Master of Nine Stars

Inside the small auditorium, both parties took their seats.

Yang Chunxi crossed her arms, watching Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei on the monitor. Both were wearing thin, pure-white cashmere sweaters, looking clean, fresh, and very photogenic.

’Taotao... really does look good in white.’

The more Yang Chunxi watched, the more delighted she became. Although she was nominally his sister-in-law, she was also his teacher and managed every aspect of his studies and daily life. As a result, she saw Rong Taotao less as a brother-in-law and more like her own child.

On screen, Gao Lingwei clipped the miniature microphone onto Rong Taotao and casually tidied up his soft, naturally curly hair. Her every move exuded a serene elegance, a stark contrast to the sharp-edged, imposing figure she cut on the battlefield.

Seeing such an affectionate scene, Yang Chunxi felt even more satisfied.

What Rong Taotao never expected was that in the episode of ”Soul Martial Peak” that aired three days later, the production team would include this gentle moment from Gao Lingwei in the final cut...

That moment could also be called the moment countless young men’s hearts were broken...

”Are you ready?” Dai Liunian asked, sitting off-camera directly across from the pair. He watched them with a cheerful smile; people are always drawn to beautiful things.

After tidying himself up, Rong Taotao was certainly camera-ready, but Gao Lingwei possessed a truly otherworldly beauty. Backed by her formidable abilities, she always seemed to draw more kindness from others.

It’s a world where looks matter, and Dai Liunian was no exception. Even when prompting and questioning them, he spoke in a soft, gentle voice, his attitude exceedingly pleasant.

”Ready.” Rong Taotao touched the mic clipped to his crew-neck collar and nodded at Dai Liunian.

After a ”3, 2, 1,” Dai Liunian began, ”First of all, congratulations on your excellent result of taking first place in the Outer Region’s ranking competition, Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao.”

The two of them nodded, and Rong Taotao also made his signature move: flashing a wide grin that revealed a set of pearly white teeth and giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

”What was your initial reason for forming a team?” Dai Liunian’s voice was warm and smooth, very pleasant to listen to. Once the camera started rolling, even his tone became much gentler.

’Hmph. Men.’

Rong Taotao glanced at Gao Lingwei, who raised an eyebrow in response.

The true goal behind their team’s formation was a bit too grand to state outright. Gao Lingwei knew how to answer, carefully choosing her words before saying, ”Our initial goal for forming the team... was to take first place in the Outer Region and stand on the nation’s highest stage.”

”Oh? In that case, you’ve already achieved your goal?” Dai Liunian asked. ”And on this highest stage of the national tournament, how long do you plan to ’stand’?”

Gao Lingwei replied, ”Of course, we’ll give it our all to stand for as long as we can.”

Off-camera, Dai Liunian smiled and nodded, then steered the conversation back. ”Tell us about this amazing partnership of yours.

As I understand it, Rong Taotao is a student in the Junior Class. And while you, Student Gao Lingwei, are also a member of the Junior Class now, you were originally a first-year student who entered Songjiang Soul Martial University through the standard entrance exams?”

Hearing this, a reminiscent look appeared in Gao Lingwei’s eyes. Her smile became much more genuine, and she turned her head to look at Rong Taotao. ”Last October?”

Rong Taotao thought for a moment and nodded.

Gao Lingwei turned back to Dai Liunian and said, ”He trained with the Heaven-piercing Halberd and was having a hard time practicing with the teammate he was assigned at the start of the year. So, his sights fell on me.

You know, I also use the Heaven-piercing Halberd, and right before enrolling, I had just won the Outer Region championship and placed third in the nationals. I was at the height of my popularity.”

Dai Liunian’s interest was piqued. With a curious expression, he asked, ”And then? You just agreed to team up with him like that?”

Gao Lingwei shook her head. ”Songjiang Soul Martial University is one of the top universities in Huaxia. Most students who can get in are a bit arrogant, and I was no exception.

Rong Taotao came to me, but I didn’t agree. After all, he was just a student from the Junior Class who had only awakened his powers a few months prior, while I was the high school ’King of Guanwai’ at the time.

I told him that when he could face me as a challenger, I would seriously consider teaming up.

After all, I was looking for a teammate, not to take on an apprentice at Songjiang Soul Martial University, right?”

Dai Liunian listened to the story with great interest, prompting at the right moment, ”So?”

Gao Lingwei thought for a moment. ”Not long after, I received a written challenge.

It was a text message. To buy himself more time to grow, he asked me to accept his challenge at the moment I advanced to the rank of Soul Captain, but before I could learn the Snow Dance Soul Skill.

So, on the morning I advanced to Soul Captain, I went to the Martial Arts Hall to meet him for our duel.”

Dai Liunian’s heart skipped a beat. ”And then?”

Gao Lingwei suddenly shrugged her shoulders and said, ”And then he nearly killed me.”

Dai Liunian: ???

”Heh.” Gao Lingwei chuckled softly, tilting her head to glance at Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao lowered his head and covered his face with one hand, looking as though he was too embarrassed to be seen.

Dai Liunian’s expression was priceless. ”Nearly... uh, uh.”

Gao Lingwei nodded nonchalantly and said, ”It seems he was very eager to become my teammate.”

To Dai Liunian, Gao Lingwei’s composure and tone were simply unbelievable.

In Dai Liunian’s eyes, Gao Lingwei had always been proud, confident, even overbearing.

But look at her reaction now!?