Nine Star Burden

Chapter 199: Competition! Competition!

“Beijiang TV Station, Beijiang TV Station. Dear friends, you are watching the 2016 Beijiang Province High School League. This is our opening show for the year...”

The weather in Beijiang Province was a little chilly during wintertime, but the Red Sun Sports Hall was extremely crowded. The spectators in the grandstands were all in high spirits as well.

In the stadium tunnel, Han Jiangxue was wearing a down jacket and biting a blue hair tie while pulling her hair back into a ponytail as she walked towards Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao reached out and grabbed the hair tie that she was biting on before moving behind her and watched as she tied her cascading, black locks into a ponytail.

“Horrible, I’m late again.” Xia Yan chided in displeasure as she gave the siblings the side-eye.

Han Jiangxue allowed Jiang Xiao to tie her hair while she remained standing quietly and looked at the contestants’ passageway as well as the green field.

Han Jiangxue said, “It’s snowing.”

Jiang Xiao paused and asked, “Huh?”

Han Jiangxue whispered, “It’s snowing outside.”

“Oh.” Jiang Xiao tied the blue-colored hair tie into a bow.

“Are you ready?” Han Jiangxue asked softly.

Jiang Xiao placed his hands behind his back, touched the handle of the wooden sword on his shoulder, and gently expressed assent.

“Let’s go,” Li Weiyi said while carrying a long-handled wooden hammer. He looked at his teammates and strode out after acknowledging the staff’s sign.

The stadium tunnel was not too dark.

However, after the team of four exited, they seemed to have entered another world.

The sky in this world was gloomy, but it was much brighter than the stadium tunnel.

There were more than 10,000 spectators in the grandstands applauding out of courtesy.

Snowflakes were fluttering in the sky, and they landed on Jiang Xiao’s face. They were icy cold and would melt when touched.

Jiang Xiao followed his team into the green field and raised his head slightly to look around at the surrounding cameras, saw the four hosts clad in suits, and the various spectators who had peculiar expressions on their faces.

Their gazes were full of excitement? Anticipation? Awe? Disdain?

Jiang Xiao listened to the noisy sounds coming from all directions and took a deep breath. “Han Jiangxue.”

The girl in front of him turned her head slightly, revealing her charming side profile.

She glanced at Jiang Xiao using her peripheral vision while her ponytail that was secured by the blue-colored hair tie, which had been tied into a bow, fluttered gently in the air.

Jiang Xiao whispered, “Is he going to die?”

Han Jiangxue answered coldly, “Are you feeling sympathetic?”

Jiang Xiao shrugged and looked at the team from Jiangbin High School No. 3 on his right. He then glanced at Gao Junwei’s figure and said softly, “Why would I be soft-hearted towards him? I’m just afraid that you’d have to bear the responsibility.”

The corners of Han Jiangxue’s mouth were raised slightly and she said, “Let’s make it a quick one, then.”

...

At the panel, the host rattled on and on eloquently about the rules of the game. “We’ll be deciding the teams that will be in the top eight for the 2016 Beijiang Provincial High School League within these two days and grant the top two the rights to participate in the National High School League.”

A guest whose last name was Wu said, “Yes, and the top three will receive Gold Quality Star Beads as rewards. It’s said that these Gold Quality Star Beads come from a very mysterious and special Dimensional Space. I personally look forward to them. What about you?”

“Of course, Mr. Wu. The Gold Quality Star Beads should be very attractive to everyone,” the host said smilingly. He continued, “We would hereby like to thank the Provincial Star Warriors’ Association for their strong support.”

The guest, Mr. Wu, nodded and said, “It’s necessary to increase rewards appropriately. On one hand, you’d be able to attract more students to participate. On the other hand, it can indeed increase the student’s abilities to a certain extent. After all, the teams representing Beijiang Province in the National League in the recent years have all been ranked at the bottom...”

The one beside him hurriedly interjected. “The competition results were not too ideal, and there is huge room for improvement.”

His words did sound much easier on the ears.

After successfully stopping Mr. Wu, who was too callous with his words, the host continued to change the subject. “The time limit for each round is 30 minutes. Participants are forbidden from using Star Beads to increase Star Power. The competition venue is a standard football field, and once the participants go out of bounds, they will be immediately disqualified.”

After saying a chunk of words, the host turned to look at Mr. Wu.

Mr. Wu said, “Yes, the participants must bear the rules in mind, and the teachers leading the team should also communicate well with the students. The competition is meant for students to use their brains. During the National League last year, our team from the previous cohort went out of bounds and hence...”

The host hurriedly interjected loudly again. “Yes, Mr. Wu, you are very right. I think, for any team that wants to win the championship, obtaining victory in the shortest time and with the least damage would become a top priority.”

For teams that wanted to compete for the championship, there would be several hard battles to fight. In order to come in first, the team would have to compete in two battles with a very short break in between. It was a battle of endurance and a test of Star Power, physical strength, and mental will.

Mr. Wu said, “Yes, during the National League last year, our teams...”

The host hurriedly interrupted again. “Look, the students have entered the arena! The first round will be a battle between Jiangbin High School and Jiangbin High School No. 3! I dare to guarantee that this round will be absolutely exciting. It’s no exaggeration to say that this round should be on the level of the finals! Unfortunately, Jiangbin City can only have one out of the two strong teams advance to the semi-finals.”

Mr. Wu said, “Yes, the team from Jiangbin High School is very strong. Compared to the previous cohort...”

The host hurriedly said, “The famous Han Jiangxue is the commander of the team from Jiangbin High School and I believe everyone who pays the slightest attention to this high school student in Beijiang will know that she’s a peerless prodigy with 30 star slots!”

Mr. Wu stared at the host with resentment, feeling like he was about to throw up from holding in all the words that he wanted to say.

The host thought to himself in exasperation, Damn it, why do you have to continuously bring up the last cohort?

There are so many leaders here in the field and many others watching in front of the TV. Can’t you say something nice? Can’t you sing praises about them?

Brother, this is a live broadcast. What about the script that was given to you before the broadcast? Why don’t you say what’s on the script? Don’t keep trying to go freestyle...

As a professional host, Sui Bian remained calm even though he was cussing in his head. “This team from Jiangbin High School No. 3 is really strong too. All of them are famous figures in this cohort!

“Zhang Mingming, Yu Zhen, and Gao Junwei really have unparalleled strength and abilities compared to the rest in the cohort!

“Those who have seen the preliminary competition are probably aware of that!

“They are like gods going against gods!

“They knocked out countless teams, eliminated countless participants from their school, and are deserving of being an overpowering team!

“Although in the process, they also lost two members, they still managed to get into the semi-finals with their tenacious fighting style.

“The good news is that the heavily injured Gao Junwei and Yu Zhen have already recovered completely with the help of a Medical Star Warrior.

“I believe they’ll definitely give us a stunning performance in the upcoming competition!

“Look at these young and talented ones. The education standards of Beijiang Province are really getting better year after year...”

Sensing that Mr. Wu was left out, the host cued him appropriately by switching the topic again. “Yes, Mr. Wu, one of the students of this cohort is a special existence. He only has nine star slots, and his qualifications are mediocre, but he’s a Medical Awakened who has great combat effectiveness. Do you know who I am talking about?”

Mr. Wu looked at the host and couldn’t help but sneer.

Have you finally decided to talk to me?

Have you finally decided to ask me?

I’ll let you know today, that no one can stop me from talking about the previous cohort!

Mr. Wu said, “Eh! Eh! Let’s not talk about this cohort. Let’s talk about the previous cohort, the one before that, and all the ones before that. There has never been a student with only nine star slots!”

Press 5!

Mr. Wu’s voice could be heard throughout the entire field and was sent to the televisions of countless households too.

At this time, Jiang Xiao followed his team into the arena, and when he heard the host’s introduction, he turned to look at Mr. Wu.

Yes!

I’m that one and only man!

Jiang Xiao clenched his right fist and gently touched his left chest, pointing to the VIP seat where Mr. Wu was seated on, as a form of respect.

Unfortunately, Mr. Wu did not say Jiang Xiao’s name at all.

Indeed, he still had to do his own things!

Jiang Xiao walked backward and pointed at Mr. Wu. He said, “Yo! Yo! I’m Jiang Xiaopi, I’m really handsome. I have very few star slots, but I will give you some paternal love.”

All of a sudden, Li Weiyi, who was leading the way, almost fell flat on the ground.

Han Jiangxue turned her head to look at Jiang Xiao’s back in shock, feeling a sudden urge to smack him on the head.

Xia Yan, at the back, pushed Jiang Xiao’s shoulder and spun him around. “What are you singing nonsensically for? They can’t hear, anyway.”

Jiang Xiao humphed and said, “It’s okay, they will read my works through reading my lips. Everyone will know my name.”

Xia Yan retorted. “You call that a piece of work? Have you got any shame? I can write that lousy song of yours easily.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

Of course, the scene of the two teams entering the arena was displayed on the screen and everyone could see Jiang Xiao’s actions.

In order to allow the team members to communicate and give out commands effectively, the officials gave all participants miniature microphones.

However, the competition had yet to start and the participants were all muted. Hence, no one could hear what Jiang Xiao was saying and they could only see him muttering.

All of a sudden, there were numerous pop-up messages in Su Rou’s live-stream.

“What is the little toxic healer doing?”

“What is he saying? He should be pointing at the host, right?”

“Wow, I’m curious, what exactly did he say?”

“Who cares what he said? Just get to it! I’m looking forward to this round the most. It’s definitely going to be exciting!”

“Yeah, it’s going to be thrilling and menacing. I really dare not imagine it. I wonder if the two teams will tear up this sports hall.”

“The host is right, it’s definitely a finals level battle!”

“Gao Junwei’s team is indeed impressive. They defeated so many other teams. Haha, how thrilling!”

“Go, Gao Junwei! It’s time for revenge. Kill this bunch of silly dogs.”

“My Goddess Xue is the strongest! Gao Junwei is nothing...”