Master of Nine Stars

’Perhaps this was the mark of a top-tier Pine Soul instructor.’ They knew what to do, when to do it, and how to best care for their students.

Gao Lingwei took it all in, committing it to heart.

She had her whole life ahead of her. There would be opportunities to repay them someday.

Just as night began to fall, the group finally made it back to Qianshan Pass.

The ancient fortress, standing tall amidst the boundless wind and snow, possessed a unique charm. This was especially true after they entered Qianshan Pass. Gazing at the Luminous Lantern Paper Cages drifting all around and watching the snowflakes flutter down within the walls, they couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

It was a shame. Only a select few would ever have the privilege of witnessing such a beautiful ancient city at night. After all, the area was far too dangerous and completely closed off to the public.

Qianshan Pass was not like Hundred Corps Pass. As it did not need to provide services for Social Practitioners, this military outpost was more purely functional and far more austere.

However, the Snow Burning Army and Songjiang Soul Martial University worked in close cooperation, so there were dormitories within the pass specifically for Pine Soul Soul Martial’s teachers and students.

A teacher like Xia Fangran, who had been leading students in the Three-Wall Area for over two decades, had long ago guided batch after batch of students to stay in the Pine Soul dormitories of every Wall. He knew the three fortresses like the back of his hand.

Xia Fangran deftly applied for lodging and handled the necessary paperwork. A soldier then led them to a small, two-story building on the southeastern side of Qianshan Pass.

"Here." After walking up to the mailroom window and signing for a Pine Soul package, Xia Fangran casually tossed a key to Rong Taotao. "You two go on and get cleaned up. Come to my room in half an hour. We’ll examine the Soul Pearls."

Li Lie’s eyes, however, were shining. He snatched up the package and headed straight for the stairwell.

Rong Taotao watched Li Lie’s retreating back, a puzzled look on his face. "What’s up with him?"

"Heh." Xia Fangran grinned. "What else do you think could get him that worked up? The university didn’t just send your Soul Pearls."

Rong Taotao arched an eyebrow. He understood immediately. ’Booze, huh?’

"Just go." Xia Fangran waved his hand impatiently. This was a military outpost, after all. Even if Li Lie was the best of the best, a figurehead for all of Huaxia with significant privileges, and even if the Snow Burning Army turned a blind eye for him, it was best not to voice such unspoken understandings.

Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei nodded and headed for the stairwell.

The Snow Burning Army soldier in the mailroom silently watched the two of them leave through the window. It wasn’t hard to notice that their snow camouflage had long since lost its proper color. Under a thin layer of frost and snow, it revealed a strange, dark red sheen.

They were, without a doubt, two "blood-people"—from the inside out, in every sense of the word.

It wasn’t hard to imagine what the two of them had experienced.

The soldier was clearly familiar with Xia Fangran. "Coach Xia," he asked, "I remember them being students from the Junior Class, right? You brought them to Qianshan Pass this early?"

Xia Fangran replied, "Oh? You recognize them?"

"He’s the King of Guanwai; who doesn’t?" A Frost Flower Snowcake materialized in the soldier’s hand as he spoke. "One night, our commander was reading a poem Rong Taotao wrote and got completely waste... er, anyway, he made our entire company memorize it. Not a single word could be out of place."

"A man of true character, I see." Xia Fangran shot the soldier a smile and waved. "Going up. See you later."

But the soldier’s head poked out of the window. "Let them go when the time comes!" he called out. "Send them back to us in the Snow Burning Army early. Plenty of teams are dying to get their hands on them."

"Then you can wait. They’re still a long way from my graduation standards." Xia Fangran didn’t turn back, giving a casual wave. His voice was filled with disdain, a convincing performance. "They still need a lot more training. It’ll be a long, long time~"