“Courting death!”
Murong Shao had come this time to stir trouble with Ling Xiao. Leng Mei’s lukewarm attitude toward him had already ticked him off, and now murderous intent simmered within him.
But he was clearly overconfident.
Facing Leng Mei, he didn’t summon his Black Bear Soul Fragment, didn’t use any fancy moves, didn’t even draw a weapon—just threw a bare fist.
In his mind, one punch would crush her.
Yet that punch hit nothing.
Leng Mei vanished from her spot, reappearing like a ghost on Murong Shao’s left. A cold glint flashed.
Murong Shao yanked his arm back, but his sleeve still tore, a shallow gash left on his skin.
It wasn’t long or deep—just a flesh wound.
But to Murong Shao, it was a humiliating disgrace.
Freshly promoted to Martial Master, and he’d been nicked by Leng Mei, a mere Sixth Layer Martial Vein fighter!
“Heh, look at that smug bastard—thought he was hot stuff, but he’s not even a match for Ling Xiao’s maid.”
“Hey, watch it—Captain Murong obviously underestimated her.”
“Yeah, but with that cocky grin, he really thought one punch would take Leng Mei out.”
Not everyone in Hidden Dragon Camp feared Murong Shao, so whispers like these floated around.
Murong Shao’s face burned red, all his fury aimed at Leng Mei.
“Since you’re begging to die, this captain will oblige!”
A bear’s roar rumbled.
A Black Bear phantom loomed behind him.
After hitting Martial Master, his Black Bear Soul Fragment hadn’t grown—still at 20% completion.
But a Martial Master was a Martial Master. Even with the same 20% soul, the power in a Martial Apprentice’s hands versus a Master’s was worlds apart.
Mountain-Splitting Axe!
With a bellow, Murong Shao swung a massive axe at Leng Mei.
The Black Bear phantom engulfed her, stalling her qi flow for a split second, costing her the best dodge window.
She had to meet it head-on!
Behind Leng Mei, a Snow Plum stood proud, petals swirling around her.
Her dual short daggers, barely a foot long, gleamed with icy menace.
Boom!
Crack!
Two loud clashes rang out—first Leng Mei was blasted back, then the wall of the house behind her shattered under the impact.
Her strength and inner energy couldn’t match Murong Shao’s. Had she dodged instead of clashing, she might’ve landed a hit.
But going toe-to-toe, she took the brunt.
“I’m so useless—trouble for the young master again.”
Leng Mei’s heart sank.
Last time, Murong Shao came looking for a fight and injured her.
Now, here it was again.
She didn’t want this!
Midair, Leng Mei bit her finger, tracing symbols in the air. A strange red glow erupted from her body.
The glow burned like blood, blinding and shocking.
“Let’s die together, Murong Shao!”
Leng Mei shrieked, grabbing his arm as the red light flared brighter.
“That’s a blood-burning self-destruct move—she’s lost it!”
“She’s dragging Murong Shao down with her!”
“He’s toast!”
“Let go! You filthy wench, let go!”
Murong Shao panicked, his arm stuck to Leng Mei’s grip like glue, impossible to shake off.
His arms couldn’t swing, so he kicked at her, desperate to break free.
No use.
Blood trickled from Leng Mei’s mouth, but a crazed grin spread across her face.
She was dead-set on taking him with her.
“No—! Lunatic! Crazy hag!”
Murong Shao had no intention of dying with her. Him, with his lofty status—a disciple of Tianren Academy, undercover in Hidden Dragon Camp, reporting straight to Governor Wan Ben.
And Leng Mei? Just a slave!
Right then, a figure appeared between them. Leng Mei was knocked out with a palm strike, the red glow fading fast.
“Silly girl, dying with a beast like this isn’t worth it. But thanks to you—I might’ve gone berserk otherwise.”
It was Ling Xiao, of course.
He cradled Leng Mei gently, murmuring softly.
Then he turned to the rattled Murong Shao.
“Isn’t living nice?”
Ling Xiao’s voice was cold.
“Hmph, your maid tried to murder this captain—that’s a grave crime in Hidden Dragon Camp. She’s dead today, and you, her master, can’t escape blame.”
Murong Shao, regaining his composure, roared.
“Done talking?”
Ling Xiao asked flatly.
“What are you up to?”
Murong Shao stumbled back two steps, wary.
“What I’m up to, you know damn well. Coming here again and again, hurting my people—did you think I wouldn’t kill you?”
Last time, Ling Xiao had been too busy healing Leng Mei to tangle with Murong Shao.
This time, he’d stabilized her injuries with his true essence—no life-threatening danger now.
In truth, her wounds weren’t as bad as last time—just worsened by the forbidden technique, making it look dire.
He’d kill Murong Shao first, then get Dai Yuling to heal Leng Mei.
“Hahaha, what a joke—think I’m scared of you?”
Murong Shao seemed to snap back to himself. He was a Seventh Layer Martial Vein Master—why fear a peak Sixth Layer fighter?
Ling Xiao was masking his strength as a peak Sixth Layer Martial Vein cultivator, so Murong Shao had no clue he’d already broken through.
And earlier, more thoroughly, than him.
“If you’re not scared, make your move. One hand’s enough to kill you!”
Ling Xiao eyed Murong Shao, done waiting. Murong Shao had to die today.
“Arrogant! Think I’m the same Murong Shao from days ago? A Martial Master’s power is beyond your grasp!”
“Martial Master? I’ve killed a few already.”
Ling Xiao said coolly.
“Delusional!”
Giant Bear Mountain Splitter!
Facing Ling Xiao, Murong Shao didn’t hold back. At early Seventh Layer Martial Master, he burned true essence, summoned his Black Bear Soul Fragment, and swung his giant axe with terrifying force.
“Die!”
Ling Xiao watched the seemingly unstoppable strike, casually flicking his wrist. His Ice Glass Sword thrust forward.
It was like an out-of-body clone.
His real self stood still, holding Leng Mei.
Yet another Ling Xiao darted out, too fast to track, sword aimed at Murong Shao.
Silent!
Eerie and unpredictable!
“What sword art is this? How’s it so terrifying?”
Countless prodigies gaped at the strike.
Pfft!
The ghostly second Ling Xiao pierced through Murong Shao’s attack, then his body.
From head to legs, Murong Shao split clean in two.
Ling Xiao rarely killed so brutally—his rage had hit its peak.
Murong Shao’s horrified expression lingered as his face halved, collapsing to either side.
“He’s dead!”
“Ling Xiao really killed Murong Shao!”
“This is Hidden Dragon Camp—killing teammates is forbidden!”
“Man, Murong Shao brought this on himself, but Ling Xiao’s in deep trouble now.”
“Look—enforcement team’s here!”
From afar, Hua Nongying approached with four specially clad enforcers.
All four were Half-Step Martial Masters.
Hua Nongying, a mid-Seventh Layer Martial Master, was Hidden Dragon Camp’s enforcement captain.
