Master of Nine Stars

As the teachers’ discussion faded, everyone turned to look at Rong Taotao. He was, after all, the commander Mei Hongyu had personally appointed. The teachers were waiting for his instructions, seemingly intending to test his command abilities.

Rong Taotao composed himself and said, ”Right now, everything is just speculation. No matter how reasonable it seems, we need confirmation.

There’s no turning back once we make our move. When we strike, it has to be for the kill. I don’t want us to be second-guessing ourselves in the middle of a fight.”

At his words, Gao Lingwei nodded. The current challenge was figuring out how to confirm the target’s identity without alerting them.

Rong Taotao was right. Confirming their identity was the top priority. If the target turned out to be a Snow Burning Army soldier and they mistakenly killed him, it would be a massive problem.

As the others pondered, Rong Taotao turned to Yang Chunxi. ”Chunxi,” he said, ”I’ve been caught in your Illusion Technique before. In your Illusion World, the flow of time is different from the real world.”

”Yes.” Bathed in the dim moonlight, Yang Chunxi looked at Rong Taotao’s earnest expression. A hint of admiration touched her features as she nodded lightly.

Seeing her reaction, Rong Taotao was reassured. ”So, technically, you could confirm their identity in a very short amount of real time by expending some Spiritual Power.

You could pull that scout into your Illusion Domain. As for the methods you use...”

Rong Taotao shrugged, the implication clear.

Yang Chunxi hummed softly. ”I know what you mean. No problem.”

Rong Taotao continued, ”In a bit, we’ll have the Snowball Cat share its vision with you. Since our target is so well-hidden, with only their eyes visible, you’ll focus on those eyes.

Last year in Songbai Town, Mi Tu drove Da Wei to a mental breakdown in a single encounter...”

Yang Chunxi’s voice was filled with confidence. ”Don’t worry. If he really is a Poacher, he won’t scream from a mental breakdown. He’ll just fall unconscious from severe injury, or even die, without making a single sound.”

Hearing her words, Rong Taotao couldn’t help but grin.

’Is this the confidence of the powerful?’

’Damn, that’s something else.’

Yang Chunxi rarely showed such an intense side to Rong Taotao. Tonight was a real eye-opener for him.

After a moment’s thought, Rong Taotao said, ”But there’s one problem.”

Yang Chunxi: ”Hm?”

Rong Taotao: ”As it is, we have no way of knowing if he has a Soul Slot on his forehead, or if he has a Spirit Barrier Soul Skill like I do.

Of course, I know very few people have a Soul Slot there, and Spirit Barrier Soul Skills are even rarer, but it never hurts to be cautious.”

The teachers watched Rong Taotao quietly. Even though the enemy was exposed and their own team was overwhelmingly powerful, Rong Taotao hadn’t gotten the least bit complacent.

Instead of charging in recklessly, he was patient, considering the issue from all angles.

Si Huan Nian suddenly thought, ’Maybe Mei Hongyu made an excellent choice in appointing Rong Taotao as the commander.’

Rong Taotao continued, ”We’ll split into two teams and circle around behind them. We don’t need to set up an ambush to the south, since that way leads to Songbai Town, which is full of identified Snow Burning Army soldiers.”

Si Huan Nian: ”Right.”

Hearing the coach’s affirmation, Rong Taotao continued, ”Coach Xia will lead one team with Coach Si and Gao Lingwei. You’ll set an ambush 300 meters northwest of the scout. Coach Li, you’ll stay with me. We’ll set up 300 meters directly to the east.

If Chunxi’s attempt goes wrong and we startle the target, we’ll immediately close in from both sides. We absolutely cannot let them escape.

And if they do run, we’ll force them south, toward the Snow Burning Army troops stationed in Songbai Town!”

Clearly, Rong Taotao was getting into the swing of things, even adding a failsafe.

’Talk about leaving them no way out.’

’This is what you call fucking annihilation!’

If the Qian Organization had been as ”ruthless” as Rong Taotao was last New Year’s Eve, they really wouldn’t have had to deal with all the trouble that came later...

As he spoke, Rong Taotao stood up. ”Let’s go. Keep it quiet.”

Aided by the Snowball Cat’s god-tier Soul Skill, Rong Taotao’s group was extra cautious, taking a wide detour. He left Xia Fangran, Si Huan Nian, and Gao Lingwei at the position three hundred meters to the northwest, and after explaining the enemy’s location in detail, he continued circling with Li Lie and Yang Chunxi.

Arriving three hundred meters directly east of the scout, Rong Taotao handed the Snowball Cat to Yang Chunxi. At Rong Taotao’s signal, the obedient creature began sharing its vision with her.

In an instant, Yang Chunxi’s beautiful eyes lit up. They had the advantage: the enemy was exposed while they remained hidden. In the pitch-black Pine Snow Forest, the Snowball Cat could see the enemy, but the enemy couldn’t detect its presence.

Rong Taotao gently patted Yang Chunxi’s shoulder. ”Go on, Chunxi. Be careful. Remember rule number one: your safety comes first. If anything goes wrong, give the signal immediately, just as we agreed.”

A warmth spread through Yang Chunxi’s heart, and she gently patted Rong Taotao on the head.

She had only ever accompanied him to his matches, watching from the sidelines as he commanded on the field. She had never been on a mission with him as a member of his team, taking his orders.

But tonight...

Regardless of the enemy’s strength or whether the mission would succeed, at this moment, an indescribable feeling bloomed in Yang Chunxi’s heart.