Chapter 151: It's You, Genius!

The two left the city, with Jiang Changkong grabbing Xu Qian’s arm and using the Mysterious Yang Step to swiftly depart.

A distance of a hundred li was nothing to him now, taking less than a quarter of an hour.

Xu Qian also experienced the sensation of racing like the wind.

The massive abyss rift was hundreds of zhang wide, its length stretching beyond sight.

They stopped at one end of the abyss rift, with the other end too far to see.

“What incredible speed, far faster than my sixth-tier lower-grade battle armor,” Xu Qian exclaimed excitedly as she stood before the enormous underground fissure.

Jiang Changkong looked at her curiously. “You’ve used sixth-tier lower-grade battle armor?”

Sixth-tier lower-grade battle armor—that was early-stage Star Spirit level!

“Of course. As a professor’s assistant, I have my own battle armor. Ruoxi has one too,” Xu Qian said proudly, lifting her chin. “Now I’m certain your speed is no worse than a Star Spirit Martial Artist’s.”

“Heh.” Jiang Changkong chuckled but said nothing. Who told you I was using my full strength?

“This time, I brought my battle armor with me,” Xu Qian said, revealing a toy-sized suit of armor in her palm. “As long as I infuse it with Star Power and verify my identity, I can wear it.”

“Impressive,” Jiang Changkong praised.

“Of course. But for now, take me down first,” Xu Qian said, pointing in a direction. “That’s the entrance to go down.”

Jiang Changkong was slightly taken aback. “You’re not wearing it now?”

Xu Qian looked a little embarrassed. “The energy reserves are low. I’m saving it.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Changkong grabbed her arm and led her forward again.

This was a staircase that extended all the way underground.

The staircase was about ten meters wide, enough for many people to pass through.

It had been excavated by Martial Artists from Pingan City, requiring significant manpower and resources.

The two moved swiftly, reaching the bottom in just a few minutes.

Starlight permeated the area, like faint lanterns in the night, casting a dim glow underground.

Ahead, bright starlight guided the way, while behind them was earth, and in front, it resembled a broad canyon.

“Up ahead is the first outpost Pingan City built here,” Xu Qian said, pointing toward the light. “The most basic requirement for establishing an outpost is that there are no Star Demons within five li.”

Jiang Changkong said calmly, “No Star Demons within five li—that’s nothing special.”

“You’ll understand soon. The depths of this abyss have almost formed an Underworld, vast and boundless,” Xu Qian shook her head. “Right now, we’ve only managed to secure a foothold in the broader areas.”

Jiang Changkong led her forward while listening to her explanations.

The outpost they were about to establish was in this broader area.

What they would likely face were Star Spirit-level Star Demons.

They soon arrived at the outpost—just a simple earthen hut. Though reinforced with Star Power, it couldn’t withstand attacks from Star Vault-level Star Demons.

Without lingering, they continued onward. Along the way, he saw flickering starlight that never dissipated.

Xu Qian explained that something was buried underground to gather this starlight and illuminate the area.

After comparing mentally, he had to admit that the entire Jianghai Province couldn’t match a single Pingan City.

As they traveled, they passed many earthen huts where people lived.

These were the dwellings of various factions in Pingan City, and Anding Bang’s Martial Arts Association also had an earthen hut here.

Some of these stone houses were open for business, while others were closed, creating a lively atmosphere.

If you feel that the items you’ve obtained are of low value, you can sell them directly here without needing to bring them back to the city for sale—it’s very convenient.

Passing through the cluster of earthen huts, one finally reaches the vast space Xu Qian had mentioned.

This place no longer resembled a canyon but more like an expanse of space, stretching as far as the eye could see.

If not for the fact that hundreds of meters above their heads was solid earth, this place would feel like a Minor World.

Roar!

Savage roars echoed through the air as Star Demons bellowed excitedly, their cries shaking the surroundings. Brilliant starlight shot into the sky, stirring the wilderness.

In the distance, clumps of earth fell, and the soil overhead seemed to drift further away.

“If this continues, the distance to the surface might not be enough to withstand the fighting,” Jiang Changkong remarked, glancing up at the soil above.

“This is the true abyss. The location we chose for our base is still some distance away,” Xu Qian explained.

“Let’s go take a look,” Jiang Changkong said.

Xu Qian pointed in a direction, and Jiang Changkong led the way with her in tow.

At first, the ground was flat, but as they advanced, plants began to appear.

Continuing onward, the vegetation gradually grew from a mere dozen centimeters to weeds as tall as one or even two meters.

The roars of Star Demons echoed incessantly from all directions.

Roar!

Amidst the dazzling starlight, an ugly Star Demon leaped out from the weeds.

“Be ca—”

Bang!

Before Xu Qian could finish her warning, the Star Demon exploded into a mist of blood, and its Star Stone automatically flew into Jiang Changkong’s hand.

Third-tier, top grade.

“You take it. If we gather more, you and Sister Ruoxi can split them evenly,” Jiang Changkong casually tossed it to her. Third-tier items simply didn’t interest him.

Xu Qian didn’t stand on ceremony and pocketed the Star Stone.

Along the way, many Star Demons appeared, all of them third-tier, and all eventually turned into Star Stones.

A few minutes later, Jiang Changkong came to a halt—they had reached their destination.

A broad, flat clearing lay before them, free of stones and weeds, with only a single stone hut, likely cleared beforehand.

Xu Qian knocked on the door of the stone hut, but there was no response. “No one’s here. They must have gone out to scout.”

“All we encountered along the way were third-tier Star Demons, and we didn’t even come across a Star Gate. Are there really Star Spirit-level Star Demons here?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“Of course. Star Hidden-level Star Demons often appear ahead, and occasionally Star Spirit-level ones,” Xu Qian pointed toward the dense weeds ahead, from which faint beastly roars could be heard.

“Has the mineral vein been pinpointed yet?” Jiang Changkong asked again.

“Only a general area has been identified. The exact location is still unclear,” Xu Qian replied.

“Then let’s go take a look at the mineral vein area,” Jiang Changkong said.

Xu Qian spoke seriously, “No problem, but you have to promise not to act recklessly. Many people are focused on that area, so don’t go unleashing your Star Power indiscriminately.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, and only then did Xu Qian point the way.

The two of them stepped lightly across the weeds, their figures turning into fleeting shadows as they swiftly vanished.

Boom!

A loud explosion sounded ahead as starlight erupted, Star Power sweeping in all directions. Dust billowed, and weeds were pulverized into powder.

“A Star Spirit-level Star Demon? What a coincidence,” Jiang Changkong’s gaze shifted forward, where a middle-aged man was engaged in battle with a Star Demon.

And this middle-aged man happened to be someone he recognized—An Yuanshan.

At the moment, An Yuanshan was in a sorry state, clearly at a disadvantage, being pressed hard by the Star Demon and repeatedly finding himself in peril.

“It’s Uncle An,” Xu Qian exclaimed in surprise, then quickly added, “You stay back. I’ll go help him.”

As she spoke, she retrieved her battle armor, ready to join the fight.

“Better save your energy,” Jiang Changkong waved her off and set her down. “Be careful on your own.”

“Jiang Changkong, don’t go. Even Uncle An is no match for it. That Star Demon is definitely at the peak of the early Star Spirit stage,” Xu Qian urgently called out.

An Yuanshan also noticed the newcomer. Hearing Xu Qian’s voice, he shouted anxiously, “Xu Qian, run! I can get away.”

With his strength, even if he couldn’t win, escaping shouldn’t be a problem.

Jiang Changkong took a step forward, entering the battlefield. Blazing Sun Star Power gathered, forming a golden sun.

The surrounding weeds couldn’t withstand the high temperature and spontaneously ignited.

The Star Demon roared, sensing the threat. Boundless starlight erupted from its body to resist the golden sun.

Boom!

The two forces of Star Power collided, sending terrifying shockwaves in all directions. The Star Demon howled in pain and tumbled backward.

Blood splattered—brownish-green fluid spraying out.

An Yuanshan’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly retreated, his gaze fixed on Jiang Changkong. “Who… it’s you, genius!”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Although I like that title—many people have said it before—but hearing you shout it out so directly, I’m actually a bit embarrassed.