Chapter 214: Riding the Clouds!

Let’s put aside the expedition for now; that’s still too far off.

The Void Realm is extremely dangerous, filled with countless High-Rank Star Demons. Even a High-Rank Martial Artist is not invincible there.

Besides High-Rank Star Demons, there are also some ancient, incomplete Star Arrays that can kill High-Rank Martial Artists.

There are quite a few Star Crystal Veins in the Void Realm. Most of the known ones are controlled by the Federation and various major powers.

The very reason these major powers can become major powers is their control over Star Crystal Veins.

Star Crystals can accelerate the cultivation speed of High-Rank, and even Top-tier Martial Artists!

Of course, Star Crystal Veins are not so easy to obtain.

Once one appears, the Federation, the major powers, and even the Star Demons will fight over it.

These Star Crystals have the same effect on Star Demons.

“There’s one more thing you must remember: the Star Demons in the Void Realm possess intelligence and know martial arts,” Professor Yun said with a grave expression. “So, if you ever get the chance to go there, don’t kill Star Demons the way you do now.”

“I can understand Star Demons knowing martial arts—Special Starstones,” Jiang Changkong said. “But intelligence? How high is their intelligence?”

“Not inferior to humans,” Professor Yun replied. “Over the years, some Star Demons have even learned to use and manufacture instruments.”

Jiang Changkong drew a sharp breath. They can make instruments? He couldn’t even do that himself, though that was because he had no desire to learn.

“The Void Realm can already be considered another world, with an environment even harsher than the Abyss,” Professor Yun continued. “Of course, your primary target right now is the Sin Domain. If you can establish a good relationship with the people there, don’t make enemies.”

Jiang Changkong didn’t have the trait of clinging to powerful allies. “What if I can’t establish a good relationship?”

“If you can’t be friends, at least don’t become enemies. If—and I mean if—you truly become enemies, make sure your actions are clean,” Professor Yun cautioned solemnly. “In the Sin Domain, killing carries no penalty, but don’t leave any evidence that could cause trouble for you in the Void Realm.”

“Professor, have you been to the Void Realm?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“I have, but the Federation force I belonged to at the time had to retreat after a Stellar Body Martial Artist fell,” Professor Yun sighed. “It was also during a struggle over a mineral vein. That officer died in the battle for a Star Crystal Vein.”

Jiang Changkong fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “Professor, do you have any relatives or friends you know in the Sin Domain?”

The news that he could bring people out wouldn’t escape Professor Yun’s notice. Since that was the case, it was better to bring it up proactively.

Professor Yun paused, narrowed her eyes, and said gravely, “Can they really come out?”

“I won’t know for sure until I go, and I can’t guarantee success,” Jiang Changkong replied.

Professor Yun fell silent for a long time before finally saying, “Before you leave, I’ll give you the information. If you can bring them out, I’ll give you anything you want in the future.”

“As long as they’re not truly heinous criminals, I can bring them out,” Jiang Changkong said.

Professor Yun nodded. “I am also a member of the Federation. I wouldn’t ask you to act for someone truly evil.”

After the discussion, it was time to study Star Script.

Professor Yun told him that many objects inscribed with Star Script had appeared in the Void Realm.

Some were just ordinary items, while others had sparked battles among High-Rank Martial Artists.

And those intelligent Star Demons were collecting such objects. Even an ordinary item wouldn’t be released by an intelligent Star Demon.

According to Federation speculation and research, the events recorded in Star Script were of great importance to intelligent Star Demons.

Of course, they were also very important to humans.

The reason the Federation was able to launch expeditions was due to the Star Script artifacts they obtained, which recorded a route leading to a certain location in the starry sky.

This made Jiang Changkong realize even more the importance of Star Script.

To reach the Starry Sky Realm, Star Script was needed, and future expeditions into the starry sky would also require it.

However, although the trip to the Sin Domain would only last two months, he had to arrive early for the Martial Arts Association competition.

He only had half a month left, and he still needed to hunt Star Demons. It seemed impossible to fully master Star Script in such a short time.

Professor Yun couldn’t help either. Star Script was something that could only be taught to a limited extent, and some materials were classified Federation secrets, which couldn’t be taken away.

In the end, he could only learn as much as possible. In the future, if he encountered Star Script, he could take photos or copy it and send it to Professor Yun for translation.

He spent his days hunting Star Demons and his nights studying Star Script.

This busy schedule lasted for eight days. By the fifth day, the Star Demons had been mostly cleared out.

The construction of the city began, and it was named the City of the Abyss.

The Star Stones from selling the land were also collected, mainly from the three major families, with the rest being tributes from various other factions.

Apart from the major factions, Xu Xinghe managed to persuade the factions from Anding Province that hadn’t arrived yet to come and purchase land here.

In addition to selling land, Jiang Changkong even sold access rights to the three major regions.

The city belonged to him, and he had conquered the three regions. Those who wanted to search for treasures could do so, but without purchasing access rights, they were not allowed to approach.

The people of Anding Province had no objections. All the major factions were now obedient, following Jiang Changkong’s every word without daring to utter a single complaint.

Moreover, at the Taiyin Cold Pool, he had obtained two treasures and received quite a few Star Stones.

In total, the accumulated Essence, though not as much as before, still amounted to 6.6 million.

The city, along with the mineral veins and nearby resources—everything that could be sold—had been sold off.

The major factions in Anding Province also needed time to recuperate and restore their vitality.

Of course, he kept 1,000 low-grade sixth-tier Star Stones, worth 100,000 Essence.

With matters in Anding Province mostly settled, he still hadn’t fully mastered Star Script, but time was running out.

For the remaining three days, he studied frantically, occasionally gathering with his two senior sisters and other members of the Martial Arts Association.

By the ninth day, Jiang Changkong had no choice but to leave. He still needed to rush to register for the Martial Arts Association competition.

He still had 1.05 million points, which, though not enough to exchange for much Essence, could be used in the future to acquire resources in preparation for his journey to the Void Realm.

Jiang Changkong bid them farewell, leaving the city’s construction in their hands. By the time he returned, he would have a city of his own.

After leaving the Abyss, Jiang Changkong didn’t rush to depart immediately. Instead, he first found a place to fully master the Nine Heaven Nine Cloud Art.

With his current strength, he was invincible below the high-tier level, ensuring his safety for survival.

The Martial Arts Association competition was nothing to worry about—he was certain to qualify for the Sin Domain.

What he needed to consider was how to maximize his gains within the Sin Domain.

With the improvement of the Nine Heaven Nine Cloud Art, Jiang Changkong’s mastery directly surpassed that of Yun Bugui, the original creator, and he fully grasped the technique of “Clouds Obscuring the Sun and Moon.”

The White Cloud Star Gate within his body solidified completely, and his Star Power surged dramatically, far surpassing his other martial arts.

As a result, his body felt lighter, and his strength increased slightly.

Jiang Changkong: Star Spirit Peak

Mid-Tier High-Grade Martial Arts:

Indestructible Diamond Divine Art: Mastery: 1/5,625,000

Mystical Tai Chi Art: Mastery: 1/5,625,000

Three Blades of the Fleeting Swan: Perfected: 1/5,625,000

Blazing Sun Art: Perfected: 1/5,625,000

Spirit Control Art: Perfected: 1/5,625,000

Cold Moon Art: Perfected: 1/5,625,000

Nine Heaven Nine Cloud Art: Perfected: 5,625,000/5,625,000

Essence: 201,555

After stabilizing his cultivation, Jiang Changkong sensed his own power and a thought stirred in his heart. He wondered what would happen if he combined the Spirit Control Art with the Nine Heaven Nine Cloud Art?

Soaring into the sky, white clouds gathered beneath Jiang Changkong’s feet, propelled by the Spirit Control Art.

He rode the clouds!

Though it wasn’t a multicolored Auspicious Cloud, just a simple white cloud, his speed was more than double what it had been when flying through the air or even when riding a sword!

“Ascend to the heavens, descend to the earth, ride the clouds and command the mists—the only thing I’m missing now is descending to the earth, right?”

Jiang Changkong muttered to himself, but he felt there weren’t any particularly good martial arts for burrowing into the earth. The Earth Turtle Art could be forgotten.