Master of Nine Stars

As she spoke, Yang Chunxi glanced at Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao.

Gao Lingwei’s brow furrowed slightly. She sensed that Yang Chunxi’s gaze was flickering, as if she were hiding something.

Honestly, if Yang Chunxi weren’t both her teacher and her sister-in-law, Gao Lingwei probably would have said, "Look at me."

But... Gao Lingwei, who had always respected her teachers and elders, could never treat Yang Chunxi that way, so she said nothing.

Yang Chunxi sat down on the sofa, took out some documents, and said, "Alright, let’s study our opponents."

BUZZ... BUZZ...

Rong Taotao picked up his phone, his expression a little strange. "Well, what do you know. Our opponents just sent a message. Looks like the upperclassmen are very concerned about us underclassmen."

With that, Rong Taotao stood up and looked at Gao Lingwei. "They want to meet with me. Are you coming?"

Gao Lingwei immediately stood up. "Yes."

Rong Taotao walked out the door, cradling the Snowball Cat and balancing the Cloud Dog on his head.

The moment the door closed behind them, Yang Chunxi sighed.

Xia Fangran, being the sly old fox he was, just smiled and said, "What’s wrong? Are they being asked to throw the match?"

Yang Chunxi shot Coach Xia a reproachful look. "It’s not about throwing the match, just about both sides holding back some of their strength to avoid any accidents."

Xia Fangran snorted coldly. "It’s just the two of us here. You can speak freely."

Yang Chunxi opened her mouth, then finally said, "The team leader has a strategy. He wants to ’make rational use of the rules’ to ensure the stronger team, Yuan Tianri and Yuan Tiancheng, advances. He wants the school to aim for a higher ranking in the doubles category."

"Ha?" Xia Fangran couldn’t help but scoff. "If it were any other team, maybe. They might even agree. But you’re talking about Gao Lingwei and Rong Taotao? Those two are hard-headed kids. How could they possibly cooperate?"

"I know. That’s why I didn’t say anything. I don’t want to be the bad guy. Let them sort it out privately." Yang Chunxi nodded immediately.

Xia Fangran grumbled, "The team leader isn’t like us. He doesn’t understand how stubborn those two kids are. Forget ensuring the Yuan Brothers advance; even if it were the other way around and we were guaranteeing *their* advancement, they probably wouldn’t be happy. They demand a real, no-holds-barred fight..."

Hearing this, Yang Chunxi also shook her head with a smile, agreeing completely in her heart.

"Damn it," Xia Fangran cursed. "If both sides willingly agree, then fine. But if he dares to force Rong Taotao to throw the match for his opponents, I’ll break the team leader’s legs!"

Yang Chunxi knew Xia Fangran wasn’t just talking. That reckless bastard would actually do something like that!

Xia Fangran’s status and position were clear. Someone of his stature would never serve as a mere team-leading teacher. There was only one reason he’d left the Snow Realm: to protect Rong Taotao.

In fact, the team leader had too many reservations, which was why he had approached someone with a gentle personality like Yang Chunxi to discuss the matter.

Who was Rong Taotao?

Forget his background, and never mind his series of heroic feats in the Snow Realm. The simple fact that he was being escorted by Chunxi and Xia, two of the Pine Soul Four Seasons, was enough to keep the team leader from bossing him around or trying to force Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei to throw the match for the Yuan Brothers.

Furthermore, Gao and Rong had never even assembled with the main group. They had always competed under the guidance of these two renowned teachers. And it was a direct order from the old headmaster, Mei Hongyu, himself.

That team leader, who came from an administrative post at Songjiang Soul Martial University, truly didn’t dare to act rashly...

This world is a very realistic place.

If Rong Taotao were just an ordinary, hard-working student, the team leader would have probably dragged him out into the hallway for a "talk" and forcefully ordered him to comply with the school’s strategy.

Unfortunately, Rong Taotao wasn’t someone whose fate could be decided by others. The team leader didn’t even show his face for this meeting. Instead, he instructed the Yuan Brothers to go talk to their underclassmen themselves.

On the fourth floor of the hotel, Rong Taotao knocked on a door.

The door opened immediately, revealing Yuan Tiancheng with his large, bald head. He smiled and said, "Good morning, Coach Rong?"

"Yeah, yeah. Hey, upperclassman." Rong Taotao walked right in, balancing the dog and cradling the cat.

Behind him, Gao Lingwei remained silent, a faint sense of realization dawning on her.

Rong Taotao and the Yuan Brothers chatted for a bit about their recent matches. Finally, the elder brother, Yuan Tianri, brought up the main point of their meeting.

Yuan Tianri began, "Coach Rong, after the drawing ceremony just now, the team leader and the supervising teachers had a discussion and came up with a plan."

"Oh?" Rong Taotao raised an eyebrow slightly. "What plan?"

Yuan Tianri’s expression was serious as he said, "After all, we’ve already secured our tickets to the national tournament. So, for you two, winning or losing this match isn’t particularly important anymore."

Rong Taotao’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive. "Go on."

Yuan Tianri said, "The team of teachers hopes that our two teams won’t fight to the bitter end, ensuring both sides stay healthy for the upcoming matches."

Rong Taotao replied, "I can’t guarantee that. Off the field, we’re schoolmates, even friends. But once we’re on it...

"You’re also a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist. You’ve spent time in the Three-Wall Area and personally experienced a Snow Realm Soul Beast invasion. We both know what we’re like. Once a fight starts, things can get out of control."

"Coach Rong, first, let me clarify that this is just a suggestion." The younger brother, Yuan Tiancheng, organized his thoughts before speaking. "I’ll be direct. The teachers evaluated the strength of both our teams and feel that my brother and I are a bit stronger.

"The two of us might be able to achieve a better ranking in the placement matches and secure a better result for Songjiang Soul Martial University."

Yuan Tianri suddenly interjected, "After all, four teams set out, and now only our two are left. After this round of eight, Songjiang Soul Martial will only have one team remaining."

The younger brother, Yuan Tiancheng, hastily added, "Again, this is just a suggestion. Purely a suggestion, definitely not an order."

Seeing Yuan Tiancheng’s anxious explanation, Rong Taotao had a moment of clarity. ’The Songjiang Soul Martial teachers must have repeated themselves over and over again, insisting they make it clear that this was a suggestion, not an order.’

Even the teachers from Songjiang Soul Martial, representing Songjiang Soul Martial University abroad, didn’t dare to bully Rong Taotao...

The older brother, Yuan Tianri, said, "My brother and I are a few years older than you two and have trained for a few more years. We’re willing to bear this responsibility and carry your goals forward with us.

"The teachers are thinking this way for the sake of the school’s overall performance.

"After all, you’re from the Junior Class and have already achieved outstanding results. No one can ask any more of you. You can also rest and build up your strength, and then we can all tackle the national tournament together."

To the side, Gao Lingwei stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall. She hadn’t sat down or said a single word since entering the room, just quietly watching everything unfold.

"I understand the reasoning. It’s all for the school’s results." Rong Taotao nodded.

Hearing this, the Yuan Brothers’ faces lit up with joy, while Gao Lingwei’s brows furrowed slightly.

Unexpectedly, Rong Taotao continued petting his Snowball Cat as he said, "But that goes against my personal creed. To be honest, someone already suggested I withdraw from the tournament directly, return to the Snow Realm, and prepare for the nationals.

"But after thinking it over, I chose to stay here.

"Here’s the thing: if I had decided to withdraw, then none of this would matter. But since I chose to stay, I will treat every future match with the utmost seriousness and give it my all."

"Once we’re on the field, we are opponents." Rong Taotao stood up and said, "Let’s end this conversation here."

Hearing this, Yuan Tianri nodded silently. "Alright. We are both representing Songjiang Soul Martial. Only the stronger one should move on. That’s how it should be."

"No need to see us out!" Rong Taotao said as he walked out, cradling the cat and balancing the dog.

Gao Lingwei gave the Yuan Brothers a cool glance, then turned and left with long strides.

Once the two were in the elevator, Gao Lingwei said softly, "You’re very determined."

Rong Taotao turned to look at Gao Lingwei, thinking to himself with a sigh: ’In fact, what you don’t know is that I also considered a strategic retreat.

’It’s because of you that my goal became so firm.

’This is our promise, isn’t it?

’I still remember that scene.

’It was on the Songjiang Soul Martial campus, right after the long months of the Extreme Night had passed and the winter sun first appeared. The promise we made.

’That one day, when I stand on the banks of the Dragon River, I will tell her in person that I, too, am number one in the Outer Region.’

Rong Taotao said aloud, "I want to be number one in the Outer Region, or die on the way to becoming it."

Gao Lingwei watched Rong Taotao quietly. One second, two seconds... She reached out and wrapped her arm around his. "As long as I’m standing, nothing will happen to you."

When two people share the same belief, and value honor as much as life itself...

This Outer League is about to get very interesting.

...

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