Chapter 127: Selling Slots

“Changkong, get up quickly.”

“The spots have been delivered, and someone wants to discuss business with you.”

“…”

Jiang Changkong rubbed his forehead; he had been woken up by the noise.

After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he opened the door and looked at the visibly excited principal, sighing helplessly. “If they’ve been delivered, couldn’t you just take them for me?”

“This time is a bit different. The Federation wants to hand them over to you personally, and there are quite a few people who say they want to discuss business with you,” Yu Beilin explained.

Jiang Changkong frowned. “Business? Who are these people?”

Yu Beilin replied, “I can’t quite figure them out. They’re very strong, and judging by their demeanor, they don’t seem to be from Jianghai.”

“I’ll go take a look. Where are they?” Jiang Changkong narrowed his eyes slightly. If they weren’t from Jianghai, they must be from other provinces.

He just didn’t know whether they were from Anding Province or, like Nantian Wang, from a major province.

“They’re all in my room. Come with me quickly.”

Yu Beilin led him to the room.

Inside the room, six people were seated on the sofa, with three more standing nearby, nearly filling the room to capacity.

“This must be Jiang Changkong, right?”

The six stood up simultaneously, smiling as they spoke.

Jiang Changkong smiled in return. “And who might you all be?”

“Jiang Haibo, the Federation’s Starlight Distortion Land supervisor, here to deliver your spots.”

This was a middle-aged man with short, tousled hair, his aura restrained and unfathomable. A box lay in front of him.

The other five were young men, dressed in luxurious clothing whose brands Jiang Changkong couldn’t recognize.

Some had short hair, others long, all wearing smiles on their faces. “We’d like to buy spots from you.”

“Thank you, Lord Jiang.”

After expressing his gratitude, Jiang Changkong turned to the five. “I’m sorry, but I don’t plan to sell these spots.”

“Well, Changkong, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.”

Jiang Haibo chuckled awkwardly. “I’d like to ask you for a spot.”

Jiang Changkong frowned. “Hmm? What do you mean, Lord Jiang?”

“It’s like this. The Starlight Distortion Land has been unstable lately, and there might be danger after entering.”

“As the supervisor, it’s my responsibility to go in and investigate. However, the Federation only allocated these spots.”

Jiang Haibo spoke with a hint of pleading. “Just one spot. You can state any conditions you have.”

“We only want one each,” the five young men quickly added.

Jiang Changkong: “…”

I only have five spots left. There aren’t enough for the six of you, let alone me.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t even have enough spots for myself.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head.

“Changkong, it’s dangerous for your Martial Arts Association members to enter,” Jiang Haibo urged, simultaneously giving Yu Beilin a meaningful look.

Yu Beilin sighed helplessly. “Lord Jiang is right, Changkong. Could you spare one or two spots?”

“Jiang Changkong, right now in the Starlight Distortion Land, aside from us wanting to enter, almost everyone from Anding Province has reached the Star Hidden Level.”

A young man with long hair spoke calmly. “I’m not underestimating your members, but it’s a fact—they’re only at the Star Sea level.”

“That’s right. To put it bluntly, they’d just be going to their deaths,” the other young men added.

Jiang Changkong rested his chin on his hand. “I’ll have to ask for their opinions.”

Are Yang Stones really that attractive?

No wonder Fatty Nan was so anxious about that Moon Stone last time.

They’re right. Given the current situation, it’s too dangerous for my two senior sisters to enter.

However, if I sell a few spots and obtain Star Stones, I might have the ability to ensure their safety.

Yu Beilin chimed in, “I’ve already asked. None of them are going. You can handle these spots yourself.”

A smile spread across Jiang Haibo’s face. “Principal Yu…”

“Hold on, Councilor Jiang. I’ve already said Changkong will handle it himself. I’ll take my leave now. Take your time chatting.”

With that, Yu Beilin cupped his hands in a slight bow and turned to leave, tugging at Changkong’s sleeve as he did so and whispering, “If you’re selling, gouge them hard.”

The nine people in the room: “…”

We can hear you. No need to be so obvious.

Jiang Changkong picked up his phone and first sent messages to his two senior sisters: “Starlight Distortion Land. Want to go? I can guarantee your safety.”

Even though the principal had already asked, he still wanted to check with them himself.

“No, we’d only be a burden to you.”

Both senior sisters replied instantly with the same message. Were they together?

Jiang Changkong then sent messages to Yang Chengan and Pang Yun. They also declined, not wanting to cause him trouble.

Jiang Haibo couldn’t help but say, “Changkong, just give out a few spots. With eight spots, we can each take one, and you’ll still have two left.”

“That’s right,” the other five chimed in eagerly.

“There aren’t any left,” Jiang Changkong sighed softly. “I sold three to Nantian Wang the day before yesterday.”

Jiang Haibo: “…”

You sold three at once?

We’ve been pleading with you for so long, begging for just one, and you wouldn’t give it. Yet you sold three in one go?

The group glared at him with barely contained anger.

The long-haired young man said calmly, “I know about this.”

“With five spots left, I can offer at most four now,” Jiang Changkong glanced at him and held up four fingers.

“I want one,” Jiang Haibo immediately declared.

“I want one too,” the other five said simultaneously.

The three standing by watched quietly without a word.

“Councilor Jiang, you’re a Federation official. Can’t the Federation just issue you one?” one of them remarked.

Jiang Haibo rolled his eyes, annoyed. “If they could, would I be here begging Changkong? Guidestones aren’t easy to produce.”

“Councilor Jiang, I won’t mince words either.”

Jiang Changkong said coolly, “Here, I don’t care about status. I only recognize Star Stones. If you have enough Star Stones, you can buy them all.

One more thing: payment must be made on the spot. No delays.”

“Star Stones?” The five men’s eyes lit up. “Good. We like people who only care about Star Stones.”

Only caring about Star Stones is great—they weren’t short on them.

Jiang Haibo’s expression darkened. Among this group, he was the poorest.

“The first spot: 800 Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones. Highest bidder wins.”

“Wait, that price isn’t right. Nantian Wang got his for dirt cheap—three spots for just 1,000 Fifth Rank Low-Grade Stones.”

The long-haired young man said flatly, “Don’t treat us like fools. Make it 800 Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Stones.”

“Right. Even if we have money, we can’t just throw it away like that. Over in Anding Province, they’re only selling for 750 Mid-Grade Stones.”

The others chimed in.

Damn!

Jiang Changkong cursed inwardly. They’re selling for 750 Mid-Grade Stones in Anding Province?

That’s 1.5 million Essence, about what Senior Yang Chengan mentioned.

Nantian Pang… my heart aches.

How could I have sold three for just 1,000 Fifth Rank Low-Grade Stones?

Jiang Haibo’s face twitched. What’s the point of buying? I can’t afford it.

“Fine, 800 it is. Who am I to argue?” Jiang Changkong calculated. 800 meant 1.6 million. No, don’t get excited. Don’t let them see it.

“900.”

“1,000.”

“1,150. One more, and they’re yours.”

The other four exchanged glances, fell silent, and did not bid any further.

In the end, the deal was settled at one thousand one hundred and fifty Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones.

Wait, you guys didn’t even blink when raising the bids—I might have been scammed!

Jiang Changkong’s gaze sharpened slightly as he said:

“The second spot, one thousand Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones. Highest bidder wins.”

Everyone: “…”

Holy shit, you just raised it to a thousand?

Who suddenly hikes the bidding price like that?

Do you know something we don’t?

No, if you did, you’d have called for one thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade stones right away.

Thinking this, the group began bidding again.

The second spot sold for one thousand one hundred and forty.

Jiang Changkong had a rough idea of their financial capacity now—they probably carried just over a thousand Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones on them.

The third spot went for one thousand one hundred and thirty.

The fourth spot sold for one thousand one hundred and twenty-five.

All four spots were sold, with payment settled on the spot.

A jade pendant and a palm-sized stone were placed in the box Jiang Haibo had brought.

Jiang Changkong took four jade pendants and four stones, while the rest were divided among the others.

Jiang Haibo watched the entire spectacle, finally leaving with a darkened expression.

The others departed one after another, leaving only the long-haired youth who had spoken earlier and the person behind him, in no hurry to leave.

“Is there something else?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Just a reminder—Lin Jie’s death won’t be taken lightly by the Lin family.”

The long-haired youth smiled. “Let’s be friends. I’m Luo Yunchen, also a friend of Nantian Wang.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be careful.”

Jiang Changkong replied calmly. “In a martial duel, the loser lacked skill. If they want to settle scores afterward, I’m not afraid.”

Luo Yunchen said nothing more and left with his companion.

Jiang Changkong began counting the Star Stones. Starlight Distortion Land, Fatty Nan—get ready to pay for the Yang Stones!