Chapter 147: Star-Drawing Stone

The Chu family’s compound was filled with charred corpses.

The ground was scorched black, houses had collapsed, and devastation stretched as far as the eye could see.

Jiang Changkong withdrew the Spirit Control Art, and the restraints on the four behind him vanished instantly.

Thud

The four Star Hidden Level experts knelt directly on the ground, their faces filled with terror: “Spare us, spare us…”

A Star Spirit—the Chu family’s patriarch, a Star Spirit expert—had been killed in a single move!

The impact of this was too great for them. Even in Anding Province, Star Spirit masters were among the top-tier experts.

Wasn’t he supposed to be at the mid-stage of the Star Hidden Level?

Instead, he turned out to be someone who could instantly kill a newly advanced Star Spirit expert?

Were we, mere Star Hidden Level cultivators, sent here to die?

The four felt utterly deceived, tricked terribly by the Chu family.

“Where is the eldest son of the Chu family?” Jiang Changkong asked calmly.

“He’s… he’s in Anding Province. Rest assured, sir, we will definitely capture him for you,” the four stammered in fear.

“I don’t like troubling the dead.”

With a wave of Jiang Changkong’s hand, a flash of blade light swept through, blood splattered, and four corpses fell into a pool of blood.

He would go to Anding Province himself.

These four might say one thing now, but once back in Anding Province, they would likely show a completely different face.

Seeking revenge for Lin Jie?

He died in a duel, defeated by superior skill. How dare they seek revenge? Since that was the case, he had no reason to hold back.

As for the Jin family, how Jin Feng died was no longer important.

Coming here to kill him had sealed their fate from the start.

Jiang Changkong collected the Spatial Equipment from their bodies and stood up to leave.

The rest was Jiang Haishan’s business.

Opening the main gate of the Chu family, he found Jiang Haishan and the others still waiting outside.

“Changkong,” everyone hurried forward to greet him.

“It’s settled. The rest is up to you. If there are any Fifth Rank Star Stones, save some for me.”

After saying this, Jiang Changkong turned and left.

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Haishan nodded and gave the order: “Search the place. Look for any evidence of the Chu family’s crimes.”

“We’ll take our leave as well,” Ji Zifeng cupped his hands and led his people away.

With the Chu family gone, they could now take over the Chu family’s assets.

How much they could swallow would depend on their own strength.

Jiang Changkong returned alone to his school room, bathed, and rested.

Many in Jiangshui City were sleepless that night, but he was not one of them.

He slept until noon the next day before waking up.

Opening his door, he found everyone gone—the two senior sisters, Yang Chengan, and even the principal were not in their rooms.

Going downstairs to the cafeteria for a meal, he noticed that the other four schools had already returned to their own cities.

As he ate, he looked out the window. Students from Jiangshui City passed by, occasionally glancing at him with looks of awe and reverence.

Ding dong

His phone rang. It was Jiang Haishan calling.

“Commander Jiang,” Jiang Changkong said politely.

“Changkong, there aren’t many Fifth Rank Star Stones left. I can only give you a hundred mid-grade ones. The remaining low-grade ones, I need to keep for reporting purposes,” Jiang Haishan said.

“Didn’t the Chu family have even one top-grade Fifth Rank Star Stone?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“No, all of the Chu family’s Fifth Rank High-Grade and above Star Stones were given to Chu Yunlong for development outside the province,” Jiang Haishan replied. “The Chu family patriarch was able to advance to Star Spirit only because Chu Yunlong sent back the potion.”

“Thank you, then,” Jiang Changkong said.

Jiang Haishan continued, “No need for thanks. As a pleasant surprise, we found evidence in the Chu family, which counts as a major achievement. I’ll report it on your behalf.”

Jiang Changkong expressed his gratitude: “I appreciate it. Once you’re done, let me know. Let’s have a meal together before I leave.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Haishan agreed and hung up.

After finishing his meal, Jiang Changkong called his senior sister.

Ji Ziling was busy with Ji Zifeng, along with Ying Yanxue, Yang Chengan, and the others, taking over the Chu family’s businesses.

Jiang Changkong didn’t disturb them further and stayed home to entertain himself.

It wasn’t until evening that Jiang Changkong’s phone rang. Jiang Haishan invited him to dinner, and everyone from the Martial Arts Association had been notified.

Also present were Principal Yu Beilin, Vice Principal Mu Jinhong of Jiangshui School, Ji Zifeng, and others.

Instead of going to a hotel or restaurant, the group gathered at Jiang Haishan’s home.

A large table was set, and fine wine was served.

“Finished so quickly?”

Jiang Changkong looked at the assembled group, somewhat puzzled.

The Chu family had many businesses, and at their pace, it should have taken at least two or three days to divide them all.

“The overall situation is settled now; the rest can be handled slowly,” Jiang Haishan said with a smile. “We heard you’re in a hurry to go to Anding Province, so we didn’t want to delay you.”

“That’s right,” Ji Ziling nodded. “This feast is to see you off.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Jiang Changkong said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

“What thoughtfulness? You’ve given us plenty of benefits,” Jiang Haishan laughed. “But aren’t you taking a share of the businesses?”

“No need.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head. Divided among so many people, there wouldn’t be much left for him anyway.

The others didn’t press further, and everyone took their seats to drink.

There was no sadness of parting during the meal, as Anding Province was relatively close, and meeting again would be easy.

The dinner lasted until late at night, and by the time everyone had drunk their fill, they dispersed.

Before leaving, Jiang Changkong also received one hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones.

“Principal, I’ve graduated now, so I won’t be returning to Jiangcheng with you,” Jiang Changkong said quietly.

Yu Beilin patted his shoulder and advised, “Be careful out there on your own. Safety comes first.”

“I understand. Then I won’t say goodbye to the two senior sisters.”

Jiang Changkong glanced in the direction where the two senior sisters had left—they had been picked up by Ji Zifeng.

Yu Beilin watched him leave, not turning back until Jiang Changkong’s figure had completely disappeared, then headed toward Jiangshui School.

Anding Province, Pingan City!

Jiang Changkong opened his phone’s map and set off for Anding Province.

Pingan City, though not the provincial capital, was still quite large—much bigger than Jiangshui City.

Tang Ruoxi was interning at a research institute in Pingan Province, and the Martial Arts Association official website also had a mission there.

Abyss Mission!

Large-scale mission: Abyss Mission. Clear the abyss, assist the research institute, and establish an outpost. Reward points: 50,000.

The information about the mineral vein was inside the abyss.

The abyss was filled with Star Demons, their strength formidable. Star Hidden Level beings frequently appeared there, and some had even encountered Star Spirit-level Star Demons in the abyss.

Jiang Changkong accepted the Abyss Mission to help the research institute build an outpost.

This research institute was the very one where Tang Ruoxi was interning.

Along the way, Jiang Changkong killed every Star Demon he encountered, reducing them to ashes with his Fiery Star Power.

Unfortunately, Star Gate-level Star Demons were quite rare. By dawn, he had only encountered three.

As for Star Hidden Level Star Demons, he hadn’t encountered a single one.

Checking the map, Jiang Changkong decided to travel at full speed, combining the Spirit Control Art with Moonlight Flow.

He hadn’t used this footwork since cultivating the Cold Moon Art.

Moonlight Essence gathered beneath his feet, leaving traces of moonlight with each step.

He walked as if treading on moonlight.

Moonlight scattered around him. If he could fly, combined with this footwork, it would truly be like walking on the moon.

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and dawn arrived. Jiang Changkong checked the map again.

At his current speed, he would likely reach Anding Province in about two more days.

After finding a place to rest for two hours, Jiang Changkong continued on his way.

Until evening, Jiang Changkong stopped in a dense forest.

In the distance, the conversation of five figures caught his attention.

“Are we really going to fetch that worthless stone?” asked a short-haired middle-aged man.

“Of course we are. It’s called a Star Attraction Stone. With that thing, the research institute can manufacture mineral vein detection instruments.”

This was a long-haired middle-aged man, his hair flowing down his back.

“But that Star Attraction Stone is guarded by two Star Demons at the peak of the Star Vault level. Only you, Captain, are at the peak of Star Vault.”

The four looked at the long-haired middle-aged man, speaking with concern.

Star Attraction Stone? Mineral vein detection instruments?

Jiang Changkong fixed his gaze on the five, his ears twitching as he absorbed every word of their conversation.

If it could truly detect mineral veins, then this stone would be of great use to him. It seemed he might have to fight for it.