Chapter 19: Vice Principal, You Have to Take Our Side

Zhou Wen had been good to him, and their relationship was quite close.

Now that she was in trouble, and he had the strength to help, he naturally had to step in.

If he were still at the mid to late stage of Star Qi, he would only have notified Ji Ziling.

But now, at the peak of Star Qi, capable of easily defeating two seniors at the early Star Cloud stage, he had the strength.

They could only hold on for six hours, and he had no time to waste.

Ji Ziling’s strength surpassed his, and she would catch up quickly.

Arriving at the city gate, aside from the alloy steel door, there was also a layer of golden light guarding it.

Two men clad in armor, gripping long swords, stood rigidly in place.

“Hold on.”

Jiang Changkong had just arrived when he was stopped: “It’s so late, you’re heading out of the city?”

It was around four in the morning, and the sky was dark.

“I’m a student of the Martial Arts School. My classmates are in danger outside, and I need to go out.”

Jiang Changkong took out his temporary student ID and said.

“Just you alone?” The two frowned.

“My senior sisters are behind, packing up. I’m going ahead first.” Jiang Changkong urged anxiously: “Please step aside.”

“Except for Star Sea Martial Artists, everyone must leave the city in a team of at least four.”

The two frowned and said: “How about this, we can arrange three soldiers for you, but half of the gains must be shared.”

“What if there’s danger?”

Jiang Changkong was taken aback—was there such a good deal?

“You must follow orders and not act recklessly. If there’s danger, it’s our responsibility,” one of them said.

“I need to go here, within six hours.” Jiang Changkong took out his phone.

Having companions to go with was exactly what he wanted.

“No problem, the distance isn’t too far.”

One of them finished speaking, pulled out his phone, made a call, and requested three people to come over.

Not long after, a black off-road vehicle drove up and stopped at the gate.

Three burly men, clad in armor and holding long swords, got out of the vehicle.

“Based on what you’ve described, you can request support from a small team, but the cost is all the gains from you and the rescue target, and it must be during the day.”

The two added.

“No need, just these three will do.”

Jiang Changkong quickly walked away: “Gentlemen, there’s no time to waste. Let’s go.”

He couldn’t decide on all the gains from the rescue target.

Moreover, after Ji Ziling saw the message, she should bring people to help. What he needed to do was contribute his part.

The three burly men nodded: “Get in the car.”

Jiang Changkong swiftly got into the car and sat in the passenger seat.

The burly man driving said: “I’m Liu Feng. These two are Zhang Mo and Xiao Hu, all at the peak of Star Qi.”

“Jiang Changkong, peak of Star Qi.”

Jiang Changkong looked at the dark night sky ahead and said.

The world outside the city was pitch black, and the ground was full of potholes, far from smooth.

“Let’s make it clear: half of my gains go to you, but my friend’s share cannot be touched.” Jiang Changkong stated.

“Don’t worry, we have professional integrity.”

Liu Feng said solemnly, then added: “If you weren’t from the Martial Arts School, we wouldn’t even come.

But you must guarantee that your classmates will come. We won’t risk our lives for nothing.”

“They will definitely come. Everything depends on you.” Jiang Changkong said firmly.

This was also a favor to the student, given out of respect for the school.

For ordinary Martial Artists, even if they tagged along, the price would likely be more than half, and they might not give their all.

As for school support, Ji Ziling’s friend Ying Yanxue was also there, so they would definitely head over.

The three nodded, holding their phones to check the route.

Liu Feng said, “From now on, you’ll follow our lead. We’re familiar with this area, so I hope you understand.”

Jiang Changkong replied, “As long as we can get there within six hours, the sooner the better.”

Liu Feng said no more and continued driving, while Zhang Mo and Xiao Hu remained silent, quietly gazing out the window.

Not long after the silence, Liu Feng spoke again: “Xiao Hu, brief him on the precautions for outside.”

“Switch your phone to silent mode and dim the screen to the lowest setting.”

Xiao Hu said calmly, “Once we get out, don’t wander off. If you encounter anything, don’t touch it without permission…”

Jiang Changkong listened carefully, committing each point to memory.

Many things outside were dangerous. Some poisonous insects were highly toxic, capable of killing even those at the Star Cloud level.

Additionally, some Star Demons were highly sensitive to sound and light.

Even a slightly louder noise or a slightly brighter light could attract Star Demons.

Out there, physical stamina was crucial. You had to ensure you were always capable of fighting.

In a situation where both sides suffered heavy losses, even if you could defeat a Star Demon, it was better to retreat.

You could never be sure if other Star Demons might appear.

Then there was the issue of supplies. Some Star Demons were inedible, so food was important, and so was fresh water.

After that came various detailed precautions.

The off-road vehicle sped along and came to a stop in less than half an hour.

Jiang Changkong had been keeping an eye on the route on his phone. They still had two-thirds of the distance left to their destination.

He glanced out the window. The sky was still dark, but there were faint outlines of buildings.

“This is a supply point. We’ll gather our supplies and set off immediately.”

Liu Feng got out of the car and said, “You came empty-handed, so I assume you haven’t been out here much?”

“I’ve been here twice with my senior sister.”

Jiang Changkong replied calmly. If he said he’d never been here before, these three would likely be shocked. “I came in a hurry and forgot to bring a weapon.”

“There are no spare weapons here. From now on, be careful. When the time comes, we’ll cut off a Star Demon’s claw for you to use as a weapon.”

As he spoke, Liu Feng had already entered the cluster of buildings. “Wait here. I’ll go get the supplies.”

Only then did Jiang Changkong notice that the buildings were protected by a faint blue barrier.

Zhang Mo and Xiao Hu stood to the side, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

Before long, Liu Feng returned with four backpacks and tossed three of them to them.

Jiang Changkong slung the backpack over his shoulders. It wasn’t heavy and wouldn’t hinder his combat ability.

“Inside are some clothes, water, and flatbread. Let’s go.”

Liu Feng tightened his grip on his sword and led them forward.

…

At the Martial Arts School, Li Qiuchuan couldn’t find Ji Ziling. She wasn’t at the iron tower.

In the school office, Ji Ziling sat obediently on the sofa, eyes downcast, focused and composed.

“Quite clever, aren’t you? If I hadn’t received a report, I wouldn’t have known you were so capable.”

A middle-aged man glared at Ji Ziling. “Tell me, where did those Star Stones go?”

“I used them up.”

Ji Ziling shrugged and said, “Uncle…”

“Call me Vice-Principal Chen Hua.” The middle-aged man said sternly. “By guiding them like this, if they’re not strong enough to face Star Demons in the future, they’ll only end up dead.”

“Even if they fail, they’ll still be forced to take the college entrance exam.” Ji Ziling said indifferently. “It’s a fair trade.”

“You…”

Chen Hua snorted coldly. “That person from the one-year and two-year exams is also connected to you, isn’t he?”

“Are you going to cause trouble for him?” Ji Ziling’s expression changed slightly.

“Willfully breaking the rules, how could I not punish him?” Chen Hua said with a cold expression. “At the very least, he should make restitution. He must have used up quite a bit by now, right?”

“Excellent.” Ji Ziling clapped her hands. “I support you.”

“Don’t think this will make me go easy on the punishment.”

Chen Hua snorted. “Your little tricks won’t work on me.”

“I genuinely support you.”

Ji Ziling replied indifferently, “It’s even better if you punish him. That way, I can persuade him to join Kexiang.”

“You dare encourage him to betray his school?” Chen Hua glared at her angrily. “Ji Ziling, don’t push your luck!”

Ji Ziling rolled her eyes. “Push my luck? Betray his school? He’s not even enrolled in a Martial Arts School. What betrayal are you talking about?”

Chen Hua was taken aback. “He’s not from a Martial Arts School?”

“He hasn’t joined any school yet.”

“Then how does he have peak stellar qi cultivation?”

“He trained in Iron Shirt.”

Chen Hua: “…”

Are you kidding me? Basic Iron Shirt, cultivated to peak stellar qi?

Thud

Just then, the office door was pushed open abruptly.

Two bloodstained figures stumbled in, crying out in distress, “Vice Principal, you must stand up for us!”

“What happened to you? Who did this?” Chen Hua’s expression changed as he quickly asked.

“There’s been an issue with the recent Simulation Exam. We were investigating and got beaten up by that person,” the two said simultaneously.

“What’s that person’s strength?”

“Well…”

They hesitated, their faces showing a hint of embarrassment.

Ji Ziling’s expression shifted slightly with surprise as she asked uncertainly, “Could it be… peak stellar qi?”

The two looked even more ashamed, remaining silent as they tacitly confirmed it.

Ji Ziling was momentarily stunned. Jiang Changkong beat them both?

“It’s not that we’re weak. It’s his body—there’s something off about it. Our First Tier Top Grade weapons couldn’t even pierce his defense,” they lamented, their faces full of misery.

That defense was stronger than alloy steel plates. Who could withstand that?

Chen Hua: “…”

Iron Shirt, cultivated to such a level?