Si Huan Nian, however, chuckled. Looking at the innocent and naive child before her, she couldn’t help but shake her head and smile. "I hope you’ll still think so in the future."

Rong Taotao carefully recalled all the times he’d "restocked" Si Huan Nian’s snacks since school started. ’Hmm... It seems she really does eat a lot, doesn’t she?’ 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Ah~

’At least I’m the son of a distinguished Soul General. I’m not going to starve on the streets, am I?’

’The Soul General returns to find his own son sallow and emaciated, reduced to begging on the streets. He immediately issues an order! One hundred thousand soldiers gallop to Songjiang Soul City, and each one gives Rong Taotao a coin...’

’That’s a hundred thousand coins! I could eat for a long time on that~’

’Wait, my mother...’

Rong Taotao’s heart tightened. ’With such a terrifying, meticulously planned invasion, she...’

Rong Taotao hurriedly asked, "Coach Si, my mother?"

Hearing Rong Taotao’s question, Si Huan Nian sat up straight. "I’m not sure," she said. "Regarding the battle outside the Third Wall, we’ve only received general information. We don’t know the specifics."

"The fighting there was indeed brutal. However, very few people in this world can harm your mother. She should be fine."

Rong Taotao considered this for a moment, then nodded.

"From now on, you’ll be moving into the Martial Arts Hall," Si Huan Nian said suddenly.

Rong Taotao said, "I’m already a wreck, and you still want me to be your night watchman?"

"Haha." Si Huan Nian couldn’t hold back her amusement. Looking at the pitiful Rong Taotao, she chuckled. "I’ve already arranged a dorm for you. To be precise, all the students in the Junior Soul Class have moved into the Martial Arts Arena."

Rong Taotao asked, "Oh? Why?"

Si Huan Nian began, "Do you know why the school has me pinned down in the Martial Arts Hall, forcing me to be the supervising instructor for the Martial Arts Arena?"

Rong Taotao replied, "Because your Martial Arts skills are superb, so you can guide the students to improve?"

Si Huan Nian continued, "Do you know why you absorb Soul Power and practice Soul Techniques faster in the Martial Arts Hall? And why it’s so inconsistent?"

It dawned on Rong Taotao, and his eyes lit up. "Because of your Lotus Petal?"

"Correct." Si Huan Nian nodded slightly. "When I cultivate my Soul Power, all living beings within a certain radius of me enjoy the benefits of the Lotus Petal."

"That’s why, as you asked before, your training speed in the Martial Arts Arena is sometimes fast and sometimes slow."

"Your Soul Power cultivation speeds up because I’m training, and the benefit extends to the entire Martial Arts Arena."

"When your cultivation speed slows down and returns to normal, it’s simply because I’ve stopped training. That’s all."

"It has nothing to do with some formation set up under the Martial Arts Arena, like you suggested."

Rong Taotao: !!!

’If Si Huan Nian can do this, it means that... I, Rong Taotao, who also possesses a part of the Nine-Petaled Lotus, can now also bring blessings to the world!’

’Oh, wow~’

’I guess I really live up to my nickname, Taotao. Am I really going to be "Nourishing People" now?’

’Not like keeping a mistress, but supporting everyone in the entire Martial Arts Arena?’

’Would I have to worry about going broke from her eating habits anymore? I can just charge an entrance fee!’

’Want to double your results with half the effort? Want to become a god? Come train at the Martial Arts Arena!’

’We have a training acceleration BUFF! Admission is only 8.88, plus a tribute of one bag of Sugar per person. That’s not asking too much, is it?’

"Taotao."

"Hm?" Rong Taotao looked over at Si Huan Nian, only to see that her expression was more serious than ever before.

Si Huan Nian said, "Remember, you’re different now. You must adopt the right mindset."

Seeing Si Huan Nian’s solemn expression, Rong Taotao also nodded lightly. "Right. I have a Snow Realm Treasure."

"Yes, you have a Snow Realm Treasure," Si Huan Nian said gravely. "Moreover, you’re still very weak, and you can’t use this Supreme Treasure to protect yourself."

"From the moment you acquired that Lotus Petal, you became a target for everyone who covets it."

"Even though the battle was chaotic when you obtained the Lotus Petal, a few people still saw what happened. The school has already spoken with them individually, but... we must prepare for the worst."

Rong Taotao pursed his lips, his thoughts growing complex.

Si Huan Nian continued, "There’s no such thing as a perfect secret. Sooner or later, people with ulterior motives will find out that a weak Soul Soldier possesses a Snow Realm Treasure that others can only dream of."

"With your current level of strength, the Lotus Petal you possess is easy pickings for those with sinister designs."

"They just need one opportunity. So... in the future, you must be extremely careful. Don’t give anyone a chance to exploit."

"The Nine-Petaled Lotus is a priceless treasure. Right now, you can’t control it or transfer it. Therefore, the only way for someone to obtain the Lotus inside you is to kill you."

Rong Taotao understood the gravity of the situation. His expression turned just as serious as he said, "I’ll stay put in the Martial Arts Arena. Thank you, Coach Si."

"Good. As long as you understand that possessing a treasure can be a crime in itself, that’s enough." Si Huan Nian sighed softly. "Stay in the Martial Arts Arena, and I’ll protect you. But that isn’t a long-term solution. Only by becoming powerful yourself can you truly protect this Lotus Petal."

Rong Taotao nodded firmly. "I will!"

Si Huan Nian’s eyes rested quietly on Rong Taotao as she said, "In the future, I will be even stricter with you."

Rong Taotao shrugged. "I’m tough."

Hearing Rong Taotao’s response, a faint smile gradually appeared on Si Huan Nian’s serious face.

’For a brief moment, she found the boy surprisingly cool.’

Even after clearly understanding the gravity of the situation, Rong Taotao showed no signs of panic or fear.

It was a carefree demeanor that a boy his age shouldn’t possess.

Ever since that night Rong Taotao fought desperately against the Poachers, Si Huan Nian had held a high opinion of him in her heart:

’ "He who is not discouraged by adversity nor frightened by danger, who can hold a raging tempest in his heart while his face remains as calm as a placid lake—such a man can be named a grand general!" ’

’Whether it was his Talent or his immense inner strength, he seemed to have all the necessary qualities.’

’Si Huan Nian watched Rong Taotao quietly. In that instant, she no longer saw the son of the Outer Region’s number one Soul General, but a rising star of a commander.’

After a long silence, she slowly reached out, placed her hand over Rong Taotao’s face, and slid her fingers down, closing his eyes.

Rong Taotao was a little bewildered. ’We were having a perfectly good conversation. Why am I suddenly being treated like I died with a grievance?’

"Rest now, Grand General," Si Huan Nian said softly.

Rong Taotao’s heart stirred. ’That title...’

He didn’t know how much had gone through Si Huan Nian’s mind in that brief moment, but for that title to be spoken by Sugar of the Pine Soul Four Rites... to a lowly Soul Soldier like himself, it carried immense weight!

Si Huan Nian leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, and silently stood watch by his bed, quietly observing the boy on the bed who had been forced to sleep.

Rong Taotao’s body was weak, and he soon drifted off to sleep. Si Huan Nian’s gaze flickered as her thoughts wandered once more...

’I hope I can do right by these four years of coaching and keep you safe.’

’And I hope... that many years from now, you will become the brightest star of a commander in this northern, frozen night...’

..

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