Master of Nine Stars

The four of them quickly met up with the Twelfth Squad. Gao Lingwei asked, "Are we going to look for the other group of poachers?"

Yin Hu glanced at Gao Lingwei and saw that she had recovered well. Relieved, he said, "We’ve already notified a nearby Snow Burning Army patrol. They’ll be here soon to take custody of the prisoners."

"Understood." Gao Lingwei nodded. She glanced at the heavily injured, handcuffed prisoner and said no more.

Three minutes later, a squad of eight soldiers arrived. After both sides confirmed their identities, Niu and Ma Mian handed over the prisoner. They also pointed the soldiers toward the location of the Cold Flower’s remains.

Nearby, Yin Hu put away his radio and said, "Barring any surprises, there’s still a twelve-man poacher team out there. Chenlong’s squad is on their trail."

"We’ll enter the Snow Forest from the north and conduct a sweep, forming a pincer attack with Chenlong’s squad. Gao Lingwei, what’s your status? Can you still fight?"

"No problem," Gao Lingwei replied instantly.

"Good. Mount up!" Yin Hu summoned his Snow Night Shock. Seven people and six mounts rushed toward the Snow Forest.

The Snow Night Shock was truly a Divine Pet.

Although it lacked offensive power, its utility was exceptional. Especially in this vast, swirling snow, the Snow Night Shock’s transport and pathfinding abilities were outstanding. It was no wonder the Snow Burning Army had officially designated it as the Lifebound Soul Beast for Snow Realm Warriors.

Before the Snowball Cat came along, the Snow Night Shock’s eyes, which shone like a pair of searchlights, had been the ideal tool for illumination. Their light even penetrated the storm better than a White Lantern Paper Cage or a Luminous Lantern Paper Cage.

"Taotao!"

A voice suddenly echoed in Rong Taotao’s mind.

"I’m here! What is it, Bro?"

Rong Yang said, "Report to Yin Hu. We’ve engaged the poacher squad! We’re in the central part of Forest 23. The poachers had a full team of twelve, but three of them saw things were going south and bolted northeast. Snake and Rat are in pursuit."

Rong Taotao’s expression turned a bit odd. ’This...’

’The codenames are great, full of Eastern charm. After all, they’re taken from the traditional Twelve Zodiacs.’

’But look at your squad assignments... what is this nonsense?’

’We’ve got Ox Head and Horse Face over here?’

’And you guys are a den of snakes and rats?’

’Sure enough, once a young man starts running his mouth, he’ll even make fun of his own side...’

Rong Taotao quickly relayed the information. Yin Hu made an instant decision. "We’re entering the Snow Forest from the northeast!"

The group hastily changed direction, quickly reaching the northeastern side of Snow Forest 23.

"Dismount. Silence," Yin Hu commanded, recalling his Snow Night Shock. He extinguished the White Lantern Paper Cage swaying above his head and crept quietly into the Snow Forest.

Gao Lingwei, seeming to feel her vision was obstructed, lifted the Snowball Cat from her shoulder and placed it on top of her head.

Rong Taotao sent a thought to Yin Hu’s mind. ’They know their position has been compromised. While being pursued, would they really keep fleeing northeast into the Snow Forest? If they want to live, shouldn’t they change their escape route?’

Yin Hu replied in kind, ’Snake and Rat are no pushovers. Either they’ll deal with the poachers in the Snow Forest, or, at the very least, they’ll deliberately herd them northeast.’

"Right." Rong Taotao nodded. This group’s tactical discipline was impeccable. After working together for so long, their coordination was perfect.

Yin Hu sent another thought. "You’re thinking things through, very attentive. Not bad."

’Is this a sugar-coated bullet?’

’Trying to sweet-talk me again?’

’Tch~ Go on, keep praising me! Lay it on thick...’

At this moment, Rong Taotao clearly had the self-awareness of a "hotshot," knowing that he was being courted by Yin Hu, and even the entire Twelfth Squad.

’Er... that’s more or less what it means, but why does it sound so weird when I put it like that?’

"Stop." Gao Lingwei squeezed Rong Taotao’s wrist. Her voice was very soft, clearly lowered on purpose.

Rong Taotao immediately relayed the message to the others in his mind, and the advancing squad came to an instant halt.

Meanwhile, a Patterned Mask rapidly formed on Gao Lingwei’s face.

To everyone else, there was only the vast, swirling snow and the whistling of the frigid wind.

But in Gao Lingwei’s vision, two people with White Lantern Paper Cages floating over their heads were stumbling through the Snow Forest.

’Behind them, there was a faint, agile figure. Was that person wearing a rat’s head mask?’

Gao Lingwei raised an eyebrow. She saw the special mask, and she saw the two fugitives, who kept looking back as they fled.

’The Snowball Cat really is a creature that changed the very rules of survival in the northern Snow Realm.’

’If not for the cat tonight, these poachers might have actually gotten away. Once pursuers lose sight of their target, it doesn’t matter how powerful they are; all that strength is useless.’

Bold in her skill, Gao Lingwei sidestepped a dozen meters, placing herself directly in the fugitives’ path.

*Whoosh...*

A phantom mask suddenly shot out from her face.

A mere second later, another mask shot from her face.

The two masks flew through the Snow Forest, covering a distance of over fifty meters before piercing through the bodies of the two poachers.

There was a slight error, however. The masks had been aimed at their waists, but one pierced a poacher’s thigh, while the other grazed the swinging arm of his companion.

"Aargh!"

"AHHHH!" In that instant, panicked screams rang out. Niu and Ma Mian immediately charged forward.

But in Gao Lingwei’s vision, the moment the poachers were struck by the masks and stumbled to the ground, a slender figure had already burst from the shadows.