Master of Nine Stars

Chapter 50 - 42: Explosive Talent

Hundred Corps Pass was a proper military base. Under normal circumstances, unauthorized personnel weren’t allowed to wander around.

But clearly, the soldiers knew that nine students from Songjiang Soul Martial University were training here.

So, when the soldiers saw a little guy with a small Cloud Dog perched on his head and a Heaven-piercing Halberd in hand, they didn’t give Rong Taotao a hard time.

"Hello, may I enter? My teacher told me to come to the Martial Arts Arena." Rong Taotao ran up to the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena and spoke politely to the two soldiers standing guard with perfect military posture.

The soldiers said nothing, simply pulling the iron gate open for Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao strode inside. The Martial Arts Arena was vast, located in the southeastern part of Hundred Corps Pass, right next to the stables. Through the chain-link fence, he could even see rows of Snow Night Shocks.

Snowflakes drifted down lazily as Rong Taotao cradled his Heaven-piercing Halberd, leaned against the chain-link fence, and watched the soldiers sparring in the arena.

It was clear they weren’t on a formal training exercise, but rather sparring freely during a break.

As Rong Taotao was secretly watching, Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi arrived.

Both of them looked shaken, clearly frightened quite badly by Xia Fangran.

Before Rong Taotao could exchange a few whispers with his two companions, the three of them spotted Xia Fangran and Yang Chunxi approaching in the distance through the fence.

There was no missing them. Their attire was too conspicuous. In a military base filled with snow camouflage, anyone wearing different clothes stood out.

What’s more, Xia Fangran was also carrying a Heaven-piercing Halberd.

A chill ran down Rong Taotao’s spine as he recalled the terror of being dominated by Si Huan Nian just a few days ago.

’Is Teacher Xia... trying to put me in my place?’

’That’s not necessary anymore. My heart is already as humble as the dirt beneath my feet...’

The two teachers walked in. Xia Fangran, holding his halberd in one hand, casually pointed to an empty spot in the arena. "Rong Taotao, get up here."

Rong Taotao’s expression soured, his face scrunching up like a little bun, but he had no choice but to reluctantly walk into the Martial Arts Arena, Heaven-piercing Halberd in hand.

After stepping onto the field, Rong Taotao turned back and handed the Cloud Dog perched on his head to Yang Chunxi.

"Yip~" The Cloud Dog let out a soft cry but didn’t resist. It seemed to quite like Yang Chunxi’s soft, boneless Jade Hand, even lowering its head to lick her palm ingratiatingly.

Rong Taotao: "..."

Xia Fangran habitually smoothed his parted hair, undid the top button of his shirt with one hand, and strode forward.

The two took their positions. Xia Fangran beckoned to Rong Taotao with his finger. "Come on. Let me test your Martial Arts skills first."

Rong Taotao shook his head hard, casting aside his chaotic thoughts, and tightened his grip on the Heaven-piercing Halberd.

’Leave off-field feelings off the field.’

’Now that I’ve picked up this halberd and am standing on this field, I have to give it my all!’

Seeing the reluctant Rong Taotao’s sudden change in demeanor, Xia Fangran nodded in satisfaction. "Let’s go!"

Rong Taotao frowned slightly, looking at the man across from him holding the halberd in one hand behind his back...

’Who the hell are you trying to impress! So what if you were born 20 years earlier than me?’

As that thought flared up in his mind, Rong Taotao’s entire aura changed in an instant, and he charged forward ferociously!

To be honest, setting aside the quality of his Martial Arts for a moment, he had indeed grasped some of the essence of the Heaven-piercing Halberd.

’Since I’m wielding a Heaven-piercing Halberd, I have to be worthy of this weapon!’

’Even if I lose, I’ll lose on my feet!’

’There’s no reason to be afraid before the fight has even begun!’

"CLANG!"

With a crisp sound, the two Heaven-piercing Halberds crashed together. The ’井’-shaped heads of their Battle Halberds interlocked like jagged teeth, yet they fit together perfectly, which was quite amazing.

Xia Fangran’s defense was deft, but Rong Taotao discovered something interesting.

Apparently, unlike the sadist Si Huan Nian, Xia Fangran wasn’t here to crush Rong Taotao’s spirit. He genuinely wanted to gauge his fundamentals.

Not only did Xia Fangran refrain from using any Soul Power or Soul Skills, he even deliberately held back his strength.

’What level of physical control was this?’

’Anyone can go all out. You just have to fight for your life.’

’But lowering your own skill to a scrub’s level to fight a rookie on equal footing... not just anyone can pull that off.’

Xia Fangran was truly a veteran instructor. As he defended, the force transmitted through his Battle Halberd was just enough to block Rong Taotao’s attack. What was even more terrifying was that Rong Taotao didn’t even feel his palms go numb!

Gripping the halberd with both hands, Rong Taotao twisted it sharply, the ’井’-shaped head of his Battle Halberd locking around the opponent’s Long Halberd and starting to rotate.

Xia Fangran was highly skilled and fearless; he didn’t fall for that trick. He loosened his grip, allowing the Halberd Shaft to spin freely in his palm while still maintaining control over his Heaven-piercing Halberd.

Rong Taotao’s eyes lit up. He stomped his foot and shot forward.

Xia Fangran stared at Rong Taotao with a dark glint in his eyes and said, "What’s with that look? Are you trying to signal to your opponent that you’re about to change your attack?

You’re such a kind person!"

Rong Taotao felt incredibly uncomfortable. ’Was this teacher some kind of Yin Yang Master?’

’It seems... if you add a little lilt at the end of any sentence, it starts to sound all sarcastic and passive-aggressive, *doesn’t it*~’

Rong Taotao spun his Long Halberd, sweeping the Halberd Shaft fiercely at Xia Fangran, and retorted without showing any weakness, "Why yes, it *does*~"

Xia Fangran kicked out, slamming his foot into the Halberd Shaft. "You really are a rookie, *aren’t you*!"

’It’s spinning!’

’The Heaven-piercing Halberd in Rong Taotao’s hand was spinning!’

Using the force from Xia Fangran’s kick on the Halberd Shaft, Rong Taotao smoothly changed his move. Gripping the middle of the shaft with one hand as an axis, he brought the large ’井’-shaped halberd head crashing down!