Master of Nine Stars

Starfield Soul Skill: Cold Star Cover.

THUD!

CRACK... The sound of a shattering nose bridge was accompanied by trickles of fresh blood and Bai Xiwu’s agonized wail.

The shattering stars seared Bai Xiwu’s skull, leaving it buzzing.

The two staggered and fell, tumbling into a heap. They rolled across the Shuangxue-covered turf, smearing it with gushing blood.

Unlike Gao Lingwei’s headbutt earlier, Rong Taotao’s head wasn’t dizzy. This was because his Cold Star Cover, now seemingly imbued with a will of its own, had responded with incredible force to Rong Taotao’s desperate plea!

’Desire?’

’The very foundation of Cold Star Cover’s existence was desire.’

’To be needed by its Caster was the very meaning and purpose of its existence.’

’And I fucking need you right now!’

’She put her life on the line to give me this chance! And you? Cold Star Cover, do you see what I’m risking my life for?’

”Level Up! Starfield Soul Skill: Cold Star Cover, Excellent Level!”

Intense pain seared his nerves, but as he rolled on the ground, Rong Taotao had never felt more clear-headed. He grabbed the dazed Bai Xiwu beside him as his Cold Star Cover flashed over his fist.

THUD!

Already dazed from Rong Taotao’s headbutt, Bai Xiwu took the vicious punch right on the jaw.

”Ah...” Bai Xiwu’s groan was barely audible. The blow to his jaw nearly cut off the blood flow through his carotid artery in an instant.

Blood gushed from the two holes in Rong Taotao’s lower abdomen, but he paid them no mind, his elbow flaring with light once more!

The Night Sky Stars covering his forehead vanished. At the same instant, stars swirled around Rong Taotao’s forearm as he brought it crashing down!

THUD!

Another muffled thud!

THUD!

Shattered starlight sprayed in all directions...

TWEET~! An astonished Li Lie immediately blew his whistle.

”He’s fine, the injured student is fine!” Coach Dong’s voice rang out from the sidelines.

However, the fight didn’t stop.

The boy who usually seemed so harmless now fought like a cornered, rabid dog, as if determined to tear his enemy to shreds with his dying breath.

THUD! Another heavy blow, another spray of shattering starlight!

Rong Taotao’s star-wreathed elbow crashed into Bai Xiwu’s jaw once again...

”Taotao! Taotao!” Li Lie rushed over, grabbing Rong Taotao’s wrist and pulling him away.

The crowd of thousands fell utterly silent.

They had just witnessed a similar scene.

That was when Gao Lingwei had taken Bai Xiweng out of the arena, disqualifying him. In a furious rage, he had raised his elbow high, only to have his wrist caught by Cha Er, who dragged him off Gao Lingwei before the blow could land.

And now, Rong Taotao had done the same, raising his elbow, only to be grabbed by the wrist by Li Lie and dragged off Bai Xiwu...

”Match over! Team Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei wins!” Li Lie announced loudly. He pushed Rong Taotao to the ground with one hand, then pressed both of his own onto Rong Taotao’s lower abdomen as a layer of frost spread out, sealing the wounds.

”Hah... hah...” Lying on his back, Rong Taotao’s chest heaved violently. The Cold Star Cover shimmering on his fist and arm quietly faded away.

Beside him, Li Lie’s mouth was moving, calling his name over and over.

It was as if the world’s mute button had been pressed.

’Everything you went through... I’ve experienced it all now, too.’

Rong Taotao stared up at the sky, hazy with a cold mist. He gazed at the faint winter sun as his vision blurred and his focus faded.

’So... you must have seen this, too, just now...’

...