Ma Ran

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ma Ran (马燃)
Alias(es)	Subject A; Mad Lord; Master Ma; Black Dragon Earth Immortal; [Ran]
Species/Race	Human; Earth transmigrator
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yaoguang Section; SYS Secret Meeting / Twin Star Guardian System; Wushuang Vanguard
Occupation/Role	Golden-Eyed individual; experimental subject; superhuman combatant; 77th main combat member of the Wushuang Vanguard
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Golden-Eyed individual	8	Reveals his golden pupils after Yan Anqing identifies him and agrees to cooperate with the authorities.
Early human super-cell development	16	Yan Anqing detects no more than five emerging human super cells in his body; their division rate is initially only about one-third that of a laboratory mouse.
Limitless Cells — 3% proliferation	25	Reaches 3% proliferation through intensive training, exceeding his projected 2% despite having only one-fifth of Yu Hongyi's measured willpower.
Edge of mid-Tier 1	28	His individual transcendence reaches the edge of mid-Tier 1; he can preemptively evade shots by reading an ordinary shooter's aim.
Scrap Killer enhancement	39	Receives Yan Anqing's tailored Limitless Cell catalyst, which improves his drive, cognition, vitality, and training response over an approximately 360-day metabolic period.
Peak Tier 3	231	Evades Bai Zhemin's gunfire in Laos and kills the criminal on Yan Anqing's commission.
Tier 4	360	Is counted among the core group who have advanced to Tier 4 through continued effort, opportunity, and participation in major superhuman circles.
True Blood of the Black King	613	Defeats nine elite Dragon Race warriors with one million combat power; states a normal limit of ten million and a transformed limit of fifty million.

Background

Before becoming a Golden-Eyed individual, Ma Ran was an unemployed shut-in sustained by his parents' wealth. He spent most of his time reading web novels, watching anime, and playing games; Zhang Xiaoyue's frequently delayed novel updates were among his daily concerns. 8

Yan Anqing located Ma Ran after he publicly exposed his golden eyes while participating in online discussions. Ma Ran initially feared detention and experimentation, but accepted state support after being promised food, internet access, games, novels, subsidies, and protection for his parents' concerns. He was subsequently brought to the Yaoguang Section's secret base alongside Zhang Xiaoyue and Miaomiao. 8

Wanting to become China's first superhuman rather than remain a passive beneficiary, Ma Ran voluntarily became Yan Anqing's human research subject. His early Limitless Cell proliferation was poor compared with Yu Hongyi's, and the pressure to compensate for that gap drove him to exhaustion, depression, and suicidal thoughts. 15 21 25 26

Yan Anqing's Strongman Cultivation Plan and the tailored Scrap Killer catalyst changed Ma Ran's trajectory. He became energetic, studious, disciplined, and intensely committed to self-improvement, eventually earning Yan Anqing's evaluation as a Vanguard-class subject with an “improved personality.” 39 64 85 94

Appearance

Ma Ran is a handsome, fair-skinned young man with a tall, slender build and striking golden eyes. Following his transformation, his composed bearing and physical presence make him conspicuous even when standing still. 8 179

• Brilliant golden pupils, often described as radiant or dark gold. 8 290
• Fair complexion and refined features. 179
• Later seen with messy hair, black clothing, and the Black Dragon Crescent Blade across his back. 371
• During his Black King transformation, develops black dragon horns and lengthened forelocks. 613

Personality

Ma Ran begins as a gentle, fantasy-prone homebody who avoids hardship but is sincere, family-minded, and eager to support Yan Anqing. His admiration for Yan frequently manifests as intense loyalty and enthusiastic praise. 8 13 16

His defining trait becomes an obsession with improvement. Rather than accepting his inferior starting aptitude, he repeatedly pushes beyond his limits, seeks training and risks, and refuses to miss opportunities for power. Yan Anqing identifies this capacity for self-correction and continuous refinement as the reason Ma Ran qualifies as Vanguard-class. 25 94 360

In battle, Ma Ran is proud, aggressive, and ruthless. Pain, injury, and pressure intensify his fighting spirit rather than breaking it; Yan Anqing characterizes his combat disposition as “arrogance.” He respects capable opponents but dismisses those he considers weak. 155 156 290

Abilities & Skills

Limitless Cells

Ma Ran's body contains Limitless Cells developed through Yan Anqing's modifications and training regimen.

• Enhances strength, endurance, agility, reflexes, and overall physical capacity. 39
• Supports preemptive evasion through heightened perception and reaction speed; he successfully avoids several shots aimed at vital areas. 28
• Improves cerebral oxygen, blood, and energy supply, unlocking substantial cognitive potential. 39
• His initial proliferation rate was far below Yu Hongyi's and strongly tied to his lower measured willpower. 21 25
• Limitless Cell activity can be suppressed by specialized toxins, which can cause severe internal damage and lengthy recovery periods. 372

Scrap Killer Catalyst

Yan Anqing designed the Scrap Killer specifically as a catalyst for Ma Ran's Limitless Cells and willpower development.

• Produces heightened vitality, motivation, learning drive, and emotional positivity. 39
• Gradually increases acetylcholine, dopamine, and endorphin secretion while improving blood circulation. 39
• Remains active for roughly 360 days and is expelled only through sweat and breathing. 39
• Causes mild dilation of subcutaneous blood vessels, leaving Ma Ran's complexion noticeably redder. 39
• His mental and physical states reinforce one another: the more frenzied he becomes in combat, the stronger he grows. 156

Combat Ability

Ma Ran received close- and mid-range combat training from special-forces instructor Feng Guangyue.

• Trained alongside Yu Hongyi in extreme endurance and combat drills. 64 94
• Proficient enough to defeat a peak Tier 3 Flame Superstring Awakener with ease during the Twin Star Ranking Tournament. 290
• Uses injury and pain as fuel, overwhelming Wang Qilian and Catherine in a two-on-one arena battle. 156
• Carries out lethal SYS missions without hesitation, including the execution of a drug dealer who poisoned him with a Limitless Cell-targeting toxin. 371 372
• Kills Bai Zhemin in Laos despite the latter's armed resistance and pleas for mercy. 231

True Blood of the Black King

Ma Ran later acquires the True Blood of the Black King, a bloodline that vastly elevates his attributes and longevity.

• Defeats nine elite Dragon Race warriors while displaying one million combat power. 613
• Claims a normal combat limit of ten million and fifty million after transforming. 613
• Can manifest black dragon horns during transformation. 613
• Generates hostile black energy capable of crushing a Dragon Race warrior's head. 613
• Is described as able to absorb the essence of other races' bloodlines, discard their flaws, and improve his own bloodline. 613

Koi Beast Companion

After being poisoned in the Maldives, Ma Ran encounters and accepts a red Koi Beast connected to the lifebound magical-treasure slot normally associated with sword cultivators. 372

• Land Breathing — allows the Koi Beast to breathe on land. 372
• Dao Rhyme Domain — its second documented special ability. 372
• Ma Ran accepts the loss of a conventional lifebound treasure slot, confident that he can continue advancing without its usual benefits. 372

Equipment

• Black Dragon Crescent Blade — Ma Ran's custom crescent blade, forged by Ye Yingwu from a titanium-alloy body, reinforced spinal hanging parts, and a tungsten-cobalt alloy blade. 290
• Cigarettes — a recurring habit; he smokes before and during dangerous confrontations. 360 371 612
• Koi Beast — a red, round-bodied companion occupying his lifebound magical-treasure connection. 372

Relationships

• Yan Anqing — Researcher, mentor, and benefactor. Ma Ran voluntarily becomes Subject A, trusts Yan's experiments, and remains fiercely loyal to him. 15 39 179
• Yu Hongyi — Roommate, training partner, friend, and long-term benchmark. Ma Ran initially envies Yu's superior aptitude but later objectively regards himself as stronger through greater focus and self-improvement. 21 22 179 290
• Zhang Xiaoyue — Fellow Golden-Eyed individual and fellow reader of her web novel; they became friends after being brought to the secret base. 8 15
• Miaomiao — Fellow Golden-Eyed individual and friend from the same initial Yaoguang Section operation. 8 15
• Feng Guangyue — Special-forces instructor who trains Ma Ran in combat and comes to respect his persistence. 64
• Ye Yingwu — Blacksmith who forges the Black Dragon Crescent Blade in exchange for Ma Ran's Extraordinary Core offer. 280 290
• Lin Aolong — Fellow Earth survivor and SYS member; reunites with Ma Ran during the Dragon Race conflict and is awed by his Black King power. 612 613
• Situ Yi — Fellow Earth survivor who joins Ma Ran and Lin Aolong in preparing for the Dragon King's arrival. 613 614
• Koi Beast — His affectionate beast companion and unintended lifebound magical-treasure partner. 372

Story Role / Major Arcs

Golden-Eyed Discovery and Subject A

Ma Ran is among the first Golden-Eyed individuals found in China. His decision to cooperate with Yan Anqing gives the latter a willing human subject for research into human super cells and Limitless Cells. 8 15 16

Strongman Cultivation Plan

His struggle to match Yu Hongyi's progress pushes him into a severe depressive episode. Yan Anqing uses Ma Ran's case as the foundation for the Strongman Cultivation Plan, later administering Scrap Killer and turning him into the project's most successful subject. 25 26 39 179

Earth Ranking Tournament

Ma Ran demonstrates the aggression hidden beneath his formerly timid persona during the Earth Ranking Tournament. He overwhelms Wang Qilian and Catherine, but loses his chance at the Top Ten after attempting to kill Wang Qilian after the latter surrendered. Yan Anqing nevertheless rewards him with a Planet Lord OL closed-beta qualification. 156 179

SYS and Twin Star Activities

As a prominent SYS member and Wushuang Vanguard combatant, Ma Ran undertakes missions against fugitives and represents Earth in the Twin Star Ranking Tournament. He defeats a peak Tier 3 opponent in the Fierce Battle phase and secures a place in the Twin Star Top Ten. 230 280 290 294

Dragon Race Conflict

After acquiring the True Blood of the Black King, Ma Ran becomes one of the strongest Earth survivors. He reunites with Lin Aolong and Situ Yi, warns them of the Dragon King's impending arrival, and helps prepare the group to confront the peak Tier 10 threat. 613 614 620

Notable Quotes

“Constantly becoming stronger is the meaning of my life.” 360

“The purpose of the SYS Secret Meeting is to maintain stability in the Twin Star. I accepted the task, so I must complete it.” 371

“There are no insurmountable obstacles in this world. At worst, it's just death.” 613

Trivia

• Yan Anqing uses Ma Ran's Limitless Cell proliferation rate as a reference unit for talent, much to Ma Ran's embarrassment. 22
• Ma Ran was initially projected to reach only 2% Limitless Cell proliferation, but exceeded that estimate through effort. 25
• Yan Anqing rates Ma Ran as Vanguard-class, alongside Yu Hongyi. 85
• His SYS handle is [Ran]. 223 230
• Ma Ran's public reputation becomes strong enough that Ye Yingwu immediately recognizes his name and considers it sufficient assurance for a high-stakes weapon commission. 280