Master of Nine Stars

Even a layman could see Ye Nanxi’s explosive damage output, but the two experts overseeing the battle could tell at a glance that the entire rhythm of the fight had been dictated by that "Shadow Guard."

It wasn’t just his teammate, Ye Nanxi; even their opponent, the Star Battle Vine Master, was moving to Rong Taotao’s beat.

"I’m not too sure. I really haven’t paid enough attention to him." Rong Yuanshan smiled awkwardly, a sense of guilt in his heart. "Ever since he started middle school, my work was transferred to the Imperial Capital City. I’ve rarely seen him since."

"This past month has been the most time we’ve spent together in a long while."

"Yes, I know all about your work, of course." Nan Cheng understood, but a hint of resignation touched her face as she said softly, "Once a man pledges his life to his country, it’s hard to pledge it to his family as well."

Hearing this, Rong Yuanshan shook his head, a bitter expression on his face. "Let’s just use those words to console ourselves. We shouldn’t say that to the kids. We can’t force them to understand. In fact, it’s normal if they don’t. We can’t hold them emotionally hostage."

"Yes, we won’t," Nan Cheng agreed with a slight nod.

The truth was, much like her daughter Ye Nanxi, Nan Cheng also needed people she could truly talk to.

Nan Cheng didn’t have her daughter’s many faults, but it was an unavoidable truth: the higher your status and the greater your power, the more people around you resort to flattery.

So, hearing Rong Yuanshan’s words, which carried a hint of dissent and disagreement, made Nan Cheng nod inwardly in approval.

"We should move to a different area," Rong Yuanshan said, changing the subject.

"What about the Lesser Star Cluster?" Nan Cheng suggested.

Rong Yuanshan considered it for a moment, then replied, "With your help, Taotao’s Starfield Soul Technique should be able to reach the two-star level before he leaves the Starfield Vortex."

"I was thinking of equipping him with an Excellent-grade, damage-oriented Starfield Soul Skill. It should help him stand out at the university."

"As you know, he’s at Songjiang Soul Martial University, and the people he’s competing against are all Snow Realm Soul Martial Students."

Nan Cheng said, "Are you sure? I saw his Snow Fury and Iron Snow Forearm. Both are elite-grade Soul Skills with excellent effects. For someone at his level, they’re already quite powerful. What’s his remaining Soul Slot?"

Rong Yuanshan replied, "His forehead."

"The forehead..." Nan Cheng frowned slightly. "There aren’t many good forehead Soul Skills for a two-star Soul Technique. You’d probably have to find a top-tier Soul Beast that’s still a cub."

Rong Yuanshan said, "That won’t be necessary. He’s mentally linked to his older brother, who is a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist and can’t use Starfield Soul Pearls."

"I think the Iron Snow Forearm could be replaced. His defensive Halberd Technique is quite impressive, and he doesn’t need to block with his forearm when using a polearm."

"And if he were wielding a blade, he isn’t the type to plant his feet for a direct confrontation anyway. The Iron Snow Forearm is incompatible with his fighting style."

"An Excellent-grade Soul Skill, for the elbow slot." Nan Cheng nodded thoughtfully. "Starburst..."

"Nan!" Rong Taotao called out as he walked over.

"Hmm?" Nan Cheng snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Rong Taotao, a smile gracing her lips. "Well done. You’ve more or less gotten Xixi on the right track."

In the distance, Ye Nanxi, who had been straddling the Star Battle Vine Master and relentlessly attacking it, finally crushed the enemy. She stood up and gave a huge, satisfying stretch, feeling great all over. "Ah... That was awesome! Taotao! Hey? Where’d Taotao go?"

Nan Cheng: "..."

Rong Yuanshan: "..."

Rong Taotao said with a smile, "I just felt my Soul Technique improve significantly, like I broke through some kind of barrier. I think I’ve probably advanced to the high tier of the one-star rank."

"Oh?" Nan Cheng looked at Rong Taotao, the look of satisfaction in her eyes growing deeper. "So soon?"

"It’s all thanks to you overseeing things from the sidelines, Nan," Rong Taotao said, scratching his head with a bashful smile.

"You’ve got a sweet tongue, little one." Nan Cheng chuckled, curling a finger to gently tap Rong Taotao on the forehead.

’She doesn’t act like a Soul General at all. She’s just like a kind, approachable aunt.’

Rong Taotao suddenly asked, "Nan, could I ask you for something?"

"Of course. Anything," Nan Cheng agreed with a nod, without a moment’s hesitation.

Nearby, Ye Nanxi, who was walking over, heard this and saw her mother’s attitude toward Rong Taotao. She couldn’t help but pout.

’Mom never smiles at me like that! That damn Rong Taotao...’

Rong Taotao lowered his voice. "Can I see your Star Fragment?"

"Hmm?" Nan Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

Rong Yuanshan’s expression hardened, and he chided softly, "Taotao!"

"It’s fine." Nan Cheng waved her hand dismissively. She knew that she and Rong Taotao were kindred spirits in this regard. From that perspective alone, they were on the same level, and she didn’t mind letting him in on her "secret."

Nan Cheng said casually, "It’s good for the boy to see it, anyway."

Rong Yuanshan glanced around, but he didn’t spot any other Practitioners in the area.

Nan Cheng opened her palm. Instantly, a dense wave of Soul Power gathered, gradually coalescing in her hand to form a Star Fragment.

It emitted a faint, fluorescent glow, as pure and white as moonlight.

’No, to be precise, this so-called Star Fragment is... a piece of the moon? It’s even curved.’

Rong Taotao, after a moment of stunned silence, also held out his palm and summoned his Star-shaped Lamp.

The Star-shaped Lamp emitted a bluish-purple light, but the surface of the tiny sphere was pockmarked and cratered, covered in circles large and small, exactly like the craters on the moon.

"They’re so similar," Rong Taotao murmured, holding his Star-shaped Lamp next to the edge of Nan Cheng’s palm and comparing them.