Master of Nine Stars

But... the group had been trekking through the Snow Forest for quite some time. They’d discovered an abundance of harmless Snow Rabbits, yet they hadn’t seen a single sign of any Hunters.

Snow Rabbits?

These creatures were highly resilient and bred extremely quickly, but they had absolutely no offensive capabilities. They were essentially at the very bottom of the food chain in the northern Snow Realm.

This was the area outside Qianshan Pass, near the Third Wall—a place for which ”danger” was the byword. So why were Snow Rabbits overrunning the place?

Weren’t there any Hunters prowling about? This place should be a predator’s paradise. This...

The Little Souls refused to believe it could be this safe. Pushing north, they were even more surprised to find a wild pack of Snow Night Shocks.

”Maybe it’s because we’re close to the Third Wall where soldiers are stationed, so the Hunters don’t dare come near this part of the forest?” Jiao Tengda speculated uncertainly.

The Little Souls had expected a perilous journey, but to their surprise, they reached the northern edge of the woods without encountering any danger whatsoever.

”Taotao.” A message suddenly echoed in his mind.

”Hm?” Rong Taotao responded. ”What is it, Brother?”

It was Rong Yang. ”Captain Fu is looking for you. It’s probably a mission.”

”Ah,” Rong Taotao said, not breaking his stride as he pushed on, climbing the mountain peak ahead. ”Brother, why aren’t there any vicious beasts in this forest?”

”This forest belongs to the Bailing Tree Maidens and the Pine Snow Tree Warriors.”

Rong Taotao froze. ”What?”

”This isn’t an ordinary Snow Forest. In fact, it’s a village.”

Rong Taotao was stunned. ”This is a village?”

Rong Yang’s voice came again, ”Don’t ask any more questions. Don’t disturb them. Just act as if you know nothing, and they won’t harm you. Come back. Captain Fu is looking for you.”

”Mm... give me two more minutes. Just two minutes,” Rong Taotao said, scrambling up the mountain on all fours.

The next moment, Rong Yang’s figure suddenly appeared.

He tilted his head back, watching Rong Taotao’s retreating form as he climbed, and sighed in resignation.

Gao Lingwei, completely oblivious, walked right through Rong Yang’s ethereal body, continuing to follow Rong Taotao up the slope.

With a final heave, Rong Taotao’s hand found purchase on a large boulder at the summit. He pulled himself up, and the world suddenly opened up before him.

To the north, mountains stretched as far as the eye could see. Nestled among the peaks sat a majestic, towering mountain pass.

In the still, snowless air, Rong Taotao’s vision was clear. He could make out the weathered city walls and the tiny figures of soldiers standing watch atop them.

Beside him, Gao Lingwei also pulled herself onto the boulder, standing quietly at his side.

”Hah...” Rong Taotao let out a long, deep sigh.

Bathed in sunlight, the ancient pass didn’t have the solemn atmosphere he had imagined. Instead, it looked quite beautiful.

There were no great battles with the Soul Beast Army, no turmoil of war.

It was quiet here. She simply stood there in silence, stood there in the sunlight.

And she let the sun’s rays paint her proud, unyielding form in a beautiful golden hue.

Rong Taotao gazed at the majestic pass, murmuring, ”Wan’an Pass.”

”Yes,” Gao Lingwei said softly from beside him. ”Hundred Regiments, Qianshan, and Wan’an.”

Behind them, Rong Yang’s ethereal figure spoke again. ”Let’s go, Taotao. The team got a tip. We have to go arrest someone. Chenlong specifically requested you and Ling Wei for the mission.”

Rong Taotao remained motionless. He simply gazed into the distance at the tranquil, majestic pass in the morning sun, his eyes looking slightly dazed as he whispered, ”Do you know... this is the closest I’ve ever been to her?”

Behind him, Rong Yang opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately, no words came out.

At his side, Gao Lingwei reached out and gently took his hand.