Master of Nine Stars

When class ended, the students flocked to the front row, gathering around Jiao Tengda’s desk, chattering away as they tried to help him come up with ideas.

"Just fight, lil’ banana! What’s there to think about?" Shi Lan leaned over, propping her elbow on Jiao Tengda’s shoulder. "Think about it. There’s no penalty if you lose, but if you win, you get to skip the final exam! Besides, this is a chance for our Junior Class to make a name for itself!

If the Junior Class takes down the freshmen... tsk, just thinking about it makes me happy!"

"I like the idea of making a name for ourselves, but I’m afraid of embarrassing ourselves," Jiao Tengda said helplessly, scrolling through his phone.

"That’s not the right attitude. How can a Martial Artist be afraid of losing?" Zhao Tang’s slightly displeased voice chimed in.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m looking up info now. I’m searching for the top ten teams from last semester’s freshman finals. Hey, Tang, come take a look. See anyone you recognize?" Jiao Tengda said, trying to shrug Shi Lan’s arm off his shoulder. "Lu Mang, you come over too. Help us pick our opponents."

"Hey, I know this girl. I think she’s dead weight," Sun Xingyu added, leaning in.

Sitting in the back row, Gao Lingwei looked up from her book at the lively scene unfolding up front, a small smile gracing her lips.

"What is it?" Rong Taotao pulled two chocolate bars from his desk and handed one to her.

"The atmosphere in the Soul Class is great. The students all get along so well. It’s comfortable here." Gao Lingwei closed her book. "I recognize a few of the top-ten teams. I’ll go give them some pointers."

"Let’s go," Rong Taotao agreed immediately. With a chocolate bar dangling from his mouth, he and Gao Lingwei joined the huddle.

On the teaching platform, Yang Chunxi was all smiles. Watching them all put their heads together, she found that she, too, loved this kind of atmosphere.

When a team has strong cohesion, when the students truly adopt an "all for one, and one for all" mentality, you can’t imagine the kind of combat prowess they can unleash.

As Yang Chunxi was secretly observing them, she heard a BUZZ BUZZ from the desk. She picked up her phone, and her expression froze when she saw the number on the screen.

Instinctively, Yang Chunxi turned to look at Rong Taotao. The silly boy was still hunched over Jiao Tengda’s desk, studying their potential opponents.

After a moment of hesitation, Yang Chunxi took her phone and walked out of the classroom.

"Taotao."

’Huh?’ A familiar voice suddenly echoed in Rong Taotao’s mind. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Everyone turned to look at Rong Taotao, wondering why he’d had such a big reaction.

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing. You guys talk first," Rong Taotao said quickly, backing away from the group.

Gao Lingwei glanced back at Rong Taotao but didn’t say anything, simply returning to her paper to sketch and write down the names of a few contestants.

Meanwhile, Rong Taotao walked back to his seat, communicating with his thoughts, ’What’s up, Bro?’

Rong Yang: ’Father and I just had a call.’

Rong Taotao: ’Oh... I remember him. The guy who gave me the Cloud Dog, right?’

Rong Yang: "..."

Rong Taotao: ’Haha, so what’s it about?’

Rong Yang: ’We ended up talking about you. I told Father everything about how you’re doing—your Lotus, your current stage and rank, the level of your Soul Techniques, and all the achievements you’ve made recently.’

Rong Taotao: ’And then?’

Rong Yang paused before sending his next thought: ’Father was very surprised, and very pleased.’

"Hmph..." Rong Taotao pouted. ’Couldn’t he call and praise me himself?’

But Rong Yang ignored the comment and continued, ’I also told him about your goal for this semester: competing in the duo tournament.

Father was even more surprised. After all, you’re only a freshman. He never expected you to have grown so much that you’re already preparing to compete. So, he had an idea.’

A thought stirred in Rong Taotao’s mind. ’What idea?’

’Hmm... never mind. Chunxi will talk to you about it in a bit.’ With that, Rong Yang cut the mental link.

"How random." Rong Taotao scratched his head. He looked toward the teaching platform and saw no sign of Yang Chunxi, which made him feel annoyed.

’Who stops talking halfway through? So annoying.’

Rong Taotao walked back over to Jiao Tengda’s desk just in time to hear Gao Lingwei say, "This person’s Martial Arts are decent, but he has a very short fuse. We can use that as an opening and build our strategy around it."

"Taotao!"

Yang Chunxi’s voice came from outside the door.

"Huh?" Rong Taotao turned to look and saw his sister-in-law standing at the door, waving him over with a complicated expression on her face.

"Ling Wei, you come too," Yang Chunxi called out after a moment of thought.

The two exchanged a glance and quickly walked out. To their surprise, Yang Chunxi led them directly back to her office on the third floor.

Rong Taotao closed the door behind him and saw Yang Chunxi sitting in the chair behind her desk. She said, "Your uncle just called me."

Rong Taotao: "Uncle?"

Yang Chunxi nodded. "Your father."

Rong Taotao blinked. "What about?"

Yang Chunxi smiled, pulling a pen from the holder and doodling on a notepad. She said casually, "He suddenly heard news about you today. He was very shocked, and also very gratified. So he’s proposed a training plan for you."

Rong Taotao’s interest was piqued. He asked eagerly, "What kind of plan? Tell me."

Yang Chunxi put down her pen. "You know, you’re different from 99% of the people here. Strictly speaking, you’re not a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist. You’re a Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist."

"Uh," Rong Taotao nodded. Of course he was a Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist. After all, a person’s Attribute follows their Lifebound Soul Beast. It was just that his Cloud Dog wasn’t resistant to the Heart of Ice and Snow, which was why Rong Taotao had always practiced Snow Realm Soul Techniques.