Chapter 40: First Encounter with Takagi Aki

Professor Jiang did absolutely nothing wrong; it was Chen Hao who brought this upon himself, deservedly so.
“Exactly, he brought it on himself,” Xiao Fei Jiang chimed in, prompting several students to voice their agreement. A few even sneered, “Chen Hao is definitely finished now.”
“That’s right, after taking a kick from Professor Jiang, he’ll be laid up in the hospital for at least half a month, won’t be able to get out of bed,” Lin Tianfeng echoed, a mocking smile on his face. He had long since had a falling out with Chen Hao, but, constrained by Gao Muqiu, never found an opportunity for revenge. Now, witnessing Chen Hao’s harsh punishment, he could hardly contain his delight.
But not everyone was pleased. Xie Xuanxuan felt indignant, wishing she could rush up to the podium to defend Chen Hao. Just as she prepared to stand, Gao Muqiu stopped her.
Xie Xuanxuan frowned slightly. “Sister Gao, what are you doing?”
Gao Muqiu whispered, “Don’t act rashly. Now is not the time to confront him. Let him gloat for a while.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanxuan reluctantly held back.
Xiao Fei Jiang had been watching their exchange, scoffing inwardly and dismissing them. He then swept his gaze over the students, his tone cool and warning, “As I’ve said before, if you respect me, I will respect you. I hope nothing like this happens again. Otherwise, you’ll end up like Chen Hao. Do you understand?”
The students responded in unison, “Yes!”
Satisfied, Xiao Fei Jiang nodded and was about to speak when suddenly Lin Xiaofeng burst in, and without a word, swung his fist at Xiao Fei Jiang.
Before the students’ eyes, Xiao Fei Jiang quickly stepped back, reached out, and caught Lin Xiaofeng’s right hand. He frowned, “Student, mind your behavior.”
“Mind your own business! Today, I’ll make you pay!” Lin Xiaofeng’s face was fierce with anger. He tried to pull his hand back to attack again, only to realize his right hand was firmly locked in Xiao Fei Jiang’s grasp, impossible to break free. Shock and rage flooded him. “If you have guts, let go and face me head-on.”
Xiao Fei Jiang’s brows drew together, his voice cold, “If you have the ability, break free yourself.”
“You asked for this!” Lin Xiaofeng retorted, his eyes darkening as he summoned his inner magical power. Light patterns appeared on his right hand, aiming to break Xiao Fei Jiang’s hold.
“Foolish,” Xiao Fei Jiang growled, tightening his grip.
Lin Xiaofeng’s expression grew strained, turmoil raging in his heart. To his horror, not only could he not break free, but his magical energy was being siphoned away through his arm by Xiao Fei Jiang.
Distressed and furious, he reached out with his left hand, light patterns gathering in his palm, and struck hard at Xiao Fei Jiang’s chest, hoping to force him off.
But Xiao Fei Jiang remained unfazed, his left hand pinning Lin Xiaofeng’s palm in place.

Immediately, Xiao Fei Jiang’s gaze darkened, “You cursed me this morning, and I let it go, didn’t trouble you. But now you dare provoke me again. Since you insist, I’ll teach you a lesson—turn you into a cripple.”
Lin Xiaofeng finally realized the danger. Regret flooded him, and he cried out, “No… I’m sorry! Please let me go!”
Xiao Fei Jiang ignored his pleas, his eyes sharp as an invisible force surged from him.
Under its assault, Lin Xiaofeng’s face twitched, contorted in agony, enduring immense pain.
The students witnessing this uncanny scene felt chills down their spines. What kind of sorcery was this—to absorb another’s magic, leaving Lin Xiaofeng so wretched?
Gao Muqiu, closest to the podium, sensed Xiao Fei Jiang’s aura and frowned, her eyes suddenly widening as realization dawned. She murmured, “Soul-devouring technique? Who is he, really?”
At that moment, Xie Xuanxuan, restless and anxious, shouted, “Sister Gao, save Lin Xiaofeng! If this continues, he’ll truly be ruined!”
Hearing her, Gao Muqiu called out, “Please, let Lin Xiaofeng go.”
Xiao Fei Jiang ignored her, continuing to drain Lin Xiaofeng’s power. Lin Xiaofeng’s face turned deathly pale.
Seeing this, Gao Muqiu snapped, “Then forgive me!”
She rose and strode to the podium, her gaze steely, her flawless hand striking Xiao Fei Jiang’s back.
A dull thud echoed.
Xiao Fei Jiang reeled forward from the blow, quickly kicking Lin Xiaofeng away. His eyes flashed as he struck back at Gao Muqiu.
Before the students, Gao Muqiu met his palm with her own.
A burst of light surged, both stepping back a pace. The students watched in wide-eyed astonishment. Professor Jiang was a profound-tier mage, yet Gao Muqiu matched him evenly, even seeming to hold the advantage.
“Has Gao Muqiu been hiding her strength?” The students found themselves looking at her with newfound respect.
On the podium, Gao Muqiu smiled, “Professor Jiang, as expected of a profound-tier mage. Your power is impressive—I admire it.”

Xiao Fei Jiang said nothing, his face dark with anger. He snorted coldly and strode out of the classroom.
The students were puzzled by this—shouldn’t Professor Jiang reclaim his dignity, or at least acknowledge Gao Muqiu’s prowess rather than hastily departing?
Xie Xuanxuan, too, sensed something strange. She leaned in, urgently whispering to Gao Muqiu, “Sister Gao, what’s wrong with Professor Jiang…?”
Gao Muqiu whispered back, “He’s been poisoned.”
Xie Xuanxuan seemed to grasp something. “Is it like Teng Pan’s case?”
Gao Muqiu did not answer.
Once Xiao Fei Jiang exited the classroom, he slipped into a secluded corner, his face contorted in discomfort. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing black ghostly markings spreading across his chest—wormlike, gnawing at his flesh, creeping across his body.
“Soul-devouring mark,” he murmured, his expression grave. He quickly tapped his chest several times to halt the spread.
Though he managed to suppress the mark for now, he knew it was only temporary. If he couldn’t resolve it, even he might lose his life.
Buttoning his shirt, Xiao Fei Jiang hurried out of the school, making his way to the Happiness Apartments across the street.
At the security booth outside Happiness Apartments sat a middle-aged guard in uniform. Seeing Xiao Fei Jiang approach, he quickly asked, “You must be Professor Jiang from the National University across the road?”
Xiao Fei Jiang frowned slightly. “You know me?”
The guard smiled, “Not personally, but I’ve seen your photo from Principal Zhou. He instructed me—if you arrive, I’m to give you the room key.”
“Then hand it over,” Xiao Fei Jiang demanded, urgency in his voice.
The guard, seeing his impatience, promptly retrieved the room card and key from a desk drawer, handing them over as he said, “Your room’s in Building Seven, number 233.”
Xiao Fei Jiang accepted the key, murmured his thanks, and dashed into the apartment building.