Master of Nine Stars

「One week later, inside the Starfield Vortex.」

Under the scorching sun, on the training grounds for Star Battle Vine Masters, a man and a woman clad in orange-red moved in perfect sync, advancing step by step through a dense thicket of vines.

Stars coiled around Ye Nanxi, and from her hands, she unleashed sheets of Star Wave Stream, shattering the vines whipping through the air before her, looking just like a War God.

And behind her, Rong Taotao was also wreathed in stars.

This was courtesy of Ye Nanxi’s Elite-tier Star Spin, which could slightly increase the Quality of Starfield Soul Skills and enhance Rong Taotao’s casting effects.

Such a harmonious scene would have been unimaginable just a week ago. But at this moment, the placated little Nanxi was indeed cooperating perfectly with Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao wielded his Tang Saber, dodging left and right like Ye Nanxi’s shadow, helping her advance with large strides through the wildly lashing vines.

Empowered by Ye Nanxi’s Star Spin and his own Douxing Qi, Rong Taotao could not only sever a Star Trace Whip with a single slash, but his chopping motions were also a bit faster.

"Whoa! So fast!" Rong Taotao exclaimed, his heart leaping with joy.

A message had just appeared in his Inner Soul Map: "Advanced! Soul Technique: Starfield Heart, One-Star High-Tier!"

In his past days of training, Rong Taotao’s Starfield Heart had already advanced from beginner-tier to mid-tier.

However, advancing to high-tier had seemed like a distant dream.

However, the arrival of Great Soul General Nan Cheng had benefited Rong Taotao immensely. The Star Fragments in her body were no mere decoration; his training speed had increased by a huge margin.

Snow Realm Soul Martial Artists truly couldn’t compare to their Starfield counterparts. The best training environment for a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist was merely North of the Wall, while Starfield Soul Martial Artists could train directly inside a Starfield Vortex. The concentration of Soul Power was simply terrifying.

"What happened to you?" Ye Nanxi yelled. Her hands, coated in Cold Star Cover, grabbed two of the Vine Whips. Ordinarily, she might have dodged, regardless of whether Rong Taotao lived or died. But now... she was finally learning to look after someone.

Rong Taotao hastily drew his saber and sliced through the Vine Whips wrapped around her arms. "I’m fine," he said.

"My blast or yours?" Ye Nanxi asked, shaking her sore and numb arms.

Rong Taotao replied, "Me, of course. Your blast will just send you flying, right? You planning on ditching me again?"

"Save your Snow Burst. Conserve your Snow Realm Soul Power. I’ll do it!" Ye Nanxi suddenly spun around and grabbed Rong Taotao. At the same time, the stars at her feet detonated, blasting two small craters into the turf.

"You’re my Shadow Guard, after all. I couldn’t bear to leave you behind," Ye Nanxi said. With one hand extended, pushing out a pillar of Star Wave Stream, and the other holding Rong Taotao, the pair shot forward at high speed.

Rong Taotao curled his lip. "Oh-ho? Finally realizing how useful I am?"

"Hmph, less talk!" Ye Nanxi’s figure shot forward and landed steadily. "Rong’s Mute Hammer!"

"Clear the way, clear the way!" Rong Taotao bellowed, watching as Ye Nanxi thrust both hands forward, unleashing two currents of Star Wave Stream that instantly shattered the dense vines before them.

At that very moment, a Meow Meow Hammer from the north, representing the glory of the northern gods, shot past with a WHOOSH, following the attack route the Star Wave Stream had created for it.

A muffled THUD!

"HISSS..." The Star Battle Vine Master groaned. Its head had suffered a grievous blow, and its massive body tilted sharply backward. Simultaneously, the countless vines spreading from its body all froze in midair.

"Give me a push!" Ye Nanxi leaped up on the spot, bending her legs and kicking backward.

Rong Taotao dug his feet into the ground, a thick layer of Soul Power coating his shoulder to brace against her athletic shoes and defend against their traction spikes.

Perched on Rong Taotao’s shoulder, Ye Nanxi’s face held a trace of excitement and even greater anticipation. ’Her favorite part was about to begin!’

"Go, Ye Xiaoxi! I choose you!" The next moment, Rong Taotao stomped his feet and thrust his shoulder forward with all his might!

SWOOSH~

Ye Nanxi’s long, slender figure shot through the mass of frozen vines.

She spun as she flew, displaying the excellent physique of a Warrior. Her graceful posture and movements were in no way inferior to those of a professional gymnast.

A heavy THUD!

The graceful gymnast instantly transformed into a vicious school bully. Her fists, coated in Cold Star Cover, precisely bombarded the Star Battle Vine Master’s jaw.

THWAP... THWAP... THWAP... After their master suffered such a grievous blow, the vines frozen in midair finally lost control and tumbled to the ground.

And Ye Nanxi’s skill at delivering finishing blows was simply maxed out. Or perhaps... she was more obsessed with the coup de grâce than the battle itself.

Rong Taotao dusted off his shoulder. If it hadn’t been for the Soul Power covering it, those athletic shoes would have probably torn a few holes in his clothes.

Looking ahead again, he saw Ye Nanxi straddling the Star Battle Vine Master, raining down attacks from both sides—punch after punch, elbow after elbow...

The sight made Rong Taotao wince. ’Man, where does this girl get such a temper?’

’Jeez, is she here to train or just to blow off steam?’

In the distance, Rong Yuanshan and Nan Cheng, who were watching over them, exchanged a glance. They could both see a trace of satisfaction in the other’s eyes.

Rong Yuanshan said, "Their coordination is getting more and more in sync."

"Indeed," Nan Cheng remarked with a sigh. "In just one short week, a Star Battle Vine Master is no longer a problem for them. A commander of Taotao’s caliber must be in high demand at school, right?"