65: I'll give you a precious sword

Mo Xuan frowned deeply, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“The higher-ups? Elder level?”

He slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice.

“The Academy’s Elders are at least Dou Wang strength. Even if Blood Fiend is strong, he couldn’t possibly replace one of them without a sound!”

Ice Red sneered, the cold air at her fingertips condensing into a sharp ice blade, which she lightly drew across the tabletop, leaving a deep scratch.

“Mo Xuan, you underestimate Blood Fiend too much.”

Her voice was icy, and she spoke slowly, word by word.

“Seven-Star Dou Wang strength, combined with the secret techniques of the Blood Demon Sect—do you think it’s difficult to hunt down an ordinary Dou Wang Elder?”

Mo Xuan’s pupils constricted slightly, but he still retorted.

“Even if he can kill, the Academy’s Elders are familiar with each other. Their aura, habits, speech, and demeanor—which of these can be easily imitated?”

A cold light flickered in Ice Red’s eyes, and she said slowly.

“What if he doesn’t need to imitate at all?”

Mo Xuan was stunned.

“What do you mean?”

Ice Red tapped her fingertip, and the cold air outlined a blurry image in the air.

The corpse of an Elder was engulfed by bloody Dou Qi; his flesh and bones melted inch by inch, finally turning into a wisp of blood mist that merged into Blood Fiend’s body.

“The Blood Demon Sect’s secret technique—‘Soul Devouring and Spirit Seizing’.”

“Devouring his flesh and blood, refining his soul, and seizing his memories.”

“From then on, he is ‘that person’.”

Mo Xuan’s expression abruptly changed, and he stood up fiercely, his killing intent surging in his eyes!

“Are you saying that a certain Elder right now might not be the original person?!”

Ice Red nodded coldly.

“Moreover, he has likely been lurking for a long time.”

Mo Xuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

“If this is true, then things are more serious than we imagined.”

He looked at Ice Red and said in a deep voice.

“We must quickly confirm the whereabouts and status of all Elders, especially those who recently came out of seclusion or returned from an outing!”

Ice Red nodded slightly, but then frowned.

“But if we investigate rashly, we might alert the enemy, which would force him to react desperately.”

Mo Xuan narrowed his eyes and suddenly revealed a cold smile.

“Then let’s set a trap.”

“Lure him out!”

Mo Xuan and Ice Red exchanged glances. Although they usually clashed, they reached a tacit agreement at this moment.

“Since Blood Fiend wants to use Jiang Donghua to divert attention, we will do the opposite.”

“Let Jiang Donghua become the ‘bait’!”

Ice Red raised an eyebrow.

“Are you willing?”

Mo Xuan snorted coldly.

“That Stinky Kid won’t die so easily, besides…”

A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes.

“I will personally keep an eye on him.”

Ice Red sneered, but did not object.

“Fine, we’ll follow your plan.”

“However, if we really lure out Blood Fiend!”

The cold air at her fingertips surged, and the temperature of the entire secret room plummeted!

“I want to personally freeze his soul into pieces!”

Mo Xuan walked back toward the Alchemy Department, his brow slightly furrowed, thoughts racing in his mind.

“Since someone is secretly watching Jiang Donghua, that Stinky Kid’s current strength is indeed insufficient.”

“Moreover, that Stinky Kid had a secret conversation with me today, and I personally went to find Ice Red!”

“It’s highly likely someone will become suspicious.”

He rubbed his chin, and suddenly an idea flashed. He took out a dark red great saber from his storage ring—the blood fang saber!

The saber body was heavy, the edge gleamed with a chilling cold light, and the back still bore several unpolished claw marks from a Magical Beast. This was precisely the vicious weapon crafted from Fifth-Tier Magical Beast materials that Ice Red had previously “gifted” him.

“Tsk, although that old woman Ice Red has a terrible temper, this saber is a good item.”

Mo Xuan weighed the saber body, the corner of his mouth slightly raised.

“I was going to give it to that Stinky Kid sooner or later anyway. Might as well give it to him now, lest he runs into real danger without even the strength to fight back.”

Thinking this, he no longer hesitated and strode toward the Alchemy Department.

Inside the Alchemy Department hall, Jiang Donghua was lazily leaning back in a chair, casually instructing several of his fellow Disciples on alchemy techniques.

“Keep the heat a bit steadier, don’t rush. A first-grade elixir isn’t something you can refine just by using fierce fire.”

The Disciples nodded repeatedly, their faces full of admiration.

“Senior Brother Jiang is truly amazing! Even though he is only a Four-Star Dou Shi, his alchemy experience is richer than some Third-Grade Alchemists!”

Jiang Donghua waved his hand with an expression that said, “just basic stuff, no need to praise,” but he was secretly delighted.

“Hehe, refining elixirs while idle is great; the experience just skyrockets!”

Just then, the door of the Alchemy Department was pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in—Elder Mo Xuan!

Jiang Donghua’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up to greet him.

“Master! You’re finally back!”

Mo Xuan glanced at him and snorted coldly.

“Stinky Kid, why are you so attentive today?”

Jiang Donghua chuckled.

“How could that be? Your Disciple is just missing his Master!”

Mo Xuan didn’t bother to expose him and simply raised his hand and tossed something.

“Catch!”

Jiang Donghua subconsciously caught the flying object, looked down, and immediately widened his eyes!

“This, this is?!”

A murderous dark red great saber. The blade was heavy, the edge was intensely cold, and he could vaguely sense a fierce Magical Beast aura!

Something that could make his soul feel suppressed must be a treasure from at least a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast!

Jiang Donghua was so excited that his hands trembled.

“M-Master, this... is this for me?!”

Mo Xuan looked disgusted.

“Don’t want it? Then give it back to me.”

Jiang Donghua immediately clutched the saber to his chest, holding it tightly.

“Want, want, want! Who said I didn’t want it!”

The corner of Mo Xuan’s mouth subtly curved up, but he quickly straightened his face again.

“This saber was forged from the sharp claws of the Fifth-Tier Magical Beast ‘Blood Shadow Demon Wolf King.’ It is incredibly sharp and carries a trace of fierce, murderous aura. Be careful when you use it; don’t cut yourself.”

Jiang Donghua nodded repeatedly, lovingly stroking the saber body, overjoyed in his heart.

“I hit the jackpot! I got a Fifth-Tier weapon for free!”

He suddenly thought of something, raised his head, and asked sneakily.

“Master, you suddenly gave me something so valuable. There isn’t some trap waiting for me to jump into, is there?”

Mo Xuan’s eyelid twitched, and he slapped the back of his head.

“Stinky Kid! I have good intentions, and you treat them like dog food?!”

Jiang Donghua covered his head, looking wronged.

“I’m just worried that you, my old man, suddenly got possessed by a loving father and I’m a bit unaccustomed to it.”

Mo Xuan was so angry his beard bristled, but looking at his Disciple’s smug appearance, he couldn’t help but laugh and curse.

Jiang Donghua excitedly followed Mo Xuan up to the top floor of the Alchemy Department. As soon as they entered the door, Mo Xuan casually waved his hand, and a soundproof barrier instantly enveloped the entire room.

“Alright, now no one can hear us talking.”

Jiang Donghua’s eyes lit up, and he immediately leaned forward, saying with a grin.

“Master! Is it because I told you this secret that the Academy rewarded you with a lot of treasures?”

He rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation.

“Your Disciple got a Fifth-Tier treasure saber, so shouldn’t you, Master, have gotten a Sixth-Grade Pill Formula?”

Mo Xuan.

“...”

He suddenly widened his eyes, his beard bristling with anger, and slapped Jiang Donghua on the head.

“Stinky Kid! Do you think the Academy is a charity hall?!”

Jiang Donghua covered his head, looking wronged.

“Otherwise? Did you, Master, just go outside the Academy for a stroll and pick up this treasure saber made from Fifth-Tier Magical Beast materials?”

“It must mean my suspicion has made substantial progress!”

Mo Xuan sneered.

“Suspicion is just suspicion. Without concrete evidence, it’s just hot air!”

“If the Academy gave compensation just for suspecting someone, where would that end?!”