Master of Nine Stars

”Mmm...” A goofy smile appeared on Rong Taotao’s face. ”She’s my idol. I learned about her in my middle school textbooks. I want to go meet her.”

Nan Cheng wore a complicated expression, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her.

As a fellow Soul General and a mother, she naturally felt a degree of empathy. But her life in the lands of Starfield was nothing compared to the hardships Xu Fenghua faced, standing tall amidst the vast, snowy blizzards of the north.

Of course, this was why Xu Fenghua was called the ”Number One Soul General of the Outer Region,” and also why she appeared in textbooks.

Although they were both Soul Generals, they were on completely different levels. That woman had left an indelible mark on their era and was destined to go down in history.

Rong Taotao averted his gaze, no longer looking at Nan Cheng’s complicated expression.

’The Imperial Capital is indeed great, so much better than the Snow Realm.’

’Here, there are well-equipped training grounds, a peaceful and beautiful Starfield Vortex, a bustling city, and all kinds of delicious food.’

’But there are a few things that aren’t so good about the Imperial Capital.’

’There is no Third Wall, no Dragon River... and no her.’

The goals Rong Taotao set for himself had never changed.

Such as venturing beyond the Third Wall and setting foot on the banks of the Dragon River.

Or holding that bouquet of roses while standing on the highest stage.

Nan Cheng thought it over and finally relented. ”You’re a Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist, and now you’re also cultivating Starfield Soul Techniques. You’ll inevitably have to train in the lands of Starfield in the future. When you come to the Imperial Capital, remember to find me. I’ll have Xixi give you my number before you leave.”

’A Lord Soul General as my backer, huh?’

’Sounds pretty amazing... Does this mean I can throw my weight around here like Ye Nanxi?’

Nan Cheng said no more on the matter and changed the subject. ”I hear your school’s selection trials are in the middle of the month. You have at least two weeks to practice your two-star Soul Techniques and master the use of each Soul Skill.”

”I don’t need two weeks. Two minutes should be enough,” Rong Taotao said.

Nan Cheng: ”...”

Next, under the starry night sky, Rong Taotao taught Ye Nanxi a lesson, showing her through his actions the gap between geniuses.

Excellent Level: Star-Stepping Split.

Potential Value: 5 Stars.

Stomp on shattered stars to create a shockwave. A Soul Skill with great utility, perfect for a Caster’s escape from the battlefield.

Excellent Level: Star Trace.

Potential Value: 4 Stars.

During combat, every movement can fling out a tiny star. Although not sharp enough to pierce your opponent, it can stagger their body.

Excellent Level: Radiance of the Star Cluster.

Potential Value: 3 Stars.

An advanced version of the Star-shaped Lamp, scattering the ground with small, shimmering moons.

The Snow Realm Soul Skills White Lantern Paper Cage and Luminous Lantern Paper Cage provide focused illumination. In contrast, Radiance of the Star Cluster lights up a wide area. Since the lights are scattered on the ground, a single casting lasts for a very long time.

With Nan Cheng’s careful explanation, Rong Taotao quickly managed to cast the four Soul Skills of the two-star Soul Technique.

The South Soul General, kneeling by the bonfire, looked at the small moons scattered all around and couldn’t help but shake her head and smile. ”Indeed,” she said, ”you don’t need two weeks.”

”There’s one more of the four Soul Skills for the two-star Soul Technique, right? Star Seal?” Rong Taotao asked. ”Is this Soul Skill not very good? I’ve never seen Ye Nanxi use it.”

”Heh, this Soul Skill is suited for solo fights because it doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe,” Nan Cheng said with a smile.

”Oh, so you were looking out for me?” Rong Taotao turned his head to look at Ye Nanxi. ”Wait, you didn’t use it during our first fight either, did you?”

Ye Nanxi pouted. ”Why would I use such a slow-acting Soul Skill? Back then, I thought I could take you out with one slap. If I’d been planning on a war of attrition, you’d better believe I would have used it.”

Nan Cheng said, ”Alright, cover your entire body with Starfield Soul Power.”

Rong Taotao quickly enveloped his whole body with Soul Power. That wasn’t difficult at all.

Nan Cheng: ”Activate it. With a vengeful mindset, infuse it with your emotions.”

Rong Taotao raised an eyebrow slightly. ”Revenge?”

Nan Cheng nodded lightly. ”Do you have enemies? Not rivals, but true enemies. Have you ever felt the desire for revenge?”

As she spoke, the face of a middle-aged man appeared in Rong Taotao’s mind.

The man looked ordinary, wearing a cotton hat with his hands tucked into his sleeves, standing next to a candied fruit stall.

Qian Organization, codename: Mi Tu.

The one who had shattered Gao Lingwei’s spirit, plunging her into such agony that her features had twisted in pain.

The Poacher who put Gao Lingwei in a hospital bed for the entire night on New Year’s Eve.

Nan Cheng frowned slightly. For the first time, she saw this harmless-looking boy reveal a look of hatred.

Nan Cheng asked, puzzled, ”What happened?”

Rong Taotao: ”Snow Realm Poachers. I spent last New Year’s Eve in a hospital in Songbai Town.”

Nan Cheng’s expression turned harsh. ”They ambushed you in Songbai Town?”

Rong Taotao nodded. ”To be precise, they ambushed my teammate. We got in the way of their profits.”

Ye Nanxi: ”Was it Gao Lingwei? What happened then?”

”Afterward, the two of us were cornered in a noodle shop by four Poachers...” Rong Taotao’s voice grew quieter. ”That was also the first time I killed someone. I’ll never forget them. Never.”

Ye Nanxi’s mouth hung open as she stared blankly at Rong Taotao, but then she saw her kneeling mother, Nan Cheng, lightly punch Rong Taotao’s calf.

”BZZZ...”

Suddenly, the vibrating hum of a shattered star echoed out!

From Rong Taotao’s calf, a tiny star emerged.

This little star vibrated rapidly, emitting an extremely dangerous buzzing sound.

But its speed wasn’t fast. Instead, it hovered in the air, slowly drifting in Nan Cheng’s direction.

”Learned Starfield Soul Skill: Star Seal!

Star Seal: Cover the body with Starfield Soul Power and fully activate it, imbuing it with sentience. Steeped in the emotion of hatred, the Starfield Soul Power will retaliate against any attack it suffers. (Excellent Level, Potential Value: 5 Stars)”

Rong Taotao reached down and tried to scoop up the buzzing little star.

He had wanted to feel the damage for himself, but unexpectedly, when Rong Taotao touched the star, the highly vengeful Star Seal merged back into his body.

The star reverted to the Starfield Soul Power flowing over his body’s surface and didn’t cause Rong Taotao the slightest bit of harm.

’Is this because we share a common enemy?’

’Even with its intense desire for vengeance, can it still distinguish the avenger from its target?’

Nan Cheng chose this moment to explain. ”Remember, the Star Seal that bursts from your body recognizes only you and no one else. Its retaliation is aimed at the entire world, excluding you.

Although its speed is slow as it hangs in the air, if you manage to fill the entire field with Star Seals, the effect can be quite impressive.

But right now, your Star Seal is still at the Excellent Level. To deploy a dense field of Star Seals around your body, you need to suffer a dense barrage of attacks. The duration of the Star Seal is limited; at the Excellent Level, it’s about thirty seconds.

Those harmed by the Star Seal will not only sustain physical wounds from the impact but will also have their Soul Power disrupted.

As we both know, for a Soul Martial Artist, casting most Soul Skills requires Soul Power to follow specific pathways within the body. Under the interference of the Star Seal, the more intricate the Soul Skill, the harder it is to execute.

Use it carefully. Don’t let your teammate get caught in the interference. I hear your teammate is a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist, so the Star Seal will affect her even more.”

Rong Taotao nodded and said, ”Understood. Thank you for your guidance, Auntie Nan.”

”Consolidate your Soul Techniques. We’ll leave tomorrow.” From up in the tree, Rong Yuanshan’s voice drifted down.

Hearing this, Rong Taotao sat down again.

Nan Cheng reached out and once again placed her hand on Rong Taotao’s head.

With the Star Seal still active, another small star shot out from Rong Taotao’s body.

Nan Cheng didn’t pull back her hand, and more stars continued to pulse outwards one by one.

Rong Taotao hurriedly deactivated the Star Seal Soul Skill, but all of the stars merged into Nan Cheng’s palm. She absorbed them all without receiving the slightest harm; there were no wounds on her palm, let alone any blood.

Nan Cheng’s expression was normal, as if nothing had happened. She just gently ruffled Rong Taotao’s hair. ”The next time I see you, I hope you’ll still be the way you are now.”

Rong Taotao turned his head to look at her, curious. ”Hm?”

Nan Cheng smiled, her expression both gentle and encouraging. ”Self-reliant and resilient, full of raw emotion, with a heart of fire.”

...