Chapter 117: That Guy Called Jiang Changkong or Whatever

Jiangshui City, backyard of a Star Stone shop.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch… be gentler.”

Ji Zifeng covered his ear, speaking with a mix of helplessness and pain.

“Apologize,” Ji Ziling said angrily.

Ji Zifeng was confused. “Apologize for what?”

“Still pretending? You bullied little Changkong, and you still won’t apologize to him?” Ji Ziling fumed.

Ji Zifeng: “…”

I was clearly the one being bullied! I’m the victim here!

“Ahem.”

Jiang Changkong cleared his throat and said, “Actually, this matter is my fault. I went a bit too hard that day.”

“A bit too hard?” Ji Ziling released him, looking puzzled. “What happened?”

“That day, he was the one who beat me up,” Ji Zifeng said gloomily.

Everyone: “…”

Jiang Changkong beat up Ji Zifeng?

“The situation was a bit complicated at the time…”

Jiang Changkong explained what happened, leaving out the part about killing two people.

“So that’s how it was.” Ji Ziling was stunned for a moment before saying unhappily, “You little Changkong, you actually dared to hide this from me.”

“Ziling, stop making a fuss.”

Ying Yanxue pulled her back and said softly, “Didn’t you come here to ask your brother about the changes to the exchange event?”

“Hmph.” Ji Ziling snorted, glaring at Ji Zifeng with considerable displeasure.

Ji Zifeng smiled wryly and said, “There are two reasons for the change in the exchange event: First, the four cities have run out of resources.

Second, a transfer student has arrived from above, introduced by the eldest of the Chu family.”

“Transfer student?” Jiang Changkong frowned. “What’s their strength?”

“From Anding Province, Star Gate Peak Stage, here to fish for benefits in Jianghai.”

“Star Gate Peak Stage.” Everyone’s faces paled.

Previously, there was only one Star Gate Peak Stage and one Star Gate Initial Stage.

Jiang Changkong could still secure a spot and compete for second place, guaranteeing a position.

But now, he could only fight with all his might for third place.

Jiang Changkong remained calm, unconcerned.

Nantian Pang and Yao Meng from the major provinces were no match for him, let alone someone from an ordinary province?

“This won’t affect you. With your strength, you’re sure to get a spot.”

Ji Zifeng still remembered that slash vividly.

Even if he couldn’t compare to Star Gate Peak Stage, he was definitely no match for Star Gate Initial Stage.

“Of course, little Changkong’s strength is formidable.”

Though worried inside, Ji Ziling showed no weakness on the surface. “He’s my brother.”

Ji Zifeng sighed. “By the way, Changkong, regarding the Martial Arts Association matter, Chu Yunhe asked me to relay that you must secure first place to have the right to compete with him.”

“Mm.” Jiang Changkong acknowledged.

“Be careful. Chu Yunhe has already instructed Chu Tianyun, and he might go all out,” Ji Zifeng warned.

Jiang Changkong nodded. “I understand.”

“What’s going on? How did you get on their bad side? Ji Zifeng, why didn’t you stop it?” Ji Ziling demanded angrily.

Ji Zifeng: “…”

Could I have stopped it?

I can’t afford to offend Jiang Changkong, and I can’t afford to offend the Martial Arts Association either.

When Immortals fight, the little ghosts suffer—he finally understood that.

“That’s all I know, Ziling…”

“If that’s all you know, then goodbye. Go hang out with your Martial Arts Association buddies.”

Ji Ziling angrily pulled Jiang Changkong and Ying Yanxue away.

Yang Chengan gave Ji Zifeng a helpless look before following with the two juniors.

“Is there some misunderstanding between you and your brother?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Ji Ziling, still seething, walked away quickly.

Jiang Changkong looked at Ying Yanxue, who shrugged, indicating she didn’t know either.

Yang Chengan opened his mouth, about to speak, but Ji Ziling turned and glared at him, forcing him to shut up.

The group returned to the Jiangshui City school, each retiring to their rooms to rest.

Jiang Changkong was genuinely exhausted. Lying in bed, he soon drifted into a deep sleep.

He slept straight through until the next morning. When he woke up, the toothbrush and towel prepared by his senior sister were still there.

Principal Yu Beilin was at the door, speaking with a man whose hair was half-white.

Yang Chengan and the others had already gotten up and were standing beside the principal.

Seeing Jiang Changkong emerge, Yu Beilin called out, “Changkong, let’s go.”

“Is the exchange starting now?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Yes, it was announced last night. We’ll proceed directly to the martial contest—quick and decisive. Since you were all asleep, I didn’t disturb you.”

Yu Beilin’s expression turned serious. “We need to be careful this time. Anding Province has transferred someone at the Star Gate Peak Stage.”

“Understood, I’ll be cautious,” Jiang Changkong nodded, indicating he would take heed.

“What’s there to be careful about? In the past, our four schools could still compete for a spot. Now, it’s just a formality. There’s nothing left to lose anyway,” the half-white-haired man said with a bitter smile.

Yu Beilin introduced him, “This is Principal Pei Qing of Jiangyun City.”

“Nice to meet you, Principal Pei,” Jiang Changkong said politely.

“Let’s go. They’re all waiting for us in the training ground,” Pei Qing shook his head with a sigh, leading the way into the elevator.

Ji Ziling tugged at Jiang Changkong, pulling him aside. “If you can’t handle it, don’t fight. They’ll definitely try to provoke you later.”

If Jiangcheng had produced a genius, Jiangshui City couldn’t possibly be unaware. If the other side directly challenged him, she worried Jiang Changkong wouldn’t be able to hold back.

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister. With my strength, taking first place won’t be a problem,” Jiang Changkong said confidently.

“What first place? They’re from Anding Province,” Ji Ziling didn’t believe him at all.

Jiang Changkong didn’t argue further. He would prove his strength when the time came.

Even if he revealed his power now, it would only appear to be at the Star Gate Late Stage. Even if it were the Star Gate Peak Stage, they still wouldn’t believe he could win.

Their minds were already set—they believed geniuses from small cities couldn’t compare to those from big cities, and geniuses from small provinces couldn’t match those from ordinary provinces.

The Jiangshui City training ground spanned a thousand square meters. With only a few participants from the four schools, it was more than sufficient for the contest.

The other three schools, along with the Jiangshui City school’s participants, had all arrived. Only their group was missing.

Apart from those participating in the exchange, many Jiangshui City school students were watching from a distance.

“What a grand display. I heard Jiangcheng School has produced an extraordinary genius. The last to arrive for the exchange, and now the last to show up for the contest,” a young man standing at the center of the training ground said, tilting his head slightly. “Is Jiangcheng so confident they can take first place?”

The young man’s Star Power fluctuations were exceptionally strong, surpassing everyone present. Blue Star Power, like flowing water, intertwined above his head to form a water sphere.

“Star Gate Peak Stage! He’s Chu Tianyun.”

Facing the young man’s undisguised display, students from all four cities exclaimed in unison.

Watching the astonished crowd, Chu Tianyun raised his head even higher, a smug smile on his face, along with undisguised disdain for them.

“I don’t think it’s about taking first place. They probably just plan to go through the motions. What difference does it make when they arrive?” another young man stepped forward, his Star Power fluctuations overwhelmingly strong, surpassing ninety percent of the students present—Star Gate Initial Stage!

“Another Star Gate,” the students from the four cities could only look up in awe.

“Among the five cities of Jianghai, aside from Jiangshui City, the other schools—even their principals—are merely at the Star Sea level. What abilities could they possibly have?”

Another person stepped forward, his expression filled with disdain, his body radiating a dazzling golden starlight.

A sharp, piercing aura emanated from him, making everyone present feel as if a sharp sword were pressed against their bodies, causing a stinging sensation all over.

Faced with such contempt, the principals and students from the four cities could only force awkward smiles, not daring to show even a hint of anger.

“Another peak Star Gate!” The crowd felt numb. What was the point of this exchange? It would have been better not to come at all—this was nothing but self-inflicted humiliation.

“The provincial capital schools have always been the leaders, and the principals of the provincial capital schools are also our role models.”

Pei Qing quickly spoke up loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said with a smile:

“This year, the principal is in seclusion, striving to break through to the Star Spirit level, so I, as the vice principal, will preside over the event on his behalf.

If there are any offenses, I ask for your understanding.”

Everyone cursed inwardly but dared not say anything. Why didn’t you step out earlier when those three were speaking?

“Vice Principal, let’s begin. The sooner we finish, the sooner these juniors can return home.”

Chu Tianyun urged.

The vice principal of Jiangshui City said, “Since everyone is eager, I won’t waste words. Victory will be determined by martial prowess—the loser is eliminated. Let’s begin now.”

“I’ll go first,” Chu Tianyun declared immediately. “I’ve heard that Jiangcheng School produced a genius—what’s his name, Jiang Changkong? Come, come, let me see what you’re capable of.”