Chapter 199: Heng Xuanqing

“This isn’t a private matter, and furthermore, the Heng family’s affairs will be resolved by the Heng family themselves!”

Heng Xueyue snorted coldly and strode away: “Uncle De, let’s go.”

Heng De followed Heng Xueyue as they left, and Li Changtian and Ji Chengming also took their people and departed.

Only Nantian Pang and Yao Meng remained with their supporters, expressing their backing for Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong’s expression was icy: “Two alliances, not bad. It’s time to call Jiang Changyue over.”

Everyone: “…”

This shameless fellow still has a Jiang Changyue—how could they dare forget?

The reason they hadn’t acted yet and had asked Heng Xueyue was precisely because they feared Jiang Changyue’s presence.

Jiang Changyue’s strength had always been no weaker than Jiang Changkong’s, if not stronger.

If they could deal with Jiang Changkong, it would inevitably come at heavy casualties—then how would they handle Jiang Changyue?

The relationship between the two was now clear to everyone; even the name Jiang Changyue had been given by Jiang Changkong.

They were absolute life-and-death brothers, so close they were practically inseparable.

“Jiang Changkong, I have no interest in indulging your nonsense. Let’s go.”

Xu Xingheng snorted coldly and immediately led his people away.

“Let’s go.” The members of the Gold Alliance, their expressions frosty, turned to leave.

“Five of you, you haven’t surrendered yet.”

Jiang Changkong’s cold voice cut through, blocking their path.

He wasn’t confident about handling those thirteen old fellows yet, but these five were easy prey.

Once he improved his strength, he’d see what those old men had to say then.

“Jiang Changkong, we have no real grudge against you. Why go this far?” The five of them wore gloomy expressions.

“Go this far? Who exactly went too far?”

Jiang Changkong’s face twisted with fury: “I’m already being merciful by not killing you!”

Do you think you can set all the rules?

Adding people within two days, constantly calling in reinforcements?

Blades and swords have no eyes, life and death are unpredictable—until I’m beaten to death?

This world doesn’t work that way!

“Give it to him.” Gritting his teeth, the Shengjin youth took out some Star Stones.

“Here.” The other four no longer hesitated and handed over their Star Stones.

Jiang Changkong accepted the stones, his expression unreadable: “What about the other half?”

“Didn’t you just say surrender and lose half?” The five were shocked and angry—was he really flipping so quickly?

“That was when they were still here.” Jiang Changkong sneered: “Now, they’ve all left.”

As soon as he finished speaking, terrifying Blazing Sun Star Power erupted, engulfing all five of them.

Heng Xueyue and the others were gone, and those thirteen old fellows were now far away. Only these five remained, and he could easily take them down.

As for surrendering and losing half—these five hadn’t surrendered!

The five were furious: “Jiang Changkong, you…”

A burst of starlight erupted, drowning the five in an instant. In the blink of an eye, only five corpses remained.

Jiang Changkong had thoroughly enraged this group, but he didn’t care—they wouldn’t let him go anyway.

Watching the five die, Yao Meng approached with Nantian Pang: “You acted impulsively. They’re backed by Shengjin—they’ll likely send even more people.”

“Should I not act impulsively and just endure the humiliation?”

Jiang Changkong’s expression was icy: “I’m not trying to drag you into this, but put yourself in my shoes. Aren’t you people just too shameless?”

Yao Meng looked slightly embarrassed: “A bit, yes.”

Nantian Pang shrugged: “You’ll get used to it. Calling for reinforcements when you can’t win, then stalling for time—it’s an old habit. Besides, targeting you this time wasn’t our idea. The Anding Alliance proposed it first. Xueyue had to oppose you on the surface—she couldn’t refuse.”

“Will they call in High-Rank Martial Artists?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“No, high-rank martial artists are forbidden from participating in these conflicts,” Yao Meng said. “I told you earlier, you won’t be able to claim this mineral vein.”

“The final outcome hasn’t been decided yet. No one can be certain.”

Jiang Changkong replied calmly, “I’m heading back first.”

“Let’s go too,” Yao Meng and Nantian Pang said, leading their people away.

Upon returning to the research institute, Jiang Changkong didn’t mention what had happened that day, and Professor Yun didn’t ask either. Instead, she began teaching him Star Script.

It wasn’t until evening that Jiang Changkong left the research institute’s outpost and headed deep into the swamp to tally the Star Stones.

The commotion from his breakthrough would be too noticeable, making the institute an unsuitable place.

In total, there were 16,891 Star Stones.

Among them, 7,569 were fifth rank mid-grade, and 9,322 were fifth rank high-grade.

Total Essence, Qi, and Spirit gained: 431,040!

Adding this to his previous total, he now had 553,193—enough to fully upgrade two martial arts.

He chose to fully upgrade the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art and the Mystical Tai Chi Art.

In an instant, golden light radiated brilliantly, and a Taiji diagram enveloped his body, absorbing the energies of Taiyin and Taiyang to form a gold-silver Taiji diagram.

The Star Power within him increased once again, more than doubling compared to when he had only one martial art fully upgraded.

Based on his estimation, if all six martial arts were fully upgraded, he would undoubtedly overpower this group of people.

However, these shameless individuals would likely call for reinforcements.

Jiang Changkong: Star Spirit Mid-Stage

Mid-Rank High-Grade Martial Arts:

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

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

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, Qi, and Spirit: 103,195

“I hope these people bring a lot of Star Stones with them.”

Jiang Changkong pondered. He suddenly felt a sense of anticipation. If he robbed those thirteen old-timers, would he be able to reach Major Mastery?

He still needed four more martial arts, requiring 800,000 Essence, Qi, and Spirit. With thirteen families, that would average about 60,000 from each.

These people were still calling for reinforcements.

Since they had no shame, he would show no mercy.

After stabilizing his cultivation, Jiang Changkong returned to the research institute’s outpost.

Meanwhile, the stone houses occupied by the five major factions welcomed two Star Spirit Peak experts.

“Third Master, Old Ming, what brings you here?”

Heng De looked at the two with pleasant surprise.

“Third Uncle,” Heng Xueyue and Heng Yongxing exclaimed joyfully as they looked at the middle-aged man before them.

This man was their third uncle, Heng Xuanqing, and the elderly man beside him was named Heng Xinming.

The middle-aged man snorted lightly. “It’s all because of Xueyue. She didn’t tell me anything when trouble arose. If Yongxing hadn’t informed me, I wouldn’t have known.”

“I arrived just as Third Master reached Anding Province,” Heng Xinming said. “Did today’s battle manage to suppress Jiang Changkong?”

The three of them looked somewhat awkward, and Heng Xueyue’s face flushed red.

Heng Xuanqing frowned. “It didn’t succeed?”

“Xueyue is incompetent and has let down the family’s nurturing. Even with the combined efforts of five Star Spirit Peak experts, we were no match for Jiang Changkong.”

Heng Xueyue spoke with shame.

Heng Xuanqing’s expression darkened. “Is this Jiang Changkong really that formidable? Heng De, you tell me.”

“Third Master, Jiang Changkong’s mastery of Blazing Sun Star Power is extraordinary. He has already reached a formidable level. I’m afraid it would take at least ten Star Spirit Peak experts to subdue him.”

Heng De spoke with a bitter expression, recounting the entire battle of the day and even holding back nothing about their previous encounters.

“Ten? You think too highly of him. Tomorrow, I will personally meet this person!”

Heng Xuanqing snorted coldly, his gaze filled with icy intent. “How dare he bully our Heng family’s little princess? I’ll skin him alive.”

“Third Uncle, if you capture him tomorrow, could you hand him over to me?”

Heng Xueyue’s eyes flickered as she said, “I want to use him to lure out Jiang Changyue.”

“With Third Master taking action, we will surely suppress Jiang Changkong tomorrow,” Heng De quickly added.

Heng Yongxing nodded repeatedly. He was well aware of the capabilities of the third uncle before him.

Although his talent wasn’t particularly outstanding, the family had allocated him abundant resources, and he had even received help from a High-Rank Martial Artist to refine his body and lay his foundation.

It could be said that his strength was second only to the prodigies, and he had now reached the Star Spirit Peak.

Below the level of High-Rank Martial Artists, only those little freaks could surpass him.

Moreover, they were little freaks at the late Star Spirit stage. Even the current Heng Xueyue was no match for him.

“Third Uncle, I’m tired. I’ll go rest first,” Heng Xueyue said coolly before turning to leave.

Heng Xuanqing assumed she was feeling upset and comforted her, “Life is full of hardships, Xueyue. Don’t take it to heart.”

“I understand, Third Uncle.”

After speaking, Heng Xueyue entered her room, took out her phone, and sent a text message.

Jiang Changkong received the message and was slightly surprised by its contents. “Your third uncle? He’s stronger than you?”

“Third Uncle received a lot of resources from the family in the past and was even assisted by a High-Rank Martial Artist. He’s very strong.

I can’t defeat him unless I reach the late Star Spirit stage. Of course, I possess some characteristics of the Taiyin Stellar Body. If I want to leave, he won’t be able to stop me.”

Heng Xueyue typed in reply, “Be careful tomorrow. Based on my estimation, my third uncle is slightly stronger than you. I won’t intervene then. If you can’t handle it, just escape. I’ll ask Meng Jie to try to delay my third uncle as much as possible to buy you time.”

“How shameless. Beat the younger one, and the older one comes,” Jiang Changkong added a disdainful emoji.

“Heng Yongxing called him here. I only invited an ordinary Star Spirit Peak Martial Artist. After all, I’m a prodigy too. I have my pride to uphold. If I lose, I can’t go around telling everyone.”

Heng Xueyue said angrily, “You’d better be careful. If you really fall into my hands, before I find out who you are, I’ll have to torture you a bit before letting Meng Jie rescue you.”

“What will you do if your third uncle falls into my hands?”

Heng Xueyue: “…”

You wouldn’t call out Jiang Changyue and plan to gang up on him, would you?