186: Each held back

Jiang Donghua looked in the direction Red Silk left, a slight smile playing on his lips. He naturally sensed that her attack just now, though fierce, had held back.

"If a Peak of Nine-Star Dou Ling truly went all out, I probably wouldn't even last ten moves. The main reason is that the Lightning Attribute Dou Qi's offensive is too fierce!"

He muttered softly, shaking his head.

"Forget it, I'll head back to the Alchemy Department."

He turned and left the arena, his figure gradually disappearing along the academy's path.

On the other side, Red Silk had long since run far away.

She leaned against an ancient tree, her fingertips unconsciously twirling her hair, her gaze drifting, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

"When did this kid become so capable?"

She bit her red lips, feeling both relieved and frustrated.

"He used to blush and shy away when I teased him a little. Now he dares to flirt back!"

Thinking of this, her ears felt warm, and she couldn't help but stamp her foot.

"Damn it! If I had really used my full strength, he definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand it!"

She mumbled.

"But if I accidentally injured him, wouldn't I be the one feeling heartache?"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, but then she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"But his skills have indeed improved quite a bit. Perhaps I can take him to the Soul Shattering Abyss to try?"

She narrowed her eyes, a hint of cunning flashing in them.

But soon, she shook her head again.

"No, that place is too dangerous. What if he can't handle it?"

She sighed, her heart conflicted.

"Forget it, I'll wait a bit longer. I need to think this through carefully!"

She looked up in the direction of the Alchemy Department, a slight curve to her lips.

"Jiang Donghua, don't make me wait too long."

Jiang Donghua left the arena, originally intending to return directly to the Alchemy Department to continue researching the new medicinal formula he had obtained. But as he walked, his steps involuntarily slowed.

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I last saw Liu Mingyu and Liu Yuting."

He frowned slightly, a hint of nostalgia rising in his heart.

The Liu Siblings were old friends he had met when he first entered Jia Nan Academy. Although they came from the Yellow Rank Class and their talent wasn't top-tier, they were sincere people and had helped him a lot when he first arrived at Jia Nan Academy.

It was just that later, he focused on alchemy and cultivation, gradually losing contact.

"Anyway, there's no rush. Why not go see them?"

He turned and walked towards the cultivation area of the Yellow Rank Class.

The Yellow Rank Class's cultivation area was much livelier than the Alchemy Department, with students gathered in twos and threes, sparring or discussing cultivation techniques.

However, Jiang Donghua's appearance instantly quieted the originally noisy area a bit.

"That... isn't that Jiang Donghua?!"

"It really is him! The Fourth-Grade Alchemist!"

"Oh my god, why would he come to our Yellow Rank Class?"

Whispers were incessant, and many students stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with shock.

After all, a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was a rare existence even in the Inner Academy, let alone Jiang Donghua being so young!

Jiang Donghua ignored these gazes and walked directly towards a student who seemed more composed, asking,

"Excuse me, are Liu Mingyu and Liu Yuting here?"

The student was startled, then answered, flattered,

"Senior Brother Jiang! The Liu Siblings took an academy mission and left three days ago. They'll probably be back in a few more days."

Jiang Donghua nodded, about to leave, when he saw that many people had already gathered around him, their eyes eager, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Senior Brother Jiang! I've long admired your name! I'm Zhang Hao from Yellow Rank Class Three, and I'm particularly interested in alchemy!"

"Master Jiang! Could you please advise on how to avoid meridian burns when cultivating Fire Attribute Dou Qi?"

"Senior Brother Jiang! I have a Blazing Flame Flower here, I wonder if you're interested in acquiring it?"

In an instant, Jiang Donghua was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, with incessant flattery from all directions.

He frowned slightly. Although he was used to being praised, he still felt a bit annoyed at this moment.

Especially the utilitarian glint in their eyes made him feel distant.

"Sorry, I'm not accepting medicinal ingredients at the moment."

He spoke indifferently, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the surroundings.

Everyone looked at each other, somewhat embarrassed, but some still didn't give up, smiling apologetically.

"Senior Brother Jiang, since you've rarely come, why not give us a few pointers?"

Jiang Donghua glanced at them, originally intending to leave directly, but looking at the longing in these students' eyes, he finally sighed.

"On the path of cultivation, there are no shortcuts."

His tone was calm.

"If you truly want to become stronger, be less impetuous and spend more time honing your combat skills in the Trial Tower."

After speaking, he said no more, turned, and left.

Walking out of the Yellow Rank Class area, Jiang Donghua shook his head slightly.

"These people are far inferior to The Liu Siblings."

As soon as Jiang Donghua's figure disappeared around the corner, the Yellow Rank Class's cultivation area instantly erupted.

"Oh my god! Master Jiang actually came personally to look for Liu Mingyu and Liu Yuting!"

A tall, thin student's eyes widened, his voice trembling with excitement.

"I told you The Liu Siblings weren't simple! I used to hear rumors that they had connections with the genius of the Alchemy Department, and I didn't expect it to be true!"

A round-faced female student next to him slapped her thigh, her face full of triumph.

"Tsk, good thing I didn't provoke them normally!"

A male student who had had a small friction with Liu Mingyu once wiped away cold sweat, secretly feeling lucky.

Several students who usually ignored The Liu Siblings were now filled with regret.

"I should have tried to get closer to them if I had known!"

An old student from the Yellow Rank Class pounded his chest in frustration.

"If I could get acquainted with Master Jiang through them, and get a few pills, wouldn't my cultivation speed double?"

"It's not too late now!"

Another person's eyes darted, and he whispered,

"When they return from their mission, if we're nicer, we might still get some benefits."

"Right, right! I remember Liu Yuting likes spiritual herb atlases; I happen to have one!"

Everyone chattered, already planning how to curry favor with The Liu Siblings.

Of course, some also felt sour and couldn't help but speak sarcastically.

"Hmph, so what if they know an Alchemist? It's nothing special."

A student with a sinister face snorted coldly.

"No matter how powerful Jiang Donghua is, can he manage our Yellow Rank Class?"

"Exactly!"

The person next to him echoed.

"Liu Mingyu's strength is only low-tier even in the Yellow Rank Class, why should he!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by someone else.

"That's enough! What are you so sour about? If you're so capable, go get to know a Fourth-Grade Alchemist yourself!"

"You!"

Seeing the argument about to escalate, an older student stepped forward to mediate.

"Alright, alright, everyone, say less! Since Master Jiang personally came to look for them, it means their friendship is not shallow. It won't hurt to be more polite to The Liu Siblings in the future."

Only then did everyone reluctantly shut up, but their eyes still flickered with various thoughts.

Jiang Donghua returned to the Alchemy Department and walked directly to his private secret chamber.

Pushing open the heavy stone door, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out.

The light inside the secret chamber was soft, the bookshelves around were filled with various ancient texts and scrolls, and in the center was an earthy yellow Medicine Cauldron, with a few unprocessed spiritual herbs scattered nearby.

With a casual wave of his hand, the stone door slowly closed behind him, cutting off all the noise from the outside world.