Master of Nine Stars

Rong Taotao nodded. ”Thank you.”

”What? Are you questioning my teaching ability?” Gao Lingwei’s voice came from behind him.

”Haha,” Zhao Tang laughed. ”Your archery style is too wild, too aggressive. You wouldn’t switch to a blade even with an opponent right in your face. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle your archery philosophy.”

”I have confidence in him.” Gao Lingwei smiled too, her eyes fixed on Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao couldn’t help but scratch his head. These two students who had dropped into the Soul Class were champions from their respective hometowns... no, from entire regions of Huaxia. Their status was indeed a cut above the rest, more than enough to serve as Assistant Instructors.

”Don’t worry, we have to build a solid foundation first.” Watching Rong Taotao approach, Gao Lingwei comforted him in a low voice. ”What he said is for later.

Just like with the Heaven-piercing Halberd, our styles are different. If you feel that my archery style isn’t right for you in the future, we can find a professional instructor.”

As a layman who knew nothing about archery, Rong Taotao still had his own theory. He said, ”It’s probably best if our styles complement each other. That would be most beneficial for us and allow us to go further in the long run.”

Gao Lingwei looked at Rong Taotao quietly before finally nodding. ”Alright. I’ll build your foundation first. Later, we’ll find a more... conservative instructor.”

’The word ”conservative” was probably a euphemism she’d carefully chosen after some thought...’

And so, Rong Taotao officially began his journey of practicing the art of archery.

Back when he was learning his Sword Technique under Si Huan Nian’s guidance, it had taken Rong Taotao nearly a full day of study, until nightfall, before he barely managed to unlock Sword Mastery.

This time with Archery Mastery was no different. Rong Taotao had started practicing at eight in the morning, and after taking breaks for lunch and dinner, it wasn’t until eight at night that a message finally appeared in his Inner Soul Map:

”Archery Mastery, One-Star: Novice (Potential Value: 6 Stars)”

’Whoa... even more impressive than my Sword Technique, starting with a 6-Star Potential?’

’Does this mean that aside from not being suited for the Heaven-piercing Halberd, I’m a good fit for everything else? That I’m talented in everything else?’

Rong Taotao felt shattered...

He looked at the entry in his Inner Soul Map: ”Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery, Four-Star: High-Rank (Potential Value: 5 Stars)”

Rong Taotao once again stretched out a stubborn little hand and spent 1 Potential Point on his Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery, raising its Potential Value to 6 Stars.

’No choice. If I don’t raise the Potential Value cap, I’ll have to suppress my level progression again.’

He was just too in love with the Heaven-piercing Halberd, and the skill truly lived up to his expectations. It was incredibly effective, and he improved with it at lightning speed.

Other than its low potential cap, there was nothing to complain about.

Rong Taotao still kept 1 Potential Point in reserve, just in case. In fact, he was already itching to spend it on the Potential Value of his ”Soul Skill: Snow Burst”.

Among all his Soul Skills, Snow Burst was the first one to have its Quality upgraded. In Rong Taotao’s eyes, aside from Jade Dragon Gift and Ice Path, Snow Burst was the Soul Technique he should be focusing on the most right now.

”What’s wrong? You look like you’ve had an epiphany.” The bright lights of the Martial Arts Arena illuminated the dark night. Seeing Rong Taotao lost in thought, Gao Lingwei couldn’t help but ask.

”Ah... hehe.” Rong Taotao gave a sheepish laugh. To be honest, learning from Gao Lingwei was way more comfortable than learning from Si Huan Nian.

’Especially when she corrected my posture for holding the bow, the force of my draw, or my footwork. If it had been Si Huan Nian, he would have just brought out the teaching rod. But Gao Lingwei... Tsk... Never mind, let’s not talk about it~’

’It’s comfortable, and that’s all that matters!’

Seeing Rong Taotao’s embarrassed expression, Gao Lingwei ventured a guess, ”Are you hungry again?”

”Being hungry is my normal state; you don’t have to ask anymore in the future.” Rong Taotao waved his hand magnanimously. ”By the way, what’s the current Quality of your Soul Skill: Snow Burst? I saw in the data that the highest level for Snow Burst is Elite Level?”

Gao Lingwei nodded lightly. ”My Snow Burst hasn’t reached its peak yet. It’s still at the Excellent Level, which only allows me to cast it without any recoil.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the maximum level for these Soul Skills isn’t very high. Actually reaching that ceiling is very difficult.

Some skills can’t be learned just by someone teaching you. For example, if I tell you right now that an Excellent Level Snow Burst is about ’using three parts of your power and holding back seven,’ could you learn it?

The difficulty isn’t in the teaching, but in your own control and understanding of the Soul Skill... huh?”

BANG!

With a casual wave of his hand, a Vortex of Soul Power swirled at Rong Taotao’s wrist, pushing a Snow Burst Ball into his palm, which he then detonated to his right.

The Snow Burst Ball exploded, but Rong Taotao didn’t move an inch. There was no recoil whatsoever.

Gao Lingwei: ”...”

Rong Taotao asked weakly, ”Like this?”

Gao Lingwei had a completely bewildered look on her face, not even knowing what to say.

”Hehe, I was just kidding.” Seeing that he was about to mentally break Da Wei, who looked like she was starting to question her life, Rong Taotao quickly added, ”I figured this out back on the Snowfield, I didn’t just learn it now.”

”Hah...” Gao Lingwei closed her eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly trying to forcefully suppress the emotions welling up inside her.

Rong Taotao subconsciously took a step back.

Gao Lingwei’s eyes snapped open. ”We’ve been practicing archery all day. Let’s stretch our legs a bit.”

Rong Taotao: ”Uh...”

The next moment, specks of frost and snow began to spread from beneath her feet, spiraling upwards and coiling around her slender figure.

Rong Taotao’s face stiffened. ’That’s the Core Soul Skill of a Three-Star Soul Technique, Snow Dance!’

’With this Soul Skill active, Gao Lingwei’s speed and Agility Attribute will be greatly enhanced.’

’As a Soul Captain, her physical stats already crush mine. And now she’s buffing herself with the Core Soul Skill: Snow Dance?’

”No, I can’t. I have a... um, I’m not allowed to spar with human students,” Rong Taotao said hurriedly.

”He can.” A gentle voice suddenly came from not far away.

Gao Lingwei turned her head to look. The spiraling specks of frost and snow swirled through her long, dark hair, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

”Coach Yang.” Gao Lingwei stood at attention, her attitude respectful as she gave a proper greeting.

”Hello.” Yang Chunxi’s tone was very friendly. ”He’s allowed to spar with students, don’t worry. I don’t usually get a chance to discipline him, so feel free to be a little rough.”

Rong Taotao’s face darkened. He hastily pulled a Heaven-piercing Halberd from thin air. ”You really are Huaxia’s best sister-in-law, aren’t you~”

CRACK!

A muffled thud!

Gao Lingwei kicked the Heaven-piercing Halberd that Rong Taotao held in front of him. The weapon shattered instantly, and under the force of the blow, Rong Taotao’s figure vanished.

Where he had stood, Gao Lingwei still held her side-kick pose, a burst of frost and snow spreading out around her as she had yet to retract her long leg.

On the sidelines of the adjacent arena, Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi were still sparring. The Long Spears in their hands happened to collide in mid-air, forming what looked like a deliberately constructed gate.

And through the small gate formed by the Long Spears, a figure slid past on his back.

Sun Xingyu blinked her large eyes, a look of utter confusion on her face.

’What was that just now?’

’How did it just WHOOSH past like that?’

Gao Lingwei had clearly held back. Although Rong Taotao’s chest ached faintly, he wasn’t seriously injured. He skidded to a stop, leaving long snowy tracks on the ground.

’As expected of a Core Soul Skill, the speed bonus is really significant!’ Rong Taotao couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement, because his Soul Technique had already reached Two-Star, Peak-rank.

’Soon, I’ll be able to learn a Core Soul Skill like this too!’

’Once I learn it, my power will definitely increase dramatically.’

As a Soul Soldier, practicing the techniques of a Soul Cultivation Captain wasn’t just some wild fantasy.

’Whatever others have, I’ll have it too, sooner or later!’

Now that he had a goal, this feeling of chasing it down little by little, of acquiring it step by step, was simply incredible!