Xia Shiqi

Chapter 34: Xia Shiqi

Location: Other Dimension Space, Snowfield, Southeast Route.

The Southeast Route was the route least explored by human Awakened, and it was filled with both danger and opportunity.

Last time, Han Jiangxue had wanted to broaden Jiang Xiao's horizons while using White Ghosts to intimidate him a little, so that Jiang Xiao, who had finally turned over a new leaf, would develop an even greater Sense of Awe toward this world. Thus, the four-person team had taken the Northwest Route.

Although they had encountered an unexpected large group of White Ghoul Witches along the way, the end result had been fairly good.

This time, however, the three of them had chosen the Southeast Route.

Snowy Forests were densely packed here, and it was rare to see a wide-open Snowfield. Naturally, this place was also a paradise for White Ghosts.

At that moment, deep in the Snowy Forest, Han Jiangxue was staring at Jiang Xiao in astonishment. The young man's fist, flashing with Green Glow, had punched a White Ghost to the ground! However, Jiang Xiao had no lethal attack at all, so he could only smash down with another punch, relying on Green Glow's unique "knockback" attribute. The strong White Ghost's upper body was driven straight into the ground, leaving it upside down with its legs sticking into the air.

"The problem he's exposed is obvious. He doesn't have a Star Skill capable of inflicting enough damage on an enemy," Han Jiangxue said.

Beside her, Xia Yan nodded. The two of them looked like spectators, yet also like coaches, standing outside the battle circle and watching Jiang Xiao fight the White Ghost one-on-one with complete concentration.

"Your dagger skills are a hundred times better than mine. You can teach him," Han Jiangxue said hesitantly, as if sounding her out.

"No problem, as long as you kiss me once." The female soldier delinquent turned toward the skiing enthusiast beside her and seized the opportunity to act shamelessly.

Han Jiangxue shot Xia Yan a cold glance and did not respond.

"True, that exchange wouldn't be equal." Xia Yan giggled, her beautiful eyes shifting as she said, "You kiss me once, and I'll teach him blade techniques. My dagger skills are pretty mediocre, but blade techniques are different. That's what I've trained in all these years."

Han Jiangxue was slightly stunned. Was Xia Yan really going to pass on her blade techniques? Had Jiang Xiao's request last time planted a seed in Xia Yan's heart? "I genuinely want him to become stronger. I want him to join our team." Xia Yan promptly answered Han Jiangxue's doubts. "My weapon counts as a heavy weapon. It can attack and defend, and even if his skills are poor, carrying it around would still be intimidating. After all, his future role is that of a Medical Soldier."

Han Jiangxue said softly, "Since you want to do it so badly, then go teach him."

"Wouldn't that make me lose face? Someone has to come and beg me." Xia Yan put an arm around Han Jiangxue's shoulders and pretended to sigh. "Besides, I'm not interested in that child Jiang Xiaopi."

Han Jiangxue turned to look at Xia Yan beside her.

Although Xia Yan could not see Han Jiangxue's eyes hidden behind her ski goggles, she could see those thin lips so close to her.

At that moment, Xia Yan's breathing suddenly quickened, and her heart began pounding wildly.

Han Jiangxue had not rejected her or pushed her away.

Under normal circumstances, even getting kicked by her would have been merciful! An unrealistic fantasy suddenly rose in Xia Yan's heart. She subconsciously closed her eyes and leaned her face forward.

Han Jiangxue's eyes, hidden behind her ski goggles, remained coldly fixed on the woman in front of her. She could not help raising one hand and gently pressing the back of her icy hand against Xia Yan's lips.

"Wow!" Xia Yan cried out happily. It seemed her brain had already short-circuited. She turned around, opened her eyes, and looked at the beautiful world before bouncing toward Jiang Xiao like a husky rolling around joyfully in the snow.

Han Jiangxue watched Xia Yan frolic with a pitying gaze and shook her head helplessly. Then she called toward that retreating figure, "Forget the blade. This environment isn't suitable for training. Teach him dagger techniques instead."

"As you command, my Princess. Your knight shall obey your will." Xia Yan was in an excellent mood and cheerfully replied.

"What tough skin." Jiang Xiao was currently riding on the White Ghost, punching the back of its head again and again. He had no habit of carrying a dagger, and he could not exactly ask the White Ghost to wait while he went back to retrieve his Marching Pack.

Thus, the situation had become somewhat stalemated. Still, no matter how tough your skin was, and no matter how lacking my strength was, after taking punch after punch directly to the back of your head, you had to suffer some damage, right?

"Back up, back up!" Xia Yan's excited voice suddenly came from behind him.

Jiang Xiao's heart jolted. He hurriedly leaned backward as a sharp giant blade descended from the sky and plunged deeply into the ground, piercing straight through the White Ghost's skull.

Xia Yan came sweeping in with wind and snow, like a deity descending from heaven. The surging air currents directly blasted Jiang Xiao behind her away.

Fortunately, the snow here was thick, so although Jiang Xiao rolled countless times across the ground, it did not hurt much. Instead, the Star Power Xia Yan released shook his entire body until it ached terribly.

"Kid, do you want to learn this move?" Xia Yan gripped the hilt with both hands, the blade embedded in the ground. Without turning her body, she showed Jiang Xiao a heroic profile.

"Flying Big Grass?" Jiang Xiao asked subconsciously.

"What?" Xia Yan slowly pulled the giant blade free and rested it on her shoulder before turning to look at Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao said, "N-Nothing."

"You can apply your Green Glow to this weapon. It's wide enough and heavy enough, and if you use it well, it'll greatly improve your combat ability." Xia Yan slowly aimed the giant blade at Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao frowned, got to his feet, and turned to look at Han Jiangxue. He still remembered Han Jiangxue's advice. There were indeed many things to consider when learning someone else's techniques.

Han Jiangxue gently shook her head.

Jiang Xiao was bewildered. He had no idea what was going on.

What was Xia Yan up to now?

"Once we get back, I'll train you properly. For now, take out your dagger." Xia Yan seemed to have been injected with a stimulant. Her already heroic features now appeared even more radiant. She slung the great blade behind her, reached down with her right hand, and drew a dagger from her thigh. "I'll teach you dagger techniques first."

Jiang Xiao's eyes lit up. Now this was reliable!

Jiang Xiao hurried over to the side and put on his Marching Pack before asking in a low voice, "Why did she suddenly get so excited?"

"She's always like that—crazy and erratic. Ignore her." Han Jiangxue gestured toward the White Ghost corpse beside them and said, "Go look for the Star Pearl."

"Oh." Jiang Xiao racked his brains but could not figure it out, so he eventually let it go.

After obtaining another White Ghost Star Bead, Jiang Xiao absorbed it immediately. He had expended a great deal of Star Power in the battle just now, and even one White Ghost Star Bead had not been enough to replenish him.

At present, it was impossible for him to stop and condense Star Power, so he could only replenish it this way.

To actively absorb Star Power, one had to remain still, and the quieter the surroundings, the better.

After absorbing the Star Bead, Jiang Xiao's Star Skills, "Green Glow" and "Endurance," still had not increased in level—not even by a minor level.

Green Glow, Silver Quality Lv.1 (6/10).

Endurance, Silver Quality Lv.1 (6/10).

Jiang Xiao had no stock left now. During the continuous battles, he had absorbed all the Star Pearls he possessed.

As for the quality of Green Glow and Endurance, Jiang Xiao did not need to worry about either Star Skill. As the most basic Star Pearls of North River Land, they cost only 500 to 800 each and were always available!

As long as he had money, he could upgrade them to Gold Quality, Platinum Quality, or even Diamond Quality! The problem was that Jiang Xiao had no money.

Well, the problem was that Jiang Xiao did not dare upgrade them at this stage. Once Green Glow reached Gold Quality, his thin reserves of Star Power probably would not be enough to unleash even a single punch imbued with it.

Moreover, Gold Quality Green Glow, let alone higher qualities, was simply too conspicuous. Jiang Xiao's current strength was not enough to possess such a shocking Star Skill, and it would invite far too much trouble.

Speaking of which, these lowest-level White Ghost Star Beads were truly well-suited to someone like Jiang Xiao, who could upgrade the quality of his Star Skills.

Not only was the "Green Glow" Star Skill powerful, but his second Star Skill, "Endurance," was also extremely potent and could increase Jiang Xiao's defense.

Although there was no visible change to his physical body, during combat, Jiang Xiao could clearly feel that the White Ghost's fists and claws caused him slightly less damage and pain.

He wondered whether upgrading this Star Skill to its final quality would make Jiang Xiao impervious to blades and spears.

Carrying dreams of the future, Jiang Xiao quickly caught up with the husky ahead. Ahem, Xia Yan.