Nine Star Burden

Chapter 172: Little Jiangxue

The following morning, Jiang Xiao woke up in a daze and rubbed his eyes with one hand while trying his best to curb his nausea.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he was greeted with pitch darkness.

Although it was morning, it was wintertime in Beijiang Province, after all.

He had plenty to drink last night. Due to the fact that they were going to compete soon during the previous gathering, they did not drink any alcohol.

They were about to have a three-day holiday for New Year’s. Hence, they decided to go all out and have some alcohol, especially Zhu Wu, who continuously made Jiang Xiao drink.

Jiang Xiao reckoned that Zhu Wu was probably exhilarated about the fact that he had finally found a girlfriend. Besides, everyone was also excited to see Jiang Xiao again.

After having one drop too many, Zhu Wu was no longer as shy and reserved. All of a sudden, he began blurting all of the pickup lines and sweet nothings that he would usually only send to the WeChat group. Although Liu Ke didn’t drink, she was intoxicated and overwhelmed by Zhu Wu’s romantic words.

I really don’t understand. How can girls like that?

Aren’t they in disdain towards these corny pick-up lines?

Later on, Zhu Wu’s words made Jiang Xiao feel utterly speechless. “She doesn’t like corny pick-up lines. She just likes it when I say them to her.”

Hypocrite!

Before Jiang Xiao blacked out from being too drunk, he could vaguely remember the series of corny lines that Zhu Wu said:

“My youth is dedicated to the wine table, and all I wanna do is drink until I die.”

At that moment, Jiang Xiao retorted in displeasure, “Life is but a few rounds of drinks. Whoever finishes first will leave first.”

Hmm...

Jiang Xiao then blacked out because of too much alcohol.

Jiang Xiao rubbed his head and thought, But then again, why have I woken up at such an early timing?

I should have woken in the afternoon.

Jiang Xiao stood up in a bid to give himself a Blessing. However, he shivered in shock and shrieked, “Ghost!”

The door of the tiny bedroom was opened without Jiang Xiao noticing and a girl who had long, black hair stood by the door, clad in a white, flowy dress. She was staring at Jiang Xiao calmly and remaining still. The silence in the room was absolutely terrifying as well.

Han Jiangxue looked at Jiang Xiao expressionlessly and shot him an icy cold glance before turning around to leave.

“Uh...” Jiang Xiao scratched his head awkwardly and took a look at his watch to see that it was 4:20 AM. Is she going out for a morning workout? But why is she still wearing her nightgown?

Han Jiangxue walked out of the kitchen with some honey water that she had made. Before she even reached the door, she heard Jiang Xiao moaning strangely.

She tried to suppress her emotions, but due to the fact that she couldn’t stop worrying about Jiang Xiao and feeling sympathetic towards him, she entered his room and handed him the honey water.

Jiang Xiao grabbed it foolishly and chuckled before taking a sip in comfort.

Under Blessing’s healing light, his body recovered well.

“I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be back immediately.” Jiang Xiao placed his cup on his bedside cabinet and crawled up before scurrying into the bathroom.

Han Jiangxue remained silent throughout and simply switched on the lights before folding his blanket quietly. She then sat on his bed and waited patiently.

She wasn’t being impatient, but she constantly heard the strange sounds coming from the bathroom.

Jiang Xiao was feeling incredibly nauseous and had no choice but to give himself several Blessings.

However, he seemed to have failed to control himself and ended up “Blessing” himself to the extent of becoming giddy. Hence, he almost lost balance and fell onto the ground.

After a long while, he walked out of his room, clad in pajamas. He returned to his bedroom to see that his sister Han Jiangxue was seated elegantly on his bed and staring at him silently.

Jiang Xiao felt that something was amiss and grabbed the warm honey water on the bedside cabinet before taking a seat on the ground. “What’s the matter? You don’t know me anymore?”

“You’ve grown taller and become thinner,” Han Jiangxue finally said, only to make Jiang Xiao feel extremely burdened. She finally broke her silence.

“Yi Lianna was just saying that the elder brother... Uh, I mean, Zhu Wen, had helped me measure my height. I think I’ve grown to 1.75 meters tall,” Jiang Xiao said smilingly as he sat on the ground and moved his body forward. He pressed the glass of warm honey water on Han Jiangxue’s fair calf and said, “Don’t pull a long face. It’s intimidating.”

Han Jiangxue retracted her calf before turning to sit on the bed. She curled up and glowered at Jiang Xiao. “Can’t you just be serious for a while, even if it’s just for a minute?”

“Hehe.” Jiang Xiao took a sip of warm honey water, which made him feel a warm and fuzzy feeling in his stomach. He looked at Han Jiangxue and said, “That’s not my style. I’m scared that I’ll cry because it’s too heartwarming and touching when I’m serious.”

Han Jiangxue looked at Jiang Xiao’s face quietly. In fact, when he was asleep just now, she was already staring at him silently for a long time while standing at the door, seemingly trying to find if any changes had happened to him in the past month.

“Say something. I’m feeling a little flustered. If there’s nothing you want to say to me, go back to your room and let me sleep.” Jiang Xiao paused for a moment before continuing, “The ground is rather cold.”

“Come up, then,” Han Jiangxue said, moving her body inwards.

!!!

That’s what you said!

I’m not the one who wants to go up.

Jiang Xiao got up and sat down by the bed while Han Jiangxue moved in and placed the folded blanket on the headboard before leaning back against it. Laying on her side, she said, “Li Weiyi has broken through the mid-Nebula Stage.”

Jiang Xiao was dumbfounded.

We’re alone together on a small bed in a dark room and you’re telling me that Li Weiyi has broken through?

“Uh... Ah, that’s a good thing,” Jiang Xiao said after recovering from the shock. He then crossed his legs and sat on the bed. Indeed, the ground was rather cold and his home wasn’t that warm either.

“He absorbed the mercenary corp Star Bead that we gave him.” Han Jiangxue seemed to be deep in thought, and she continued after a while, “By the way, I have a Star Bead with me. Do you remember the danger that we met in the Arsenal previously and the Awakened whom I threw into Sky Smasher?”

Jiang Xiao nodded and said, “Oh, I remember.”

“Look at it and see if it has any Medical Star Techniques,” Han Jiangxue said, not carrying too much hope. She guessed from his actions that that Awakened should be a Melee fighter.

Jiang Xiao handed the warm honey water back to her and grabbed the Star Bead that she took out from the coffin in the Sky Smasher.

A message popped up in his mind.

Eight Star Techniques. Seems like it’s an Awakened in the Nebula Stage.

Green Glow, Endurance, Burning Flame. Bursting Flames, Flame Arc, Scorch, Massive Strike, Brutality.

He could be considered a typical Beijiang Melee Awakened.

Jiang Xiao shook his head and said, “There is no Medical Star Techniques. This Star Bead should be in the Nebula Stage. Once you break through the later Nebula Stage, you can use it as a prop.”

“Okay.” While holding onto the warm honey water, Han Jiangxue took a sip, pressed her lips together, and said, “Your turn.”

Jiang Xiao was dumbfounded.

Seeing how shocked Jiang Xiao was, Han Jiangxue continued, “What happened recently?”

Oh, are you exchanging information with me?

Do you know how to hold a conversation at all?

Jiang Xiao almost burst into laughter as he thought, No wonder she seemed to be deep in thought just now. How interesting.

“Nebula Stage.” Han Jiangxue’s eyes glistened as soon as Jiang Xiao said those words.

“Pay attention to the force you’re applying. If you spill it, you’re washing the sheets for me,” Jiang Xiao said frantically.

“Continue,” Han Jiangxue said gently as she lowered her head and continued to sip on the honey water.

Jiang Xiao wondered if she had brewed it for him or for herself...

“I’m not going to light up my Star Map, anyway. Whenever I meet someone in the future, I don’t have to tell them that I can have two Star Techniques one star slot. Anyway, I can have eight Star Techniques now that I’m in the Nebula Stage.”

Han Jiangxue nodded and said, “I’ll help you talk to Teacher Hai and Li Weiyi. They’re not big-mouthed and will definitely agree.”

Jiang Xiao thought about it for a while before continuing, “I didn’t acquire any new Star Techniques, but I did learn plenty of things from Second Last. I’ve also integrated and mastered the swordsmanship techniques that Xia Yan taught me. I’ve been training well in my dagger skills too. The past month can be considered intensive training meant for the Beijiang Province High School League.”

“Integrated and mastered? You really like talking big,” Han Jiangxue said with a smile.

Jiang Xiao smiled and remained silent.

To his surprise, Han Jiangxue seemed to have thought of something as her eyes grew dimmer.

Women, they’re indeed very confusing and fickle-minded regardless of age.

What a sudden change in emotion.

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Xiao asked, concerned.

“You should be growing up normally in Year One of high school. Yet, because of me...” Han Jiangxue looked down as her voice turned softer, making Jiang Xiao feel rather sympathetic towards her...

My dear sister, please continue being aloof and put on a sullen face.

I can’t stand this side of you at all...

“I quite like such a lifestyle. Compared to being mischievous in school, playing in the Dimensional Spaces is much funnier.” Suddenly reminded of something, he smacked his forehead and said, “Wait a minute.”

Jiang Xiao then scurried out of bed and picked up his backpack from the computer desk before returning.

“Where did you get the money from?” Han Jiangxue asked when she saw the wads of cash in his backpack, which agitated her. She frowned and glared at him.

Jiang Xiao took out five Star Beads from his backpack and headed them to Han Jiangxue.

Jiang Xiao said meekly, “Rest assured, I got the money through proper means. I sold a White Ghoul Witch Star Bead to Ruifeng Business Firm and reserved a few Flame Torch Star Beads. The provincial league is taking place soon. These Star Beads are going to give you a huge boost in your abilities.”

Han Jiangxue stared at Jiang Xiao in shock. Her mind was in a frenzy and she was overwhelmed with complicated emotions. All of a sudden, she wondered if she should be feeling touched or angry.

His Blessing is upgradeable and every Star Bead he gets should be absorbed by him.

However, Han Jiangxue had no idea that Jiang Xiao was far away from upgrading his Blessing further. Hence, he could afford to sell one Star Bead to change the financial situation at home.

Jiang Xiao was thinking that if he really wanted to upgrade his Blessing to Gold Quality, he would probably have to go to the Holy Ground where there were plenty of White Ghoul Witches in order to get more Star Beads.

If he were to purely train in the snowfield, it would take him at least a few years to earn more White Ghoul Witch Star Beads.

“Isn’t your internal Star Map, White Flames? Since it fits, let it stay that way. Since White Flames guides you to Rules output, that means that you should take on the path of acquiring fire-element Star Techniques,” Jiang Xiao said, his voice getting softer and softer.

Seeing that Han Jiangxue had stood up again, Jiang Xiao suddenly exclaimed, “I did buy the Star Beads, but Xia Yan was the one who gave me that suggestion. She was also the one who reserved the Star Beads at Ruifeng Business Firm! She was the one who instigated me into doing so!”

Han Jiangxue was speechless.