Chapter 200: I'm Sick Too

The night passed without incident, and the next morning, Jiang Changkong woke up early.

Knowing that Heng Xuanqing was coming to deliver the Star Stones, he couldn’t sleep.

Standing outside the research institute, Jiang Changkong gazed into the distance. Why hadn’t he arrived yet?

“Changkong, breakfast is ready.”

Tang Ruoxi called out, holding a bowl of noodles.

“Ruoxi, you and Professor Yun go ahead. I have something to attend to.”

Jiang Changkong had no appetite for breakfast. The thought of Star Stones excited him.

Heng Xueyue’s third uncle, once highly favored by the family, though no longer so.

But after chatting last night, he learned that this third uncle had once consumed many resources and taken many Star Stones, which made him very happy.

Over the years, no matter how recklessly he had lived, he must have accumulated quite a stockpile, right?

Such a prominent figure, wandering around—surely he’d bring tens of thousands of Star Stones with him?

Bringing too few wouldn’t suit his status!

“Don’t mind him. This guy woke up so early for the first time, who knows what he’s waiting for,” Professor Yun said.

Hum

A chill swept in, a full moon hung in the Void, and Heng Xuanqing arrived beneath the bright moon.

His entrance was exactly the same—truly from the same family.

A flicker of excitement crossed Jiang Changkong’s face. Whether he could perfect his four martial arts and step into the late Star Spirit stage depended on this third uncle.

“Jiang Changkong, you bullied the members of the Heng family. Today, Heng Xuanqing will not spare you.”

With a cold shout, Heng Xuanqing arrived outside the research institute, carrying surging Taiyin Star Power.

His long hair fluttered, moonlight danced around him, creating a unique aura.

“Bullied your Heng family? Ridiculous. Are you allowed to bully me, but I’m not allowed to fight back?”

Jiang Changkong sneered, his expression cold and stern. “Today, even if it’s not just you, Heng Xuanqing, but even Heng Xueyue added to the mix, you won’t gain any advantage!”

“Enough talk. Let’s fight elsewhere.”

Heng Xuanqing snorted coldly and swiftly departed.

“Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

Jiang Changkong soared into the air, overtaking Heng Xuanqing.

In the distance, the Anding Alliance and the Jin Alliance had all received the news and came to watch the battle.

As Taiyin Star Power swept through, everything within hundreds of meters was frozen.

Flames hung high, rolling waves of heat melting the sword hilt.

Jiang Changkong beckoned, and a top-tier sixth-grade long blade appeared.

With the Lunar Sword in hand, Heng Xuanqing stirred endless moonlight, weaving it into intricate patterns. “Taiyin opens the formation, the moon draws the stars to sink.”

“One blade, the blazing sun.”

Having made another breakthrough, Jiang Changkong used only eighty percent of his Star Power this time.

Taiji manifested, shifting heaven and earth.

Clang!

Blade and sword collided, silver-white cold and golden blazing sun—two forces clashed as the weapons met.

Under the Taiji, Heng Xuanqing was prepared. He transformed his left hand into a palm, neutralizing the Star Power.

Both were pushed back by the impact. Heng Xuanqing’s expression shifted with surprise—his full-strength sword strike was actually evenly matched with Jiang Changkong?

“Again!”

The long sword pulsed with moonlight as Heng Xuanqing’s feet glowed with lunar light, moving as fast as a phantom.

Jiang Changkong flipped his long blade, anticipating his opponent’s moves.

Clang

The long sword landed on the blade. Heng Xuanqing shifted his stance, unleashing sword light.

Jiang Changkong swept his blade light, absorbing all the lunar sword strikes.

Among the spectators, Heng Xueyue’s expression turned serious. “What’s going on?”

“Jiang Changkong’s blade actually struck later but arrived first, blocking Third Master’s sword?” Heng Xinming exclaimed in disbelief.

“No, it seems like Jiang Changkong intentionally placed his blade there, and Third Master struck it himself,” Heng De said gravely.

“Jiang Changkong is even stronger in close combat. He once fought Lin Jie and could predict his sword moves.”

Nantian Pang said with a serious expression, “Tell Third Uncle to end the fight quickly. Using full force in a prolonged battle to find weaknesses is useless against Jiang Changkong.”

The conversation among the group was not hushed, so both combatants could hear it clearly.

The members of the Stability Alliance also heard it and silently noted this point: when dealing with Jiang Changkong, it was best to crush him completely.

Hearing these words, Heng Xuanqing’s expression darkened. He channeled his Taiyin Star Power, adding another layer of potency to the chilling energy.

Moonlight Essence coalesced into a sword, while Taiyin Star Power surged around him, transforming his entire being into a radiant moon.

“Holy Moon Sword.”

Sacred moonlight gathered at the sword’s tip, condensing into a unique, bone-chilling cold.

“Sunset Blade.”

Jiang Changkong once again manifested the Sunset Blade, the evening glow contracting as he transformed into the setting sun.

Star Power—eighty-five percent!

Five Power Runes!

Clang!

Blade and sword collided once more, the deafening clash echoing as the power of the sunset erupted, engulfing the radiant moon.

“How could…”

Heng Xuanqing’s expression shifted abruptly. Jiang Changkong’s strength had not only surpassed his own but had done so by a significant margin!

Immediately after, an immense force surged forth, pressing down on him with overwhelming pressure.

The long blade twisted, all five Power Runes vibrating in unison as a torrent of colossal force erupted.

With a sharp clang, the sword was sent flying from his grasp. Heng Xuanqing tumbled backward, blood spraying as he suffered severe injuries.

Like a streak of golden light, Jiang Changkong appeared before Heng Xuanqing, planting a foot firmly on his chest to pin him to the ground, the long blade already resting against his neck.

“You’ve lost.”

Jiang Changkong stated indifferently.

Heng Xuanqing opened his mouth to speak, only for a mouthful of blood to gush forth.

He had stepped forward for Heng Xueyue’s sake, yet he had still been defeated. The strength and talent of the man before him had already surpassed what was considered a prodigy!

“Jiang Changkong, do not harm our Third Master!”

Several members of the Heng family rushed forward, shouting urgently.

“Stay back, unless you want to risk your Third Master’s life,” Jiang Changkong said coldly, pressing the blade slightly deeper.

The sharp edge pierced the skin, causing silvery blood to trickle down.

“How dare you…”

The group was both shocked and enraged but dared not advance another step.

Heng Xuanqing’s body stiffened, not daring to move recklessly, yet his eyes remained fixed intently on Jiang Changkong.

With his left hand, Jiang Changkong removed the ring from Heng Xuanqing’s finger and infused it with Star Power. Inside, a pile of items was stored.

Clothing, potions, and Star Stones!

A wealthy man!

Jiang Changkong’s breathing hitched slightly at the sight of the large pile of Star Stones.

There were even sixth-tier ones—a full thousand low-grade sixth-tier stones and five hundred mid-grade sixth-tier stones!

As for fifth-tier stones, there was a huge pile, though he hadn’t taken the time to count them yet.

Heng Xuanqing finally couldn’t hold back. Disregarding his injuries, he struggled and roared furiously, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Challenging someone without reason should come at a cost.”

Jiang Changkong calmly pocketed the Star Stones and said, “Go back and gather more Star Stones if you want another challenge.”

“Give them back! Return my belongings to me!”

Heng Xuanqing roared, his expression twisted with rage, veins bulging on his forehead like a madman.

“Do you truly think I won’t kill you?” Jiang Changkong’s expression turned icy, the imposing aura of his blade intensifying.

“Die…”

Heng Xuanqing’s demeanor turned frenzied, the power on his sword surging as Taiyin Star Power erupted violently.

“Third Uncle, Jiang Changkong, please hold back!”

The Heng family members rushed forward, but their target was Heng Xuanqing, grabbing and restraining him tightly.

“Changkong, let it go,” Yao Meng sighed softly. “You should leave first. They’ll help Third Uncle regain his composure.”

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly before soaring into the sky and departing. Was it really just about a few Star Stones?

He valued Star Stones because they could enhance his abilities, but why was this guy so obsessed with them as well?

Never mind, no point dwelling on it.

With such a haul this time, he needed to take stock properly.

Returning to the research institute, he found that the two of them hadn’t even finished their breakfast yet.

“You’re back? So soon?” Tang Ruoxi exclaimed in surprise.

“Just one Heng Xuanqing, and he went mad by the end of the fight.” Jiang Changkong curled his lip.

“Mad?” Tang Ruoxi was slightly taken aback. “What happened? Did you beat him senseless?”

“I just took his Star Stone, and he went crazy.” Jiang Changkong shook his head. “And he’s from a wealthy family, yet he can’t handle losing something like that.”

“It’s not about handling loss.” Professor Yun took a sip of noodle soup and chimed in. “Heng Xuanqing has an illness.”

Jiang Changkong said gravely, “I have one too—an obsession with Star Stones. Seeing the number of Star Stones increase makes me happy.”

“You’re not as severe as him.” Professor Yun shot him a glance. “Study Star Script instead, and avoid dealing with Heng Xuanqing.”

“Professor, you still haven’t said what illness Heng Xuanqing specifically has,” Jiang Changkong asked.

“That’s his family’s private matter, so I won’t say more.” Professor Yun replied indifferently.

Hearing this, Jiang Changkong didn’t press further.