As the Snow Burning Army soldiers carried Wen Ying away, Rong Taotao called out to Zheng Tianpeng at the edge of the woods, "What are you waiting for? Just going to stand there and shout? Come on, get your revenge!"
A myriad of emotions crossed Zheng Tianpeng's face. His earlier roar had, of course, been born of pure rage.
But after letting out the roar, Zheng Tianpeng hesitated.
Clearly, the Martial Arts Rong Taotao had displayed, including his ability to create and seize opportunities, seemed to place him a cut above his peers.
He never thought he'd run into such a powerhouse.
'The problem is... this kid's name is so misleading. What kind of Martial Arts master is named "Rong Taotao"?'
'That's a name for a simpleton!?'
Zheng Tianpeng tightened his grip on his Battle Saber, his mind racing. Truthfully, what he wanted most at this moment was for a few of his teammates to emerge from the cave.
"If you won't come to me, I'll come to you." Rong Taotao hefted his Heaven-piercing Halberd and strode forward. "It's just a forest. I'll cut you down, trees and all!"
The surrounding Snow Burning Army soldiers, observing from the shadows, exchanged glances.
The Snow Burning Army soldiers didn't have high expectations for a group of kids fresh out of junior high.
And it was precisely because of these low expectations that Rong Taotao's previous fight and his current words seemed all the more impressive.
'Cut you down, trees and all?'
'Heh... this kid is something else, isn't he?'
Zheng Tianpeng's face was grim. He didn't know if he had a path of retreat. Flinching from a fight before it even began was clearly not the quality of an outstanding Soul Martial Artist.
The problem was, Rong Taotao's Martial Arts seemed far too strong.
Just as Zheng Tianpeng was debating whether to fight or retreat, two Snow Burning Army soldiers emerged from the cave, each carrying a student in tattered clothes.
The color drained from Zheng Tianpeng's face. Those two students were from his team!
'Five against three, and they lost?'
'Did that traitor, Zhou Ting, double-cross us?'
'A 5v3 is completely different from a 4v4!'
Zheng Tianpeng's mind was in turmoil, but his subconscious actions revealed his true inclination. Faced with Rong Taotao's steady advance, he instinctively took a step back.
But after that single step, Zheng Tianpeng planted his feet again.
'No!'
He'd come out in such a hurry that he hadn't brought any supplies!
He had to fight. Without supplies, he wouldn't last long.
In this vast, snowy wilderness, what were the odds of running into other students? And what were the chances they'd be willing to share their food?
Zheng Tianpeng clenched his jaw, only to realize that Rong Taotao had stopped walking. Not only that... but in the surrounding Snow Forest, the silently observing Snow Burning Army soldiers had also turned to look in his direction.
Frowning, Zheng Tianpeng couldn't help but turn his head. In the deep woods not far away, a short-haired young man was watching him silently.
The young man was half-hidden behind a tree, but the part of him that was visible was striking enough.
He wore no winter hat, no gloves, no goggles...
The young man wore only the required snow camouflage, revealing a shock of pale white hair. His one visible eye emanated a faint, fiery red glow.
That half-visible face sparked the imagination. After all, the boy, who looked to be fifteen or sixteen, was almost too beautiful. One would typically only see a pretty boy of his "caliber" on television.
Xu Taiping!?
Rong Taotao froze, but Zheng Tianpeng's face lit up with delight!
Xu Taiping!!!
Before last night's watch, Sun Xingyu had told Zheng Tianpeng's team that they had a grudge against another student.
She said it was likely that student would attack the cave during the night.
For safety's sake, Zheng Tianpeng had asked exactly who Rong Taotao's team's enemy was.
It was none other than this year's only Soul Beast student: Xu Taiping!
"Xu Taiping! You don't know me, but that doesn't matter!" Zheng Tianpeng suddenly shouted. "I'm willing to help you get revenge! Rong Taotao used his numbers to bully you and drive you from your shelter! His actions are despicable!"
Rong Taotao: ???
'Are you f*cking confessing to me right now?'
Rong Taotao had never intended to drive Xu Taiping away; he had only wanted an apology.
But Zheng Tianpeng was the one who had actually tried to use superior numbers to drive Rong Taotao's team from their shelter...
Rong Taotao shot back, "Zheng Tianpeng, you're truly shameless!
"Winning and losing are all part of the game. I thought you were a man, that you could lead a team and actually accomplish something.
"But twisting the truth and spouting shameless lies like this... you're really cheapening yourself!"
Zheng Tianpeng roared, "Shut up, Rong Taotao! We stood watch for you last night, and this is how you repay us? Burning the bridge right after you cross it! If Pine Soul Soul Martial accepts someone like you, they must be blind! You're the one who deserves to be eliminated!"
Rong Taotao was exasperated. He couldn't help but click his tongue. "Seriously, Zheng Tianpeng, are you an idiot?
"Between our two teams, there are eleven students. That means there are eleven Snow Burning Army soldiers surrounding this cave, protecting us.
"The moment our conflict started, two soldiers came in to ensure our safety. You think the others didn't hear our entire conversation?
"You think the Snow Burning Army doesn't know the truth?"
Zheng Tianpeng's face stiffened. With his mind already in turmoil, his desperate attempt to win over a powerful ally by framing Rong Taotao had indeed been an irrational move.
If Rong Taotao's repeated blows hadn't shattered his confidence, a clear-headed Zheng Tianpeng would likely have been able to make the right decision.
But clearly, Zheng Tianpeng had been so rattled by everything that had just happened that he was at a complete loss.
He had watched helplessly as Rong Taotao slammed his elbow into Wen Ying's face again and again, had watched him effortlessly eliminate his teammate. This wasn't how the story was supposed to go.
And just when he'd been filled with hope for the fight inside, he'd seen the soldiers emerge from the cave, carrying his own teammates on their shoulders...
Just as Zheng Tianpeng stood there, ashen-faced and speechless, Xu Taiping, still half-hidden behind the tree, scanned the area with his faintly glowing red eyes, his gaze falling upon the concealed Snow Burning Army soldiers.
Fighting on his home turf, Xu Taiping was unbothered by the swirling snow. He easily spotted the surrounding Snow Burning Army soldiers and noticed their faintly disdainful expressions.
He needed no further proof.
Longsword in hand, Xu Taiping finally stepped out from behind the tree and walked toward Rong Taotao.
Though inwardly vexed and utterly embarrassed, Zheng Tianpeng couldn't help but feel a surge of delight when he saw Xu Taiping emerge.
'Who cares about all that!?'
'Xu Taiping is Rong Taotao's mortal enemy. I just need to get past this immediate problem first!'
'As for twisting the truth and telling lies, that can all be swept under the rug of "strategy."'
'If you want to succeed, you can't be too scrupulous!'
"So? What do you say, Xu Taiping? You and me, we team up?" Zheng Tianpeng asked, watching Xu Taiping approach.
Xu Taiping continued walking, his voice somewhat hoarse. "You believe he's stronger than you."
Zheng Tianpeng had clearly composed himself. "There's no shame in admitting someone is more skilled! What's important is facing reality! After we win, the supplies are all yours. The shelter is yours, too. I just want my own share of provisions."
Xu Taiping raised a slight eyebrow, a strange smile creeping across his pale face.
Zheng Tianpeng's mind raced. After all, the other party was a Soul Beast; he had no idea what to make of that bizarre smile.
"Huh?" Zheng Tianpeng suddenly froze and whipped his head around. "Who's there? What nonsense is that! What do you mean?"
SHIIINK!
The moment Zheng Tianpeng turned his head in confusion, cursing loudly toward the other side, the advancing Xu Taiping lunged forward!
The longsword in Xu Taiping's pale hand plunged straight through Zheng Tianpeng's abdomen!
It went clean through!
He hadn't held back in the slightest!
"Stop! Halt! Do not withdraw the sword! Follow my orders, or you will be penalized for a violation!" a soldier suddenly shouted, his figure appearing before the two in a flash.
Zheng Tianpeng's mouth fell open, his pupils contracting to pinpricks as he stared blankly at the bloodstained tip of the sword protruding from his own abdomen.
Behind him, Xu Taiping, one hand still on his sword, said grimly, "I do not associate with villains."
The Snow Burning Army soldier pressed a hand to Zheng Tianpeng's stomach. A wave of frost emanated from his palm, quickly encasing Zheng Tianpeng's body in ice.
"Withdraw the sword. Slowly. Remember to be slow!" the soldier commanded, his expression grave.
Xu Taiping complied, slowly withdrawing the blade. The soldier pushed the frost from his hand with all his might, rapidly freezing the wound and, in moments, Zheng Tianpeng's entire body.
Once Xu Taiping had fully withdrawn the bloodstained longsword, the soldier hoisted the completely frozen Zheng Tianpeng onto his shoulder and vanished into the vast Snow Forest.
Once again, only Rong Taotao and Xu Taiping remained in the forest.
Rong Taotao's heart went cold. 'This Xu Taiping is ruthless! He actually went for the kill!'
He calmed his nerves, tightened his grip on his Heaven-piercing Halberd, and asked, "A Soul Skill?"
"Mm."
Xu Taiping hadn't spoken, but his voice echoed in Rong Taotao's mind. It was an eerie sensation.
'It must be a Soul Skill from the Ice Soul Guide clan, specifically a Soul Pearl Soul Skill embedded in the forehead Soul Slot: Snow Sense.'
Rong Taotao asked, "Why didn't you come last night?"
Xu Taiping bit his already pale lips. Specks of blood stained the tip of his sword, sealed onto the blade by a thin layer of frost.
He tilted his head up slightly to look at Rong Taotao. "You didn't back down. You're much stronger than he was."
The words appeared in Rong Taotao's mind again; Xu Taiping hadn't actually spoken.
"Heh." Rong Taotao grinned. "So, what are you here for? Ready to apologize?"
Just then, Xu Taiping saw several more Snow Burning Army soldiers emerge from the nearby cave, carrying students over their shoulders.
Xu Taiping abruptly sheathed his sword and turned to leave once more, but...
...his hoarse voice echoed one last time in Rong Taotao's mind: "Be careful tonight. Don't get eliminated by someone else before you run into me again."
"Hah. I'll be waiting! Bring it on!" Rong Taotao snorted, then turned and charged into the cave, Heaven-piercing Halberd in hand.