Master of Nine Stars

”Behind you! Behind you, Li Zi!!!” On the edge of the arena, the Dajiang Soul Martial coaches were stomping their feet and yelling. If the entire nation wasn’t watching, they probably would have started cursing out loud!

’Damn Pine Soul Soul Martial, they’re so good at finding weaknesses! It looks like they studied Li Mu and Li Zi’s strengths and weaknesses inside and out before the match!’

At this thought, the Dajiang Soul Martial coaching team couldn’t help but look toward the opposing team’s bench. Over there, Xia Fangran was practically fuming, while Yang Chunxi stood with her arms crossed, a picture of perfect confidence.

’Damn it all!’

In any battle, psychological warfare is always the superior tactic.

There’s a reason something like trash talk has persisted throughout the history of competitive sports: it’s genuinely effective.

Once someone’s composure is truly broken, it’s not just a hot-tempered girl—even a typically wise and calm master might act impulsively.

Clearly, Li Zi was furious, but she also heard a familiar voice. ’Is that... the coach’s voice?’

That demonic voice had been her companion for three long years. Out of a conditioned reflex, Li Zi habitually obeyed and turned around—just in time to see a horde of ”Gao Lingweis” charging right at her!

”Ahh!” Li Zi scrambled to dodge, but it was too late.

She dodged the sharp Ironspear Point but couldn’t evade the Crescent Blade on the side of the Heaven-piercing Halberd.

SCHLICK...

In an instant, Li Zi’s fiery-red uniform was torn open. A long gash appeared on her lower abdomen, and crimson blood immediately began to well up.

But that was only the ”physical damage.” By choosing to dodge the Heaven-piercing Halberd first, Li Zi had already minimized the harm as much as possible.

She no longer had the energy to evade the Frost Fearful Face or the Snow Grudge Spirit.

”Wuuuu... wuuuu...”

”Hiss... WUUU!!!” The miserable cries of the Snow Grudge Spirit, combined with the Fierce Ghost-like shriek of the Frost Fearful Face, reverberated in her ears, piercing straight through her body.

The difference was that, thanks to the Spiritual Soul Skill: Fire Gathering, Li Zi felt little fear. Instead, the primary damage from the Frost Fearful Face came in the form of a Mental Shock, inflicting a sharp, stabbing pain in her mind.

The Snow Grudge Spirit, however, was fully effective. It not only stacked a Spiritual Attack onto Li Zi but also entangled the fiery young girl’s body.

The white Resentful Soul, with its crimson eyes wide open, circled Li Zi’s body like a ghost that refused to leave, periodically sinking into her form only to emerge from another side.

On the sidelines, the Dajiang Soul Martial coach yelled out orders, ”Li Zi, hold your position! Li Mu, deactivate Fire Gathering and calm down!”

Much like in a boxing match, a coaching team on the sidelines is allowed to instruct their competitors during the event. On a soccer or basketball court, a coach can warn a player about someone sneaking up to steal the ball. But there’s always one condition: the players have to actually be able to hear and heed the advice.

This is especially true in intense, highly competitive matches where athletes are often running on pure adrenaline. Expecting them to calmly heed sideline commands at every moment is simply unrealistic.

If Li Zi had a conditioned fear of her ”demon coach” that made her subconsciously obey, her sister Li Mu, who had always been a star performer, was not particularly afraid of him. Because she was so outstanding, the coach had always been kind and gentle with her, which led to a different outcome...

Lacking that conditioned fear, Li Mu wasn’t attuned to the coach’s voice. In her fury, she didn’t hear his commands at all and just kept charging forward, clearly not deactivating Fire Gathering.

Rong Taotao had just crossed the center line and made it back to the eastern half of the arena when he saw Li Zi entangled by the Snow Grudge Spirit. His face immediately lit up with delight.

’Excellent. The plan was executed perfectly. Time for phase two!’

This time, Rong Taotao didn’t just run. As he fled, he began scattering trails of frost along his path.

The act of scattering frost was largely symbolic; it was more about sending a message.

Without a Soul Pearl for mental communication, Rong Taotao could only signal Gao Lingwei from a distance in this manner.

Seeing this, Gao Lingwei instantly understood.

Instead of going after Li Zi, who was entangled by the Snow Grudge Spirit, she anticipated Rong Taotao’s escape path, broke into a sprint with her long legs, and headed straight for the sideline.

The coaches’ benches were along the southern sideline, while the announcers’ desk was on the northern sideline.

For a moment, watching Gao Lingwei charge straight toward them, Dai Liunian was stunned. ”What is Gao Lingwei doing?”

Su Wan said hurriedly, ”She’s scattering frost—is she trying to turn the ocean terrain into a snowfield? That move doesn’t seem very rational. For her, Soul Power of the Snow Attribute is a finite resource, so isn’t this a case of the losses outweighing the—Oh? Rong Taotao is escaping over here!

The sisters are closing in on him from behind and from the side! Gao Lingwei… she actually chose to confront Li Zi head-on?!”

Dai Liunian shot to his feet, as if he’d just realized something. ”Is the final showdown about to begin? A Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist is charging a Magma Soul Martial Artist!

And she’s doing it knowing full well her opponent has a top-tier offensive Soul Skill! This means the decisive moment is upon us! Ladies and gentlemen!!!”

WHOOSH…

A Heaven-piercing Halberd came flying with incredible force. Li Zi had been planning to pincer Rong Taotao with her sister and never expected this lunatic, Gao Lingwei, to take the initiative. ’She’s actually starting the fight? She’s even blocking my path to flank him?’