Xia Shiqi

Chapter 34: Xia Shiqi

Location: Other Dimension Space, Snowy Plains, Southeast Route.

The Southeast Route, the least explored by human Awakened, is filled with danger, but also opportunity.

Last time, Han Jiangxue led Jiang Xiao to broaden his horizons and, incidentally, to use White Ghouls to strike him, instilling a newfound reverence for the world in the recently reformed Jiang Xiao. Thus, that four-person squad took the Northwest Route.

Although they encountered an unexpected large population of White Ghoul Witches along the way, the outcome was still quite good.

This time, however, the three of them chose the Southeast Route.

The area is densely covered with Snowy Forests, with few expansive Snowy Plains visible. Naturally, this is a paradise for White Ghouls.

At this very moment, within the Snowy Forest, Han Jiangxue watched Jiang Xiao with surprise. The youth's fist, flashing with a Cyan Glow, had smashed a White Ghoul to the ground! However, Jiang Xiao, lacking any finishing moves, could only smash it down again, utilizing the unique "repel" property of the Cyan Glow. The strong White Ghoul's upper body was directly smashed into the ground, leaving it looking like a "head-in-the-ground" turnip.

"The problem he's exposed is obvious: he doesn't have Star Techniques that can inflict enough damage on enemies," Han Jiangxue said.

Beside her, Xia Yan nodded. The two stood outside the combat zone like spectators, and like coaches, watching Jiang Xiao's one-on-one fight with the White Ghoul intently.

"Your dagger skills are a hundred times better than mine, you can teach him," Han Jiangxue said hesitantly, probing.

"No problem, as long as you kiss me," the female soldier-rogue turned to the ski enthusiast beside her, seizing the opportunity to flirt.

Han Jiangxue shot Xia Yan a cold glance, not responding.

"Right, that's not an equal exchange," Xia Yan chuckled, her beautiful eyes twinkling. "You kiss me, and I'll teach him sword fighting. My dagger skills are just passable, but sword fighting is different; I've been practicing that for years."

Han Jiangxue was slightly taken aback. Was she really going to teach him sword fighting? Had Jiang Xiao's previous request planted a seed in Xia Yan's heart? "I really want him to get stronger, I want him to join our squad," Xia Yan answered Han Jiangxue's doubts at the opportune moment. "My type of weapon is considered a heavy weapon, capable of both offense and defense. Even if he's not a skilled student, carrying it around to intimidate others is good, especially since his future role is a Medical Soldier."

Han Jiangxue said softly, "Since you feel that way, then go teach him."

"Then I'll lose face, someone has to beg me," Xia Yan slung an arm around Han Jiangxue's shoulder, feigning a sigh. "I'm not particularly interested in Jiang Xiaopi anyway."

Han Jiangxue turned to look at Xia Yan beside her.

Although Xia Yan couldn't see Han Jiangxue's eyes hidden behind her ski goggles, she could see the lips close at hand.

It was at this moment that Xia Yan's breathing suddenly quickened, her heart pounding.

Han Jiangxue hadn't rejected her, hadn't pushed her away.

Under normal circumstances, a kick would be the least she'd get! A unrealistic fantasy suddenly arose in Xia Yan's mind, and she subconsciously closed her eyes, leaning her face forward.

Han Jiangxue's eyes, hidden behind her ski goggles, remained fixed coldly on the woman before her. She couldn't help but raise a hand and gently press the back of her icy cool hand against Xia Yan's lips.

"Wow!" Xia Yan let out a delighted shout, her brain seemingly short-circuiting. She turned around, opened her eyes to the beautiful world, and skipped excitedly towards Jiang Xiao, looking like a Husky frolicking in the snow.

Han Jiangxue looked at the frolicking Xia Yan with pity, shook her head helplessly, and called out to her retreating back, "Forget the sword fighting, this environment isn't suitable for training. You should teach him dagger skills instead."

"As you command, my Princess, your knight will obey your will," Xia Yan replied happily, in an excellent mood.

"So tough and resilient," Jiang Xiao muttered, currently riding on the White Ghoul and repeatedly smashing its head. He didn't have the habit of carrying a dagger, and he couldn't ask the White Ghoul to wait while he went back for his Marching Pack.

Thus, the situation was at a stalemate for a moment. But no matter how tough and resilient you are, and no matter how insufficient my strength, with every punch to the back of the head, you're bound to take some damage, right? "Back up, back up!" Xia Yan's excited voice suddenly came from behind.

Jiang Xiao startled and quickly leaned back. A Sharp Great Blade descended from the sky, piercing deeply into the ground, directly through the White Ghoul's head.

Xia Yan, amidst the wind and snow, descended like a divine being. The churning air current directly blew Jiang Xiao, who was behind her, flying.

Fortunately, the ground was covered in thick snow, so even though Jiang Xiao tumbled countless times, it didn't hurt much. Instead, he was in pain all over from the Star Power radiating from Xia Yan.

"Kid, want to learn this move?" Xia Yan gripped the hilt of the blade with both hands, stuck in the ground. Without turning, she gave Jiang Xiao a heroic profile.

"Flying Great Grass?" Jiang Xiao asked subconsciously.

"What?" Xia Yan slowly drew out the Great Blade, slung it over her shoulder, and turned to face Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao: "N-nothing."

"Your Cyan Glow can be applied to this blade. It's wide enough and heavy enough. If used well, it will significantly improve your combat ability," Xia Yan slowly aimed the Great Blade at Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao frowned, got up, and turned to look at Han Jiangxue. He remembered Han Jiangxue's advice about the intricacies of learning someone else's skills.

Han Jiangxue gently shook her head.

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

And what was Xia Yan's sudden burst of energy about?

"When we get back, I'll train you properly. For now, get your dagger," Xia Yan seemed to have been injected with adrenaline. Her already heroic face now appeared even more radiant. She slung the great saber over her back, reached to her side, and drew a dagger from her leg. "I'll teach you dagger techniques first."

Jiang Xiao's eyes lit up. This was reliable!

Jiang Xiao quickly ran to the side and put on his Marching Pack, then quietly asked, "Why is she suddenly so excited?"

"She's always like this, a bit crazy, don't mind her," Han Jiangxue gestured to the nearby White Ghoul corpse and said, "Go find the Star Bead."

"Oh." Jiang Xiao couldn't figure it out and eventually let it go.

Having obtained another White Ghost Star Bead, Jiang Xiao directly absorbed it. He had consumed a large amount of Star Power in the previous battle, and one White Ghost Star Bead wasn't even enough to replenish it.

And he couldn't stop now to condense Star Power; he could only supplement it this way.

To actively absorb Star Power, one must be in a static state, and the quieter the surroundings, the better.

After absorbing the Star Bead, Jiang Xiao's Star Techniques "Cyan Glow" and "Endurance" did not level up, not even by a small margin.

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

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

Now, Jiang Xiao was out of stock, having absorbed all the Star Beads he possessed during the continuous battles.

As for Cyan Glow and Endurance, Jiang Xiao had no worries about the quality of these two Star Techniques. After all, they were the most basic Star Beads in the North River Land, costing 500-800 each, and 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 didn't have money.

Well. The problem was that Jiang Xiao, at this stage, dared not upgrade. Once he reached Gold Quality, his meager Star Power might not be enough to unleash a single punch of Cyan Glow.

Secondly, Cyan Glow of Gold Quality or higher was simply too eye-catching. Jiang Xiao's current strength was not yet sufficient to possess such a world-shattering Star Technique; it would attract far too much trouble.

That being said, this lowest-grade White Ghost Star Bead was truly perfect for someone like Jiang Xiao, who could upgrade the quality of his Star Techniques.

It wasn't just the "Cyan Glow" Star Technique; the second Star Technique, "Endurance," was also extremely powerful, capable of increasing Jiang Xiao's defense.

Although there were no visible changes to his physique, during fights, Jiang Xiao clearly felt that the fists and claws of the White Ghoul landing on him caused less damage and pain.

He wondered if this Star Technique, when upgraded to its final quality, could make him impervious to blades and spears.

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