Master of Nine Stars

After the party of four—two teachers and two students—finalized the lesson plan, the teachers had a hearty drink with Yin Hu. Then, they bid farewell to Squad 12 and returned to Songjiang Soul Martial University.

Although the ride was only a few hours long, it felt as if they had returned to the real world.

The city walls standing in the north truly had divided this single land into two different worlds.

By the time the group of four made it back to Songjiang Soul City, it was afternoon. The streets weren't exactly bustling, but there were some pedestrians about.

It was a good thing it was daytime. If it had been night, Rong Taotao worried he might mistake these ordinary pedestrians for Snow Ghosts or Snow Corpses...

If he actually took a slash at someone, all hell would break loose.

Riding on Hu Bugui's back behind Gao Lingwei, Rong Taotao couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

"Hey! Over here! Hurry up!" A middle-aged man's voice suddenly called out from behind, urging his companion.

Rong Taotao, already lost in his own anxious thoughts, was startled. He spun around instinctively, a Great Xia Dragon Sparrow already in his right hand.

At that moment, everyone froze.

The middle-aged man who had been calling to his friend jumped in fright. He scrambled to get away from Rong Taotao's vicious glare, stumbling backward in terror.

Rong Taotao, snapping back to reality, immediately dropped the blade. He turned forward and lowered his head, letting Hu Bugui carry on.

'The man's voice... it was normal, not hostile at all. It was just a little loud, a little sudden, that's all. He didn't do anything wrong.'

But the sudden sound from behind had made him react instinctively, and the scene had silenced the entire street.

Up ahead to the left, a woozy Li Lie turned around.

He looked at Rong Taotao's bowed head and said, "The body is back. The mind is still at the bottom of the canyon."

Xia Fangran guided Snow Night Shock to fall in behind Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao. "Take your time to adapt, to readjust," he said. "Don't rush it. Remember, I'm right behind you."

Why didn't Gao Lingwei have much of a reaction?

Because Rong Taotao was behind her!

During the Corpse Tides, Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei constantly switched positions, each change altering the sector they were responsible for.

For instance, when the man shouted from behind, Rong Taotao had immediately looked back, while Gao Lingwei had instinctively scanned the area ahead.

Xia Fangran's simple gesture was a huge help to Rong Taotao.

There shouldn't have been any danger within Songjiang Soul City.

But Xia Fangran's words, "I'm right behind you," provided a much-needed anchor for the battlefield raging in Rong Taotao's mind, letting him know his back was secure.

The group of four finally arrived at Songjiang Soul Martial University. A few upperclassmen guarding the gate saw the two top-tier coaches returning with Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei, and their eyes lit up.

'They must have been out training with the coaches! The national tournament is about to start!'

Amid a chorus of well wishes and cheers, Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei politely nodded their thanks. The group continued on without stopping, quickly returning to the Martial Arts Hall.

It was the middle of the afternoon, and the Martial Arts Arena was bustling with activity. The outdoor grounds were almost completely full. With no wind or snow and the winter sun warming the earth, it was the perfect time for training, and the students were working hard.

The Junior Class was nowhere to be seen on the grounds, however. 'They're probably in class,' Rong Taotao thought.

It was ironic, really. Rong Taotao had been determined to attend all his classes, but because his performance was so good, he and Gao Lingwei had qualified in the Outer League. This led to them missing class to go train at Qianshan Pass.

By now, the two of them were in their Second Year of College, making them upperclassmen.

"Is there a Junior Class this year?" Rong Taotao asked, breaking the silence.

"No," Xia Fangran said. "Old Ghost Mei probably wants to focus on cultivating you lot. After he's molded you into proper talents, then he'll recruit a new batch. But I hear that both Imperial Capital Soul Martial and Modu Soul Martial have started Junior Class programs this year."

As they spoke, the four arrived at the entrance to the Martial Arts Hall. Li Lie didn't bother to dismount, simply saying, "I'm off. Going to get some sleep."

"See you, Coach Li!" Rong Taotao replied.

"I'm taking off too. You two go report in," Xia Fangran said, leaving with Li Lie.

Gao Lingwei waved, watching the two coaches' retreating figures. She could faintly sense that the students in the Martial Arts Arena were all staring at her and Rong Taotao.

"Let's go."

"Right." Rong Taotao strode into the Martial Arts Hall. "Let's go find Coach Si to report in first."

The pair made their way to the third floor of the Martial Arts Hall and knocked on a door, but there was no answer. With no other choice, they returned to the second floor to change and unpack in their dorm room.

"Coach Si?" Unlike Gao Lingwei, who had simply opened the door to the girls' dorm and walked in, Rong Taotao didn't dare push open his own door. After all, Evil Boss Si was still inside.

"Hmm?" A familiar voice came from behind the door.

CLICK. The dorm room door opened. Si Huan Nian looked up, quite surprised to see Rong Taotao standing there.

Her beautiful eyes blinked as she glanced left and right before reaching out and placing a hand on Rong Taotao's naturally curly hair. "You're back?"

However... the usual lazy, graceful lilt in her voice vanished instantly.

Si Huan Nian habitually ruffled Rong Taotao's curls, but she quickly pulled her hand back. She rubbed her long fingertips together and frowned. "What is this?"

"I came back without cleaning up," Rong Taotao said, embarrassed. "It's probably dried blood."