Chapter 001: Expelling the Poison

Under the blazing summer sun, Zhao Feng walked along the country path.

He exhaled deeply, gazing at the small village ahead, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.

“At last, I’m back,” Zhao Feng murmured to himself.

A year ago, Zhao Feng had been just a high school junior. By pure chance, he encountered someone who would change his life forever.

That event altered the entire course of Zhao Feng’s existence.

He glanced up at the sky, then into the distance where the clouds gathered, his eyes burning with hatred.

Clenching his fists, he muttered, “Immortal Gate, I will return—sooner or later!”

It was a summer a year ago when Zhao Feng, beaten half to death by a gang of thugs, was saved by a woman of breathtaking beauty.

She brought him into a mysterious world called the Immortal Gate.

The sun was high, and sweat streamed down Zhao Feng’s face as he surveyed his surroundings—just a shaded path, no one in sight.

He pulled off his shirt, wiping sweat from his forehead. As he looked toward the distant village, a smile played at his lips.

Suddenly, a woman’s scream startled him.

Turning quickly, he saw a beautiful young matron, her cheeks flushed, staring at him in embarrassment.

Zhao Feng blinked in surprise. “Sister Xiaoyun?”

Her face crimson, she stammered, “Xiaofeng? You’re back?”

He rubbed his nose awkwardly—for Wang Xiaoyun’s trousers were only half-pulled up, exposing her pale, bare skin.

When Wang Xiaoyun realized Zhao Feng had seen her, she let out another startled cry and fled into the woods, clutching her trousers.

Zhao Feng couldn’t help but think, “So fair…”

After a while, Wang Xiaoyun emerged from the woods, her cheeks still tinged with red.

Zhao Feng dared not look directly at her; she was alluring, her figure full and shapely.

Standing beside him, the scent she carried made his heart race.

He stole a glance at her. “Sister Xiaoyun, what are you doing here?”

She touched her nose, a little embarrassed. “I was weeding the fields. I drank too much water, and since there was no one around at noon, I… well, you know.”

“Oh,” Zhao Feng replied lightly, feeling a little sheepish.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Xiaofeng, where have you been this past year?”

A trace of gloom crossed his face.

He sighed. “I went somewhere very far away… very far.”

Sensing his mood, Wang Xiaoyun wisely asked no more.

Zhao Feng smiled. “Come on, let’s head back.”

She nodded, and together they walked toward Small River Village.

As they drew nearer, midday had arrived and thin threads of smoke curled up from the village chimneys.

Suddenly, Wang Xiaoyun clutched her stomach and crouched down in pain.

Startled, Zhao Feng rushed to her side. “Sister Xiaoyun, what’s wrong?”

Her face contorted in agony and she half-knelt on the ground. “It hurts! It hurts!”

Alarmed, Zhao Feng’s expression grew tense. Within moments, her face took on a bluish hue.

But Zhao Feng was no longer the weak boy of a year ago.

In a flash, he grabbed her right arm, instantly grasping her condition.

She moaned weakly, “Xiaofeng, what’s happening to me?”

He relaxed a little. “It’s alright, you’ve just been bitten by a snake.”

“A snake bite?” she echoed in surprise.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “It must have happened just now.”

At the mention of her recent predicament, her cheeks flushed again. She stole a glance at Zhao Feng, who was rummaging through her satchel.

Curious, she asked, “What are you looking for, Xiaofeng?”

He smiled. “Silver needles.”

“Silver needles?”

“That’s right.”

“What for?”

He shot her a look. “To draw out the poison, of course.”

This surprised her even more. “You know how to do that?”

He beamed, radiating confidence. “Of course!”

“Is that true?”

He chuckled. “Absolutely.”

She was about to ask more when he interrupted her.

“That’s enough. Lie down in the grass, Sister Xiaoyun.”

She blinked, momentarily stunned.

He grew serious. “Don’t overthink it. Just lie down.”

There was a commanding presence about him now, and she obeyed almost involuntarily.

So, Wang Xiaoyun found herself lying in the grass, glancing sidelong at Zhao Feng.

She muttered to herself, “Why is this brat so strict? Hmph!”

Zhao Feng took out a blue pouch and looked at it with rare tenderness.

He gently stroked it, murmuring, “Senior Sister, where are you now…”

He sighed, steadied his mind, and opened the pouch. Inside were eighteen long silver needles.

These were the Eighteen Fatal Needles, the treasured artifact of the Medicine Sect within the Immortal Gate—a priceless treasure, now in the hands of a youth.

Truthfully, with his abilities, Zhao Feng hardly needed to use them, but they reminded him of someone dear. For these needles had been a gift from his senior sister, the daughter of the Medicine Sect’s leader.

He sighed again, then, without further hesitation, plucked a needle between two fingers.

Eyes sharp, he reached out with his left hand and deftly pulled up the back of Wang Xiaoyun’s shirt.

Her smooth, white back was exposed to the air.

Zhao Feng steadied his breath, then swiftly drove the silver needle into her lower back.

She let out a soft, involuntary sound.

Zhao Feng shivered; his year of hard training was nearly undone by that alluring, melodious voice… there was something about it—something enchanting.

He drew a deep breath. “Sister Xiaoyun, please don’t distract me.”

“Oh… alright,” she replied, burying her crimson face in the grass.

This was the first time she’d ever been in such a situation before a man.

Though she was in her thirties and had been married, she had barely begun to taste life’s joys before her husband passed away.

Alas, what fate was this?

Wang Xiaoyun shook her head, feeling a pleasant warmth spread from her lower back—a sensation both soothing and indescribable.

It made her voice escape again, despite herself.

“Mmm…”

The sound startled Zhao Feng; it was simply too captivating.

“Merciful Buddha, Merciful Buddha,” he silently chanted to calm himself.

He took a long, steadying breath, then said sternly, “Sister Xiaoyun, please don’t do that again.”