Master of Nine Stars

The next morning.

In this pitch-black environment, there was no such thing as morning. Rong Taotao hadn’t seen the sun in a very long time—he hadn’t even seen natural light.

It was said that in parts of Northern Europe, the Extreme Night also lasted for several months each year. People had to work and live without sunlight, which led to a high rate of depression in those regions.

Since the Extreme Night began this year, an especially large number of students from Songjiang Soul Martial University had dropped out. Presumably, they couldn’t bear the oppressive environment.

This seemingly endless cold and darkness was truly torturous.

But if you just walked out of Songjiang Soul City and headed south, you could see the sun and feel its warmth. Any normal person would love that, surely.

Well, except for the kind of Macho Man who would go dark just because he lost a single strand of hair...

Rong Taotao obviously had no time for depression. His life was exciting enough, and his partner was dazzling enough.

Too bad the dazzling one—a veritable "Little Sun"—was no longer blinding. She had transformed from a scorching summer sun into a gentle winter one, patiently playing with a cat and a dog.

Right now, Gao Lingwei was sitting cross-legged on the ground, cultivating her Soul Technique while watching over the Cloud Dog and Snowball Cat.

In her cross-legged posture, the Cloud Dog and Snowball Cat each occupied one of her knees, their heads tilted up to watch the White Lantern Paper Cage swaying and floating overhead.

It seemed they had some sort of agreement. Though there were many twinkling snowflakes, the two of them appeared to be staring at the very same one.

The two little creatures’ heads swayed from side to side in perfect unison, while they let out little "ARF ARF" sounds...

The cat didn’t act like a cat, and the dog didn’t act like a dog. It was a strange sight indeed.

As Gao Lingwei diligently absorbed Soul Power and cultivated her Soul Technique, she would occasionally glance into the distance.

Rong Taotao stood not far away, the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow slung across his lower back, tirelessly drawing and sheathing his blade again and again.

His earnest and diligent expression made Gao Lingwei’s hands itch with the desire to train. She longed to practice her skills, but unfortunately, she couldn’t move.

After all... Zheng Qianqiu was sitting beside her, observing in secret!

Although Professor Zheng had an aged face and completely white hair, he had no qualms about staying up all night. He kept staring at the Frost Night Xuerong, occasionally having Gao Lingwei interact with it to understand its characteristics as thoroughly as possible.

Xia Fangran, however, had been liberated. He lit a bonfire with a few Snow Burning Army soldiers at the cave entrance, leisurely absorbing Soul Power and enjoying the perks Rong Taotao had brought him.

These dull, boring, yet peaceful days lasted for a full three days.

Until the night of the third day, a message finally appeared in Rong Taotao’s Inner Soul Map: "Sword Mastery, Two-Star: Initial Stage (Potential Value: 5 stars)."

Rong Taotao’s heart leaped with joy. The cave was rather small, so for the past three days, he had only practiced drawing and sheathing his sword, with no other techniques. Yet his Sword Mastery had still leveled up!

Without a doubt, the speed at which Rong Taotao drew and sheathed his sword had increased considerably. But because his skill grew slowly and incrementally, he didn’t feel as if he had suddenly broken through some kind of "shackle."

Everything had come together naturally.

Rong Taotao wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned to look inside the cave, and said, "Time to eat. I’ll go get some."

"Okay," Gao Lingwei nodded. She felt rather helpless, her training having been so abruptly interrupted. Without the constant vigilance required when being hunted by Snowflake Wolves, and with all their meals being supplies delivered by the Snow Burning Army, it felt like she was on vacation.

Though it had only been three days, Gao Lingwei was already starting to find it unbearable.

"He’s destined for great things," Zheng Qianqiu suddenly remarked from the side, clearly talking about Rong Taotao, who had just left.

These past few days, Professor Zheng hadn’t just been observing the Frost Night Xuerong; he had been observing Rong Taotao as well.

A student who could tirelessly refine a simple action without a hint of boredom, training hard day and night... based on that temperament alone, he was far ahead of most people his age.

"Yes, he’s my teammate," Gao Lingwei said softly, a hint of pride welling up in her heart.

"They say birds of a feather flock together. So, are you the same way?" Zheng Qianqiu said, slowly getting to his feet and patting his slightly numb legs.

Gao Lingwei said quietly, "Professor Zheng, you give me too much credit."

Zheng Qianqiu said, "I’ve more or less finished observing the Frost Night Xuerong’s habits. Next, I’ll need to ask a favor of you."

Gao Lingwei replied, "Please, Professor, go ahead."

Zheng Qianqiu began, "The once-in-16-years blizzard has brought countless rare creatures within the Third Wall. Since you can now see through the blinding snow, I plan to temporarily commandeer your help. You and I will search the Snow Realm for those rare and uncommon Snow Realm Soul Beasts."

Gao Lingwei was speechless.

As a student of Songjiang Soul Martial University, she shouldn’t refuse such a request from a professor.

Furthermore, as one of the Huaxia People, helping Zheng Qianqiu observe Snow Realm Soul Beasts and compile books to benefit future generations was something she also shouldn’t refuse.

It was just... Gao Lingwei really couldn’t sit still any longer!

Aside from washing her face or using the restroom, Gao Lingwei had barely moved from her spot. It was no different from being in prison.

Although her Soul Power and Soul Technique Cultivation hadn’t lagged—in fact, her cultivation speed was even faster—she was truly envious watching Rong Taotao hone his skills so diligently.

Zheng Qianqiu seemed to understand her thoughts perfectly. "You can also train while we search," he said. "Just pretend I’m not there. All I ask is that you notify me immediately if you discover a creature you’ve never seen before."

As he spoke, Zheng Qianqiu made her an almost irresistible offer. "The Snowfield is mostly home to social creatures, common ones like the Snowflake Wolf packs.

"We’ll go straight into the Snow Forest. There are likely quite a few creatures hiding there. Of course, at your current level, it might also be more dangerous.

"Our general direction of travel will be north. If I feel your strength is adequate, I can take you north of the Second Wall."

Gao Lingwei’s eyes lit up, and she immediately asked, "North of the Second Wall!?"

But Zheng Qianqiu waved his hand, his expression serious. "That will depend on your team’s overall strength. If you’re not up to it, I can only take you alone past the Second Wall, or even the Third Wall. We’d have to leave Rong Taotao here, north of this wall, for Xia to look after."

Gao Lingwei was silent.

’So much for our training plan,’ she thought.

The memories from a few days ago—of her and Rong Taotao working together to seize the cave, outwitting and outfighting the Snowflake Wolves—were still vivid in her mind.

She loved that kind of battle, enjoyed that kind of life. But the sudden arrival of her Soul Pet had disrupted all their plans.

Gao Lingwei was well aware of her Soul Pet’s value. Even if Zheng Qianqiu didn’t commandeer her, the Snow Burning Army operating in the area very likely would...

It was a harsh reality. On the bright side, Gao Lingwei no longer had to worry about her future career; the Snow Burning Army would undoubtedly do everything in their power to recruit her.

Gao Lingwei wasn’t opposed to the idea. On the contrary, her previous goal had been to join the Snow Burning Army after graduation and strive to enter the special unit that captures Poachers!

If she hadn’t met Rong Taotao, Gao Lingwei might have genuinely been willing to enlist right now.

But...

She had promised Rong Taotao they would grow together, stand on the grandest stage, and reach the pinnacle of Huaxia.

Every moment she spent with Rong Taotao, Gao Lingwei’s conviction grew stronger.

It wasn’t that time had deepened her feelings; it was Rong Taotao’s actions that she admired so immensely.

Take the simplest example: over the past few days, Rong Taotao’s mind-numbingly tedious training might have seemed incredibly boring to an outsider. But to Gao Lingwei... every draw of his blade, every sheathing motion, brought him one step closer to his goal.

For her, that feeling of inching closer and closer to success was a source of unimaginable happiness.

’Perhaps hardworking Soul Martial Artists are a dime a dozen,’ she thought, ’but since I’ve already made a promise to Rong Taotao, why would I break it to go and meet someone else?’

"Alright, Professor. After dinner, we’ll go to the Snow Forest. Rong Taotao learns fast, and he’s very adaptable," Gao Lingwei said softly, turning to look at Zheng Qianqiu. "With you and Coach Xia helping, I believe that north of the Second Wall... he and I can go there together."

Zheng Qianqiu glanced at Gao Lingwei, a rare smile gracing his serious expression as he gave a slight nod.

Gao Lingwei held the Snowball Cat in one arm and the Cloud Dog in the other. As she stood up to walk outside, she happened to run into Rong Taotao, who was returning with cans of food.

"Hey? You can move around now?" Rong Taotao asked, quite curious.

"Professor Zheng said that after dinner, he’s taking us to the Snow Forest to train and look for rare Snow Realm Soul Beasts," Gao Lingwei said with a smile, placing the Cloud Dog on top of Rong Taotao’s head. "It would be even better if we could find a powerful Soul Pet for you."

"Ah," Rong Taotao said with a grin. "I’m just a Soul Soldier. I only have one Soul Slot."

Gao Lingwei said, "Then just shatter the Soul Pearl of your Thorny Frost Flower."

Rong Taotao replied, "But my brother gave me this. It’s the first Soul Pearl he’s ever given me."

Gao Lingwei retorted, "And this would be the first time I’ve given you a Soul Pet."

"Well, that’s true..." Rong Taotao said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

’Hey? Wait a minute!’

’We haven’t even found anything yet, how is she already giving me a Soul Pet?’

’Damn it,’

’Did she just trick me into revealing my true colors?’

’Damn this woman... ’

’Of course, if you really do find me a Divine Pet with a Potential Value of seven or eight stars, I suppose I could bring myself to forgive you~’

Zheng Qianqiu, who was quietly passing by, didn’t disturb the two students, but he had clearly overheard their conversation.

He found himself strongly agreeing with Gao Lingwei’s words...

’It must be said,’ he thought, ’these two kids are incredibly lucky.’

A month ago, the once-in-16-years blizzard had brought a massive number of Snow Realm Soul Beasts within the Third Wall. At this very moment, the amount of Soul Beast resources here was frighteningly abundant!

’Who knows...’ he mused. ’With the help of Gao Lingwei’s special Soul Pet, Rong Taotao might actually obtain an extremely powerful Snow Realm Soul Beast.’

"Mr. Zheng!" a voice called from the cave entrance.

Zheng Qianqiu hurried over. "What is it?"

The Snow Burning Army soldier lowered his voice. "Earlier, we reported the intel on the Calamity Xuerong to..."

Zheng Qianqiu’s expression was stern as he corrected, "Frost Night Xuerong."

The soldier nodded immediately, not arguing. "Yes, Frost Night Xuerong. The higher-ups have learned of its ability. A message just came through, ordering us to set out immediately, to go beyond the Third Wall..."

As he listened to the soldier, Zheng Qianqiu’s expression grew increasingly grave. In the end, he couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao in the distance.