39: Jiang Donghua, a rising star in the School of Foreign Languages

Jiang Donghua rubbed his temples, walking back to the classroom with a distressed expression.

He had originally hoped for a stable, three-point-line life consisting of the training ground, the dormitory, and the classroom, but reality had delivered a harsh blow.

The moment he stepped across the classroom threshold, a wave of fragrance rushed toward him.

"Senior Brother Jiang ~ There's an empty seat over here!"

"Junior Brother Donghua, I have some excellent spirit tea here, would you like to try some?"

"Student Jiang, may I ask you about this problem regarding Dou Qi execution?"

Looking around, the formerly familiar classroom was actually filled with unfamiliar faces, all of them female students of considerable beauty.

They were either shy or passionate, their eyes gleaming, looking as if they couldn't wait to devour Jiang Donghua whole.

"W-what is going on?"

Jiang Donghua froze at the doorway, fine sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Although he had the afk that allowed him to cultivate automatically, constantly being surrounded by so many beautiful women—who could possibly handle this!

One must know that before transmigrating, he was still an innocent youth who hadn't even held a girl's hand!

"Ahem!"

A light cough came from behind him.

Jiang Donghua felt as if he had been granted amnesty, turning to see Junior Sister Liu standing in the corridor with her hands on her hips, her small face flushed red with anger.

"You bunch of vixens!"

Junior Sister Liu darted forward, blocking Jiang Donghua like a protective hen guarding her chick.

"Senior Brother Jiang still needs to go to the Pill Refining Room, move aside!"

The female students immediately became displeased.

"Who are you? Why are you stopping us from interacting with Senior Brother Jiang?"

"Exactly, why pretend to be so virtuous!"

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, Jiang Donghua quickly came up with an idea.

"Instructor Mo Xuan is waiting for me to test some medicine, I'll be leaving first!"

After speaking, he took off, immediately executing the Roaming Cloud Steps to escape.

Behind him, many Junior Sisters shouted in frustration.

"Senior Brother Jiang! Wait for me!"

In just a few bounds, Jiang Donghua had already leaped onto the rooftop.

He wiped away a cold sweat, muttering with lingering fear.

"That was terrifying. It looks like I need to figure something out."

The Outer Academy has at least two or three hundred thousand students, and new things happen every day. He figured that in just a few days, his popularity would be replaced by other gossip.

"Rather than being treated like a monkey here, why not just ~"

He squinted his eyes, looking toward the distant mountain forest.

Ancient trees towered there, shrouded in mist—it was the perfect place for closed-door cultivation.

Since he had the afk, where he cultivated didn't really matter, did it?

Having made up his mind, Jiang Donghua immediately took action.

He first headed to the Mission Hall, preparing to take on a few long-term herb gathering missions.

As soon as he arrived at the Mission Hall, the Senior Brother responsible for registration recognized him instantly.

"Oh, isn't this Jiang Donghua, Junior Brother Jiang, the famous celebrity of our Outer Academy!"

Hearing this, the surrounding students all cast curious and envious glances his way.

Jiang Donghua was slightly startled, then gave a polite smile.

The Senior Brother warmly stepped forward and said.

"Junior Brother Jiang, are you here to take missions?"

"Come, come, come, I happen to have a few high-grade herb gathering missions suitable for you. Not only are the rewards generous, but the locations are all places rich in spiritual energy, which will also benefit your cultivation."

After speaking, he selected several mission scrolls from a pile and handed them to Jiang Donghua.

Jiang Donghua was delighted, took the mission scrolls, and thanked him.

The Senior Brother patted his shoulder again and said.

"As a highly talented disciple of Instructor Mo Xuan, you naturally require special care. I wouldn't give these missions to just anyone, so don't let down my good intentions."

Next, Jiang Donghua went to the Logistics Office to exchange for enough dry rations and water for three months.

The deacon at the Logistics Office was also very enthusiastic upon seeing him. Not only did he quickly help him pack his supplies, but he also gifted him some practical wilderness survival tools.

"Junior Brother Jiang, are you going on a long journey?"

The deacon asked curiously.

"Yes, I took a few herb gathering missions."

Jiang Donghua replied without changing his expression.

"Instructor Mo Xuan said I should familiarize myself more with the characteristics of medicinal herbs."

The deacon nodded and praised him.

"As expected of Master Mo Xuan's talented disciple, you are truly diligent! Take these tools with you; they might prove very useful."

Once all preparations were complete, Jiang Donghua used the cover of night to climb over the academy wall.

Before leaving, he looked back at the brightly lit dormitory area, vaguely hearing a few female students inquiring about his whereabouts.

"Heh, once you tire of searching, you will naturally shift your focus."

He leaped up, and in just a few bounds, he vanished into the vast darkness of the night.

With these conveniences and extra resources, Jiang Donghua was filled with anticipation for his upcoming closed-door cultivation.

No sooner had Jiang Donghua left the academy than the news reached the Alchemy Department.

Instructor Mo Xuan sat inside the pill room, holding a report sent by the Mission Hall, which detailed the high-grade herb gathering missions Jiang Donghua had accepted.

He picked up his teacup and took a light sip, his tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxing.

"This boy..."

Mo Xuan murmured to himself, the corner of his mouth slightly lifting.

Yesterday, he had thought Jiang Donghua was seeking comfort and unwilling to improve in the path of alchemy, even getting so angry he almost wanted to personally drag the boy back for a reprimand. But now, it seemed things were not so simple.

"So he wasn't being lazy, but wanted to break through alone?"

Mo Xuan put down his teacup, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

Every mission Jiang Donghua accepted required him to venture deep into dangerous places rich in spiritual energy, and some of the herbs were difficult for even ordinary Alchemists to identify.

Such missions were usually only chosen by disciples who genuinely wanted to hone their alchemy skills.

"A proud little fellow."

Mo Xuan shook his head and chuckled.

"Does he want to secretly advance to First-Grade Alchemist and then amaze everyone?"

Although Jiang Donghua hadn't explicitly said so, Mo Xuan had already guessed his intention: he didn't want to break through under the public eye, but intended to enter solitary cultivation and return only after his alchemy skills had truly advanced.

"Well, it's a million times better than I imagined."

Feeling pleased, Mo Xuan casually took out a pill from his sleeve and tossed it to the Nine-star Dou Zhe student who had come to report.

"This Qi Circulation Pill can help you break through to Dou Master, increasing your chance by twenty percent."

The student was stunned for a moment, then overcome with ecstasy. He tightly gripped the pill with both hands, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Thank you, Master Mo Xuan!"

Mo Xuan waved his hand, signaling him to retreat, then picked up his teacup again, his gaze distant as he looked out the window.

"Jiang Donghua, don't let me down!"

Following the guidance of the mission map, Jiang Donghua traveled deep into the mountain forest.

The further he went, the rarer human traces became. Ancient trees reached the sky all around, their branches and leaves blocking out the sun, making it difficult for even sunlight to penetrate.

The air was filled with dense spiritual energy, but it was also mixed with a trace of danger.

"This place truly isn't somewhere ordinary people can come," Jiang Donghua muttered to himself, vigilantly surveying his surroundings.

Along the way, the number of Magical Beasts he encountered was ridiculously high.

Moreover, most of them were powerful; the weakest were at the One-Star Dou Zhe level, and a few had even reached the peak of the Dou Practitioner stage.

He dared not fight head-on, only trying his best to evade them. Only when he absolutely couldn't avoid them would he reluctantly strike, and even then, he only chose weaker targets.

However, just as he crossed a steep cliff, a fierce aura suddenly locked onto him!

"Roar—!"

Accompanied by a deafening roar, a massive black shadow rushed out of the dense forest. Its scarlet beast eyes stared fixedly at Jiang Donghua, its fangs sharp, and saliva dripping from the corners of its mouth.

"A Seven-Star Dou Zhe level Magical Beast—the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf!"

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted, and he inwardly cried out that things were bad.

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf was incredibly fast and bloodthirsty. Once it targeted prey, it would pursue it relentlessly until death!

"Damn it, why did I have to run into such a troublesome fellow!"

He gritted his teeth and cursed softly, turning around to run without hesitation.

"Swoosh—!"

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf slammed its four limbs onto the ground, instantly transforming into a bloody afterimage, chasing madly!

Jiang Donghua dared not slack off. The Dou Qi within his body circulated frantically, his footsteps shifting, and his figure became erratic like mist and clouds—it was precisely the yellow rank high grade movement Dou Technique he had mastered—the Roaming Cloud Steps!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

He darted rapidly through the forest, constantly changing direction using trees and terrain, attempting to shake off the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf.

However, this beast was extremely fast, nearly pouncing on him several times!

"This can't continue."

Cold sweat beaded on Jiang Donghua's forehead as he rapidly thought of a countermeasure.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, spotting a narrow mountain crevice not far ahead!

"I'll risk it!"

He rushed over without hesitation, and just as the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf was about to pounce, his figure flashed, and he squeezed into the mountain crevice!

"Boom!"

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's massive body violently slammed against the mountain wall, sending gravel flying. Unable to squeeze into the narrow gap, it roared furiously, its sharp claws frantically tearing at the rock.

Jiang Donghua leaned against the stone wall, panting heavily, his heart pounding wildly.

"Phew... I finally shook it off..."

However, before he could relax, the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's roar suddenly grew even more violent!

"Roar—!!!"

Immediately afterward, the entire mountain wall began to tremble slightly!

"Crap! This beast isn't trying to crash the mountain wall down, is it?!"

Jiang Donghua's expression drastically changed.

He had to leave here quickly, or if the crevice collapsed, he would either be buried alive or forced to face this fierce beast head-on!

"It seems I have no choice but to fight!"

A fierce look flashed in his eyes. He reached behind him and drew the sword hilt, and a long sword glowing with Red Light appeared in his palm.

"Since I can't escape, I'll slay you!"

A cold light flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes. The Dou Qi in his body surged frantically, and his right palm suddenly burst into blazing flames!

"Blazing Flame Palm!"

Seizing the moment the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf was stuck in the crevice, he slammed his palm toward its head!

"Boom—!"

Flames exploded, and the scorching palm force slammed heavily onto the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's forehead. Instantly, flesh and blood flew everywhere, the fur was scorched black, and the stark white skull was clearly visible!

"Awoo—!"

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf let out a mournful howl. Under intense pain, it struggled madly, actually managing to forcefully break free from the mountain crevice!

"Bang!"

Gravel scattered as the giant wolf landed. Its scarlet beast eyes were locked tightly onto Jiang Donghua, foul-smelling saliva dripped between its fangs, and its entire body radiated furious killing intent!

Jiang Donghua's heart tightened, but he quickly calmed down.

"That palm strike reduced its strength by at least thirty to forty percent!"

With its head injured, the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's movements were noticeably slower, and its body, originally swift as the wind, now seemed somewhat unsteady.

"Roar—!"

It let out a low growl and lunged, but its speed was nowhere near what it had been before!

The corner of Jiang Donghua's mouth curled up. Executing the Roaming Cloud Steps, his figure drifted like mist and clouds, easily dodging the pounce.

"Beast, now it's my turn!"

He flipped his right hand. His short sword flashed with cold light; Dou Qi poured into the blade, and the edge immediately emitted a layer of sharp radiance!

"Take this sword!"

"Swish—!"

The sword light was like lightning, heading straight for the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's throat!

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf instinctively tilted its head to dodge, but the injury to its head slowed its reaction by half a beat. The sword edge sliced fiercely across its foreleg, drawing forth a spray of blood!

"Ow!"

The giant wolf cried out in pain, its ferocity increasing. Ignoring its injuries, it pounced once more!

Jiang Donghua's eyes turned cold. His figure suddenly ducked low, gripping the short sword in a reverse grip, and fiercely thrusting upward!

"Puchi!"

The sword edge accurately pierced the Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's abdomen, and blood gushed out!

"It's over!"

He exerted force abruptly, violently twisting the short sword, and then rapidly retreated!

"Thud!"

The Bloodfang Demonic Wolf's massive body crashed heavily onto the ground, its blood staining the earth red. It struggled a few times before finally losing all signs of life.

Jiang Donghua let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and looked at the fallen giant wolf, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"A Seven-Star Dou Zhe level Magical Beast—it was only through a lucky coincidence that I was able to slay it!"

He stepped forward and skillfully cut open its head, but found no sign of a demonic core. He could only cut off a few valuable pieces of hide and sharp claws, storing them in his pack.

"I should continue my journey; this place is not suitable for long stays."

He looked up toward the depths of the mountain forest, the fighting spirit in his eyes undiminished.

"The true tempering has only just begun!"