C11 Fighting Yin Zhiping

Upon hearing the words, Yin Zhiping's demeanor faltered, and his face quickly soured. "Brother, don't reject a friendly drink only to be forced to drink in penalty," he warned. "Just because you're a Level 9 Warrior doesn't mean you can strut around here. You're no match for me."

As Yin Zhiping spoke, it seemed his own words bolstered his confidence, and his expression turned smug once more.

Such unabashed arrogance was enough to make anyone shake their head in disbelief, and Lin Yaoyang was no exception. Observing how Yin Zhiping had seamlessly woven his conceit into his behavior, Lin couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration.

With a nonchalant look, Lin Yaoyang responded, "Oh? Me, a Level 9 Warrior? Hardly, I'm just a First Grade."

With that, Lin Yaoyang gathered his Qi again and released it from his hand for Yin Zhiping to witness.

After seeing the display, Yin Zhiping fell silent for a moment before erupting into laughter. "Hahahaha! I... I actually thought you had some strength, pretty boy—a First Grade warrior? Hahaha! Yin Zhiping is dying of laughter here! You're nothing but trash. Go back home and play with your mommy. The Demonic Beast Forest is no place for weaklings like you. Scram! And make room for me."

Yin Zhiping's laughter was so intense that his face reddened and his neck swelled. Once he regained his composure, he glowered at Lin Yaoyang and hissed, "If you're not even a Level 9 Warrior, what gives you the gall to be so bold? Why should you challenge me? I don't even need to show you any respect. Just get out of my way."

Captain Kou Quan, however, gave Lin Yaoyang a meaningful glance, then turned to Yin Zhiping with a look of disbelief, as if he were staring at an imbecile. Did Yin really think he had Lin Yaoyang all figured out? Didn't he stop to consider that if Lin were truly just a First Grade martial artist, he wouldn't have been placed in opposition?

Yin Zhiping might have appeared young, but his lack of sense was glaring. Indeed, in a vast forest, all kinds of birds will take to the sky.

Captain Kou Quan couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. Having witnessed Lin Yaoyang unleash the formidable long-range attack with the Power of the Ant King, Kou Quan knew he wouldn't stand a chance against it. A mere touch could mean his entire arm would be shattered, vanishing into the abyss of that dark light.

It was a mystery where Yin Zhiping's audacity stemmed from, but he seemed convinced he had Lin Yaoyang's number.

With a cold gaze and a smirk, Lin Yaoyang challenged Yin Zhiping, "So, you're that confident you can take me down?"

Yin Zhiping let out a derisive laugh, "Hehe? You're just a damn First Grade martial artist! And you think you can go toe-to-toe with a First Grade Martial Master? There's a vast difference between us! You're not seriously considering a cross-grade battle, are you?"

Yin Zhiping's words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. What?! Yin Zhiping was on par with the captain, a First Grade Martial Master too?!

The Level 9 Warriors spectating the scene were agape. How old was Yin Zhiping? Barely in his early twenties? And yet, he was already a First Grade Martial Master?

Among these Level 9 Warriors were individuals in their thirties and forties, who had plateaued at this stage for more years than they cared to count. They knew all too well the limits of their talent and the improbability of further advancement.

Their inability to progress didn't dampen their intense longing to reach the Martial Master Level, though.

Here was Yin Zhiping, so young and already a Martial Master Level powerhouse!

The Mercenary Team members watching the exchange regarded Yin Zhiping with newfound respect. In a world where strength reigned supreme, it was only fitting that such power commanded reverence.

Yin Zhiping, aware of the admiring glances cast his way, nodded with satisfaction and swelled with pride. He even turned to lock eyes with the black-robed woman.

The woman, upon learning of Yin Zhiping's rank as a First Grade Martial Master, couldn't conceal a flicker of astonishment. She gave him a second glance, yet her eyes betrayed no particular sentiment.

After a brief glance, she turned her attention away from Yin Zhiping and instead focused on Lin Yaoyang, as if gauging his reaction to her potential membership in the association.

Yin Zhiping looked over and realized that the woman in the black robe wasn't gazing at him with the adoration he had expected. Her eyes were on Lin Yaoyang, and a surge of jealousy ignited within him.

Her impatience with Lin Yaoyang grew more pronounced. "Enough already! If you've got any sense, scram before things get ugly. Otherwise, you're in for a beating. And trust me, it won't end well for you," she said with a sneer.

Lin Yaoyang remained unfazed, the corners of his mouth curling up ever so slightly. He offered no lengthy retort, just a single, weightless word: "Fight!"

Yin Zhiping was no fool, especially not one for empty posturing. Upon hearing Lin Yaoyang's challenge, he sprang into action without further ado, his foot slamming into the ground as he propelled himself forward.

Simultaneously, a voice echoed in Lin Yaoyang's mind: "Rushing Thunder Steps, a Yellow Grade low-level combat skill." The description followed, blunt and dismissive: "Trash Steps, unworthy of further detail."

Lin Yaoyang's face twitched at the blunt assessment. Indeed, the enigmatic voice in his head never minced words. Whether it was a Profound Rank cultivation technique or combat skill, they were as common as cabbages to him. He could have as many as he wished. To others, Yellow Grade combat skills were treasures, but if he deemed them worthless, he saw no issue with that.

Lin Yaoyang didn't take his opponent lightly, despite the disparaging review of his footwork. After all, the man was a First Grade Martial Master, a whole level above him.

Yin Zhiping closed the distance swiftly, his approach devoid of any flashy moves—just a straightforward punch. He believed that dealing with Lin Yaoyang, a mere First Grade warrior, would be a walk in the park. There was no need for him to resort to combat skills, especially since he had none at his disposal for such a simple task.

As the punch bore down on him, Lin Yaoyang remained calm. He activated the Power of the Ant King to its fullest, channeling all his strength throughout his body.

As Lin Yaoyang channeled his cultivation technique with full force, he sensed his strength surge to more than double its usual capacity. Yet, the rate at which his internal Qi was depleting was alarmingly fast.

In the midst of his actions, Lin Yaoyang glanced at his strength reading.

"500!"

His eyes bulged at the figure, and in the next moment, his fists slammed together.

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of bones snapping echoed clearly to the onlookers. Everyone immediately realized that it wasn't Yin Zhiping's bones that had made the sound.

They all assumed that under the force of Yin Zhiping's punch, it must have been Lin Yaoyang's bones that were shattering.