Nine Star Burden

Chapter 164: Gains

The battle going on in the snowfield was in full swing. For Jiang Xiao, such a situation was common.

Although he had yet to conquer the snowfield, he was already extremely familiar with it, as if it was his own backyard.

In the past 30-odd days, Jiang Xiao’s body became stronger, and there were also changes to his Star Map.

–

Character: Jiang Xiao.

Star Map:

Big Dipper, Nebula Stage Level 0

<ol start=”2″>

Star Technique:

Blessing, Silver Quality Level 2 (5/10)

Decoy, Silver Quality Level 2 (5/10)

Green Glow, Gold Quality Level 2 (66/100)

Endurance, Gold Quality Level 2 (66/100)

Bell, Silver Quality Level 1

Imprint, Silver Quality Level 1

Nostalgia, Gold Quality Level 0

Dawn, Gold Quality Level 0

<ol start=”3″>

Basic Technique:

Freehand Combat, Silver Quality Level 4

Star Power Abundance, Silver Quality Level 1

Dagger Mastery, Silver Quality Level 4

Xia Family Swordsmanship, Silver Quality Level 8

<ol start=”4″>

Skill Points: 14

Star Beads:

White Ghoul Star Beads: 50

White Ghoul Witch Star Beads: 1

–

In the past month, Second Last did not take Jiang Xiao to the Holy Ground in the snowfield. Instead, she took him around the place and showed him the space-time tunnels that numerous Guardians Of The Night were guarding.

The space-time tunnels were similar and were very much like the portals in the Holy Ground, except that they were narrower.

Since Second Last was beside Jiang Xiao, the Guardians Of The Night didn’t lock him up.

In reality, Jiang Xiao thought that Second Last was using a unique way to tell the Guardians Of The Night or her superiors that she had found a suitable teammate.

Jiang Xiao killed a total of eight White Ghoul Witches, perhaps because he had managed to delve deep into the enemies’ territory through the various space-time tunnels.

He absorbed seven White Ghoul Witch Star Beads and kept one, which he prepared to sell once he went back, in order to earn some money to buy the so-called Flame Torch Star Bead for Han Jiangxue.

According to Xia Yan, Ruifeng Business Firm saved the Flame Torch for them, on her account. Otherwise, it would have long been bought by others.

Before Jiang Xiao entered the snowfield, he checked up on the Flame Torch Star Bead on the internet and learned that the Star Techniques contained in it were excellent and good enough for the Xia Family.

Jiang Xiao had finally understood everything. To members of the upper-class circle, the business firms were nothing more than a recycling bin.

Ordinary folks like Jiang Xiao could sell their Star Beads to the business firms, which would buy them over at higher prices compared to the government. But if one wanted to purchase some powerful Star Beads?

Impossible.

Xia Yan had to talk to the owners of the firm to reserve the Flame Torch Star Bead.

As soon as Jiang Xiao sold the White Ghoul Witch Star Bead and obtained the 20,000 yuan, he would have to think about what he could buy.

It would be impossible to get any precious valuables in the business firms.

Although no treasures could be found at the firms, the vast land of China was resourceful and the Basic Technique Star Beads of the other provinces were also superb. As long as they had special effects and came in large amounts, Jiang Xiao would be able to use them.

However, because of Nostalgia, Second Last was extremely strict with him and she had already ordered him not to acquire other Star Techniques. She said that she would help him acquire them or help him out...

Jiang Xiao had no idea if he should feel glad or troubled.

Back to the main topic.

In addition to Blessing and Bait which had been upgraded by one small level, Jiang Xiao’s Green Glow and Endurance were also upgraded.

There was nothing but White Ghouls in the snowfield.

On top of that, Jiang Xiao already had 50 White Ghoul Star Beads and he was preparing to save them for further battles.

Due to the fact that Jiang Xiao was consciously saving his White Ghoul Star Beads and using Nostalgia, as his combat power increased, the battle began to end faster. Jiang Xiao mainly relied on his own absorption of Star Power to recover.

Fortunately, in the Basic Technique tab, the Silver Quality Star Power Abundance actually got upgraded by a small level.

On the Basic Technique tab, most of Jiang Xiao’s Basic Techniques had been upgraded apart from Star Power Abundance.

The most classic ones were Freehand Combat and Dagger Mastery!

Under the careful guidance of Second Last, Jiang Xiao’s Freehand Combat and Dagger Mastery were upgraded to Silver Quality Level 4.

It was no exaggeration to say that it was a huge improvement.

They were all of Silver Quality and every small increase in level would be equivalent to an increase in a large level of Brass Quality. Hence, Jiang Xiao managed to improve those two Star Techniques by three levels within just one month!

What made Jiang Xiao exhilarated was the Silver Quality Xia Family Swordsmanship!

Xia Family Swordsmanship: Silver Quality Level 8!

The meaning was self-evident!

Jiang Xiao managed to upgrade the Xia Family Swordsmanship Star Technique using his Skill Points and not through training.

During the critical juncture in the Arsenal, Jiang Xiao used his Skill Points on the Xia Family Swordsmanship while bearing with the pinch in order to survive.

During training the past month, he managed to upgrade Silver Quality Level 6 to Silver Quality Level 8, all because of his own training.

Two levels!

Two small levels!

That was the best proof of his hard work in the past month!

Not only did that mean that he had fully mastered the swordsmanship given to him in the internal Star Map, but it also meant that he had integrated all the skills acquired before Level 6. He also continued progressing in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Star Map.

Moreover, the practical combat results achieved through following the instructions in the internal Star Map were much better than that of Xia Yan’s practical lessons!

Jiang Xiao would definitely be shocked to death if that happened to his Star Power.

Unfortunately, Jiang Xiao’s Star Power level was still at Nebula Stage Level 0.

That meant that his body was still not strong enough for the Nebula Stage.

In fact, he still wasn’t an actual Nebula Stage Awakened and only managed to advance to the Nebula Stage in name, because he had used his Skill Points to do so.

Time passed very quickly, and even though he was training hard, he still felt so.

It was winter break soon and the final exam of the last semester of Year Three was around the corner.

Without a doubt, the Beijiang Province High School League would begin soon and his days of suffering in the snowfield would also be coming to an end.

...

There were plenty of colors flashing in the distant sky, beneath which was Jiang Xiao’s tiny figure fighting a strong and buff White Ghoul with his giant sword.

The buff and strong White Ghoul was lifted in the air by the sword, but Jiang Xiao did not pay any attention to it. Instead, he looked at the White Ghoul that was charging towards him.

The giant wooden sword brushed past him swiftly and it was as if it could cut through the air. Not only did it smack the White Ghoul away, but it also caused the snowflakes to be stirred up.

*Screech*!

Jiang Xiao drove the giant wooden sword into the snow and brushed his right hand across his thigh before turning around to stab the White Ghoul in its neck ruthlessly.

The White Ghoul tried to scratch its back with its sharp claws. However, Jiang Xiao was so close yet so far.

That was the greatest reward that Jiang Xiao got out of his training in the past month.

Behind every fancy move were solid basic skills and techniques.

In the face of the three White Ghouls, Jiang Xiao managed to keep his mind clear as he devised his strategy with composure.

Compared to the clueless and panicky toxic healer whom he used to be, Jiang Xiao now was full of composure and his movements were sharp, fluid, and executed with finesse.

The three White Ghouls seemed to pose no threat to him.

In the snowfield that was not too far away, a massive figure was standing still and looking at the scene while dressed in a black, loose cloak.

There seemed to be a tinge of admiration in her narrow eyes.

Under the starry sky, her body was like a phantom that exuded an icy cold aura.

She would look so beautiful with a pot of wine.

While thinking about it, she whipped out a dark half-toothed battle sword from her thigh and flung it outwards.

It flew past the sky with a whistle.

Jiang Xiao killed the White Ghoul that was descending from the sky and he suddenly raised his head, only to see the second White Ghoul that he had smacked away splitting into half and falling onto a large tree.

Second Last said, “Military stance, look at it.”

After hearing Second Last’s words, Jiang Xiao hesitated for a moment before putting the dagger back into its sheath and sticking his wooden giant sword into the snow.

Amidst the wind and snow, he stood still while keeping his back as straight as a ruler.

It’s been a month. Jiang Xiao was on the verge of breaking down.

I merely skipped the military training program in school, must Heaven punish me like this?

Indeed, skipping military training would warrant a punishment!

The suffering and torment that I evaded back then have all been bestowed on me again...

Second Last picked up a branch casually and turned around to walk towards the cave behind her. She then placed it in the crackling bonfire.

She knelt on the ground and smoothed her ponytail before turning her head to look out.

Jiang Xiao was still in a military stance and did not move an inch.

Being made to stand in a military stance in this harsh snowfield was not only about physical training but also training one’s willpower.

His face was as pale as a sheet because of the cold and his fingers had also turned stiff as he stared at a corpse nearby. That was what she requested.

Sometimes, she felt that she should not have night vision so that she wouldn’t see his frostbitten skin so clearly in the dark.

Had she not had night vision, she wouldn’t be looking forward to seeing any more White Ghouls and would have simply gotten Jiang Xiao to move and warm himself up.

She picked up the small pot of hot water that was still boiling and poured some into a thermal flask before standing up and turning around to go to the cave. She slowly sat down, moved her body, and adjusted her angle to get a better view.

She leaned against the stone wall of the cave and tilted her head to look at the tiny figure standing in the snow. She seemed to have suddenly been reminded of something as a smile graced her sullen face.

Seeing how serious and focused he was, she thought about his performance in the past month.

Second Last held onto the flask and took a sip of hot water.

She knew that in the future, she would have him in her team.

Having someone like him behind her made her feel at peace.