67: Caught a big fish—Peak of Battle Spirit!

While Jiang Donghua leisurely guided the Junior Brothers of the Alchemy Department on the surface, his mind had already calculated everything clearly.

"Lin Yue? Heh, even if you are a Dou Wang Expert, this young master dares to go today!"

Thinking about the few items hidden in his storage ring, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

Before parting, Mo Xuan tossed him an inner armor as thin as a cicada's wing, completely black, with faint turtle shell patterns flowing across its surface.

"Stinky Kid, don't die outside and disgrace your master."

Jiang Donghua had accepted it cheekily at the time, but the moment he took hold of it, he was nearly crushed to his knees by the terrifying weight!

"Holy crap?! Wouldn't wearing this thing exhaust me to death?"

Mo Xuan sneered, flicked his sleeve, and the inner armor instantly turned into a black light, merging into Jiang Donghua's body.

"The Mystic Turtle Spirit Armor, a sixth-tier defensive treasure. Once recognized as its master, it hides within your flesh and blood and automatically activates when danger arises."

"Let alone a Dou Wang, even if a Dou Huang makes a move, it can hold out for half an hour!"

Jiang Donghua's eyes widened into circles.

"Master, are you taking out all your most prized possessions?"

Mo Xuan snorted coldly.

"Stop talking nonsense. If you genuinely encounter danger, run immediately. Don't try to be a hero!"

Aside from the Mystic Turtle Spirit Armor, Mo Xuan also gave him a palm-sized jade tablet, entirely emerald green, with what looked like swirling mist inside.

"Crush it, and your master will arrive within ten breaths."

Jiang Donghua held the jade tablet, overjoyed.

"Isn't this the 'Call for Backup Artifact'? With Master protecting me, what the hell do I have to be afraid of!"

Mo Xuan glared at him.

"Stop being glib. Remember, staying alive is the priority!"

With these trump cards, Jiang Donghua completely let loose, swaggering around the Alchemy Department hall, giving guidance.

"Junior Brother, your heat control is wrong. Soul Power must be used like this."

With a casual flick of his finger, a wisp of azure flame precisely wrapped around the Medicine Cauldron, instantly refining a smooth, round pill.

The surrounding Junior Brothers stared wide-eyed.

"Senior Brother Jiang, your Fire Control Technique is simply divine!"

Jiang Donghua grinned, but he was thinking inwardly.

"Lin Yue, you better not try any tricks, or else!"

He touched the soul jade tablet in his sleeve, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"This young master wants to see today whether you are a man or a ghost!"

Lin Yue returned to his dormitory, closed the door, and a cold, sinister smile curled up the corner of his mouth.

"Jiang Donghua... heh, a prodigy who is talented but utterly unguarded—an idiot."

He lightly tapped the tabletop with his finger, his eyes flickering with calculating light.

The command given to him by Blood Fiend was simple.

"The geniuses of Jia Nan Academy must either be recruited or... eliminated."

And Jiang Donghua was undoubtedly the best target!

"His cultivation advancement is abnormal, his Alchemy talent is astonishing, yet he has no significant background."

"A person like this either possesses a great destiny or is also from the Blood Demon Sect!"

Lin Yue narrowed his eyes, took out a blood-colored jade slip from his robes, and gently stroked it.

"If he really is a Blood Demon Sect infiltrator, he will certainly reveal his flaws during this meeting."

"If he is not!"

He sneered, tracing the jade slip with his fingertip, and a wisp of bloody mist silently seeped out.

"Then we will make him 'one of us'!"

Lin Yue knew very well that for an Alchemist, an unknown Pill Formula was like fresh meat in the eyes of a hungry wolf—completely irresistible!

"The third-grade pill recipe is just an appetizer."

"If he takes the bait, I still have fourth-grade, and even fifth-grade, incomplete formulas!"

He slowly unfurled a yellowed sheepskin scroll, densely covered with ancient text, which detailed the Blood Demon Sect's secret method for refining the "Soul Devouring Pill"!

"As long as he dares to learn it, his soul will be corroded by Blood Fiend Qi, eventually turning him into a puppet!"

Lin Yue put away the Pill Formula with satisfaction, a hint of viciousness flashing in his eyes.

"Jiang Donghua, don't you dare disappoint me!"

Lin Yue walked to the window and looked towards the depths of Jia Nan Academy, in the direction of the Hall of Enforcement.

"Blood Fiend was right. Jia Nan Academy has already begun to grow suspicious."

"But it doesn't matter, as long as I stall for a bit more time."

He looked down at his palm, where a blood-colored rune flickered faintly.

Lin Yue dragged a black wooden box out from under the bed. When he opened it, inside was a dried-up corpse!

The corpse's face was nine-tenths similar to his own!

"Little genius, soon there will be another genius just like you dying by my hand!"

He nodded in satisfaction, then took out a blood-colored pill and placed it under his tongue.

"The Blood Fiend Pill. Once detonated, flesh and blood within ten zhang will be completely corrupted!"

"Jiang Donghua, I hope you don't force me to use this move."

As dusk approached, Lin Yue stood at the entrance of the small bamboo courtyard, a gentle smile once again plastered on his face.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you absolutely must come."

"After all, this show won't be as entertaining without you."

The night wind swept past, and the bamboo leaves rustled, whispering.

"The prey is about to enter the net."

When the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) arrived, Jiang Donghua, hands tucked into his sleeves, casually strolled to the bamboo courtyard in the East District.

The night wind was cool, the bamboo shadows danced, and moonlight filtering through the branches sketched mottled light and shadow on the ground.

"Tsk, this place is quite suitable for murder and burial."

The corner of his mouth curled up, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, before he immediately reverted to his harmless appearance, raising his hand to knock on the door.

The door opened with a creak. Lin Yue wore a gentle smile, but a subtle, scrutinizing look flashed in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you are indeed punctual."

Jiang Donghua scratched his head, displaying an honest, simple smile.

"Since Senior Brother Lin invited me, how could this Junior Brother dare to be late?"

Lin Yue stepped aside to clear a path, gesturing with his hand.

"Come, let's go inside and discuss the details."

Jiang Donghua nodded and stepped inside, sneering inwardly.

"Heh, he's putting on a pretty convincing act."

Inside the room, a faint green lamp burned, illuminating an ancient Pill Formula spread open on the table.

Lin Yue lowered his voice, feigning mystery.

"Junior Brother Jiang, I obtained this Pill Formula by chance. It is called the 'Mystic Spirit Barrier Breaking Pill,' and it can help people break through bottlenecks, but there are a few key points I still cannot comprehend."

Jiang Donghua leaned forward, pretending to be greatly interested, but he had already seen through the ruse.

"A third-grade pill recipe? Who are you trying to fool!"

He widened his eyes, feigning shock.

"This... the patterns on this Pill Formula are so profound! Senior Brother Lin, where did you get this?"

Lin Yue smiled slightly, a hint of success flashing in his eyes.

"Just a lucky coincidence. If Junior Brother is interested, why don't we study it together?"

Jiang Donghua nodded repeatedly, but he was calculating inwardly.

"The fish has taken the bait? Heh, it's not certain who the fish is yet!"

Lin Yue subtly observed Jiang Donghua's reaction, his fingertip lightly tapping the table, as if waiting for something.

"Junior Brother Jiang, what do you think should be used as the core medicinal primer for this 'Mystic Spirit Barrier Breaking Pill'?"

Jiang Donghua blinked, feigning innocence.

"According to the Pill Formula records, it should be 'Mystic Spirit Grass', right?"

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yue's eyes, and he shook his head, sighing.

"That's wrong. Mystic Spirit Grass is just superficial. The true medicinal primer is 'Blood Spirit Marrow'."

Jiang Donghua's heart tightened.

"Blood Spirit Marrow?!"

But he maintained a look of confusion on his face.

"Blood Spirit Marrow? This Junior Brother has never heard of such a thing."

In reality, having flipped through ancient books in the Alchemy Department these past few days, he already knew.

This item requires the marrow of a Dou Ling Expert, processed like medicinal ingredients, before it can be called Blood Spirit Marrow!

Generally, only certain evil formulas would contain it.

Lin Yue stared into his eyes, a half-smile on his face.

"Is that so? Then Junior Brother should 'study' properly."

Just at this moment, Jiang Donghua suddenly noticed something strange.

"The fragrance in this room is not right!"

The Mystic Turtle Spirit Armor inside his body slightly trembled, autonomously activating an invisible barrier that isolated the strange medicinal power trying to invade his body!

The defensive power of a sixth-tier treasure armor was indeed not ordinary.

"Poison?!"

Jiang Donghua sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he pretended to be completely unaware, still enthusiastically studying the Pill Formula.

Seeing no change in him, Lin Yue frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Strange, why is the Blood Fiend Incense ineffective against him?"

Suddenly, Lin Yue sighed, his tone abruptly turning cold.

"Junior Brother Jiang, are you truly just an ordinary Alchemist?"

Jiang Donghua looked up, a confused expression on his face.

"Senior Brother Lin, what do you mean by that?"

Lin Yue slowly stood up, the gentleness completely receding from his eyes, replaced by a chilling coldness.

"Your cultivation advancement is too fast, your Soul Power is abnormally strong, and you can even ignore the Blood Fiend Incense."

"Who exactly are you?!"

"Tell me, are you a member of the Blood Demon Sect!"

"Too bad, whether you are or not, I cannot let you live!"

Jiang Donghua blinked, then suddenly grinned, leaning back lazily.

"So you're finally dropping the act?"

With a flick of his finger, the blood fang saber quietly appeared in his hand, its blade flashing with cold light.

"Senior Brother Lin, or should I say, Blood Demon Sect lackey, aren't you tired of acting?"

Having secretly crushed the soul jade tablet, the situation was already slightly beyond Jiang Donghua's control.

Lin Yue's pupils contracted sharply!

After all, anyone who could block the effects of the Blood Fiend Incense was highly likely to be a figure from the Blood Demon Sect.

Everyone who tries to stop Blood Fiend's plan must die!

"You—!"

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Donghua fiercely made his move!

"Boom—!"

The saber light was like blood, cleaving through the murderous intent filling the room!

Jiang Donghua held the blood fang saber, its edge gleaming with chilling cold light. Dou Qi surged within him, and his footwork shifted.

"Roaming Cloud Steps!"

His figure flickered like a ghost, instantly closing in on Lin Yue!

A cold light flashed in Lin Yue's eyes, and he laughed sinisterly.

"Junior Brother Jiang, it seems you were hiding deeper than I imagined!"

"But with your mere strength as a Four-Star Dou Shi and this Yellow-rank Combat Skill, don't bring them out to embarrass yourself."

"Release your true strength!"

Before his voice faded, he slammed his hands together. Bloody Dou Qi surged around him, and he let out a low roar.

"Blood Fiend Claw!"

His five fingers formed a claw, and the bloody Dou Qi condensed into five sharp air blades, tearing through the air and heading straight for Jiang Donghua's throat!

Seeing the Blood Fiend Claw attack, Jiang Donghua neither dodged nor retreated. He flipped his left hand, and Blazing Flame Dou Qi surged forth.

"Blazing Flame Palm!"

"Boom—!"

The crimson palm print collided with the bloody claw shadow, and Dou Qi exploded, instantly shattering the tables and chairs in the dormitory into dust!

Lin Yue sneered, and his figure suddenly blurred.

"Blood Shadow Escape!"

The next instant, he appeared behind Jiang Donghua, and a Soul Devouring Needle silently shot out!

Jiang Donghua was already prepared. He used Roaming Cloud Steps again, sidestepped to avoid it, and countered with a saber slash.

"Blood Fang Slash!"

The saber light was like a bloody moon, incomparably sharp!

Lin Yue hastily dodged, but the saber Qi still grazed his shoulder, causing blood to splatter!

"Damn it!"

The fierce light in his eyes intensified. He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood.

"Blood Demon Transformation!"

"Boom—!"

Bloody Dou Qi erupted like a volcano. Lin Yue's aura instantly soared to Peak Dou Ling, and the entire dormitory trembled precariously under the pressure!

Jiang Donghua's pupils shrank.

"This escalated quickly!"

How did this guy's aura keep rising? Did I fish out a big fish?

Even ordinary deacons don't have the level of a Peak Dou Ling!

Lin Yue let out a maniacal laugh, launching both claws simultaneously. Bloody Dou Qi transformed into claw shadows filling the sky, furiously smashing towards Jiang Donghua!

"Blood Fiend Hundred Cleave Claw!"

Jiang Donghua dared not meet it head-on. He pushed Roaming Cloud Steps to the extreme, his figure weaving through the claw shadows like an illusion.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The dormitory walls, floor, and roof cracked under the impact of the violent Dou Qi, wood chips flew, and smoke and dust rose everywhere!

Finally.

"Crack—Rumble!!!"

The entire dormitory could no longer withstand the force and collapsed with a crash!

Two figures shot up from the ruins, confronting each other in mid-air!

Lin Yue was covered in dirt and looked ferocious.

Jiang Donghua stood holding his saber, battle intent boiling in his eyes.

"Senior Brother Lin, you can't hide now!"

Lin Yue laughed savagely.

"Hide? After today, Jia Nan Academy will only know one thing—Jiang Donghua died due to qi deviation!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly formed hand seals, and a bloody rune appeared on his palm.

"Blood Demon Soul Devouring Seal!"

"Why haven't you removed your seal and released your true Dou Qi cultivation? You old fellow are truly deeply hidden."

Up until now, Lin Yue still thought Jiang Donghua was a member of the Blood Demon Sect, just like him.

A bloody pillar of light descended from the sky, slamming straight toward Jiang Donghua!

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath. The Mystic Turtle Spirit Armor within him was fully activated, and he raised the blood fang saber high.

"Come on! Let's see who dies first!"

"Boom—!!!"

A terrifying energy storm swept in all directions, instantly leveling the entire bamboo grove!

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, an aged voice rang out coldly.

"Have you made enough noise?"

"Snap!"

A shriveled hand appeared out of thin air. With a gentle squeeze, the bloody pillar of light instantly shattered!

Lin Yue's expression changed drastically.

"Mo Xuan?! How could you appear here!"

Mo Xuan was expressionless, and with a flick of his sleeve.

"Bang!"

Lin Yue was struck as if by lightning. He spat blood, flew backward, and crashed heavily into the ruins!

Jiang Donghua let out a long breath and grinned.

"Master, you truly arrived just in time."

Mo Xuan snorted coldly.

"Any later, and you Stinky Kid would really be a corpse!"

He looked at Lin Yue with icy eyes and slowly raised his hand.

"The trash of the Blood Demon Sect, it's time for a cleanup."

Lin Yue showed despair, then suddenly laughed wildly, the Blood Fiend Qi within him violently surging.

"Want to catch me? Let's die together!"

"Boom—!!!"

Self-destruct!

Mo Xuan's eyes narrowed. A golden light flew out from his sleeve, instantly shielding Jiang Donghua.

After the earth-shattering explosion, only a massive deep pit remained where they stood; Lin Yue was utterly annihilated!

Jiang Donghua crawled out from the golden light, covered in dust, but smiling brightly.

"Master, has the clue regarding the Blood Demon Sect been cut off now?"

Mo Xuan glanced at him and said lightly.

"Cut off? No, this is just the beginning."

He raised his hand and grabbed, collecting a wisp of residual Blood Fiend Qi into a jade bottle.

"With this, I can drag out more rats."

Jiang Donghua patted the dust off himself, excitement flashing in his eyes:

"Then next...?"

Mo Xuan turned and walked away, leaving behind a single sentence.

"Go back and cultivate. Don't even think about going out until you master the Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering Art!"

"Go back and hide properly in the Alchemy Department. Tonight is likely going to be a bloodbath!"

Jiang Donghua.

"..."

"Damn it!"

The night wind swept past, and amidst the ruins, only the figure of Jiang Donghua remained, muttering curses.