Master of Nine Stars

Rong Yang watched Rong Taotao, who was lost in thought. After hesitating for a moment, he said, ”Taotao, whether you care about it or not, the mission you carried out tonight is something you can put on your résumé.”

Rong Taotao snapped out of it. ”Hmm?”

Rong Yang’s expression was serious. ”The prerequisite,” he said, ”is that you have to be a member of the Snow Burning Army.”

Rong Taotao sat cross-legged on the sofa to face Rong Yang. ”You want me to join the Twelfth Squad now?”

”Yes,” said Rong Yang. ”Since you’ve already made up your mind to join the Snow Burning Army, and a special forces unit at that, then you really need this.”

”Think about it. Even if you accomplish a lot in university, when you apply to the Snow Burning Army with your résumé, they’ll still see you as an outstanding university student. No matter how well you do, it will be seen as limited to a university student’s level.”

”But if, on top of that, you add a four-year service record with the ’Twelfth Squad,’ that’s a completely different story. Although this squad isn’t the right fit for you, we can use it as a stepping stone.”

”The Twelfth Squad is a special unit in the Snow Burning Army. It’s just like Captain Fu once joked—if you pluck any random person from the squad and send them to another unit, they’ll be revered like a living god. Even if you transfer to another special unit, you’ll go in with a lot of confidence.”

”You participated in the mission tonight, so you’ve seen for yourself just how special the Twelfth Squad is.”

Rong Taotao nodded thoughtfully. He looked like he was about to say something, but Rong Yang continued, ”I hate to say it, but... seniority is a huge deal in the military. In fact, it’s common in every industry across all of society.”

”If you’re determined to enlist, then every minute you sign up earlier brings its own advantages.”

’That’s true. It’s a very practical matter.’

Rong Yang continued, ”At the end of the day, Gao Lingwei possesses a one-of-a-kind Frost Night Xuerong. The Snow Burning Army will inevitably requisition her from time to time.”

”What can she get out of it as a university student? I don’t know. But if she were a Warrior in the Twelfth Squad, everything she does would be officially entered into her service record.”

”Likewise, as you get stronger, you’ll most likely come along whenever Gao Lingwei is requisitioned. Captain Fu thinks highly of you; he won’t turn you away.”

”Since you’re both carrying out missions and putting in the effort, why shouldn’t the two of you get what you’ve earned, just like everyone else?”

Hearing this, Rong Taotao broke into a wide grin...

’That’s my brother, all right. He’s really laid it all on the line for me.’

”But...” Rong Taotao scratched his head. ”You also said the Twelfth Squad has a huge workload with very little free time. I’m still a student...”

Rong Yang nodded. ”Before I came, I had a private chat with Captain Fu. We’re both well aware of your situation. Captain Fu is willing to do you a favor and give you two a push.”

”He’s offering you reservist status in the Twelfth Squad. When you’re called up for missions within the Third Wall, you’ll be Twelfth Squad Warriors. Otherwise, you’ll be considered a reserve force—reservists specially assigned to Pine Soul Soul Martial University to continue your studies and normal life.”

”Huh?” Rong Taotao’s expression was priceless. He looked at his brother, his mind a swirl of complex emotions. ”This... how long did you have to beg him?”

Rong Yang smiled and nodded. ”Part of it is my personal connection with him, but the main thing is your own strength. Otherwise, it would’ve been useless no matter how much I begged.”

”You need to be clearly aware of your own value. You have two Lotus Petals inside you, and Gao Lingwei has a one-of-a-kind Frost Night Xuerong.”

Without a doubt, Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei practically had the words ”high potential” written all over their faces.

These were two rising stars. As long as their growth wasn’t cut short, in just a few years, they would become two Divine Generals of the northern Snow Realm!

Investing in people like them, building a good relationship, and giving them a push before they rose to power... the future returns could be unimaginable.

Since Fu Tiance was currently serving in a special unit and had the authority to do so, he was naturally willing to forge this positive connection.

If the two of them joined the Twelfth Squad in the future, that would be excellent. If not, they were bound to make a name for themselves on another team sooner or later. Either way, it would be a valuable connection to have.

After thinking for a moment, Rong Taotao said, ”Should I ask Da Wei?”

Rong Yang nodded. ”Mm.”

Rong Taotao immediately pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen.

A few minutes later, a tall figure in a white down jacket emerged from the stairwell.

Rong Yang watched Gao Lingwei from afar, then glanced at the down jacket bundled around Rong Taotao. He couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.

He felt truly fortunate that in this bitterly cold northern Snow Realm, his little brother had found someone to share his life with.

After Rong Taotao explained everything to Gao Lingwei, she didn’t need long to think it over. She nodded lightly. ”I’ve actually always wanted to join the Snow Burning Army, especially the Twelfth Squad that hunts Poachers. Your suggestion is really ideal. Thank you, Sheep. I’m truly grateful.”

Unlike Rong Taotao, Gao Lingwei had a deep admiration for the Snow Burning Army. If it weren’t for the promise she had made to Rong Taotao, she probably would have joined long ago.

Rong Yang smiled warmly and said softly, ”In private, you can call me brother.”

”Brother Yang,” Gao Lingwei replied with a smile. ”Then I won’t have to call Coach Yang ’older sister’ anymore. I can go straight to calling her ’sister-in-law’.”

At first, Rong Yang thought Gao Lingwei was just teasing, but then he realized there was a real issue.

Gao Lingwei was a bit peculiar. Perhaps... she really was reluctant to call other women ’sister,’ which was why she always stuck to ”Coach Yang” and frequently forgot to address her differently.

Or maybe, it wasn’t that she forgot, but that she felt a slight aversion to the word itself.

Rong Taotao grabbed Rong Yang’s sleeve. ”Will Captain Fu get angry if we use the Twelfth Squad as a stepping stone? After all, my ambitions don’t lie there. My goal isn’t hunting Poachers; it’s the Third Wall and the Snow Realm Vortex.”

”Heh.” Rong Yang chuckled. ”Don’t worry. When I get back, I’ll be upfront with Captain Fu. Since he’s genuinely trying to help us, I won’t hide a single thing from him. The final decision is his to make.”

”I’ll also keep an eye out for you and see which branch of the Snow Burning Army best aligns with your personal goals.”

With that, Rong Yang sighed softly and ruffled Rong Taotao’s naturally curly hair. ”Don’t sell yourself short. Captain Fu will most likely agree. Remember what you said when you first got here? That with two Lotus Petals in hand, all you’d have to do is stand at the gate of the Snow Burning Army’s main base...”

”Heh heh.” Rong Taotao broke into a goofy grin.

Rong Yang stood up. ”Hold on to everything you can get. The more bargaining chips you have, the better. I believe that one day, you’ll achieve your goals and live the life you want.”

Rong Taotao, still sitting on the sofa, looked up at Rong Yang and nodded softly. ”Thanks, bro.”

”We’re brothers. No need for thanks.” Rong Yang waved his hand dismissively and turned toward the dormitory entrance.

As Rong Taotao watched his brother’s retreating figure, a sudden warmth spread through his chest.

”Let’s go. Back to our room,” Gao Lingwei said softly.

”Oh...”

”You said earlier that you want to go to the Third Wall, but also the Snow Realm Vortex?” Gao Lingwei asked quietly as they started up the stairs.

”Yeah.” Rong Taotao climbed the stairs, walking shoulder to shoulder with Gao Lingwei, his hand finding and taking hers.

A little cool, a little soft—the same familiar feeling.

Rong Taotao whispered, ”I already have two Lotus Petals. I want to collect all nine.”

”Oh?” Gao Lingwei looked surprised, tilting her head to glance at Rong Taotao. ”Can your body handle it?”

Rong Taotao: ”...”

”Heh.” Gao Lingwei let out a soft chuckle. ”You told me before. Of your two Lotus Petals, one came from the Snow Realm Army’s invasion of Pine Soul Soul Martial University—from the leader, an Ice Soul Guide.”

”The other came from that emperor of the snow, the Frost Beauty, who was accompanied by a Soul School-level servant, Xiao Ziru.”

”Have you ever thought about how difficult it will be to obtain the remaining Lotus Petals?”

”Well, a man’s gotta dream.” Rong Taotao gently squeezed her fingertips. ”Generation after generation, the soldiers of the Snow Burning Army have guarded these three walls. Every time a blizzard hits, the Snow Realm Army uses its home-turf advantage to raid the north.”

”For so many years, we’ve only been on the defensive, and no one has been able to break this stalemate.”

”If I get all nine Lotus Petals, my power will undergo a fundamental transformation. Maybe then I can uncover the secrets behind the Snow Realm Vortex and find a way to break the deadlock.”

”Maybe I can make it so the Snow Burning Army no longer has to stand guard here, enduring the bitter cold. So the Snow Realm Army can no longer invade the north, and there will be no more war in the Snow Realm.”

”Who knows? Maybe one day, these three walls will become a tourist destination.”

Rong Taotao stopped himself there, but in his mind, he added one more sentence—something he hadn’t told Rong Yang, his truest motivation: ’When that day comes... she should come back, right?’

”A tourist destination?” Gao Lingwei looked at Rong Taotao, understanding exactly what he meant. ”You want to write your name into the history books.”

”I know it sounds next to impossible, but... what do you say? Interested? We could give it a shot, right?” Rong Taotao tilted his head, looking at Gao Lingwei.

Gao Lingwei thought for a long moment before finally saying, ”Let’s take it one step at a time. First, you should focus on becoming a Soul Captain.”

But Rong Taotao just held up Gao Lingwei’s hand in front of her, gripping it tightly. ”This is me taking it one step at a time. See? This is my girlfriend’s hand. Isn’t it beautiful? So soft, so fair!”

Gao Lingwei: ”...”

Rong Taotao continued, ”It was so damn hard to win her over. I literally risked my life for her.”

Gao Lingwei said drily, ”Yes. Your girlfriend was almost killed by you. The word ’literally’ is quite appropriate.”

Rong Taotao: ”Uh...”

The two of them opened the door carefully. Lu Mang was still sitting on his bed, the Soul Power fluctuations around him still intense.

Unlike before, this time, Lu Mang actually spoke.

With his eyes still closed, he said, ”Bro, just wash up and go to sleep, would you? I’m finally on the verge of breaking through to the Soul Warrior stage, and you keep going in and out, back and forth. You think this is a revolving door?”

Feeling a bit awkward, Rong Taotao quickly began to absorb Soul Power to activate the Lotus Petal’s acceleration effect for Lu Mang.

But Lu Mang went on, ”Not even the gates of Hundred Corps Pass are this easy to come and go through.”

Rong Taotao’s face flushed with embarrassment. ”Shut up and absorb the Soul Power! I’m giving you a boost, the same kind of acceleration hack from the Martial Arts Arena!”

”Mmm...” Lu Mang nodded slightly. ”I can feel it. So you and Si Huan Nian are the same kind of people.”

”No kidding. Who else demolishes entire tables of food and shoves whole bookbags full of Sugar into their mouth...”

”Don’t bother him anymore. Go to sleep,” Gao Lingwei said softly, turning off the lights in the room.

Rong Taotao slipped out of his slippers and climbed into bed, letting out a long sigh. So much had happened in one day.

But who would have thought that less than five minutes after lying down, while still absorbing Soul Power, he would suddenly notice something was off?

”Mew?” The Snowball Cat, nestled beside Gao Lingwei’s pillow, looked up curiously at the opposite bed.

It saw Rong Taotao suddenly sit bolt upright, the Soul Power fluctuations around his body nearly as intense as Lu Mang’s.

Gao Lingwei turned to look, her brow furrowing slightly. ’He just advanced to the Soul Warrior rank; it’s impossible for him to be promoting to Soul Captain already. And a small-stage breakthrough within the Soul Warrior Stage shouldn’t cause such a huge disturbance. So...’

’Is the Cloud Dog about to advance?’

’That little dog really lucked out with its master. All it does is eat, drink, and play all day, and it’s managed to advance just by being nourished by Rong Taotao?’

...