Chapter 150: Heading to the Abyss

“The institute uses both facial recognition and keycard access; both are required.”

Tang Ruoxi took out a black card and placed it on the main gate.

The gate shimmered with starlight, sliding open to both sides. After they passed through, it automatically closed.

“So, if you want to get in, you’ll have to contact me.”

As she spoke, Tang Ruoxi pointed upward: “You can’t climb over the walls here. There are hidden weapons, and even Star Spirits can’t break in.”

“How many Star Stones must this institute be worth?”

Jiang Changkong looked at the institute. Besides the walls, there were several buildings made of unknown alloys.

How many Star Stones must it have cost to build all this?

Xu Qian gave Jiang Changkong a strange look.

Tang Ruoxi, already familiar with his nature, shrugged and said, “I don’t know either. I heard from the professor that it was funded by the federation.”

Jiang Changkong said nothing more and followed Tang Ruoxi into one of the buildings.

They took the elevator directly to the third floor, which was a lounge.

A middle-aged woman was brewing tea. Seeing them arrive, she beckoned, “Come, sit. This must be Jiang Changkong, right?”

Tang Ruoxi quickly replied, “Yes. Changkong, this is Professor Yun.”

“Hello, Professor Yun.” Jiang Changkong extended his hand.

Professor Yun reached out and shook it lightly. “I heard from Ruoxi that you want to forge a sixth-tier weapon?”

“Yes, I happen to have an item, and a friend of mine lacks a suitable weapon,” Jiang Changkong said.

“Have you prepared all the materials?” Professor Yun asked.

“No, I only have a sword tip,” Jiang Changkong shook his head. “But there’s no rush. I’ll gather the remaining materials as soon as possible.”

Professor Yun smiled slightly. “Ruoxi mentioned that you’re very strong and highly talented?”

“I’m decent. I should be able to handle early and mid-stage Star Spirits.”

Jiang Changkong paused before adding, “I’ve taken on the Abyss mission to help you establish an outpost.”

“May I ask, President Jiang, what is the strength of your Martial Arts Association? How many people have you brought?” Professor Yun inquired.

Jiang Changkong’s expression stiffened. “Uh, just Ruoxi and me?”

Professor Yun: “…”

Tang Ruoxi didn’t count—she was from the institute, and the professor knew her capabilities.

But a large Martial Arts Association sending only its president to complete a mission?

“Professor, Changkong excels at group combat. He can take on a whole group of Star Demons alone,” Tang Ruoxi quickly interjected.

Professor Yun shook her head. “Give me the Star Attraction Stone, and name a condition I can fulfill.

As for establishing the outpost, that’s the Martial Arts Association’s responsibility. I won’t interfere.”

Jiang Changkong sighed inwardly. It was clear there was no room for negotiation.

“I have no requests. Consider the Star Attraction Stone a gift for Sister Ruoxi.”

Jiang Changkong took out the Star Attraction Stone and placed it on the tea table.

Professor Yun smiled. “This gift is very precious. How about this: once you gather all the materials, I’ll personally forge the weapon for you.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Changkong said, no longer refusing.

“I have other matters to attend to. Ruoxi, since you and Changkong haven’t seen each other in a while, show him around for a few days. I’ll have someone prepare a room.”

With that, Professor Yun stood up and left.

Xu Qian took a sip of tea. “I’ll get back to work too. Have fun, you two.”

Tang Ruoxi leaned back in her chair, looking somewhat frustrated. “The professor also has an appointment with that big turtle from Pingan City.”

“Big turtle?” Jiang Changkong was puzzled.

“The president of the Pingan City Martial Arts Association, Anding Bang. His name sounds good, but people call him ‘the turtle.’

He’s at the early Star Spirit stage, with earth-attribute Star Power, and his defense is incredibly strong.”

“Actually, his heavy sword skills are quite good, but compared to his defense, they fall a bit short.”

Tang Ruoxi explained.

Anding Bang?

Defense? Heavy sword?

Wasn’t that the one he knocked out?

“He doesn’t have a Star Attraction Stone,” Jiang Changkong said.

“But he has people in the large Martial Arts Association—a hundred of them, with the weakest being at Star Gate Peak.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, beneath the abyss, there are Gravity Zones, triple gravity areas, and other regions.”

Tang Ruoxi said, “I’ll get a gravity ring later so you can adapt first. Anding Bang’s group has already adapted.”

“No need, I adapted earlier at the entrance.”

Jiang Changkong explained what happened.

Tang Ruoxi was full of surprise. “I never expected you to adapt so quickly. Is Iron Shirt really that strong?”

“Mhm. By the way, I want to go check out the abyss tomorrow,” Jiang Changkong said.

“Tomorrow? I’m afraid I can’t go with you. I have an important research project. Let Xiao Qian go with you.”

Tang Ruoxi thought for a moment and replied.

“That works too.”

Jiang Changkong considered it and agreed.

He didn’t know much about the abyss, so having a guide along would be helpful.

Although protecting her safety might be a bit troublesome, it would also save a lot of hassle.

Regarding the abyss, Pingan City only knew surface-level information. As for the deeper parts, no one was clear.

In the depths of the abyss, Star Spirit-level Star Demons roamed, along with some special areas like Gravity Zones. Even a Star Spirit Peak martial artist wouldn’t dare claim they could move freely there.

After that, they chatted about everyday matters.

Tang Ruoxi spent every day doing research and found it fulfilling.

Then, before she could start lecturing him on things like battle armor manufacturing or alloys, Jiang Changkong asked her to take him to rest.

Compared to his female comrade and foodie senior, Tang Ruoxi wasn’t normal either.

She was a research maniac, completely focused on her studies.

She could go days and nights without sleep, explaining how to make battle armor and such.

Jiang Changkong couldn’t handle that; he’d rather rest.

A bed, a wooden table, and a computer—nothing else.

Jiang Changkong turned on the computer and started searching for information about the abyss.

A hundred miles outside Pingan City’s north gate, there was a massive underground fissure, several thousand meters deep.

Star Demons roamed below, and the environment was harsh. Besides Gravity Zones, there were also swamp areas and terrifying deep pools, collectively known as the three great danger zones.

One underground cold pool was extremely frigid, affecting even Star Spirit martial artists.

Star Demons lurked inside, and some early-stage Star Spirit martial artists had perished there.

These were only the three most dangerous known places. No one knew how many more horrors lay hidden in the unknown depths.

After looking up information on the abyss, he started searching for top experts in Pingan City and even Anding Province.

The strongest in Pingan City were a few late-stage Star Spirit martial artists, but that information was from ten years ago. It was unknown whether any had reached Star Spirit Peak now.

Across Anding Province, there were quite a few mentions of Star Spirit Peak martial artists online.

As for High-Rank Martial Artists, online users argued fiercely with those from other provinces, adamantly claiming they existed but without evidence.

Aside from these arguments, no one mentioned High-Rank Martial Artists.

“I wonder if those people from Anding Province who sold spots back then are still around.”

Jiang Changkong muttered quietly. One spot cost a thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones.

Back then, Anding Province had fifteen spots.

How many Star Stones would that be?

He hoped they were still around and that the Star Stones were still there too.

After checking the information, Jiang Changkong lay down on the bed and went to sleep.

Waking at dawn, Jiang Changkong rose early. Just after washing up, Xu Qian, dressed in a fitted martial attire, hurried over.

“I heard you want to take a look at the Abyss?” Xu Qian stood gracefully at the door, asking softly.

“Yes, I’ll trouble you for this, Sister Xu Qian.” Jiang Changkong nodded politely.

“Are you done with your preparations? I’m already ready,” Xu Qian said.

“All set, let’s go.”

Jiang Changkong closed the door and left with Xu Qian.

Once outside the research institute gate, Xu Qian walked briskly ahead. “Let’s hurry, we can still catch the first bus. It’ll take about half an hour to get there.”

Jiang Changkong said calmly, “Let’s walk. It’ll be faster than taking the bus.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alright then. It seems your strength truly is impressive.”

Xu Qian paused before adding, “But don’t get too careless. The Abyss isn’t a place where even Star Vault Peak cultivators can roam freely.”

“You know my cultivation level?” Jiang Changkong looked surprised. He hadn’t revealed it when they met yesterday.

“The research institute has detection equipment. Even a High-Rank Martial Artist would struggle to hide their cultivation here,” Xu Qian explained. “We knew as soon as you entered the institute, which is why Professor Yun has some reservations about you.”

“Professor Yun has reservations about me?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“Yes. You’re clearly at Star Vault Peak, so why claim you can handle early and mid-stage Star Spirits? Also, I heard you’re interested in the mineral vein news. You should know many others are paying attention too.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

So now, in your eyes, I’m just a braggart?