Master of Nine Stars

”Tsk...”

”That’s... that’s terrifying. He’s like a rabid dog.”

”It’s the finals, after all. They’re just one step away, and they’re really putting their lives on the line.”

Gasps and cries of alarm echoed endlessly from every corner of the stands.

In the grand finals of the individual competition, the male student who had once seemed to pull his punches—only to send his opponent flying out of bounds with a final kick—had finally bared his fangs.

His clothes were torn to shreds, his body covered in wounds. The Snow Blade in his hand had somehow become a dagger. He was straddling his opponent, repeatedly stabbing at the man’s chest.

”TWEET! TWEET!” Li Lie’s whistle blew, but even before it sounded, Cha Er had already shoulder-checked the frenzied student away.

The male student grimaced in pain. Even though he was the victor, the injuries he’d sustained were by no means minor.

Dong Dongdong quickly led his team onto the field and decisively froze both competitors’ bodies. Only then were they carried off for emergency medical treatment.

This was inevitable. If there had been a significant skill gap between the two, the fight might not have been so brutal.

But in these finals, the students’ skill levels were remarkably close. The notion of ”pulling punches” was nonexistent; it was impossible for them to hold back.

They were all Soul Martial Artists; they knew just how dangerous the other was. Given the slightest opening, an opponent could slit your throat in a heartbeat.

In fact, Rong Taotao had already demonstrated such an ability.

Just in the previous match, Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei, who had been on the defensive against the Qi Brothers, turned a disadvantage into an advantage, and that advantage into victory, all within a single second. They completed a stunning reversal, giving the Qi Brothers no chance whatsoever.

Soul Martial Artists were a high-risk group in this world. The line between victory and defeat was often the line between life and death. That was the harsh reality.

The 1v1 final battle served as a wake-up call for everyone, and it gave Rong Taotao a firsthand taste of the competition’s cruelty.

The school was prepared for the finals. Not only was Li Lie on the field as the referee, but they had also brought in Cha Er to help oversee the arena. Dong Dongdong was even leading a team of medical students, waiting on the sidelines.

Having been through it themselves, the three teachers understood what it meant to represent the school in the competition. It wasn’t just about the rewards; it was about their entire future.

When personal interests were at stake, things always became unpredictable. Moreover, this was the finals. Both sides were just one step away from victory. The three teachers knew exactly what was going through the students’ minds.

Although the individual competition had ended, the next match didn’t begin right away.

Everyone waited for Dong Dongdong and his team to stabilize the two students’ injuries before the doubles tournament could begin.

”Doubles competitors, enter the arena.” Li Lie turned to the waiting area on the north side, his gaze lingering on Rong Taotao’s face for a moment.

Li Lie had a very strong impression of Rong Taotao. Even though he held the esteemed rank of Soul School, his mind was filled with images of the boy.

One was of their first meeting in the Martial Arts Hall, when the boy had given him a few pieces of chocolate.

Another was from outside the Martial Arts Arena, during the Snow Realm Army’s invasion of Pine Soul Soul Martial University. The boy had snatched a lotus petal, completely altering the course of the battle.

And the last image was the one most deeply etched in Li Lie’s memory.

Atop a section of the city wall, Li Lie had been teaching his students the White Lantern Paper Cage technique. The moment the words left his lips, from the outer face of the wall, between the crenellations, a swarm of Luminous Lantern Paper Cages had spiraled upwards, a truly beautiful sight.

Without a doubt, this boy who had secretly learned the technique possessed a heart of pure sincerity.

Li Lie had never imagined that one year later, this boy would be standing on the grandest stage of Pine Soul Soul Martial University.

”Both teams, move to your designated areas and await my signal,” Li Lie said, reaching out to gently pat Rong Taotao’s shoulder.

Just as he had when they first met, Li Lie accepted Rong Taotao’s chocolate under everyone’s watchful eyes. He’d brazenly taken the ”bribe” back then, completely unconcerned with what anyone thought.

Now, in this highly anticipated arena, Li Lie was just as unconcerned with the crowd’s stares.

He looked down at Rong Taotao and asked, ”Are you really in that much of a hurry?”

Rong Taotao froze. He was, of course, oblivious to Li Lie’s complex train of thought. He just stopped and habitually ruffled his head of naturally curly hair. ”Coach Li, you’re only asking me now that it’s the finals? Isn’t it a little late for that?”

Li Lie grinned. ”I thought you’d be eliminated yesterday. The Qi Brothers at least fight with their bare hands.”

Rong Taotao looked up at Li Lie and grinned back. ”They say heroes are made young. I’m already 16, so I barely still count as ’young.’ In another year or two, I’ll be a ’young man.’”

Seeing the boy before him showing not a hint of stage fright, Li Lie couldn’t help but laugh. ”You really can’t wait?”

Rong Taotao’s smile faded as he nodded slightly. ”I can’t.”

Li Lie looked at Rong Taotao’s resolute expression. ”I once had a student in my class who couldn’t wait, either.”

Rong Taotao paused. ”Xu Taiping?”

Li Lie said, ”That night, he nearly died. Or perhaps, he’s dead already.”

Rong Taotao started walking backward, giving Li Lie a thumbs-up. ”Thanks for the pre-game pep talk, Coach Li. Way to jinx it! When I come of age, I’ll buy you a drink!”