Chapter 35: Takagi Akio Strikes with Poison

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Teng Pan clenched his fist, and a vast white aura of magical energy enveloped it. His gaze sharpened suddenly, and with a fierce motion, he threw his fist straight at Gao Muqiu.

Bang!

In an instant, light burst forth as fist met palm, unleashing a powerful shockwave that rippled outward. Both Gao Muqiu and Teng Pan staggered from the impact, forced to retreat several steps.

Their eyes hardened, and with barely a pause, they lunged toward each other once more, locking in fierce combat. As everyone looked on, Gao Muqiu clenched her fist, a surge of purple-flame energy coiling around her hand like a small dragon, clashing head-on with Teng Pan’s blinding fist.

Immediately, a powerful field of energy formed beneath their feet, so intense that the hair of those nearby whipped wildly in the wind. The onlookers found it impossible to keep their eyes open. Alarmed, they stumbled back, afraid of being caught in the aftermath.

Xie Xuanxuan had already retreated far away. She watched Gao Muqiu, her hair billowing in the magical storm, her heart full of worry. Though she had faith in Gao Muqiu’s strength, Teng Pan’s display left her uncertain.

Unable to help herself, she turned to Lin Xiaofeng and Chen Hao beside her, her expression grave. “I didn’t expect Teng Pan to be this powerful—he’s actually holding his own against Sister Gao.”

Lin Xiaofeng and Chen Hao both wore serious looks. Then Lin Xiaofeng forced a smile and said, “Teng Pan is an advanced mage, so his power is considerable. But don’t worry—our Sister Gao is also an advanced mage. It’s still anyone’s match.”

Xie Xuanxuan let out a sigh. “Let’s hope so.”

At that moment, Zhao Shengwei, standing some distance away, overheard their conversation and sneered. “Your Sister Gao is doomed to lose!”

“You—” Xie Xuanxuan bristled with indignation.

Zhao Shengwei’s sneer deepened. “Gao Muqiu may be an advanced mage, but Brother Teng Pan is on the verge of advancing to the Mystic Rank. Do you really think Gao Muqiu can defeat him?”

As soon as Zhao Shengwei spoke, the students of the Demonic Class burst into mocking laughter. “Just get ready to lose! Our Demonic Class isn’t something your Genius Class can mess with!”

“You—” Xie Xuanxuan’s anger flared, but before she could retort, a deafening crash erupted from the center of the field, followed by another wave of immense force.

The tremendous sound, like a thunderclap, stunned everyone. Instinctively, all eyes turned to the source.

In the center of the field, Gao Muqiu’s eyes had turned pitch-black. A surging aura of darkness swirled around her, as if she had become someone else entirely. The sight left everyone dumbfounded.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaofei had already led the students of the Genius Class onto the field. Observing Gao Muqiu, wreathed in ghostly energy at the center, he frowned slightly and muttered, “So, Ghost Emperor, you couldn’t resist making a move after all.”

Though spoken softly, his words were overheard by Li Xiaofang beside him. She frowned and asked, “Professor Jiang, what are you talking about?”

Realizing his slip, Jiang Xiaofei quickly smiled. “I was just saying Teng Pan is about to lose!”

“Oh?” Li Xiaofang frowned in doubt.

Just then, at the center of the field, Gao Muqiu formed a series of complex hand seals. As her gestures shifted, a black sigil appeared in her palm.

In a blur, Gao Muqiu darted toward Teng Pan with a speed like a phantom.

Teng Pan, already badly wounded from the previous exchange, stared in disbelief at Gao Muqiu’s approaching figure. “Impossible… How can you still have strength left?”

“Go to hell for your answer,” Gao Muqiu replied coldly, striking at Teng Pan’s chest with her palm.

“No, no! You’re not Gao Muqiu—I will not lose!” As the sigil in her palm grew larger in his eyes, Teng Pan seemed to realize something, a mix of terror and unwillingness flashing across his face.

Steeling himself, he retaliated with all his might, unleashing a surge of vast magical power toward Gao Muqiu.

Bang!

A thunderous explosion shook the air, the unleashed energy so great it made space itself tremble. The onlookers all felt a profound sense of awe, as if witnessing a scene from a science fiction epic.

At the center of the field, Teng Pan was struck with such force that he flew backward, tumbling through the air.

The sight made Zhao Shengwei panic. He leaped forward, catching Teng Pan before landing gently on the ground.

“Brother Teng Pan, are you alright?” he asked anxiously.

Teng Pan’s face was ashen, his expression twisted in pain as if poisoned. He was too weak to speak, only able to feebly point at Gao Muqiu in the center of the field.

Seeing this, Zhao Shengwei’s brow furrowed. His eyes darkened as he shouted coldly at Gao Muqiu, “Gao Muqiu, what did you do to Brother Teng Pan?”

Gao Muqiu responded with a cold laugh. “What could I have done? He simply wasn’t as skilled. Is that my fault?”

Zhao Shengwei refused to believe it. “Then why is Brother Teng Pan so gravely injured?”

Gao Muqiu let out a derisive snort. “Who knows? Maybe he ate something bad earlier and was poisoned?”

Jiang Xiaofei listened to their exchange, silently scoffing.

Just then, a woman’s mocking voice rang out. “I’ve only been away from school for a few days and it’s become so lively! Looks like I picked the right day to come back—or I would have missed this spectacle!”

Though not loud, her voice was so familiar that everyone instinctively turned, recalling a campus legend.

Amid the many gazes, the roar of an engine came from the entrance to the field. The crowd quickly parted.

A dazzling blue Ferrari roared onto the field, its lavish appearance making it clear its owner was no ordinary person.

The sight of the Ferrari made the students’ eyes widen in amazement.

“It’s Lan Lianshuang, the campus belle!”

With all eyes on her, the Ferrari made a flamboyant drift at the center of the field before coming to a halt.

The doors lifted like fans, and a tall woman in a blue suit and matching hat stepped out from the passenger side, exuding an air of heroic flair.

After her, a man of imposing stature, about 1.9 meters tall, exited the driver’s seat, clad in a sharp black suit, striking and charismatic.

Their arrival sent the crowd into a frenzy. Some male students, unable to contain their excitement, even shamelessly shouted, “Lan Lianshuang, I love you! I love you!”

The spectacle was so overwhelming that for a moment, everyone forgot the battle between Gao Muqiu and Teng Pan.

Jiang Xiaofei took in the students’ reaction with a frown. Turning to Li Xiaofang, he asked, “Who is that woman? She has such influence!”