Nine Star Burden

Chapter 152: Silver Quality Swordsmanship

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Despite the heavy blow, Jiang Xiao’s body still remained strong and did not fall apart.

Jiang Xiao had the Star Technique “Endurance”. Besides, his Star Technique had been upgraded to Gold Quality.

In the beginning, the mercenary corp leader who entered the snowfield had also used the Gold Quality Star Technique, Body of Steel, which was a defensive Star Technique that made his body and skin impenetrable, even by a dagger.

Although “Endurance” and “Body of Steel” were different Star Techniques, “Endurance” also increased the user’s defense.

Both are Gold Quality Star Techniques, but why was the mercenary corp’s skin impenetrable while mine got torn by the Ape Ghouls?

Is it because my physical fitness is not up to standard? Or am I not competent enough to exhibit the full effects of the Gold Quality Star Technique?

Almost everyone knew that the correct thing to do would be to acquire Gold Quality Star Techniques only after entering the Galaxy Stage.

That was a universally accepted rule established by convention.

Why?

Because of the so-called “success rate”.

Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but think in greater depth. Could it be that there’s a lower success rate in acquisition for the lower-level Awakened because they’re unable to use and control Gold Quality Star Techniques?

For example, Jiang Xiao’s current abilities were not up to standard yet. However, he already had a high-quality Star Technique. Hence, that made it impossible for him to fully exert its effects.

However, the problem was that if Jiang Xiao could exert the effects of the Gold Quality Star Technique after he really entered the Galaxy Stage...

With Green Glow, would he still only be able to blow Xia Yan eight meters away?

Would it be 10 meters? 15 meters? Or 20 meters?

Green Glow had two additional effects.

It was still to be verified whether or not the repelling effects were related to the level and physical fitness of the Awakened.

As for the violent strike effects, Jiang Xiao was extremely certain that it was related to one’s physical fitness!

What about the other Star Techniques?

After Han Jiangxue enters the Galaxy Stage, will her Sky Smasher become larger and broader?

Uh...

Back to the main topic.

If it wasn’t for the Silver Quality Endurance, Jiang Xiao’s shoulder would have probably been pierced by the Ape Ghouls or simply dismembered.

However, Jiang Xiao’s shoulder was merely scratched.

Trying to bear with the pain in his shoulder blade, Jiang Xiao raised his right elbow immediately because he couldn’t turn over in time.

His gently raised right elbow touched the Ape Ghoul’s arm lightly without any force at all. However, the “Ape Ghoul” flew away.

That was how reliable the Gold Quality Green Glow was.

Despite being on the brink of death, Jiang Xiao’s mind was still calm and he was still paving the way for his future.

Indeed, the Green Glow on Jiang Xiao’s elbow had fallen onto the body of the Ape Ghoul together with an Imprint!

Ever since Jiang Xiao upgraded his Star Power level and entered the Nebula Stage, his Star Map had been glowing outside of his body. That allowed him to exert all his effects and increase his release speed of Star Techniques.

At the next moment, Jiang Xiao released another shot of Bell.

The Bell released a crisp and pleasant ringing sound, after which it attached to Jiang Xiao’s body and then turned around to chase the flying Ape Ghoul.

Ring~ Ring~ Ring~

Bell rang again and fell on that specific Ape Ghoul before retracting backward and attaching to Jiang Xiao again.

The speed of recovery of Blessing was rather slow. In comparison, Bell, which only served a single function, could heal Jiang Xiao better.

At this moment, Jiang Xiao had no choice but to choose a random Ape Ghoul in order to allow Bell to exert its maximum effect, so as to allow the ray of medical light to shuttle back and forth through him and the Ape Ghoul. That would allow Jiang Xiao to enjoy the effect of Bell thrice.

Otherwise, he would only get to enjoy the effects of Bell once.

Only at a truly critical juncture could a person’s precious and valuable qualities be revealed.

It would be great if Jiang Xiao had a Star Pet because it could completely serve as a prop when Jiang Xiao was helpless and alone, allowing him to enjoy the effects of Bell’s refraction.

Jiang Xiao was also alert and anxious. However, he had no choice but to force himself to calm down and think hard about what kind of countermeasures he could take.

His first step was great, and that was to build a good foundation for himself. With a chosen Ape Ghoul, Jiang Xiao would be able to enjoy the effects brought by Bell to the greatest extent.

The second step was to choose a breakthrough point.

Gold Quality Green Glow could undoubtedly surge out of the pile of Ape Ghouls, but what would happen after that?

Jiang Xiao’s physical fitness was far inferior to the group of Ape Ghouls, just like an Olympic sprinter chasing ordinary high school children. It was impossible for Jiang Xiao to escape.

However, Jiang Xiao simply performed one action on the arena.

In the next moment, another Jiang Xiao appeared.

As a decoy, its back was pressed against the real Jiang Xiao and even the long wooden giant sword seemed to be translucent.

“What should I do, brother?” Jiang Xiao said.

The appearance of the decoy Jiang Xiao indeed made the Ape Ghouls coming up behind him to keep their guards up.

However, it was only for a brief moment because they would leap forwards anytime.

Spin around again with the sword?

After the spin just now, he did manage to blast the Ape Ghouls away, but one of them slipped away and gave Jiang Xiao a heavy blow.

Even if he were to do it again, he wouldn’t solve the issue.

Jiang Xiao would definitely die under the claws of the Ape Ghouls in the end.

The decoy Jiang Xiao placed the sword in front of him without responding.

Okay.

Fortunately, it didn’t.

Otherwise, Jiang Xiao would be shocked to death.

Add some Skill Points!

I’m being extravagant, but if I don’t use them, I’m really going to be doomed.

I can heal, I can restore my original state, but I lack an output of attacks. I really do...

–

Xia Family Swordsmanship upgraded to Brass Quality Level 7!

Xia Family Swordsmanship upgraded to Brass Quality Level 8!

Xia Family Swordsmanship upgraded to Brass Quality Level 9!

Xia Family Swordsmanship upgraded to Silver Quality Level 0!

Skill Points remaining: 109

–

Jiang Xiao’s heart bled. Basic Techniques of the lowest level like this one should not be upgraded recklessly using Skill Points. He just had to train himself!

However, given the current situation, upgrading his Xia Family Swordsmanship should bring about the greatest benefits.

Jiang Xiao was different from others.

For others, an increase in Star Power level meant an increase in all physical aspects of their body and a significant increase in combat power.

Since they were all normal people, they didn’t have any internal Star Maps.

They would have to go through plenty of hard work, crazy training, and painstakingly try to improve their physical fitness and combat power if they wanted to upgrade their Star Power level. The huge amount of accumulation and repression would result in a massive breakout that would allow them to have a higher Star Power level.

However, it was different for Jiang Xiao. For him, the improvement of Star Power was merely an increase in his Star Power storage capacity.

It was because Jiang Xiao’s Star Power level had always been increased using Skill Points ever since he returned from the near-death battle in the snowfield.

Jiang Xiao’s physical fitness may even stay at the stage of Stardust Stage Level 6 to 7.

Speaking of which, why wasn’t physical fitness an aspect of the Star Map?

If it were, Jiang Xiao would probably use his remaining 109 Skill Points on it...

Roar!

The countless Ape Ghouls surged in from all directions, but Jiang Xiao did not retreat. Instead, he advanced and leaped straight up. He moved his body and raised his Green Glow-covered wooden giant sword.

Along with the flying Ape Ghouls, Jiang Xiao did a somersault in the air and swung his sword, after which another Ape Ghoul screamed and flew out.

“These are the so-called nine moves of the Xia Family Swordsmanship. They’re just derivatives of Basic Techniques...” Jiang Xiao murmured mindlessly as the various sword techniques popped up in his mind. He had also developed muscle memory as if his body had been immersed in the technique for a long time.

He executed the slash with perfect force and it directly landed on the ground. Mid-air, Jiang Xiao used the sword as a cane to support himself. He then kicked off with one foot.

Whoosh!

The sole of his foot collided gently with the claws of the Ape Ghoul, and the last Ape Ghoul immediately flew outwards.

Dashed out?

It dashed out just like this!?!

The three Ape Ghouls in front of him looked just like metal gates previously, which he couldn’t breakthrough. However, Jiang Xiao managed to resolve the problems effortlessly.

The numerous Ape Ghouls had already caught and smashed Jiang Xiao’s decoy.

Another decoy rushed in while Jiang Xiao frantically scurried away with his giant sword.

He decided that he would definitely train hard if he could make it back this time!

Despite the situation in front of him, there was really no need for Jiang Xiao to blame himself. From the moment he embarked on the road to becoming an Awakened, he had never slacked in his training before.

Although he had an internal Star Map, Jiang Xiao had never been lazy and he worked even harder than the others.

The root of the problem was not his weakness but time.

If Jiang Xiao had a few more months and was allowed to resume his normal routine in Year One of High School, all of this wouldn’t have happened.

“Huh?” Jiang Xiao raised his head to see the rays of sunlight spreading through the dense tree branches and leaves.

There was nothing surprising about the sun, but the point was, Jiang Xiao seemed to have seen the red signal flare?

The signal for help!?!

Right in front!

There was no issue and his judgment was correct!

Roar!

“Hiss... roar!”

Wanting to flee, Jiang Xiao thought, Oh dear, please stop howling and roaring, you’re scaring me.

The loud and angry roar seemed to be extremely near him!

Jiang Xiao’s face stiffened and he subconsciously swung his sword, only to have it get flicked away by the Ape Ghoul behind him. However, the Ape Ghoul didn’t seem bulky or dexterous at all. Instead, it was particularly nimble and it managed to pick Jiang Xiao up effortlessly.

The fourth move of the Xia Family Swordsmanship.

It wasn’t exactly a move, but rather, it was Jiang Xiao’s interpretation of the application of the swordsmanship during this situation.

Jiang Xiao’s giant sword landed on the ground and was driven in, after which he leaped up and did an effortless backflip.

However, due to the inertia, Jiang Xiao’s body was still moving forward.

Similarly, the Ape Ghoul missed.

Flipping in the air, he lifted his sword as if he were performing a movie stunt. In fact, maybe such stunts were not performed even in movies.

It was just that accurate and ingenious!

Doing a somersault in the air, Jiang Xiao stabbed his giant sword down forcefully, piercing the Ape Ghoul below him directly in the back!

With the help of the Gold Quality Green Glow and the “Strong Strike” effect on the tip of the sword, the wooden sword was driven into the waist of the Ape Ghoul.

He even blasted a small pit in the ground as well!