73: Reward: Intermediate Earth-Rank Combat Skill

As soon as Jiang Donghua stepped into the Alchemy Department hall, a Junior Brother quickly came up to him with a look of reverence.

"Senior Brother Jiang, Elder Mo Xuan is calling for you to go up!"

Jiang Donghua was startled, his brow slightly furrowed.

"What is it this time?"

He felt doubtful, but his steps did not stop, and he walked straight toward Elder Mo Xuan's Pill Refining Room.

Behind him, many students in the Alchemy Department hall cast envious glances.

"Tsk tsk, Senior Brother Jiang has been summoned by Elder Mo Xuan again."

"Nonsense, he is Elder Mo Xuan's personal Disciple, a Fifth-Grade Alchemist!"

"Sigh, if I had a Fifth-Grade Alchemist as a master, I could walk sideways in Jia Nan Academy!"

Everyone discussed in low voices, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and hate.

Jiang Donghua's mouth twitched, and he quickened his pace up the stairs.

Arriving in front of Elder Mo Xuan's exclusive Pill Refining Room, just as he was about to knock, he heard a powerful shout from inside.

"Stinky Kid, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and get in here!"

Pushing the door open, a rich medicinal fragrance rushed out.

Elder Mo Xuan was standing with his back to the door, fiddling with something in front of the pill cauldron.

Hearing the movement, he flicked his sleeve without turning his head.

"Close the door tightly!"

Jiang Donghua obediently complied, and while he was at it, he activated the sound isolation array on the door.

Only then did he walk up to his Master.

"Master, did you need me?"

Only then did Elder Mo Xuan turn around.

Unexpectedly, the old fellow who usually wore a stern expression was smiling today.

He sized up Jiang Donghua, then suddenly reached out and heavily patted his Disciple's shoulder.

"Good boy! You've made a great contribution this time!"

The slap almost made Jiang Donghua lose his balance. He rubbed his numb shoulder and said with a wry smile.

"Master, please be gentler. What did I do?"

"Still playing dumb?"

Elder Mo Xuan glared, then immediately started laughing again.

"If you hadn't discovered that list of Blood Puppets, our Jia Nan Academy would still be infiltrated by those scoundrels from the Blood Demon Sect!"

Just as Jiang Donghua was about to speak, Elder Mo Xuan suddenly dropped his smile and lowered his voice.

He leaned closer, and the medicinal fragrance that clung to him from years of alchemy rushed toward Jiang Donghua.

"It's impossible to let you take public credit."

"Huh?"

Jiang Donghua was stunned.

"Stupid boy!"

Elder Mo Xuan patted him again, though much lighter this time.

"Did you think the Blood Demon Sect are pushovers? If they knew you discovered the list and sent an Elder-level expert to assassinate you, how many lives would you have to spare?"

Jiang Donghua suddenly realized, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

"Master is right."

Elder Mo Xuan stroked his beard and said slowly.

"The Academy will remember this contribution, but publicly, hehe, knowing about the list naturally cannot be attributed to you."

Seeing his Disciple's slightly disappointed expression, the old fellow suddenly winked mysteriously.

"However, the benefits the Academy gives you will certainly not be lacking!"

Just as he was speaking, despite the existence of this barrier, Dean Lei Tian of the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy appeared in the room like a flash of lightning.

Lei Tian's signature loud voice immediately rang out.

"old fellow Mo! What are you muttering about with your Disciple now?"

Jiang Donghua looked back and saw Dean Lei Tian of the Outer Academy sitting casually on a chair, his messy hair still faintly crackling with Lightning Light, clearly having just fought someone.

Elder Mo Xuan was so angry his beard bristled.

"Madman Lei! You're using a Di-rank Dou Technique for something like this!"

Lei Tian waved his hand dismissively and strode up to Jiang Donghua, sizing him up.

"Kid, I heard you found the clue this time? Not bad, not bad!"

"Tell me, what reward do you want?"

He suddenly grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

Jiang Donghua was bewildered by the sudden question.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'Huh'!"

"Cultivation technique? Dou Technique? Pill? Or do you want a pretty Junior Sister to be your companion? Just say it!"

Lei Tian waved his hand impatiently.

Elder Mo Xuan rolled his eyes from the side.

"Madman Lei, stop fooling around here!"

He turned to Jiang Donghua and said.

"But he's right, you certainly deserve some benefits this time. Ask for whatever you want."

Jiang Donghua's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to speak, Lei Tian interrupted again.

"Oh right, right! I heard your pill refining talent is good? How about joining our Lightning Faction as an honored Alchemist? Excellent treatment is guaranteed!"

"Bullshit! Are you trying to poach my Disciple right in front of me? Madman Lei, are you tired of living?"

Elder Mo Xuan was hopping mad.

Watching the two great experts argue heatedly, Jiang Donghua didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

But on second thought, this opportunity was indeed rare.

"Master, Dean Lei,"

He cleared his throat and waited for the two to quiet down before continuing.

"This Disciple does have an audacious request."

Lei Tian immediately perked up.

"Hurry up and say it!"

As soon as Jiang Donghua finished speaking, the Pill Refining Room immediately fell into an eerie silence.

Lei Tian's face, which usually held an arrogant expression, rarely stiffened. He picked at his ear and asked uncertainly.

"Kid, what did you just say you wanted?"

"Earth Grade Movement Dou Technique,"

Jiang Donghua repeated word by word, staring intently at Lei Tian.

"Preferably the move you just used, Dean."

As he spoke, he gestured, mimicking the lightning-fast movement technique Lei Tian used when bursting in.

This was his well-thought-out decision; with the afk, cultivation improvement was not an issue, but in this perilous world, being able to run away when you couldn't win was the ultimate way!

Lei Tian's expression became incredibly rich: first shock, then disbelief, finally settling on a complex look of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

He scratched his messy hair, showing a rare lack of confidence.

"Kid, Di-rank Dou Technique isn't that easy to learn!"

He paced in front of Jiang Donghua and said earnestly.

"Compared to a Xuan-rank Combat Skill, the difficulty is at least a dozen times greater! Just the Dou Qi execution path is complicated enough to give you a headache, let alone having to coordinate it with specific movement technique secrets."

Seeing that Jiang Donghua was unmoved, Lei Tian added.

"How about changing it? That set of 'Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering Art' I gave your Master a few days ago is already difficult enough to practice; it takes an ordinary genius several years just to grasp it."

"Huh?"

Jiang Donghua suddenly turned to look at Elder Mo Xuan, his face full of shock.

"You asked for that Body Tempering Art for me?"

Elder Mo Xuan's old face instantly flushed crimson. He glared at Lei Tian in exasperation.

"Madman Lei! Who told you to mention that!"

Lei Tian spread his hands innocently.

"I was just persuading your Disciple to choose a simpler reward!"

Elder Mo Xuan's beard bristled with anger, but facing his Disciple's questioning gaze, he finally mumbled an admission.

"If your Master hadn't gone door-to-door kicking down doors, did you think these old fellows would give you treasures just because of you?"

Jiang Donghua felt a warmth in his heart, but immediately found it amusing.

His Master, who usually wore such a stern face, actually cared about him so much behind the scenes?

Seeing the atmosphere become awkward, Lei Tian quickly intervened.

"Alright, alright! Kid, do you really want to learn an Earth Grade Movement Technique?"

He rubbed his chin and thought for a moment.

"I do have a set of 'Lightning Flash Shadow Step', but..."

"But what?"

Jiang Donghua eagerly pressed him.

Lei Tian suddenly showed a sly smile.

"But you must first pass my test!"

Saying this, he suddenly raised his hand, and a strand of Lightning Light as thin as hair shot out from his fingertip, heading straight for Jiang Donghua's face!

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted. His body instinctively leaned back. At this critical moment, he immediately controlled a surge of pure Dou Qi within his body to flow instantly toward his legs.

Fortunately, the Yellow-rank Combat Skill, Roaming Cloud Steps, had long been refined to the point of perfection.

"Swoosh——"

Jiang Donghua's figure strangely shifted three feet sideways, narrowly avoiding the streak of Lightning Light.

"Oh? Not bad reaction time!"

Lei Tian raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Elder Mo Xuan, on the other hand, looked nervous.

"Madman Lei! If you're going to test him, give a warning first!"

Lei Tian burst into laughter.

"If I warned him, would it still be a test?"

Turning toward Jiang Donghua, his eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Kid, your reaction speed is definitely qualified to learn an Earth Grade Movement Technique! However..."

He changed his tone, and his expression suddenly became serious.

"You must think clearly. Cultivating a Di-rank Dou Technique is not as simple as a Xuan-rank one. Just the introductory phase requires enduring the pain of thunder tempering, and a single mistake could damage your meridians!"

Jiang Donghua nodded without hesitation.

"I understand! But I understand even more that in this chaotic world, the ability to save one's life is more important than anything else!"

Lei Tian and Elder Mo Xuan exchanged glances, both seeing approval in the other's eyes.

"Good! It's been a long time since I've seen someone so ambitious! But if you look at that Dou Technique and retreat from the difficulty, don't blame this old fellow's overbearing Lightning Attribute Dou Qi!"

Lei Tian suddenly roared, causing the medicine jars in the Pill Refining Room to buzz.

He directly pulled out a scroll wrapped in a faint, shimmering white light from his storage ring.

Jiang Donghua took the scroll, which glowed with a faint Lightning Light. Upon contact, there was a slight tingling sensation, as if tiny currents were leaping across his fingertips.

His heart trembled. He hadn't expected Lei Tian to be so generous, directly handing him the Earth Grade Mid-Tier Movement Dou Technique, "Lightning Flash Shadow Step"!

One must know that Di-rank Dou Techniques were extremely precious resources in Jia Nan Academy. Even Inner Academy Disciples had to pay a huge price to cultivate a Di-rank Dou Technique, sometimes even requiring an Elder-level recommendation.

Yet now, Lei Tian had handed it over without hesitation!

However, before Jiang Donghua could rejoice for long, Lei Tian grinned, revealing a set of stark white teeth, and his tone suddenly became dangerous.

"Kid, this thing can only be in your hands for three days, and it cannot leave this Pill Refining Room for a single step!"

He held out a finger, pointed at the floor, and emphasized.

Jiang Donghua's heart tightened, and he subconsciously gripped the scroll tighter.

"After three days, this old fellow will come personally to retrieve it!"

Lei Tian narrowed his eyes, Lightning Light faintly flickered around him, and his tone was low and dangerous.

"Remember, absolutely don't let anyone else see it, and even more, don't let it 'disappear'!"

He paused, then suddenly grinned, revealing a chilling smile.

"Otherwise, this old fellow will let you know how I became the Dean of the Outer Academy!"

As his voice fell, the air in the entire Pill Refining Room seemed to freeze for an instant. Jiang Donghua could even feel an invisible pressure that momentarily stifled his breathing.

"Madman Lei! Who are you trying to scare?!"

Elder Mo Xuan snorted angrily from the side, flicking his sleeve, and a wave of gentle Dou Qi dispersed the oppressive feeling.

Lei Tian laughed heartily, patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder, and said.

"Alright, kid, study hard! See you in three days!"

After speaking, his figure flashed, turning into a streak of Lightning Light, instantly vanishing from the spot, leaving only a faint scorched scent in the air.

Jiang Donghua looked down at the scroll in his hand, feeling both excited and nervous.

"Master!"

He turned to look at Elder Mo Xuan, hesitating to speak.

Elder Mo Xuan snorted and said.

"Don't mind that madman. That's just how he is; the more he values something, the more he likes to scare people."

Jiang Donghua nodded, but he knew in his heart that Lei Tian's words just now were definitely not just a joke!

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath and slowly unfurled the scroll in his hand.

Instantly, a blinding streak of Lightning Light burst forth from the scroll, illuminating the entire Pill Refining Room in silver-white!

On the surface of the scroll, countless dense thunder patterns intertwined and flashed. Countless bolts of lightning roamed within them; just watching for a moment caused stinging in the eyes and trembling in the soul.

"Is this a Thunder Pattern Seal?!"

Jiang Donghua's pupils slightly contracted.

The scroll did not contain ordinary text; instead, it was a "Thunder Pattern Secret Record" condensed from Lightning Attribute Dou Qi!

This method of recording was only used for Dou Techniques of Di-rank and above, because ordinary paper could not bear such profound Dou Technique mysteries; they had to be sealed using special means.

Jiang Donghua composed himself and slowly injected Dou Qi into the scroll. In an instant, the thunder patterns on the scroll seemed to come alive, turning into small lightning snakes that coiled up his arm, finally converging at his glabella!

"Boom——!"

His consciousness seemed to be pulled into a world of thunder!

In the endless void, a blurred figure stood proudly, wrapped in violent Lightning Light.

The next moment, that figure suddenly moved, turning into a dazzling streak of Lightning Light, crossing a thousand zhang in an instant!

"Lightning Flash Shadow Step, Earth Grade Mid-Tier Movement Dou Technique!"

A vast and majestic voice boomed in Jiang Donghua's mind.

"This Dou Technique is divided into three major stages!"

The first stage: Thunder Shadow Steps!

The figure flickers like Lightning Light, capable of instantaneous extreme speed over short distances, as fast as lightning; even an ordinary Dou Wang Expert would find it difficult to track its trajectory!

The second stage: Instantaneous Thunder Flash!

One can temporarily merge with the power of thunder, the figure turning into true Lightning Light, covering a hundred zhang in an instant, even achieving a "teleportation" effect over extremely short distances, avoiding fatal enemy moves invisibly!

The third stage: Lightning Light Escape!

When mastered, the body transforms into thunder, covering a thousand zhang in an instant. Below the Dou Zong level, no one can stop it! If combined with a Lightning Faction cultivation method, one can even draw upon the power of heaven and earth thunder, flying briefly through the air!

Jiang Donghua's mind was shaken. This was merely the description of the movement technique itself. What was even more terrifying was that this Dou Technique also came with a unique "Thunder Tempering" effect.

Each time it was executed, it would draw upon the power of thunder to temper the physical body. Over time, not only would speed skyrocket, but the physique would also become as robust as a lightning-type Magical Beast!

"No wonder Dean Lei Tian could dominate the Outer Academy relying on his Lightning Faction Dou Technique!"

Jiang Donghua felt awe in his heart.

This Dou Technique was no longer just a simple movement technique; it was practically a top-tier combat secret skill integrating speed, explosiveness, and defense!

However, just as he was immersed in it, the thunder patterns on the scroll suddenly flashed violently, and a burst of violent thunder power fiercely backlashed!

"Pfft—!"

Jiang Donghua groaned, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Hmph! How could a Di-rank Dou Technique be so easy to comprehend?"

Elder Mo Xuan's voice came, carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Lightning Flash Shadow Step contains the true meaning of thunder. If you don't have enough Lightning Faction affinity, forcibly comprehending it will only result in backlash!"

Jiang Donghua wiped the blood from his mouth, but fierce fighting intent burned in his eyes.

"Three days is enough, I'll even have time to spare."

I'll directly record it into the afk, but I'm not in a hurry to cultivate these Dou Techniques right now.

I'll wait until I advance to Great Dou Master first.

[Host: Jiang Donghua]

[Realm: Four-Star Dou Shi (2848 / 4000) Currently afk]

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

[afk Income]

Clone 1: 4 points / hour

Clone 2: 4 points / hour

Clone 3: 4 points / hour

[Current Total Income: 12 points / hour]

[Dou Techniques: Roaming Cloud Steps (Perfection), Blazing Flame Palm (Perfection), xuan-rank high-tier Fist Dou Technique, Heavenly Stellar Overlord Fist (Uninitiated), xuan-rank high-tier Body Tempering Art, Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering Art (Uninitiated), Earth Grade Mid-Tier Movement Dou Technique, Lightning Flash Shadow Step (Uninitiated)]

[Pill Formulas: bone-mending pill (Perfection, No further improvement possible), qi burst pill (Perfection, No further improvement possible), mysterious spirit pill (1 / 1000) Major Accomplishment]