Master of Nine Stars

"Soul Beast discovered: Cloud Peak · White Clouds and Grey Dogs (Normal Quality, Potential Value: 2 Stars). 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Soul Pearl Soul Skill:

1, Thousand Transformations and Illusions: Cleverly infuses the entire body with Soul Power to briefly alter its physical state. (Normal Quality, Potential Value: 2 Stars.)

Absorb as Lifebound Soul Beast?"

Under Yang Chunxi’s watchful eye, Rong Taotao reached his hand into the glass case. He didn’t touch the physical form of the White Clouds and Grey Dogs, however; he only felt a plume of mist, a faint chill grazing his fingertips.

But soon, the White Clouds and Grey Dogs re-formed, changing back into a small, milky-white puppy that looked very much like a Labrador puppy.

It was absolutely adorable.

But unlike the Labrador breed on Earth, the ears of the White Clouds and Grey Dogs were a little large and cloud-like, almost resembling a pair of small wings.

Its small tail was just as distinctive as its ears, also shaped like a cloud, giving it a fantastical appearance.

Rong Taotao made his decision instantly. ’Of course I’ll absorb it!’

’A Cloud Peak Soul Beast, a cub, and it’s extremely low-quality and weak. It’s the perfect choice for a Lifebound Soul Beast!’

At Rong Taotao’s decision, the White Clouds and Grey Dogs dissolved into mist, and a cool sensation rapidly flooded into his palm.

A few seconds later, another message appeared in his Inner Soul Map.

"Lifebound Soul Beast absorbed: White Clouds and Grey Dogs!

Character: Rong Taotao (Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist).

Lifebound Soul Beast: Cloud Peak · White Clouds and Grey Dogs (Normal Quality, Potential Value: 6 Stars).

I. Soul Power: Soul Soldier · Initial Stage (Potential Value: 6 Stars)

II. Soul Technique: Heart of the Snow Realm · One-Star Elementary Stage (Potential Value: 6 Stars)

III. Soul Skill: None.

IV. Martial Arts:

1. Hand-to-Hand Combat, Two-Star High Stage (Potential Value: 4 Stars)

2. Heaven-piercing Halberd Mastery, Four-Star · Elementary Stage (Potential Value: 4 Stars).

V. Available Potential Value: 0."

Rong Taotao froze. ’Wait, a second ago, the White Clouds and Grey Dogs only had a measly two stars for Potential Value. How did it suddenly jump to six?’

’So it really is shared Talent?’

When a human and a beast bond and become one, their Talent is calculated based on whichever of them is higher.

Rong Taotao hurriedly opened the stats for his Lifebound Soul Beast and was overjoyed.

"Cloud Peak · White Clouds and Grey Dogs (Normal Quality, Potential Value: 6 Stars).

Soul Pearl Soul Skill:

1, Thousand Transformations and Illusions: Cleverly infuses the entire body with Soul Power to briefly alter its physical state. (Normal Quality, Potential Value: 6 Stars.)"

Not only had the White Clouds and Grey Dogs’ overall Potential Value increased, its Soul Skill’s Potential Value had skyrocketed as well!

One star for Normal, two for Excellent, three for Elite, four for Master, five for Royal, six for Legendary...

’With a six-star Potential Value, does that mean this little puppy can reach Legendary Level?’

’Xu Taiping?’

’Heh, I’ll flatten him!’

’In the future, my dog will be every bit as good as you are!’

As Rong Taotao was celebrating, a plume of mist swirled in his hand, and soon, a palm-sized puppy materialized in his palm.

Naturally weak and a little timid, it stuck out its little pink tongue and gently licked Rong Taotao’s palm, as if cautiously trying to please its new master.

This was precisely why human Soul Martial Artists preferred to absorb weak Lifebound Soul Beasts, especially ones that were still young.

Because they were at a distinct disadvantage, they were more willing to accept a master—or rather, more willing to depend on a Soul Martial Artist.

The entire process of absorbing the Lifebound Soul Beast had been effortless for Rong Taotao; everything went off without a hitch.

Rong Taotao cradled the White Clouds and Grey Dogs in one palm, raised his other hand, and gently poked its tiny head with a finger.

"Whimper~" The White Clouds and Grey Dogs flinched, its glossy black eyes staring up pitifully at Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao blinked back. ’Oh my god, how can you be so adorable?’

’If your body can turn into mist, then where did this little tongue come from? And these tiny paws...’

For a moment, the two little ones stared wide-eyed at each other. Squatting there in the snow, they watched one another with curiosity, neither making a move.

’Good,’

’Now, we just have to see who outlives the other...’

While Rong Taotao was sizing up his new partner, Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi had gotten exactly what they wanted: an Anomalous Snow Night Shock.

Even before they had arrived at Songjiang Soul Martial University, back at the Pine Soul Station, Sun Xingyu had been completely captivated by the Snow Night Shocks. Li Ziyi had made it clear then that he would choose a Snow Night Shock right alongside her.

What they hadn’t expected was that after successfully enrolling in Songjiang Soul Martial University, the young couple would receive not an ordinary Snow Night Shock, but an extremely rare Anomalous Snow Night Shock.

Yang Chunxi watched as Lu Mang, Sun Xingyu, Li Ziyi, and the others made their choices, and she nodded silently.

’Just as I expected. They all chose the Anomalous Snow Night Shocks.’

These Snow Night Shocks had been trained by the most elite Horse Trainers. Their ability to connect with the human mind was on par with that of guide dogs in human society.

"TSK TSK... Hee hee, hee hee~" Sun Xingyu clicked her tongue in admiration. She circled her Lifebound Soul Beast, liking it more and more with every glance. Her small hands stroked its jet-black coat, and finally, she couldn’t resist leaning in close.

Sun Xingyu cupped the Snow Night Shock’s lowered head in her hands. She closed her beautiful, large eyes, rose onto her tiptoes, and pressed her cheek against the horse’s face, nuzzling it gently. "My name is Sun Xingyu," she whispered. "I’ll take very good care of you."

Nearby, Li Ziyi was also bonding with his chosen Snow Night Shock. When he heard her words, he couldn’t help but glance over at Sun Xingyu.

It just went to show that when it came to teenage jealousy, it didn’t matter who—or even what species—the other party was.

"Xu Taiping," Yang Chunxi said. "It’s your turn."

As Xu Taiping stepped forward, all the Soul Beasts waiting to be chosen began to stir restlessly.

Clearly, the Soul Beasts understood what Xu Taiping was far better than the humans did.

After all, he emanated the same aura they did.

"VMMMM..." As Xu Taiping walked forward, the bow-shaped and sword-shaped Snow Souls on the weapon rack began to vibrate, letting out a low hum.

Xu Taiping stopped and glanced at the weapon rack, seeing the weapons that were offering themselves to him.

Apparently, Xu Taiping was much more popular with the Soul Beasts than the human Soul Martial Artists were.

"SNORT..." A black Snow Night Shock suddenly snorted. It was the same temperamental one that had previously shown its displeasure toward Fan Lihua.

Rong Taotao plopped down in the snow, cradling the White Clouds and Grey Dogs in his arms as he watched Xu Taiping with curiosity.

’This is new. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Soul Beasts compete for someone’s favor.’

"I cannot absorb a Lifebound Soul Beast. I have no ability to increase your potential." Xu Taiping walked to the weapon rack. He reached out, his pale fingers gently brushing across the bow and sword as he murmured, "You’d be better off following someone else. Perhaps they can change your fate."

Rong Taotao’s jaw dropped. Although Xu Taiping’s face remained impassive, Rong Taotao had never heard him speak so gently before.

’My god, what is going on...?’

Under Xu Taiping’s soothing touch, the humming bow and sword gradually grew still.

Xu Taiping then walked over to the Snow Night Shock that had snorted earlier. His deathly pale hand gently caressed the side of its face.

The students didn’t know what Xu Taiping said to this particular Snow Night Shock. After ten or so seconds, he slowly backed away. "I’m not choosing."

Yang Chunxi pursed her lips, sighing inwardly.

’Xu Taiping himself is a Snow Realm Soul Beast. From his perspective, the real reward for him shouldn’t be another Soul Beast, but a human Soul Martial Artist—or rather... a human body.’

’Their Potential Value wouldn’t matter, because Xu Taiping’s own aptitude is monstrously high.’

’The Ice Soul Guide race does indeed have a powerful learning ability—they can even master the Soul Technique: Heart of the Snow Realm without a teacher. However, the difficulties they face in their cultivation are far greater than those of human Soul Martial Artists.’

’If Xu Taiping were given a human body, everything would change. A compatible vessel would allow his cultivation path to be completely unobstructed.’

Yang Chunxi was silent for a moment before saying, "You achieved excellent results. Just think of this as choosing a companion."

"No." Xu Taiping shook his head. "Their potential is too low. With me... for their entire lives, this will be all they can ever be.

I know that the students who came for the Junior Class assessment are all exceptionally talented."

As he spoke, Xu Taiping turned his handsome yet expressionless face to Yang Chunxi and looked at her silently. "I only hope that their future human partners won’t let them down."

Beneath his soft-spoken words, there seemed to lie an endless well of sorrow.

Perhaps true empathy really didn’t exist in this world. In this Soul Beast selection process, framed as a "reward," Xu Taiping, himself a Soul Beast, was essentially watching his own kind being picked over by humans.

And his kind were so weak, so docile, that they didn’t even have the right to refuse when faced with being chosen by humans.

A voice suddenly came from behind. "I won’t let you down. Do you dare?"

Xu Taiping’s brow twitched. He turned and saw Lu Mang standing beside a Snow Night Shock.

Lu Mang, who had ranked third, had already chosen an Anomalous Snow Night Shock. He simply hadn’t absorbed it and formed the bond yet.

Looking at the choppy-haired Lu Mang, Xu Taiping narrowed his red eyes. "Fickle. You’re looking to die."

Lu Mang’s deadpan expression could rival Xu Taiping’s. He just said quietly, "I’m only doing it because I pity you."

The next moment, Xu Taiping’s right hand reached for the longsword on the weapon rack.

"Stop." Yang Chunxi’s voice rang out as a dense wave of Soul Power erupted from beneath her feet. The angle and force of the impact were incredibly precise; both Xu Taiping and Lu Mang were sent staggering back five or six steps by the immense force!

Poor Lu Mang. He was already leaning on a crutch, and after being disciplined by Yang Chunxi like that, his body was sent stumbling all over the place. The wooden crutch nearly snapped in two...

After steadying himself, Xu Taiping fixed his crimson eyes on Lu Mang. But then, unexpectedly, a strange smile spread across his face. "I dare," he said. "Do you?"

"Lu Mang, your Soul Beast reward is revoked!" Yang Chunxi snapped, pointing a finger at the stone building nearby. "Go to the classroom entrance and stand at attention. You’ll stay there until I’m satisfied."

This was the first time Rong Taotao had ever seen Yang Chunxi so severe. Her voice was just as stern. "The Snow Burning Army’s evaluation of you was ’Loyal.’ Your actions today have greatly disappointed me."

At her words, Lu Mang lowered his head and started toward the stone building.

The trained Snow Night Shocks could clearly understand human speech.

Even though Yang Chunxi had said his "reward is revoked," and even though this particular Snow Night Shock had not yet become Lu Mang’s Lifebound Soul Beast, it... still began to follow him of its own accord.

Lu Mang, leaning on his crutch as he walked, clearly heard the sound of hooves behind him.

He clearly faltered for a second, then turned his head to see the Snow Night Shock he had chosen earlier.

The tall, jet-black steed also stopped. It lowered its head, its large, dark-golden eyes gazing silently at Lu Mang.

When Lu Mang started walking again, the Snow Night Shock behind him followed once more...

Yang Chunxi’s voice drifted over from a distance, reaching Lu Mang’s ears. "When it comes to loyalty, it seems you’ve found yourself a qualified teacher."