“What are the odds he'd absorb a Silver-quality Star Technique? And how many times could he use it? It's been two months, and his meager Star Power is probably still at the very beginning of the Star Dust stage, right?” Xia Yan watched the Star Bead disappear into Jiang Xiao's hand, playfully teasing.

Jiang Xiao knew Xia Yan didn't mean any harm. Although she was a bit blunt and didn't consider his feelings, her actions were genuinely meant to help him.

As a 25-year-old adult, Jiang Xiao knew which to value more: “words” or “actions.”

At the same time, Jiang Xiao lowered his head, feeling wisps of energy gathering in his freezing right hand. Driven by the thin Star Power within him, a cyan light gradually emanated from Jiang Xiao's right fist.

Xia Yan was slightly stunned, "It worked?"

Han Jiangxue was also surprised. After all, she had given Jiang Xiao three White Ghoul Star Beads, but he hadn't gained anything from them at the time.

“Not bad, interesting. Although your aptitude is low, your absorption rate for Star Techniques is quite high. You gained Qing Mang (Cyan Glow) on the fourth try.” Xia Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, “From now on, whether your combat style is unarmed or with weapons, using Qing Mang well will dramatically increase your combat power.”

Xia Yan flicked her wrist, twirling the dagger in her hand, and continued cutting up the remaining two White Ghouls.

Jiang Xiao was studying his newly acquired Qing Mang Star Technique, but he also felt the girl beside him watching him.

Jiang Xiao took two steps to the right, leaned close to Han Jiangxue's ear, and whispered, "Same as last time."

Han Jiangxue's earlobes turned slightly red, seemingly unaccustomed to such intimate gestures, but the excitement in her heart made her forget her discomfort and shyness: "Same as last time?"

Jiang Xiao nodded gently.

Han Jiangxue's beautiful eyes behind her dark blue ski goggles lit up slightly. What did "same as last time" mean?

Another Star Technique, two skills!?

What did this represent? Jiang Xiao had saved another Star Slot! And from now on, Jiang Xiao could freely use White Ghoul Star Beads as a regular means of replenishing Star Power, without worrying about accidentally absorbing the "Ren Nai" (Endurance) Star Technique again and taking up another Star Slot!

Han Jiangxue reached out and grabbed Jiang Xiao's arm.

Even through Jiang Xiao's thick camouflage clothing, he could feel the strength in her hand.

"Hey! What kind of sibling love are you two playing here? Let go, let go quickly!" Xia Yan stood up, looking at Han Jiangxue's hand with dissatisfaction.

Jiang Xiao was stunned.

No way?

Jealous?

Han Jiangxue had been supporting me all the way here.

"There's nothing in this White Ghoul's head." Xia Yan kicked the corpse on the ground with disdain, grabbed a Star Bead, and casually tossed it to Han Jiangxue, "Two Star Beads from three White Ghouls, not bad. Here, Xue Xue."

Han Jiangxue caught the Star Bead and handed it to Jiang Xiao beside her.

Xia Yan: "......"

Jiang Xiao: "......"

"Ugh! You ungrateful woman!" Xia Yan pointed at Han Jiangxue, stomping her foot in dissatisfaction.

Looking at Xia Yan, who had a fiery temper and erratic behavior, Jiang Xiao didn't say a word and immediately cast a Blessing.

Xia Yan's expression changed for a moment. After holding back for a few seconds, her body trembled slightly, and she made an alluring sound, "Mmm~"

At the same time, Jiang Xiao finally had the opportunity to experiment with the so-called Star Technique upgrade.

Without hesitation, Jiang Xiao opened his Inner Star Map and embedded the White Ghoul Star Bead into the second already lit star again.

As the Star Bead in his hand turned into specks of starlight and entered his body, the Star Techniques in the second segment of his Inner Star Map also changed a bit.

Star Techniques:

1. Blessing: Slowly restores the target's vitality. (Bronze Quality Lv.1)

2. Lure: Creates an illusion to confuse enemies. (Bronze Quality Lv.1)

3. Qing Mang: Powerfully strikes enemies, increases damage to the Qing Mang-imbued area, and adds a slight knock-back effect. (Bronze Quality Lv.2)

4. Ren Nai: Passive Star Technique, increases self-defense. (Bronze Quality Lv.2)

Great, with eight more White Ghoul Star Beads, the so-called "Qing Mang" and "Ren Nai" can be upgraded to Silver Quality!

People are used to seeing Bronze Quality "Qing Mang," but has anyone ever seen Silver Quality "Qing Mang"?

After upgrading the quality, would the area imbued with Qing Mang strike enemies with greater force? Would the added knock-back effect be more obvious?

Wait!

There's a problem.

Jiang Xiao suddenly realized a very serious problem.

Since Jiang Xiao's Star Techniques could be upgraded, and with Star Beads from the same creatures, then Jiang Xiao shouldn't absorb Star Techniques from rare creatures.

For example, in this snowfield, White Ghouls are the lowest level and most common species. Therefore, Jiang Xiao's "Qing Mang" and "Ren Nai" could easily be upgraded to Silver Quality, or even Gold Quality.

But what about White Ghoul Witches?

As rare creatures, White Ghoul Witches, their Star Beads are more difficult to obtain. When would Jiang Xiao's healing Star Techniques, "Blessing" and "Lure," be upgraded?

For Jiang Xiao, his future path of absorbing Star Techniques was already set. From the perspective of upgrading quality, the levels and qualities of other-dimensional creatures could be high, but the only requirement was that they couldn't be rare!

From this point of view, Jiang Xiao's choice to absorb Star Techniques from White Ghouls was the most reliable and beneficial.

Skill points could of course be used to upgrade the level and quality of Star Techniques, but the problem was, Jiang Xiao had no idea how to obtain skill points.

"Collect them, earn some extra money, and exchange them for some pocket money when you get back." Xia Yan looked at Han Jiangxue with dissatisfaction, seemingly still angry.

"Mm." Han Jiangxue completely ignored Xia Yan's resentful gaze. With a wave of her hand, the space in front of her overlapped and intertwined.

Using Star Techniques slightly didn't require activating the Star Map, just like when Jiang Xiao tested Qing Mang earlier.

Of course, if you wanted to go all out and fight seriously, then you had to activate the Star Map.

Xia Yan kicked the White Ghoul corpses into the layers of overlapping space one by one.

Space Star Technique?

Han Jiangxue actually possessed such a magical Star Technique?

Sensing Jiang Xiao's dazed look, Han Jiangxue rarely explained, "White Ghoul fur has a strong cold-resistant effect and is worth some money."

Jiang Xiao scratched his head. Was I questioning the value of White Ghoul fur? Don't I go online? Don't I know White Ghoul fur can be sold for money? I'm questioning your Space Star Technique, okay?

Also, you have a Space Star Technique, so why did you make me carry such a heavy military pack?

Jiang Xiao adjusted the shoulder straps of his military pack and looked at Han Jiangxue.

Han Jiangxue returned to her expressionless demeanor and said, "Carry it. I can't always be by your side. After you enroll, you will enter the snowfield under the guidance of teachers. I want you to experience all of this now."

Xia Yan nodded in sympathy, "Yeah, many people die every year."

Jiang Xiao nodded and said, "Thank you."

Jiang Xiao wasn't someone who didn't know what was good for him, nor was he someone who took things for granted. Once he understood the intention behind Han Jiangxue's actions, Jiang Xiao was of course willing to follow her arrangement.

Han Jiangxue was stunned. Although she had felt Jiang Xiao's change in the past few days, she was truly moved when she actually heard words like "thank you" from Jiang Xiao.

"Now that you also have 'Qing Mang,' you also have the power to fight. Don't position yourself as a healing Awakened being who needs the entire team to protect you. Although in any team, you will be the one who is heavily protected, you should have the ability to protect yourself." Han Jiangxue said, gently patting Jiang Xiao's shoulder.

"Haha, kid, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Take a look at those combat teams. Which healing Awakened isn't a lazy bum? They're all treated like gods. No one is willing to let a healing Awakened charge into battle." As she spoke, Xia Yan looked into the depths of the snow forest, seemingly intentionally opposing Han Jiangxue.

"Just like the position you're in on the team now, you only need to stand in the safest position and ensure the team's endurance. As long as the healing Awakened is alive, it's the greatest help to the team."

"And we..." Xia Yan's voice suddenly became serious. She put the dagger into the sheath on her thigh and gripped the long hilt above her shoulder with one hand, as if she might draw the giant blade and slaughter at any moment.

"Mm?" Han Jiangxue hurriedly looked forward. Several scarlet rays of light emerged from the snow forest.