Zhang Yuan let out a blood-curdling scream as his body flew backward like a kite with its string cut.
Not only that, his entire outfit was continuously rotting away, a truly terrifying sight to behold.
The power that Yin Ran had borrowed from the Yin Soul Remnant was so horrifying that Zhang Yuan, even with his full Sword Intent, was still unable to withstand it.
"If not for the third rule of Hidden Dragon Camp, you would now be a pile of rotten flesh,"
The third regulation was that killing or seriously maiming others was not allowed.
Yin Ran gave Zhang Yuan a cold glance, then stood there with his palm still raised, his sinister gaze fixed firmly on Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue.
"The gap is just too big!"
The onlooking crowd couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
"Exactly, even though they’re of the same cultivation level, Yin Ran defeated Zhang Yuan with hardly any effort."
"Isn’t that obvious? A martial artist with a Broken Martial Soul that’s twenty percent intact has a much bigger advantage over one without a Martial Soul,"
Ling Xiao listened to their discussion, but he had a different view.
In this battle, even without using the Yin Soul Remnant, Yin Ran could have defeated Zhang Yuan, just that it would have taken a little longer.
Yin Ran’s real advantage, besides the Broken Martial Soul, was actually twofold:
The first was his experienced combat skills, clearly derived from actual combat, something that a so-called genius like Zhang Yuan couldn’t compare with.
The second was that Yin Ran’s comprehension was much higher; those who could derive killer techniques from martial arts were few and far between, and he was one of them.
If all ten captains of Hidden Dragon Camp were of this caliber, that would really be quite frightening.
However, Ling Xiao always felt that this Yin Ran was hiding his strength; he sensed a whiff of a Martial Master’s aura from him.
Ling Xiao had seen the strength of a captain-level individual and saw no need to stay any longer.
Yin Ran’s chilling voice rang out.
"May I know what Captain Yin wishes to instruct?"
Ling Xiao asked indifferently.
Since Yin Ran was not a Martial Master, Ling Xiao was absolutely not afraid of him.
"Since you two have stepped forward, and I’ve also come out of my room, why not entertain me with a couple of moves?"
Ling Xiao looked around and couldn’t help but smile wryly.
It seemed that while everyone else had stepped back, only he and Ling Yixue had stayed in place, so it really did look like they were voluntarily stepping forward to challenge him.
Of course, he felt no need to explain, nor did he want to.
Challenging someone of the captain’s level was only a matter of time. Since the other party had made such a request, acceptance was inevitable.
"Junior brother, let me handle him,"
Ling Yixue said with a slight smile.
To be honest, Ling Yixue was more introverted by nature; she didn’t really like living with others and had been longing for a single room for a while. However, because she was kindhearted, she was unsure whom to challenge.
Now that Yin Ran was practically asking for it, her dilemma was resolved.
Ling Xiao had no objections.
As things stood, Ling Yixue was stronger than him and could easily handle Yin Ran.
Even if Yin Ran possessed the Yin Soul Remnant, it would be to no avail; after all, the gap in their realms was too vast.
"This young lady actually wants to challenge Yin Ran?"
"She must not know any better."
"Miss, be careful. This guy is extremely wicked."
Zhang Yuan had already changed into a fresh set of clothes; with his Storage Ring, changing was very convenient. Seeing Ling Yixue’s beauty, it was normal for him to feel goodwill toward her and to offer a word of caution.
Ling Yixue gave a faint nod, then turned to Yin Ran and said, "Make your move."
Yin Ran revealed a ghastly smile and said, "Although I don’t really like fighting with women, since you want to fight, come on then. As a man, I’ll give you the chance to attack first."
Ling Yixue sighed, "Alas, why do some people just not realize a rare opportunity when they see it."
As soon as her words fell, she had already darted out.
In just an instant, Yin Ran was frozen stiff on the spot.
His entire body was icy cold, completely unable to move.
After all, Ling Yixue was a Martial Master, even if just at the Martial Vein Seventh Initial Stage, she was far more formidable than a Martial Artist at the Martial Vein Sixth Peak.
"My heavens, no wonder this girl is so confident, she’s this powerful!"
"Poor Yin Ran, how unlucky to offend such a monster."
Ling Yixue returned to her original position, while a moment later, Yin Ran also broke free from the frost and said to Ling Yixue with all seriousness, "My apologies, I, Yin Ran, failed to recognize Mount Tai. This room is yours now!"
"Hahahaha, Miss, his room is full of Yin energy, not comfortable to live in. Why don’t you come and live with me instead?"
Suddenly, a loud laugh rang out.
"It’s Captain Tian Guang of the ninth team, this guy is extremely lecherous, and his light-work skill is truly terrifying. Even many Martial Masters at the Martial Vein Seventh Initial Stage can’t catch up to him."
"No wonder he dares to flirt even knowing the strength of this lady."
"Hehe, there’s going to be a good show to watch."
Ling Yixue didn’t say anything because Ling Xiao spoke up.
"Team Captain Tian Guang? I’ve been worrying about lacking a room, why don’t you give me your room instead?"
"What? I must be hearing things, you want to challenge me?"
Tian Guang looked at Ling Xiao with a smile.
Among the ten captains, he was a particularly troublesome one because if he couldn’t win, he could run, and no one else could catch up.
Common disciples challenging him would not choose him, too much trouble, and not worth the effort.
Yin Ran also looked at Ling Xiao with some curiosity. After the exchange with Ling Yixue, he now dared not underestimate Ling Xiao.
However, others were still laughing out loud, thinking Ling Xiao a bit presumptuous.
"Humph, truly overestimating yourself, who do you think you are? Do you really think you’re stronger than me? Just spare us the embarrassment."
Zhang Yuan previously showed quite a bit of concern for Ling Yixue, but he wasn’t so kind towards Ling Xiao.
It’s probably just the thing of like repelling like and opposite attracting.
Ling Xiao did not pay any attention to Zhang Yuan. He had seen several of these so-called geniuses who were like frogs in a well, and he couldn’t be bothered to care.
He simply looked at Tian Guang and said indifferently, "According to the Hidden Dragon Camp’s fourth rule, lower-ranked disciples challenging higher-ranked ones cannot be refused unless the higher-ranked disciple is seriously injured or sick."
"Kid, you’re making me very unhappy! If this wasn’t happening in the Hidden Dragon Camp, outside, I would make your death very unpleasant."
Tian Guang used to be a notorious flower-plucking bandit, and Lin Ze brought him into the Hidden Dragon Camp hoping he would reform and not waste such a talented individual.
Unfortunately, transformation is not a matter of a day or two, and Tian Guang is absolutely a case of a leopard never changing its spots: not only lecherous but also vicious.
When he talks about killing, it’s not just talk.
Ling Xiao did not respond, but instead turned to Ling Yixue and said, "Senior Sister, let’s swap rooms later."
Ling Yixue’s pretty face turned red, and she lowered her head, "You decide."
"Damn, a fresh flower on a pile of manure."
"Envy, jealousy, and hate!"
"What past life’s fortune did this guy accumulate, to actually have such a beauty look upon him with favor!"
"Hmph, whether it’s fortune or disaster is yet unknown. Without the strength to win a beauty’s favor, it might just become a calamity."
All sorts of comments could be heard, but Ling Xiao simply tuned them out.
The reason these people said such things was merely because they didn’t know his strength. After the battle, they would understand.