Master of Nine Stars

After a moment’s thought, Rong Taotao decided to summon his Cloud Dog.

The Cloud Dog was overjoyed. Following the scent of coffee, its little legs scurried across the table, and it quickly arrived in front of Gan Lin’s coffee cup.

Stars practically sparkled in Gan Lin’s eyes. She hurriedly pushed the small porcelain cup forward.

The Cloud Dog didn’t stand on ceremony. It craned its neck, its tiny pink tongue flicking out toward the coffee...

HISS~ The Cloud Dog hastily scrambled back a couple of steps. ’This stuff smells good, but why is it so bitter?’

The bitter taste made the Cloud Dog shake its head and wag its tail wildly.

"Oh!" Seeing the Cloud Dog’s pitiful expression, Gan Lin’s heart ached. She quickly picked up a french fry and offered it over.

The Cloud Dog looked at Gan Lin with suspicion, but it couldn’t suppress its curiosity. It extended its little tongue for a lick. ’Hmm... the ketchup actually tastes pretty good. Sweet and sour.’

It wagged its little tail, which looked like a wisp of a cloud, and its glistening black eyes narrowed into tiny crescents...

"I’ve advanced to Soul Captain," Gao Lingwei said suddenly.

Both Rong Taotao and Gan Lin were a bit stunned.

Especially Gan Lin. As Gao Lingwei’s best friend for years, she knew her personality well. She was never the type to show off.

’Besides,’ she thought, ’he’s a student in the Junior Class. He’s had three fewer years to train than you. What’s there to brag about?’

Gan Lin didn’t know why Gao Lingwei would suddenly say something like that, but Rong Taotao understood her meaning perfectly.

Gao Lingwei picked up a small porcelain saucer, poured some of the warm milk from her cup into it, and casually pushed it in front of the Cloud Dog. Her eyes held a gentleness Rong Taotao had never seen before.

She extended her index finger, gently stroking the Cloud Dog’s small head. "You need to work harder," she said.

’Do all women have a thousand faces?’

’She’s so gentle. Does she only show this side to small, weak creatures?’

Gan Lin blinked curiously, completely lost. She couldn’t help but ask, "What’s going on? Are you two keeping secrets from me? Do you have some kind of pact?"

Gao Lingwei ignored Gan Lin and continued, "At the commendation ceremony, I heard about what you did in the Pine Forest that night. It gave me a more complete understanding of you as a person."

At this, Gao Lingwei looked up at Rong Taotao, a trace of admiration in her gaze. "You once told me in the Martial Arts Arena that the day wouldn’t be too far off."

Rong Taotao nodded, knowing she was referring to their promise.

Gao Lingwei, however, just shrugged. "But I’m already a Soul Captain."

Rong Taotao: "..."

’Damn it, I can’t just ask you to slow down your training so I can catch up and challenge you. Who would even say something like that?’

’So frustrating!’

Rong Taotao gave Gao Lingwei a classic, tight-lipped smile. "You’d better get stronger even faster. I’m not interested in anything that isn’t a challenge."

A stubborn-mouthed Rong Taotao had just met his match in a straightforward girl!

Gao Lingwei’s expression was serious and her gaze sincere as she nodded lightly. "I will."

Rong Taotao: "..."

To the side, Gan Lin was still lost, but she had a general idea of what was happening. ’Wasn’t this kid’s original plan just to be a fan? Did he change his strategy?’

’Wow!’

An idea sparked in Gan Lin’s mind. ’If... and this is just a hypothetical... does this mean I could get to pet the dog every day?’

Gan Lin pulled out her phone, created a small group chat for the three of them, and feigned innocence. "Oh, so you want to improve your strength? You both use the Heaven-piercing Halberd. Da Wei is a really nice person, you know. You could ask her for some pointers."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Just as Rong Taotao was about to say something, a soft tapping came from the glass window.

Rong Taotao turned to look and saw Yang Chunxi holding takeout in one hand while tapping her wrist with the other, clearly reminding him of the time.

Rong Taotao scrambled to his feet. "I have to go."

Gao Lingwei and Gan Lin also stood up and nodded respectfully to Yang Chunxi.

Rong Taotao picked up the Cloud Dog and left. The little guy was still drinking warm milk and whimpered in protest.

"Did I interrupt anything? My class is next," Yang Chunxi said with a smile.

"Ah, no, not at all." Rong Taotao took the bag from his sister-in-law’s hands. "I heard from them that the school selected a hundred outstanding students?"

"Yes, you and Fan Lihua were selected. I was planning to praise you two when I officially started teaching again." Yang Chunxi nodded. "Those two girls from just now are also on the list. If you want to know more, you can read about their achievements on the official school website."

"Oh..."

Escorted by Yang Chunxi, Rong Taotao returned to the Martial Arts Hall and brought the take-out burger meal into his dorm room.

Si Huan Nian was sitting cross-legged on the sofa with her eyes closed, meditating.

She paid no mind to the sound of Rong Taotao opening the door, until... until Rong Taotao opened the paper bag. Si Huan Nian’s nose twitched, and her eyes snapped open...

Rong Taotao picked up his phone and said, "I’m heading to class."

"Mmmph," Si Huan Nian mumbled with her mouth full of food, waving her hand dismissively. She had completely forgotten about Rong Taotao’s punishment.

Phone in hand, Rong Taotao had only taken a few steps down the corridor when he heard a wave of enthusiastic applause from a classroom farther down the hall.

It was obvious. After a month away, Yang Chunxi’s return to teaching was met with a warm welcome from all her students.

Yang Chunxi had already been confirmed as the Soul Class Instructor and was in charge of all academic subjects. From the entrance exams until now, the students had spent the most time with her, so of course, they had the deepest bond with her. However, Yang Chunxi felt she didn’t quite deserve their praise; after all, on the night of the Soul Beast invasion, she hadn’t been there to protect them.

Rong Taotao hurriedly slipped inside, clapping along as he sat down in his VIP seat by the window in the back. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Yang Chunxi spoke. "Everyone, take out your *Snow Realm Soul Beast Encyclopedia*. Where did the substitute teacher leave off?"

Sun Xingyu quickly answered, "Teacher, we were talking about..."

As Rong Taotao was pulling the thick book out of his desk, he saw his phone, which was sitting on the desk, suddenly light up.

Rong Taotao sneakily unlocked his phone and saw a new message from Gan Lin in the three-person group chat he’d just been added to.

Gan Lin: "I forgot to take pictures of the Cloud Dog earlier. Can you send a few?

It’s been 20 minutes since I left the Cloud Dog, and I miss it..."

Rong Taotao chuckled. ’Then you can just miss it for one more class! I’ll deal with this after class is over~’

He took a small electric heating blanket from his desk, plugged it in, used a scarf to form a simple dog bed, and placed the Cloud Dog on it.

Opening his textbook, Rong Taotao also opened his Inner Soul Map. While listening to the gentle sound of Yang Chunxi’s voice, he began to study his current status.

Character: Rong Taotao (Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist).

Lifebound Soul Beast: White Clouds and Grey Dogs (Normal Level, Potential Value: 6 Stars).

Soul Pearl Soul Skill: Thousand Transformations (Normal Level, Potential Value: 6 Stars)

I. Soul Power: Soul Soldier, Late Stage (Potential Value: 6 Stars)

II. Soul Technique: Heart of the Snow Realm, Two-Star Mid-Tier (Potential Value: 6 Stars)

III. Practiced Soul Skills:

1. Snow Step: Envelop feet with Soul Power to move freely in snowy environments. (Normal Level, Potential Value: 3 Stars.)

2. Snow Burst: Gather Soul Power at the wrist, spinning it continuously to form a rapidly rotating Wind Snow Ball, then cause it to explode. (Normal Level, Potential Value: 3 Stars)

3. White Lantern Paper Cage: Activate snowflakes with Soul Power, imbuing them with humanity. Snowflakes basking in happiness will naturally give their most truthful response. (Normal Level, Potential Value: 2 Stars)

4. Snow Soul: Use Soul Power to skillfully connect with frost and snow, condensing individual flakes into one. A Snow Soul is a Soldier’s Soul! (Normal Level, Potential Value: 3 Stars).

IV. Inlaid Soul Skill:

1. Frost Cold Thorn: Gather Ice and Snow Attribute Soul Power. Amidst the white snow, plant a seed of sin and nurture a thicket of thorns. (Normal Level, Potential Value: -)

V. Martial Arts:

1. Hand-to-Hand Combat, Two-Star High-Tier (Potential Value: 4 Stars)

2. Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery, Four-Star High-Tier (Potential Value: 4 Stars)

3. Sword Mastery, One-Star Peak (Potential Value: 5 Stars)

VI. Soul Artifact: Nine-Petaled Lotus, Seventh Petal: Sinful Lotus.

VII. Available Potential Points: 2.

"Hmm..." Rong Taotao pondered for a moment, then, after some thought, added one Potential Point to "Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery."

After all, High-Tier was followed by Peak. Once he reached Peak, the Potential Value for Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery would be maxed out again, and Rong Taotao didn’t want to get stuck on his level.

As for his other Soul Skill and Martial Arts levels, they seemed far from their potential peaks, with plenty of room for improvement. So, for now, Rong Taotao left one Potential Point in reserve.

His Soul Technique had already advanced to the second level, which meant several Soul Skills would soon be available for him to practice on his own. ’If any of those skills have excellent effects or great utility, maybe it’s worth focusing on them?’

Judging from the Soul Skills Rong Taotao currently possessed, Snow Burst truly had immense potential for development!

He had already found all sorts of creative uses for it. In the future, once his proficiency with Snow Burst increased and its experience was maxed out, Rong Taotao could certainly invest some points into it.

Just thinking about it was exciting.

In this Soul Martial World, no matter how "godly" a Soul Martial Artist was, the highest level for Snow Burst was only the third level, Elite-grade.

If Rong Taotao could whip out a fourth-level, Master-grade Snow Burst, how awesome would that be?

’Wouldn’t I be able to blast my way into the future?’

’And after that?’

’King-grade Snow Burst, Legendary Level Snow Burst, Epic-grade Snow Burst, and even... Mythic-grade Snow Burst?’

’Wouldn’t I become a "Human-shaped Cannon"?’

’Time to open fire and blast the hell out of ’em!’

’Screw all that nonsense about Soul Captains and Soul Schools. Just watch and see if I don’t blast you to pieces!’

"Rong Taotao!" Along with his sister-in-law’s voice, a piece of chalk hit him square on the forehead.

"Ugh." Rong Taotao clutched his forehead. ’That damn instructor... what a good shot...’

"What are you giggling about?" In teaching mode, Yang Chunxi’s expression was a bit stern. "What Soul Skills do Frost Beauties have?"

Rubbing his forehead as he stood up, Rong Taotao’s eyes lit up. ’I know this one!’

"They can create tornadoes! And they can make their own Snow-made Weapons!"

Yang Chunxi replied, "Snow Soul Weapons are something they practice on their own. Is that a Frost Beauty’s Soul Pearl Soul Skill? Spacing out in class, giggling like an idiot... and you still want to be class president?"

Yang Chunxi finally understood. Rong Taotao wasn’t listening to the lecture at all; he was just telling her what he’d seen and heard that night.

Rong Taotao’s face flushed with embarrassment. ’Did Si Huan Nian tell Yang Chunxi everything about me trying to secretly learn Luminous Lantern Paper Cage?’

’Damn you, Si Huan Nian! Can’t even stuff your mouth shut with food?’

’You could have at least waited until I learned it to tell her! Thinking about how he’d failed to learn Luminous Lantern Paper Cage last night, Rong Taotao felt deeply embarrassed.

In fact, failing to learn a Soul Skill in one night was perfectly normal for an average student, not to mention Si Huan Nian had turned off the lights and gone to bed early.

But for Rong Taotao, who could pull a Heaven-piercing Halberd out of the snow in just one minute... well, last night had been a major loss of face.

Rong Taotao mumbled discontentedly, "Oh, come on, Sis-in-law~"

Yang Chunxi laughed in exasperation. "Are you trying to play Mo Xiaobei with me?"

"Of course not. You’re younger, prettier, and have more class than Tong Xiangyu..."

"Shut up!" Yang Chunxi shot Rong Taotao a glare. "Go stand by the back door and listen from there!"

Rong Taotao picked up his book and went to stand by the back door. He flipped through the pages for a long time before finally finding the section on the Frost Beauty.

’What the-?’

’There are male Frost Beauties?’

’These bastards... how did they all end up looking like that? What right do they have to be so good-looking...’