Master of Nine Stars

Chapter 45 - 37: White Clouds and Grey Dogs

One of the Soul Skills available to Snow Realm Soul Martial Artists was the ability to assemble weapons out of snow. Comparatively, the Anomalous Snow Night Shock was the top choice for the two sisters.

It was standard issue for the Snow Burning Army!

Common didn’t mean cheap. It meant the Snow Night Shock was truly suited for human Soul Martial Artists!

What’s more, these Snow Night Shocks were the anomalous kind!

The two sisters over there were communicating in hushed tones, while Rong Taotao’s gaze finally settled on a transparent glass case.

It was shrouded in a swirling mist that would sometimes coalesce into the shape of a small puppy, only to dissipate back into a faint haze. The sight was utterly dreamlike...

Yang Chunxi was introducing the Soul Beasts one by one, and she finally came to the one in the glass case.

Yang Chunxi said, "White Clouds and Grey Dogs. It’s a Soul Beast from Cloud Peak, and among the twenty Soul Beasts here, it’s the only creature with the Cloud Peak Attribute. It’s very rare.

"White Clouds and Grey Dogs also possesses the ability of Thousand Transformations.

"But unlike the Snow Soul, White Clouds and Grey Dogs changes its form to intimidate opponents. It’s more like an emergency response a weak creature makes when facing a predator—a form of protective camouflage.

"As you can see, this White Clouds and Grey Dogs is constantly dissipating and reforming.

"This indicates that it’s currently a little scared. But because it’s young and not strong enough, it can only maintain its mist form for a few seconds. In this state, it can effectively evade most physical attacks.

"Well... it has its pros and cons. While its mist form can grant immunity to ordinary attacks, if it encounters a Snow Dragon Tornado filled with Soul Power, it would likely be completely torn to shreds..."

Rong Taotao: "..."

’Dad, is this really the Soul Beast you found for me?’

Yang Chunxi spoke up. "Additionally, you should all be aware that choosing any of the other Soul Beasts means you will become a Snow Realm Soul Martial Artist. If you choose White Clouds and Grey Dogs, you will become a Cloud Peak Soul Martial Artist.

"Choosing a Lifebound Soul Beast means choosing your own Attribute as a Soul Martial Artist. This choice is irreversible, so please think carefully and be responsible for your decision."

With that, Yang Chunxi walked to the front of the line and announced, "In order of performance, first place: Fan Lihua. You have the first choice."

Instantly, all eyes turned to the petite Fan Lihua.

Since they were inside Hundred Corps Pass, no one was wearing goggles.

Fan Lihua’s fair-skinned face was visible, and her snow-camo military uniform was a complete mismatch for her demure and adorable demeanor.

Fan Lihua pursed her lips, hesitating for a long moment before raising a small hand and saying meekly, "Tea... Teacher."

’Wow, she really is so soft and cute!’

Her voice was so soft and gentle. How did she look anything like a "Great God"?

One had to remember that among the trainees in this assessment, most students earned bonus points as a team. Only Fan Lihua had gone off to slay Soul Beasts single-handedly, earning what everyone called "Immortal points"—a score they couldn’t even fathom.

Yang Chunxi asked, "What is it? Did you not find one you like?"

"HMPH..." From the neat rows of Snow Night Shocks up front, a black one let out a loud snort.

Apparently, this Snow Night Shock could understand human speech. Or perhaps all the Snow Night Shocks trained by the soldiers could, and the others simply hadn’t expressed their displeasure.

’So much for being well-trained and having a gentle temperament, huh?’

’It seems some of these Snow Night Shocks have a bit of a temper...’

Fan Lihua said, "During the assessment, I met a wild Snow Night Shock. We didn’t spend much time together, but we already made a promise. I... I want my Snow Night Shock."

"Oh?" Yang Chunxi raised an eyebrow slightly, a sense of admiration slowly filling her heart.

’What are these beasts laid out before Fan Lihua?’

’Each one was handpicked, the best of the best, provided jointly by Songjiang Soul Martial University and the Snow Burning Army!’

’Yet Fan Lihua wasn’t the least bit tempted. Instead, she was set on the Snow Night Shock that had accompanied her during the assessment.’

’As the assessment instructor, Yang Chunxi naturally knew about that Snow Night Shock. It was just an ordinary wild Soul Beast. Moreover, it wasn’t a youngling and inevitably had some wildness ingrained in it.’

’And Fan Lihua’s choice...’

Yang Chunxi asked, "Are you sure?"

Fan Lihua’s conviction was far more powerful than her soft-spoken words. "Yes, I’m sure."

"Good!" Yang Chunxi nodded lightly. "The life of a Soul Martial Artist is a life of companionship.

"Loyalty to one’s Lifebound Soul Beast is the most important Quality a Soul Martial Artist can display."

As she spoke, Yang Chunxi nodded to the side, and a Snow Burning Army soldier came over, leading a tall, snow-white steed.

"NEIGH~" Upon seeing Fan Lihua, the great horse couldn’t help but let out a cry, its front hooves rising before stamping heavily on the ground.

In that instant, a shower of snowflakes scattered everywhere...

"Hehe~" A smile finally broke out on Fan Lihua’s face as she happily ran over.

"NEIGH~"

"NEIGH~" In that same moment, the entire row of Anomalous Snow Night Shocks across from them reared their heads and neighed in unison.

Rong Taotao knew nothing about horses.

But as a sentient being, Rong Taotao could tell that this chorus of neighs wasn’t expressing discontent. On the contrary, it was a show of approval.

It was congratulatory, and even more so, admiring.

Watching the huge horse’s head nuzzle affectionately into Fan Lihua’s arms, Yang Chunxi began to applaud.

The other trainees, filled with sincere admiration, also began to clap softly.

Fan Lihua’s face flushed slightly, and she seemed very shy as she quietly explained, "It saved my life. It was the one that got me away from a pack of wolves."

However... her voice was very quiet, so quiet that only the Snow Night Shock in her arms heard her words.

A wild Snow Night Shock shouldn’t be able to understand human language, but that didn’t seem to stop it from sensing its master’s feelings.

Yang Chunxi turned to the crowd and announced, "Second place, Rong Taotao."

Rong Taotao’s actions took everyone by surprise. He was just as decisive. Faced with a group of handpicked Exotic Beasts, Rong Taotao didn’t hesitate for a moment and walked straight toward the glass case.

’When it comes to my Lifebound Soul Beast, I’m serious.’

’Since the Cloud Peak Attribute isn’t countered by any other Attribute, this White Clouds and Grey Dogs is my first choice.’

’I believe my future shouldn’t be held back by anyone, either!’

’Besides, this is the only gift Dad has given me in so many years.’

’Although, well... I still have to earn it myself, but let’s not worry about the details.’

Rong Taotao knelt in the snow and placed both hands on the glass case, watching the little puppy inside that was constantly dissolving into mist and reforming.

Rong Taotao said softly, "Don’t be scared, little one. From now on, I’ll protect you."

"Nn~" The little creature, which had been a dissipating cloud of mist, gradually reformed. It couldn’t help but lift its head, tilting it as it looked outside the glass case.

Perhaps it was the gentleness in Rong Taotao’s voice, or perhaps the sincerity in his eyes...

A dozen or so seconds later, the palm-sized puppy flapped its large, cloud-like ears, stuck out its little pink tongue, and squinted its eyes, giving Rong Taotao an adorable smile.