Ling Xin then looked at Wan Lei,
"And you, wasn't the strongest殿子 supposed to be someone named Jian Fanchen? Why has it changed? Truly, each generation is worse than the last.
Is the strongest殿子 of the Five Elements Hall really that formidable? I despise all these so-called bastards of yours.
Spoiled in the Five Elements Hall, fighting a few youngsters, then getting a hollow title and becoming smug and conceited. If you truly want to prove your might, try it on the battlefield and earn genuine respect. That's true ability."
"Hmph, why should I make others respect me? What does it matter if they respect me or not? Does it earn me more merit points?
And who do you think you are, lecturing me here and looking down on the strongest殿子? Sour grapes, aren't you?"
Seeing the other party acting like a senior and trying to tell him what to do the moment he arrived, Wan Lei was filled with indignation. What kind of person was this, acting as if anyone could lecture them?
"Sour grapes?"
Ling Xin scoffed,
"Before your generation of disciples even entered the sect, I was already the strongest殿子 of the previous generation.
When someone bestowed that title upon me, I said, 'These things are just meant to be annoying. True强者 don't care about such empty titles; they should prove themselves with the heads of their enemies.'
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. You're amazing, you're noble, you don't care about empty titles. You're telling a few newcomers who haven't been in the army for even half a day and haven't had a chance to earn military merits how great your merits are, how noble you are."
"Before you earn your military merits, you should behave yourselves. Otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you if you become the target of everyone's criticism.
I'm giving you this advice out of consideration for our shared background as disciples of the Five Elements Hall. Don't mistake my good intentions.
In my years in the army, I've seen too many geniuses from the Five Elements Hall unable to adapt after joining the military."
"Oh, are you starting to throw your seniority around? Then I'd like to ask this senior brother, we've been very well-behaved since we arrived. We queued honestly, collected supplies honestly, and were then bullied relentlessly by this Tian Ba.
So, in your opinion, should we have just endured it silently and apologized on our knees when they insulted us?"
"Alas, good advice is hard to give to a stubborn fool. When I first joined the army, I was also very low-key, until I proved myself with military merits..."
"That's because you were useless, you were a failure, you were a coward. If I have the strength, why should I be low-key and endure bullying?
I've worked hard to cultivate this far, killing countless enemies, precisely to avoid being bullied. If I become stronger and still have to act like a coward, what's the point of my efforts?"
Wan Lei's sharp words left Ling Xin speechless, even unsure how to retort.
Suddenly, Fang Xiaoyu lifted her small head, her eyes coldly fixed on Ling Xin,
"I know who you are. You're the head disciple of the Wind Hall's master, right? I remember that head disciple was named Ling Xin."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood. They had heard before that Feng Sheng Ruo Shui Qiu had a disciple named Ling Xin, who possessed the Innate Wind Physique, was extremely powerful in combat, and was a heavenly prodigy. Before Fang Xiaoyu became Ruo Shui Qiu's disciple, he was her sole disciple.
Even when Chai Lian went to capture Fang Xiaoyu, upon seeing the Innate Wind Physique, the first person he thought of was this formidable senior disciple.
Ling Xin nodded,
"Yes, so you should call me Senior Brother, Junior Sister."
This address of "Junior Sister" almost made Fang Xiaoyu spit. She immediately retorted,
"Heh, do you even qualify? I don't have a senior brother who indiscriminately twists facts."
Saying this, Fang Xiaoyu raised her sword,
"I heard you've always wanted this sword?"
Upon seeing the Rose Sword in Fang Xiaoyu's hand, a faint glint of greed flashed in Ling Xin's eyes. His usually calm expression flickered slightly, but he then shook his head,
"Just a sword, I don't covet it. What I desire is her."
When Ling Xin uttered the word "her," his eyes were no longer as calm as a still lake, replaced by boundless fervor and adoration.
Holy cow, a crush on the master.
Wan Lei was shocked. This guy was also after Ruo Shui Qiu? Daring to contend for a woman with my ancestor? Should I find an opportunity to quietly get rid of him?
No, no, no. You useless fool, go look in the mirror. Ruo Shui Qiu is so beautiful and strong, an icy beauty, the most radiant pearl in the entire Five Elements Hall, and you think you're worthy of her?
I really don't know what kind of person you are.
A moment later, the fervor in Ling Xin's eyes subsided. He then glanced sideways at Fang Xiaoyu,
"Alright, let's stop this futile verbal sparring. Since we're on the battlefield, fight properly and don't embarrass our Master."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding soldiers couldn't help but feel regret. It seemed they wouldn't be fighting today. At the same time, they admired Ling Xin's demeanor, not getting angry even when insulted like that. Truly worthy of being our Soldier King.
As for those few little rascals, they were just insulted a bit. They're clinging to it so hard, truly lacking in broad-mindedness and cultivation.
"Our Master's reputation has long been ruined by you. Where is there any left for me to ruin? If she were to know you're acting so indiscriminately and twisting facts on the front lines, she might just be tempted to clean house."
At these words, Ling Xin's face suddenly turned ice-cold. He had his own unshakeable principles. He didn't mind anything said about him, but if anyone spoke ill of his Master, even just saying he embarrassed her, he would absolutely not tolerate it.
His adoration for Ruo Shui Qiu was etched into his bones, and he would not allow anyone to tarnish it.
"Fang Xiaoyu, you've angered me..."
Before Ling Xin could finish speaking, the entire base was suddenly assailed by piercing alarm sirens, and a blinding light flashed from the central tower, illuminating the southeast direction.
As soon as this sound erupted, the surrounding soldiers who were spectating immediately lost their previous scattered, casual expressions. They became serious at once, their expressions taut, and they assembled in formation on the training grounds.
It was as if this sound acted as a state adjuster, instantly shifting them from their relaxed, recreational state to a state of war.
"After we deal with the demons, I'll settle things with you."
Ling Xin dropped his words and, without looking back, rushed towards the southern city wall.
"Oh dear, the demons are attacking."
Han Xiaoyun, who had only just realized what was happening, exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and delight.
"Bao Bao is going to fight a hundred demons."
The four little ones were brimming with excitement. Xia Yubing immediately took out her spaceship and beckoned everyone aboard.
"Hahahaha, we came to the front lines precisely to kill demons. These soldiers are all so arrogant, saying we have no merits. Then we'll show them by fighting!"