Chapter 192: Mid-Stage Star Spirit

Heng Xueyue was straightforward and handed over the Star Stones.

Jiang Changkong accepted them all—six thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones, amounting to 180,000 units of Essence.

It was enough for him to advance the remaining four martial arts to the Minor Achievement stage.

After upgrading, he should be able to firmly suppress Heng Xueyue. As for completely overwhelming her, he wasn’t sure if that was possible.

If Heng Xueyue didn’t have any other powerful methods, he should be able to defeat her easily.

“You’re very strong. Consider this my request for your help,” Heng Xueyue said.

Since his strength was sufficient and she couldn’t force him, she could only change her approach to an invitation.

“No, I’m not interested,” Jiang Changkong waved his hand dismissively.

“There will be more Star Stones afterward, and you might not be able to stay out of this either,” Heng Xueyue said.

“What, are you trying to drag me into this?” Jiang Changkong said coldly.

“In every generation, there are those who like to use illegal means to eliminate their competitors.”

Heng Xueyue spoke calmly, “Those who targeted me this time might very well target you too.”

“Do other geniuses from major factions face the same kind of trouble?” Jiang Changkong raised an eyebrow.

“Unless they hide and never show themselves, it’s unavoidable.”

Heng Xueyue said coolly, “In the previous generation, there were geniuses who fell, killed by those people.”

“Haven’t your major factions figured out who they are?” Jiang Changkong frowned. “Is it some major faction?”

“It’s unclear. Many have been killed, but they haven’t been eradicated. With your talent, they won’t let you go.”

Heng Xueyue said indifferently, “They replicated your weapon, clearly intending to pit you and me against each other, making us fight to the death.”

Jiang Changkong fell into thought. What Heng Xueyue said was right—the other party clearly wanted to drag him into this Vortex.

Even if he wanted to avoid it, it would be impossible.

“I won’t show myself, but I can have Changkong help you,” Jiang Changkong said flatly.

“Jiang Changkong? He’s weaker than you. Does he have the ability?” Heng Xueyue frowned slightly.

“That’s just his modesty. In a real fight, I might not be his match,” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

“Fine. Afterward, I’ll give you another six thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones.”

Heng Xueyue thought for a moment and nodded. “What do you plan to do?”

“Nothing. Changkong will compete for the mineral vein. If anyone shows up, he’ll just cut them down.”

Jiang Changkong said, “If the other party truly intends to kill you and me, they’ll make another move.”

Heng Xueyue nodded. Jiang Changkong then recounted his encounter with the black-clothed figure at the Taiyin Cold Pool.

“In that case, I don’t need to stay at the Taiyin Cold Pool either. I’ll join the fray and compete for the mineral vein.”

Heng Xueyue said, pausing briefly before continuing, “But you must agree to one more thing: after this, accompany me into the cold pool to retrieve the treasure.”

“You sure have a lot of conditions. The Star Stones are too few,” Jiang Changkong said discontentedly.

“This concerns both of us. If we don’t cooperate, you’ll have to act anyway,” Heng Xueyue said coolly. She wasn’t a fool either.

“Fine, it’s settled then. I’ll take my leave first.” Jiang Changkong soared into the air, transforming into a streak of moonlight as he departed.

Heng Xueyue: “…”

Couldn’t you at least take me with you, you jerk!

Jiang Changkong had no interest in taking her along. He flew directly to an uninhabited area and began his enhancement.

The 180,000 units of Essence were just enough to advance the four martial arts to the Minor Achievement stage.

With the four martial arts upgraded, Jiang Changkong’s Star Gate solidified further.

By the time he reached Star Spirit Peak, the Star Gate would fully materialize.

The Star Power within his body grew stronger, more refined, and underwent a transformative enhancement.

Vajra Indestructibility reached Minor Achievement. Attacks from early-stage Star Spirits could be completely ignored—he could stand still and take them without issue.

Of course, exceptions like Heng Xueyue, that little freak, exist—their strength cannot be measured by realm alone.

At the mid-stage of Star Spirit, he had already developed some characteristics unique to Stellar Body Martial Artists.

If not for him, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was invincible among his peers.

But now, aside from him, who would dare claim invincibility within the same realm?

The Power Runes within his body, his pure physical strength, were all growing stronger, and Jiang Changkong’s self-healing ability improved along with them.

Beyond these, the fusion between his Star Power and soul deepened even further.

Feeling his strength rise, Jiang Changkong estimated the gap compared to before.

He could easily overpower his previous self, and as for when he was at the early stage of Star Spirit, he could even achieve an instant kill.

Dealing with ordinary Star Spirit Peak-level opponents wouldn’t be a problem, but he was still somewhat lacking against freaks like Heng Xueyue at the Star Spirit Peak level.

“By this calculation, although I’m stronger than freaks at the same level, I haven’t reached the point of completely ignoring them.

I just don’t know whether Heng Xueyue’s specific strength is at the limit of the mid-stage Star Spirit or if she has just recently entered it.”

Jiang Changkong pondered. He could easily defeat Heng Xueyue, but if there were many like her, he certainly wouldn’t be a match.

To disregard numbers and overpower a group of freaks, there were two methods.

Either learn new martial arts to see if his Star Power could still increase.

Or, raise his own realm to overpower them.

Both methods were quite difficult.

As for new martial arts, he didn’t know what to learn anymore.

For defense, he had the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art; for offense, he had blades and swords; for dispersing force, he had Taiji.

After all this calculation, it seemed he was lacking in powerful palm and leg techniques?

Although Taiji Fist counted as a fist technique, at his current level of mastery, dispersing force was clearly its greatest function.

“Forget it, I’ll think about it later. If I encounter something suitable, I’ll make up for my weaknesses—of course, provided I have enough Essence.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head. His progress was already slow enough; he didn’t want to learn any martial arts unless they were exceptionally good.

Jiang Changkong: Mid-stage Star Spirit

Mid-Grade Upper-Tier Martial Arts:

Indestructible Diamond Divine Art: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Mystical Tai Chi Art: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Three Blades of the Fleeting Swan: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Blazing Sun Art: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Spirit Control Art: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Cold Moon Art: Minor Mastery: 1/225,000

Essence: 17,153

“It’s time to go to the research institute.”

After checking his own data, Jiang Changkong soared through the air toward the institute.

As soon as he arrived, the main gate opened.

Professor Yun took out some Star Stones and casually tossed them to him: “They’re ready. If you want to know about the Sin Domain, I advise you to save them.”

“That works.” Jiang Changkong thought for a moment and decided not to extract the Essence.

Now that he knew a bit about the Sin Domain, he had some ideas.

A herd of fat pigs carrying countless Star Stones—who wouldn’t want to snatch a few?

Judging by Professor Yun’s words, Star Stones might be needed later, so it was better to save them.

Of course, he would use them when necessary.

“How did it go?” Professor Yun asked.

“As you expected, Heng Xueyue was there. I’ve already spoken with her, and she’ll come out tomorrow,” Jiang Changkong replied.

Professor Yun nodded: “I won’t pry into matters between you two, just don’t involve the institute.”

“Of course,” Jiang Changkong said, then paused and asked, “Any news about Xu Hengzhi’s situation?”

“All the information is here,” Tang Ruoxi brought over a phone and handed it to him.

Jiang Changkong examined the information. Xu Xinghe had not lied; in fact, Professor Yun had uncovered things even he was unaware of.

“Someone deliberately provoked Xu Hengzhi, pushing him to commit a crime?” Jiang Changkong looked at the documents, his expression one of astonishment.

Xu Hengzhi had initially believed his son’s death was accidental, but someone had informed him it was intentional murder—though without evidence.

Then, with all the incitement and provocation, how could Xu Hengzhi possibly hold back?

He took matters into his own hands, exacting swift vengeance, only to be thrown into the Sin Domain afterward.

Professor Yun remained calm. “It wasn’t just him. Yun Bugui isn’t that foolish either. It’s just that the other party acted covertly, making it impossible to trace exactly who was behind it.”

Jiang Changkong set down his phone. Why would someone do this? Could it be that there weren’t enough “fat pigs” in the Sin Domain, and they needed to raise more?

If that were the case, then the Federation, the major factions…

That couldn’t be right. If so, the Federation would be far too corrupt—who could ever rise above it?

Seeing the change in Jiang Changkong’s expression, Professor Yun seemed to guess his thoughts. “This matter is difficult to investigate. Even people from major factions have been ensnared before.”

“They dare to target people from major factions?” Jiang Changkong asked, shocked.

Professor Yun shook her head and said nothing more.