Chapter 0032: The New King of the Campus

"Bang!"
With a heavy thud, Zhang Xiaofan's fist pressed down on Xuanyuan Ruthless's palm, overwhelming it and slamming it into the latter's abdomen. Xuanyuan Ruthless staggered backward, unable to resist.

The onlookers quickly cleared a path.

Xuanyuan Ruthless's face was grim; he did not stop retreating until he had taken more than ten steps.

He realized he had underestimated Zhang Xiaofan!

"Excellent!"

Though it was just the initial exchange, the scene was so riveting that the crowd erupted into cheers.

Even Nangong Haotian was slightly surprised. Despite having guessed Zhang Xiaofan's strength was extraordinary, he had not expected that Xuanyuan Ruthless, known for his formidable power, would be forced back more than ten steps in a clash.

Moreover, what astonished him even more was Zhang Xiaofan's mastery of combat skills.

"He's grown so strong..." Yuehen, too, was amazed at Zhang Xiaofan's prowess. Feng Qingyang had said that Xuanyuan Ruthless was already half a step into the Transcendent Realm. Judging by this display, Zhang Xiaofan was certainly a martial artist as well, and most likely had already entered the Transcendent Realm.

So young... and already a martial artist of the Transcendent Realm...

While everyone was still in awe, Zhang Xiaofan did not pause. He launched himself forward, taking seven or eight swift steps, then suddenly kicked off the ground, leaping high—nearly two meters into the air!

What followed was a scene akin to a movie.

Suspended in midair, his body tilted slightly, and then, with a sudden burst, he kicked out, producing a deafening sound as his foot sliced through the air, aiming straight for Xuanyuan Ruthless's head.

Springing Kick!

Xuanyuan Ruthless's eyes were dark and intense. In an instant, he steadied himself, his arm muscles bulging, and he punched upward, meeting Zhang Xiaofan's kick head-on.

This punch was even stronger than before.

Yet, at the moment fist and foot collided, his body involuntarily shifted back half a step.

Feeling the numbness in his arm, Xuanyuan Ruthless could hardly believe how such immense strength could come from Zhang Xiaofan's seemingly slender frame.

Having his kick blocked was within Zhang Xiaofan's expectations; using the rebound, he immediately launched a second kick!

Unsurprisingly, it was blocked again, and Xuanyuan Ruthless was forced to retreat further.

Zhang Xiaofan kept up the assault, exploiting the recoil, unleashing kick after kick, rapid and relentless, his strength undiminished. To those watching, it seemed as if countless shadows of his legs filled the air—a truly breathtaking spectacle!

Xuanyuan Ruthless found it increasingly difficult to defend; his arms were almost entirely numb, and he resisted only by instinct.

"I'm done playing with you..."

From above came Zhang Xiaofan's calm voice. He suddenly dropped to the ground, and as Xuanyuan Ruthless retreated, Zhang Xiaofan swept his leg out in a powerful strike, sending Xuanyuan Ruthless off balance, his body lifted from the ground.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaofan pivoted in a half-circle, delivering a fierce punch that struck Xuanyuan Ruthless squarely in the chest—there was no way to dodge!

A heavy impact resounded. Xuanyuan Ruthless's body was flung uncontrollably through the air; he spat out a mouthful of blood, his expression utterly shocked.

Such combat strength! Such vast experience!

This young man before him utterly dominated in both power and technique.

At that moment, silence fell all around. Almost everyone stood with mouths agape; Xuanyuan Ruthless, the so-called King, had been utterly defeated—forced to vomit blood!

Before long, exclamations and cheers broke out.

They all knew—a new King had been born!

It was this slightly slender youth before them, this seemingly arrogant young man.

Zhang Xiaofan had shown them that his arrogance was justified.

"With such skill, your background must be remarkable. Regardless, I will do all I can to bring you into the Nangong family..." Nangong Haotian mused.

"You've lost."

Zhang Xiaofan walked up to Xuanyuan Ruthless and said, "You should realize that if I hadn't held back a portion of my strength, that punch would have damaged your internal organs."

"You're strong. I have no regrets in losing." Xuanyuan Ruthless stood up, holding no grudge against Zhang Xiaofan for his defeat, fully understanding the principle that the strong are respected.

And with such strength, his identity could hardly be ordinary—likely even superior to his own.

In truth, at this moment, Zhang Xiaofan was simply a youth from the mountains, without any background to speak of.

This battle meant Zhang Xiaofan had become the new King.

From this moment on, his victory and his name would sweep through every corner of Jinghai High like a storm.

"You can give me the petal of the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus now," Zhang Xiaofan said. "I hope you won't go back on your word, or I won't settle for just a single petal."

"I'm not a man who breaks his promises."

Xuanyuan Ruthless replied, "Such a treasure won't be carried with me. Come with me to collect it."

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, then looked to Yuehen, "Come with me. Once we have it, we'll go save your teacher."

Yuehen said nothing, simply standing behind Zhang Xiaofan, and then followed Xuanyuan Ruthless out.

After they left, the cafeteria was abuzz with conversation, everyone discussing the battle just witnessed. Many boys began to imitate what they had seen, while numerous girls swooned over Zhang Xiaofan's handsome and valiant demeanor.

Especially Yin Rou Rou. Last night in the deserted street, though word seemed sealed, her father had learned the truth—that the one who had dared to enter the tiger's den alone was Zhang Xiaofan.

From his first day at school, Zhang Xiaofan had brought endless surprises.

Her heart stirred in secret. Yet she understood: with such an outstanding man, how could she ever keep up with his pace? Perhaps she wasn't even qualified to be the woman behind him.

...

Xuanyuan Ruthless proved true to his word, quickly sending someone to fetch a petal of the Seven-Colored Lotus, carefully stored in a jade box.

"Young master, with one petal missing, the family will blame us," said a middle-aged man beside Xuanyuan Ruthless, who appeared to be a servant.

"The Xuanyuan family does not break promises. If blame comes, I'll bear it—even if it means delaying my return by another two years," Xuanyuan Ruthless replied.

Watching Zhang Xiaofan's departing figure, he pondered. If Zhang Xiaofan could be brought into the family, it would be a great merit. He knew Nangong Haotian was surely thinking the same.

...

"Are you confident you can save my teacher?" Yuehen couldn't help but ask as they walked.

"If I didn't have a petal of the Seven-Colored Lotus, I'd only have a twenty percent chance. With it, I have seventy percent," Zhang Xiaofan replied.

"So you deliberately provoked Xuanyuan Ruthless—you had it all planned," Yuehen finally understood, inwardly marveling at Zhang Xiaofan's cunning.

"If not, how else could I save your master?"

Zhang Xiaofan said with a hint of annoyance, "And what's more, you promised to kiss me. Do you have an issue with that?"

"I've already said, as long as you save my teacher, I'll be your woman—I'll follow you in anything," Yuehen replied. This girl certainly had her own character.

Though she was beautiful, her cold demeanor was not to Zhang Xiaofan's taste.

"We'll see. Without a petal of the Seven-Colored Lotus, I wouldn't act. Even now, it's only because Elder Feng is a senior," Zhang Xiaofan said.

"Is the Seven-Colored Lotus really that miraculous?" Yuehen asked.

"A Seven-Colored Lotus worth fifteen billion—what do you think? Each petal can bring the dead back to life. It's not just miraculous, it's a divine object of heaven and earth," Zhang Xiaofan replied.

"We don't have that much money to pay you..." Yuehen faltered, hearing the value of the Seven-Colored Lotus. Naturally, she wondered if they could ever raise such a sum.

Even a single petal would cost at least two billion.

Selling herself wouldn't fetch such a price. She realized how laughable it was to promise herself to Zhang Xiaofan—two billion could easily buy a whole harem of women as beautiful as her.

"Don't worry, I won't take a single penny. Saving your teacher is entirely my choice," Zhang Xiaofan said.

The two chatted as they walked, soon arriving at Feng Qingyang's residence.

A standalone two-story house, resembling a small villa—only someone of Feng Qingyang's status could enjoy such privilege.

"Teacher!"

Upon entering, they saw Feng Qingyang's face darkened, trembling uncontrollably. Clearly, the poison of the Ice Palm was beginning to take hold.

"Yue'er, you've come? I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you much longer. Take care of yourself," Feng Qingyang said with affection. Then, with difficulty, he turned to Zhang Xiaofan. "Young friend, you're no ordinary person. If possible, please look after Yue'er in the future. I would be eternally grateful."

"Are you a member of Dragon Soul?"

Zhang Xiaofan was startled; he had noticed a pendant around Feng Qingyang's neck that only Dragon Soul members possessed.

"You know Dragon Soul? Who are you?" Feng Qingyang's expression shifted dramatically. Though bedridden and weak, some unknown strength allowed him to seize the sword at his bedside.

"Don't be alarmed. I'm also a member of Dragon Soul—codename: Dust!" Zhang Xiaofan declared. Since the elder was also Dragon Soul, there was no harm in revealing his identity.

He truly hadn't expected this old man to be a Dragon Soul member as well.

"Dragon swims the four seas," Feng Qingyang said with difficulty—a secret code, cautious as ever.

"Soul guards north and south," Zhang Xiaofan replied.

"Good...good...I never thought I'd meet a promising Dragon Soul member on the verge of death. Young friend, when I'm gone, will you deliver a letter for me? I want Yue'er to join Dragon Soul," Feng Qingyang said, his face even more pallid.

"With me here, how could you die?"

"Support your teacher," Zhang Xiaofan instructed, stepping forward and removing Feng Qingyang's shirt. His skin was already blackened with blood. If he wasn't treated soon, not even the Seven-Colored Lotus could save him; even if revived, he'd be a cripple.

Yuehen hesitated for a moment, then quickly supported Feng Qingyang.

Zhang Xiaofan wasted no time, swallowing the petal of the Seven-Colored Lotus in one gulp. Instantly, he felt his body flood with abundant spiritual energy.