Chapter 156: I Only Like to Discuss Face-to-Face

Jiang Changkong stared at him in utter bewilderment.

Not prepared last time?

A narrow defeat due to carelessness?

That day, I knocked you out cold, didn’t I?

And you call that a narrow defeat?

Yun Qing and the others were stunned—had these two association heads fought before?

Anding Bang narrowly lost to Jiang Changkong?

Xu Qian, who had just stepped out of the stone house, watched the two with intense curiosity.

Jiang Changkong had to admire the thickness of this guy’s skin. However, if he didn’t know his place, Jiang Changkong wouldn’t mind teaching him another lesson.

“I’ve also accepted this mission. You’re also looking for help on the Martial Arts Association official website.

Now that we’re doing it together, I’ll take seventy percent. How about that?” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

“First, you snatch the Star Attraction Stone, and now you want to snatch the mission too?”

Anding Bang snorted coldly, his face filled with anger. “I don’t need you to team up for my mission. This time, I’ll make you back down.”

Yun Qing waved to the people beside him, put away the pots and pans, and stepped aside, ready to watch the show.

A battle between two Star Spirits wasn’t something you saw every day.

Moreover, one of these two was famously known for his defense.

They wanted to see if Jiang Changkong’s blade could break through the defense of the Earth Element Art.

“Since you put it that way, I’ll give you time to prepare.”

Jiang Changkong stood with his hands behind his back, his expression cold.

Anding Bang’s expression turned grave. He drew his heavy sword, and the ground began to churn violently.

Like a swamp, a yellowish-brown light swept across, attempting to shake his opponent.

Jiang Changkong remained unmoving. Star Power erupted from him, and the approaching yellowish-brown light instantly dissipated.

“Three Mountains and Five Peaks.”

Anding Bang shouted solemnly, swinging his heavy sword. Star Power surged, and the illusory forms of towering mountains appeared.

Majestic peaks, carrying a crushing weight, pressed forward.

Xu Qian and the others were shaken, unable to help but retreat as a golden barrier shimmered around them.

“One blade, sunset.”

The Sunset Blade gleamed with radiant twilight hues.

A Sixth Rank Top-Tier Blade, carrying fiery sunset light, flashed past in an instant.

With a resounding crash, the mountain illusions shattered. The heavy sword faltered, but the long blade’s momentum remained unchecked, piercing straight into the body.

Thud

Blood sprayed as immense Star Power sent Anding Bang staggering backward.

Thump

His body hit the ground, blood flowing freely. The long blade plunged into the earth, radiating countless rays of twilight light, pinning him firmly to the ground.

“You…”

Anding Bang opened his mouth, vomiting a mouthful of blood, his gaze filled with fear as he stared at Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained calm as he walked over, found Anding Bang’s Spatial Equipment, and searched it.

Not bad this time—two hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Star Stones.

“Give those back! This is robbery! I’m the head of the Martial Arts Association!” Anding Bang roared, ignoring his injuries.

“A duel between Martial Arts Association heads should have some stakes.”

Jiang Changkong pocketed the Star Stones and said coolly, “By the way, you struck first. Even if I killed you, no one could say a word.”

Anding Bang’s face changed instantly. His tone softened. “We were just competing for the mission, a fair martial contest. You can’t take my things.”

“Heh.” Jiang Changkong scoffed, pulling out his long blade and resting it against Anding Bang’s neck. “I hate trouble.”

Should he let him live?

It would be great if he could bring Star Stones next time. Robbing him once was enough to keep Jiang Changkong busy for a long while.

Right now, there was no abundant source of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, but this guy would probably learn his lesson and not bring Star Stones next time.

If he came without Star Stones yet kept picking fights again and again, that would be troublesome.

Sensing a hint of killing intent, Anding Bang’s face shifted several times in panic. He shouted urgently, “You can’t kill me! I’m an association head! My elder brother is Li Changtian, a genius from a Major Province, and he’s incredibly powerful!”

Jiang Changkong: “”

A genius from a major province, Li Changtian?

Very impressive?

You must have recognized a fake big brother!

“Let’s just forget it, it’s not really that big of a grudge anyway.”

Xu Qian spoke up, her eyes constantly signaling Jiang Changkong not to cause trouble.

Yun Qing also quickly added, “Both presidents are here to establish an outpost for the research institute. If things really escalate to a life-or-death situation, it would make our research institute seem cold and heartless.”

Jiang Changkong thought for a moment and withdrew his blade.

“How about this? Why don’t we all have a cup of tea together? Consider it a case of ‘no discord, no concord,'” Yun Qing said, relieved.

“Who wants to have tea with him? Hmph, this time it’s just that my weapon isn’t as good as yours,” Anding Bang snorted coldly before turning and leaving.

Jiang Changkong looked stunned, while Xu Qian and the others were bewildered.

Your weapon isn’t as good as Jiang Changkong’s?

Well, that’s true, but it’s obvious your strength isn’t on par either, right?

“Forget it, Changkong. Don’t bother with him—he’s just a snob.”

Yun Qing spat, worried that Jiang Changkong might feel uneasy and run over to chop Anding Bang to death.

Jiang Changkong waved his hand and said, “It’s fine. I only kept him alive because I wanted to meet that so-called genius from the major province.”

Li Changtian, I didn’tt expect you to come here.

You left without saying goodbye last time and took off early, but let’s see how many Star Stones you bring this time.

“Let’s continue cooking. Assistant Xu, please entertain Changkong,” Yun Qing said.

Xu Qian nodded and invited him inside to continue enjoying tea.

After taking a sip of tea and setting down her cup, Xu Qian said, “Li Changtian suddenly got in touch with the Heng family these past few days, so his family is paying a bit more attention to him now.”

“Oh,” Jiang Changkong responded indifferently, showing little reaction.

“You made the right choice earlier. If you had really killed him and provoked Li Changtian, it wouldn’t just involve the Li family—it would also drag in the Heng family.”

Xu Qian continued, “At that point, even Professor Yun wouldn’t be able to help you. You’d have no choice but to join the military and seek out Uncle An.”

“Is that why An Yuanshan left early?”

Jiang Changkong smiled faintly. So An Yuanshan had that idea too.

Xu Qian nodded. “Even though you didn’t kill Anding Bang, you’ve still made an enemy. He’ll likely invite Li Changtian here.”

“That would be even better,” Jiang Changkong chuckled, changing the subject. “By the way, do you know about what happened recently in the Starlight Distortion Land?”

“I do. Are you going to tell me how impressive you were back then?” Xu Qian said with an expression that suggested she had already guessed.

“No, I wanted to ask who those dozen or so slots originally belonged to. As the president of the Martial Arts Association, Anding Bang should have had slots. Did he sell them back then?”

Jiang Changkong voiced the question on his mind.

Xu Qian nodded. “He did. He had two slots, and he sold both of them for a thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones each.”

“What about the Star Stones? Do people from Pingan City not like carrying them around?” Jiang Changkong frowned. Could they have hidden them?

“They were offered as tribute to Li Changtian.”

Xu Qian explained, “Among those who sold their slots, aside from a few exceptions, most wanted to climb higher. So, they tried every means to get in touch with geniuses from the major provinces.”

Jiang Changkong: “”

The major provinces really know how to play this game.

First, I use Star Stones to buy your slot, and then you offer those Star Stones back to me as tribute.

Isn’t that just taking them for free?

Well, not exactly free. Even with the Star Stones, they might not necessarily offer them to the genius who bought the slots.

They could offer them to the major power they want to join, thereby gaining entry.

I’ve learned something. Once my own strength improves, maybe I can play this game too.

Jiang Changkong dropped the topic: “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Are you going back tomorrow, or staying here?”

“I plan to stay here with Yun Qing and the others. Do you need something?” Xu Qian asked.

“Yes, I need to meet that friend to inform him about the cold pond. I’ll be back as soon as tomorrow, or it might take two or three days.”

“Can’t you just call him?”

“He doesn’t use phones, only prefers face-to-face discussions.”