Chapter 196: Worst Case, We'll Force a Path Through

Outside the simple stone house, a long table was set, large enough to seat over a dozen people.

The table was laden with fine food and good wine.

Yao Meng, Nantian Pang, Heng Xueyue, Li Changtian, Ji Chengming.

The five major forces of the Major Province had invited all the powers of Anding Province to discuss the competition for the mineral vein.

Martial Artists arrived one after another—some with graying hair, others middle-aged in their forties or fifties.

Without exception, all of them were at the Star Spirit Peak.

Thirteen in total, representing the strongest forces in Anding Province.

Perhaps there were other Star Spirit Peak experts who hadn’t come, but their influence was certainly inferior to these.

Heng Yongxing stood to the side and said, “Of the thirteen forces in Anding Province, including our five families, only Jiang Changkong from Jianghai has yet to arrive.”

“All those who should come from the Major Province are here…”

“Wait, how could you leave us out?”

Five voices rang out as several more people arrived together, their auras robust and their Star Power vast.

Star Spirit Peak!

“People from the Martial Arts Association?” Yao Meng’s gaze sharpened. “Your association head didn’t come, so they sent you instead.”

“An ordinary person isn’t worth our association head taking action personally.”

A young man spoke with an arrogant expression. “As for the Heng family, with Heng Xueyue personally stepping in, does that mean the Heng family has no one else?”

“Think before you speak, or you might die here,” Heng Xueyue said coldly.

“People from Shengjin? The Jin family was recently wiped out. Be careful,” an old man sneered, his gaze fixed on a young man.

“We’ll settle accounts when the time comes,” the young man replied indifferently. “Let’s discuss the mineral vein competition first.”

“Right, let’s clarify the rules for the mineral vein competition first. After that, settle old scores and grudges as you please.”

Yao Meng said calmly.

Thirteen local Martial Artists from Anding Province, all at Star Spirit Peak.

Five outsiders from the Martial Arts Association, also at Star Spirit Peak.

Yao Meng and the other four major forces had six Star Spirit Peak experts, with Heng Xueyue making the extra.

Compared to the others, Heng Xueyue’s presence seemed out of place, as if she were here to bully the weak.

“As for this mineral vein competition…”

“Brother, not everyone has arrived yet. Jiang Changkong from Jianghai is still missing,” Nantian Pang interrupted the speaker.

“Jiang Changkong? Whether he comes or not, a lone genius from a small province dares to interfere?”

The five Martial Arts Associations spoke in unison, their voices filled with disdain.

No one else spoke, but their gazes turned cold.

Jiang Changkong had just defeated Heng Xueyue. In a one-on-one fight, none of them were a match for him.

Before the competition began, no one wanted to antagonize Jiang Changkong.

Hum—

The evening sky suddenly blazed with light.

A blazing sun soared through the air, waves of scorching heat filling the area, startling everyone present.

The blazing sun descended, bringing immense pressure that left everyone in awe.

The golden light faded, the high temperatures vanished, and Jiang Changkong descended gracefully.

“Quite the grand entrance,” the Shengjin youth snorted coldly.

“You should be grateful that I, the association head, am not a bloodthirsty person.”

Jiang Changkong’s feet touched the ground. He glanced at the speaker but paid him no mind.

“Enough, it’s just six o’clock now. Association Head Jiang isn’t late.”

Yao Meng said calmly, checking the time. Jiang Changkong had arrived precisely on schedule.

“Everyone is here now. Let’s begin,” Heng Xueyue said impatiently.

Yao Meng nodded. “The purpose of this discussion is to explore a reasonable method for the competition to reduce bloodshed.”

“Miss Yao Meng, you’re not suggesting one-on-one duels, are you?”

An old man frowned.

If that’s the case, there’s no need to compete. Everyone should just go home, hole up in seclusion, and hand the mineral vein over to Jiang Changkong.

None of those present had any confidence they could defeat Heng Xueyue.

And Heng Xueyue had just been defeated by Jiang Changkong.

“Of course not,” Heng Xueyue snorted coldly, her voice clear and icy. “To contend for a mineral vein, besides one’s own strength, one must also possess the capability and channels to develop it.”

“Exactly. If one is alone, even if they obtain the mineral vein, can they mine it themselves?” someone immediately chimed in.

“With the mineral vein in hand, there will naturally be people to mine and develop it,” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

This little wench Heng Xueyue was clearly targeting him.

Or rather, the entire room was targeting him.

In a one-on-one fight, he could dominate everyone present. But when it came to subordinates, he truly couldn’t compare.

“That’s not how it works,” Heng Xueyue said coolly. “Numbers are also part of one’s strength. Do you mean to say that with your strength alone, you can take on all of us here?”

“Exactly. No matter how strong you are, Jiang Changkong, can you defeat all of us?” the crowd echoed in unison.

Once they banded together, they would be twenty-four Star Spirit Peak cultivators.

An old man spoke coldly, “Anding Province isn’t just the few of us. There are many old friends who simply couldn’t be bothered to come.”

Is it because their influence is lacking and they can’t compete?

Jiang Changkong sneered, his gaze icy. “Are you all planning to join forces to exclude me, the president? If so, you’d better be careful not to wander off alone.”

The crowd’s expressions changed, and they angrily retorted, “Jiang Changkong, what do you mean by that? We’re all here to discuss, yet you’re threatening us?”

If Jiang Changkong resorted to acting in secret, launching sneak attacks or assassinations, none of them were confident they could survive.

“I, Heng Xueyue, will be the first to oppose any underhanded actions!” she declared coldly, her gaze toward Jiang Changkong equally frigid. “Either President Jiang demonstrates the capability and sales channels to develop the vein, or he withdraws from the competition.”

“Go on. What other conditions are there?” Jiang Changkong asked calmly.

“To contend for the mineral vein, besides one’s own strength, one must also have the support of people from Anding Province. After all, once the competition is over, we won’t be able to stay here forever. With the support of Anding Province’s people, there won’t be troublemakers later on,” Heng Xueyue said indifferently. “I have already reached a cooperation agreement with President An of Pingan City.”

Although Heng Xueyue was being somewhat unreasonable, her words weren’t without merit.

If there were no one here, even if he established a city, these people could still cause trouble for him and seize the mineral vein’s profits.

He already had a plan for this, but the prerequisite was obtaining the mineral vein.

“Exactly, you must have the support of our Anding Province’s people,” the thirteen factions agreed.

“We also agree,” the five Martial Arts Associations concurred.

Jiang Changkong wore a cold smile. “After all this talk, it’s all about the conditions for contention. How exactly will the competition proceed?”

“Our five major factions have united as one, so our influence goes without saying,” Heng Xueyue said impassively. “If anyone can defeat all five of us in one go, we will naturally withdraw.”

“Our thirteen factions have already formed an alliance,” the thirteen Star Spirit Peak cultivators from Anding Province stated.

“Our five Martial Arts Associations stand together,” the five Star Spirits declared.

Jiang Changkong laughed, his eyes icy as he looked at them. “So, after all this, you’re just banding together to exclude me, the president?”

“President Jiang can also seek allies,” an old man said with a smile. “There are still many old friends in Anding Province who haven’t shown up. President Jiang can try to persuade them.”

“Then let me, the Guild Master, tell you one thing: this mineral vein can only belong to me!

Excuses like development, channels, or support from Anding Province—I won’t listen to such nonsense!”

Jiang Changkong’s expression turned cold as he swept his gaze over everyone present. “Anding Province borders Jianghai. I can carve out a path directly connecting Jianghai and Pingan City!”

Everyone: “…”

Are you insane?

Carving a path from Pingan City to Jianghai? Have you considered how massive such a project would be?

Have you thought about how many Star Demons infest the route?

“Continue with your alliance. I won’t be joining you!”

Jiang Changkong snorted coldly, soared into the air, and left the place.

What he had just said was merely to intimidate them, of course. But if pushed to the brink, he truly would carve out such a path.

At worst, he’d just slaughter all the Star Demons along the way. It should take a few months to manage, right?

Besides, once he secured the mineral vein and established his own city, his strength would soar once again.