47: Nine Star Warriors

Jiang Donghua lightly touched the azure water profound crystal fruit with his fingertip; the sensation was cold and slick, like holding a solidified mass of cold spring water.

The surface of the fruit skin shimmered with an ethereal blue glow, and when smelled up close, a clear fragrance wafted out, like a mixture of cedar and glacial water; just inhaling a breath caused the Dou Qi in one's meridians to tremble slightly.

"As expected of a water-element supreme treasure!"

He licked his lips, forcefully suppressing the urge to consume it immediately.

Now was not the time for a breakthrough.

Out here in the wilderness, if he attracted other Magical Beasts or cultivators, the gain wouldn't be worth the loss.

Moreover, this was meant to be consumed by a Great Dou Master; he didn't know what kind of chain reaction would occur if he ate it himself.

The highest probability was that he would explode and die after consuming it!

It seemed he could only sell it for money.

He quickly pulled out a mutton-fat jade box from his embrace. The lid was carved with moisture-proof cloud patterns, and the interior was lined with absorbent silk.

This was a container specially designed for storing spiritual medicine, capable of locking in the spiritual energy of the azure water profound crystal fruit to the greatest extent.

"Click."

The moment the lid closed, the residual moisture by the pool spontaneously condensed into tiny ice crystals, scattering onto the surface of the jade box.

Jiang Donghua weighed it in his hand with satisfaction and carefully tucked it back into his inner pocket.

Once he reached a safe area, this item could be exchanged for at least four or five low-tier storage rings!

Thinking about how he would no longer have to carry bulging bundles or shove a pile of bottles and jars into his waistband, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

A storage ring!

That was the standard equipment for the truly wealthy.

However, there was another windfall to collect right now.

Jiang Donghua squatted down, twirling the sword in his palm. The blade glowed with a layer of Fire Attribute Dou Qi. He skillfully sliced open the head of the Black Water Profound Serpent, and the tip of the sword lightly probed the brain matter.

"Ding!"

A deep blue crystal the size of a longan rolled out, its surface covered in natural serpentine scale patterns. A Second-Tier Water Attribute Magical Core!

"As expected, there's treasure!"

He whistled, then followed the same method to cut open the skull of the Snake-Swallowing Crocodile.

This beast's skull was as hard as iron ore, and sparks flew when the blade scraped it, but when the tip of the knife pried open the cranial cavity, another slightly larger indigo Magical Core was faintly glowing.

The two Second-Tier Magical Cores clinked together in his palm, making a crisp sound like jade.

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes and calculated.

The Black Water Profound Serpent's Magical Core could sell for two to three thousand gold coins, and the Snake-Swallowing Crocodile's, due to its anti-toxin properties, would at least double that price.

Adding the materials from the few First-tier Magical Beasts he had hunted earlier.

Three days later, deep within the dense forest.

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged on a bluestone, his surrounding Dou Qi circulating like flames, the scorching aura slightly warping the surrounding air.

He slowly opened his eyes, a streak of crimson light seemingly flashing deep within his pupils before receding.

"Eight-Star Dou Zhe!"

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging Dou Qi within his body, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Finally, he had advanced another step!

"It seems that life-and-death combat truly is the fastest way to cultivate."

During these three days, he did not deliberately enter seclusion but continued to hunt Magical Beasts in the dense forest.

First-tier Magical Beasts fell one after another beneath his sword, and with every battle, his Dou Qi became more refined and his movement technique swifter.

"Roaming Cloud Steps."

It seemed to have advanced further in actual combat; now, when he fully exerted himself, he could even glide briefly in the air, as if walking on clouds!

"It's close."

He looked up into the distance, his gaze profound.

Nine-star Dou Zhe was within reach!

The Dou Master realm was within grasp!

"In just over two months, it will be the end of my half-year seclusion period."

He muttered to himself, filled with emotion.

Time truly flies!

Half a year ago, he was just a novice who had recently entered the Dou Practitioner stage.

But now, he had reached the strength of Eight-Star Dou Zhe, only one final step away from the Dou Master stage!

"In that case~"

He stood up, battle intent burning in his eyes.

"Then I'll kill a few more Magical Beasts and break through to Nine-star as well!"

Breaking through to Dou Master was right before him!

He checked his afk again.

[Host: Jiang Donghua]

[Realm: Eight-Star Dou Zhe (0 / 8000)]

[Main Cultivation Technique: Heaven Burning Art (profound rank mid-level)]

[afk Income]

Clone 1: 5 points/hour

Clone 2: 5 points/hour

[Current Total Income: 10 points/hour]

Jiang Donghua put away the system panel, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Thirty-three days? Too slow!"

He licked his lips, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding dense forest, and a cold, sharp arc formed at the corner of his mouth.

"If afk isn't fast enough, then I'll kill!"

"Roar!!"

An Iron-Backed Azure Wolf suddenly leaped out from the bushes, its sharp claws flashing with cold light, aiming straight for Jiang Donghua's throat!

However, the movement appeared to be in slow motion in Jiang Donghua's eyes.

"Too slow."

His figure flickered, executing the Roaming Cloud Steps under his feet. He shifted half a foot sideways like a phantom, easily dodging the wolf's claws.

At the same time, his right-hand sword ignited with crimson Dou Qi, and he slashed with the momentum!

"Pfft!"

The sword edge accurately sliced into the wolf's throat, and hot blood sprayed out. The Iron-Backed Azure Wolf didn't even have time to howl before it crashed heavily onto the ground, twitching a few times before falling completely silent.

Jiang Donghua skillfully cut open the wolf's skull and extracted a Magical Core shimmering with faint azure light.

"A First-tier Wind Attribute Magical Core, barely usable."

He casually tossed the Magical Core into the leather pouch at his waist and continued walking forward.

Over the next few days, Jiang Donghua completely transformed into a Magical Beast harvesting machine!

Black-Scaled Python?

Decapitated with one strike!

Red-Eyed Demonic Fox?

Fire Attribute Dou Qi burned directly through its heart!

Iron-Armored Rhino?

Roaming Cloud Steps circled behind, the sword precisely piercing the joint gap, killing it instantly!

He had nearly wiped out all the First-tier Magical Beasts on the outskirts of the dense forest, and even some weaker Second-Tier Magical Beasts could not escape his deadly hands.

"Roar—!"

A massive Green-Scaled Giant Lizard charged out of the swamp. The fierce power of the Second-Tier Magical Beast erupted, causing the surrounding trees to be knocked over haphazardly.

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes. Instead of retreating, he showed a hint of excitement.

"Finally, something decent has shown up!"

He took a deep breath, the Dou Qi within his body circulating wildly, and the flames on his sword instantly surged!

"Blazing Flame Palm!"

"Boom!"

A scorching sword beam swept out. The Green-Scaled Giant Lizard's scales were like paper before the Fire Attribute Dou Qi and were instantly ripped apart!

The giant lizard let out a miserable shriek, its massive body crashing to the ground, its blood staining the swamp red.

Jiang Donghua walked forward, split its skull with a sword, and extracted a Magical Core shimmering with deep green light.

"A Second-Tier Wood Attribute Magical Core, not bad!"

Eighteen days later.

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged inside a cave, and the Dou Qi within his body suddenly boiled!

He opened his eyes, and flames seemed to flicker within his pupils!

"Nine-star Dou Zhe!"

"Only one final step away from Dou Master!"

He stood up, clenched his fist, felt the surging power within his body, and a wild, arrogant smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

"This dense forest is no longer enough for me to hunt in."

"It seems it's time to go to a more dangerous place."

[System Notification]

[Host: Jiang Donghua]

[Realm: Nine-star Dou Zhe (0 / 9000)]

[afk Income: 10 points/hour]

"Dou Master realm, here I come!"

Jia Nan Academy, Mission Hall.

Several students wearing academy uniforms were gathered together, discussing in low voices.

"Did you hear? The Magical Beasts in the southern mountain range have almost been wiped out!"

"Isn't that the truth? I went gathering herbs last month, but I couldn't even see the shadow of a First-tier Magical Beast!"

"Tsk tsk, look at the wounds on those Magical Beast corpses. They were all killed instantly with a single sword, and the wounds were charred black, clearly burned by Fire Attribute Dou Qi!"

"Could it be those Senior Brothers from the Outer Academy?"

"Impossible, right? Why would those few from the Outer Academy go to the outer mountain range to hunt low-tier Magical Beasts?"

"Then who could it be? It couldn't possibly be the New Students, right?"

Powerful Fire Attribute Dou Masters or Great Dou Masters were almost all famous figures, and no one could figure out who had both this kind of strength and this kind of leisure.

Everyone looked at each other, ultimately only able to shake their heads.

Deep in the mountain range, inside a hidden cave.

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged. After a long while, he stood up, stretched his limbs, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Time to go outside and find some fun!"

The next day, on the outskirts of the mountain range.

A small team consisting of three students was cautiously advancing.

"Strange, why can't we see even one Magical Beast?"

"Could they really have been killed off by that mysterious expert?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down, what if that person is still nearby?"

Just as they were conversing softly, a rustling sound suddenly came from the bushes ahead.

The three instantly became vigilant, circulating their Dou Qi, ready for battle at any moment.

However, the one who emerged from the bushes was a young man dressed in black tight-fitting clothes.

His face was stern, his gaze sharp, and he had a sword tucked into his waist.

"Are you students of Jia Nan Academy?"

The three were stunned. One of the bolder students stepped forward and vigilantly asked.

"Who are you? Are you also a student of the Academy?"

Jiang Donghua smiled faintly, did not answer, but instead countered with a question.

"Have you encountered any powerful Magical Beasts in this mountain range?"

"Powerful Magical Beasts?"

The three exchanged glances, and one of them said with a wry smile.

"Forget powerful Magical Beasts, it's hard to even find a First-tier Magical Beast now!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"Then do you know who did it?"

"We have no idea!"

Another student said helplessly.

"But looking at the wounds on those Magical Beast corpses, it must be an expert proficient in Fire Attribute Dou Qi, and their strength is at least at the Dou Master level!"

"Dou Master?"

A trace of amusement flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes, and he then laughed.

"Then you must be careful; maybe that expert is nearby."

"Also be careful of the other Magical Beasts; those that survived are the elite of the elite."

"Otherwise, they might possess strength above the First-tier."

After speaking, Jiang Donghua's figure flickered, instantly disappearing from the spot.

The three were dumbfounded and only recovered after a long moment.

"Why was that person so fast just now?"

"Could he be the one?"

"Impossible, right? He looks younger than us!"