Master of Nine Stars

The Little Souls enjoyed a hearty meal inside the mountain cave, and the atmosphere was very cozy.

The world outside the cave was frozen solid, but inside, a bonfire burned brightly. With several companions sharing a meal and discussing their upcoming plans, how could the atmosphere be anything but pleasant?

Jiao Tengda was inventorying the group’s supplies, mentally running some calculations as he spoke. ”Everyone get ready. We’ll leave as soon as it’s a little brighter.”

Rong Taotao sat leaning against the wall, cupping a can of warm fruit in both hands. With a SLURP, he drank some of the hot syrup and replied softly, ”Okay.”

It turned out that the Second Wall, a place whose very name once made them turn pale, could indeed be treated as a regular training ground for Rong Taotao and his squad, as long as they were cautious enough.

Jiao Tengda: ”Oh, right, Taotao.”

”Huh?”

”There are still two Moon Leopard Soul Pearls. Are you sure you’re not going to embed them?” Jiao Tengda continued his inventory, pushing the glasses up the bridge of his nose. ”Didn’t you gain three new usable Soul Slots when you reached the Soul Captain rank?”

”Left ankle, right knee, left eye. You’ve only embedded the Eye Soul Pearl. Your left ankle and right knee are still empty.”

”Ah, no need.” Rong Taotao waved his hand. ”I have my self-cultivated Soul Skill, Star-Stepping Split, which overlaps a bit with the Moon Leopard’s Snow Wind Charge. Besides, both of those Moon Leopards were Elite-grade. Even if I embedded them now, I’d just have to replace them with Master-grade ones in a few days.”

”Besides, Da Wei already has Snow Wind Charge, so I’d rather not embed the same skill. A wider variety of Soul Skills makes it harder for enemies to counter us.”

Gao Lingwei had already upgraded her Snow Wind Charge to Master-grade. Now when she stomped her foot, it didn’t just unleash a single gale, but two.

The gales would spread out in a ”V” shape to the front-left and front-right, greatly increasing both her offensive and defensive coverage.

As for the other Little Souls, they still had the Elite-grade Snow Wind Charge and could only produce a single gale that shot straight forward.

Jiao Tengda grinned. ”If you don’t embed them, these Soul Pearls are getting turned in.”

”Mhm,” Rong Taotao affirmed, tilting the tin can back for another drink and catching half a cherry in his mouth.

”Oh, honestly! Are you not hearing what Jiao Tengda is telling you?” Shi Lan said with a look of exasperation. ”It’s a waste to turn them in! The Moon Leopard Soul Pearl also contains an Elite-grade Snow Step...”

Rong Taotao smiled. ”The Snow Step I cultivated myself is also Elite-grade. Besides, turning them in isn’t a waste.”

As he spoke, Rong Taotao raised his arm, gesturing to his armband. ”I’m part of the Snow Burning Army. I can’t just take from the army without giving anything back.”

”Heh.” Gao Lingwei let out a soft chuckle. She, for one, wasn’t worried about Rong Taotao’s Soul Slots remaining empty.

She knew that Pine Soul Soul Martial would have Rong Taotao’s back. The Soul Pearls they provided would certainly be Master-grade, and definitely more effective than the ones the Little Souls could acquire.

Shi Lou gently nudged Shi Lan’s shoulder. ”Leave it to you to call giving Soul Pearls to the Snow Burning Army a waste right in front of one of their soldiers.”

Shi Lan blushed. ”...”

”It’s getting light out. Let’s put out the bonfire and set off,” Jiao Tengda announced. ”This is the seventh day of our training, and it’s getting close to the end of the year. We could be ordered home at any moment, so we’d better hurry.”

”Right, let’s go, let’s go.” Shi Lan hurriedly stood up, giving Jiao Tengda a look that said, ’Nice one.’

The group put out the bonfire, packed up their trash, straightened their bags, and headed out.

But as they reached the entrance, they were met by a fierce general blocking their path!

There stood Rong Ling, perched atop the palm of a long, elegant Snow Charm Demon. He held a Heaven-piercing Halberd at his side, his Snow Cloak snapping dramatically behind him.

One word: epic!

Who knew how long Rong Ling had been holding that pose, but it was, admittedly, a stunning entrance.

Gao Lingwei smiled, stepped forward, and gave its little helmet an encouraging pat.

Rong Ling: ”...”

The whole dramatic effect collapsed!

’I am the greatest champion this side of Qianshan Pass, and you dare to pat my head?’

’You... you... Hmph. Fine, whatever.’

’Can’t afford to provoke her, definitely can’t afford to...’

Rong Ling leaped off the giant palm and scurried ahead to lead the way.

The group curiously sized up the Snow Ghost Hand as they walked past. Lu Mang even grabbed its index finger and, with a great deal of effort, managed to snap the huge Snow Finger off.

Faint whorls and the outline of a nail were still visible on the finger, making it an exceptionally exquisite creation.

Ever since his Snow Ghost Hand had been upgraded to Master-grade, as long as Rong Taotao didn’t actively dispel it but simply severed his Soul Power connection, the hand would remain in place. It could even be used as a Directional Sign.

After all, the Snow Charm Demon’s palm was made of frost and snow, and it was so tightly compressed that an ordinary person would have a very hard time trying to shatter it.

Even Lu Mang, a Soul Captain, had to use some strength just to snap off a piece of the Snow Finger.

If Rong Taotao had still been controlling the Snow Ghost Hand and maintaining the Soul Power connection, Lu Mang likely wouldn’t have been able to break it at all. After all, this Snow Ghost Hand could withstand a full-force blow from Gao Lingwei!

In fact, in terms of the Strength Attribute, Lu Mang was likely no match for the Snow Ghost Hand; it was more probable that his own wrist would have been snapped in the attempt...

The group exited the natural cave and walked just over 200 meters north. Standing atop a small hill, they looked out at a vast, boundless Snowfield.

”The weather’s really nice today. No wind or snow at all,” Sun Xingyu murmured, scanning their surroundings. She couldn’t find any trace of Soul Beasts, however.