Master of Nine Stars

Rong Taotao asked curiously, ”What?”

Rong Yang said, ”It means that even though you’re officially a full member now, your day-to-day life won’t change. It’ll be exactly the same as when you were in the preparatory division. You’ll go to school when you need to and compete when you have to.”

”Mm.” Rong Taotao nodded heavily. He looked at his brother and grinned. ”What a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

”Heh,” Rong Yang also shook his head with a smile. ”I’ll handle Captain Fu for you. If you really don’t want to go back, you can wait until after your final exams to return to Hundred Corps Pass. You have to see him eventually, though. You need to show him some respect.”

Rong Taotao said, ”Of course, of course.”

Rong Yang continued, ”I estimate that by then, your Soul Technique will have reached four stars. I’ll apply to the team for a master-grade Soul Pearl for your forehead. Also, you’re a Soul Captain now, so isn’t your left eye’s Soul Slot usable?”

”Right, right!” Rong Taotao’s heart leaped with joy as he nodded repeatedly. ”I have three new usable Soul Slots: left ankle, right knee, and left eye.”

”Alright.” Rong Yang smiled. ”I’ll go back and discuss it with Captain Fu. I’ll apply for them for you in order. For now, you should focus on cultivating your Soul Technique. I’ll apply for master-grade Soul Pearls for all of them; no need to consider elite-grade ones.”

SNAP! Rong Taotao snapped his fingers. ”Perfect!”

’An insatiable appetite?’

’No, no, no, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement!’

...

Late at night, Rong Taotao and the others rushed back to Songjiang Soul Martial University. The students standing guard at the school gate were startled when they saw the ”Pine Soul Celestial Corps”...

The group split in two. Li Lie, Xia Fangran, and Si Huan Nian went to find Principal Mei Hongyu to report on the mission. The teachers had already notified the principal on their way back, and the old man was waiting for them in his office.

The other group consisted of Yang Chunxi and the Rong Brothers, who took Gao Lingwei to the school hospital.

Unexpectedly, even though it was past midnight, Dong Dongdong was still awake and personally received them. No one knew how he managed to keep such a full head of thick, black hair...

”Coach Dong, Ling Wei isn’t injured, but something’s happened,” Yang Chunxi said, gesturing to Gao Lingwei in Rong Taotao’s arms. ”It’s similar to the previous times Taotao was hospitalized, just without the severe injuries.”

”Hm?” Dong Dongdong was clearly stunned for a moment, his eyes widening as he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yang Chunxi gave an almost imperceptible nod.

”Whoa!” A strange smile appeared on Dong Dongdong’s face. He looked at Rong Taotao and gave him a thumbs-up. ”You’re something else, kid! Your team looking for new members?”

Rong Taotao: ???

As he led Rong Taotao and the others into the elevator, Dong Dongdong recommended himself, ”Me, Dong Dongdong, the Winter of the Pine Soul Four Seasons. Top dog of the Songjiang Soul Martial hospital, master of medicine, cures all ailments.

How about you stop being a two-person team? Let’s make it a trio, and I’ll be your private doctor. You can carry me...”

Rong Taotao gave an embarrassed smile and said, ”You’re joking, Coach Dong.”

DING~ The elevator arrived on the fourth floor, and everyone filed out.

Dong Dongdong pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his fair, refined face filled with seriousness. ”I’m not joking. I’m serious. Let me join you!”

Rong Taotao: ”...”

Both exasperated and amused, Yang Chunxi glared at Dong Dongdong and said, ”Hurry up and make preparations. Ling Wei is malnourished.”

”Don’t you worry. I know how to nurse her back to health; I’m very experienced in this area,” Dong Dongdong said with a chuckle. ”After all, Taotao has already woken up here twice. Since she doesn’t have any wounds, there’s nothing to treat. I’ll get a nurse to change her clothes.”

”I can help her change,” Yang Chunxi said quickly.

”Alright then. Go to 401A. That room’s not being used anyway. It’s practically become their private suite,” Dong Dongdong said, gesturing toward the hallway on the right before walking over to the central nurses’ station.

Rong Taotao blinked. ’401A?’

’Isn’t that my respawn point?’

’I know that place like the back of my hand!’

As Rong Taotao thought this, he carried Gao Lingwei toward 401A. Behind him, his brother and sister-in-law followed.

Upon entering the premium hospital room, Yang Chunxi found a set of patient scrubs in the closet. Seeing this, Rong Taotao and Rong Yang tactfully exited the room.

With just the two of them left, Rong Taotao moved closer to his brother and told him about the effects of the Prison Lotus.

Rong Yang’s interest was immediately piqued. After confirming the details several times, his expression grew serious. He asked with concern, ”Your Lotus can lock onto others, but can others lock onto you?”

”No, they can’t,” Rong Taotao immediately shook his head. ”Each Lotus Petal has its own personality and unique characteristics.

My Sinful Lotus and Coach Si’s Imperial Lotus can’t locate other Lotus Petals. Only this Prison Lotus can. The petal we acquired on this mission probably doesn’t have a tracking function either.

Otherwise, when I led the main force right up to the Red-clothed Merchant, there’s no way he wouldn’t have reacted at all. He wouldn’t have just let me launch a sneak attack.”

”Mm, that makes sense.” Rong Yang nodded in agreement.

Rong Taotao whispered, ”I can still sense three Lotus Petals right now. They’re all scattered to the north. One of them... hmm, it should be by the Dragon River, no doubt about it.

The other two are probably outside the country, most likely within the territory of the Russian Federation. So, what do you think?”

Rong Yang said quietly, ”What do I think about what?”

Rong Taotao: ”Is there any way we can go after them?”

Rong Yang looked at Rong Taotao, rather speechless. ”Do you have any idea how serious the crime of illegally crossing the border is? And you’re not just an ordinary person; you’re a soldier of the Snow Burning Army. If you cross the border illegally, the consequences will be extremely severe.”

”We don’t necessarily have to cross illegally,” Rong Taotao said. ”Doesn’t the Snow Burning Army have any joint missions with the Russian Federation?”

”There are some,” Rong Yang said after a moment of thought. ”Both sides periodically organize forces to clear out the Snow Realm Soul Beasts along the border.”

Rong Taotao: ”The border?”

Rong Yang said, ”On a map, the border is just a line, but that’s not how it is in reality.

With the Snow Realm Vortexes raging, the border between the two countries is actually quite wide. In other words, there’s a large buffer zone. That’s why we have to team up for joint missions.”

”Uh.” Rong Taotao thought for a long while before saying, ”That’s probably not useful. I feel like those two Lotus Petals are very far from me, deep within the Russian Federation’s territory.”

”Taotao, don’t be impatient, and don’t let this cloud your judgment.” Rong Yang placed a hand on Rong Taotao’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. ”Everyone wants nice things. At times like this, you need to maintain your composure, be steady, and take things one step at a time.”

”Mm...” Rong Taotao pondered for a moment before finally nodding.

Rong Yang comforted him softly, ”Your growth rate is already terrifyingly fast. If you keep this up, it won’t be long before very few people can pose a threat to you.”

Rong Taotao nodded lightly. He was, of course, looking forward to that day.

Rong Taotao knew deep down that even now, his own strength was not yet worthy of the Snow Realm Supreme Treasure he possessed. It was a classic case of his abilities not matching his position.

Fortunately, under the powerful protection of Songjiang Soul Martial, he had made it this far safely, despite the close calls.

Gao Lingwei was also a perfect example, the best illustration of the proverb ”possessing a treasure invites disaster.”

Normally, she would have never been able to protect her Snowball Cat. It was only thanks to protection from all sides that she was still alive. Ultimately, improving one’s strength takes time.

However, this situation would soon start to improve.

Once their Soul Techniques advanced to four stars, they could replace all their Soul Pearls and Soul Skills, which would greatly enhance their overall strength.

In terms of Soul Technique, Rong Taotao was already ahead of Gao Lingwei, having reached the peak of three stars.

Gao Lingwei had never absorbed a Lotus Petal before. This would be her first time, so she would enjoy the greatest benefits and would surely see a massive improvement.

’Go for it, Da Wei!’

’The more strength we have, the better our chances of fighting back against our enemies!’

’That money, those Free People... damn it all. They’ve gotten used to running rampant across the Snow Realm under the cover of the blizzards, acting like they’re local tyrants.’

’You’ve picked the wrong people to mess with! Just give me some more time, and Da Wei and I will pay each of you a visit. None of you will escape!’