Master of Nine Stars

Jiao Tengda suddenly spoke up. "It's a shame about Zhao Tang."

Rong Taotao asked, confused, "What happened?"

Jiao Tengda said, "It might be an issue with his mindset. He isn't handling his relationship with his Lifebound Soul Beast very well.

Logically, he had experience as a Soul Captain before. Even though all his cultivation techniques were wiped out, he should be much more adept at retraining than anyone else. He was supposed to be the top student in the class, but..."

'A problem with his relationship with his Lifebound Soul Beast?'

'This...'

Rong Taotao felt helpless. 'I could help if it were any other problem, but the relationship between a Soul Martial Artist and their Lifebound Soul Beast is something an outsider can't meddle with at all.'

Jiao Tengda asked, "What about you?"

Rong Taotao said, "I think I'm about to advance to the Soul Captain stage, right? When I was away, the only thing I couldn't practice was my Snow Realm Soul Techniques. I could still cultivate my Starfield Soul Techniques and increase my Soul Power level."

'It's just that outside the Snow Realm, the Lotus Petal becomes dormant, so its accelerating effect on Soul Power cultivation isn't that great. To fully enjoy the benefits of the Lotus Petal, I still need to be somewhere with abundant Snow Realm Soul Power. That's when training really feels good.'

Now that he was back at school, Rong Taotao was convinced it wouldn't be long before he advanced to the Soul Captain stage.

'By then, I hope it's just as Si Huan Nian said, and I'll be able to use the two lotus petals inside me.'

If that happened, his power would take a huge leap, and he would finally have what it takes to confront the Poacher known as Eight Great Coins!

CLICK.

The door connecting the hallway to the balcony was suddenly pushed open, and a cloud of white, steamy air billowed out. Gao Lingwei looked at Rong Taotao on the balcony and said, "There you are."

As she spoke, Gao Lingwei nodded and smiled at Jiao Tengda.

Jiao Tengda said hurriedly, "I'll head back now. I'll leave you two to talk."

With that, Jiao Tengda scurried off, but Rong Taotao's gaze was fixed on the backpack in Gao Lingwei's hand.

'That snow-camo backpack, and that gift box of liquor with the gold and red packaging...'

Gao Lingwei walked onto the balcony and gestured with the items in her hand. "Nothing's missing."

Rong Taotao stared at Gao Lingwei in astonishment. "This is..."

Gao Lingwei said softly, "That Warrior from the Cyan Mountain Army, Xu Yiyu, brought them. She also left a message."

"What did she say?"

Gao Lingwei replied, "She said to congratulate us on winning the championship."

Rong Taotao took the heavy bag and nodded silently.

Gao Lingwei rested her hands on the stone railing and said softly, "Do you remember what the Snow Burning Army soldier told us? That Xu Yiyu was returning to her unit today after visiting family, and that she came after us because she heard at Pine Soul Station that we were under attack?"

Rong Taotao said, "Yeah."

Gao Lingwei sighed softly. Her gaze drifted into the distance, watching the snowflakes fall under the streetlights. "After the celebratory dinner," she said quietly, "I called my dad and asked about her."

"Actually, she had just finished visiting my parents. She was on her way from Songbai Town, heading for the Third Wall..."

'So that's the story behind it?'

'So after visiting her family and before returning to her unit, she'd dropped by to see her old commander...'

'And right after leaving, she ran into this whole mess. Who wouldn't be furious?'

Rong Taotao found it hard to imagine what that reunion must have been like, with Mr. Gao—Gao Qingchen—meeting a warrior who had once served under him. The scene must have been filled with emotion.

The North, the Snow Realm.

Too many stories lay buried beneath this vast expanse of white snow.

Never mind the warriors who had served for years; even Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei, as young as they were, had already been through so much.

"Let's go inside. It's cold out here." Gao Lingwei reached out and took the wet towel from Rong Taotao's head. By now, it had frozen stiff.

"Yeah..."

...