Chapter 387 Plans

At night, Jiang Xiao returned to his room and took a long, hot shower. With a towel in one hand, he rubbed his wet, short crew cut and walked out of the bathroom into the living room, plopping down on the sofa.

Beside him, Gu Shi'an was in his usual pose, leaning against the windowsill, half his body extending out the window, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

However, he seemed to be out of stock, as the cigarette case on the windowsill was no longer a fake snake.

Jiang Xiao thought a lot while he was showering, especially about Lianna's Star Technique list.

Without a doubt, Lianna should have been at the peak of the Star Sea stage.

She had a total of 23 Star Techniques, with one empty Star Slot, which should have belonged to the Sea Devouring Soul Star Pet that had died.

Lianna's Star Technique list showed very distinct regional characteristics. The first 16 Star Slots were dominated by Star Techniques from Europe, especially the Apennine Peninsula. The Star Technique list could be described as a sea of gold and platinum, which was a bit bewildering.

There was no doubt that Lianna had purification-type Star Techniques, and they were platinum-grade purification Star Techniques, probably the same as Princess Sophia of the Kingdom of Sima, with terrifyingly powerful effects.

But... with Jiang Xiao's Bait opening up her vision, followed by a Diamond Silence sneak attack and preemptive strike, Lianna's purification Star Techniques never had a chance to be activated from beginning to end...

Jiang Xiao finally understood the horror of Platinum Ghost Ship and the power of Platinum Four Water Clones.

Marda's Star Techniques were almost a continuation of Lianna's, but due to resource allocation, Marda's Star Technique combination was more reasonable.

In terms of the first 16 Star Techniques, Marda was a level higher than her mother, Lianna.

It was clear that her mother, Lianna, had put a lot of effort into cultivating Marda, or perhaps... she wanted her body, who knew?

It was worth mentioning that there was a platinum-quality Star Technique that intimidated the soul, which was indeed quite eye-catching, with a higher quality than the Sea Soul Mask's first Star Technique, and its effect seemed to be even stronger.

Jiang Xiao was intimidated by the effect of this Star Technique, and just a light glance from Lianna sent shivers down his spine.

Unfortunately, having learned his lesson, Jiang Xiao charged towards Lianna with his eyes closed when using Bait Dash.

This Star Technique also served as a warning to Jiang Xiao. In future battles, he really needed to be very cautious and keep the Clock constantly by his side, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Jiang Xiao also discovered another Star Technique, the Sea Thief Witch's Sea Ridge Refuge Star Technique!

That was a 10*10*10 refuge space, and Jiang Xiao certainly had reason to believe that it was full of treasures. Unfortunately, that space disappeared with Lianna's death.

Even if Lianna hadn't died, it would have been impossible to get any treasures out of a person like that's space.

Facing such a person, Jiang Xiao had to constantly control her with silence, there was no doubt about that.

Returning to the moment the battle began, if Bait hadn't been successful in attracting her, and the Diamond Silence sneak attack hadn't worked, Jiang Xiao would have fled without hesitation, there was no doubt about that either.

After seeing this Sea Ridge Refuge Star Technique, Jiang Xiao felt not only regret but also a hint of emotion.

Er Wei was right: Self-conceit can cost a person's life.

To what extent was Lianna conceited? She abducted Marda in front of the people of the whole world.

Perhaps she was used to being domineering on weekdays, or perhaps it was due to the effects of her special Star Map, so she had to take such a risky move.

But then, Lianna chose to educate and criticize Marda in that apartment building in the southern suburbs, venting her anger to her heart's content, which was a complete display of self-conceit.

Didn't she have a Sea Ridge Refuge? Wouldn't it have been better to go inside and educate her daughter?

Wouldn't it have been better to go inside and take away her body, and then criticize and scold Marda for her "ignorance"?

Lianna did indeed have the life of a strong person, and she also contracted the disease of a strong person.

She allowed herself to vent her emotions, unwilling to wait even a moment, and vehemently denounced Marda's resistance and rebellion against her.

After experiencing a real moment of life and death, Lianna also wanted to forcibly take Marda's body, seemingly unable to endure any longer.

Perhaps, from Lianna's point of view, she was really in pain and heartbroken, which led to her loss of control and such outrageous behavior.

Who knew what kind of twisted psychology she had?

Jiang Xiao sighed and shook his head helplessly.

At the window, Gu Shi'an extinguished his cigarette, turned his head and looked over, saying, "What? Still thinking about what happened this morning?"

"Yeah." Jiang Xiao sat cross-legged on the sofa, folding the large white towel while saying, "What are your plans after this competition?"

"Huh?" Hearing this, Gu Shi'an was stunned for a moment, leaned against the windowsill, and crossed his arms, a fairly obvious gesture of resistance.

Obviously, he seemed unwilling to think about this issue.

But after Jiang Xiao's question, he pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know, go back to school and continue being an instructor for the Pioneer Army. After graduating from my senior year, whether to stay or leave, I'll decide then."

Jiang Xiao said with a smile, "Looking at you, you seem unwilling. So many people want to join the Pioneer Army for a lifetime, but they don't have the qualifications or the opportunity."

"Yeah..." Gu Shi'an nodded, but hesitated to speak.

Jiang Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "What do you want to say?"

Gu Shi'an looked at Jiang Xiao, spread his hands helplessly and said, "There's a major in my fixed team who's from the Night Watch, and he's also the deputy团长 (vice-leader) of the Light Chaser团 (group). What can I do? I can only accept reality."

Jiang Xiao chuckled and said, "Hang out with me?"

Gu Shi'an tilted his head, looked at Jiang Xiao, and grinned, "Haven't I been hanging out with you all along? I've put a lot of effort into joining this team."

Jiang Xiao said, "That's because you have the qualifications and the strength. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to replace Song Chunxi's position."

Gu Shi'an snorted and said, "That's because Commander Song graduated, officially enlisted in the army, and got promoted."

Jiang Xiao thought that Gu Shi'an had changed the subject, so he didn't force it.

Who would have thought that Jiang Xiao had misunderstood.

He only heard Gu Shi'an say, "How else can I hang out with you? Night Watch? Light Chaser?"

Jiang Xiao shook his head repeatedly: "Just kidding, even Han Jiangxue can only be a volunteer soldier in the Night Watch. My maximum limit for poaching people is like that. There's no way to turn a formal Pioneer Army soldier into a Night Watch soldier."

Gu Shi'an nodded and said, "So... Night Watch · Volunteer Corps?"

Jiang Xiao folded the large towel and put it on the coffee table, saying, "I'm not forcing you, don't misunderstand."

Gu Shi'an silently shook his head, remained silent for a long time, and said, "Forget it, I can't keep up with your rhythm. If I were to carry out tasks, I would be a burden to you."

Jiang Xiao laughed and said, "That's not right, I never look at how strong the other person is when I make friends, anyway, none of them are stronger than me."

Gu Shi'an: ???

Jiang Xiao chuckled and said, "I also adhere to the same principle when choosing teammates."

Gu Shi'an couldn't help but smack his lips and said, "You can say that, don't you feel guilty?"

Jiang Xiao put down his legs and slipped on his slippers: "You understand what I mean, that's enough."

Gu Shi'an pursed his lips, seemed to want to say something, but finally held back and didn't speak.

Jiang Xiao stood up and said, "I'm just asking you about your plans for the future. It seems that you haven't figured it out yet. It's okay, there's still a year left before graduation anyway, there's plenty of time to think."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiao walked towards the bedroom.

Behind him, Gu Shi'an's voice came: "I am now in the golden stage of growth, the most important period of my Xing Wu (Star Warrior) career, I can't afford to waste a year."

"Oh?" Jiang Xiao stopped and turned his head to look over.

He saw Gu Shi'an taking out a cigarette of unknown brand from the cigarette case again, holding it in his mouth, and casually picked up a metal lighter.

擦~ (ca~)
(sound of a lighter)

The roller swiped, sparks flew, and a flame ignited.

"Whoosh..." Gu Shi'an leaned against the windowsill, tilted his head and exhaled a puff of smoke towards the window, saying, "I'm afraid this world won't give people a year either."

Jiang Xiao understood what Gu Shi'an meant, he accepted Jiang Xiao's invitation.

Jiang Xiao leaned against the doorframe, looking at Gu Shi'an, saying, "You told me about your childhood, about transferring schools everywhere. Why did you work so hard to become a Xing Wu (Star Warrior)? What's your goal in your heart?"

"Let's not talk about the original goals, the age of having ambitions higher than the sky has passed." Gu Shi'an held the cigarette in his mouth, under the hazy smoke, his left eye squinted slightly, "Now, I'm thinking about buying a house in Di Du (Imperial Capital) after this World Cup, and bringing my dad and my mom to Di Du (Imperial Capital)."

The "my mom" that Gu Shi'an mentioned should refer to the memorial tablet.

Gu Shi'an continued: "Before the world is completely chaotic, I want to settle them in a place, Di Du (Imperial Capital), the center, should be safer. Besides, I was originally under the command of the Di Du (Imperial Capital) Pioneer Army."

Jiang Xiao nodded. If Gu Shi'an wanted his father to spend the rest of his life peacefully, and wanted his mother to have peace, Jiang Xiao had a Calamity Shadow World that could satisfy all of Gu Shi'an's requirements.

After experiencing such father-son conflicts and family conflicts, Gu Shi'an still planned to do this, he was really a person of character.

Gu Shi'an's father had hindered him from growing up and pursuing his dreams, and he had tried his best to do so, even to the point of severing contact now.

Another son might have reacted differently.

Jiang Xiao said, "What about your uncle?"

"Heh." Gu Shi'an grinned and said, "He's from the Guardian Legion, his duties and obligations, including his character, make it impossible for him to leave the local Guardian Legion.

I told you, my grandfather died in front of them, which affected their lives and created two extreme people."

Jiang Xiao silently nodded and said, "Do you think your father will agree to move?"

"Who knows." Gu Shi'an shook his head and said, "I'll go back and see, and then decide."

As he spoke, Gu Shi'an looked helpless and said, "He may not even recognize me, but no matter what, I have to take my mom away, he doesn't have the ability to protect that home and keep her safe."

Jiang Xiao didn't dare to interrupt or offer any suggestions, after all, it was Gu Shi'an's family matter.

He pondered for a moment and said, "After the World Cup, I'll go back with you."

Gu Shi'an: "No need."

Jiang Xiao smiled and said, "I haven't been to Gui Xi Province yet, I haven't seen so many strange other-dimensional spaces, you're busy with your stuff, I won't bother you."

Gu Shi'an turned around, leaned on the windowsill, and poked his head out the window: "Alright."

Jiang Xiao leaned against the doorframe, hesitated for a long time, and suddenly said, "If you want to find a quiet place, I can provide one."

Gu Shi'an turned his head to look over, and laughed disdainfully: "Are you kidding? The world has developed to this point, where is there any peace? I can't take her to that deserted no-man's land, even if it's a desert or a deep mountain forest, other-dimensional spaces will still open up."

Jiang Xiao looked serious and said, "I'm serious."

"Hmm?" Gu Shi'an looked at Jiang Xiao, put out his cigarette, and slowly straightened up.

Jiang Xiao said, "There can be mountains, there can be water, there can be forests, there can be lakes. Quiet, peaceful, no one will ever bother you except you."

The two stared at each other for a long time, and the room fell into silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Shi'an looked directly into Jiang Xiao's eyes and said, "Are you going to turn Xia Yan's Calamity Shadow Territory into a cemetery? Isn't that too extravagant? Besides, that hundred or so square meters can't build a mountain."

Jiang Xiao's eyes also stared directly at Gu Shi'an, and said, "That's not something you should consider."

Gu Shi'an suddenly smiled, his smile was so free and easy: "Jiang Xiaopi, you're trying to buy my life."

Jiang Xiao stretched out his hand and pointed back and forth between the two: "We are comrades."

Gu Shi'an's smile slowed down, silently looked at Jiang Xiao, remained silent for a long time, and he gently nodded.