Chapter 115: Late-Stage Star Gate

After bidding farewell to the two and agreeing to meet the next day, Jiang Changkong returned to the riverside.

One thousand low-grade fourth-tier Star Stones amounted to one hundred thousand units of “Essence, Qi, and Spirit.”

Five hundred top-tier third-tier ones were twenty thousand.

Thirty-five Star Stones came to nine thousand six hundred.

He truly had to thank Chu Tianyun for driving Nantian Pang into such a frenzy; otherwise, such a price would never have been called out.

However, upon careful calculation, one thousand low-grade fourth-tier Star Stones really weren’t much.

For someone at the peak of the Star Gate level, especially one from a Major Province, it truly wasn’t a lot.

Adding the remaining “Essence, Qi, and Spirit” from before, it was close to one hundred forty thousand.

Upgrading four martial arts would leave the rest definitely insufficient to max out their mastery.

In that case, he would directly upgrade all five martial arts to mastery level.

Jiang Changkong allocated the “Essence, Qi, and Spirit,” simultaneously enhancing all five martial arts.

Hum

Golden light shimmered, indestructible as diamond, with golden flames burning—his entire body resembled a great sun.

The insights of the Three Blades of the Fleeting Swan, the Spirit Control Art, and the Mystical Tai Chi Art flooded into his mind.

Star Power surged, instantly skyrocketing, and his Star Gate solidified further.

His strength also increased, and his five senses were enhanced once more.

Jiang Changkong: Late Star Gate Level

Mid-tier, Low-grade Martial Arts:

Indestructible Diamond Divine Art: Mastery 1/125,000

Mystical Tai Chi Art: Mastery 1/125,000

Three Blades of the Fleeting Swan: Mastery 1/125,000

Blazing Sun Art: Mastery 1/125,000

Spirit Control Art: Mastery 1/125,000

“Essence, Qi, and Spirit”: 9,198

Feeling the immense surge of Star Power, Jiang Changkong turned his gaze once more toward the Jiang River.

Now, he could slaughter to his heart’s content and kill even more.

Having stepped into the late Star Gate level, though he still hadn’t encountered the Star Hidden Level, he felt he could stand toe-to-toe with Star Hidden Level experts.

It was just that fools with more money than sense like Nantian Pang weren’t easy to find.

Casually pulling out hundreds of top-tier third-tier or thousands of low-grade fourth-tier Star Stones—this was the level of a tycoon, someone who threw money around without a second thought.

Having one or two more friends like that didn’t seem like a bad thing, did it?

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Changkong annihilated the Star Demons.

He kept killing until late at night, accumulating over three thousand units of “Essence, Qi, and Spirit.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to kill more, but there simply weren’t that many Star Demons left by the riverside.

Based on his current “Essence, Qi, and Spirit” income, just reaching perfection in the late Star Gate level would take over two hundred days.

“Mineral veins,” Jiang Changkong murmured wistfully.

Why hadn’t there been any news of medium-sized mineral veins, or even large ones?

He was eager to build a city and then sell land plots.

That way, he could obtain vast amounts of “Essence, Qi, and Spirit,” possibly even advancing directly to the Star Spirit level.

Forget it, no use dwelling on it. For now, he should focus on killing Star Demons and set his sights on the Starlight Distortion Land.

He sat cross-legged, restoring his Star Power.

Early the next morning, Jiang Changkong moved to another spot to continue killing.

Not long after he started, Yao Meng, dressed in a white dress, walked slowly along the sandy shore.

“Why are you here?” Jiang Changkong asked, puzzled. Hadn’t she taken the precious Moon Stone and left in a hurry?

“What a beautiful scene, why must it be stained with blood?” Yao Meng sighed softly as she looked at the blood-reddened river water. “Wouldn’t it be better to relax and enjoy some tea?”

“If relaxing could bring Star Stones, and if tea could deliver Star Stones to my doorstep, then I’d do it,” Jiang Changkong replied while continuing to control his blade, slaying Star Demons.

Yao Meng smiled faintly. “Would you be interested in joining my Martial Arts Association?”

“Didn’t you look into my identity?” Jiang Changkong paused briefly. “I’m the president of the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Association!”

“You could disband it, resign, or have your association merge into mine. I’ll keep the vice president position for you.”

Yao Meng said, “I can take you, even your members, to the Major Province. One hundred Star Stones of the same rank per month.”

“No need. At that price, you can’t afford me,” Jiang Changkong replied with a hint of arrogance.

Yao Meng wasn’t angered. “Weapons, potions—anything needed for cultivation, I can provide. If your members don’t want to go, I can arrange for them in Jiangshui City.”

“I already said, I’m not going,” Jiang Changkong frowned, growing impatient.

Yao Meng smiled. “If you change your mind after going to the Major Province in the future, you can bring it up again.”

“Future matters can be discussed in the future. Why must someone from the Major Province be so fixated on me?” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

“Because the pressure is immense. Even I might fall in the near future. Even some lofty geniuses, like a seventeen-year-old Star Vault or an eighteen-year-old Star Spirit expert, can’t guarantee they’ll survive the competition,” Yao Meng stated calmly.

“Seventeen-year-old Star Vault? Eighteen-year-old Star Spirit?” Jiang Changkong was stunned. In comparison, the so-called super geniuses in Jiangcheng were trash. Those in their twenties who hadn’t even reached Star Sea could be called geniuses. And then there were the four Chu brothers, all over twenty, yet only at the peak of Star Gate.

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen, turning nineteen in two months. My talent is average.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Is this what average talent looks like?

As if anticipating Jiang Changkong’s shock, Yao Meng continued, “Below Star Gate, one can only be considered a low-level Martial Artist. Star Gate is just the beginning of the intermediate level. Only those surpassing Star Spirit are considered high-level Martial Artists in the Federation.”

Jiang Changkong thought about the martial arts classifications: low-tier, mid-tier, high-tier, and top-tier. Based on his own progression, it seemed he had just stepped into the mid-tier threshold.

Yao Meng extended another invitation. “The outside world is more exciting. Join me and compete.”

“No, I’ll stick to my own path,” Jiang Changkong refused again.

“If you want Star Stones, we can negotiate.”

“You can’t afford what I need, so there’s no point in negotiating.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head. The Star Stones he required were practically endless. No matter how wealthy Yao Meng was, she couldn’t provide them.

“Then let’s just be friends. I hope we won’t become enemies in the future,” Yao Meng said softly.

“If you don’t oppose me, we won’t be enemies,” Jiang Changkong replied flatly.

“I have some free time these days. I’ll visit often,” Yao Meng said calmly.

Jiang Changkong frowned but said nothing. He couldn’t understand why she kept clinging to him even after he rejected her invitation. Was the competition in the Major Province that brutal? Seventeen-year-old Star Vaults? Eighteen-year-old Star Spirits?

“Forget it, it has nothing to do with me. I’m in no hurry to go there. If you’re bored, why not help me kill some Star Demons?” Jiang Changkong shook his head. He still had matters in Jianghai to deal with.

The aura of blood energy surged, causing nearby Martial Artists to retreat automatically, not daring to approach. With less than a month left, he decided not to wander and instead focused on killing Star Demons here.

Yao Meng was taken aback, then chuckled. “You really dare to use anyone, don’t you? Fine, I’ll help you kill some. Maybe you should change your name to Jiang Star Stone.”

Yao Meng helped with the slaughter until evening, then left.

The next day, Yao Meng returned, bringing wine, dishes, and tea. After they finished the meal and drank tea, Yao Meng began telling him about the Major Province.

The Major Province boasts numerous talents, abundant Star Stones, and various treasures.

Jiang Changkong felt this was an attempt to lure him to the Major Province.

Unfortunately, his mind remained clear, and he was not swayed by these temptations.

After finishing his tea, Jiang Changkong continued hunting Star Demons. Yao Meng collected the items and left—she only helped with the killing when she was in a good mood.

Jiang Changkong’s response had left her in a rather poor mood.

In the evening, she brought meals again but no longer spoke of the Major Province, instead chatting with him about martial arts.

Jiang Changkong occasionally checked the Martial Arts Association official website to see if any suitable tasks were available, but unfortunately, there were none.

The mineral vein task remained the same small vein.

As the slaughter continued, the Star Demons along the Jiangshui River dwindled. When no Star Demons were left, Jiang Changkong would drink tea and chat with Yao Meng.

He kept hunting until his female senior called, at which point he finally stopped.

Looking at Yao Meng standing quietly nearby, he said, “I should go.”

“I’ve been relaxing for quite a while and should return as well. When I achieve Star Vault, I’ll come find you again,” Yao Meng said.

“I’ll refuse you just the same then,” Jiang Changkong replied.

“Who knows?”

Yao Meng gave him a meaningful glance before quickly departing.