297: You've reached the Douhuang level!

The rising winds and clouds of the Northern Region of Central State had not yet reached the distant Jia Nan Academy.

Within the Inner Academy, it remained a scene of a cultivation sanctuary.

The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower stood majestically, the arena was bustling with people, and on the tree-lined paths, young students came and went, the air filled with the freshness of plants and a vibrant energy unique to the Academy.

Jiang Donghua strolled along a garden path full of unknown spiritual plants, taking a deep breath of the sweet-scented air, enjoying the rare tranquility.

However, just as he relaxed, his nose suddenly tickled, and he couldn't help but let out a loud sneeze.

“Achoo!”

This sudden noise broke the garden's serenity and attracted the attention of two people nearby.

“Hahaha!”

A hearty, boisterous laugh immediately rang out; it was Lei Lie, who was tall and strong.

He slapped his thigh hard and said, uncontrollably amused.

“Brother Jiang! Your cultivation is almost heaven-reaching, how can you still sneeze?”

“Could it be some ignorant fellow talking about you behind your back?”

Jiang Donghua rubbed his nose, also a bit amused, and shook his head, smiling.

“Perhaps the floral scent is too strong.”

His gaze shifted to the other figure beside Lei Lie.

That was a tall, graceful woman, wearing a well-tailored dark green tight suit that outlined her perfect curves.

Her face was not exquisitely beautiful, but she possessed a unique cool and detached temperament, especially her eyes, which were as deep as a secluded pond.

At this moment, she was leaning lazily against an ancient tree, her slender fingers casually twirling a strand of her dark green long hair.

It was Liu Qingsi, strong ranking third place, mysterious and unfathomable.

Seeing Jiang Donghua look over, Liu Qingsi's lips curved slightly upward, forming a half-smile, her voice cool with a hint of undetectable inquiry.

“Brother Jiang, you’ve been gone for so long, I’m afraid you’ve been diligently cultivating somewhere again!”

She sized up Jiang Donghua, her eyes, which seemed to see through people's hearts, flickered slightly, and she continued.

“With your monstrous talent, after all this time, you must have already touched the edge of an Eight or Nine-star Dou Wang, right?”

Lei Lie, hearing this, immediately perked up his ears, his bell-like eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

He knew that Jiang Donghua was already a Dou Wang before going into seclusion, and not a short amount of time had passed since then. Given Brother Jiang's abnormal level, reaching eight or nine stars seemed entirely possible!

Facing Liu Qingsi's all-seeing gaze and Lei Lie's undisguised curiosity, Jiang Donghua merely smiled reservedly, neither admitting nor denying, and said in a calm tone.

“Senior Liu, you jest. The path of cultivation is not that easy. I have only made slight progress.”

His answer was light and airy, making it impossible to discern his true strength.

Liu Qingsi's action of twirling her hair paused slightly upon hearing this, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She knew Jiang Donghua's character well; the more he understated something, the more astonishing his progress usually was. She didn't press further, merely gave Jiang Donghua a meaningful look, and softly said.

“Is that so? Then I'm really looking forward to this strong ranking competition.”

Lei Lie, listening nearby, scratched his ears and cheeks. He was straightforward and couldn't stand such riddling conversations, but he didn't dare to ask more, so he could only mumble.

“No matter what, Brother Jiang, you are definitely much stronger than me! I am grateful to be able to stabilize at Peak Dou Ling now!”

Jiang Donghua smiled and patted Lei Lie's shoulder, saying nothing more.

All students understood that the top ten of the strong ranking list was not just a ranking, but also represented a great opportunity: the qualification to enter the lowest level of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower and undergo body tempering by the Origin Heart Flame!

Whether for students stuck at Peak Dou Ling seeking a breakthrough, or for Dou Wang Experts aiming to solidify their foundation and refine their Dou Qi.

The origin power of this Fallen Heart Flame had unimaginable and wonderful benefits, serving as an excellent aid for assaulting higher realms!

In the garden, Lei Lie, with a wide grin, clapped Jiang Donghua's shoulder with his large, fan-like hand, laughing heartily.

“Brother Jiang, you’re finally back! While you were away these days, that Stinky Kid Qin Xiao has been holding back, constantly sharpening his skills, just waiting to get his revenge on you!”

He mimicked Qin Xiao's arrogant look, his voice hoarse, saying.

“That kid declared that he lost to you last time purely because he had just broken through to Dou Wang and wasn't proficient in Di-rank Dou Technique!”

“If it were in this competition, he’d definitely beat you black and blue! Heh heh, you better be careful, that guy’s Thunder Fire Dou Qi is no joke!”

Jiang Donghua merely smiled indifferently upon hearing this.

He didn't doubt Qin Xiao's progress, but as for himself now, he shook his head slightly, not saying much.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Liu Qingsi and Lei Lie, Jiang Donghua bid them farewell and departed.

His main purpose for this trip was to find the Great Elder of the Inner Academy, Great Elder, to handle the procedures for exchanging a Earth Rank High Tier cultivation technique and to prepare for entering the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

In the Elder's Hall, Great Elder was swamped with work.

He had just finished dealing with a dispute caused by excessive force during a competition, and as he rubbed his throbbing temples, he looked up and saw Jiang Donghua slowly walk in.

“Donghua kid? You’ve come out of seclusion?”

Great Elder saw Jiang Donghua, a tired smile appeared on his face, and he was about to habitually inquire about his cultivation progress.

However, when his gaze truly fell upon Jiang Donghua, and his soul perception subconsciously swept over him, the expression on the face of this knowledgeable Great Elder of the Inner Academy, a Five-star Dou Zong, instantly froze!

His eyes, which had originally shown a hint of fatigue, suddenly widened, and his mouth slightly opened, as if he had seen something incredibly unbelievable!

“You kid?!”

Great Elder's voice carried a hint of imperceptible tremor. He abruptly stood up from his seat, walked around Jiang Donghua twice, as if to confirm whether he was seeing things.

He took several deep breaths before he could barely suppress the shock in his heart, pointed at Jiang Donghua, and said in an almost moaning tone.

“You actually entered Dou Huang?!”

This was already enough to shock him!

One must know that half a year ago, when Jiang Donghua left the Inner Academy to cultivate outside, he was only at the Dou Wang realm, although his combat power was heaven-defying.

How long has it been? At most, less than a year!

He went from Dou Wang to Dou Huang in such a short time?!

What kind of terrifying cultivation speed was this?!

However, what made Great Elder's scalp tingle even more was that, relying on his incredibly keen perception as a Five-star Dou Zong, a rough probe revealed that Jiang Donghua's aura was profound and condensed, unfathomable, definitely not as simple as merely having just entered Dou Huang!

“And your aura, I’m afraid it has already reached around Four-Star Dou Huang?!”

Great Elder's voice was filled with disbelief; he even suspected that his perception was faulty!

One year, from Dou Wang to Four-Star Dou Huang?

Jiang Donghua looked at Great Elder's ghost-like expression, and he was also slightly surprised.

He had already deliberately restrained his aura, but he didn't expect Great Elder's perception to still be so keen, actually being able to roughly determine his star level.

This discerning eye truly lived up to his reputation as the Inner Academy's pillar of stability.

He touched his storage ring, a helpless wry smile appearing on his face, neither admitting nor denying, only vaguely saying.

“Great Elder indeed has keen insight. This junior has indeed had some fortuitous encounters during this period.”

Hearing Jiang Donghua's roundabout admission, Great Elder fell completely silent.

He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and after a long while, he finally let out a long sigh of turbid air, staring at Jiang Donghua with an expression as if he had seen a monster, ultimately turning into a complex sigh.

“Alas~ I’m old, I’m old... Truly, talented people emerge from generation to generation. You kid are simply a monster!”

He had already foreseen that this strong ranking competition would likely stir up a storm far beyond everyone's imagination due to the return of this young man.

That kid Qin Xiao is probably going to hit a brick wall this time, and it's a red-hot profound iron plate!