Nine Star Burden

Chapter 269: Fate?

“Teacher Hai, I finally know why you took charge and accompanied us to the competition this time,” Jiang Xiao said as he extended his arms to allow the staff to inspect him.

Hai Tianqing asked, “What?”

Jiang Xiao smiled and said, “I always thought that you wanted to travel to Chang’an City using the public funds. I finally know now that you’re here to protect us. The rules of the competition announced just now clearly state that the teachers have the right to decide to withdraw from the competition on behalf of the team they’re in charge of.”

Xia Yan was also being inspected by a female staff member. When she heard Jiang Xiao’s words, she said, “If Teacher Hai gets bribed, we’ll be in trouble.”

Jiang Xiao said feebly, “You’re probably reading too much into things. Even if they want to bribe anyone, they’d bribe the teachers of the elite team. Why would they want to bribe our teacher?”

She glared at him and said, “Xuexue is right here and we’re several times stronger than the teams that represented Beijiang High School in the previous years. Who says we are not going to be popular in the semi-finals?”

Seeing that the two elementary school students were about to quarrel again, Hai Tianqing hurriedly interjected, “Both of you, save some energy. We’re going to enter the arena soon. Remember the battle strategy that we’ve formulated in the past few days.”

“Yes, yes.” Jiang Xiao and Xia Yan expressed assent while nodding profusely.

Hai Tianqing looked at his proud disciple and said once again, “You guys just have to relax and compete. Forget about everything else. No one in this world can bribe me.”

Speaking of this, Hai Tianqing changed his tone and tried to agitate everyone with all sorts of words. “If there’s really a team in this world that can create miracles, I know it must be your team.

“The country began to organize High School Leagues in 1977, and Beijiang Province organized their first High School League in 1981. Ever since 1981, we’ve been taking part. Putting this year aside, it’s been a whole 35 years, and our best result is coming in 69th place.”

Hai Tianqing sighed deeply and said, “Do you know how many people are watching you? The ancestors are looking forward to seeing you guys fulfill the dreams that they weren’t able to. The younger generations regard you as their seniors and are watching your reclamation journey.

“It’s been 35 years and yet, this land is still barren to Beijiang Province. I hope you can shoulder these and go further. From this perspective, you guys are the Wasteland Reclaimers of Beijiang.

“Be it the 48th place, 58th place, 68th place, your names will be engraved in the history of Beijiang Province, even if you’ve only advanced by one place.”

Hai Tianqing was really a good talker. The pep talk he gave them before the battle caused them to feel motivated and ambitious. Even Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but feel excited.

Hai Tianqing smiled and looked at everyone, after which he pushed his gold-framed glasses up his nose bridge while his eyes curled into crescent shapes behind the lenses. “Breaking records will not only allow you to leave your names behind in history, but you will also receive many substantial rewards.

“This is the National League. As long as you enter the semi-finals, you will definitely receive more than just Gold Quality Star Beads. You might even receive some rare Spatial Star Techniques.

“Those are just the rewards that the organizers ought to give you. The Beijiang Province education department, Provincial Star Warriors Association, and our school will reward you guys.”

His words were much more realistic!

“We will definitely do our best and go all out.” Jiang Xiao immediately patted his chest and exclaimed loudly, “Don’t worry, Teacher Hai! It doesn’t matter what rewards we get. We’re doing it for honor!”

Hai Tianqing was at a loss for words.

The staff in charge of inspection seemed unable to tolerate it anymore. They grabbed the military backpack and shoved it into Jiang Xiao’s arms, gesturing for him to go to the side and queue up.

Xia Yan and Li Weiyi passed the inspection without any issues as well. They each carried their weapons and military backpacks and proceeded to Jiang Xiao’s side.

However, Han Jiangxue wasted some time, not only because she had Sky Smasher, but also because she brought along 50 Star Beads.

This time, the school really supported them.

Per past practice, the authorities of the National League would allow each team to carry 50 Star Beads as combat supplies during the preliminary rounds. Hence, the school had long prepared the Star Beads for them, as per the previous years.

However, Star Beads could only be brought during the preliminary round.

Since their star slots were all full, they wouldn’t face the issue of mistakenly acquiring other Star Techniques. The school bought 50 Silver Quality Swordsman Star Beads for them, which were considered rather high-quality.

In terms of Star Power reserves, the Silver Quality Ape Ghoul Star Beads from the Arsenal definitely contained more Star Power. However, they were too expensive.

According to Jiang Xiao’s request, Han Jiangxue brought 44 Swordsman Star Beads and six Fallen Shadow Witch Gold Quality Star Beads along.

Jiang Xiao had already decided to try and upgrade Sound of Silence to Platinum Quality! However, a massive amount of Star Power was required for the upgrade and it would indeed be a waste for him to acquire it directly.

Since the officials only allowed them to bring along 50 Star Beads, he felt that it would be best to use the Fallen Shadow Witch Star Beads as a reserve.

Of course, the Star Beads of the creatures in the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum in Chang’an City could also be used as tonics to be absorbed. However, those Star Beads were used as counters for points, and if they were to absorb one, they would lose points. It wasn’t worth it at all.

Jiang Xiao was also rather confident in his Star Techniques. He believed that he would be able to control them well and ensure the normal operation of the team’s Star Power in three days.

The staff member sat quietly at the table. Even though they were in the bustling city, he was still calm and composed. Wearing something similar to a magnifying glass on his head, he carefully scrutinized and identified the type and quality of the Star Beads under the light.

It was no wonder that they had seen plenty of what the world had to offer. Facing the Gold Quality Fallen Shadow Witch Star Bead, the appraiser’s expression changed a little and he sighed, seemingly admiring them. However, he didn’t say anything.

“From now on, you are not allowed to activate Sky Smasher until you enter the arena. Once you enter the Ancient Imperial Mausoleum, none of your Star Techniques will be restricted.” A female staff member instructed as she guided Han Jiangxue and the team.

“Yes.” Han Jiangxue expressed assent calmly. The few of them looked rather hilarious as they carried swords and large military backpacks, which made them look like they were rushing to kill.

It was the same for the students of the other provinces.

The weapons were rather diverse and bedazzling.

Regardless of how good they looked, it was all temporary. Everyone’s attention would still be focused on Han Jiangxue from Beijiang, Ying Xi from Beijing, and Wen Renmu from Haisu.

Why?

Because the two staff members inspecting the three of them were wearing red vests, while the other ordinary ones were wearing blue vests.

In the vast ocean, these “suns” were too eye-catching.

The three young talents could all feel the strong sense of animosity from the organizers!

It was undoubtedly an extraordinary marking. In front of nearly a thousand people, the three teams and three special individuals were marked!

Although Jiang Xiao was being marked, he had, of course, also observed the other two teams that were in the same boat as them.

While Jiang Xiao was observing the students secretly, various sounds of exclamations caught his attention.

Jiang Xiao turned his head and looked around, only to see a gorgeous girl with a… parrot standing on her slender fingers?

Jiang Xiao’s eyes lit up and he thought, Star Pet!?!

Star Pets were rare amongst the Awakened in the Nebula Stage!

Why was this not stated on the participant information? Did this girl only obtain it recently?

“Be good, baby, follow my lips. Ah…” the girl said to her “little parrot” sitting on her hand.

To everyone’s surprise, they couldn’t understand what the girl said!

Uh… all they could hear and understand was “Ah”.

Of course, the ones who could participate in the competition were definitely not foreigners. The nation had a strict policy where the contestants must be students of Chinese nationality.

This girl looks rather oriental. Could she belong to a minority race? Is she speaking her native language?

The parrot-like bird was less than 10 centimeters long and was rather small and exquisite, with beautiful feathers of a yellow-green ombre color.

Yes, its tail was yellow and its feathers gradually turned green, with its head being the greenest. The bunch of feathers on its head was emerald-green colored.

“Ah…” The parrot opened its mouth and made a human-like sound.

The staff hurriedly looked down as if they wanted to find the Star Bead hidden in the parrot’s mouth.

“Are you done? Can I take it back?” The girl turned to look at the staff. Her Mandarin was not perfect, but fortunately, it was comprehensible.

“You can take it back,” the staff answered with a nod.

The parrot flew up all of a sudden and hovered over the huge barracks. Its ombre feathers were radiant and beautiful under the sunlight.

“Baby!” The girl waved her hand and appeared extremely flustered. “Hurry and come back to mommy.”

The beautiful girl began speaking in an unknown language again, causing them to be confused.

The “little parrot” obviously heard the call of its owner, but it seemed to be a greenhorn and a dumb bird.

It flapped its wings and hovered in the air. After hearing the sound, it plunged downwards and surged towards Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao took a step back subconsciously, feeling a little flustered by the green feathers on the bird’s head…

What did your master say to you just now?

Also, why are you so green?

Out of the almost thousand contestants in this massive barracks, why did you choose me?

Is this… fate?