Master of Nine Stars

Whether Gao Lingwei’s guess was right or wrong remained to be seen.

If she had guessed Gao Zehua’s thoughts correctly, then he was certainly worried about more than just her Soul Pearls and Soul Skills.

Comparatively, Rong Taotao’s Lotus Petals were what Gao Zehua feared the most.

Regardless, Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao gladly accepted Gao Zehua’s challenge. Instantly, the audience watching on TV grew excited. It sounded like both sides were preparing to cast aside their Soul Pearls and Soul Skills for a pure contest of Martial Arts.

This was certainly a novel approach.

No one had ever seen Soul Martial Artists compete only in "Martial" and not "Soul."

TWEET! At the center circle of the green field, the referee blew his whistle. "Are the students from both sides ready?"

Gao Zehua nodded. On the eastern half of the field, Rong Taotao grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

"There it is!" Dai Liunian exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement. "Rong Taotao’s signature move! And there’s his signature smile!"

Beside him, Su Wan stared at Dai Liunian in astonishment. ’What... What’s gotten into him?’

She had been Dai Liunian’s partner for a good five or six years and knew his commentary style perfectly. Dai Liunian was definitely not the type to hype up the atmosphere.

He had a gentle and refined personality, his voice always calm and unhurried. But this...???

Why was he reacting so strongly the moment the whistle blew? ’Did something happen to him after interviewing Rong Taotao? Did he get triggered somehow?’

TWEET! The referee swung down the small flag in his hand.

The match began!

In the next moment, the competitors on the east and west sides of the field all drew their weapons.

Four sabers, two halberds. The two sides faced each other from a distance, then charged forward!

"As expected! No Spring Water Surge, no Water Dragon Tornado, and certainly no Water Prison Whip!" Dai Liunian observed the battlefield as he commentated. "Gao Zehua and Lin Xiaoxiao, following their own unique Soul Martial Path, have given up their advantage—the signature defense and control of Ocean Soul Martial Artists—to compete in a contest of pure Martial Arts!"

Su Wan nodded. "Likewise, Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao have only drawn their Heaven-piercing Halberds. Are both sides really going to stage a duel with conventional weapons?"

Dai Liunian sighed in amazement. "I never would have thought the 2011 National Tournament would begin like this! Oh? Contestant Rong Taotao is taking the initiative!"

SWOOSH!

Rong Taotao charged forward with great strides. Just as both sides were about to reach the center circle, he abruptly flung his arm, and the Heaven-piercing Halberd instantly transformed into a javelin, hurtling through the air.

Lin Xiaoxiao’s expression changed. She hastily dodged to the side, evading the flying halberd.

But because of her evasive maneuver, Lin Xiaoxiao’s advance was slowed by a fraction of a second. In the next instant, Gao Lingwei had already clashed with Gao Zehua!

CLANG! A crisp sound rang out.

The halberd of snow and the saber of water crossed, unexpectedly producing the sound of clashing steel.

Gao Zehua pressed down with his dual sabers, chopping onto Gao Lingwei’s Halberd Shaft, and lunged forward.

SHIIING...

Not only was Gao Zehua charging forward, but his Water Saber also scraped along the long Halberd Shaft. Its sharp edge shaved off layers of Shuangxue, sending them spraying toward Gao Lingwei’s face!

"Quite a few fancy moves, huh?" A voice came from Gao Zehua’s side. Along with it, the Long Halberd in Rong Taotao’s hand thrust forward.

Gao Zehua made a split-second decision. His forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, displaying astonishing body control. He kicked off the ground and retreated, simultaneously flinging the Water Blade in his hand at Gao Lingwei!

Gao Lingwei also retreated, parrying sideways with her Long Halberd in mid-air to knock away the Water Blade aiming for her face.

CLANG! Another crisp sound! Rong Taotao’s Long Halberd, swinging wide, was blocked solidly by Gao Zehua. Gao Zehua held a Water Blade in a reverse grip to block in front of him, but he felt a numbing sensation spread through the web of his thumb.

’A mere Little Soul Warrior, where did he get this kind of strength!?’

’Impossible!’

’The Starfield Soul Skill, Douxing Qi!?’

Rong Taotao let out a cold laugh. "A Soul Skill that works on principles of self-augmentation... I’m allowed to use that, right?"

"You talk too much!" Gao Zehua’s face darkened. He abruptly turned to the side, and in that instant, a Water Blade scraped past his own cheek, stabbing straight for Rong Taotao’s face!

Rong Taotao quickly tilted his head, dodging the Water Blade. At the same time, he saw Lin Xiaoxiao charging recklessly toward him.

"Heh." Rong Taotao’s Ironspear Point was pressed against Gao Zehua’s blade to his front left, but he suddenly tossed the Halberd Shaft toward his front right and followed up with a front kick!

CRACK! Rong Taotao’s kick sent the Halberd Shaft flying, whipping straight for Lin Xiaoxiao’s face!

"He’s spinning it!" Su Wan’s eyes lit up as she spoke. "Contestant Rong Taotao’s unique fighting style has long been a spectacular sight in the Outer League’s ranking matches.

One opponent isn’t enough, and two aren’t too many!

Ever since we were broadcasting the Outer League, I’ve been wondering just how many opponents Rong Taotao’s Heaven-piercing Halberd needs to face for him to unleash its true power! Ah..."

Before Su Wan could finish her sentence, she let out a sudden cry of alarm.

Lin Xiaoxiao was struck squarely on the arm by the Halberd Shaft, bringing her charge to a dead stop. However, Gao Zehua wasn’t one to sit back and wait. He formed another Water Blade in his other hand and flung it forward.

TING! A Long Halberd suddenly appeared, jutting out from Rong Taotao’s shoulder. Its Ironspear Point precisely struck the spinning Water Blade, blocking the attack in the nick of time.

The instant Rong Taotao summoned his Heaven-piercing Halberd again, Gao Zehua was already upon him!

"You think you’re so strong!?" Gao Zehua’s expression was grim, his voice even colder. As if refusing to believe it, he violently parried Gao Lingwei’s Long Halberd with one saber and slashed at Rong Taotao’s face with the other.