Master of Nine Stars

Chen Muge’s speed abruptly increased, and several more Star Balls wrapped around his wrist. ”That’s it! Bring out your full power! Give me a decent fight!!!”

But Rong Taotao suddenly waved a hand to the side, and a verdant Lotus Petal spun away from his left hand!

Chen Muge’s eyes narrowed. His thirst for battle was so intense he appeared frenzied, but inwardly, he was more cautious than ever.

He had watched the Outer Region finals countless times and knew of the Lotus’s nigh-indestructible offensive capabilities. Of course, Chen Muge had come prepared.

He simply craved to face Rong Taotao in his Complete Form, yearning to defeat a Soul Martial Artist who possessed a Snow Realm Treasure and add a glorious Chapter to his Soul Martial Life!

Chen Muge was no fool!

He charged forward, his eyes fixed warily on the soaring Lotus Petal. His gaze shifted, following the Lotus as it danced to the side.

But... just how devious was Rong Taotao?

Rong Taotao’s flourishing left hand appeared to be deploying the Lotus Petal, but in reality, this was an accompanying motion.

An accompanying motion for which Soul Skill?

The elite-tier Snow Realm Soul Skill: Snow Ghost Hand!

Just as Chen Muge was completely focused, his eyes locked on the Lotus Petal flying sideways, a slender, pale hand suddenly shot out from the ground beneath his feet!

BAM!

This time, however, the Snow Ghost Hand wasn’t an open palm. It was clenched into a tight fist.

As Chen Muge leaned forward in his charge, a ”Snow Fist” suddenly erupted from the ground and slammed heavily into his abdomen!

And just like that...

With a muffled THUD, the Snow Fist launched Chen Muge straight into the air!

’Is this...’

’A Rising Dragon Fist?’

’A Shoryuken?’

The Snow Ghost Hand continued its ascent, the fist pressed against Chen Muge’s abdomen. Its arm extended endlessly, relentlessly shoving him higher and higher into the sky!

Alarmed, Chen Muge swiftly swung his Two-Handed Greatsword downward, attempting to sever the endlessly extending arm of snow.

”Da Wei!”

”Muge!”

The voices of Rong Taotao and Chen Zhaowu erupted across the arena at almost the exact same moment.

Gao Lingwei, startled, barely managed to dodge one Star Cross Slash after another. She knew full well that the elder brother, Chen Zhaowu, was attacking her so frantically only to stall her, creating an opportunity for his younger brother to achieve his dream.

Against the backdrop of the Starfield Vortex, Chen Zhaowu had a sufficient supply of Soul Power. He could afford to be this reckless!

Just as Gao Lingwei was desperately searching for a way to counter him, Rong Taotao’s voice rang out!

Gao Lingwei whipped her head around and saw Rong Taotao waving his hands again and again, sending one Heaven-piercing Halberd after another hurtling toward the man who had been launched into the air!

High in the air, Chen Muge endured the pain in his abdomen, his heart a mix of shock and fury.

’Damn it! I fell for the trap!’

Chen Muge brought his greatsword down, shattering the endlessly extending arm of the Snow Ghost Hand.

Immediately after, Chen Muge glanced down and saw the Heaven-piercing Halberds Rong Taotao was hurling one after another. He let out a furious roar, ”Is that all you’ve got?”

As he spoke, Chen Muge swung the greatsword in his hands again and again, creating a nigh-impenetrable defense that deflected halberd after halberd.

A strange light flickered in Gao Lingwei’s eyes as she desperately urged her Snow Grudge Spirit to chase after Chen Muge.

At the same time, Gao Lingwei also began waving her hands, joining Rong Taotao to form a pair of ”anti-aircraft cannons”!

”Stop!” Chen Zhaowu cried out, both shocked and furious. A moment ago, Gao Lingwei had been teetering on the brink of life and death. Now, the tables had turned, and his own brother was in that very same predicament.

The only reason Gao Lingwei could now act as an ”anti-aircraft cannon” and attack with impunity was that Chen Zhaowu had turned his attention to Rong Taotao.

Chen Zhaowu stomped, and turbulent currents of Soul Power once again swirled around Rong Taotao’s feet. In an instant, Rong Taotao’s body was thrown off-balance, and he couldn’t even keep his footing.

Chen Zhaowu seized the opportunity and slashed downward. A Star Cross Slash whistled through the air, hurtling toward Rong Taotao dozens of meters away.

Rong Taotao fell on his rear and kicked hard against the ground. It didn’t matter where he went, as long as he moved from his current spot!

Rong Taotao shot backward, lying on the ground, and raised his left hand again. ”Rise!!!”

Chen Zhaowu did his utmost to save his brother. Having just dealt with Rong Taotao, he lunged toward the other ”anti-aircraft cannon”: Gao Lingwei!

In an instant, Gao Lingwei’s figure wavered, but...

A Snow Ghost Hand abruptly burst from the snow. Its extended arm, like a nimble serpent, coiled around Gao Lingwei’s long leg and finally wrapped around her waist.

”Hm?” Gao Lingwei hurriedly dispelled the Snow Burst Ball in her hand. The Snow Ghost Hand wrapped around her leg and waist was actually lifting her into the air?

”Heh.” Rong Taotao grinned. Lying on his back and constantly kicking himself backward, he waved his raised left hand back and forth above his head like the conductor of a symphony orchestra.

Meanwhile, his raised right hand seemed to be beckoning the heavens, calling down one tiny star after another to rain down upon Chen Muge’s head.

”In your dreams!!!” Chen Muge flicked his Two-Handed Greatsword upward. A Star Cross Slash shot toward the sky, unstoppable. It made a series of PING-PANG sounds as it actually shattered and detonated the entire stream of stars falling from above?

What incredible adaptability!

Hiss... Chen Muge suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, followed by a piercing pain!

He was focused on the danger from above, on shattering the stars, but he had completely forgotten about Gao Lingwei!

As for Gao Lingwei, still entangled by the Snow Ghost Hand...

She was circling wildly around the falling Chen Muge!?

SLAM! Dai Liunian exclaimed, slapping a hand on the table. ”What kind of tactic is this!? Aerial assault?

Ah, Gao Lingwei abandoned her halberd! She... she’s taken up a bow... She’s actually using a bow and arrow!?

She knows how to use a bow?”

”Oh my god...” Su Wan’s mouth fell open in an ”O” as she stared at the Snow Ghost Hand reaching high into the sky, carrying Gao Lingwei in wide circles around Chen Muge.

’That’s it, just like that, my Da Wei...’ Rong Taotao murmured, still lying on the ground.

He gazed up at her—at those sharp eyes, that face suffused with killing intent... In that moment, it was as if Rong Taotao was dreaming, back at that wall again.

Back then, in that cave on the Snowfield, Gao Lingwei had driven back a pack of wolves with a wild volley of arrows, a sight that had left Rong Taotao completely mesmerized.

But now, her target wasn’t a group. She had nothing else to worry about. She could focus single-mindedly on one person and turn him into a human pincushion!

In that moment, Gao Lingwei had once again become a Frost Archer. Her rapid-fire technique was terrifying as arrows shot at Chen Muge’s body from all directions.

THWIP...

THWIP...

THWIP... A true volley of arrows pierced his body. The snow-white arrows, imbued with immense Soul Power, tore through Chen Muge’s clothes and sank into his flesh. In an instant, blood stained the snowy shafts!

Gao Lingwei had only just begun, but if this kept up, Chen Muge would likely be riddled with holes by the time he hit the ground!

’Gao Lingwei... What is this rate of fire?’

THUMP! As Chen Muge struggled through the pain, Rong Taotao found an opening. A star smashed directly onto his head, and for a moment, Chen Muge felt the world spin...

”Get the hell down from there!” Chen Zhaowu roared, striding forward and thrusting out a hand. He unleashed a Star Wave Stream, aiming for the base of the Snow Ghost Hand’s arm on the ground!

WHOOSH...

Suddenly, an Ice Pillar shot up from under Chen Zhaowu’s feet!

It was none other than the ”conductor” Rong Taotao, still lying on the ground and kicking himself backward some distance away. He had slammed his right hand onto the ground, and instantly, Chen Zhaowu was launched into the air by the erupting Ice Pillar!

The Star Wave Stream he had just unleashed flew off at the wrong angle!

”AHHHH!” Launched into the air, Chen Zhaowu’s face was crimson, his eyes wide with fury. He continuously unleashed Star Wave Streams, desperately trying to find the right angle to bombard the Snow Ghost Hand’s arm.

”Whoa~!”

”Holy crap!!! The home-field advantage in the Snow Realm gives Snow Realm Soul Martial Artists way too big of a buff! This is with just a thin layer of frost on the ground. If they were in a blizzard, wouldn’t these Snow Realm Soul Martial Artists be practically gods?”

”Holy hell... This Rong Taotao has practically turned his Soul Skills into an art form!”

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the sidelines, but they were quickly followed by a collective sharp intake of breath!

Because with incredible decisiveness, Rong Taotao had abandoned the Snow Ghost Hand. With a sudden tug of his left hand, the Snow Ghost Hand wrapped around Gao Lingwei’s waist swung her violently, flinging her directly at Chen Muge!

”Muge!!!” Chen Zhaowu quickly thrust his hands forward, but... another Ice Pillar suddenly shot up in front of him, knocking his arms skyward.

Two more Star Wave Streams shot uselessly toward the sky. In that instant, all color drained from Chen Zhaowu’s face!

He could never have imagined that a single opening from his brother would lead to the entire situation on the field turning out like this!

In the air, Gao Lingwei’s long hair billowed as she plunged downward in a diagonal strike!

At some point, the Longbow in her hands had transformed back into the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow...

HISS-WHOOSH! A phantasmal Frost Fearful Face passed through Chen Muge’s body. Already dazed from the falling star that had struck his head, Chen Muge instinctively clasped his hands over his head and cried out, ”Ah...”

SHINK! At almost the same instant, Gao Lingwei, lunging down, ran him through. The Great Xia Dragon Sparrow in her hand pierced straight through Chen Muge’s back!

The blood-stained tip of the blade burst out from his abdomen...

Carried by her momentum, Gao Lingwei slammed heavily onto the ground, pinning the bleeding Chen Muge—his body already bristling with snow-white arrows—beneath her.

THUD...

TWEET~ TWEET! ”One combatant injured! Cease attack! Cease attack!!!” The referee’s sharp whistle and shouts echoed across the arena.

Gao Lingwei suppressed her own raging soul, planted a foot on Chen Muge’s back, and slowly withdrew the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow. Crimson blood dripped from the blade’s tip onto Chen Muge’s body.

She paid the man beneath her foot no more mind, instead turning to look toward Rong Taotao in the distance.

She saw that Rong Taotao had just gotten to his feet. He caught the ”decoy” Lotus Petal as it flew back to him and slowly pressed it into his chest.

The gesture of placing a hand over his chest, combined with his slight bow, looked rather like... uh, a salute?

Rong Taotao’s movements were polite, but the smile playing on his lips held an unmistakable trace of mockery...

In fact, his inner thoughts were just as she suspected.

’Is this all you’ve got?’

’And you wanted me to attack you with the Sinful Lotus?’

’Are... you worthy?’

...

A double Chapter release! I hope everyone enjoys the read!

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