Chapter 168: The Living Return, the Defeated Are Buried

On the stage, a light rain misted the air.

Lin Yunwang’s aged face was filled with coldness. “You dare not admit what you did yourself?”

“Killing a group of evildoers is what a Martial Artist should do. As for you, old fool, for slandering my reputation like this, this President will not hold back later.”

Jiang Changkong stepped onto the stage, a mighty surge of energy erupting, shaking the platform incessantly.

“You have a reputation?” Lin Yunwang sneered. “Fabricating charges, exterminating the entire Chu family, casually killing members of my Lin family and the Jin family—you truly deserve to die!”

“Enough nonsense. Did you bring the thousand Star Stones?” Jiang Changkong said coldly.

“They are right here. You may inspect them. If you have the skill, step over this old man’s corpse and take them all.” Lin Yunwang replied icily.

A Hidden Star Ring appeared, tossed toward Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong caught the Hidden Star Ring, feeling it slightly slippery, likely due to its material, but paid it no mind.

Infusing it with Star Power, he found it contained a thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones.

“Good. Earlier, you accused me of bullying Anding Bang. This time, the items will be entrusted to him, and the victor may reclaim them.”

Jiang Changkong glanced at Anding Bang and spoke indifferently.

“No need to trouble President An. I have already troubled an old friend.” Lin Yunwang said calmly.

“Hmm?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“It is I.”

An elderly man emerged from the crowd and stepped onto the stage, his body hunched, wrinkles layered on his face. “I am Yuntian Mountain.”

“Yuntian Mountain, it’s actually him?” The crowd immediately stirred.

“Back then, the Yun family was at its peak, said to surpass any force in Anding Province.”

“Indeed. At that time, the Yun family wouldn’t even give face to major forces from the Major Provinces.”

“What a pity. That scoundrel from the Yun family committed atrocities, leading to the family’s decline.”

The onlookers murmured among themselves, their gazes filled with shock and pity as they looked at the hunched old man.

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly and was about to speak when Yuntian Mountain said, “President Jiang may inquire about my, Yuntian Mountain’s, credibility.”

“Old Master Yuntian Mountain of Jianghai, his word is as good as gold. He has never broken a promise.”

“Exactly. Our Anding Province does not bully those from smaller provinces. You can inquire freely about the old master’s reputation.”

“I trust Old Master Yun.” Anding Bang also spoke up.

Seeing this, Jiang Changkong could only toss the Hidden Star Ring over. “I’ll trouble you.”

Yuntian Mountain accepted the Hidden Star Ring and retreated from the stage.

Only two remained on the stage. Jiang Changkong raised a hand, and a long blade appeared in his grasp.

Lin Yunwang’s expression turned grave, his right hand gripping a long sword.

“Out of respect for your age, you may strike first.” Jiang Changkong said impassively.

Lin Yunwang’s aged cheeks twitched as he said in a low voice, “This move of mine requires charging. Do you dare to receive it?”

“This President permits it.”

Jiang Changkong stood with his hands behind his back, the long blade floating quietly beside him.

“Hah!”

Lin Yunwang let out a low shout, like a muffled thunderclap, as a surge of immense Star Power erupted from his body, shooting straight into the sky.

Among the crowd, Heng Yongxing had also arrived, his gaze puzzled. “Is this charging? This is clearly releasing Star Power.”

“The Lin family has such a charging technique? Why have I never heard of it?” Li Changtian asked curiously.

Anding Bang shook his head. “I don’t know either. That old thing is treacherous. Jiang Changkong might suffer a loss.”

“Suffering a loss might be good for him. That guy is too arrogant.” Li Changtian said with mixed emotions. “You don’t know how domineering he was in the Twisted Lands. I couldn’t stand it.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained indifferent. Although he had told Lin Yunwang to make the first move, he did not let his guard down.

The Star Power within his body was already prepared, ready to erupt in an instant.

Boom!

Suddenly, thunder roared across the sky, and lightning crisscrossed the heavens.

Dark clouds churned, and the light drizzle transformed into a torrential downpour.

The sky darkened, a fierce wind blew, and the temperature around them plummeted rapidly.

“Not good! That old man is truly despicable—he was waiting for the heavy rain,” Anding Bang exclaimed, unable to hold back his words.

“That old bastard must have checked the weather forecast,” Heng Yongxing couldn’t help but curse as well.

Li Changtian pulled out his phone and glanced at it. “It really is a thunderstorm today. Combined with his water-attribute Star Power as a catalyst, it will inevitably suppress Jiang Changkong’s Blazing Sun Star Power.”

The observing Martial Artists wore grave expressions. Many of them knew of Lin Yunwang’s underhandedness, but no one spoke up.

Although Lin Yunwang was seeking revenge, he was still a member of Anding Province—one of their own.

As for Jiang Changkong, due to Lin Yunwang’s earlier words, this group held little goodwill toward him.

“Take this move, President Jiang. Be careful!”

Lin Yunwang shouted sharply. The torrential rain, drawn by his Star Power, surged like a roaring river, covering the entire arena.

The heavy rain converged, guided by his Star Power, forming a massive sword beam.

“I have long heard of Elder Lin’s shamelessness, but only today have I witnessed it firsthand.”

Jiang Changkong spoke calmly as the Blazing Sun Star Power within him surged forth. Waves of scorching heat radiated, instantly evaporating the rain around him.

However, with the thunder rolling across the sky, the pouring rain, and Lin Yunwang’s Star Power, his Blazing Sun Star Power dimmed slightly.

“Pay with your life for my Lin family disciples!”

With a fierce shout, Lin Yunwang manipulated the massive sword beam, drawing in the rain from the sky, and slashed downward.

“You underestimate me too much, President.”

Jiang Changkong uttered calmly as the Star Power within him erupted once more.

At this moment, all his Star Power had transformed into Blazing Sun Power.

Terrifying Blazing Sun Power swept across the entire arena. The heavy rain evaporated, and the observing Martial Artists paled, frantically retreating.

“How is this possible? Just how strong is Jiang Changkong?” Li Changtian widened his eyes in disbelief.

Heng Yongxing narrowed his eyes. “He is infinitely close to the late stage. This man’s power far exceeds my expectations.”

Boom!

Boundless starlight, radiant and golden, swept through the area. Wherever the terrifying Blazing Sun Power reached, all rain vanished without a trace!

“Blazing Sun.”

Jiang Changkong uttered softly. His long blade swept out, gathering immeasurable Blazing Sun energy as he unleashed a Blazing Sun Blade.

Boom!

The Blazing Sun Blade beam clashed with the Water Sword beam.

An earth-shattering explosion erupted, and boundless shockwaves surged outward, forcing the Martial Artists below to retreat hastily.

The arena shattered instantly, countless stones flying in all directions.

Splat!

Blood sprayed, and Star Power surged. Lin Yunwang flew backward like a broken sack.

Thud!

He crashed heavily to the ground, his sword-wielding right hand bleeding profusely. His aged face was filled with terror.

As the Star Power dissipated, a great sun hovered in the air, casting countless golden rays. Jiang Changkong stood beneath the sun, bathed in golden light.

Wherever the golden light passed, the dark sky brightened, piercing through the clouds above.

“In the face of true strength, your cunning is pitifully fragile.”

Jiang Changkong spoke calmly. His long blade trembled, and the blazing sun above his head transformed into a crimson sunset. “One blade, Sunset.”

“You…”

Lin Yunwang’s face twisted with terror, his heart filled with dread. “I surrender. You win—”

“Since this is a life-and-death battle, the victor lives, and the defeated is buried.”

Jiang Changkong spoke coldly, and the Sunset Blade descended, instantly engulfing Lin Yunwang.

“This…” The people below were shaken in expression—killed just like that?

Anding Bang and the other two were also stunned—was it over just like that?

Lin Yunwang had checked the weather forecast, summoned heavy rain to suppress him, and yet he was cut down in just two strikes?

“Didn’t you say he was going to suffer a minor setback?” Li Changtian said gloomily. He wanted to see Jiang Changkong stumble, even if only once.

Anding Bang: “…”

Who knew he was this terrifying? At first, he was suppressed a bit, but after erupting, that terrifying Blazing Sun Star Power—wasn’t it Lin Yunwang who ended up suppressed?