Master of Nine Stars

Led by Rong Yang, the two arrived in front of a tent and saw three men gathered around a bonfire, drinking and chatting merrily.

This was Rong Taotao’s first time seeing the true face of Yin Hu’s Chen Bingxun. Most of these soldiers had crew cuts, nothing special there, but this Chen Bingxun... he had an overwhelming masculine energy.

His tiger-like eyes were especially piercing and bright, and his gaze on Rong Taotao was somewhat intense.

Rong Taotao had rarely seen such a gaze. In his memory, Zhao Tang had also shown a similar side back when they first met. Zhao Tang had been desperate to duel Rong Taotao, but never got the chance.

In comparison, Zhao Tang was weaker in both temperament and presence. Of course, Zhao Tang was still just a student and couldn’t compare to the battle-hardened Chen Bingxun.

Chen Bingxun tore off a chicken leg and held it out to Rong Taotao. "Not bad. Your skill with that Heaven-piercing Halberd is really something. If I wasn’t in a hurry to drink, I could probably watch you all day."

"Thank you for the praise, Captain Chen," Rong Taotao said. A layer of Shuangxue appeared on his palm, and after a quick rinse of his hands, he took the roasted chicken leg.

Both Rong Taotao’s tone and demeanor were completely different from when they had met before. Chen Bingxun understood, however. After all, he was a Warrior who had just come off the battlefield, so his emotions hadn’t settled yet.

Chen Bingxun casually picked up a wineskin and looked at Xia Fangran, who was standing to the side. "Can he drink?"

A strange smile appeared on Xia Fangran’s face. "I’m his teacher. You’re asking me?"

Chen Bingxun turned to Li Lie and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Li Lie shrugged, looking rather nonchalant. "Xia Fangran is his supervising teacher, you’re his captain, and Rong Yang is his own brother. Where do I get a say in this?"

Rong Taotao: "..."

’There are four people here, and it seems like every single one of them has authority over me?’

’How cruel... The only one I get to order around is Da Wei...’

’Well, at least I can on the battlefield. Whatever I say, Gao Lingwei does. You could say she obeys my commands to the letter, no questions asked.’

’Huh? No, wait. I can order Rong Ling around too, can’t I?’

’The little fatty’s still being punished by having to stand, right?’

Thinking of this, Rong Taotao waved his hand and said, "You guys go ahead and drink, Captain Chen. I don’t really drink, so it would be a waste on me."

As he spoke, Rong Taotao nudged Gao Lingwei’s shoulder and said, "Rong Ling has been undergoing his punishment for a while now."

Gao Lingwei nodded slightly and knelt on the snow.

Rong Taotao immediately walked over to the nearby tent, unzipped the flap, and saw Rong Ling standing all alone in the center.

Upon seeing Rong Taotao enter, Rong Ling’s pair of Ice Candle eyes flickered. It was very strange; although his face couldn’t show any expression, Rong Taotao still felt that he looked utterly pitiful...

"You poor little fatty," Rong Taotao said. He stepped forward, bent down, wrapped an arm around his armor, and scooped Rong Ling up. Then, he brought the chicken leg to Rong Ling’s mouth. "Here~"

Rong Ling’s pair of Ice Candle eyes burned with a raging Ice Candle Flame, a sight that made Rong Taotao click his tongue in amazement.

This was the first time he had seen Rong Ling’s candle-flame eyes burn so brightly. The flames were practically licking at his helmet.

On Rong Ling’s face, which was formed from cold mist, a small opening appeared where his mouth should be. A hand coalesced from Shuangxue, becoming solid, and it took the roasted chicken leg, held it before his face, and fiercely tore off a piece of meat.

"Heh." Rong Taotao’s mood improved considerably as he watched his greedy display. Cradling him, he walked out of the tent and toward the nearby bonfire.

Rong Ling was taking big bites of the meat, but then he saw Gao Lingwei’s back as she knelt in the snow.

In an instant, Rong Ling’s chewing froze. And then... then, this awe-inspiring little fatty actually shifted his body and snuggled deeper into Rong Taotao’s arms.

Rong Taotao: "..."

’Is she really that scary?’

’But this is good, too. I’ll let someone else play the bad guy.’

’It’s like neutering a cat or dog in normal society. You get a friend to be the bad guy, have them snatch the pet away in front of the owner, and then bring it back after the procedure. That way, there’s no conflict between the owner and the pet; in fact, their bond might even become stronger...’

The moment Rong Taotao returned, he heard Chen Bingxun’s question: "Coach Xia said your Soul Technique is already at high-tier, three-stars?"

"Yes," Rong Taotao nodded, plopping down beside Gao Lingwei. Rong Ling, who was curled up in his arms, squirmed over to the other side of Rong Taotao’s embrace, as if trying to get as far away from the female demon as possible.

Chen Bingxun asked in surprise, "And your Soul Power level?"

Rong Taotao picked up a piece of roasted rabbit meat that was on a rack over the bonfire and said, "Late-stage Soul Warrior. I feel like I’m about to advance to the Peak of Soul Warrior."

Chen Bingxun’s expression was quite a sight. "Other people’s Soul Techniques are always at a lower level than their Soul Power. You’re really something special. Your Soul Technique is a whole Major Rank higher than your Soul Power, and with room to spare..."

Rong Taotao nodded, tore off a piece of Snow Rabbit meat, and chewed it in big mouthfuls.

"That Lotus Petal is incredible," Chen Bingxun said, picking up his wineskin. He took a vicious swig, the spicy liquor spreading from his mouth and burning its way down into his chest. His mind began to churn with ideas.

To the side, Rong Yang was quietly eating a handful of roasted peanuts.

’This must be why Fu Tiance signed that "unequal treaty" with Rong Taotao.’

’The "male god" title wasn’t just for show; he really had the goods.’

But Rong Taotao was different from others. He possessed the Inner Soul Map. This not only allowed him to raise the upper limit of the Potential Value for his self-trained Soul Skills and Martial Arts, but it also let him see the exact level of his Martial Arts.