The Case is Solved

Chapter 23: Case Solved

Upgrading Star Power from Star Dust Stage Lv.2 to Lv.3 didn't actually bring any qualitative improvement, and even the quantitative increase was minimal.

On Jiang Xiao's "Big Dipper Nine Stars" Star Map, the line connecting the two shining Star Slots still held that thin, dust-like Star Power.

But for Jiang Xiao, this was good news. Had he absorbed many Star Orbs? Very many! So he wasn't lacking in Star Power.

Yet why had his Star Power always been at Star Dust Stage? Why always Lv.2? It was all because of his fragile body.

Now, his Star Power level had risen. Even if it was just a small tier, it proved that within these short seven days, Jiang Xiao's Physical Fitness had improved to some extent, and his body's strength had increased.

Thus, Jiang Xiao could become a larger bucket, capable of holding more Star Power.

The increase in total Star Power meant Jiang Xiao had more "magic" and could use Star Skills more frequently in a short time.

At Star Dust Stage Lv.2, after using Blessing nine times in a row, Jiang Xiao's full Star Power would be drained.

Now, could Jiang Xiao last a bit longer? Leaping to the sky in one step would naturally make him ecstatic.

But this kind of steady, step-by-step, solid minor improvement made Jiang Xiao feel more grounded.

Under the protection of the two great figures, Jiang Xiao didn't lack Star Orbs. If possible, his total Star Power would have soared long ago.

During these seven days of training, Jiang Xiao had worked so hard, been so disciplined and persistent, pouring in sweat and energy, diligently training his body and improving its strength.

Finally seeing some results—this feeling truly lifted Jiang Xiao's spirits.

At the dining table, only Jiang Xiao and Xia Shanhai were present. Coach Lei Jin and Zhou Yi tactfully didn't join in.

Jiang Xiao ate heartily while listening to Xia Shanhai tell stories about his parents.

Xia Shanhai had a stern face, but he was fairly kind to Jiang Xiao. Perhaps it was because he was talking about old friends; his words were sincere, and Jiang Xiao could feel his genuine affection for his parents.

It was from Xia Shanhai that Jiang Xiao first heard the term "Dragon Cave."

Not the famous Chinese scenic spot Longmen Grottoes, but a small border town standing east of North River Land, bordering Russia, deep in the mountains where the two countries meet.

Han Jiangxue's father, Han Cheng, and mother, Jiang Hongye, had gone missing in the so-called "Dragon Cave."

Xia Shanhai didn't elaborate on the specifics of that Different Dimension World, and it had already become a joint military garrison point between China and Russia, a guarded Other Dimension Space point.

Unlike the Snowfield space point in Jiannan Village, the "Dragon Cave" was not open to the public. Military bases had even been built deep in the mountains outside that small border town, and the area was completely sealed off.

This meal was very enlightening for Jiang Xiao. He heard a new term: "Pioneer."

And his parents, Han Cheng and Jiang Hongye, were members of a Pioneer team.

The so-called "Pioneers" were a profession unique to this world.

Because on this planet, Space Gates often opened, and behind each gate lay a bizarre and wondrous world.

Pioneer teams were the first to investigate the interior of a newly opened Different Dimension World, assess its danger level, organize and summarize its general conditions, and classify the creatures within.

Could humanity develop this newly opened Different Dimension World? What resources existed inside? Would the various substances and creatures benefit humans? Were the creatures too ferocious, beyond what humans could handle? Should it be completely destroyed, or should nearby civilians be evacuated as soon as possible? Just like the Snowfield in Jiannan Village, that stronghold was said to have opened in the last century. The Pioneer teams, through countless expeditions, paid with endless sweat, blood, and even lives, to thoroughly understand that Different Dimension World.

Only then did official development and public access follow.

It was no exaggeration to say that Pioneer teams were the most dangerous teams, and also the greatest.

Most members of these teams kept a low profile. After all, joining such a team required lofty faith and a sense of mission, as well as organization and discipline.

Pioneer teams were mostly military forces. Even if some strong members weren't soldiers, they were "naturalized" external reinforcements who adhered to organizational rules in social life.

They silently gave everything for their country, even for all of humanity, just like firefighters—undoubtedly heroes.

Jiang Xiao really hadn't expected Xia Shanhai to tell him all this. But now that his parents were gone and Xia Shanhai had retired from the Pioneer team due to injury, the two of them could talk about it.

Seeing Jiang Xiao's eyes gradually light up, Xia Shanhai nodded inwardly.

He knew how powerful a sense of honor was for a young boy, and he also knew how deeply role models—especially a father figure—could influence a boy.

Seven full days of relentless, isolated training had given Xia Shanhai a new understanding of Jiang Xiao, and even a glimmer of hope.

If, through the majestic image of his parents, he could make this child more determined about his future path, then Xia Shanhai would have done a good deed, worthy of his old friends.

Looking at Jiang Xiao's expression, Xia Shanhai felt a stir in his heart. In recent years, due to his parents' departure, the child had lacked discipline and had indeed been a bit of a troublemaker. But now, he seemed to be changing. After all, he was slowly growing up, wasn't he? Xia Shanhai warned Jiang Xiao not to share their conversation with anyone else, then brought up his own family matters.

After all, Xia Shanhai was Xia Yan's father, and he naturally cared about his own child.

"Yan Yan has been too strict with you. Training should be moderated," Xia Shanhai skillfully changed the subject.

"Xia Yan has been really good to me. This kind of training is fine. With Star Power, our bodies can handle high-intensity training," Jiang Xiao quickly explained.

Xia Yan had helped him so much; even at his most mischievous, he wouldn't badmouth her in front of her father.

Jiang Xiao knew when to joke and when to be serious.

"Oh? So you really think well of her. Yan Yan and I don't communicate much. With a girl, there's a generation gap as a father, sigh." Xia Shanhai feigned a sigh and said, "It's a bit sad to say, but we barely talk. I can only keep up with her through the internet."

Before Jiang Xiao could respond, Xia Shanhai continued, "I can see she has a good impression of you. She replied to your Weibo posts right away these past few days."

Jiang Xiao scratched his head: "Huh?"

Xia Shanhai didn't get Jiang Xiao's awkwardness, nor did he lecture Jiang Xiao to behave, focus, or even prioritize training or studies, because he realized Jiang Xiao was already confused.

Jiang Xiao scratched his head again: "After training every day, I collapse on the floor and fall asleep. I don't have the energy to play on my phone."

Xia Shanhai froze, then asked in confusion, "That Jiang Xiaopi Pi Bu Pi—wasn't that you?"

You've been liking my daughter for eight days now. I show up, and you won't own up? Lost your nerve?

Jiang Xiao said, "It was me. Jiang Xiaopi Pi Bu Pi."

Xia Shanhai nearly laughed in exasperation, looking at him like a child caught playing dumb. "And those posts about love and feelings these past few days—you didn't send those?"

Jiang Xiao habitually scratched his head. "My phone was confiscated by Xia Yan a long time ago. She took it the very first day I got here."

Xia Shanhai: ???