Chapter 179: Star Crystal

Heng Yongxing and the other two, Professor Yun, and now Jiang Changkong as well.

Jiang Changkong took out the Star Stone and Cold Stone: “Troubling you, Professor Yun. Please help me process these as well.”

Professor Yun nodded: “How about this—ask your friend to capture a Taiyin Star Demon for me.”

“What price is Professor Yun offering?” Jiang Changkong asked with a smile.

“One hundred Star Stones of the same rank,” Professor Yun replied.

“Then forget it,” Jiang Changkong shook his head. “There’s more than one Taiyin Star Demon at the mid-stage Star Spirit level inside.”

Capture a mid-stage Star Spirit? That’s dangerous. The Star Hidden Level ones are just as risky.

With that time, I could save someone and ask for their Star Stones instead—much easier.

“Forget it then,” Professor Yun shook her head.

Heng Yongxing smiled faintly: “Changkong, since you like Star Stones so much, I’ll give you some. How about helping me instead?”

“A mineral vein holds greater value,” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

Heng Yongxing shook his head helplessly, wanting to say that Jiang Changkong was a bit too greedy.

This large mineral vein was indeed more valuable, but could he handle it?

If he couldn’t, he’d end up with nothing!

“All three families are looking for you. I inquired, and there’s a late-stage Star Spirit among them,” Li Changtian said gravely. “Now that you’re here, you’ve likely already been discovered.”

“So what?” Jiang Changkong replied carelessly.

Li Changtian frowned: “This isn’t inside the city. If they follow you, it’s entirely possible they’ll directly try to kill you.”

“I’ll be careful,” Jiang Changkong thought for a moment but refrained from saying anything too harsh.

His current “Essence, Qi, and Spirit”—even including what he exchanged with Professor Yun this time—was just over five hundred thousand.

Still short by more than a million, and with his own strength not yet improved, speaking harshly still felt a bit lacking in confidence.

“Be careful yourself,” Tang Ruoxi said with concern.

Jiang Changkong nodded: “You be careful too. I’m worried you might get dragged into this.”

“Ruoxi is my assistant, an official member of the Federation,” Professor Yun said sternly, brimming with confidence. “Whoever dares touch my people, I’ll blow their home to pieces.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Alright, you’re impressive.

“Hello?”

Heng Yongxing’s phone rang, and he answered respectfully: “Third Uncle, what’s the matter?”

Everyone glanced over, and the call ended abruptly.

Heng Yongxing looked at his phone, where a new text message had arrived. His expression immediately changed drastically: “Everyone, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell.”

“What’s going on?” Li Changtian wondered.

“Aren’t you close with him? Chase after him and ask, and you’ll know,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

“Forget it, we’re not close now,” Li Changtian shook his head, turning his gaze to Anding Bang with a serious expression: “Now, tell me—are you following Heng Yongxing, or are you following me?”

Anding Bang: “…”

What sin have I committed? Is it so hard to cling to a powerful ally?

Originally, you two were on good terms, and I had two powerful allies at once—how perfect.

Now, you two are competing, forcing me to choose one?

Jiang Changkong couldn’t be bothered with these three and turned to Professor Yun:

“Professor Yun, I wonder if I could take a look at your collection?”

“I only brought part of my collection. I’ll take you to see it.”

Professor Yun clearly didn’t want to get involved in Anding Bang’s affairs either and immediately stood up, leading Jiang Changkong away.

Tang Ruoxi followed as well, and the three entered a narrow room.

Inside were various ores, some instruments, potions, and fragments of weapons.

There were also some books, incomplete martial arts manuals, and stones carved with mysterious tadpole-like characters.

“Professor Yun, do you recognize the characters on these stones?” Jiang Changkong pointed at the tadpole script and asked.

Professor Yun smiled and said, “It’s a required course for professors. The Federation calls it ancient Star Script. Interested in learning?”

“Yes. Last time I encountered a Star Stele, I couldn’t recognize a single character. I don’t want to be in that situation again.”

Jiang Changkong gave a bitter laugh and said, “Being illiterate is terrifying.”

“Ruoxi is also learning. You shouldn’t leave during this period; stay and study together,” Professor Yun suggested.

“I’m afraid I can’t stay during this time. I’ll wait until after the mineral vein competition, or maybe steal some free moments when busy.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head. He understood Professor Yun’s intention.

She wanted him to learn this script so he wouldn’t get involved and, by staying here, also avoid the investigations by the three families.

However, he couldn’t stay idle. He also needed Essence, Qi, and Spirit and couldn’t just hide away here.

“Suit yourself then.” Professor Yun glanced at Tang Ruoxi and didn’t press further.

She had spoken up mainly out of consideration for Tang Ruoxi.

“Professor Yun, what is this thing?”

Jiang Changkong spotted a sparkling stone, his eyes flashing with a hint of fervor.

Essence, Qi, and Spirit: 10,000. Extract?

Ten thousand Essence, Qi, and Spirit. The stone was irregular, only the size of a baby’s fist. He could only sense a faint trace of Star Power.

But this faint trace felt strange, as if this single wisp could match the Star Power from one of his martial arts cultivation sessions.

“This is a Star Crystal.” Professor Yun picked up the sparkling stone. “Although it’s only the lowest grade, it still cost me a great deal of effort to obtain.”

“Star Crystal!”

Jiang Changkong’s eyes gleamed. He had heard Li Changtian mention it before—a treasure used by High-Rank Martial Artists for cultivation.

The lowest grade? Reduced tenfold, this would be equivalent to a seventh-grade low-tier Star Stone.

“Where does this Star Crystal come from? Is it from a High-Rank Star Demon’s Star Stone?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Star Crystals should also be considered a type of ore, originating from Star Crystal Veins.”

Professor Yun pondered and said, “But I can’t tell you the specific source. Only High-Rank Martial Artists or professors like us in research institutes have access to that information.”

At this point, she paused. “If you want to know, you can join the military and ask An Yuanshan.”

“He knows?” Jiang Changkong asked in surprise. That early-stage Star Spirit?

“I won’t say more. It’s a pity I only have this one Star Crystal. If I had more, I wouldn’t mind giving you one.”

Professor Yun put away the Star Crystal and carefully returned it to its place.

“Star Crystal Veins, huh? Thank you, Professor Yun.”

Jiang Changkong cupped his hands in gratitude. Since it came from mineral veins, he would just need to keep an eye out for them later.

Only High-Rank Martial Artists could access them. He needed to become a High-Rank Martial Artist as soon as possible.

He looked at the other items—some potions also contained Essence, Qi, and Spirit, but the amounts were small, and they were exorbitantly expensive.

After touring Professor Yun’s collection, the three of them stepped out. Jiang Changkong cupped his hands and said,

“I’ve disturbed Professor Yun for so long. It’s time for me to leave.”

“It’s so late now. Leave tomorrow,” Professor Yun suggested.

“Daytime is too crowded and troublesome. It’s better to leave now,” Jiang Changkong replied.

“The three families definitely have surveillance nearby. With the night so dark, you’d be in great danger if you go out now,” Professor Yun warned.

Tang Ruoxi also looked worried. “Changkong, please don’t go out.”

“I can handle my own protection, thank you for your concern, Professor Yun. Once this matter is settled, I will discuss a business deal with you.”

Jiang Changkong clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, determined to leave.

Professor Yun remained silent for a moment before sighing, “Very well, you truly are stubborn. This battle armor is of the sixth-tier, high-grade quality—it should be sufficient for you to handle the situation.”

“Thank you.” This time, Jiang Changkong did not decline.

“But you must promise not to use it to compete for the mineral vein—only for self-defense,” Professor Yun said sternly.

If he were to use this armor to vie for the mineral vein, it would imply the research institute’s involvement.

“Rest assured, Professor Yun, I will not cause trouble for the institute.”

Jiang Changkong gave his assurance. The only reason he accepted the armor was to ease Tang Ruoxi’s worries.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would not use the armor. With his strength at the Star Spirit late stage, no one could keep him here.