Master of Nine Stars

After absorbing the Soul Pet, Rong Taotao had lunch with his brother at Hundred Corps Pass. He didn’t stay long, quickly returning to Songjiang Soul Martial University under Xia Fangran’s guidance.

When Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei returned, the students of the Soul Class were in the middle of their afternoon training on the Martial Arts Arena. Watching Rong Taotao hurry into the Martial Arts Hall, his classmates were curious, wondering where he had been.

Eager to see his new pet, the very first thing Rong Taotao did upon returning to his dorm room was summon the Snow General Candle.

VMM~ The Little General appeared on the desk. The specks of frost composing its form let out a vibrating hum. It took another step back, its eyes, burning with a cold candlelight, warily surveying its surroundings.

Sitting on the sofa at a distance, Gao Lingwei also sized up the new little companion.

SWISH...

A patch of frost and snow coalesced at her ankle and floated out.

Meow~ The Snowball Cat crouched on Gao Lingwei’s lap, tilting its small head with a look of curiosity.

”Don’t be afraid, it’s me.” Rong Taotao picked up a Little Rascal candy from nearby, quickly unwrapped it, and held it out toward the Snow General Candle. ”Here~”

The Snow General Candle stared at the sugar cube before it but remained motionless.

Rong Taotao thought for a moment, then popped the sugar cube into his own mouth. He unwrapped another Little Rascal and held it to the creature’s face.

The Snow General Candle hesitated for a moment before taking a step forward. A gap suddenly opened on its face, which was composed of frosty mist, and like a mouth, it took the Little Rascal.

Rong Taotao watched it eat with great curiosity. Once the sugar cube entered its body, it was hidden by the Snow Armor. He had no idea how it was digested.

However, ever since he had personally interviewed an adult Snow General Candle in the library, Rong Taotao had realized that the information available online was incorrect.

Professor Wang’s Snow General Candle had said that its species wasn’t cruel, nor did they attack just anyone they met. On the contrary, they were quite intelligent. If one had to point out a flaw, it would be that they were all rather proud and arrogant.

This trait might not be obvious when a Snow General Candle is young, but as it grows and its power gradually increases, it becomes even more arrogant.

Furthermore, Professor Wang’s Snow General Candle had made it clear that trying to control its species through emotional bonds alone was highly unrealistic. A human Soul Martial Artist’s strength should ideally be greater than that of their Snow General Candle.

The Snow General Candle species is willing to serve as a general, fiercely loyal to its monarch. But if your strength is pathetic and causes it to lose face, it will no longer see you as a worthy monarch. And as a ”general,” a Snow General Candle will never be content with a subordinate position to someone it doesn’t respect.

Professor Wang’s Snow General Candle also stressed one point: its species must never be chosen as a Lifebound Soul Beast, because they mature far more quickly than humans.

The moment a Lifebound Soul Beast’s power completely overwhelms its human Soul Martial Artist’s, the concept of a ”monarch” ceases to exist, and with it, any notion of loyalty.

That human Soul Martial Artist will inevitably have their mind consumed by the Snow General Candle, fall under its control, and become the Snow General Candle’s ”Lifebound Soul Person.”

As a Soul Pet, however, there are no such concerns. You just need to make the Snow General Candle hold you in awe. For its species, awe is measured primarily in terms of strength.

Both hard and soft power are acceptable.

Whether in terms of combat strength, intellect, or strategy—it all counts. Ultimately, the secret to making a Snow General Candle serve you loyally is a single word: Awe.

To this, Rong Taotao felt completely relaxed. No pressure at all.

’When it comes to getting stronger, I’m leveling up so fast I’d dare to call even Xia Fangran ’kid’.’

SWISH...

A wisp of cloud-like mist suddenly drifted from Rong Taotao’s body, coalescing above his head.

The Cloud Dog nestled down on his soft, natural curls, blinking its shiny little black eyes and looking down curiously. ”WOOF!”

The Snow General Candle also raised its head, its candle-like eyes locking onto the Cloud Dog. ”VMM!”

The Cloud Dog floated down and cautiously approached the Snow General Candle. It gave a few sniffs, then stuck out its small, pink tongue and licked the Snow General Candle’s Snow Armor, as if wanting to see what it tasted like.

’This silly little dog... it doesn’t think the Snow General Candle is a popsicle, does it?’

The Snow General Candle turned around as well, curiously watching the Cloud Dog.

And so, the Little General and the little puppy stared at each other, small eyes meeting small eyes, and the room fell silent.

CLICK. From the sofa, Gao Lingwei raised her phone and snapped a picture of the peculiar scene. Looking at the photo of the three dumbfounded little creatures, she couldn’t help but smile.

...

In the afternoon, after a full day of training the Shi Family Sisters, Si Huan Nian finally dismissed the class. With her hands clasped behind her back, she ambled leisurely back to her dorm room.

But the moment she opened her door, she jumped in fright!

”WOOF~ WOOF!” It was the roar of a small puppy.

”VMM...” And the vibrating resonance of the Little General’s Battle Cry!

Si Huan Nian hastily froze mid-step. She watched as the Cloud Dog circled her feet once before dashing playfully into the room.

And riding on the Cloud Dog’s back was a little chubby fellow, posturing triumphantly and stabbing wildly at the air.

’That little chubby guy is 30cm tall at most. Riding the Cloud Dog... it’s actually a pretty good fit?’

Si Huan Nian: ”...”

’Good grief, you two are putting on quite a show. But you should watch where you’re going! I almost stepped on you...’