Nine Star Burden

Chapter 171: Dog Head and Ghoul Tiger

Most people now called the Dimensional Spaces in Dameng Province “Below the Stars” instead of “Beneath the Starry Sky”.

The number and variety of Dimensional Spaces were very different. Hence, how could they be distinguished?

In order to facilitate development and management, the ones clueless about romance decided to add some levels to the name.

The difficulty was segregated into five levels, with Level 1 being the safest and Level 5 being the most dangerous.

However, the segregation was simple and could be easily understood with just one glance. Hence, Jiang Xiao was willing to accept it.

Um... it was mainly because the exam questions for this Dimensional Space would be easier.

For Jiang Xiao now, romance wasn’t important at all.

The Basic Techniques of Dameng Province were basically from Below the Stars Level 1.

There were peculiar creatures with sheep heads that had two Star Techniques “Collide” and “Night Vision”, as well as bizarre-looking beasts that had the two Star Techniques “Scent” and “Vine”.

Logically speaking, Night Vision was undoubtedly a good ability to have, but the problem was that Jiang Xiao had too few star slots. According to his usual style, it would be better not to waste his star slots if he could use his equipment.

Can’t see at night? Night vision goggles will do the trick.

Besides, if Jiang Xiao really wanted to acquire any Star Techniques, he wouldn’t choose “Night Vision”.

In Below the Stars Level 2, there were strange creatures that had dog heads with the Star Technique “Perception”.

That was an actual Star Technique that would enhance one’s senses. For Jiang Xiao, “Perception” might even offer night vision abilities once it was upgraded to a certain level.

He didn’t have to bother about the so-called “Collide” since he already had Green Glow. Not to mention, he had limited star slots.

The Star Techniques that belonged to the beasts in Below the Stars Level 1 and the demons in Below the Stars Level 2 were considered basic too. “Vine” and “Rattan Whip” were the iconic Star Techniques of Dameng Province where talented Control Awakened were rampant. Thanks to these Star Beads, they trod on the path of no return and became Control Awakened.

Of course, there were outstanding sides to those basic Star Techniques since they could have a foothold in a big province. They could also be used as controlling Star Techniques. But Jiang Xiao felt uncomfortable about them because he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to make vines rise from the ground during indoor competitions.

Although Jiang Xiao wasn’t interested in the basic Star Beads of the grassland in Dameng Province, he desperately yearned for advanced Star Beads.

The demons in Below the Stars Level 3 produced terrifying hypnotic and parasitic Star Techniques!

Gao Junwei’s Gold Quality Roar of Fear came from a creature called Ghost Fox, which was from Below the Stars Level 3 in Dameng Province.

Was Roar of Fear strong?

Of course! However, they were not basic Star Beads and could not be bought or reserved, let alone upgraded.

After getting rid of his unrealistic fantasies, Jiang Xiao gave it some careful thought and he realized that the only Star Beads that he could get his hands on and were worth absorbing were the ones from the “Dog-headed Walkers” in Below the Stars Level 2.

Dog-headed Walkers were Silver Quality creatures that had three Star Techniques, namely, Perception (Brass Quality), Razor-sharp (Brass Quality), and Swiftness (Silver Quality).

Perception was meant for enhancing the five senses, and once it was upgraded, the effects would definitely be formidable.

“Razor-sharp” was an enhanced version of “Sharp Claws”, and would allow one’s hands and feet to be as strong and durable as metal. They would also become sharper and more lethal. Jiang Xiao wasn’t too interested in this Star Technique.

Swiftness was a terrifying Silver Quality Star Technique that would allow one to be faster and become more agile.

Although this Star Technique was not considered an output one, it was a good enhancement!

If this were to be upgraded to an even more formidable level, wouldn’t it be terrifying?

However, Jiang Xiao hesitated, partly because he had very little money and partly because he couldn’t go to Dameng Province anytime soon. He didn’t have money to go to Below the Stars Level 2 to get his Star Technique upgraded either.

The third reason was that there were four Star Techniques in each Star Bead of the Ghost Tiger in Below the Stars Level 3. The four Star Techniques included Perception, Swiftness, Razor-sharp, and another one named “Howl”...

It was a Gold Quality Star Technique!

But, uh, Jiang Xiao couldn’t buy any Ghost Tiger Star Beads...

Feels really terrible.

Jiang Xiao only had five star slots left and he felt that he ought to cherish them and do his best to absorb more Star Beads that contained useful Star Techniques. It would be best if every Star Technique was useful and if the Star Beads were available in large amounts...

Fine, he had too many demands.

Of course, if there was a Spatial Star Bead in front of him, Jiang Xiao would definitely absorb it without hesitation even if it only contained one Star Technique...

Sigh, I’d better not act recklessly.

Let’s see which wonderful Star Beads my master Second Last will bring me.

Jiang Xiao mocked. “Those basic Star Techniques are useless. If only I had a space bag, I wouldn’t have to worry about my money getting stolen.”

Manager Sun looked at Jiang Xiao with a smile. Without mentioning the price, he said, “Brother, you must work hard to become an outstanding person, so that you can get exposed to special Star Beads.”

Jiang Xiao shook his head helplessly and stuffed a wad of cash into his bag. “Hehe, I really do have to work hard.”

“Well, Brother Jiang, when you go to the snowfield in the future and get some White Ghoul Witch Star Beads, you must come back to look for me,” Manager Sun said as he whipped out his name card and handed it to Jiang Xiao.

Sun Sitian!?!

Okay, Fatty Sun. I’ll keep you in mind.

Jiang Xiao suddenly discovered that he was really a Chinese national.

Okay.

It was typical of a Chinese national to go into a random shop and tell the store assistant that he or she was just browsing and looking around.

Yes, I’m just going to shop randomly and I probably won’t be buying anything, so don’t bother introducing the things to me because you’re making me embarrassed.

Jiang Xiao had merely entered the shop for a round of random shopping and ended up not buying anything too.

Jiang Xiao grabbed his backpack—a poorly made counterfeit version of the bag in Players’ Unknown Battleground. He felt that it would be uncomfortable not to buy anything to store in his spacious backpack.

50,000 yuan doesn’t feel that heavy?

Jiang Xiao shook his backpack and thought to himself, If I weren’t so ambitious and motivated, I should be able to live well with this simple lifestyle.

Each White Ghoul Witch Star Bead could bring him 200,000 yuan. Jiang Xiao decided to visit the snowfield more frequently in the future with a few “like-minded” classmates. Even if they were to split the earnings equally, each of them would be getting 50,000 yuan for every Star Bead that they sold. Instead of staying home and doing nothing, he might as well earn some money for a better life.

Most importantly, Jiang Xiao didn’t need an entry ticket to the snowfield because of his parents. That helped him save a lot on the costs.

If his parents whom he had never met were to find out his mindset, they would probably slap him.

Ah, no, Father might slap me, but Mother probably wouldn’t. Look at this name that she has given me. Jiang Xiaopi?

It’s like a joke.

Clearly, Mother never had high hopes for her adopted child.

“When I was a recalcitrant and rebellious child, my grandma would often stab me with a knife...” Upon hearing the ringtone, Jiang Xiao whipped his mobile phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen. He was immediately thrilled.

“Ah, name a place. I’ll arrive in no time. I have to go home to place my things,” Jiang Xiao said after answering.

To his surprise, the caller said, “In the small alley of Nantou. We’re at a store called Bragging and Beer BBQ 203. Hurry up, they’re closing at 2 AM and I’ve just ordered two cartons of beer.”

Jiang Xiao suddenly quivered after hearing his words.

I’d better... place the money and Star Beads at home first.

Yes, I must do that...