Chapter 120: To Celebrate Your First Place

The dazzling light of Star Power illuminated the entire training ground.

After a long while, the Star Power subsided, revealing two figures within everyone’s sight.

One had his own long sword piercing through his lower abdomen, puncturing his Dantian, his formidable Star Power rapidly dissipating.

The other was covered in wounds, drenched in blood, missing an arm, lying in a pool of blood.

“Thank you. I will honor my promise,” Mu Jinhong said, cupping his hands in salute.

“You’re too kind,” Jiang Changkong replied, turning and walking toward Yu Beilin.

“Vice Principal, you’re actually thanking him?”

The young man at the Star Gate Initial Stage, his face twisted with rage, looked at Jiang Changkong with eyes that seemed ready to devour him whole.

With all the spots taken, he had no hope left.

Chu Tianyun was crippled, Jin Feng severely injured and his fate unknown—this was nothing short of a profound humiliation.

And yet, you’re thanking him?

“Silence! Take them for treatment,” Mu Jinhong snapped, then cupped his hands again and said, “Four principals, please rest. I will have someone prepare lunch, and later we can discuss the allocation of resources.”

Others might not see it, but how could he, at the Star Hidden Level, fail to notice?

Jiang Changkong had held back. Otherwise, that last strike could have easily killed both of them.

One was crippled, but at least the other was still alive—he had left them a sliver of mercy.

As for the crippled Chu Tianyun, Mu Jinhong understood in an instant.

Jiang Changkong still had plans. Using the Martial Arts Association’s spots and Chu Tianyun’s fate to provoke Chu Yunhe.

With his own brother crippled, could Chu Yunhe possibly hold back this time?

Jiang Changkong followed the principal back to the five-story building, where a group gathered in the principal’s room.

The principals of the other three schools were all present, each wearing a forced smile.

The first-place winner could demand a resource from a school that had not placed.

They had no ranking. In the past, Jiangshui City had taken their resources, but this time it was Jiangcheng’s turn.

“Principal Yu, about this time…” Pei Qing’s old face was full of bitterness. “We’re old friends, after all.”

“Yes, Principal Yu, we really have no resources left. We can’t offer anything,” the principals of the other two cities began playing the sympathy card.

Yu Beilin raised his hand. “Three old friends, say no more. I know everyone is struggling.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Principal Yu,” the three said, overjoyed.

“I understand your difficulties, but you must also understand Changkong, understand me, and understand my school,” Yu Beilin sighed.

The three men’s expressions darkened—he still wanted resources.

Seeing their worried looks, Yu Beilin smiled. “Three old friends, don’t worry too much.

I won’t ask for much, just a token gesture. How about thirty percent of your schools’ income?”

“Thirty percent?” Their faces turned grim, as if on the verge of tears. “That’s all the income we have left. If we lose another thirty percent, we won’t even have Star Stones for our students.”

“I can’t let down Changkong’s hard work, and besides, we all want better treatment for our students,” Yu Beilin sighed softly. “Friendship is friendship, but interests are interests. You three must understand the difference.”

The three sighed inwardly and said nothing more.

Thirty percent was already showing them face, treating them the same as Jiangshui City without favoritism.

If the roles were reversed, if Jiangshui City dared to ask for thirty percent, the other cities would demand forty, even fifty percent.

This was already treating them on equal footing with Jiangshui City.

Jiang Changkong watched from the side without interrupting.

Once the discussion was over, Yu Beilin turned to Changkong. “Changkong, if you go to the Starlight Distortion Land, be careful in everything. Try to avoid conflicts with outsiders as much as possible.”

“Outsiders? Those from the Jiangshui City Martial Arts Association?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Not just them. People from Anding Province also have slots, more than Jiang Hai.”

Yu Beilin said gravely, “You’ve offended the transfer student from Anding Province this time. You must be careful.”

“I will, Principal,” Jiang Changkong replied.

“Principal Yu, I must remind you of this.”

Pei Qing said seriously, “The Chu family’s power is terrifying. They have several at the Star Hidden Level. The journey back to the city won’t be safe.”

“Isn’t Changkong here?” Yu Beilin laughed. “I’ll wait for him to come out, and we’ll leave together. Besides, the Chu family doesn’t dare to move now.”

“Old Yu, Changkong’s strength is indeed good, but how can he be a match for the Chu family? The Chu family doesn’t dare to move?” Pei Qing frowned.

The other two principals also looked at Jiang Changkong in surprise.

Jiang Changkong was also puzzled. The strength he had displayed wasn’t enough to take on the Chu family.

Where did the principal get the confidence that he could escort them back?

Yu Beilin patted Jiang Changkong’s shoulder. “I won’t go into specifics. Let me formally introduce him: the younger brother of Jiang Haichuan, the Ten-Thousand Commander of Jiangcheng.”

“Jiang Haichuan? His brother?” The three principals were simultaneously startled.

Jiang Changkong looked speechless. “Principal, don’t joke. Does Jiang Haichuan have such great influence?”

Jiang Haichuan was only at the Star Sea Peak. His status as a Ten-Thousand Commander was indeed intimidating, but the Chu family’s power was also formidable.

However, judging by the expressions of the three principals, did Jiang Haichuan have some other remarkable aspect?

“Jiang Haichuan doesn’t have that kind of influence, but his younger brother does. Jiang Haishan, the minor commander of Jiangshui.”

Yu Beilin smiled. “Jiang Haichuan mentioned earlier that if Changkong has any trouble, just say the word, and he’ll handle it if he can.”

Jiang Changkong was surprised. He hadn’t expected Jiang Haichuan to have this kind of connection.

No wonder he could manage the Martial Arts Association matters and dared to say to come to him if there was trouble.

Could he say that he hadn’t taken it seriously at all?

He had only thought that as a Ten-Thousand Commander, Jiang Haichuan had accumulated considerable wealth over the years.

When he built his own city, he could sell land to him and make a profit in Star Stones.

Now, it seemed he could sell it to his brother instead?

“So there’s this connection. Changkong truly has a boundless future,” the three principals said with even more enthusiasm.

Jiang Changkong shook his head lightly. “It was just a casual remark at the time. It shouldn’t be taken seriously.”

He didn’t want to seek out Jiang Haichuan. If he did, wouldn’t he owe him a favor?

If he owed a favor, what if he had to give a discount when selling land later?

Better to focus on the Starlight Distortion Land. If he could obtain treasures and gather enough Essence, Qi, and Spirit, he could easily crush the Chu family.

Yu Beilin stopped the three principals who were about to speak further. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Changkong must be tired. Go and rest first.”

Jiang Changkong nodded and turned to leave.

Returning to his room, Jiang Changkong pondered whether to exchange the Star Gate Star Stones he had on hand.

He had killed quite a few Star Gate Star Demons these past few days and now had fifty-six fourth-tier low-grade Star Stones.

That was also 5,600 Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

He just didn’t know if Mu Jinhong would be petty.

Although he had held back, he had still crippled Chu Tianyun. There was no guarantee he wouldn’t hold a grudge. He’d ask later; if it didn’t work out, he’d just forget it.

Not long after he sat down, there was a knock at the door.

Opening it, he saw two senior sisters and Yang Chengan had arrived.

“Little Changkong, why didn’t you say earlier that you were this amazing?” Ji Ziling said with some dissatisfaction.

Ying Yanxue said coolly, “To celebrate you taking first place, treat us to a meal.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Senior, you should eat less. If you get assigned a job in the future, don’t get fired for eating too much.

“Alright, tonight’s on me,” Jiang Changkong said.

“Little Changkong, you’re so sweet,” Ying Yanxue gave him a tight hug.

Ji Ziling quickly pulled them apart, looking wary. “Don’t get any ideas.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

You’re overthinking it, comrade.

“As for the specific trip to the Starlight Distortion Land, we’ll have to wait a few more days. Someone will come to take you there then.”

Yang Chengan spoke up: “I’ve been in contact. It should be about five or six days. Military personnel will lead the way then.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, thinking to himself: Five or six days—should be enough, right?

Chu Yunhe definitely won’t be able to wait five or six days. A crippled person will provoke him.

And the issue of determining the slot allocation must also be settled within these five or six days.