Master of Nine Stars

Hearing this, Mei Hongyu nodded thoughtfully.

To Huaxia, the Snow Realm occupied only a very small part of its territory.

But for the Russian Federation, which bordered Huaxia to the north, almost its entire territory was part of the Snow Realm. Snow Realm Vortexes were countless, so it would be perfectly normal for a Lotus Petal to be scattered within the Russian Federation’s borders.

However, there had been no news from the Russian Federation about whether their regular army possessed a Lotus Petal. As for whether that petal was a secret weapon of the Russian Federation’s Soul Martial Artists or owned by some other organization, that was unknown.

Rong Taotao continued, ”The last petal is to the northeast. The distance is moderate, I’d say. But if I use the Lotus Petal by the Dragon River as a reference point and compare the distances, the one to the northeast should also be within the Russian Federation’s territory.”

Mei Hongyu gave a slight nod. ”So, including all the ones we know of, there are a total of seven Lotus Petals.”

Rong Taotao thought for a moment and said, a little uncertainly, ”Perhaps there really are nine. I think all the Lotus Petals I can sense are on Earth. I don’t think I can sense any petals inside the Snow Realm Vortexes?”

After all, a Vortex crosses dimensions. Once you go inside, it’s a different world entirely. It would be normal not to be able to sense a kindred aura.

”Hmm...” Mei Hongyu’s withered hand rubbed against his cane, and the room fell silent.

With Mei Hongyu present, every single one of the four teachers kept quiet, not daring to disturb his thoughts.

Don’t be fooled by Xia Fangran calling him ”Old Ghost Mei” all the time—that was only behind his back. Look how well-behaved Xia Fangran was now!

’Tsk, what a total coward~’

Honestly, Rong Taotao felt like taking out his phone and snapping a picture of his pathetic appearance.

Speaking of which, the last time he and his teachers had gone to see Principal Mei, Xia Fangran had at least dared to lean against the windowsill, half-sitting on it. But now, he was standing there obediently.

’It’s probably because Li Lie is here too. All the other teachers are being so formal, so he feels like he can’t be the odd one out?’

Mei Hongyu spoke again, confirming, ”The Lotus Petal to the west, you’re certain it’s within Huaxia’s borders?”

Rong Taotao nodded immediately. ”I’m certain. Last night, I used the one by the Dragon River as a benchmark to estimate the distance based on the intensity of the aura. I even think that petal is right here in Songbai Town.”

”Good.” Mei Hongyu tapped his cane lightly on the floor. ”In that case, there’s no time to lose. The four teachers will accompany the two of you on a trip, under the pretense of acting as your bodyguards.

After your last competition, you were ambushed on your way back to Pine Soul Soul Martial. Having four teachers guarding you will be a plausible cover story from every angle.

I will now approve a leave of absence for you and Gao Lingwei. The duration will depend on the situation. You can go to Songbai Town to visit family.”

To be fair, selecting the personnel for this team was indeed tricky. If Mei Hongyu were to go himself, or if the other two of the ”Three Friends of Winter”—”Pine” and ”Bamboo”—were to be deployed, it would undoubtedly cause a huge stir and might even alert the enemy.

But the dispatched team couldn’t be too weak, either. If they failed and ended up losing more than they gained, it would be a monumental joke!

In that case, Pine Soul Soul Martial would likely be ridiculed by the entire world for a lifetime. Therefore, this team composition was the result of Mei Hongyu’s careful deliberation.

Mei Hongyu’s tone suddenly turned grim. ”This time, if you run into any more blind fools looking for trouble...”

His lone eye glanced from side to side, sweeping over the teachers, as he said in a hoarse voice, ”Wipe them out.”

”Yes, sir!”

”Yes, sir!”

Hearing the teachers’ responses, Mei Hongyu nodded. ”Plan before you act. For you, the target’s location is known, so we hold the initiative.

If the target is unclaimed, all the better.

If it’s in the hands of allies, you can ask them about how they use the Lotus Petal and exchange experiences.

If the other party is an enemy, it’s best not to alert them. You must confirm their identity repeatedly. Once you are certain, show no mercy.

These teachers are quite powerful; they all have the ability to kill in a single blow. Since they are in the open and we are in the shadows, you can use that to your advantage.

No matter what happens, Pine Soul Soul Martial has your back.”

Rong Taotao was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.

The other teachers didn’t have much of a reaction, but the key was Si Huan Nian...

”I’m going too?” Si Huan Nian looked down at Mei Hongyu, a faint trace of excitement in her heart.

”Heh heh.” Mei Hongyu chuckled hoarsely. He turned his head to look at the poorly-disguised Si Huan Nian and said, ”Go on, take a trip. Before you return, Pine Soul Soul Martial has decided to renovate the Martial Arts Arena. For maintenance. The students who train there will all go to the stadium.”

This world was a pragmatic place. For people like Rong Taotao, the fact that the Lotus Petal accelerated cultivation was an open secret.

However, for other students, if you hadn’t reached a certain circle or level, you truly knew nothing. Not a single shred of information...

Mei Hongyu was being quite thorough. After all, with a Lotus Petal involved, Si Huan Nian’s protective abilities would undoubtedly be the most effective. She was a necessary member of this small team.

Moreover, when Si Huan Nian had reported to him alone, the shrewd old Mei Hongyu had sensed her desire to accompany Rong Taotao on this trip.

Si Huan Nian and Rong Taotao lived in the same quarters and had formed a deep bond between teacher and student, which was of course something Mei Hongyu was happy to see.

Emotional bonds were certainly one way to keep Pine Soul Soul Martial tightly united.

As he pondered, Mei Hongyu suddenly revealed a strange smile. His lone eye looked at Rong Taotao as he said, ”You were always the commander during the Outer League and the national tournament.”

Rong Taotao was confused. ”Huh?”

Mei Hongyu held his cane and gestured to the four Divine Generals on either side of him. ”These four are your team members now.”

Rong Taotao: ???

Yang Chunxi raised an eyebrow slightly, while Xia Fangran’s expression stiffened.

Mei Hongyu confirmed, ”For this mission, you are the team commander. Make good use of your team members.”

”N-No, that’s not appropriate.” Rong Taotao was scared to death. His eyes swept over his teachers as he stammered, ”The teachers, whether in terms of strength or, uh, experience, are all far superior to me...”

THUMP. Mei Hongyu tapped his cane lightly on the ground, his voice hoarse. ”You initiated this mission, and you’re the one who can track the target’s movements at all times. It’s appropriate.”

Rong Taotao wanted to say more, but he saw Mei Hongyu wave his hand. ”No more discussion. You are the commander. I have spoken.”

Rong Taotao: ”...”

Mei Hongyu stood up and, leaning on his cane, shuffled unsteadily toward the door. His raspy voice drifted back, ”You all work out a plan for the trip. I won’t disturb you further. You can leave whenever you’re ready. No need to report back to me.”

With that, Mei Hongyu left the room. A gentle breeze swept through, and the door closed softly behind him.

For a moment, Rong Taotao stood frozen on the spot, completely dumbfounded.

”Heh heh~” Yang Chunxi clasped her hands behind her back, showing a rare mischievous side. She teased with a grin, ”Commander? Give us an order.”

Under the watchful eyes of the four Divine Generals, Rong Taotao felt his scalp tingle.

He hesitated for a moment before saying cautiously, ”How about... we, uh, get some breakfast first?”

The moment she heard this, Yang Chunxi’s expression changed. In a stern voice, she said, ”You already ate this morning!”

Rong Taotao was having none of it. ”I’m the commander! If I say we eat, we eat!”

Yang Chunxi: ”...”

”Right! Go! Eat!” Si Huan Nian spat out three words. She had been a little dissatisfied with Mei Hongyu’s decision before, but now it seemed this commander... was totally her kind of person!

Li Lie reached a hand into his pocket and jiggled the small, palm-sized flask inside, as if to check how much alcohol was left.

Then, Li Lie shrugged. ”Having a little more wouldn’t be the worst thing...”

”Argh~” Xia Fangran grabbed his hair in anguish. ”I’m seriously... Argh, I’m so pissed!!!”