219: The Dou Qi Continent is vast.

The entire Alchemy Department was brightly lit, with cups clinking and laughter almost raising the roof.

Jiang Donghua sat at the head table, surrounded by his junior brothers and sisters, his cup of Hundred Herbs Brew refilled countless times. Even the usually serious Elder Mo was flushed with Red Light, banging on the table and shouting.

“The Alchemy Department has risen in prestige today! Donghua, you are our greatest hero!”

Jiang Donghua smiled and raised his cup, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the back of the crowd.

There, an old figure leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, a helpless smile on his face.

Elder Mo Xuan, one of the ten great Elders of the Alchemy Department, a Peak Fifth-Grade Alchemist, and also Jiang Donghua’s master.

“Master.”

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly, a hint of respect in his eyes.

Mo Xuan shook his head and slowly walked over. The surrounding students immediately fell silent, respectfully making way for him.

This Elder was usually stern, but today he uncharacteristically didn't scold the noisy crowd. He simply walked to Jiang Donghua’s side, gently patted his shoulder, and spoke with a hint of teasing.

“A Peak Dou Ling defeating a Half-step Dou Ling, and making such a big fuss about it, isn’t that a bit too much?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Donghua’s lips curved into a smile, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

“Master, you know I’ve always been low-key, but they insisted on forcing me to act.”

“Low-key?”

Mo Xuan scoffed.

“If you were low-key, no one in the Outer Academy would dare to call themselves flamboyant.”

The surrounding students were stunned, especially when they heard the words “Peak Dou Ling.” Many of them widened their eyes, almost dropping their wine cups.

Peak Dou Ling?!

One must know that the strongest talents on the Outer Academy’s fengyun ranking were only just entering the Dou Ling realm, yet Jiang Donghua had already reached the peak?

Didn’t this mean he was only one step away from becoming a Dou Wang?!

“Hiss—”

Someone gasped.

“No wonder Liu Hanshuang couldn’t even take one move!”

“Senior Brother Jiang hid himself too well!”

“How can anyone compete now? He’s guaranteed to take first place in tomorrow’s ranking battle?!”

Discussions rose and fell, but Jiang Donghua only smiled without speaking, his gaze still on Mo Xuan.

Mo Xuan looked at his Disciple, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, but soon, his expression turned serious, and he said in a low voice.

“Donghua, I actually came today to tell you something else.”

Jiang Donghua noticed the change in his Master’s tone and raised an eyebrow.

“Please speak, Master.”

Mo Xuan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice soft but like a clap of thunder.

“I feel my Soul Power is about to break through.”

“What?!”

Jiang Donghua’s pupils suddenly contracted, and the wine cup in his hand shattered with a 'pop,' spilling wine everywhere, but he was completely oblivious.

The entire Alchemy Department instantly fell silent, everyone wide-eyed, staring intently at Elder Mo Xuan.

Soul Power breakthrough?!

Everyone present knew what this meant: a Fifth-Grade Alchemist and a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, though only one rank apart, were worlds apart!

A Fifth-Grade Alchemist was already a top existence in the Outer Academy, but once one stepped into the Sixth-Rank, even Dou Zong would treat them with respect!

“Master, are you sure?!”

Jiang Donghua’s voice was uncharacteristically urgent.

Mo Xuan nodded slightly, a profound light flickering in his eyes.

“Recently, when refining high-grade pills, my Soul Power has shown faint signs of breakthrough. If nothing unexpected happens, in as short as half a month, or as long as a few months, I can enter the Sixth-Rank realm.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Alchemy Department erupted!

“Oh my god! A Sixth-Rank Alchemist! Our Alchemy Department is going to rise!”

“If Elder Mo breaks through, the status of our Alchemy Department in Jia Nan Academy will surely skyrocket!”

“Hahaha! Let’s see who still dares to call us medicine jar!”

The students were flushed with excitement, some even directly knelt and kowtowed, shouting.

“Elder Mo is mighty!”

As night deepened, the clamor of the Alchemy Department gradually subsided.

Students dispersed in twos and threes, leaving only a few Elders to clean up the aftermath.

Jiang Donghua stood under the eaves of the second floor. The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of the alcohol.

Mo Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed into the distance, towards the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy, and further still, towards the endless mountain ranges, as if gazing at an even more distant place.

Central Plains.

Jiang Donghua stood behind his Master, silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

“Master, you just said you would leave the Academy after breaking through to the Sixth-Rank?”

Mo Xuan didn't turn around, just softly hummed in affirmation.

“Why?”

Jiang Donghua frowned.

“With your status, you are highly respected in Jia Nan Academy. Even the Inner Academy would treat you with great courtesy. Why leave?”

Mo Xuan smiled and finally turned around, looking at his Disciple with profound eyes.

“Donghua, do you think Jia Nan Academy is very big?”

Jiang Donghua was startled.

Jia Nan Academy, the number one academy in the Northwest Continent, was filled with strong individuals, had deep foundations, and could even rival some ancient sects.

Yet his Master’s tone made it sound like an insignificant place.

“In the Northwest Continent, Jia Nan Academy is indeed a behemoth.”

Mo Xuan said lightly.

“But in the Central Plains, it’s just one force.”

“Central Plains.”

Jiang Donghua repeated softly, a hint of longing in his eyes.

That was the center of the Fighting Qi Continent, where strong individuals gathered, sects were numerous, and even Dou Zun-level existences were said to be not uncommon!

“Master, are you from the Central Plains?”

Jiang Donghua asked.

Mo Xuan nodded, a complex emotion in his gaze.

“Many years ago, due to some matters, I had no choice but to leave the Central Plains, eventually making my way to the Northwest Continent, and finally settling down in Jia Nan Academy.”

He didn’t elaborate on what those matters were, but Jiang Donghua could feel a hint of coldness, even killing intent, in his Master’s tone.

“A Sixth-Rank Alchemist is enough to dominate in the Northwest Continent, but in the Central Plains, it’s barely enough to gain a foothold.”

Mo Xuan said slowly.

“Some matters, if you don’t reach that level, you don’t even have the qualifications to interfere.”

Jiang Donghua was silent.

He knew that his Master’s words were telling him that the waters of the Central Plains were unfathomably deep!

“Kid.”

Mo Xuan suddenly smiled and reached out to pat Jiang Donghua’s shoulder.

“Don’t look so serious; I’m not leaving right now.”

Jiang Donghua forced a smile.

“Master, if you leave, won’t the Alchemy Department lose a pillar?”

“Don’t you still have yourself?”

Mo Xuan smiled ambiguously.

“What, do you think you can’t handle it?”

Jiang Donghua shook his head.

“Disciple just feels a bit reluctant.”

Mo Xuan laughed heartily, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

“You brat, you usually put on a lazy act, but it’s rare for you to speak from the heart.”

After a pause, he added.

“Don’t worry, even if I leave, I will leave you enough things.”

“Pill Formula?”

Jiang Donghua’s eyes lit up.

“More than that.”

Mo Xuan smiled mysteriously.

“There are also some secrets about the Central Plains, and, the family fortune I’ve accumulated over the years.”

Jiang Donghua’s heart trembled.

His Master was paving the way for him!

“However, you brat, don’t think that just because your Dou Qi cultivation talent is good, you can neglect alchemy!”

Mo Xuan’s tone suddenly changed, his gaze becoming stern.

Jiang Donghua chuckled twice.

“Master, you worry too much; how would Disciple dare?”

“Hmph, what kind of person you are, do I not know?”

Mo Xuan snorted coldly.

“Today you defeated Liu Hanshuang in one move, which seems glorious, but if you encounter a true strong individual, brute force alone won’t be enough!”

“Alchemy is the true foundation!”

Jiang Donghua’s expression became serious, and he nodded solemnly.

“Disciple understands.”

Mo Xuan then nodded in satisfaction.

“Alright, it’s late. You still have a competition tomorrow, go back and rest.”

Jiang Donghua bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

As he reached the staircase, he suddenly stopped and turned back to ask.

“Master, is the Central Plains really that exciting?”

Mo Xuan stood with his back to him, silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

“Exciting, but also cruel.”

“If one day you go to the Central Plains, remember, without sufficient strength, never easily get involved in those ancient disputes.”

Jiang Donghua took a deep look at his Master’s back, asked no more questions, and turned to go downstairs.

The night breeze brushed past, and Mo Xuan still stood in place, his gaze seemingly piercing through endless void, looking towards that distant yet familiar place.

“Central Plains, this old man, it’s time to go back and settle an old score.”