Chapter 44: The Immortal Sage of the Mortal Realm, Zhang Sanfeng

The aloof and regal Lone Wolf had spoken, so this favor must be remembered. If this matter were mishandled, it could easily incite international conflict. The global situation was already tense; it was best to remain discreet while standing at the center of the storm.

Xiang Nan chuckled, “Sister Wolf is truly reliable!”

With the matter settled, Lone Wolf scrutinized Xiang Nan carefully. “Congratulations. To have undergone a second atavism so swiftly, and to have caused such a grand phenomenon.”

Xiang Nan was taken aback. “You all saw it too?”

Li Mu stepped forward excitedly. “With such a world-shaking phenomenon, even a blind man would notice! Tell us, whose bloodline did you awaken this time?”

Xiang Nan had no intention of concealing it. “It was the esteemed Zhang Sanfeng.”

A collective gasp swept through the group.

“You mean... the greatest martial artist of the past millennium, the terrestrial immortal, Master Zhang Sanfeng?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Li Mu felt his breath quicken. Even the usually impassive Lone Wolf had a look of absolute astonishment in her eyes. The other team members were openly envious.

“My goodness! This must be the strongest second-stage atavism ever!”

“Master Zhang Sanfeng, the terrestrial immortal! Even third-stage martial artists might not match him. No wonder the Blazing Tiger died so easily!”

“So powerful! Xiang Nan, what kind of bloodline do you have? Why not share a bit with me?”

“Get lost, as if blood-sharing would work!”

Beside him, Xu Jiaya grabbed Xiang Nan’s hand, stars sparkling in her eyes.

“Brother Xiang Nan, I knew you were extraordinary, a genius among geniuses!”

Su Yao protested, “Hey, Jiaya, didn’t you used to say that only to me?”

Xiang Nan joked, “Wildcat, don’t be so stingy. I can share a bit of blood with you, if you want.”

Su Yao replied, “Out of my way, or my big cat claws will scratch you.”

“You don’t want the candy bean anymore?!”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong!”

Just then, Lone Wolf’s phone rang. She stepped aside to answer. A stern, urgent voice sounded from the other end.

“Lone Wolf, listen up: drop everything and investigate the cause of tonight’s celestial phenomenon. The National Security Bureau has issued a level-one alert; this event could signify the descent of a demon god…”

Lone Wolf was bewildered. “Descent of a demon god? No, it was just a student undergoing a second atavism.”

A pause on the other end. “Are you joking? A second atavism causing such upheaval? Do one yourself and let me see!”

Lone Wolf closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, explaining, “It really was just a student. I was on site when it happened, witnessed it firsthand.”

“Really? Are you sure? No joking?”

“Absolutely sure.”

“I want all information on this student!”

After hanging up, Lone Wolf fixed Xiang Nan with a deep gaze, making him feel uneasy.

“Sister Wolf, if you have any requests, just tell me. If I can do it, I will. Please stop looking at me like that; it’s unnerving.”

Lone Wolf was momentarily startled. Battle-hardened as she was, she hadn’t realized her gaze could chill someone to the bone. Yet she was quite satisfied with Xiang Nan’s words.

A smile tugged at her lips. “Since you said so, I won’t hold back.”

What?

Xiang Nan’s eyes widened in alarm. “You really have a request?”

No! I was only joking, trying to be polite. Don’t take it seriously! It’s no fun if you do.

But Lone Wolf wasn’t joking. From somewhere, she produced a needle with a tube, grabbed Xiang Nan’s arm, and plunged it into his vein.

“Ow!” Xiang Nan cried out in pain. “Gentler, please!”

Lone Wolf’s hands, accustomed to dealing death, were nothing like those of a gentle nurse; her technique was fierce. The next moment, blood flowed through the tube into a collection vial. Only after drawing a full tube did she finally remove the needle, satisfied.

Xu Jiaya and Su Yao were left dumbfounded by the scene.

“Um… Is Captain Lone Wolf a bit crazy? Does she really think sharing blood will awaken ancestral power?”

“I thought I was pretty bold, but this captain is even bolder—and a little silly!”

The two whispered their complaints where everyone could hear.

Having lost a tube of blood, Xiang Nan sulked, lips pursed. “I’ve finally figured it out. Never make reckless promises to women. Especially those with cold faces and even colder hearts.”

Lone Wolf’s lips twitched. “Looks like I didn’t draw enough blood; maybe one more tube!”

Xiang Nan panicked. “Wait, Sister Wolf, if you want to role-play, at least dress as a nurse! Otherwise I can’t get into character!”

He had guessed her reasons for drawing his blood, but all that didn’t matter. Images flashed in his mind of Lone Wolf dressed as an angelic nurse—yes, that would be quite something.

Li Mu and the others stifled their laughter. Lone Wolf’s cheeks flushed slightly; she coughed twice to cover her embarrassment.

“It’s late. You all still reek of alcohol. Let Li Mu drive you home.”

Li Mu dutifully walked to the nearby sedan and started the engine.

“Come on, I’ll take you home.”

After a night of chaos, the three were exhausted and got into the car. As the vehicle departed, Lone Wolf remained standing where she was.

She glanced at the Rakshasa corpse sliced cleanly in two, then at the Armored Blazing Tiger struck dead by lightning, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

An eighteen-year-old boy had, in a single night, killed a late-stage second-tier expert and a third-tier beast. Who could believe it?

The celestial phenomenon he triggered was so severe that the National Security Bureau classified it as a level-one incident, mistaking it for the descent of a demon god.

Such a thing was unprecedented.

Comparisons are truly maddening.

Back when she experienced atavism, she had never been satisfied with her chosen ancestors. Her abilities were earned through endless training, ten times more effort and sweat than others.

But for him, it was all written in his blood.

She looked at the vial of blood in her hand, composed herself, and finally left.

…

Back at the villa, Xu Jiaya bolted straight into her room without a glance back.

She had been impatient to try the candy bean Xiang Nan gave her, said to enhance beauty. If not for Su Yao’s intervention, she would have eaten it right there in the suburbs.

She didn’t know why Xiang Nan and Su Yao insisted she wait until she was home—was something bad supposed to happen?

Who cared? As long as she could become more beautiful.

As for increasing her cultivation, she hadn’t given it any thought. She wasn’t yet at the age for atavism, nor did she possess Su Yao’s innate talent to awaken early; cultivation was irrelevant.

Entering her room, Xu Jiaya’s heart soared with excitement.

Sitting before the mirror, she took out the candy bean, placed it in her mouth without hesitation, and stared intently at her reflection, lips curled in anticipation of transformation.