Chapter 6 After Six Hours

Six hours later, warm firelight emanated from a natural cave.

Jiang Xiao, his clothes in tatters, watched as the flame in Xia Yan's right hand gradually died out, an eye-opening experience for him.

There was a myriad of survival skills, and with the existence of Star Techniques, awakeners could survive even more easily.

For example, right now, Jiang Xiao watched as Xia Yan inserted her right hand into the branches and, without using any kindling, slowly lit the bonfire.

During the six-hour journey, the two had encountered more than a dozen White Ghouls, and without exception, Jiang Xiao had been defeated.

Jiang Xiao's greatest success was that he had survived. His military uniform, which had been neat in the morning, was now tattered. Compared to when they had arrived, the atmosphere was heavy, and the two had not spoken for a long time.

Xia Yan unloaded her giant blade, leaned against the cave wall, squatted by the bonfire, and quietly warmed herself.

The flickering firelight illuminated her heroic face, adding a touch of charm to her figure.

Jiang Xiao thought for a moment, opened his field pack, took out some tools, poured mineral water into the pot, and tried to arrange the bonfire, setting up a suitable angle for the pot.

As someone who had always lived in the city, Jiang Xiao didn't have any survival skills either. He had to figure everything out himself.

"You're improving quickly. Maybe I'm being too strict and expecting too much from you. After all, you only became an Awakener a week ago." Xia Yan suddenly spoke, her words carrying a hint of encouragement and self-reassurance.

Jiang Xiao didn't respond, but took out some biscuits, handed them to Xia Yan, and then opened his Inner Vision to check his condition.

For Jiang Xiao, the past six hours had felt like a trip to hell.

In this snow forest, Jiang Xiao's movement was greatly restricted, while the White Ghouls were on their home turf and were inherently agile, which made Jiang Xiao suffer.

But facing this situation, Xia Yan didn't say anything, only rescued Jiang Xiao time and time again, and watched him grapple with the White Ghouls.

Jiang Xiao even thought that he should go to the black market to buy a few guns. At least when dealing with these low-level creatures, guns should be very effective.

Under Xia Yan's miraculous protection and Jiang Xiao's own Blessing skill, Jiang Xiao's injuries were not serious, and his physical condition remained good. However, he clearly realized that he had no means of hunting.

However, under Xia Yan's mandatory request, he still charged towards the White Ghouls time and time again.

Weak,

Helpless,

Yet so arrogant.

Jiang Xiao had obtained a full four White Ghoul Star Beads. Since the two couldn't find a suitable place to rest, and battles could occur at any moment, Jiang Xiao had also absorbed a full four White Ghoul Star Beads.

When he came here, he had three unabsorbed White Ghoul Star Beads on his person.

At this time, Jiang Xiao's second star slot skills, Green Glow and Endurance, had reached Bronze quality Lv.9.

Upgrading the quality was a matter of minutes.

The White Ghoul Witch Star Bead was also absorbed after an exhausting battle, and Jiang Xiao's Inner Star Chart had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Character: Jiang Xiao.

I. Star Chart:

Big Dipper Nine Stars, Star Dust Phase Lv.3.

II. Star Techniques:

1. Blessing, Bronze quality Lv.2.

2. Lure, Bronze quality Lv.2.

3. Green Glow, Bronze quality Lv.9.

4. Endurance, Bronze quality Lv.9.

III. Basic Skills:

1. Hand-to-Hand Combat, Bronze quality Lv.6.

2. Abundant Star Power, Bronze quality Lv.2.

3. Dagger Proficiency, Bronze quality Lv.1.

IV. Skill Points: 3.

Yes, although Jiang Xiao hadn't changed in terms of the total amount of Star Power, his Green Glow and Endurance had reached Bronze quality Lv.9, and in these short six hours, his Hand-to-Hand Combat had also increased by one level, reaching Bronze quality Lv.6.

What surprised Jiang Xiao even more was that in the third section of Basic Skills, he had unlocked a new skill: Dagger Proficiency.

Jiang Xiao, this self-taught guy, didn't know how to use a dagger at all. He was only holding the dagger in a reverse grip and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the White Ghouls. In the end, he disliked holding the dagger as being too troublesome and put the dagger back into his field pack.

"There's a boy who keeps bothering your sister." Xia Yan took the field pack, took out a military water bottle, and said to herself, "He's quite strong, a close-combat Awakener, but his heart is bad, very selfish. Last time, when we represented First High School to participate in the competition, he almost killed another teammate in the Other Dimension World."

"Hmm?" Jiang Xiao opened his eyes. He was still paying too little attention to Han Jiangxue.

"Our team has split up, but both sides have good family backgrounds and are stubbornly holding on to face. Han Jiangxue and I have become victims of the struggle." Xia Yan wrapped a towel around her hand, picked up the scalding pot, and poured the water into the military water bottle.

"As long as your strength is slightly stronger, as a valuable medical Awakener, from the perspective of building a team, you are qualified to replace one of our team members." Xia Yan said softly, "Forgive me for forcing things a little."

"Okay." Jiang Xiao tightened his tattered clothes, sat on the cold ground, and around his body, starlight slowly poured into his body.

"I'm already preparing to leave this team with Han Jiangxue. As for the cost of leaving..." Xia Yan sighed silently and said, "Honor, high-quality Star Bead rewards, college admission quotas, the future will all change."

"It will be difficult for Xiaoxue and me to find two other strong classmates in the school. Each team has grown in tacit understanding for two years and is about to enter its third year. Unless there is a major change, very few teams will be willing to break up, even if they can latch onto big shots like Han Jiangxue and me."

"Of course, the people I'm talking about are top-notch team members, not those ordinary team members. Those guys might happily come to find us." Xia Yan laughed mockingly and continued, "I hope to retain the team to the greatest extent and leave the other teammate in the team, so that you can replace that boy in a dark horse manner."

"The school will give face to the families, but if the bet is the ranking of the entire Beijiang Province, or even the national middle school, that boy's family doesn't have that much face. I hope you can grow up as soon as possible. I've already asked my family to find high-quality medical Star Beads for you." Xia Yan took a small sip of hot water and said softly.

Looking at Jiang Xiao's unmoved appearance, Xia Yan was silent for a long time before continuing:

"That boy has been pursuing your sister ever since he broke up with his ex-girlfriend a year ago. Some of his methods are very despicable. I've been blocking him for a year, and I don't know how much longer I can block him. People, their abilities are sometimes limited."

Jiang Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "What's his name?"

A smile bloomed on Xia Yan's face: "Walk out of the Snow Plains alive, and I'll tell you."

Saying that, Xia Yan slowly put down the water bottle: "If you can't walk out, I will resolutely take your sister out of the team, endure the anger and pressure from the two families and the school, and embark on another path in life."

Jiang Xiao was slightly stunned and said, "Is it necessary to say it so definitively?"

Under the light of the fire, Xia Yan's beautiful eyes were filled with a mixture of darkness, and she smiled radiantly: "My heart is even more resolute."