The Problem of the Out-of-Body Martial Soul

He had studied his own situation regarding an externalized martial soul quite thoroughly in the past, and he was well aware of his many limitations.

The greatest drawback of an externalized martial soul was that the spirit master's physical constitution would be weaker than those who possessed beast martial souls, and their combat effectiveness would be inferior to those who possessed tool martial souls.

As for Luo Sanpao's own combat power, to put it bluntly, he was just a pig that could fart; his only method of attack was to fart.

The power of that fart was indeed not small, and being hit by one would be unpleasant even for someone of the same rank, but that was only if it could actually hit the target.

As long as an opponent was fast enough to bypass Luo Sanpao and attack his main body directly, he was nothing more than a living target.

And right now, there were seven or eight desperate outlaws standing before him.

Bald Scar clearly knew his background inside and out; he was likely a spirit master himself, though his rank was certainly not high.

A high-ranking spirit master would never become a bandit, because there was little money to be made in robbery; those who turned to banditry were essentially criminals wanted by Spirit Hall or the two great empires.

Bald Scar hoisted his broadsword and took a step forward, the scar on his face twisting like a centipede as he grinned: "Master Trash, where is that pig of yours that can fart? Let it out and show us brothers!"

The bandits nearby joined in the jeering, some whistling and others tapping on the backs of their blades, startling a large flock of birds in the woods into flight.

Thin Tall Man was the most proactive; he had already circled to Yu Xiaogang's side and rear, cutting off his retreat.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned from green to white, and he gritted his teeth to release his martial soul, Luo Sanpao.

Luo Sanpao looked like a dog but had the build of a pig, with a length and girth exceeding one and a half meters.

His entire body was covered in pale purple fur, his two small ears drooped, his large dark blue eyes looked gentle, his four short legs were thick and stubby, and there was a bump on the top of his head.

The bandits' laughter came to an abrupt halt.

It wasn't that they were intimidated; rather, everyone was stunned for a second before erupting into even more violent, hysterical laughter than before.

Bald Scar laughed so hard he could barely hold his broadsword, bending over and slapping his thighs, tears and snot streaming from his eyes.

Thin Tall Man was even more exaggerated, sitting directly on the ground and pounding the earth in his mirth.

"That's it? That's it?" Bald Scar pointed his blade at the pink pig on the ground. "This is Luo Sanpao? I thought it was something impressive; isn't this just a pig!"

"A farting pig!" Thin Tall Man climbed up from the ground, panting with laughter. "Master, why don't you have it let one out? Let us brothers have a look!"

"Second spirit skill, Fart Like Smoke Hypnosis Sleep Luo Sanpao." Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and gave the command.

Receiving the order, Luo Sanpao's round body spun in place, his short tail lifting to aim at the group of bandits who were doubled over with laughter.

"Pfft—"

A thick, yellow gas erupted from Luo Sanpao's chubby backside, rapidly diffusing in mid-air to form a pale yellow cloud that drifted lazily toward the bandits.

The smoke had a hypnotic effect and a decent range, but it drifted so slowly, swaying aimlessly, that it posed no threat at all.

Bald Scar's smile froze for an instant before turning even more ferocious.

He simply took two steps to the side and easily bypassed the range of the yellow smoke.

The other bandits also scattered to avoid it, their movements so quick and nimble that they didn't look like ordinary mountain bandits at all.

"That's it?" Bald Scar spat, shouldering his broadsword and striding toward Yu Xiaogang. "I thought it was something amazing!"

Yu Xiaogang's pupils constricted, and he subconsciously wanted to retreat, but Thin Tall Man had already blocked his path behind him.

He wanted to recall Luo Sanpao to protect him, but it was already too late.

The greatest flaw of an externalized martial soul was exposed at this moment; when the martial soul could not return to assist, the spirit master himself was nothing but a defenseless living target.

Bald Scar's speed was a cut above the average person; while he wasn't a Spirit Grandmaster, he was at least a two-ring Great Spirit Master.

He kicked Yu Xiaogang in the chest with a heavy, ruthless force, sending him flying like a kite with a broken string. He slammed heavily into the trunk of a crooked tree, shaking the leaves down in a rustling shower.

Before he could recover from the excruciating pain, Thin Tall Man's fist arrived.

A straight punch smashed into his cheekbone, followed immediately by a kick to his waist.

The other bandits swarmed in, their fists and feet raining down on Yu Xiaogang like a storm, with every blow delivered without mercy.

Yu Xiaogang curled up on the ground, clutching his head with both hands, his body trembling violently from the intense pain.

He desperately urged Luo Sanpao to return, but just as the creature reached the halfway point, Bald Scar knocked it to the ground with the hilt of his blade, causing it to let out a shrill, mournful cry.

When the beating finally stopped, Yu Xiaogang was bruised and swollen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his clothes covered in mud and footprints.

Yu Xiaogang struggled to climb to his feet, but a heavy boot stepped onto his shoulder, grinding him back into the dirt.

Bald Scar looked down at him from above, his notched broadsword reflecting a blinding, cold light in the morning sun.

"Master Trash, your spirit skill is truly trash," Bald Scar spat, grinning to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth. "You can't even aim a fart, yet you dare to walk the mountain roads alone? That girl from yesterday was ten thousand times stronger than you."

"Boss, this guy should have plenty of good things on him," Thin Tall Man leaned in, his eyes darting greedily toward Yu Xiaogang's bundle. "After all, he came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Even if he is trash, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse; there might be something valuable in his pack."

Bald Scar snatched Yu Xiaogang's bundle, tore the straps open violently, and dumped everything onto the ground.

Several sets of spare clothes scattered across the dirt, and a manuscript of Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls with frayed edges fell onto the mud with a thud.

Dozens of gold spirit coins rolled out, spinning several times before coming to a rest.

Bald Scar bent down to rummage through the items, but aside from the clothes, the manuscript, and the dozens of gold spirit coins, there was nothing else.

Refusing to believe it, he checked the clothes again, but they were empty, not even containing a hidden pocket.

Bald Scar threw the empty cloth bundle to the ground and stepped on the manuscript of Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, grinding his sole into it and leaving a clear, muddy footprint on the yellowed pages.

"Is this all you've got?" Deng Tianxin spat, patting Yu Xiaogang's swollen cheek with the flat of his blade. The force was light, but the humiliation was immense. "The esteemed young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and you only carry a few measly coins when you go out? Didn't your old man give you more travel money?"

Yu Xiaogang was pinned down, unable to move under the boot crushing his shoulder, his heart filled with a burning hatred for this group of men.

The bandits around him were still roaring with laughter, but Yu Xiaogang could barely hear them anymore.

A buzzing sound filled his ears, whether from the beating or something else, he couldn't tell.

He simply stared at the manuscript, the words Deng Tianxin had spoken back at the inn echoing over and over in his mind.