Master of Nine Stars

”Mmm...” Rong Taotao mumbled, still half-asleep. He pried his eyes open, and it took a moment for them to focus and take in his surroundings.

On the windowsill to his right sat several bouquets of golden Tulips, looking impossibly beautiful in the sunlight.

The window was open. A gentle breeze billowed the loosely-drawn blue curtains, carrying in the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

’Is this... the hotel for the competition?’

Rong Taotao smirked. ’Just this?’

’I thought I was about to unlock a new respawn point, but I’m still just in the hotel, huh?’

Hm?

It was then that Rong Taotao noticed two little guys fast asleep on the bed to his right.

The Snowball Cat and the Cloud Dog were snuggled together. Despite being the larger of the two, the Snowball Cat was using the Cloud Dog’s body as a pillow. The two little critters were curled up, and they looked incredibly peaceful sleeping so soundly.

Rong Taotao turned his head to the left and saw a familiar figure.

Gao Lingwei was sitting in a chair beside his bed. Her legs were crossed and her body was tilted slightly, one elbow propped on the armrest and the back of her hand resting against her cheek. With her eyes closed, she seemed to be dozing too.

Rong Taotao watched her in silence. She was wearing a somewhat loose white button-down, which gave her a unique charm. With the top button undone, the collar swayed gently in the breeze, revealing a glimpse of her collarbone from time to time.

’Something seems to be missing. A necklace, maybe?’

Rong Taotao thought about it. ’Have I... ever really given her a proper gift?’

Of course, as a Soul Martial Artist, Gao Lingwei was completely focused on her training and absorbed in her Martial Arts, so she didn’t really care much for things like gifts.

But since he was having this rare thought today, and his family wasn’t short on money, he could certainly put ”get a necklace” on his to-do list.

’I’ll buy a delicate chain. It would look really good on her. I’ll skip the pendant... but if it needs something, I could always string a Soul Pearl on it, right?’

’Heh, Rong Taotao, you’re a real genius!’

’And just like that, problem solved.’

’She’ll either like the necklace or the Soul Pearl—she has to like at least one of them, right? Combining the two is the perfect solution!’

’Yeah, not bad, not bad at all.’

Rong Taotao continued to watch Gao Lingwei quietly, playing a dress-up game in his head with Da Wei as his model. After a very long time, he couldn’t resist any longer and reached out toward the hand she had resting on her knee.

’Squeeeze~’

He gave the pad of her finger a gentle squeeze.

”Hm?” Sure enough, Gao Lingwei’s eyes fluttered open. It took her a second or two to react, but a smile finally broke through her usually expressionless face. She uncrossed her legs and started to say, ”You’re awa—Ugh...”

Rong Taotao raised an eyebrow slightly. ”What’s wrong?”

Gao Lingwei stamped her foot. ”My leg fell asleep.”

Rong Taotao couldn’t help but laugh. ”Well, you had your legs crossed and were leaning to the side, putting all your weight on one butt cheek. Of course it was going to fall asleep.”

Torn between annoyance and amusement, Gao Lingwei looked at Rong Taotao, then planted her hand on his face and used it to push herself up. She stood, stamped her foot a few times, and then sat back down.

Only when her hand moved away from his face did he complain, ”You’re taking advantage of an invalid.”

”And?”

”Nothing. I’m just saying.”

”Heh.” Gao Lingwei scoffed lightly. ”How are you feeling? The medical team said it’s nothing serious, you just need to rest for a few days.”

”I guess so,” Rong Taotao said, not entirely sure. He moved his arms and legs and, indeed, felt no soreness or pain. ”What’s the date?” he asked.

”The finals were two days ago,” Gao Lingwei said softly. ”You were run through, then trampled and knocked unconscious by a Corpse Fire Camel. Your injuries were severe when they got you off the field, but the tournament’s medical staff is top-notch.”

As she said this, Gao Lingwei sighed, a wave of emotion washing over her. ”It’s a pity.”

Rong Taotao asked, ”Why’s that?”

Gao Lingwei replied, ”In the Outer Region Ranking Tournament, you didn’t go on stage to accept the trophy because of me. Now, in the National Competition, you were severely injured and unconscious, so you missed the awards ceremony again. Those are both very meaningful moments.”

A look of astonishment crossed Rong Taotao’s face. ”I won?”

Gao Lingwei hesitated for a moment, but still said, ”It was a draw. You and Wanqi Wu were both severely injured and unconscious. In the end, the organizers declared it a tie. You both won.”

Hearing this, however, Rong Taotao fell silent.

Gao Lingwei leaned forward, propping her elbows on the edge of the bed. ”What is it?” she asked with concern.

Rong Taotao said, ”If we both won, then neither of us won.”

Gao Lingwei gently squeezed Rong Taotao’s hand, comforting him. ”You’ve already done more than enough, Taotao. You can’t ask any more of yourself.”

Rong Taotao: ”Mm... Maybe.”

The most regrettable thing in this world... is never ”I can’t,” but ”I could have.”

’If only I’d been more careful during the fight, staying a little farther from the Phoenix Group’s bombardment.’

’If only my head had been clearer in those final moments.’

’If only my final strike hadn’t been so obvious, if I had concealed my intentions better.’

’If only I’d had more stamina, if my body and limbs had been more responsive...’

Gao Lingwei watched Rong Taotao silently, as if sensing his inner turmoil. She tried to comfort him, ”The conversation between you and Wanqi Wu has spread all across Huaxia. A lot of people are praising you, commending your fighting spirit and your will.”

Rong Taotao was stunned for a moment. ”My conversation with Wanqi Wu?”

”Yes,” Gao Lingwei nodded. ”Your microphone was destroyed, but Wanqi Wu’s wasn’t.”