Instructor Mo Xuan Comes to the Rescue

Jiang Donghua was surrounded by members of the Enforcement Team, his arms restrained by two enforcers. Yet his expression remained cold and stern, his gaze sweeping over Chen Xiao and the other two like blades.

Hearing this, Jiang Donghua slowly curled his lips into a mocking smile, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Just you three pieces of trash?"

He lifted his head slightly, his tone icy and derisive.

"You can't even take a single move from me, and you think you're worthy of making threats?"

"You!"

Chen Xiao trembled with rage and was about to curse at him when an Enforcement Team member pressed down on his shoulder and forcibly stopped him.

Instructor Lin frowned deeply and coughed heavily twice, her voice stern.

"Enough!"

Her gaze swept over both sides, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"The academy is a place for cultivation, not for you to fight recklessly, form grudges, and seek revenge!"

She looked coldly at Chen Xiao and the other two.

"You three started the provocation. You brought your injuries upon yourselves. Go back and recover. If you dare cause trouble again, you'll be expelled from the academy immediately!"

Chen Xiao's expression changed. He lowered his head through gritted teeth, not daring to say another word, though the hatred in his eyes did not lessen in the slightest.

Instructor Lin then turned to Jiang Donghua and said gravely.

"Jiang Donghua, although you were defending yourself, your attack was too heavy. According to the Academy Rules, you are to be confined for two months, and this month's cultivation resources will be deducted!"

Jiang Donghua remained indifferent and merely gave a slight nod.

"This student accepts the punishment."

Seeing how calm he was, Instructor Lin softened her tone somewhat.

"I hope all of you remember today's lesson. If there is a next time, there will be no mercy!"

She waved her hand. The Enforcement Team members escorted Jiang Donghua away, while Chen Xiao and the other two were helped away as well.

However, the instant Jiang Donghua turned around, Chen Xiao lowered his voice and said with a chilling sneer that only the few of them could hear.

"Jiang Donghua... You think confinement means you're safe? Heh, just wait. Soon... you'll regret offending us!"

Jiang Donghua did not stop walking, nor could he even be bothered to turn his head. He merely tossed out a calm reply.

"No matter how many pieces of trash there are, they're still trash."

Just as Jiang Donghua had resigned himself to two months of confinement, he unexpectedly ran into Mo Xuan, the Fifth-grade Alchemist of the Alchemy Department.

Mo Xuan wore a dark black robe, its cuffs embroidered with dark golden pill patterns. His entire person exuded a steady, reserved air.

He had merely been passing by, but his gaze suddenly fell upon Jiang Donghua, who was being escorted by the Enforcement Team. His brows furrowed slightly, and he stopped.

Instructor Lin's expression tightened. She hurried forward and said respectfully.

"Master Mo Xuan."

Although she was an instructor of the Enforcement Team, her status was as distant from that of a Fifth-grade Alchemist as the clouds were from the mud.

After all, there were only a few dozen alchemists in the entire academy capable of refining Fifth-grade Pills. Every one of them was someone even the academy's higher-ups treated with great deference.

Just as Instructor Lin was about to explain Jiang Donghua's situation, Mo Xuan spoke first, looking directly at him.

"How did you get caught by the Enforcement Team?"

His tone was unhurried, carrying a faint hint of teasing, as though he were merely asking casually.

Jiang Donghua lowered his head slightly and replied respectfully.

"In reply to Instructor Mo Xuan, this student merely had a minor conflict with someone. I didn't commit murder or arson."

Mo Xuan raised a brow and looked at Instructor Lin with a faint smile.

"Oh? Then how did it come to the point of confinement?"

Instructor Lin's heart tightened, and she hurriedly explained.

"Master Mo Xuan, although Jiang Donghua was defending himself, his attack was too heavy. According to the Academy Rules..."

Mo Xuan waved a hand, cutting her off, and said lightly.

"Young people are hot-blooded. It's normal for them to scuffle now and then. As long as no one died, why make such a fuss over it?"

Instructor Lin was left speechless. Her expression was somewhat unpleasant, but she did not dare refute him.

Mo Xuan looked at Jiang Donghua again, speaking casually as though he were being perfectly serious.

"Haven't you been helping me sort Medicinal Herbs lately? If you're confined for two months, who's going to handle my business?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Jiang Donghua's eyes, but he quickly understood and bowed his head along with the pretense.

"This student knows his mistake and is willing to accept punishment. But if Master Mo's affairs are delayed, this student will feel deeply uneasy."

Mo Xuan gave a soft snort and turned his gaze to Instructor Lin.

"How about this? Waive the confinement and have him do some miscellaneous work for me instead. Let that serve as his punishment. What do you say?"

How could Instructor Lin dare refuse? She could only nod reluctantly.

"Since Master Mo Xuan has spoken, naturally that will be acceptable."

Mo Xuan nodded in satisfaction and said to Jiang Donghua.

"Let's go. Don't waste time here."

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly and followed Mo Xuan away, leaving the Enforcement Team members staring at one another.

The moment Chen Xiao and the other two saw the Fifth-grade Alchemist Mo Xuan personally stepping in to rescue Jiang Donghua, their expressions instantly froze. The venom in their eyes was replaced by terror.

"A... a Fifth-grade Alchemist?!"

One of them spoke with a trembling voice, his legs going weak as he nearly dropped to his knees.

What did a Fifth-grade Alchemist represent within the academy?

It was an existence even the Dean had to show deference to!

Not to mention the three of them, mere One-star Dou Zhe. Even their boss, Chen Ming, would have to be utterly respectful before Mo Xuan!

Offending Jiang Donghua was the same as offending Mo Xuan!

And what was the consequence of offending a Fifth-grade Alchemist?

At best, one would have their cultivation resources cut off. At worst, they would be expelled from the academy outright, or even have their cultivation crippled through some "accident." So long as a Fifth-grade Alchemist voiced such a thought, countless students would surely be willing to carry it out.

"It's over... It's over..."

Chen Xiao's face turned deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He could barely remain standing.

He had originally planned to report back to their boss, Chen Ming, and have the family's influence deal with Jiang Donghua. But now?

Mo Xuan stood behind Jiang Donghua!

No matter how arrogant the Chen Family was, they would not dare challenge a Fifth-grade Alchemist!

"Quick... let's go!"

Chen Xiao's voice trembled. He did not even dare leave behind another threat before turning to flee.

The other two were even more terrified, scrambling after him in utter panic, afraid Jiang Donghua might turn back to settle the score.

"We have to tell the boss right away... We can't afford to provoke this Jiang Donghua!"

The three fled in disarray.

Meanwhile, Jiang Donghua followed behind Mo Xuan, his expression still calm, though a trace of contemplation flashed in his eyes.

Why would this instructor help me?

He did not remember ever helping Mo Xuan sort Medicinal Herbs.

Mo Xuan seemed to notice his doubts. Without looking back, he merely said lightly.

"Kid, don't overthink it. I just don't like seeing a few pieces of trash bully others by throwing their weight around."

Mo Xuan walked ahead with his hands behind his back, while Jiang Donghua silently followed. The two passed through the academy corridors toward the Alchemy Department.

Mo Xuan suddenly spoke in a casual tone.

"What have you been doing these past few days?"

Jiang Donghua answered truthfully.

"In reply to Teacher, this student has been hunting low-grade demonic beasts along the outskirts of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range these past few days to hone my combat skills."

Slap!

Mo Xuan abruptly stopped, turned, and slapped the back of Jiang Donghua's head. The force was neither light nor heavy, but enough to make Jiang Donghua stagger.

"Hunting demonic beasts?!"

Mo Xuan glared so hard that even his beard bristled with anger.

"Did your brain get caught in a door, you brat?!"

Jiang Donghua was somewhat dazed by the slap, but he steadied himself and frowned.

"Teacher, this student is honing his combat skills. What is wrong with that?"

"Wrong?! It's terribly wrong!"

Mo Xuan blew out his beard and glared, pointing at Jiang Donghua's nose as he scolded him.

"Do you know what kind of constitution you have? A scorching Fire attribute mixed with an exceptionally pure Wood attribute, and soul perception far surpassing that of ordinary people!"

"With talent like that, you'd be a rare prodigy even in the Alchemy Department, one seen only once in a century! Yet here you are, ignoring such outstanding alchemy talent to risk your life fighting demonic beasts?!"

Jiang Donghua was stunned. He had not expected Mo Xuan to understand his situation so thoroughly.

Seeing him spacing out, Mo Xuan grew even angrier and snapped.

"What is most important for an alchemy apprentice? Identifying medicinal properties, becoming familiar with medicinal theory, and tempering soul perception!"

"And what do you do? Run off to fight demonic beasts? Do you think you're one of those crude fools who only know brute force?!"

Jiang Donghua was rendered speechless by the scolding, though inwardly, he was still somewhat unconvinced.

"Teacher, this student merely feels that strength is the foundation..."

"Bullshit!"

Mo Xuan cut him off directly.

"Do alchemists not have strength?"

"Do you know that a pill casually refined by a high-grade alchemist can make countless powerful cultivators flock to it? Do you know that a true Alchemy Master can make Dou Wang and Dou Huang bow their heads with a single word?!"

Jiang Donghua's heart shook, and a flash of realization appeared in his eyes.

Seeing the change in his expression, Mo Xuan snorted coldly, his tone easing somewhat.

"Kid, talent is hard to come by. Don't waste it on meaningless things."

"From today onward, report to the Alchemy Department every day. This old man will personally teach you alchemy!"

Jiang Donghua drew a deep breath and cupped his fists solemnly.

"This student will heed your teachings!"

Only then did Mo Xuan nod in satisfaction. He turned and continued walking, still muttering under his breath.

"Young people these days really don't know what's good for them..."

Jiang Donghua watched Mo Xuan's retreating back, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.