Master of Nine Stars

When classes finally let out that afternoon, Rong Taotao picked up the Cloud Dog, slipped out the back door, cut across the hallway, and dived straight into his dorm room.

’I studied Luminous Lantern Paper Cage all last night and still haven’t learned it. This is so embarrassing! No, I have to master this Soul Skill today!’

Rong Taotao saw Si Huan Nian meditating with her eyes closed and felt the Soul Power surging around her. He couldn’t help but whisper, ”Coach Si?”

”Mm.” Si Huan Nian hummed in response.

”What’s the main technique for Luminous Lantern Paper Cage? I feel like I’m already putting my heart into it. I’m truly wishing for the snowflakes to be joyous and happy, but it seems like it’s not enough?

Every time I use it, it still comes out as a White Lantern Paper Cage.” Rong Taotao moved closer, gazing at Si Huan Nian with pleading eyes, his thirst for knowledge impossible to hide.

Si Huan Nian, however, didn’t even open her eyes. She said simply, ”More intensity.”

Rong Taotao: ”Huh?”

Si Huan Nian: ”Does pain have levels?”

Rong Taotao scratched his head and said, ”Of course.”

Si Huan Nian: ”So do happiness and joy.”

Rong Taotao: ”Er...”

Si Huan Nian: ”The happiness you feel from finding a coin on the street is a different level from the joy of the person you like agreeing to be with you.”

Rong Taotao clicked his tongue, a pained look on his face. ’Is she doing this on purpose? She’s really not going to let this go, is she?’

Si Huan Nian continued, ”Luminous Lantern Paper Cage is the advanced version of White Lantern Paper Cage. Although it’s only a two-star Excellent Level Soul Skill, it’s the pinnacle of its kind—the highest level there is.

If you can’t offer them the best, then approach the problem from a different angle. The snowflakes, imbued with humanity, will empathize with you. Your emotions will eventually infect them.

Tell me, in this world, what is it that makes you feel the happiest?”

Rong Taotao froze for a moment. ’Does putting my heart into it really mean going this deep?’

’To use the Soul Skill: Luminous Lantern Paper Cage, I have to personally experience ultimate happiness and joy?’

’No wonder the instructor once said that many powerful Soul Martial Artists might be unable to use this Soul Skill in a combat situation, that they’d just fall flat.’

’On a dangerous battlefield where life and death are decided in an instant, who the fuck could possibly feel happy?’

Rong Taotao: ”I... uh...”

Si Huan Nian suddenly asked, ”Why did you come to the Snow Realm? Do you have your own goal?”

This time, however, Rong Taotao didn’t respond.

Si Huan Nian: ”Try to deceive yourself. Imagine that your goal has been achieved. In that moment, how would you feel?”

As she spoke, Si Huan Nian, still meditating with her eyes closed, suddenly blew a gentle breath. But what emerged from her lips was a flurry of frosty snow.

Rong Taotao dazedly reached out his hand. In an instant, his palm was enveloped by the frosty snow.

Si Huan Nian: ”Remember, you have to truly trick yourself. You must believe it’s really happening. Only then can you infect the snowflakes with an emotion of the same level.”

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Si Huan Nian suddenly opened her beautiful eyes. In her line of sight, Rong Taotao’s head was tilted back slightly, his gaze distant as he stared upward.

And the frosty snow enveloping Rong Taotao’s palm activated, one flake after another. They began to dance lightly in the air, the light they shimmered with no longer white, but gold!

”Mastered Snow Realm Soul Skill: Luminous Lantern Paper Cage!

Luminous Lantern Paper Cage: Activate snowflakes with Soul Power and imbue them with humanity. Snowflakes basking in happiness will naturally give their truest response. (Excellent Level, Potential Value: 2 Stars · Max)”

Si Huan Nian’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her heart was filled with admiration.

Last night, she had told Rong Taotao the principle behind this Soul Skill, but he hadn’t managed to figure it out on his own. Today, with just a little guidance, he succeeded in a matter of seconds...

Si Huan Nian was just about to say something when she saw his eyes begin to well up.

Si Huan Nian opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

She didn’t ask what Rong Taotao was thinking, nor what level of emotion he had used to make the snowflakes empathize with him.

Not only that, but Si Huan Nian even closed her eyes again, pretending she hadn’t seen a thing.

Rong Taotao watched the golden lights dancing in the air, then shook his head sharply and flung his hand.

’To hell with this bullshit class monitor position!’

’I came here to get stronger, not to be like Ah Q, just deceiving myself!’

Silence fell over the dorm room. After a long moment, Rong Taotao came back to his senses and let out a deep sigh.

Rong Taotao crossed his legs, mimicking Si Huan Nian as he sat on the sofa. ”Teacher,” he asked, ”does every Soul Martial Artist who uses Luminous Lantern Paper Cage need this level of emotion?”

Si Huan Nian replied softly, ”Yes. For some, it’s simple—just a memory. But for others, it’s very difficult.

After all, once the Luminous Lantern Paper Cage fades, the dream is separated from reality. The Soul Martial Artist who just deceived themselves must then face reality once more.”

Rong Taotao pouted and muttered under his breath, ”I hate this Soul Skill.”

Si Huan Nian hummed softly. ”Many Soul Martial Artists hate it, which is why most of them only use White Lantern Paper Cage. However, I hope that one day, you’ll come to like this Soul Skill.”

Rong Taotao thought for a moment, understanding her meaning. ”Thank you, Teacher,” he said softly.

Si Huan Nian turned her head. Seeing Rong Taotao also sitting cross-legged in a decent imitation of her pose, she couldn’t help but smile, and suddenly blew a puff of air at his face.

”Ugh.” Rong Taotao quickly raised a hand to block, but the surprise attack caught him, and he got a face full of snow from Si Huan Nian.