Master of Nine Stars

Afternoon. The Second Wall, outside Qianshan Pass.

In a quiet mountain forest, a group of ten youths from the Soul Class cautiously advanced through the drifting snow.

Fortunately, there was no wind today. Otherwise, the heavy snow would have severely obstructed their vision.

The four small teams advanced in a Cone Array. At Jiao Tengda’s command, Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei formed the left flank, while Shi Lou and Shi Lan formed the right flank. Both teams were positioned slightly behind the central spearhead—Fan Lihua’s squad.

It was unclear what Jiao Tengda was thinking, assigning the role of the sharp and swift vanguard squad to Fan Lihua, Li Ziyi, and Sun Xingyu’s team.

As a result, Zhao Tang and Lu Mang, who were in Jiao Tengda’s central squad, were effectively reduced to his bodyguards. However, the two were cooperative and raised no objections.

”Moon Leopard! I see a Moon Leopard!” Shi Lan’s excited voice came through the walkie-talkie.

You couldn’t exactly say Shi Lan was overreacting. After all, a creature like the Moon Leopard was something you’d never see back at the First Wall. More importantly, the Moon Leopard possessed the ”One Pearl, Two Skills” trait, granting both Snow Step and Snow Wind Charge.

Shi Lan had long yearned for the Soul Skill, Snow Wind Charge. Well... okay, the truth was, Shi Lan yearned for every Soul Skill Gao Lingwei possessed. She wished she could be Gao Lingwei’s carbon copy.

Coincidentally, her older sister Shi Lou felt the exact same way. Gao Lingwei, their idol, had already become the blueprint for the two sisters.

Jiao Tengda’s voice came through. ”Specific location.”

Shi Lan hastily replied...

The four squads in the Cone Array were spaced thirty to forty meters apart, which meant Rong Taotao on the left flank was not close to the Shi Family Sisters on the right.

Hearing Shi Lan’s report, Rong Taotao carefully scanned the forest to his left while whispering to Gao Lingwei beside him, ”Take a look over there.”

Gao Lingwei reached a hand to the top of her head and adjusted her Snowball Cat’s position. Through the Snowball Cat’s eyes, she saw a beautiful Moon Leopard, pure white with a sleek, streamlined body.

This Moon Leopard clearly had ill intentions toward the group. It lay silently perched on a massive snow-covered pine, completely still, waiting for its prey to walk into the trap.

If the group didn’t change their course, the Shi Family Sisters on the right flank would pass right under the Moon Leopard.

Shi Lan’s voice came over the walkie-talkie again. ”The Moon Leopard is so beautiful~ I really want to kill it...”

Everyone: ”...”

Shi Lan’s words weren’t just transmitted to the other squads; her voice also carried over the walkie-talkies to the team of Songjiang Soul Martial Teachers trailing far behind them.

Upon hearing this, Xia Fangran chuckled. He turned his head to Si Huan Nian and said, ”Is this the student you mentored?”

Si Huan Nian, riding leisurely on a Snow Night Shock, seemed not to notice the mockery. Instead, they looked proud. ”What do you think? Not bad, right?”

Xia Fangran: ”...”

Jiao Tengda’s voice came over the walkie-talkie again, his tone concise and powerful, inspiring a sense of complete security. ”Maintain marching speed. Don’t stare at it. Don’t alert the target.”

”Looks like he’s making his move,” Li Lie said, listening to his apprentice’s voice. He couldn’t help but nod to himself. ’My apprentice’s tone is so steady. He really has what it takes to be a commander.’

Jiao Tengda: ”Based on the Moon Leopard’s hunting habits, it will most likely pounce on its prey from above. Rong Taotao.”

”Here.”

Jiao Tengda: ”Keep a close watch on the right flank and provide support with your Snow Ghost Hand. The moment the Moon Leopard pounces, grab it with the Snow Ghost Hand. Hold it in mid-air. Don’t let it touch the ground, and don’t give it the chance to strike its prey or use Snow Wind Charge.”

Rong Taotao: ”Understood.”

Jiao Tengda: ”Vanguard Li Ziyi, right flank Shi Lou, charge your Wind and Snow Blades. Keep your movements as concealed as possible.

A Moon Leopard caught in mid-air by the Snow Ghost Hand will be a sitting duck. The two of you will create a crossfire to ensure it’s a kill.”

”Roger.”

”Roger.”

Jiao Tengda: ”Shi Lan.”

Shi Lan: ”Eh?”

Jiao Tengda: ”Charge a Snow Burst. Keep your palms hidden behind your back and be careful not to let the Moon Leopard notice. If Rong Taotao makes a mistake, use the Snow Burst to create distance from the Moon Leopard. This is our final failsafe.”

Hearing that, Rong Taotao grimaced and turned to Gao Lingwei beside him, whispering, ”Is he insulting me?”

Gao Lingwei: ”Focus.”

Rong Taotao pouted. From the walkie-talkie clipped to his epaulet, Jiao Tengda’s voice came through again. ”Everyone, march as normal. Don’t let the Moon Leopard detect anything unusual. Tonight, we’re having barbecue.”

Back in the teachers’ group, Yang Chunxi’s face was filled with satisfaction. ’That’s my student!’

From start to finish, Jiao Tengda had been clear-headed and goal-oriented. His commands were short and precise, and he even ended with a bit of encouragement.

As far as Yang Chunxi was concerned, Jiao Tengda’s series of commands already deserved a score of 80 or 90 out of 100.

Beside her, Rong Yang, also riding a Snow Night Shock, whispered, ”So that’s Jiao Tengda, the kid from Sichuan and Shu.”

”Yes, he’s Teacher Li Lie’s apprentice, hehe~” Yang Chunxi covered her mouth and chuckled. ”Although he trained under Coach Li and his great axe, he’s never been reckless. I don’t know if Coach Li should be happy or sad about that.”

Nearby, Li Lie also gave a silent laugh. ’Who says you have to be reckless just because you use a great axe?’

’I’m a renowned Pine Soul master, you know. I tailor my teaching to the student. Look at Lu Mang. He clearly uses a great axe, but his style is based on agility and movement. I didn’t kick him out of my tutelage, did I?’

But Li Lie just smiled without offering any explanation, apparently not too bothered by his colleague’s playful banter.

Rong Yang said quietly, ”We know about this boy. During the entrance exam, all his bonus points came from aptitude and potential. He’s also the only one in your Junior Class who got into the Soul Class based on his mind and personal qualities alone.”