Chapter 0033: The Golden Light Bandit — Fourth Update!

He had to use the spiritual energy before it was absorbed to detoxify Feng Qingyang. If the energy was taken in, Feng Qingyang would have no hope of survival.

Silver needles in hand, he channeled spiritual power into them and, moving with ghostly speed, pierced Feng Qingyang’s chest and back. Thirty needles in quick succession—Zhang Xiaofan’s own spiritual energy was barely enough to sustain the technique. Though he could force thirty-six needles, today he managed only thirty.

At that moment, the spiritual energy from the seven-colored lotus petals surged up and replenished him.

Another six needles followed, making thirty-six in total. Feng Qingyang’s complexion gradually improved.

But it wasn’t enough. This time, he needed to administer forty-nine needles to completely purge the poison of the Frost Palm. That was why Zhang Xiaofan had hesitated earlier; forty-nine needles was beyond his ability, only possible with external spiritual energy. Even thirty-six needles gave him only a twenty percent chance of success, and there was a real risk of suffering backlash from the poison himself.

Now, with abundant spiritual energy, Zhang Xiaofan felt confident. The sensation was marvelous.

His hands moved like shadows; the needles struck as swiftly as lightning, arranged in intricate patterns over profound acupuncture points. In moments, all forty-nine needles were in place.

“This... this is the legendary Ghost Hand Divine Needle...” Feng Qingyang murmured, utterly astonished.

At that moment, it was clear—the blackened hue on Feng Qingyang’s skin was fading, and droplets of black blood oozed from the needle sites.

“It needs to continue for an hour to fully detoxify. Watch over him; I need to meditate,” Zhang Xiaofan told Yuehen.

Using the spiritual energy of a single petal for the forty-nine needles barely depleted it. Zhang Xiaofan hurried to refine what remained; though he knew he could only absorb a small portion, even a little of such a treasure was equivalent to years of cultivation.

The Hao Ran Technique, passed to Zhang Xiaofan by the old master of Azure Cloud, was incomplete but sufficient for martial artists in the Awakening Realm. His body was saturated with spiritual energy, but he could refine only a small fraction, mainly limited by his own strength and the technique’s constraints.

After three cycles, Zhang Xiaofan felt a marked improvement in his strength, though still some way from the mid-level Awakening Realm.

His whole body felt refreshed, and unexpectedly, the unrefined spiritual energy did not dissipate but lingered within him.

Delighted, Zhang Xiaofan realized he could slowly refine it over time, ensuring rapid growth in his power.

On the fifth cycle, suddenly, a golden light burst from within him. At the Awakening Realm, he had the ability of inner sight, and this golden light was not new.

What was this golden light?

Zhang Xiaofan was curious; it wasn’t hard to guess that the powerful energy from the seven-colored lotus petal had triggered it.

Astonished, he watched as the golden light coiled like a dragon, opening its jaws. The spiritual energy lingering in his body surged madly toward the dragon’s mouth, vanishing in moments...

He was disappointed—the golden light seemed to be a thief.

An hour passed as he cultivated.

By then, Feng Qingyang’s complexion had improved greatly; his skin was free of the black hue, and the Frost Palm’s poison was completely eradicated.

Zhang Xiaofan withdrew the silver needles; they remained lustrous and unaffected, truly extraordinary implements.

“Little friend, I truly thank you.” Feng Qingyang’s aged face was filled with gratitude. “I heard from Yue’er about the Seven-colored Refined Lotus. Such a divine item... I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Senior, you needn’t worry. Though I used the lotus’s spiritual energy to help you, most of it was absorbed by me. There’s no need for concern,” Zhang Xiaofan replied as he put away the needles.

“No matter what, you saved my life. I’ll remember this debt,” Feng Qingyang said.

“We are both of the Dragon Soul; it was only a small effort.” Zhang Xiaofan stood. “Now that your poison is cured, I’ll take my leave. If you encounter the Poison Hand Medicine King again, be careful—he’s not easy to deal with.”

“I just received the assignment. They said the Poison Hand Medicine King was in Jinghai City. I tracked him down but never expected that old fellow to be so formidable,” Feng Qingyang said, still shaken.

“This is my number. If you have any news of him, let me know—I’ll make sure he’s sent to the afterlife,” Zhang Xiaofan said, carving his number into the nearby table with a needle.

The Poison Hand Medicine King was cunning and treacherous, his mastery of poisons unparalleled. Back in the day, even the old master of Azure Cloud barely survived his schemes.

“I’ll be going now,” Zhang Xiaofan said, not intending to linger. He was still a student, and class awaited him in the afternoon.

“Yue’er, see him out,” Feng Qingyang instructed. Neither spoke much about the other’s identity; both understood the taboo.

Outside, Yuehen gazed quietly at Zhang Xiaofan. “If you wish, I can become your woman at any time.”

Zhang Xiaofan could only smile wryly; she was certainly single-minded.

“Heh.”

He chuckled, wrapped his arm around Yuehen’s waist, and pressed his face close. Yuehen visibly shuddered, as if wanting to pull away, but she endured.

“You see, you’re not ready yourself. How could you be my woman? If it’s just a transaction, let’s forget it.”

With a gentle word, Zhang Xiaofan strode away, vanishing from Yuehen’s sight.

Watching his departing figure, Yuehen’s eyes grew complex; who knew what she was thinking.

...

“What? You say he’s not dead?”

In a luxurious room, Liu Xiao was stunned.

“That’s right, he’s definitely alive.” At school, Liu Zifeng spoke on the phone from a corner.

“Does that kid have three heads and six arms?” Liu Xiao raged. “I’ll make a call and find out.”

His expression shifted; after hanging up, he dialed another number.

“Hello, is this Boss Hu?” The call connected quickly, and Liu Xiao asked cautiously.

Before he finished, a roar erupted from the other end.

“Hu your mother! You made that call earlier, didn’t you? Do you know who you offended? Boss Hu was killed—do you know how many brothers died? Bring a hundred million over, or your whole family won’t have peace!”

Liu Xiao’s heart raced—Hu Yitian was dead... Could that kid really be some kind of god?

“Yes, yes...” Liu Xiao didn’t dare utter a word of protest, fully aware of the danger.

“I’ll send you a card number soon. Don’t try anything, or you’ll regret it.” The voice threatened, then hung up.

Soon after, a text arrived with a string of card numbers.

Despite the pain, Liu Xiao quickly transferred the money. A hundred million for safety was worth it.

...

Back in class, everyone looked at Zhang Xiaofan differently now, filled with awe and reverence.

After the battle in the cafeteria, Zhang Xiaofan’s name resounded through Jinghai High—standing before them was the king!

He was now the strongest in Jinghai High.

Taking his seat, Zhang Xiaofan remained calm. Defeating Xuan Yuan Wu Qing—what was there to be proud of? Becoming the school’s top fighter—what was worth boasting about?

There were three classes in the afternoon, which passed quickly.

The last class was with Ouyang Xue. When the bell rang, she asked Zhang Xiaofan to stay behind.

Once everyone had left, Ouyang Xue approached him and said softly, “Thank you for saving me last time. Let me treat you to dinner.”

“Teacher, it’s only right to help others. If you really want to thank me, find somewhere private—I still remember the bar, you were quite enthusiastic then.” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

“You... how dare you!” Ouyang Xue’s cheeks flushed instantly.

“Just say whether you’re going or not!” she said, annoyed.

“Of course I’ll go. I was just wondering where to eat,” Zhang Xiaofan said. How could he refuse a beauty’s invitation, especially when there was food involved?

“Follow me,” Ouyang Xue said, and walked out, her heels clicking on the floor. Flesh-toned stockings paired with a black skirt—a unique charm.

Following her to the parking lot, Zhang Xiaofan saw her car, a red Audi A4, filled with the scent of perfume.

He sat in the passenger seat, eyeing Ouyang Xue’s curves accentuated by the seatbelt, unable to resist wanting to reach out and grab.

When she changed out of her heels, bending over, her figure was even more tempting, making Zhang Xiaofan’s mouth go dry.

Teacher... you’re tempting me to commit a crime...

“What are you staring at!” Ouyang Xue snapped, noticing his heated gaze as she finished changing shoes.

“Teacher, you kissed me for so long—what’s wrong with me looking?” Zhang Xiaofan said, his gaze drifting down to the perfect legs outlined by her stockings, such allure enough to drive someone mad.

“You keep talking!” Ouyang Xue blushed, almost speechless. Was this really a student?

“Alright, I’ll stop talking and just look...” Zhang Xiaofan laughed softly, turning his gaze to her face. Ouyang Xue was truly beautiful—light makeup, sparkling eyes with a hint of allure, thin red lips, making him want to kiss her.

Ouyang Xue was at a loss, resigned, no longer bothered to argue, started the engine, and the car moved.

“Wow, a real beauty,” someone in a Mercedes whistled beside their Audi A4, then sped off.

“Teacher, step on it! Pass that bastard!”

Upon reaching the road, Zhang Xiaofan shouted.

Ouyang Xue ignored him, keeping a steady sixty.

Zhang Xiaofan suddenly stretched out his foot and floored the accelerator. The car shot forward, startling Ouyang Xue as they almost crashed into the car ahead.

He jerked the steering wheel, perfectly passing by, then cut in front, blocking the Mercedes behind.

He reached out the window and flashed a middle finger.

Damn it, just because it’s a Mercedes doesn’t mean you’re hot shit.