Nine Star Burden

Chapter 114: Heavy Stakes

“The snowfield was originally an ideal venue for the junior Awakened to train. I didn’t expect this to happen,” Xia Shanhai said in a calm voice with a sullen expression. Staring at Han Jiangxue, he said, “We have to thank Jiangxue for bringing Yanyan out safely.”

Jiang Xiao put away his mobile phone and continued to feast on the ribs and stewed beans. He almost spat them out when he heard them address her as “Yanyan”.

“Uncle Xia, you must be joking. We only managed to get out of the predicament because of our joint efforts. Moreover, we weren’t strong enough, so we had to rely on the aid given by the Guardians Of The Night,” Han Jiangxue answered humbly.

“I heard about everything that you guys experienced from Yanyan. It was indeed very dangerous. You and Xiaopi helped a lot. Without you two, I’m afraid none of the team would have been able to make it out safely.” Xia Shanhai shook his head and interjected. “I’ve prepared some gifts for you and your brother. You guys must accept them later.”

“It’s alright, Uncle Xia.” Han Jiangxue declined without hesitation.

“Silly child. You’ve been friends with Yanyan for so many years, but you’ve never once accepted our kindness.” Gazing at Han Jiangxue benevolently, He Zeyun said, “We know that you are strong. Throughout the years, we didn’t go out of our way to help you out. But Jiangxue, you must know that your parents and Shanhai used to be teammates who braved through thick and thin and shared weal and woe...”

Xia Shanhai waved his hands and said, “Now, the two of you and Yanyan have become teammates. You’ll definitely face harder and more dangerous missions in the future. The team can only fight better if your abilities increase. No matter what, that would be a good thing for you two and Yanyan.”

He Zeyun reached out and gently held onto Han Jiangxue’s palm. “Money shouldn’t be the most important to you guys, the Awakened. Besides, putting aside the relationship between your parents and Shanhai, you can just regard this gift as a token of our appreciation and gratitude. My daughter is invaluable to me. I really don’t know how to thank you.”

Why are they making Xia Yan sound so useless?

Seems like these two old fogies are trying to make up for it now that they’ve found the right opportunity.

Jiang Xiao felt that it was still because of the ties between the Han Family and Xia Shanhai.

Jiang Xiao was curious about the gift.

If it was cash, Jiang Xiao would definitely decline proudly.

He wouldn’t accept it!

If it were Diamond Quality Star Beads, Jiang Xiao would gladly accept them.

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After all, he was a guest while they were the hosts.

That was the beauty of traditional Chinese values and virtues.

Hmm...

Xia Shanhai seemed to be very clear about what Han Jiangxue was thinking and said, “You can take this as an investment that we’re making in you and your brother. You and Yanyan are on the same team. If you guys do well, it’d be great for her too. Stop declining.”

“By the way, did you give Xia Yan her share of the Star Beads?” Jiang Xiao asked while touching Han Jiangxue’s arm, giving her an out and helping her out of the sticky situation.

Han Jiangxue nodded, waved her hand, and took out a Star Bead from the overlapping space, which she then handed to Xia Yan. “We killed a total of four mercenaries in the Galaxy Stage. This belongs to you. Let’s find the time to try and break through the middle of the Nebula Stage together.”

Xia Yan’s eyes lit up because she knew that the Star Beads from the creatures of other dimensions contained plenty of Star Techniques and Star Power.

However, human Star Beads did contain more Star Power.

This was a Star Bead belonging to an Awakened in the Galaxy Stage, more than enough to help Xia Yan break through the middle of the Nebula Stage. In fact, it was considered wasteful. He felt that they should save it for when they were at the peak of the Nebula Stage.

For students like Xia Yan, it would be difficult to experience things like killing others. Hence, the mercenary’s Star Bead was really too precious.

Of course, dreams were often beautiful while the reality was cruel.

Most people would be stuck in a certain Star Power stage and never improve for the rest of their lives.

“Hold it.” Compared to the Xia family, Han Jiangxue was more overbearing and simply tossed the Star Bead at Xia Yan. “When school reopens, I’ll give Li Weiyi his share.”

The four Star Beads were obtained when they were rushing out of the tunnel. Of course, the Guardians Of The Night deserved all the credit. Since they didn’t ask for it, Han Jiangxue couldn’t have gone to give it to them.

In addition, Han Jiangxue managed to dissect the mercenary’s body of steel, which was thrown into her Sky Smasher.

Jiang Xiao saw the familiar Gold Quality Star Techniques Mud River and Mud Marsh, as well as a special Star Technique, Body of Steel.

Jiang Xiao weighed the pros and cons for a long time but didn’t end up absorbing the Star Bead because he felt that it was rather similar to his Star Technique, Endurance. He reckoned that the defensive effects of Endurance would be identical to that of Body of Steel once Endurance’s quality was upgraded.

Of course, it was mainly because Jiang Xiao was extremely weak and only had nine star slots.

Mr. and Mrs. Xia smiled when they saw everything that was taking place in front of them.

They could tell that Han Jiangxue was very concerned about her teammates. The value of Star Beads was obviously extremely high to the Awakened in the Galaxy Stage.

He Zeyun also stood up. She was initially planning to give the siblings a gift to express their gratitude. Hence, she felt that it was a good opportunity.

She soon walked toward them with two small square boxes, which she then placed in front of them.

Jiang Xiao was filled with complicated emotions.

If this little red box contains a ring, what should I do?

Should I agree to this?

Xia Yan taught Jiang Xiao a lesson fiercely back at her home and told him that Xia Shanhai had agreed to let them date each other...

Xia Yan opened her big eyes, blinked, and tried to play cute. “Accept it, Xuexue. We’re a team. The stronger we are, the better our results will be. We will then be able to overcome more adversaries. Just like what Xia... I mean, my father, said, you doing well is the same as the entire team doing well.”

Han Jiangxue opened the little red box, only to see that it didn’t contain a diamond ring.

It was a Star Bead.

They could tell from the amount of Star Power in it that it was a Gold Quality Star Bead.

Han Jiangxue put the Star Bead back into the box and said, “This gift is too precious and hefty.”

Jiang Xiao’s heart sank and he thought, Please don’t do this, my prideful Jiangxue. At this moment, we should be reciprocating the host’s good intentions.

This hopeless Xia Yan escaped with our help.

Her life is worth more than two Gold Quality Star Beads.

Jiang Xiao opened the small square box in front of him and saw that it was a Gold Quality Star Bead.

Xia Yan said, “My father has already given one to me as a reward for surviving. I haven’t absorbed it yet. I’m ready to try and acquire a Gold Quality Star Technique when the time is ripe.”

Xia Shanhai was really astonished this time. Although he didn’t show anything on the surface, he was in pain for a long time and was filled with regret throughout the entire month that he had been waiting for them. He would probably never forget what worrying felt like for the rest of his life.

Hence, Xia Shanhai decided to go all out and proceeded to ask for a few Gold Quality Star Beads from his former colleagues from the Wasteland Reclaimers.

His pride mattered less to him than his daughter’s life.

Jiang Xiao stuck his fingers out and touched the Gold Quality Star Beads gently.

Xia Shanhai’s face remained still, but he was amused and bewildered.

What’s this?

The Star Beads are not toads. They’re not going to jump when you touch them...

When Jiang Xiao touched the Star Bead, a piece of information popped in his head.

At the next moment, Jiang Xiao’s breathing began to quicken.

Gold... Gold Quality Medical Star Technique!?!

Oh my god, this is thrilling.

You shouldn’t be called Xia Shanhai. You should be called Generous Xia!

Do these two fogies really regard me as their son-in-law?

Jiang Xiao turned to look at Xia Yan.

I take you as a Star Pet, but do you want to be my wife?