hide!"

She formed hand seals, and Lightning Attribute Dou Qi frantically gathered, actually condensing several Lightning Light chains in front of her, coiling towards Jiang Donghua like spiritual snakes!

"Lightning Binding Art!"

Jiang Donghua frowned. If he were tangled by these Lightning Light chains, he would probably be instantly paralyzed by the electricity.

He took a deep breath, and the Dou Qi in his body circulated according to a specific route. Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering Art was suddenly activated!

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle—"

The Lightning Light entered his body, but instead of paralyzing him, it was absorbed by him using a special method, tempering his physical body!

Red Silk's beautiful eyes widened.

"What? You can actually absorb my Lightning Attribute Dou Qi?!"

Jiang Donghua grinned.

"Senior Sister's lightning tastes good."

"Damn it!"

Red Silk gritted her silver teeth, her figure moved again, Thunder Shadow Steps combined with Instant Thunder Art, and her offensive poured down like a torrential storm!

Jiang Donghua remained unhurried, using Roaming Cloud Steps in conjunction with Blazing Flame Palm, using softness to counter hardness, deflecting her attacks one by one.

Their figures intertwined, and Lightning Light and flames continuously collided on the platform, erupting in bursts of roars.

On the platform, Red Silk, unable to secure a victory, grew somewhat anxious. Suddenly, her figure paused, and she clasped her hands together, Lightning Attribute Dou Qi frantically converging!

"Junior Brother, try taking this move from me!"

"Thunderstorm Sky Charge!"

A thick pillar of Lightning Light burst forth from her palm, striking towards Jiang Donghua like a heavenly punishment!

Jiang Donghua's eyes narrowed, knowing that he couldn't take this move head-on. He fully unleashed Roaming Cloud Steps, his figure dodging like an illusion.

However, the Lightning Light pillar had a huge range. Seeing that he was about to be affected, he fiercely gritted his teeth, his fists surged with flames, and Heavenly Stellar Overlord Fist was unleashed with full power!

"Rumble!"

Lightning Light and fire intertwined, erupting in a deafening roar, and the entire platform was enveloped in dazzling light!

When the light dissipated, both of them stood at the edge of the platform, panting.

Red Silk was drenched in sweat, her black dress somewhat disheveled, but she still smiled flamboyantly.

"How is it, Junior Brother, can you still hold on?"

Jiang Donghua wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled.

"Senior Sister's Thunderstorm Sky Charge is indeed formidable."

Red Silk snorted lightly.

"Glad you know it!"

She suddenly gave a sly smile.

"Today's sparring ends here!"

Jiang Donghua was stunned.

"Not fighting anymore?"

Red Silk blinked.

"What, haven't you been zapped enough?"

Jiang Donghua chuckled and shook his head.

"Whatever Senior Sister says."

Red Silk nodded contentedly, then turned and jumped off the platform, waving at him over her shoulder.

"I'll play with you again next time ~"

Jiang Donghua watched her retreating figure, smiled helplessly, and muttered to himself.

"This woman, she really is...?"