"Hmm," Qian Jin listened to the growing clamor approaching their location. He glanced at Loki? Lei, whom he was holding, and said, "I still need to go back and question this brat about who sent him to kill me. Sometime later, take me to see your Indomitable Alliance?" "Absolutely!" Christine momentarily let go of all awkwardness and shyness, flashing a brilliant smile—a smile so intoxicatingly sweet it could charm the senses. "The Indomitable Alliance welcomes you to join."

Join the Indomitable Alliance? Qian Jin recalled the students' whispers in the dance hall; perhaps he did share some similarities with the alliance.

"I think it's this way..." "Yes, yes! We heard sounds of fighting here initially too." "Magic power erupted over there just now..." Qian Jin heard the sounds drawing closer. He reached out, took the still-unconscious Biluo from Christine, and nodded lightly. "I should head back now, or if we're discovered, it will be more trouble. Especially concerning the identity of this assassin..."

Qian Jin sighed, clicked his tongue twice, and hurried toward the academy walls. If his identity as a Behemoth bloodline barbarian warrior were discovered, the situation would become far more complicated. Moreover, the capture of the assassin could easily leak outside, potentially reaching the person who hired him. He needed to maintain utmost secrecy now, offering no advantage to the contractor.

"What are you looking for? You bunch of idiots, could you have arrived any later? Everyone's gone, and only now do you show up!"

Qian Jin heard Principal Isabella’s roar, reminiscent of a female tyrant, echoing from far behind him. Immediately following was a wave of apologetic murmurs from the students. The searching crowd quickly dispersed, continuing their hunt in other directions.

"Find them! You absolutely must find them! If they aren't found tonight, you can forget about your upcoming holiday break! You will all remain here at the academy for extra training under Teacher Yuqing!"

Listening to Principal Isabella roar again, Qian Jin suddenly felt the intense auras radiating from the scattered students, as if their fighting spirit had been ignited.

Teacher Yuqing? Qian Jin winced. Although he didn't know this teacher's background, the reaction of the students upon hearing his name indicated he must be a terrifying figure, perhaps as ruthless as the undead.

Qian Jin bolted, scrambling over the academy wall, found a carriage, and sped back to the Torrent Stronghold. He arrived just as Mu Gui Wuxin was sitting happily on the stone steps before the stronghold's gate, his face blooming with the cheerfulness of spring.

"Oh, Qian Jin, back so early?" Mu Gui Wuxin stood up, brushing dust off his backside, his smile broadening. "What happened to Biluo? Did you..."

Mu Gui Wuxin looked at Qian Jin with a mischievous grin. "You got her drunk? Kid! There was no need for that! If you wanted to do something with her, you could have simply asked for her consent. This method isn't exactly honorable! But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I understand; we're all men..."

Qian Jin looked weakly at Mu Gui Wuxin. He was preoccupied with figuring out who wanted him dead, yet he was rendered listless by this barrage of knowing winks and teasing remarks.

"Uncle, when will you ever be serious?" Qian Jin lifted his leg and headed toward the hall. "Do you have any sturdy and secret rooms here?"

"Sure do! My room!" Mu Gui Wuxin gave a thumbs-up. "Wait a minute, kid, why do you have a man in your arms?"

"This brat tried to kill me." Qian Jin hurried toward Mu Gui Wuxin's room without patience. Although it was late at night and few people would be out, caution was best. Given the recent events, not everyone inside the Torrent Stronghold could be trusted. At least... Qian Jin’s eyes drifted toward the few houses deep within the courtyard; those Vice-Presidents currently seemed quite unreliable.

Mu Gui Wuxin followed Qian Jin into the room. He picked up a yellow stone from the floor and scribbled a few crooked characters onto the door panel. With a resounding clank, he slammed the door shut. The powerful impact echoed through the Torrent Stronghold, causing many who were already asleep to light lamps and look toward the Stronghold Lord's chambers.

Old man's in a bad mood, don't mess with me! Anyone who dares push this door open without knocking, I'll kill them! Several warriors near Mu Gui Wuxin's room saw the writing—as ugly as Mu Gui Wuxin himself—and nervously shrank their necks. A chill ran down their spines, and they quickened their pace back to their own rooms, fearing the Lord might suddenly open the door, claiming he sensed someone loitering, as his mood was currently foul.

"Kid, what's going on?" Mu Gui Wuxin’s ugly face was grim, having completely replaced his earlier smile. "This little thing tried to kill you? Did you find out why? Did you offend him? Or..."

"Someone paid him to take my life." Qian Jin pulled out strange containers one after another from the Dou Realm and placed them on Mu Gui Wuxin's desk. Soon, the desk was covered with various vessels, all connected to form three independent small setups.

"Someone hired a killer for you? Who? The Lei family? Or the City Lord? Or the Qian family?" Mu Gui Wuxin flipped his wrist, summoning a gleaming battle-axe brimming with killing intent, holding it in his massive hand. His two Heaven Eyes glared fiercely at Loki? Lei, clearly intending to cleave the young man in two with one swing.

"I don't know," Qian Jin replied, busy retrieving batch after batch of medicinal herbs from the Dou Realm. These were herbs he had seized from the apothecaries of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline families and the mysterious alchemist—all rare and peculiar ingredients, regardless of which part of the body they were supposed to treat; he had confiscated half of everything.

Nearly a hundred kinds of herbs were spread across the tabletop, the bed, and the floor. Qian Jin stood with his hands on his hips, marveling at the array of ingredients. He was fortunate that the Dou Realm expanded and grew as his strength increased; otherwise, just storing the herbs would have been insufficient space.

Now, following the power surge from the battle against the Demon Slayers, the space within the Dou Realm spanned several hundred acres. The mountain of gold bricks that once occupied a significant portion of the realm no longer made it feel cramped.

"Warriors truly must take on the burden of logistics," Qian Jin mused aloud, looking around his Dou Realm. This space would be excellent for storing military rations, the only problem being the troublesome transport—the owner of the Dou Realm had to retrieve the items bit by bit. This not only wasted time but also consumed a great deal of physical energy, especially for warriors who typically didn't possess superior brute strength. While battle aura could enhance explosive bursts, moving supplies still required raw muscle.

"Qian Jin, what are you doing?" Mu Gui Wuxin watched the busy Qian Jin with confusion. "I'm quite skilled when it comes to interrogation. Trust me! I have a thousand, ten thousand ways to make him talk."

"This man is a professional assassin," Qian Jin replied without turning around, continuing his work. "He's received professional training. If we use your methods, it will likely take a very long time, and the person who hired him could easily find out."

Mu Gui Wuxin stood idly by, watching Qian Jin diligently work—grinding various herbs and fruits, adding them in a precise sequence and timing... "...... A potion? A mysterious potion?" Mu Gui Wuxin stared blankly at Qian Jin, letting out a slight grin. What exactly was this? It looked pitch black, yet it smelled exceptionally fragrant, like returning to one's happiest moments.

The potion in the test tube grew darker after several filtrations. Qian Jin added a wisp of a special spice, which further enhanced the room's fragrance without causing the headache or nausea associated with overly strong scents.

Qian Jin pinched Loki? Lei's mouth with five fingers and directly poured the black potion down his throat.

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Mu Gui Wuxin whispered into Qian Jin's ear, "What is this thing?"

"This is called a Level One Illusion Potion..." Qian Jin stared at Loki? Lei, counting on his fingers. "Even the most mentally strong person, when consuming this unconsciously, will be completely unguarded for half a minute, compelled to speak the truth. It’s one of the most basic types of mysterious potions."

"Illusion Potion?" Mu Gui Wuxin stared at Qian Jin, stunned. Was he joking? A potion with such terrifying effects was merely a Level One mysterious potion? If it were possible, wouldn't forcing this potion upon a powerful expert allow one to extract their Battle Qi Secrets or Martial Skill Secrets? Yet, he had never heard any other mysterious alchemist mention such a potion.

Mu Gui Wuxin pondered seriously, recalling the various mysterious potions he had encountered over the years. Some alchemists specialized in mental potions, but none had ever mentioned anything called an Illusion Potion.

"Because it's a Level One Illusion Potion, it does have side effects," Qian Jin carefully poured the potion into Loki? Lei's mouth according to the dosage. "The user will develop immunity to this potion within one month."

"Only half a minute of questioning per month?" Mu Gui Wuxin’s lips twitched. Half a minute is nowhere near enough time to learn an entire set of Battle Qi Secrets or the essence of a Martial Skill. "Kid, does this medicine really work? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"Haven't you heard of it?" Qian Jin withdrew the potion and looked at the still-sleeping Loki? Lei, lightly tapping his forehead as a realization struck him. Master Oulala had once mentioned that she invented the Illusion Potion. It was no wonder that the True Decree Dynasty wouldn't know how to make it. "I remember now. I suspect I am the only one who knows how to craft this mysterious potion."

"Only you?" Mu Gui Wuxin sighed softly. "That's incredible!"

"Incredible?" Qian Jin raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so."

Not incredible? Mu Gui Wuxin desperately wanted to ask what would qualify as incredible then.

Incredible? Qian Jin shook his head. If this was incredible, what would he call the Ultimate Illusion Potion, the Ultimate Amnesia Potion, or the Ultimate Pain Nullification Potion that Oulala was planning to formulate?