266: Why didn't you tell me sooner, Lao Lei?

While the entire audience was still immersed in the shock of Jiang Donghua's promotion to strong ranking third place and his terrifying Dou Wang Expert strength, a loud and hearty laugh broke the stagnant atmosphere.

"Wahahaha! Brother Jiang! You really gave Old Lei quite a fright!"

Lei Lie, who was fourth on the strong ranking list, was seen laughing loudly as he rushed onto the arena like a whirlwind, completely ignoring the energy fluctuations that hadn't fully dissipated and the complex gazes of the surrounding people.

His large, fan-like hand unceremoniously slapped Jiang Donghua's shoulder with such force that it made loud thudding sounds, yet his face was beaming with genuine excitement and enthusiasm, devoid of any jealousy.

"Old Lei personally rushed over today, originally thinking that if you couldn't handle it, he could still swallow his pride and give you some support and momentum!"

Lei Lie's voice was booming, making people's ears buzz.

"Who would have thought! You bastard! Without saying a word, you've already broken through to become a Dou Wang Expert! You hid that way too well!"

He glared at Jiang Donghua in mock complaint, but the laughter in his eyes could not be hidden.

"If you had given Old Lei a heads-up earlier, he wouldn't have wasted all that worry for you down there! He was sweating in his palms!"

Jiang Donghua was infected by Lei Lie's unfeigned enthusiasm, and a sincere smile also appeared on his face.

Towards this straightforward and genuinely kind friend, he naturally treated him with sincerity in return.

He allowed Lei Lie to sling an arm around his shoulder and responded with a smile.

"My mistake. I apologize for making Brother Lei Lie worry."

Lei Lie waved his large hand, completely unconcerned.

"Hah! Why talk about that! This is fantastic news! Let's go, let's go, let's go! We absolutely must celebrate today! Old Lei knows a person in the Inner Academy whose roasted meat and strong liquor are absolutely superb!"

Saying this, he casually put his arm around Jiang Donghua's shoulder and led him swaggering off the arena under the dumbfounded gaze of the crowd, as if the battle that had just shaken the Inner Academy had never happened.

The two chatted freely, oblivious to their surroundings, and the atmosphere between them was extremely harmonious.

However, just as Jiang Donghua was about to step off the arena, his footsteps paused slightly, as if he had remembered something.

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the ears of everyone nearby. His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty and anticipation.

"Brother Lei Lie, when do you think I'll have a chance to truly spar with Senior Student Qin Xiao, who is first on the strong ranking list?"

He paused slightly, and a meaningful curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I am still somewhat interested in the title of first on the strong ranking list."

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't wait for Lei Lie's reply and continued walking down.

However, this casual remark was like another massive stone thrown into a calm lake, once again stirring up monstrous waves among the crowd that had just begun to settle down!

Everyone held their breath!

first on the strong ranking list!

thunder fire asura Qin Xiao!

Jiang Donghua's goal, it turned out, was the supreme throne among the Inner Academy Students from the very beginning!

Defeating the strong ranking third place was not the end at all, but merely the beginning!

Today's dramatic and climactic arena battle finally drew to a close with the shocking conclusion of Jiang Donghua fiercely demonstrating his Dou Wang strength, overwhelmingly crushing his opponent, and instantly claiming strong ranking third place.

However, Jiang Donghua's seemingly casual but actually ambitious words before leaving the stage were like a boulder thrown into the center of the lake, stirring up even more turbulent waves in everyone's hearts that could not be calmed for a long time.

Almost everyone sensed that the peace, or rather, the existing order of the Inner Academy, was only temporary.

Given Jiang Donghua's undisguised sharpness and rapid rate of advancement, a true battle between dragons and tigers for the title of the strongest student would likely take place in the Inner Academy sooner or later!

"Senior Student Qin Xiao, who is first on the strong ranking list, going up against the newly promoted Dou Wang Jiang Donghua—my heavens, just thinking about that scene gives me goosebumps!"

A Senior Student couldn't help but rub his hands excitedly as he spoke to his companion.

His companion, however, looked serious, his tone filled with awe.

"Don't forget, Senior Student Qin Xiao is a true monster! Back then, with the strength of a Nine-Star Dou Ling, he single-handedly killed a one-star Fifth-Tier Magical Beast!"

"That was a genuine Dou Wang level creature! His overbearing attack from the Dual Cultivation of Thunder and Fire is practically world-destroying; just thinking about it is terrifying!"

These words immediately resonated with the people around them.

Qin Xiao's glorious achievements and his unparalleled, ferocious fighting style had long been deeply imprinted on people's minds, making him an unshakable legend in the hearts of countless Senior Students.

"That's right, he isn't called the thunder fire asura for nothing! His offensive power is simply inhuman!"

For a time, discussions and speculations about who would be stronger if the two truly fought spread rapidly like wildfire throughout every corner of the Inner Academy, becoming the hottest topic.

Some believed that Qin Xiao's offensive power was unprecedented, and killing enemies above his rank was commonplace for him; even if Jiang Donghua was a Dou Wang, he might not be able to withstand the destructive strike combining thunder and fire.

"Senior Student Qin Xiao's Thunder-Fire Dual Supremacy is no joke! Even a Dou Wang wouldn't dare take that power head-on, right?"

But more people, after careful consideration, gradually leaned towards favoring Jiang Donghua.

"That may be true, but don't forget, Jiang Donghua is now a genuine Dou Wang Expert!"

A voice analyzed calmly.

"Between a Dou Wang and a Dou Ling, there is a fundamental difference! It is the Dou Qi Transformation Wings, the beginning of initial control over the energy of heaven and earth!"

"No matter how strong Senior Student Qin Xiao is, the quality and total amount of his Dou Qi are ultimately still within the Dou Ling realm. In a prolonged battle, he might not necessarily gain the upper hand."

"Exactly! Furthermore, Jiang Donghua's strange silver fist technique and icy flame are also unfathomable! He clearly still has trump cards he hasn't revealed!"

"The advantage brought by the Dou Wang realm is too great—it's not just flight, but also recovery speed, perception, and utilization of energy. Unless Senior Student Qin Xiao can break through during the fight, it will be difficult!"

This viewpoint gained increasing recognition.

The absolute advantage of realm was, in the eyes of most people, an insurmountable chasm.

Along with the speculation about this future peak battle, another fact was clearly laid out before all the Inner Academy Seniors: regardless of whether Jiang Donghua or Qin Xiao was stronger, no one would ever dare provoke his Donghua Pavilion again!

A faction backed by strong ranking third place, a genuine Dou Wang Expert, possessed deterrent power sufficient to make any ill-intentioned person hesitate and retreat.

The forty-odd New Students, along with the coveted one hundred points of Fire Energy in their hands, became incredibly safe under the protection of Jiang Donghua's towering reputation.

Lei Lie kept his arm hooked around Jiang Donghua's shoulder and strode quickly toward the depths of the Inner Academy, shouting excitedly.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go! Brother Jiang, today I absolutely must treat you to something good!"

"Old Lei knows a place where the chef's skill is simply amazing! The food he makes, and the liquor he brews himself—the taste, tsk tsk, is absolutely top-notch! He guarantees you'll want a second serving after the first!"

Jiang Donghua was also infected by his straightforward enthusiasm and laughed, allowing him to lead the way, feeling a bit curious in his heart.

A place that Lei Lie praised so highly must be extraordinary.