Master of Nine Stars

”Let go! Let go!!!” Bai Xiweng’s expression twisted in fury as he roared.

He viciously shoved the combat knife deeper into Gao Lingwei’s abdomen, trying to push her away.

But Gao Lingwei was like a dying animal, clinging to Bai Xiweng’s body with every last ounce of her strength, enduring the searing pain.

Without a word, even as she was sent flying sideways, she detonated another Snow Burst Ball from the sole of her left boot.

BANG!!!

”Fucking let go of me!!!” Bai Xiweng exploded with rage. Unable to push her off, he hastily released the combat knife and raised his arm to form a Snow Burst Ball.

THUD!

Gao Lingwei’s eyes were sharp and resolute. She slammed her head viciously into Bai Xiweng’s forehead, stunning them both for a moment.

’He’d take pain over dizziness any day; at least pain wouldn’t interfere with his movements!’

THUMP... The two of them landed heavily, and the wind and snow in the arena instantly vanished.

TWEET! Li Lie quickly blew his whistle. ”One combatant from each team is out! The match continues!”

”Brother!?” Bai Xiwu, hiding not far from a Shuangxue clone, cried out in alarm.

Rong Taotao’s face fell. He kicked apart the vacant-eyed Shuangxue clone in front of him, his gaze landing on the two figures who had fallen out of bounds.

In his line of sight, Dong Dongdong was struggling to pry Gao Lingwei’s arms off, to uncurl her fingers digging tightly into Bai Xiweng’s back. As for Bai Xiweng...

He was both shocked and furious, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. His insides were a bonfire of rage. ”AHHHHH!”

WHOOSH...

Cha Er appeared at Bai Xiweng’s side. He grabbed his wrist, stopping him from bringing his elbow down, and worked with Dong Dongdong to pull Bai Xiweng from Gao Lingwei’s grasp.

”Hah... hah...” Gao Lingwei lay on her back, her eyes glazed over, her breathing shallow and rapid.

Her gaze drifted past the blurry figures above her, toward the mist-filled sky and the faint winter sun.

A huge gash had been torn open in her lower abdomen. The wound was horrific.

Dong Dongdong quickly pressed a hand down. A layer of frost spread out, rapidly freezing the wound to stanch the bleeding.

In an instant, the entire arena fell silent.

’Sorry... I... promised... you... I’d... handle it.’

Gao Lingwei’s broken voice echoed in his mind. Rong Taotao stared blankly out of bounds, at the figure surrounded by a crowd.

”Brother?” Bai Xiwu called out again, uncertainly.

But he saw Bai Xiweng, now free, snap his head up. His face was thunderous. ”Fight! Fight now! Beat him!!!”

”Uh... Right!” Bai Xiwu snapped back to his senses. He subconsciously obeyed his brother’s command and charged at Rong Taotao.

’So... sorry...’ Gao Lingwei’s faint voice faded away. Rong Taotao seemed to turn into a wooden doll, standing frozen in place.

”Taotao!”

”Ah! Taotao!” A cry of alarm rose from the stands. Fan Lihua was so worried she covered her eyes, unable to bear what was about to happen.

SMACK! SMACK! Rong Taotao suddenly came to life, slamming his hands down onto Bai Xiwu’s arms.

SQUELCH! The sound of blades sinking into flesh.

The two combat knives that had been aimed at Rong Taotao’s chest were driven deep into his own abdomen by the force of his downward strike.

HISS...

”It’s over?”

”Does... that count as a sneak attack?”

”I don’t think so. Both teams are a man down... HOLY SHIT!!!”

The gasps erupted as everyone saw Rong Taotao’s blank expression instantly transform. His eyes turned utterly vicious as he locked his hands around Bai Xiwu’s wrists and stomped down hard!

Starfield Soul Skill: Star-Stepping Split!

An expression of triumph had just crossed Bai Xiwu’s face, but in that instant, it froze. Even his breathing stopped.

BANG!!!

Frost and bits of grass flew everywhere as a shockwave blasted shattered starlight outwards!

Countless star fragments splattered into Bai Xiwu’s body, the unending, buzzing vibration of the starlight filling the air!

”Fuck me... are these two insane?”

”He wasn’t dazed, he was deliberately luring his opponent???”

”He really has no regard for his own life, does he? Taking a mortal wound just to get close to his enemy? I...”

”SON! OF! A! BITCH! *This* is the kind of attitude you need on the battlefield! *This* is someone who can represent Pine Soul Soul Martial!!!”

But no matter how loud the shouts from the stands, they couldn’t drown out the wretched screams from the center of the arena.

”AHHHHHH!” Under the assault of the Star-Stepping Split, Bai Xiwu’s Lifebound Soul Beast let out a desolate wail from within him. He couldn’t stop himself from screaming in agony. In the throes of extreme pain, Bai Xiwu violently wrenched his arms back.

In terms of pure strength, Rong Taotao was no match for Bai Xiwu, especially when Bai Xiwu was using every ounce of his power.

However, while Rong Taotao couldn’t keep Bai Xiwu there, he could certainly go along for the ride!

As Bai Xiwu painfully ripped his arms free, Rong Taotao, still clinging tightly to his wrists, was dragged forward with him.

Two bloody holes had been gouged in Rong Taotao’s abdomen, blood gushing freely. His face was savage, almost twisted, as he squeezed a sentence through his clenched teeth: ”She set an example for me!”

’When the weak fight the strong, when the inferior fight the superior, if your powerful enemy doesn’t fall for your trap or underestimate you...’

’...the only way to win is to trade your life for it!’

A miniature night sky, glittering with stars, instantly spread across Rong Taotao’s forehead. Using the momentum from being yanked backward, he viciously smashed his head into Bai Xiwu’s nose!