Chapter 126: Yu Beilin, Riding High

Bang

Only when Lin Jie fell to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust, did the crowd snap back to reality.

“What just happened? Shouldn’t Jiang Changkong have lost?”

“Jiang Changkong’s secret technique had clearly dissipated. How could he still unleash such immense power?”

“…”

Most of the onlooking martial artists couldn’t comprehend it, nor could they figure it out.

“Changkong.” Ji Ziling and the others quickly gathered around him.

They didn’t care how Jiang Changkong had won—only that he had won.

“I’m fine, just injured.” Jiang Changkong pulled out the long sword and turned to face Chu Yunhe. “The five slots belong to me now.”

Chu Yunhe’s face darkened, but he didn’t dare go back on his word. He said coldly, “Take Lin Jie away.”

The man was dead, but his body had to be retrieved.

Ji Ziling swiftly searched the body, retrieved a ring, and handed it to Jiang Changkong.

“What are you doing? The man is dead, and you still desecrate his body?” Chu Yunhe shouted coldly.

“This is Changkong’s spoils of war,” Ji Ziling snorted. “Also, what about the agreed-upon wager? Five hundred Fifth Rank Low-Grade Star Stones.”

Chu Yunhe’s expression shifted slightly. “I forgot to bring them.”

“Are you trying to renege?” Jiang Changkong said coldly.

“Who’s trying to renege? I’ll give them to you as soon as I go back and fetch them,” Chu Yunhe replied, his expression unnatural.

Just as Jiang Changkong was about to say something, Mu Jinhong spoke calmly, “What happens at the Martial Arts School, Chu Yunhe—I hope you don’t do anything foolish.”

As the supervisor of this decisive battle, if Chu Yunhe reneged, wouldn’t that be disrespecting his authority? And if rumors spread that they were in cahoots, it would be hard to clear his name.

Chu Yunhe’s face darkened further, and he didn’t dare say another word. With a cold snort, he took out five hundred Low-Grade Star Stones. “Consider this a reward.”

“If you lost, you lost. No need to be stubborn.”

Jiang Changkong waved his hand and stored the Star Stones, then left with his two senior sisters.

“Let’s go.” Chu Yunhe led his group away in disgrace.

The onlooking martial artists gradually dispersed as well.

Nantian Wang watched the direction Jiang Changkong had left. “Uncle Liu, what happened just now? Didn’t Jiang Changkong’s secret technique expire?”

“Haven’t you seen him fight before? What secret technique?”

Uncle Liu replied indifferently.

Nantian Wang’s expression darkened. Right, what secret technique?

Earlier, at the Star Gate Initial Stage, Jiang Changkong had utterly defeated him, shattered a top-tier Protective Shield, and severely wounded a Star Demon at the Star Gate Peak.

“Has he already reached the level of a Star Vault Mid-Stage now?” Nantian Wang couldn’t hide his shock.

“Yes. If he reaches the peak limit of the Star Gate Stage, even ordinary Star Vault Mid-Stage martial artists would struggle to find a match for him.”

Uncle Liu’s expression turned grave. “But that’s not the most terrifying part.”

“That’s not the most terrifying part?” Nantian Wang was bewildered. “Uncle Liu, don’t joke with me.”

“The most terrifying thing is that he could predict Lin Jie’s sword strike, allowing him to avoid vital points. That was also the reason for his final victory.”

Uncle Liu patted his shoulder. “Let’s go back. Try to avoid provoking such a little monster in the future.”

“I’ll never provoke him again,” Nantian Wang shuddered. Guys like him were rare even in major provinces.

…

Jiang Changkong returned to his room to recuperate. As for the infirmary or hospital, he couldn’t be bothered to go.

He didn’t take this level of injury seriously.

Five hundred thousand units of Essence—extracted directly.

Then, he examined Lin Jie’s ring.

A hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones, some useless potions and clothes—truly wealthy.

Two hundred thousand units of Essence!

He immediately maxed out the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art and used the remainder to upgrade the Mystical Tai Chi Art.

Internal Star Power, physical strength, the five senses, power—all aspects were enhanced.

Jiang Changkong: Late Star Gate Stage

Mid-Rank Low-Grade Martial Arts:

Jiang Changkong: Star Gate Peak

Mid-Rank Low-Grade Martial Arts:

Indestructible Diamond Divine Art: Perfected: 625,000/625,000

Mystical Tai Chi Art: Perfected 469,800/625,000

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

Blazing Sun Art: Perfected 1/625,000

Spirit Control Art: Perfected 1/625,000

Essence, Qi, and Spirit: 0

After the enhancement was complete, Jiang Changkong circulated the Mystical Tai Chi Art to heal his injuries.

Two hours later, his injuries had stabilized. At most, two more days and he would fully recover.

Heading to the Starlight Distortion Land shouldn’t be an issue.

Opening the door, he found Ji Ziling and the others waiting outside, having kept watch the entire time.

“I’m fine. My injuries have stabilized,” Jiang Changkong said with a faint smile.

“This is all Jiang Haichuan’s fault. What kind of information was he gathering?” Ji Ziling said with some dissatisfaction. “If we’d been properly prepared, you wouldn’t have had to take such a risk.”

“Senior, how can this be blamed on the Commander? It was my own carelessness,” Jiang Changkong replied calmly. “Besides, if I wanted the spot, I had no choice but to fight.”

Even as he said this, he still felt somewhat uneasy, suspecting that Jiang Haichuan hadn’t investigated thoroughly.

“Changkong, Vice Principal Mu Jinhong saw that your weapon wasn’t up to par during the fight and plans to gift you a Fifth Rank High-Grade saber,” Yu Beilin said with a grin.

“Huh? That generous?” Jiang Changkong was taken aback.

Yu Beilin narrowed his eyes smugly. “Of course he’s being generous. Don’t let his power fool you—right now, he’s trying to curry favor with me. You’ve really made me proud, taking down a Star Vault mid-stage cultivator. That’s practically monstrous. The rewards the Federation gave me are enough to make him green with envy. Nowadays, I can strut around Jiangshui Academy, and he wouldn’t dare utter a word.”

In a small place like this, a Star Sea Peak principal had nurtured a Star Gate Peak cultivator capable of killing a Star Vault mid-stage opponent. If that didn’t warrant substantial rewards, it would be utterly unreasonable.

Jiang Changkong chuckled and was about to speak when his phone rang—it was Jiang Haichuan calling.

He answered immediately. Jiang Haichuan’s voice came through: “Brother, I owe you an apology. This time, I was careless.”

“What are you saying, Brother Jiang? It was my own oversight. But, what’s Lin Jie’s background? Why would he stand up for Chu Yunhe?” Jiang Changkong asked, voicing his confusion.

Jiang Haichuan replied, “I just looked into it. Lin Jie’s involvement was actually a coincidence. Someone from a Major Province was with Lin Jie, and Jin Feng contacted a friend to reach out to him…”

Originally, Lin Jie hadn’t been willing to come, but it was only after the person from the Major Province gave the nod that he agreed. Chu Yunhe had paid a hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones and offered a spot to secure his help. The Major Province individual had concealed the information, which was why Jiang Haichuan hadn’t uncovered it.

So, those hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones were provided by Chu Yunhe? No wonder Senior was so anxious when searching—she couldn’t bear to part with them.

“It’s not your fault. I’m fine now, so don’t dwell on it, Brother,” Jiang Changkong said.

In that case, it really couldn’t be blamed on Jiang Haichuan, and the lingering discomfort in Jiang Changkong’s heart dissipated. If someone from a Major Province concealed information, Jiang Haichuan truly wouldn’t have been able to uncover it. If it were Nantian Wang who wanted to hide something or take action, Jiang Haichuan wouldn’t have found a single clue.

This Starlight Distortion Land trip was shaping up to be quite lively. He wondered if his current strength would be enough to secure good treasures inside.

He had roughly figured out the conversion of strength between himself and the Star Vault.

Currently, he was slightly stronger than the average mid-stage Star Vault cultivator, but he was no match for those at the mid-stage limit.

Unless he maxed out all five of his martial arts.

As for the late stage of the Star Vault, he would consider it only after reaching the Star Vault realm. Without entering the Star Vault, he would almost certainly be unable to defeat such opponents.

Unless he learned a few more martial arts and observed the increase in Star Power, then it might be possible.

But for now, there were no suitable options, and he had no plans to learn new martial arts.

After hanging up the phone, Yu Beilin suggested celebrating with a feast.

The guest had already been chosen—Mu Jinhong.

Having nurtured a true genius, the Federation would not hesitate to reward him. It wouldn’t be long before their roles might even reverse.

Jiang Changkong was also happy for him. His own progress was too rapid, and if the old principal didn’t start saving Star Stones soon, he might not be able to afford land when it came time to build the city.