75: Who is Yao Chen?

Old Ghost Blood Demon's crimson eyes flickered slightly. Although he had decided to cooperate, a trace of unease remained in his heart. Staring at Law Enforcer Liu, his voice was deep and hoarse.

"Are you truly certain that old fellow is not currently at Jia Nan Academy?"

Mang Tianchi!

This name was like an invisible mountain, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone in the Black-Corner Region who harbored designs on Jia Nan Academy.

Hearing this, Law Enforcer Liu's mouth curved into a cold, sinister arc, his tone certain.

"Rest assured, the Heavenly Venerates of the Hall of Souls have already confirmed it."

"That old fellow hasn't shown his face at Jia Nan Academy for at least ten years!"

Old Ghost Blood Demon frowned slightly, still hesitant.

"What if he is hiding in the shadows..."

Law Enforcer Liu let out a sneer, a flash of disdain crossing his eyes.

"Even if he is, so what? He is merely a Five-Star Dou Zun!"

"With the two Heavenly Venerates from our Hall of Souls taking action this time, plus youif you can truly step into Two-Star Dou Zunif the three of us join forces, why should we fear a single Mang Tianchi?"

Old Ghost Blood Demon remained silent for a moment, the blood-red light in his eyes gradually condensing, finally turning into a streak of ruthlessness.

"Fine! If that is the case, then we will see this through to the end!"

He abruptly waved his hand, his blood-red robe surging as the surrounding bloody aura swept through the entire hall like a tide!

"Pass down the order: all elites of the Blood Demon Sect are to assemble in secret!"

"In three days, we will bathe Jia Nan Academy in blood!"

Law Enforcer Liu nodded in satisfaction. The black mist slowly retracted, and his figure gradually dissipated into the air, leaving only a cold remark echoing in the hall.

"Remember, the Heavenly Flame belongs to you, and the souls belong to our Hall of Souls!"

After the black mist completely dispersed, Old Ghost Blood Demon stood alone in the center of the hall, gazing at the pitch-black jade slip in his hand, blood light flickering in his eyes.

"Mang Tianchi, unseen for ten years."

He muttered softly, then flashed a malicious grin.

"This time, this old man is gambling everything!"

When Old Ghost Blood Demon's order was issued, the faces of the many elders and deacons in the hall changed drastically, their eyes showing terror.

"Ancestor! This matter is no small thing. Jia Nan Academy has profound foundations. If Mang Tianchi suddenly returns..."

An elder who was a Four-Star Dou Huang spoke up, bracing himself, but before he could finish his sentence.

"Pfft!"

Blood light flashed in Old Ghost Blood Demon's eyes, and he clenched his five fingers through the air!

The elder didn't even let out a scream; his entire body instantly burst into a cloud of blood mist. His essence blood was extracted, turning into a bloody line that sank into Old Ghost Blood Demon's palm!

"Does anyone else have an objection?"

Old Ghost Blood Demon spoke grimly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

The hall fell into complete silence. All the elders and deacons were struck dumb with fear, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads, and no one dared to voice opposition again.

"Hmph, a bunch of trash!"

Old Ghost Blood Demon sneered, turning to walk out of the hall.

He simply did not care about the lives or deaths of these people!

Blood Demon City, atop the highest Blood Tower.

Old Ghost Blood Demon stood alone at the top of the tower, overlooking the entire city, blood light flickering in his eyes.

"My talent can only reach Dou Zong after all..."

He muttered softly, slowly clenching his five fingers. His fingertips dug into his palm, and the blood that dripped was immediately swallowed by the surging bloody aura around him.

"If I don't get a Heavenly Flame or the Vital Flame of a Dou Zun demonic beast to refine my bloodline, I will surely die!"

His Blood Demon Art was originally an evil cultivation technique. Although the cultivation speed was extremely fast, the cost was a mottled bloodline and unstable foundation!

If he could not advance further, the violent bloody aura within him would eventually backfire, causing him to explode and die!

And Old Ghost Blood Demon had been at Peak Dou Zong for decades; he probably only had a few years left to live.

"I'm gambling everything!"

The blood light in Old Ghost Blood Demon's eyes surged, and a look of ferocity appeared on his face.

"The Heavenly Flame of Jia Nan Academy must be obtained!"

"As for these pieces of trash in the Blood Demon Sect!"

A cruel arc curved at the corner of his mouth.

"Once I step into Dou Zun, the world will be vast enough for me to roam freely! Who will care about their lives or deaths?!"

All the Disciples and elders of the Blood Demon Sect felt that suppressed killing intent, but they had no choice: either follow the Ancestor and fight desperately, or die right now!

While Jiang Donghua was flipping through books in the Alchemy Department's library, his finger suddenly stopped on a yellowed copy of the "Pill Tower Grand Competition Records."

He frowned slightly, quickly turning the pages, his gaze sweeping over the lists of the top hundred contestants throughout the generations.

"Strange, why isn't Venerable Yao's name on here?"

His slender fingers stopped on a certain page, his brow slightly furrowed.

He flipped through this event record, which was compiled every thirty years, several times, even carefully checking the binding to confirm there were no missing pages. Yet, he truly could not find the name "Yao Chen" recorded, nor any similar names.

Jiang Donghua thoughtfully closed the book, his fingertips lightly tapping the hard leather cover.

He clearly remembered that Yao Chen had indeed won the Pill Tower championship.

This clear discrepancy made him sense an unusual atmosphere.

Jiang Donghua hurriedly ran to Elder Mo Xuan's alchemy room, clutching the "Pill Tower Grand Competition Records" in his hand.

"Master! Do you know about the Central Region Pill Tower?"

He pushed the door open, panting.

Elder Mo Xuan was drinking tea and rolled his eyes without turning his head.

"What Alchemist doesn't know about the Central Region Pill Tower? Have you gone silly from refining pills?"

"Then why isn't Yao Chen, Venerable Yao, recorded in this book! He was clearly the champion!"

Jiang Donghua flipped through the pages with a rustle until he reached the one recording the past champions.

Elder Mo Xuan finally turned around, reached out inexplicably, and touched his Disciple's forehead.

"You don't have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"

"Master! I am serious!"

"Silly boy, I told you not to read those miscellaneous idle books. Anyone who can win the Pill Tower championship is a major figure famous throughout the Central Region. I have lived for so many years, yet I have never heard of any Venerable Yao."

Elder Mo Xuan retracted his hand and continued to fiddle with his tea leaves.

Jiang Donghua stood frozen in place. The book in his hand fell to the ground with a *thud*. He suddenly realized a terrifying fact: perhaps it wasn't just a matter of being decades older than Xiao Yan.

"Where did you hear such rumors again?"

Elder Mo Xuan frowned, catching sight of his Disciple's dejected appearance.

Jiang Donghua asked a few more questions but received no answers.

The Fighting Qi Continent also lacked a clear calendar system.

Forget it. There was no need to worry about what time it was now. Relying on the afk to slowly cultivate, he would eventually have his moment to display his prowess before others.

Jiang Donghua was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Perhaps I remembered incorrectly."

Elder Mo Xuan looked at him suspiciously.

"Why are you acting so strange today, kid?"

Jiang Donghua scratched his head, pretending to be relaxed.

"Maybe I've been too tired from refining pills recently, and my mind is a bit confused. Oh right, I haven't finished refining this month's mysterious spirit pill yet, so I'll go get busy!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Elder Mo Xuan stared at his retreating figure and muttered.

"This Stinky Kid, what is he rambling about?"

When Jiang Donghua arrived at the Alchemy Department hall, the originally noisy environment instantly quieted down somewhat.

Many Disciples immediately forced out respectful smiles upon seeing him, and some even proactively cleared a path.

"Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Hello, Senior Brother Jiang!"

Several Disciples who had previously received his guidance quickly bowed, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe.

Last time, Jiang Donghua had merely casually advised a few alchemy apprentices on their flame control techniques. As a result, two of them broke through on the spot, successfully refining a first-grade elixir, officially stepping into the threshold of an Alchemist!

Such guidance was a rare opportunity, hard to come by in the entire Jia Nan Academy!

"Mm."

Jiang Donghua nodded faintly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, feeling a bit helpless in his heart.

He had actually just casually mentioned a few of his thoughts on alchemy theory, not expecting the effect to be so good.

"Senior Brother Jiang, my flame always goes out of control when I refine the bone-mending pill recently. Could I please ask for some guidance?"

A junior Disciple bravely stepped forward, his face full of anticipation.

Jiang Donghua glanced at him and said casually.

"The fire control is unstable because your Soul Power is not focused enough. When refining medicine, don't always think about 'controlling the flame,' but rather let the flame become a part of your perception."

The junior Disciple was stunned, then felt as if enlightened, and bowed excitedly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Seeing this, the envy in the eyes of those around grew even stronger.

This was the terrifying thing about Senior Brother Jiang!

A single casual sentence from him could enlighten others!

One after another, junior Disciples began walking over, their faces full of smiles.

Jiang Donghua raised his hand and waved, and the noisy hall instantly quieted down.

"This month, my task is to refine three mysterious spirit pills."

He spoke faintly.

"All of you just watch closely from the side. The refining process of a third-grade pill should give you plenty of insight."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Alchemy Department hall instantly boiled over!

"Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Senior Brother is truly righteous!"

Many Disciples were so excited their faces turned red, thanking him repeatedly.

After all, in Jia Nan Academy, most Third-Grade and Fourth-Grade Alchemists hid in their private alchemy rooms to refine pills alone. Who would expose their techniques directly like Jiang Donghua?

This was a rare learning opportunity!

Jiang Donghua did not say more. He swiped his finger over his storage ring, and a Medicine Cauldron, entirely earthen yellow and inscribed with ancient runes, crashed heavily onto the floor!

"Boom!"

The heavy body of the cauldron struck the ground, emitting a muffled sound, and the entire hall seemed to tremble slightly.

"A Fourth-Tier Medicine Cauldron?!"

"The earth spirit cauldron?! This is a treasure that can increase the success rate of Earth-attribute pills!"