Nine Star Burden

Chapter 110: I Choose 53

17 days later, in the snowfield.

Jiang Xiao’s team of four was hiding in a cave.

The cave was spacious and crowded. There was another group of Awakened seated beside the huge campfire.

There were Jiang Xiao’s team, some social practitioners, and many other soldiers who were collectively called the guardians.

Ever since Jiang Xiao’s team of four was escorted to this supply point 17 days ago by the Light-chasers, he had no choice but to watch the latter leave his side and gradually disappear into the snow.

Okay.

How do I put it…

Jiang Xiao felt like he had been abandoned.

Woman, did you forget how I risked my life and went all out for you guys?

I put my life in danger in order to save you and fight with you.

I can brave through the snowy mountains, the tunnels, the mazes, and the Holy Ground.

Have you forgotten these wonderful memories?

Do you still remember that huge tree beside the Holy Ground?

He was staring at you!

You heartless woman!

You’re just a Star Pet who betrays your owner…

I know I’m slow, but you can just carry me!

What are your weapons for? You clearly used your weapons and equipment for threatening me!

If you’re tired, I can give you a Blessing. When you’re injured, I can give you a Bell. You…

Now that you have Hai Tianqing, you don’t want me anymore.

Wow, feels terrible.

“Are you bored?” Li Weiyi asked as he stood up and walked towards a bed in the corner of the resting area. Staring at Jiang Xiao who was lying down and fiddling with his fingers, he sat down beside him.

“This is really boring. I feel just like a prisoner,” Jiang Xiao said with pursed lips.

Indeed, although they were not prisoners, they seemed to be restricted by the guardians here, who deprived them of their freedom.

There were plenty of Awakened there, and even though they had verbal complaints about the restriction of personal freedom, none of them really had the audacity to confront the soldiers.

After all, it was not normal and orderly like the world outside.

Jiang Xiao didn’t feel conscious at all. Without Second Last by his side, he couldn’t be arrogant anymore. Hence, his combat power plummeted…

It declined steeply… a straight plunge…

After thinking about it, he felt that Xia Yan seemed to be the only one who could act as a “Star Pet” in the team.

Jiang Xiao intended to groom Xia Yan in the future and see if he could train her into a ferocious Star Pet.

If the four of them were to face the mercenaries, they would definitely be in danger.

Apart from Han Jiangxue’s Sky Smasher, the four of them basically had no Star Techniques that they could use to harm others.

After all, the mercenaries were all Awakened in the Galaxy Stage stage, whom the kids in the Stardust Stage and Nebula Stage could not hold a candle to.

When facing the mercenaries, Second Last could defeat them easily. So, she definitely wouldn’t make Jiang Xiao doubt his own abilities.

“Your Green Glow is very outstanding. I heard it’s of Silver Quality,” Li Weiyi said smilingly.

Jiang Xiao said casually with raised brows, “Oh?”

Li Weiyi said gently, “You rarely ever light up your Star Map. For example, during the final battle with the Year One students and the one with the School Tyrant Gao Junwei, you didn’t display your Star Map at all.”

Jiang Xiao was slightly stunned. Before he could even say anything, he heard a ringing sound coming from above.

The beds in the lounge area resting area were bunk beds. Since Jiang Xiao took the lower layer, Han Jiangxue naturally took the upper one.

At this time, Han Jiangxue was sitting on the bed and leaning against the headboard with a book that she had borrowed from the guardian. She then knocked one finger on the edge of the bed, causing the metallic sounds to fill the air.

Li Weiyi stood up and easily got a clear view of Han Jiangxue because of his height.

“I know you were doing it out of goodwill and you just want to get to know Xiaopi’s abilities better.” Han Jiangxue flipped through the pages of the book and then continued, “Xiaopi’s strength will be clearly displayed in our future battles and we’ll get along well with him.”

Li Weiyi expressed assent without giving her a direct answer.

Han Jiangxue continued, “He has an inferiority complex. Ever since he lit up his Star Map after graduating from middle school, everyone began to mock him. Please understand his plight.”

With just nine star slots, he was indeed very lowly-qualified.

Everyone was green with envy towards Li Weiyi who had 25 star slots, and they often looked up to him. Hence, Li Weiyi obviously wouldn’t be able to understand what Jiang Xiao, who only had nine star slots, felt. He had never considered things from this perspective at all.

Hence, Li Weiyi was stunned when Han Jiangxue said those words.

Jiang Xiao was just as shocked. What did I just hear?

Han Jiangxue actually lied?

She never lies and has always been in disdain towards liars.

How much does she care about me?

Han Jiangxue’s sullen expression seemed to be a safety net because Li Weiyi didn’t notice anything wrong with her. After all, her face had always been cold and aloof.

Jiang Xiao took advantage of the situation and smiled self-deprecatingly before saying, “I do feel a little traumatized. Even during the life-and-death battle in the Holy Ground, I felt that I would be mocked for igniting my Star Map.”

His words did feel rather conflicting.

When Jiang Xiao first interacted and sparred with Li Weiyi, he once lit up his Star Map for the sake of experimenting if he could break Li Weiyi’s shield.

Xia Yan, who was laying on the other bed, looked at Li Weiyi with a pitiful expression. However, Han Jiangxue glowered at her.

Xia Yan subconsciously cringed and stuck her tongue out at Han Jiangxue sheepishly.

Xia Yan then climbed onto Han Jiangxue’s bed and snuggled up into her embrace while Han Jiangxue looked at her with disgust. “What are you looking at? Why are you so engrossed?”

“I’m reading a book called ‘The Evolution of Devouring’ that I borrowed from the soldiers. The characters in the book are similar to us, and they also have special abilities.” Han Jiangxue responded casually, pushing Xia Yan’s head away from her chest. At last, she decided not to kick Xia Yan off the bed because the latter kept playing cute.

“Is that so? Are their special abilities the same as ours?” Xia Yan asked.

“The lava form of the female protagonist is similar to the Star Technique that Second Last displayed. I reckon that the author of this book has probably witnessed this Star Technique in real life.” Han Jiangxue shook her head.

Xia Yan pursed her lips and said, “This author is really lazy. She actually copied everything.”

“The male protagonist is interesting, though,” said Han Jiangxue.

“Huh?” Jiang Xiao immediately sat up and asked, “What kind of man are you interested in?”

Han Jiangxue kicked the bed, seemingly trying to warn Jiang Xiao. “The male protagonist seems to be intelligent, good at reasoning and analyzing, proficient in psychology, criminal psychology, and studying expressions…”

Jiang Xiao asked, “You like men who love observing and scrutinizing others? How tiring would it be to be with people like them?”

Han Jiangxue answered casually, “I only realized what kind of books I should pick for you.”

“Well said! I choose to take three mock college entrance examinations!” Jiang Xiao said firmly.

“Attention everyone!” In the distance, a soldier’s voice suddenly sounded in the air. “You have half an hour of preparation time, we’re going to set off to return to Earth.”

Everyone got excited after hearing his words.

Xia Yan leaned on Han Jiangxue and grabbed the metal edge of the bed while popping her head out.

Xia Yan stared at Jiang Xiao smilingly and said, “That’s what you said. I’ll buy those books for you.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.