63: Sixth Sense

Jiang Donghua stretched lazily and sauntered out of his small courtyard.

"Breaking through to Five-Star Dou Shi in just eleven days, this speed is acceptable, right?"

He rubbed his chin, calculating internally.

"However, relying solely on AFK training is still a bit slow. I need to find something else to do."

He looked up at the sky; the sun was just right and the breeze was gentle.

"I'll go to the Alchemy Department and read some books. Storing up more knowledge can't hurt."

He muttered to himself.

"That way, I won't lose out big time later if some treasure is right in front of me and I don't recognize it."

The library in the Alchemy Department was much larger than the Outer Academy's, stacked high with various monster guides, medicinal ingredient guides, and Alchemist insights.

Jiang Donghua casually pulled out a book, Essentials of third-grade pill Refinement, found a corner, sat down, and began flipping through it.

"Tsk, this third-grade pill really is troublesome."

He turned to the chapter on "pill pattern" and frowned slightly.

"I've been AFK for so long, yet I still haven't reached Great Perfection. No wonder the pills I refined before, though smooth and flawless in process, never managed to produce a pill pattern."

He recalled the scenes of himself refining third-grade pill previously; the flame control was excellent, and the fusion of medicinal ingredients was seamless, yet when the pill finally formed, its surface remained smooth as a mirror, without a trace of a pill pattern.

"So that's the difference between Minor Accomplishment and Great Perfection."

He looked thoughtful.

"It seems relying only on AFK isn't enough. I need to practice more by doing it myself."

He closed the book and decided to go to the alchemy lab for some practical work.

Inside the alchemy lab, Jiang Donghua skillfully took out a cauldron, flicked his finger, and a wisp of azure flame leaped into the bottom of the furnace.

"third-grade pill 'mysterious spirit pill', let's try again!"

Following the steps in his memory, he tossed the medicinal ingredients into the cauldron one by one, using his Soul Power to precisely control the temperature of the flame, ensuring every single ingredient was perfectly refined.

However, just at the crucial moment of condensation, his Soul Power suddenly hesitated slightly, and the flame inside the cauldron flickered.

"Crap!"

His heart skipped a beat. He quickly tried to adjust, but it was already too late.

"Bang!"

With a muffled sound, black smoke billowed from the cauldron, and the pill was ruined.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Donghua cursed and rubbed his temples.

"Sure enough, relying only on AFK to increase proficiency still results in deviations during actual practice."

He sighed, preparing to clean up the mess, when he suddenly heard a soft chuckle behind him.

"What's wrong, Junior Brother Jiang, did your cauldron explode again?"

Jiang Donghua turned around and saw a young man wearing the uniform of the Alchemy Department leaning against the door frame, a hint of mockery on his lips.

"Senior Brother Lin?"

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow.

"When did you arrive?"

This person was one of the few Fourth-Grade Alchemists among the students in the Outer Academy.

Senior Brother Lin shrugged.

"I just happened to be passing by and came in when I heard the commotion."

He took a few steps closer, glanced at the black ash inside the cauldron, and chuckled.

"third-grade pill? It looks like Junior Brother Jiang has made considerable progress recently."

Jiang Donghua gave a dry laugh.

"It's acceptable, I'm just always missing that last little bit."

Senior Brother Lin gave him a meaningful look, then suddenly lowered his voice.

"Junior Brother Jiang, I heard the Hall of Enforcement was watching you a few days ago?"

Jiang Donghua's heart jumped, but his expression remained calm.

"Oh? Is that so? Why wouldn't I know about it?"

Senior Brother Lin smiled.

"Don't be nervous. I just mentioned it casually."

He patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder, his tone relaxed.

"However, things are tense in the academy lately, so it's best for Junior Brother to be careful."

After speaking, he turned and left, leaving Jiang Donghua standing rooted to the spot, his brow slightly furrowed.

"What did that guy mean?"

When Jiang Donghua walked out of the alchemy lab, it was already late. He looked up at the starry sky, feeling that something was amiss.

"Senior Brother Lin usually has no interaction with me. Why did he suddenly come over and mention the Hall of Enforcement today?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"Does he know something?"

He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it for now.

Since he had a clear conscience, he wasn't afraid of scrutiny. No matter how much the Hall of Enforcement investigated, they wouldn't find any issues.

"It's better to go back and cultivate first. Breaking through to Five-Star Dou Shi sooner is the priority."

However, just as he turned to leave, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a glimpse of a black shadow flashing past the distant treetops.

"Hmm?"

He snapped his head back, but the night was dark, and he saw nothing.

"A delusion?"

He frowned, a faint sense of vigilance rising in his heart.

Just as Jiang Donghua stepped out of the Alchemy Department gate, his body suddenly stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine.

Something was wrong... He spun around, his gaze sweeping the surroundings, but the night was deep, and besides the swaying shadows of the trees, he saw nothing.

But the feeling of being watched was persistent.

"Hiss—"

He gasped, goosebumps instantly covering his entire body.

This was terrifying!

Should he still leave the Alchemy Department?

No, absolutely not!

He turned without hesitation, covering the distance in large strides, shrinking back inside the Alchemy Department gate.

At least it was safe here!

The Alchemy Department was brightly lit. Dozens of students moved back and forth; some were consulting ancient texts, some were discussing Pill Formula in low voices, and a few mentors sat in the corner resting their eyes, occasionally giving pointers.

A crowded place was always safer than the outside!

Jiang Donghua steadied himself and strode toward the alchemy chamber area.

The worst that could happen was spending the night sleeping in an alchemy chamber and leaving tomorrow!

In any case, the Alchemy Department was open twenty-four hours, and as a Third-Grade Alchemist, he was fully qualified to use a private alchemy chamber.

Pushing open an empty alchemy chamber, Jiang Donghua locked the door behind him and let out a long breath.

"Phew, I can finally breathe easily."

He looked around. The alchemy chamber was small but fully equipped: cauldron, medicinal cabinet, a soft couch for resting, and even a small bookshelf holding a few basic Pill Formula.

Perfect!

He lay down on the soft couch, crossed his legs, and pondered.

"Since I can't sleep anyway, I might as well read a book while waiting for dawn."

He casually pulled a book, Detailed Explanation of third-grade pill, from his storage ring. He flipped through it absentmindedly, but his mind was still fixated on that strange feeling of being watched earlier.

"Who exactly is watching me?"

The Hall of Enforcement? Or someone else in the academy with ulterior motives?

The more he thought, the more annoyed he became. He simply tossed the book aside and closed his eyes.

"Forget it. I'll sleep first and worry about it tomorrow!"

"Senior Brother Jiang, hello!"

Early the next morning, as soon as Jiang Donghua pushed open the door of the alchemy chamber, he ran into several low-level Alchemist students.

"Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Good morning, Senior Brother Jiang!"

The students immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing him, their eyes filled with admiration.

After all, a Third-Grade Alchemist was already a top existence among the students!

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly, feeling secretly pleased.

"Tsk, this kind of treatment is comfortable!"

He pretended to be profound, hummed in response, walked slowly toward the library with his hands clasped behind his back.

Along the way, almost every Alchemy Department student he encountered proactively greeted him.

"Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Senior Brother Jiang, are you refining pills today?"

"Senior Brother Jiang, could you give me some pointers on my Pill Formula?"

Jiang Donghua maintained a calm exterior, but he was ecstatic internally.

"As expected, strength is the absolute principle!"

"If they knew that I was actually a 'fake genius' who relies on AFK training, I wonder what their expressions would be?"

He couldn't help but let out a mischievous laugh, but quickly composed himself, continuing to maintain the image of the "aloof Senior Brother."

However, just as he was enjoying everyone's reverence, the feeling of being watched returned!

"Damn it! Is this ever going to end?!"

He abruptly turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings.

But the Alchemy Department was still bustling with people, and there was nothing unusual.

"Am I being overly sensitive?"

He frowned, but dared not lower his guard.

"No, I have to find a way to drag out this person who is secretly watching me!"

He narrowed his eyes, and a plan suddenly came to mind.

"Since the other party likes watching me so much, why don't I lure the snake out of its hole?"

In the distance of the Alchemy Department, two figures concealed in the darkness flickered into existence.

One of them wore a blood-red robe, his face hidden beneath the shadows. Only a pair of scarlet eyes flickered faintly in the darkness, like a lurking fierce beast.

Blood Fiend.

He quietly gazed toward the Alchemy Department, his eyes penetrating the layers of buildings, locking onto Jiang Donghua.

"Is this the 'scapegoat' the Hall of Enforcement previously suspected was me?"

Blood Fiend's mouth curved slightly. His voice was deep and icy, carrying a hint of disdain.

"He doesn't look like much."

The Black Robed Man beside him immediately bowed, smiling obsequiously.

"Your Excellency is right! A mere Dou Master couldn't even withstand a wisp of your pressure. It's truly laughable that those fools in the Hall of Enforcement mistook him for you!"

Blood Fiend chuckled softly, offering no response, but the Black Robed Man acted as if he had been encouraged and continued to boast.

"Your Excellency is a Seven-Star Dou Wang! If you released even a little bit of your aura, that boy would probably collapse on the spot, spitting blood, unable to even stand steadily!"

"Heh..."

Blood Fiend glanced at him indifferently.

"You certainly know how to talk."

The Black Robed Man quickly lowered his head, his tone growing more respectful.

"This subordinate is only speaking the truth! With Your Excellency's strength, let alone a Dou Master, even if Elder Iron Punishment of the Hall of Enforcement personally intervened, he might not be able to do anything to you!"

Blood Fiend withdrew his gaze, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"However, this boy is somewhat interesting."

"Oh?" The Black Robed Man was stunned.

"Does Your Excellency mean..."

Blood Fiend did not answer directly, but thoughtfully rubbed his fingertips, a wisp of blood-red Dou Qi silently flowing.

"Although the Hall of Enforcement is foolish, this boy's perception is definitely not bad."

He paused, a dangerous light flashing in his scarlet eyes.

Hearing this, the Black Robed Man's heart trembled, and he asked cautiously.

"Then what does Your Excellency plan to do?"

Blood Fiend was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"No rush."

"Since the Hall of Enforcement has already cleared his suspicion, it's a good time to ask him if he's interested in joining the Blood Demon Sect!"

"Having him act as my 'shield' wouldn't be bad either."

The Black Robed Man suddenly understood and quickly echoed.

"Your Excellency is brilliant! With him attracting the attention of the Hall of Enforcement, our actions will be much more convenient!"

Blood Fiend nodded slightly, casting his gaze toward the Alchemy Department once more, a cold calculation flashing in his eyes.

"However, if he obstructs my affairs, or if he learns the truth and disagrees."

"Then I'll just casually crush him."

His tone was understated, as if he were merely discussing crushing an ant.

The Black Robed Man quickly lowered his head, daring not to speak further.

The wind blew past, and the two figures silently vanished, as if they had never appeared.