Yang Chunxi's expression didn't change, but the single glance Xu Taiping gave Rong Taotao made her heart tighten with tension.
The moment the main door closed, Rong Taotao finally couldn't hold back. He stopped shoveling rice into his mouth and asked curiously, "Was that guy a Soul Beast?"
"Yes." Yang Chunxi's thoughts were a bit jumbled, but she didn't let it show on her face. She thought for a moment before saying, "In the Snow Realm, many species are sentient, with intelligence comparable to humans."
The three youngsters looked at Yang Chunxi curiously, waiting for her to continue the story.
Yang Chunxi: "The Snow Realm Vortex opened about 60 years ago. During that time, many Snow Realm Soul Beasts entered Earth through the Vortex. It wasn't until 40 years ago that Huaxia marshaled the entire nation's strength and, step by painstaking step, finally established the three great walls. Only then did the chaotic north find some stability."
"The Battle of the Snowy Night!" Sun Xingyu suddenly exclaimed.
Yang Chunxi nodded. "Correct. The very battle that decided the fate of the nation in a single night. The Snow Burning Corps also gets its name from that event.
That night, hundreds of corps mobilized simultaneously, and the flames of war engulfed nearly every corner of northeastern Huaxia.
The major corps worked in waves—relaying, slaughtering, and driving out—forcing every single Snow Realm Soul Beast that had been running rampant off this land.
However, because of that, our relations with the Russian Federation grew quite tense."
Hundreds of corps mobilizing simultaneously!
Sweeping the north clean in a single night!
Even though Yang Chunxi described it matter-of-factly, Rong Taotao's eyes still blazed with fervor. In fact, ever since learning about it in history class, he had tried to imagine just how brutal that battle must have been.
The history books Rong Taotao had studied had one small flaw.
They only told you what was gained, but never what was lost.
It wasn't hard to imagine that somewhere along the four-hour path Rong Taotao had just traveled, the heroic souls of those who died in battle were likely buried beneath the snow.
The casualties that night must have been innumerable.
Yang Chunxi continued, "Even with the three great walls, the Snow Realm Vortex is different from other vortexes. The massive blizzards it sporadically unleashes still sweep large numbers of Snow Realm Soul Beasts out and onto Earth.
Sometimes, when the snowstorms pass through, not even the high walls can stop them.
In the face of nature, humanity's strength is far too insignificant."
Yang Chunxi gave Rong Taotao a subtle glance, a flicker of hesitation in her heart. After a long pause, she finally said, "Xu Taiping is one of those Snow Realm Soul Beasts who was blown here."
Sun Xingyu asked, "What kind of Soul Beast is Xu Taiping? I've never seen one in my books."
Yang Chunxi replied, "Before, you weren't a Soul Martial Artist, so your studies didn't focus on this. You'll learn about it once you start at Pine Soul Soul Martial.
When the time comes, tell your classmates to be restrained. Don't give student Xu Taiping any strange looks, okay?
After all, he was blown to Earth when he was too young to remember. He grew up in human society, received a human education... He's one of us, a human, just with a different appearance."
As she spoke, Yang Chunxi reached out and ruffled Sun Xingyu's cute, short hair. "If you become his classmate in the future, you must remember to protect him. His entire life will be spent in danger, as he'll always attract the covetous eyes of those with ulterior motives."
Li Ziyi: "Hm?"
Yang Chunxi sighed softly. "Xu Taiping's Soul Beast species is called 'Ice Soul Guide.'
Within the Snow Realm, they are a species with a rather special status.
The Ice Soul Guide species is exceptionally intelligent and remarkably similar to the human race. Their maturation period is extremely long, unlike other Beast-type Soul Beasts that can reach their physical peak in just two or three years.
Like us humans, the Ice Soul Guide species has long infancy, toddler, and childhood stages, which makes them very susceptible to dying young.
And the Soul Pearl that Xu Taiping himself carries is the main reason for the danger he faces."
"Ice Soul Guide..." Rong Taotao muttered the Soul Beast's name. 'That name is kind of cool, huh?'
Yang Chunxi looked at Rong Taotao's forehead and said, "Xu Taiping's Soul Pearl is the type that is embedded in a Soul Martial Artist's forehead."
Rong Taotao froze for a second, then said in astonishment, "A Spiritual Ability Soul Pearl!?"
Spiritual Soul Techniques, exclusive to the Soul Slot on a Soul Martial Artist's forehead!
Yang Chunxi nodded silently. "Yes. The most precious and rarest type: a Spiritual Soul Pearl."
Rong Taotao's interest was instantly piqued. "What kind of Spiritual Ability does he have?"
Sun Xingyu also had a look of pure envy!
Telekinesis, mental interference, illusionary dreamscapes, telepathy, thought materialization, and so on—all fell under the category of Spiritual Soul Techniques.
Unfortunately, Sun Xingyu hadn't unlocked the Soul Slot on her forehead, so all she could do for now was look on with envy.
However, in the future, Soul Martial Artists could unlock one to three additional Soul Slots through hard work. As for where on the body they would open up, that was all up to fate.
Hearing Rong Taotao's question, Yang Chunxi just smiled and playfully kept him in suspense. "You'll find out once you start school."
Tch.
Rong Taotao immediately pulled out his phone. 'I'll just look it up online!'
The result... well, no signal.
Yang Chunxi watched Rong Taotao with a beaming smile, slowly sipping her hot tea.
Rong Taotao looked utterly defeated. Feeling rather awkward, he then saw Li Ziyi pulling Sun Xingyu into his arms beside him. 'Is this their sweet, post-dinner cuddling session???'
'Whoa... are you guys trying to mess with me!?'
'You bastards!'
To be honest, Rong Taotao was a little envious.
This was the first time he'd ever envied this damn couple. At least they had each other and could find comfort together in difficult times.
The environment can really change a person.
During his past three years of study, Rong Taotao had seen this kind of scene many times, but it had never affected him in the slightest.
But here, in the snowy north...
Rong Taotao had journeyed from the scorching summer into this world of white snow and ice. He had left his familiar environment, left his hometown, and had even been blasted by the frigid wind for hours just now, his body nearly frozen solid.
All these factors combined made the normally aloof Rong Taotao, who would just tuck his hands in his pockets and care for no one, suddenly want someone by his side.
'So, where's my other half?'
Looking like a love-struck youth, Rong Taotao leaned forward, his elbows on the dining table and his chin in his hands, his thoughts drifting further and further away.
'What will she be like in the future?'
'Will she be gentle?'
'Short hair or long hair?'
'Will she be lively and love to laugh, or reserved and shy...'
Seeing Rong Taotao's vacant stare and how he hadn't spoken in a while, Yang Chunxi asked with concern, "Taotao, what's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
Rong Taotao: "My destined one."
Yang Chunxi: ???
Rong Taotao's answer completely blindsided Yang Chunxi.
'Could it be...'
The sharp-as-a-tack Yang Chunxi glanced at the other two youngsters and instantly understood. Her young brother-in-law had likely been... particularly stimulated by this special moment in this special place.
Instantly, Yang Chunxi's interest was piqued. In this moment, she was no longer Coach Yang of Pine Soul Soul Martial, but Rong Taotao's sister-in-law.
She asked softly, "Is she one of your classmates?"
Rong Taotao shook his head.
Yang Chunxi: "How did you two meet?"
Rong Taotao: "You misunderstood. I haven't met this person yet."
Yang Chunxi was speechless. She thought the boy already had someone in his heart, but it turned out he was just daydreaming?
An idea formed in Yang Chunxi's mind. 'I should ask him what type of girl he likes. There are so many chosen ones at Pine Soul Soul Martial; surely one of them will be a good match for him, right?'
As for puppy love and such, Yang Chunxi wasn't too concerned. The life of a Soul Martial Artist was a life of "companionship."
Their careers began the moment a Soul Martial Artist acquired their Lifebound Soul Beast.
If a suitable girlfriend could teach Rong Taotao how to navigate a relationship, it would be a very good thing.
At this thought, Yang Chunxi's eyes twinkled with a smile as she asked, "So, what is this destined one of yours like?"
Hearing this, Rong Taotao's eyes grew brighter, as if he could truly see his destined one.
"She should be... a heroine, I guess. Majestic and valiant, with a Heaven-piercing Halberd in her hand that can pierce through layers of wind and snow..."
"Hee hee." Beside them, Sun Xingyu covered her mouth to stifle a giggle and teased, "It sounds like you're more in love with the Heaven-piercing Halberd."
Li Ziyi couldn't help but snort. Although he was proud and arrogant, he had to admit that compared to his own dedication to the Long Spear, Rong Taotao was clearly more devoted to the Heaven-piercing Halberd and had sacrificed more for it.
After all, during their formative years, Li Ziyi had Sun Xingyu, while Rong Taotao only had his Heaven-piercing Halberd.
Thinking about it this way, Li Ziyi actually felt a lot more at peace with the fact that Rong Taotao's Martial Arts were a cut above his own.
Yang Chunxi was also a bit stunned. Other people looked for partners based on personality, looks, or family background. She had never heard of someone whose main requirement for a partner was a Heaven-piercing Halberd...