258: All-out war challenge

Hearing that Lei Lie and Liu Qingsi were both Nine-Star Dou Ling and held such high rankings in the Inner Academy, a look of understanding flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes, and he immediately asked with some curiosity.

"I see. Then Lei Lie, what rank are you currently on the inner academy strong ranking list?"

Upon hearing this, Lei Lie habitually curled his lips, seemingly not overly concerned about the ranking, but mumbled with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Hah! Don't even mention it! Those freaks in the top ten of the strong ranking list last year, who knows what they ate, but they all broke through to the Dou King realm as if they had planned it, and then left the Inner Academy around the same time to pursue their futures! It feels like the value of the current top ten on the strong ranking list is a notch lower than in previous years."

He patted his chest, his tone regaining some of its usual boldness.

"As for Old Lei now, I barely manage to rank fourth! That woman Liu Qingsi, she trains like a madwoman, she ranks second!"

Saying this, a proud smile appeared on his face as he looked at Jiang Donghua.

"Hehe, Brother Jiang, don't worry! If any ignorant fool dares to cause you trouble in this Inner Academy in the future, just drop my name and Liu Qingsi's! With our combined strength, protecting you is a piece of cake!"

Although he knew Jiang Donghua's strength was likely immense, in his view, brothers should always look out for each other; this was his way of expressing friendship.

When Jiang Donghua heard that Lei Lie only ranked fourth and Liu Qingsi ranked second, a look of obvious surprise appeared on his face for the first time.

He knew well the fierce and overbearing nature of Lei Lie's fighting style and his true combat strength; logically, this shouldn't be the case.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, asking with a mix of surprise and eager battle intent.

"The first rank isn't you? Then who is the formidable person ranked ahead of you and Liu Qingsi? I've just arrived, and I'd like to challenge him and gauge the strength of this Inner Academy's strongest person."

Seeing Jiang Donghua so interested in the first rank, even directly expressing his intention to challenge, Lei Lie's expression became somewhat strange, mixed with admiration and a hint of helplessness.

He waved his hand, lowering his voice slightly.

"Hey! Brother Jiang, don't underestimate the guy currently ranked first! Although he, well, hasn't broken through to Dou King yet and is still in the Inner Academy, that monster, tsk, he's a bit eerie!"

He seemed to be organizing his thoughts, considering how to describe the mysterious first ranker.

Lei Lie clicked his tongue, the carefree expression on his face receding significantly, replaced by the seriousness one adopts when facing a true powerhouse. He lowered his voice and said.

"The main thing is that guy is a monster with innate dual-attribute Dou Qi! And these two attributes aren't just an ordinary combination; they are two extremely overbearing, vastly different attributes that he somehow manages to combine perfectly—extreme powers!"

He paused, as if merely recalling that power made his heart palpitate, and he emphasized the two words that caused others' faces to change color upon hearing them.

"That's right, it's Thunder and Fire!"

"Rampaging thunder and destructive flames—these two powers converge on him simultaneously!"

"Can you imagine the scene? When he fights, it's practically a natural disaster! His combat power is ridiculously fierce!"

"Old Lei fought him once, and I was nearly electrocuted and scorched!"

Lei Lie touched his arm, which still felt numb from the memory, lingering fear in his heart.

"To be honest, with the dominance and power of his dual Thunder and Fire attributes, if he truly unleashes his full power, he definitely wouldn't lose to those two or three-star beginner Dou Kings! He's simply a prodigy!"

Just as Lei Lie finished speaking, a New Student nearby who had been listening intently and was quite well-informed about Inner Academy news suddenly seemed to recall something and cried out in surprise.

"Dual Thunder and Fire attributes?! Is Senior talking about Senior Qin Xiao?!"

Another New Student immediately added excitedly.

"Yes, yes, yes! I remember now! It's him!"

"I heard that two months ago, Senior Qin Xiao was executing a high-level mission in the Outer Academy and single-handedly killed a newly promoted one-star Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, the Earth Flame Scorpion King! When the news returned, the entire Inner Academy was shaken!"

"That's right! It's him! The first on the strong ranking, the thunder fire asura Qin Xiao!"

This confirmation immediately caused another stir among all the New Students.

Single-handedly slaying a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast!

What terrifying strength was that!

This achievement was even more shocking than Lei Lie stealing medicine under the watch of a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, because this was an actual, head-on kill!

Listening to Lei Lie's description and the glorious achievements added by the New Students, Jiang Donghua's eyes showed no fear; instead, they shone with an unprecedented burning light—the excitement of encountering an opponent worthy of his full effort.

"Qin Xiao, dual Thunder and Fire attributes, capable of slaying a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast."

He repeated these keywords softly, a curve full of battle intent slowly forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Interesting! Truly interesting! It seems this Inner Academy definitely won't let me be bored!"

His reaction stunned even Lei Lie; others showed profound respect when hearing Qin Xiao's name, but his Brother Jiang, conversely, looked like a hunter who had spotted his most anticipated prey.

Lei Lie couldn't help but remind him.

"Brother Jiang, that guy is a true battle maniac, and he doesn't hold back."

Jiang Donghua interrupted him, his tone calm but filled with undeniable confidence.

"It doesn't matter. This kind of opponent is exactly what I need."

The reason Jiang Donghua was so eager to challenge the strong ranking list experts was not purely out of a desire for reckless fighting.

During his conversations over the past two days with the well-informed New Students, he had gained a clearer understanding of the Inner Academy's rules.

Especially the information regarding the Dou Technique Pavilion made his heart race.

"I heard that deep inside the Inner Academy's Dou Technique Pavilion, they actually store Di-rank Dou Technique!"

A New Student had once said, excited yet helpless.

"Yes, but the exchange requirements are terrifying! You either need to trade rare treasures of equal value, or you have to pay an astronomical amount of Fire Energy! The zeros at the end are countless; it's simply not something we can think about right now!"

Another person added.

"And I also heard that the higher your rank on the strong ranking list, the more astonishing the Fire Energy rewards the Academy automatically distributes each month! Those in the top ten receive hundreds every month."

Jiang Donghua heard all these words and kept them in mind.

Di-rank Dou Technique was exactly what he currently yearned for, as it could greatly enhance his combat ability.

And the fastest way to acquire massive amounts of Fire Energy was undoubtedly to charge toward the top ranks of the strong ranking list!

Since he had decided to rise quickly and acquire resources, the best way was to directly challenge the existing order!

Rather than slowly fighting his way up one by one, a truly audacious plan instantly formed in his mind.

He turned his head and looked at the core members beside him—Lin Xiu, Bai Ling, Wang Han, and Zhao Ming—his tone calm but carrying undeniable resolution.

"Since we established the Donghua Pavilion, we must do something to make our name known."

"I'm giving you your first task."

The few people immediately straightened their expressions and responded respectfully.

"Please give your command, Leader!"

Jiang Donghua's gaze swept toward the depths of the Inner Academy in the distance, as if he could already see the strong ranking list monument symbolizing rank and glory, and he spoke lightly.

He uttered a command that instantly petrified everyone, making them doubt if they had heard correctly.

"Go, and issue challenge letters to the remaining twenty-two people in the current top twenty-four of the strong ranking list, excluding Lei Lie and Liu Qingsi."

"The time will be set for three days from now, in the arena. I will face them one by one. Whether they want a continuous relay challenge or to attack all at once, this lord will accompany them to the end!"

Silence!

A deathly silence!