Master of Nine Stars

The master and apprentice duo in the cafeteria had ordered a massive spread of food, which they devoured like a whirlwind, relishing every moment.

Only after every last dish was gone did the two hungry ghosts regain a sliver of their sanity.

The chef behind the glass window watched, dumbfounded. ’They eat like they’re in a fight. Are these the legendary Soul Martial Artists?’

’I’m in love...’

Si Huan Nian sipped her warm water leisurely and asked, "The semester is basically over. Are you planning to leave campus?"

Rong Taotao said, "How could I? I’ve got a Lotus, and two Petals at that. I have to stick by your side for protection, don’t I?"

"Mm." Si Huan Nian nodded. She had brought up the topic precisely to make sure Rong Taotao didn’t wander off during the break. But since it was the New Year holiday, she couldn’t reasonably stop anyone from going home. That was a Huaxia tradition, after all.

Since Rong Taotao had made it clear he wasn’t leaving, Si Huan Nian saw no need to waste her breath. She said, "No one from the Soul Class is leaving."

Rong Taotao: "Huh?"

Si Huan Nian said, "In the days you’ve been gone, every single one of them has been training like their life depends on it. The atmosphere is great—a healthy competition. They’ve all decided to spend the New Year here instead of going home."

"Oh, I get it. They’ve gotten a taste of the perks you offer," Rong Taotao said, realization dawning on him. During the last break, those same classmates had used the time off to practice Ocean Soul Techniques, aiming to become more well-rounded.

But after they moved into the Martial Arts Hall, the accelerated training perk Si Huan Nian provided was just too incredible. There was no way the kids would go train anywhere else now.

"You have a way of twisting everything." Under the table, Si Huan Nian kicked Rong Taotao in the shin.

"HISS..." ’As a Soul Martial Artist, she knew exactly where to kick to inflict maximum pain without causing serious injury.’

’The shin!’

The tip of her shoe was even coated in a wisp of Soul Power. Rong Taotao felt like his shin had just slammed into a stone step. It hurt like hell!

Seeing Si Huan Nian’s displeased expression, Rong Taotao rubbed his leg and quickly changed the subject. "Teacher, does your Lotus have a tracking function?"

"No," Si Huan Nian snapped.

"Hmm..." Rong Taotao muttered, rubbing his leg and nodding silently.

Si Huan Nian seemed to recall something. "I haven’t heard Coach Xia’s report, but Chunxi was nearby. She mentioned a few things to me a while ago. You think the attack on you was premeditated?"

"Yes." Rong Taotao nodded without hesitation. "Because I can’t use the Lotus, I don’t know what miraculous abilities it might have."

"That battle back in the Snowfield... that super Soul Beast, the Frost Beauty, was clearly coming for me."

"I’m positive she was after the Lotus Petals inside my body. She obviously knew I had them."

Si Huan Nian’s brow furrowed. Recalling how the Prison Lotus had acted earlier, a thought occurred to her. "Every Lotus Petal has a different function. Your so-called Prison Lotus... besides its Imprisonment space, could it also have a tracking function?"

Rong Taotao: "Huh?"

Si Huan Nian continued, "At the very least, the moment it saw my Lotus Petal just now, it rushed out."

"Whether it wanted to reunite or to use its Imprisonment, we can set its motive aside for now. The point is, its actions show it was searching for its own kind."

Rong Taotao nodded thoughtfully. As he mulled it over, he subconsciously blurted out a compliment, "You’re so smart..."

He had unintentionally stumbled upon the correct way to get along with Si Huan Nian—or rather, the way to get along with all women.

That creature known as a "woman" needed only three things to survive in this world: oxygen, food, and praise.

And if they could, they’d probably do without the first two. ’Hmm...’

Si Huan Nian’s expression softened considerably. "After you advance to the Soul Captain rank and your strength undergoes a fundamental leap, if you can use the Prison Lotus... perhaps you really could find the locations of other Lotuses?"

Rong Taotao’s heart leaped with joy, and he nodded decisively. "Perfect!"

There was no sense in spending a thousand days guarding against a single thief. It’s not the one-time theft you fear, but the constant threat of being targeted!

’And Rong Taotao... was that flower-stealing thief.’

Rong Taotao continued his inquiry, "You’ve survived in this Snow Realm for so long. Why didn’t that Frost Beauty ever come looking for you?"

Si Huan Nian replied, "How would I know? This is all just speculation. In the end, it’s up to you. I hear you’re already at the peak of the Soul Soldier rank?"

Rong Taotao: "Yep."

Si Huan Nian said, "Your progress is decent. It’s not bad compared to the rest of the Soul Class. But you were asleep for so long. If you don’t work harder, you’ll be left in the dust by the other students."

Rong Taotao chuckled. "I’ll admit there’s some pressure when it comes to Soul Power. After all, the boost you provide by guarding the Martial Arts Hall is greater than the one from my petals. But in terms of Soul Techniques, they could work themselves to death and still never catch up to me!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Heh." Si Huan Nian looked at Rong Taotao’s confident expression. Although she was pleased and appreciated such self-assured students, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was asking for a beating. So, she kicked him in the shin again with the tip of her shoe.

"HISS..." Rong Taotao sucked in a sharp breath. ’Damn it, can’t you stop kicking the same spot? Pick a different one, why don’t you?’

’Good grief, are you using my leg for pile-driving practice?’

Si Huan Nian asked, "What level are your Soul Techniques at?"

Rong Taotao winced in pain. "Two-star... peak two-star, I guess. I feel like I’m about to break through, so yeah, definitely the peak."

’You just wait, Si Huan Nian! The only reason you’re getting away with this is because I can’t beat you right now. I’ll let you run wild for another couple of years, but you just wait and see!’

’Thirty years east of the river... eh, never mind.’

Rong Taotao scooted one seat to his left. He glanced down at Si Huan Nian’s long legs, then scooted one more seat over...

Si Huan Nian watched Rong Taotao with an amused look. "Alright, stop hopping from seat to seat. Let’s go. To the Martial Arts Arena."