Ah—!
Zhang Yuan let out a scream, his body flying backwards like a kite with a broken string.
Not only that, but his clothes were constantly rotting away, a truly terrifying sight.
Yin Ran’s palm strike had borrowed the power of a remnant yin spirit, its might so fearsome that even Zhang Yuan’s full-strength sword intent couldn’t withstand it.
“If it weren’t for the third rule of Qianlong Camp, you’d already be a pile of decayed flesh.”
The third rule forbade killing or causing severe disability.
Yin Ran gave Zhang Yuan a faint glance, then stood there with his hands clasped, his eerie gaze fixed intently on Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue.
“The gap is too wide!”
The onlookers couldn’t help but sigh.
“Yeah, they’re clearly at the same cultivation level, but Yin Ran defeated Zhang Yuan without breaking a sweat.”
“Isn’t that obvious? A martial artist with a two-tenths broken martial soul has a huge advantage over one without a martial soul.”
Ling Xiao listened to their chatter but held a different view.
In truth, even without the remnant yin spirit, Yin Ran could have beaten Zhang Yuan—it would just have taken a bit longer.
Yin Ran’s real advantages, beyond the broken martial soul, were twofold:
First, his seasoned combat skills, clearly honed through real battles, far outstripped what a so-called genius like Zhang Yuan could match.
Second, his comprehension was far superior; few martial artists could grasp a killing move from their techniques, but he was one of them.
If all ten captains of Qianlong Camp were at this level, that would be truly frightening.
Yet Ling Xiao had a gut feeling that Yin Ran was hiding his strength—he sensed a faint trace of a martial master’s aura from him.
“Yixue, let’s go.”
Having witnessed the captain-level strength, Ling Xiao saw no reason to linger.
“Hold it!”
Yin Ran’s chilling voice rang out.
“May I ask what Captain Yin wants?”
Ling Xiao asked calmly.
Yin Ran wasn’t a martial master, so he had no fear of him.
“Since you two stepped forward, and I’ve come out of my room, how about sparring with me for a couple of rounds?”
Yin Ran said.
Ling Xiao glanced around and gave a wry smile.
It turned out that while everyone else had backed off, he and Ling Yixue had stayed put, making it look like they were stepping up to challenge.
Of course, he didn’t need to explain himself, nor did he want to.
Challenging a captain was inevitable, and since the other side had made the offer, he’d go along with it.
“Junior Brother, leave him to me.”
Ling Yixue smiled faintly.
To be honest, Ling Yixue was introverted and didn’t like sharing a room with others. She’d long wanted a private space but, being kind-hearted, hadn’t known who to challenge.
Now that Yin Ran was asking for it, she no longer had to hesitate.
“Fair enough.”
Ling Xiao didn’t object.
For now, Ling Yixue was stronger than him, and dealing with Yin Ran would be effortless for her.
Even with his remnant yin spirit, Yin Ran stood no chance—her cultivation level was simply too far above his.
“This little girl’s actually challenging Yin Ran?”
“She must not know what’s good for her.”
“Girl, be careful. This guy’s got some sinister tricks.”
Zhang Yuan, now in fresh clothes thanks to his storage ring, chimed in. With Ling Yixue’s beauty, almost anyone would feel a twinge of goodwill and offer a warning.
“Thank you.”
Ling Yixue just nodded lightly, then turned to Yin Ran, “Make your move.”
Yin Ran gave a grim smile, “I don’t usually like fighting women, but since you’re up for it, come on then. As a man, I’ll let you go first.”
Ling Yixue sighed, “Why do some people just not know how to seize an opportunity?”
As her words fell, she darted forward.
In an instant, Yin Ran froze on the spot.
Half his body was encased in ice, rendering him immobile.
Ling Yixue was a martial master. Even at the early seventh stage of martial veins, she was far more terrifying than a peak sixth-stage martial artist.
“Martial master!”
“Good heavens, no wonder this girl’s so confident—she’s that strong!”
“Yin Ran’s out of luck, picking a fight with such a prodigy.”
Ling Yixue stepped back, and moments later, Yin Ran broke free from the ice. He gave her a solemn bow, “My apologies. I, Yin Ran, failed to recognise greatness. This room is yours!”
“Hahaha, girl, his room’s all gloomy and eerie—not comfy at all. Why not bunk with me instead?”
A sudden burst of laughter echoed.
“It’s Ninth Captain Tian Guang. That guy’s a total lech. His lightness skill is terrifying—even plenty of early seventh-stage martial masters can’t catch him.”
“No wonder he’s bold enough to flirt, knowing her strength.”
“Heh, this’ll be a show.”
Ling Yixue didn’t respond, because Ling Xiao spoke up.
“Ninth Captain Tian Guang? I’m short a room myself. How about you give me yours?”
“What? Did I hear that right? You want to challenge me?”
Tian Guang grinned at Ling Xiao.
Among the ten captains, he was a tricky one—too slippery to catch if he couldn’t win, leaving pursuers helpless.
Most dorm disciples avoided challenging him; it was too much hassle for little reward.
Yin Ran, too, looked at Ling Xiao with curiosity. After facing Ling Yixue, he no longer dared underestimate him.
But the others burst into laughter, thinking Ling Xiao was overreaching.
“Hmph, talk about overestimating yourself. Who do you think you are? Stronger than me? Don’t embarrass yourself.”
Zhang Yuan had been kind to Ling Yixue earlier, but he had no such warmth for Ling Xiao.
Maybe it was same-sex rivalry and opposite-sex attraction at play.
Ling Xiao ignored Zhang Yuan. He’d met plenty of frog-in-the-well geniuses like him and couldn’t be bothered.
He just looked at Tian Guang calmly, “Qianlong Camp’s fourth rule: a lower-ranked disciple challenging a higher-ranked one can’t be refused unless the higher-ranked is seriously injured or ill.”
“Kid, you’re pissing me off! If this weren’t Qianlong Camp, I’d make sure you died a nasty death.”
Tian Guang had once been a notorious womaniser. Lin Ze had taken him into Qianlong Camp to reform him, hoping to salvage his talent.
But old habits die hard. Tian Guang was a classic case of a leopard not changing its spots—lecherous and ruthless.
When he talked about killing, it wasn’t just empty words.
Ling Xiao didn’t reply, instead turning to Ling Yixue, “Senior Sister, let’s swap rooms later.”
Ling Yixue blushed and lowered her head, “You decide.”
“Bloody hell, a flower stuck in cow dung!”
“Jealousy’s eating me alive!”
“What luck did this kid stumble into to win over such a beauty?”
“Hmph, luck or curse, who knows? Without strength, a beauty’s favour might just be his downfall.”
The crowd buzzed with every opinion imaginable, but Ling Xiao tuned it all out.
They only spoke like this because they didn’t know his strength. Once the fight was over, they’d understand.
