Chapter 14: Poisoned

"Give the gift well, don't particularly threaten the young man, the young man has a bad temper!"

Qin Feng paid no mind to the astonished onlookers. With a cold, sly grin, he patted Pi Feng's face and said in a frosty tone, "You're quite cheeky!"

Pi Feng, utterly incensed, raised his fist and swung it at Qin Feng's midsection. Not a soul at Notting Junior College, or even in the entire Notting City, would dare lay a hand on him in public. He was going to make this kid pay dearly!

Boom!

In the blink of an eye, a massive hammer materialized in Qin Feng's hands, effortlessly swatting aside Pi Feng's assault.

"A Tenth-level Soul Warrior!"

The aristocratic youngsters took involuntary steps back, awestruck by Qin Feng's display of soul power. None among them had reached that level yet,only a single one who had just achieved Tenth-level status a couple of days ago.

"Another innate soul power?!" Wang Sheng exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. During his previous bout with Xiaowu, Qin Feng had concealed his soul power. This was the first time Wang Sheng had seen him unveil it.

"This year's work-study student is simply incredible!" Wang Sheng thought to himself. In the Junior Soul Master Academy, achieving Tenth-level status and acquiring a Soul Ring would earn you a promotion to Soul Master. These three work-study students, however, seemed destined to graduate as full-fledged masters.

"Who are you?" Pi Feng wasn't a fool. After that hammer blow, he had sobered up a bit. Reaching Tenth-level at just six or seven years old was impressive. Could this newcomer be from a prestigious family? If so, stirring trouble here might lead to a flood of trouble.

In Notting Junior College, there were clear lines drawn between work-study students and the nobility. Nobles didn't see work-students as worthy adversaries.

"They call me Qin Feng," Qin Feng replied with a hint of a smile.

"Are you a work-student then?" Pi Feng inquired coldly. If Qin Feng turned out to be a nobleman, Pi Feng would have to consider the repercussions, given his rapid advancement to Tenth-level. But if he was a work-student, no matter how talented he was, today would be his death.

"Yes," Qin Feng nodded without hesitation.

"Then you will die today!" Pi Feng gritted his teeth, a green light emanating from his fists as he summoned countless black vines within seconds. These vines had silver rings at every other section.

"Silver ring poison vine!" Tang San exclaimed. Just today, his teacher had given him some books, and Tang San, being a plant-type martial artist, paid special attention to anything related to plant-based martial souls. The silver ring poison vine was a rare and powerful martial soul within the plant-type martial arts. It was not only incredibly flexible but also carried a deadly venom. A mere touch on the skin could paralyze someone within seconds, and deeper contact would be lethal.

"Are these weeds really that potent?" Qin Feng was genuinely surprised to see Tang San's reaction.

"Brother Feng, if you step back, let me handle this silver ring poison vine!" Tang San said earnestly. He knew that, despite Qin Feng's strength, he would struggle against this unique threat. With his vine-like martial soul and his ability to control the toxin, Tang San felt confident in dealing with this adversary.

"Alright, if that's the case..." Qin Feng's words were cut short as a long, concealed black vine suddenly lashed into his body without warning.

"Fucckkk.." Qin Feng managed a stiff smile, but pain coursed through his body. He felt drained and weakened.

"Brother Feng!" Tang San was frantic, paying no heed to revealing his identity. He rushed to Qin Feng's side, attempting to seal off the toxin's spread by targeting his acupoints.

However, when Tang San raised Qin Feng's leg, he was met with a grim sight. Qin Feng's originally fair skin had turned black, emitting a putrid odor.

"This time I am  really dead," Qin Feng managed, his smile bitter. He, a grown man, had been outwitted by a twelve-year-old. What a humiliation!

"You've been poisoned by the silver ring poison. It won't be long before you will be completely paralyzed. You should inform your family to prepare for the worst!" Pi Feng said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"Pi Feng, invincible!"

"Pi Feng, mighty!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. Many had never witnessed Pi Feng's martial soul in action and were astounded by its power. It seemed the general's son was indeed something special.

Teachers even joined the onlookers, but they discreetly distanced themselves. The offspring of these nobles had bright futures, and every year, the college had to release bulletins about cultivation accidents leading to death. It was an open secret that these noble children were behind many of them. They donated money to the academy, which, in turn, would appease the parents of the deceased students. These parents rarely questioned further, their grief somewhat cushioned by the financial compensation.

"I warned you to prepare for the worst!" Tang San shouted, unleashing his Shadow Ghost  technique and making a crane-like grab at Pi Feng, aiming to overpower him.

"Are you okay?" Xiaowu asked as she stepped forward, with only Wang Sheng by his side.

Xiaowu approached Qin Feng, lifting his right hand onto his shoulder. Suddenly, Qin Feng felt a peculiar sensation in his right hand, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Is Xiaowu healing me?" Qin Feng thought. He could sense the toxins being drawn toward his right palm, as if something was absorbing them. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Xiaowu, but the latter was wholly focused on Tang San's battle, showing no signs of healing.

If his memory served him right, although Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast in human form, she was currently akin to a six-year-old child. She lacked the capacity to heal him, and their relationship wasn't that close. Could it be...

Qin Feng closed his eyes slightly, and a black, unsightly bug materialized in his mind.