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The Nine Stars
Chapter 4 - Scene 1

Chapter 4 - Scene 1

Scene 1 - A Master’s Shock

Master Mo looked her over, “Don’t resist; I’m going to explore your channels so sit down with your back facing me.”

Sitting down in the lotus position, Xue readied herself. Master Mo stood behind her, placing a forefinger on the top of her head and one on her back before sending a strand of energy though both points. The energy felt cool, like drinking winter mint tea on a blazing day.

Xue’s Soul affinity appeared to him in only a few moments, “Hmm, interesting... No, shocking would be more like it. You’re a dual soul elementest! Alignment Genius Level Beast soul, Genius Level Metal, Average level fire and Low-Level wood affinity. I have a few books in these fields, so I’ll give them to you to cultivate under.”

A dual soul elementest doesn’t sound that special until you consider that only one in a million could produce a dual-type soul! It was a mutation of the soul! Normally a person would only train in one element unless one of three things an occurred.

If the soul goes through great stress, achieves enlightenment, or has a lucky encounter, it could mutate to train in other elements.

Being born with a dual-type soul means you were blessed by the heavens!

Even though Xue couldn’t use magic, with her soul affinity she could train to become a Spirit beast master and a Spirit Tool Master. Possessing such a powerful soul would also grant her a higher chance to awaken the magic hidden within her blood.

Excited, Xue bowed to Master Mo and received the books from him before sitting back with her brothers and sisters.

After she sat down, Sol and Luna both excitedly ran up to Master Mo.

Smiling at the two little ones, Master Mo started with Sol, “Haha your name is Sol, correct?”

Sol nodded up and down, his green eyes shining.

Master Mo continued, “Haha! Let me check both of your affinities, then I’ll tell you what your element affinities are simultaneously.”

Luna waited dejectedly until master Mo was done checking Sol.

Master Mo started laughing as if he found it amusing, “As expected of twins, holding a Genius level affinity according to your namesakes. Sol, you’re a Genius level True Solar and have Great level talent in Space magic affinity. And as for Luna, you’re a Genius level of True Moon energy and the same level for Space magic as your brother.”

The Master thought to himself for a bit, ‘It was as if your parents already knew your elements before they named you. Could it be? No way, the Sun Moon clan was wiped out 11 years ago… wait.’, the thought stuck Master Mo suddenly, shaking him to a possibly he couldn’t believe.

Suddenly with a wave of his hand, he created a wind barrier to cut off all sound coming from this room.

Master Mo asked the two, “How old are both of you…”

Luna said with pride, “11 years old!”

Master Mo grasped, ‘Survivors of the bloody eclipse, how is that possible!?”

Once he thought about that nightmare of an event, he grew fearful not for himself but for these little kids. Giving them a deep look, he spoke with in care, “Do you truly wish to become strong? If you do, people might hunt you down.”

Sol and Luna looked at each other startled, then as if knowing what the other was thinking they nodded towards their master, “We wish to become strong enough to protect our family and become a burden to them!”

Master Mo stared at the two of them for a long time, and could only see the determination in their eyes. Sighing, he made up his mind. He had already taken them as disciples, and he’ll be damned if he would go back on his word!

He handed them each two books; by chance, he had managed to get the cultivation technique from both sides of the Sun Moon Clan by killing one of the men responsible when they came knocking at his door. The other book was about space magic. Even if they had not yet awakened, if they read this book they might suddenly become enlightened and awaken their magic.

The twins sat down in joy and waited to see what their brothers and sisters would receive.

Len move forward gracefully, thinking about what element she would get ‘Perhaps it’ll be water! Then I'll never have to fear going thirsty again. Or maybe it'll be fire, so I could stay warm and roast anything I desire. Oh wait, I forgot I don’t have magic...’

Len thought of a lot of things but in the end, she was a simple and modest girl. Even if she was simple, even if she was a shadow of others; her arrogance never faltered never under any pressure a strange combination for her aura, but it suited her.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Mater Mo began to read her affinity a short while later he murmured, “Hmm, how rare. Genius Dark affinity and Genius Light affinity...how can this be another dual affinity? All four in a row Geniuses, how can this be!?”

Master Mo was utterly shocked,  ‘OK one talent can happen, three is cutting it, but then again the heaven’s will is profound. But four?!?!? And two of them are dual souls at that? The heavens must be either mocking me or blessing me.

What could that witch be thinking to give me these talents? What’s more, the matter is… How did they all end up in the slums with these affinities? These children would have been fought over by all the various large powers. More to the fact how did she acquire these monster talent children.’

Master Mo tried to control himself as he gave Len her books.

Alas, that control was shattered by Ren.

“A sword soul? How is this possible, another dual soul?!? You’ve barely trained at all in the sword, how can this be?! And you have a Genius level affinity with wind?!”

A sword soul was considered a pure offensive soul, in the way of a Beast soul was a transformation type. If a pure offensive type soul mixed with a pure speed soul what destructive properties could he accomplish in the future…

Master Mo could see this youth alone shock the world with his power, not counting the other monstrous youths.

What could the others hold?

Master Mo was excited to see!

He handed Ren many books about swordsmanship and one book about wind qi, with Ren going back and randomly reading a book from his stack as he sat next to his siblings.

Master Mo watched Saren move forward with a thoughtful expression. ‘There’s no way he can be… Another genius!’

Master Mo stared in disbelief as his mind reeled, “The heavens are truly profound, another Genius! A Puzzle soul and Genius affinity with lightning! How can this be, it’s been a thousand years since one has appeared!”

If Master Mo’s mind was reeling before now it was exploding.

Terrifying. A monster. A true monster. Master Mo had traveled far and wide and once heard about the legend of a cultivator that was born with a Puzzle soul. If he was given sufficient materials he could kill any top tier expert. He was known as a cunning master of assassination at the time. If he claimed number two no one would dare claim number one.

Master Mo shook his head, “Even I don’t know how a Puzzle soul cultivates. You will have to rely on yourself. Although master will try his best to find you suitable materials to read, take this book on the Cultivation of Lightning until then.”

Saren bowed with an expressionless face, taking the book and sitting back down next to Ren. Saren was about to say something, but Ren cuffed him on the head and told him to keep his mouth shut.

Rune then went up. By now Master Mo had been shocked to the limits already.

So he wasn’t surprised when he saw Rune’s dual affinity of Fire and Poison, and merely handed her the few books he had on cultivating Fire and Poison magic.

Vince went up, and as expected he was another Genius, with a dual affinity of Earth and Gravity.

Vince also was given his books before rejoining his siblings.

Master Mo wondered what kind of child this Nena was going to be with all her brothers and sisters having Genius level talents. Nena wore a bright smile that could light up the sky as if she were the sun. She walked without a care in the world, her eyes twinkling like stars.

When Master Mo’s energy entered her, he thought nothing more could shock him until he saw Nena’s monster-like potential that dwarfed her brother’s and sister’s, making him breath in a cold breath of air forgetting himself, “A quad level soul, this should be impossible how can such a thing exist at your age?”

His mind reeled over this as if stricken by thunder in a mass storm.

Nena tilted her head asking innocently, “Master, what’s a quad soul?”

Master Mo suddenly came to his senses and added another wind barrier just to be double sure.

Master Mo suddenly asked all his students for fear someone would hear him, “All of you come over here now.”

Everyone obeyed his orders, wondering why their master looked so fearful. When everyone got seated down next to their master he spoke in a low voice for fear that someone could hear what he was going to say.

"You must never tell a single soul what you are about to hear”, he waited for all of them to nod before continuing, “Your youngest sister is an extremely rare divine Tiger quad soul having the greatest affinity with Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind.Even I don't know what will happen if she awakens. She'll have a fifth, maybe even six Genius affinities!

If the Cultivation world caught hold of this information most likely she’ll be fought over by the largest of sects and killed for her soul! You must never ever tell anyone this if you wish to stay together!”

Each of his words cut like hot knives through each of their minds!

Master Mo shook his head, “I was hoping to teach you the basics for a while before we entered the Sectless Sect, but with all of your monstrous talents the more time we stay in the outside world, the longer you kids will be endangered, therefore we’re moving out tomorrow! Go back to your rooms and read your books. If you have questions come directly to me. Do not ask the black robed men or women for help. Even if I trust the lot I can never be sure if there’s a spy in their ranks.”

The Nine nodded. Of course, they would never sell out their sister, they would rather die than bring her harm!

With the testing done, Master Mo taught his students the most basic of cultivation techniques the 1 by 3 breathing technique.

He even sent his daughter Marley with them to instruct them in their room before he left saying he needed time to think of their training regiments. The four youngest excitedly ran down the hallway while the five oldest were deep in thought over what their master had just said.

Meanwhile, Master Mo began to think to himself as well, ‘How could all these shocking youths be gathered in one spot? Was it Heaven's fate or was it… that witch?  Gathering all these Genius level talents together, who did she provoke to acquire these youths…what would be the reason? To what end is she trying to accomplish?'

Master Mo didn’t need to sleep for months at a time with his current level of power, but right now he wished to stop thinking about these troublesome matters and sleep. There had been too many surprises in one day for him to keep his thoughts steady. He was split between what the witch said, the monster talents he acquired, and what their training regiments should be.