Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

“We struck a fortune, Xuexue. With so many Savage Sorceress Star Beads, Xiaopi's Star Techniques are going to be upgraded,” Xia Yan said brazenly since there were no other people around.

Han Jiangxue looked down at the canyon below and answered calmly, “Not all Star Beads work. He needs a large amount of Star Beads for cultivation.”

Xia Yan was rather optimistic, however. She said, “It's easy to cultivate the halo techniques. Just activate them every day.”

Jiang Xiao harvested the Star Bead from the skull of the Savage Sorceress and thought to himself, In reality, I really only need Star Beads. 

Back then, the excuse that Jiang Xiao gave the two of them was that he needed Star Beads of the same type and also had to train hard in the corresponding Star Techniques.

Han Jiangxue cared about him greatly, so she remembered every detail.

Han Jiangxue ordered, “The Star Technique Brutality is indeed very strong and domineering. The Ape Ghouls are insane. Throw the corpses away and I'll catch a few Savage Sorcerers. It won't be safe for the corpses to be by my side.”

“Sure.” Jiang Xiao agreed resolutely. He felt that it was wonderful to thrive beside a G.o.dly existence.

If it weren't for the benefits, who would be willing to make the sacrifice…

Jiang Xiao pushed the two corpses down the mountain while Xia Yan got ready. The two of them met and Xia Yan handed two bloodstained star beads to him.

 Just like how Xia Yan first broke through the bottleneck and Jiang Xiao and Han Jiangxue gave her the Galaxy Stage Star Bead of the mercenary without hesitation, Xia Yan had no qualms about giving the Star Beads to Jiang Xiao either.

It was as if Jiang Xiao completely deserved them.

Regardless of how they usually bickered and fought with each other, they would never mix it up with serious matters.

As the female corpse landed on the ground, Han Jiangxue said, “This shall be the last one. Our predicament is bad.”

Including the Star Bead from the corpse in front of him, Jiang Xiao now had six Savage Sorceress Star Beads. Two of them were given to him by Xia Yan, and the other three were harvested by himself.

He could now upgrade his Star Technique Nostalgia to Silver Quality (7/10).

 It seemed that the Gold Quality Nostalgia wasn't too far away.

Han Jiangxue, I admire you!

 The intense battle between the two species of creatures allowed Jiang Xiao to earn plenty of money.

Within just tens of seconds, a male corpse landed.

Roar!!!

Roar!!!

The sounds of the Ape Ghouls roaring could be heard from the depths of the mountains. Han Jiangxue's face grew sullen. She caught sight of the Ape Ghouls flying around the tree branches before flying towards the edge of the cliff. She then looked down the bloodied canyon and saw that they were all pounding their chests and roaring loudly.

Next, the Ape Ghouls leaped off the cliff while growling, like dumplings falling into a pot of boiling water.

“Hurry up, move quicker!” Han Jiangxue exclaimed sternly. Her Star Power seemed to have been depleted too.

Jiang Xiao thought that it would be better to bring a few more White Ghoul Star Beads next time for replenis.h.i.+ng Star Power.

Although they had a pocket full of Star Beads, most of them could not be consumed.

As a Savage Sorcerer stumbled into Sky Smasher, Han Jiangxue quickly rolled down and said, “Let's go.”

“Move, move, move!” Xia Yan exclaimed as she hurriedly got up.

Han Jiangxue rolled several meters downward before finally regaining her balance. She then got up, but her body began swaying unsteadily, perhaps because of the depletion of Star Power.

Jiang Xiao harvested the Savage Sorcerer's Star Bead and wanted to give Han Jiangxue a Blessing, but its light was too eye-catching.

Jiang Xiao had no idea if his cover had been blown.

Even then, he did not wish to let a group of creatures of another dimension find them using the light.

He placed the bloodstained Star Bead in his pocket, took out the sword from behind him, squatted down, and ran over to hand the Savage Sorcerer's Star Bead to Han Jiangxue. He then squatted down again with his back facing her.

Jiang Xiao said, “Come on, hero.”

Han Jiangxue looked at the slender back in front of her and put on a smile, which was rare of her. She then leaned forward and threw her arms around Jiang Xiao's neck.

Xia Yan, who was in front, turned around and immediately grew displeased when she saw the scene of the pair of siblings behaving affectionately with each other.

She smacked her forehead in frustration.

Why didn't I seize the great opportunity to take advantage? 

However, as Jiang Xiao carried Han Jiangxue on his back and walked along, Xia Yan knew that her chance had come.

Xia Yan said, “Let me carry your sister instead. Look at her feet, they're almost touching the ground.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

He had grown by a few centimeters lately and had reached a height of 1.74 meters, but Han Jiangxue…

Indeed, if Jiang Xiao stood up straight, Han Jiangxue's feet would touch the ground, and she seemed to have no intention to arch her legs and wrap them around his waist. She simply raised her calves.

Xia Yan chuckled and swiftly said, “Let me do it. Hurry and put her down.”

“I can walk on my own,” Han Jiangxue said while struggling to get off Jiang Xiao's back. She then patted him on the shoulder.

She had already gotten what she wanted. She was glad enough to know that Jiang Xiao had the heart to carry her.

However, Xia Yan darted forward while Jiang Xiao was staring at her in shock. Her actions were simple and brutal. She put an arm around Han Jiangxue's back before sticking her other arm beneath her knees and picked her up bridal style.

Han Jiangxue panicked and began to blush. She began struggling and said, “Xia Yan, cut it out.”

“Stop wasting time,” said Xia Yan, who would never let go since she had already grasped the opportunity. She then said to Jiang Xiao, “What are you waiting for? Let's go.”

She then ran away while carrying Han Jiangxue.

Amidst the b.u.mpy ride, Han Jiangxue turned a little shy and c.o.c.ked her head towards the side to rest her face on Xia Yan's chest. It was very warm and comfortable, seemingly… having some shock-absorbing effects.

Jiang Xiao stared at Xia Yan running away like a husky with a pork bun in its mouth.

He thought to himself in anger, d.a.m.n it!!! 

Why didn't I think of carrying her bridal style? 

Why!?! 

I'm so silly, my heart hurts. Am I dimwit? 

Xia Yan, you're indeed my arch-nemesis! 

The three quickly returned using the same route that they took to come here. The journey was rather smooth, but Han Jiangxue knew that the battle would soon end with the addition of the Ape Ghouls' Army.

If they were to continue staying in the mountains, they would easily get hunted down and killed by them.

The three quickly returned to the entrance of the cave. Hai Tianqing and Li Weiyi were indeed still waiting for them. The entrance was already filled up and blocked by stones.

Seeing that Xia Yan was rus.h.i.+ng in with Han Jiangxue in her arms, Li Weiyi reported. “We've already blocked the remaining two entrances. This is the only entrance left.”

 Han Jiangxue struggled and finally set her feet on the ground again. She then motioned for Jiang Xiao to help Li Weiyi move the stones and block the opening. “If nothing goes wrong, we should be spending the next few days recuperating here.”

“Next few days?” Xia Yan raised her brows. She then raised her bloodstained hand and ignited a flame.

Since the tunnel entrance was blocked, the flame in Xia Yan's hands became the only light source.

 “Yes, we will have to at least wait for the Ape Ghouls to leave this area before we can go back,” Han Jiangxue answered with a nod.

Li Weiyi sat up and also ignited a flame. “The Ape Ghouls won? I saw the numbers of members from each side, and the Ape Ghouls were clearly outnumbered.”

“The Ape Ghouls had the company of the Vitality team.” She continued after the casual remark, “The combat ration packs in our military backpacks are enough to last us for a few days. We shall take a rest first, then go out to reconnoiter.”

“Ah, Jiangxue, the ground here is so cold. Let's go to that cubicle.” It was as if devil horns had formed on Xia Yan's forehead. She then looked at Jiang Xiao and said, “Go and help your sister fix that queen-sized bed… Hm, I mean, lay the straw mat down. She's exhausted and needs to get some rest.”

Jiang Xiao was dumbfounded.

Xia Yan patted Jiang Xiao's shoulder while chuckling. “Hurry up, your sister worked so hard for you.”

That's right, Jiang Xiao was very willing to help Han Jiangxue make her bed. But the queen-sized bed seemed to be able to fit two people?

If Han Jiangxue were to take the bed, Xia Yan seemed to be the only person who could sleep beside her?

d.a.m.n it, Xia Yan is increasing her advantages! 

She's actually chasing victory!?! 

Impressive…

“Hurry up and go! What are you waiting for?” Xia Yan asked.

“It's too dark, I can't see,” Jiang Xiao answered while scratching his head.

“Oh, let's go, I'll go with you.” Xia Yan seemed to be interested in supervising, but she also seemed to be enjoying the thrill of victory as she entered the tunnel with flames in her hand. She then put an arm around Jiang Xiao's shoulder.

“Brother, be good and help us make the bed,” Xia Yan said while laughing.

“Xia Yan, one day, I'll definitely turn you straight,” Jiang Xiao said calmly.

“Haha, dream on,” Xia Yan said with a sneer.

Jiang Xiao scratched his head and asked, “Sure, anything can happen in dreams. Can I hug you while we go to dreamland together?”

Xia Yan remained silent.

Jiang Xiao asked, “Why don't the three of us squeeze on the bed together?”