Chapter 116: Secure Third, Fight for Second?

During this period, thanks to Yao Meng’s help, nearly forty thousand Essence had been harvested.

The Star Demons along the Jiangshui River were becoming increasingly scarce.

Including the previous Essence, the total amounted to: 42,015.

The Jiangcheng Martial Arts School had arrived yesterday, and today was the day for the exchange between students of the two schools.

The exchange event wasn’t just for one day, and he wasn’t needed to step in at the beginning, so there was no rush to contact him.

As for Chu Yunhe’s side, surprisingly, no one else had been sent after the death of Vice President Qin Wen.

The Chu family hadn’t sent anyone either, cutting off a source of Star Stones.

Jiangshui City, the provincial capital of Jianghai Province.

The city gates were tall, the walls imposing, with faint starlight concealed within.

The soldiers guarding the gates were all Early Star Sea Stage Martial Artists.

Entering Jiangshui City, the streets were crowded with people, shoulder to shoulder, all Martial Artists.

On both sides were various shops—some selling potions, weapons, and others offering Star Demon meat and Star Stones.

Jiang Changkong opened his phone, located the Martial Arts School, and moved swiftly through the crowd like a swimming fish.

As he walked, he also assessed the strength of the people on the streets: Star Cloud practitioners were everywhere, and Star Sea practitioners were not uncommon.

Occasionally, he could even spot a few Star Gate Martial Artists weaving through the crowd.

Jiang Changkong felt no particular amazement at this.

Yao Meng had told him that in the provincial capitals of major provinces, if you randomly threw a steamed bun, the person it hit would at least be a Star Vault practitioner.

As for Star Gate Martial Artists, in major provinces, they were almost all busy working hard, with no time to wander around.

Unless, of course, they were wealthy individuals like Yao Meng and Nantian Wang.

The Jiangshui City Martial Arts School was not something the Jiangcheng School could compare to.

It had a spacious training ground that reached Star Sea Level, along with individual training rooms.

Upon arriving at the school, Senior Yan Xue was waiting for him at the entrance.

“Changkong,” Ying Yanxue waved.

“Senior Yan Xue.”

Jiang Changkong smiled and walked over, entering the school together.

Inside the school, there was a separate five-story building. The upper four floors were reserved for the four schools to stay in.

The ground floor housed the cafeteria, which, of course, was also specifically prepared for the four schools.

“We’re staying on the top floor. Everyone is there,” Ying Yanxue led him into the elevator, heading to the fifth floor.

“Isn’t the exchange event already starting? Why is everyone here?” Jiang Changkong asked, puzzled.

“This year, the students of Jiangshui City collectively protested, demanding changes to the content of the exchange event,” Ying Yanxue explained. “The specifics won’t be known until tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Jiang Changkong responded.

On the fifth floor, there were five rooms in total. Ying Yanxue opened one: “This is yours, a single room.”

“Where are the others?” Jiang Changkong entered the room and asked.

Inside the room, there was only a bed and a table—nothing else.

It made sense, as this place was likely only used during the exchange event, so there was no need for elaborate decoration.

“Everyone is in the principal’s room, discussing matters,” Ying Yanxue led him to the principal’s room.

This time, it was Principal Yu Beilin personally leading the team.

The principal’s room was relatively decent, with a sofa, a coffee table, and all the essentials.

Ji Ziling, Yang Chengan, and two Star Cloud Peak youths whom Jiang Changkong didn’t recognize were there.

“Changkong is here, have a seat,” Yu Beilin greeted.

The two youths quickly stood up, offering their seats on the sofa.

“Everyone, sit. There’s plenty of space, no need to get up,” Jiang Changkong gestured with his hand and sat down beside Ji Ziling.

Comrade Ji Ziling had plenty of space around her, as Yang Chengan and the others had intentionally kept their distance.

“Principal, I heard there’s been a change in this exchange conference. What’s going on?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“There’s some news. Principal Jiang Yuncheng has already gone to inquire.”

Yu Beilin pondered, “In the past, exchange conferences were just about martial arts sparring, but Jiangshui City never held back. Out of three quotas, one was given for our four schools to compete over. This change likely means they won’t give any at all.”

“Not giving any? Isn’t Jiangshui City being too ruthless? They want to monopolize all the resources.”

Yang Chengan said somewhat discontentedly, “Golden Star Qi, part of the school’s Star Stones, some medicinal herbs—everything we have has been snatched away by them.”

“What can we do? It’s all about strength.”

Yu Beilin shook his head, “In the past, when they gave quotas, they still took half the harvest. Now, our four cities have lost everything they could lose. They probably can’t be bothered to give quotas anymore.”

“Is there no other way? The Federation too—why did they set such a rule? It’s unfair to us smaller cities.”

The two young men said angrily.

The school exchange conference competed for Twisted Land quotas and also allocated resources in Jianghai Province. The winners could take resources from the losing schools, making them increasingly wealthy, while the losers, unsurprisingly, grew poorer.

“Competition. Different cities, different schools—they’re all competitors. If a school cultivates a top expert, the Federation gives rewards. The more experts cultivated, the more rewards.”

Yu Beilin smiled faintly, “This time, we can’t lose. With Changkong here, we can aim for the top three.”

“Top three means we can win something?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“No, top three can secure a quota. It doesn’t win resources, but it also doesn’t lose resources.”

Yu Beilin laughed, “I’ve investigated. Apart from Chu Tianyun, who is at the peak of the Star Gate, Jiangshui City School only has one at the Star Gate Initial Stage. With Changkong’s strength, we can secure third place and contend for second.”

Jiang Changkong fell silent. Chu Tianyun? That guy who was scared out of his wits by me. I wonder how he’ll react when we meet?

“Principal, will the quota Changkong wins be subject to a fifty percent deduction?” Ji Ziling asked.

“No, this is earned through one’s own strength. They don’t have the authority to take it.”

Yu Beilin said.

“Only first place can win resources from the four cities?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“That’s right. First place can select one resource from schools without rankings.”

Yu Beilin nodded, “But, Changkong, don’t overthink it. Securing a quota is already very good. Be content—there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

“Mm.” Jiang Changkong nodded without saying more.

Yu Beilin nodded in satisfaction and looked at the others, “Alright, all of you can leave. I need to speak with Changkong alone.”

After the others left, only the two remained in the room.

Yu Beilin then spoke in a low voice, “This past month, you haven’t encountered any trouble from the Chu family, have you?”

“No.” Jiang Changkong said. That incident with Qin Wen was only because he had taken the initiative to dismantle the Qingyun Demon Hunting Team. Jiang Haichuan took credit for it and naturally shouldered the responsibility. The Chu family still didn’t know it was him who did it.

“That’s good. Don’t take the initiative to reveal that you killed Chu Tianxing.”

Yu Beilin said with a serious expression, “Chu Tianyun, the Star Gate peak expert at Jiangshui City School, is his biological brother.”

“I know. Don’t worry.” Jiang Changkong smiled.

Yu Beilin breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid Jiang Changkong would expose himself. If that happened, Chu Tianyun would likely resort to ruthless measures during the exchange conference.

Now, Jiang Changkong is the treasure of Jiangcheng Martial Arts School. Once he reports to the federation and receives his rewards, he might even get a promotion.

After chatting for a while longer, Jiang Changkong left.

Yu Beilin told him that once Principal Jiang Yuncheng gathered any information, he would notify him immediately.

After leaving the principal’s office, Jiang Changkong found that the two senior sisters, the two top student youths, and Yang Chengan were still waiting for him at the door.

“What’s going on?” Jiang Changkong asked, puzzled.

“Did my brother bully you last time? Let’s go find him,” Ji Ziling said.

Jiang Changkong replied, “No, nothing like that happened.”

“What do you mean nothing? You called me, so he must have bullied you. You’re my brother, and I’m going to stand up for you.”

Ji Ziling grabbed him directly and headed toward the elevator.

Jiang Changkong opened his mouth to speak but was pushed into the elevator by the others before he could say anything.

Um, can I just say that I was the one who bullied your brother?

You’re willing to ditch your own brother for a friend?