Chapter 217: I Want a Mech

“Back in Anding Province, my brother Jiang Changkong faced dozens of Star Spirit Peak experts alone.

Guess what? With just one move—my brother used only one move—half were killed or injured, and the other half were severely wounded.”

Whether it was the alcohol reddening his face or excitement flushing his cheeks, Fatty Nan’s chubby face was crimson as he spoke with flying spittle: “That scene, you didn’t see it. If you had, you’d have been absolutely terrified.”

“Master Nan, is he really as formidable as you say?” Several young men followed beside him, their expressions filled with awe.

“Not a single word of it is false. Do you know about building a city single-handedly? Brother Changkong cleared a hundred li of Star Demons all by himself, without any help.”

Nantian Pang’s plump face trembled as he let out a drunken burp: “Let me tell you another secret—Brother Changkong and I are actually sworn brothers.”

“??”

Jiang Changkong was utterly bewildered. When the hell did I ever become sworn brothers with you?

“Nantian Pang.”

Nantian Pang instantly bristled: “Who? Who dares call me that? Do you have a death wish? Don’t you know my brother is Jiang Changkong?”

Thud

Nantian Pang fell flat on the ground. The young men around him immediately flared up: “Who are you? How dare you attack Master Nan?”

Nantian Pang scrambled to his feet, glaring at the one who had struck him. A jolt of clarity sobered him slightly: “Brother… Brother Changkong.”

“Heh.” Jiang Changkong sneered coldly. “I don’t recall ever becoming sworn brothers with you.”

“Ahem, Brother Changkong, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come, come, let’s have a drink together.”

Nantian Pang forced a dry laugh, hastily pulling him toward a nearby private room.

“No need. Han Jiangbei just treated me to a meal, and I’m already full and satisfied.” Jiang Changkong refused coldly.

“Han Jiangbei? What does he amount to? Xueyue and Meng Jie are both here. Let me explain in detail.”

Nantian Pang quickly added, lowering his voice: “I said all that just to pass on a message and lure you here.”

“Oh? Keep spinning your tales. Let’s see if I believe you.” Jiang Changkong mocked.

“It’s really true. Please, come quickly.”

Nantian Pang hurriedly dragged him into the private room.

The young men beside them watched the two with odd expressions but said nothing, following them into the room.

Inside the private room were Heng Xueyue, Yao Meng, and a few strangers he didn’t recognize.

“Changkong, what a coincidence. We thought we’d have to spread the message before you’d come.”

Yao Meng stood up, smiling warmly. “Please, sit. Join us for a meal.”

Jiang Changkong replied indifferently, “I’ve already eaten. Are you also here for the Sin Domain quota? Did you really lure me here on purpose?”

Yao Meng glanced at Heng Xueyue beside her and said, “Let Xueyue explain this.”

Heng Xueyue nodded and introduced, “The people beside you are all presidents of major Martial Arts Associations—some are our own, and others are presidents we’ve invited…”

Jiang Changkong nodded slightly, listening as she continued.

The Sin Domain quota competition isn’t just about plundering resources; it’s also a ticket to the Void Realm.

As long as you secure a Sin Domain quota and survive the Sin Domain, you essentially earn the qualification to enter the Void Realm.

Of course, it’s merely a qualification.

The Federation will invite these Martial Arts Associations to join its forces and enter the Void Realm.

Meanwhile, major factions can also offer tickets as a means to join them.

If you perform exceptionally well in the Sin Domain and achieve remarkable gains, you can choose not to join any faction and instead collaborate with major powers.

However, this cooperation merely involves the major powers agreeing to take you to the Void Realm, offering protection for two years, with the condition that any gains are prioritized for sale to the cooperating party.

The initial bargaining chip for this cooperation is precisely the quota in hand.

Many Martial Arts Associations are capable of gathering nine Star Spirit Peak experts to participate in the Sin Domain quota competition. Among the associations present, even the smallest boasts at least seven or eight Star Spirit Peak experts.

After observing these Martial Arts Associations, Jiang Changkong finally understood why Anding Bang clung so desperately to powerful allies, yet even the Heng family looked down on him.

What use is a mere early-stage Star Spirit?

He doesn’t even qualify to enter the Void Realm as cannon fodder!

Han Jiangbei’s Han family, while not a major power, still possesses High-Rank Martial Artists and holds a place in the Void Realm.

“The Sin Domain competition is also a means to deliver talent and fresh blood to the Void Realm,” Heng Xueyue explained calmly. “The Void Realm is boundless, with endless resources. I believe President Jiang won’t want to miss out.”

“If it’s just a simple cooperation, forget it. I can wait until I reach the High-Rank stage before entering the Void Realm,” Jiang Changkong replied indifferently. “For these eight quotas, I only want to sell Star Stones. Of course, if possible, Star Crystals would work too.”

“Don’t be hasty, Changkong,” Yao Meng said with a smile. “Your strength is recognized by all three of our families, so let’s consider a different form of cooperation.”

“Oh?” Jiang Changkong raised an eyebrow. “What kind of cooperation?”

“In the Void Realm, there are harsh environments where survival is difficult, along with countless Star Demons,” Yao Meng continued. “To thrive there, Star Stones are crucial—so much so that no amount is ever enough to burn through.”

“So, your plan to sell Star Stones is bound to fail. No one will buy them,” she added.

Jiang Changkong fell into thought. Sin Domain quotas are precious, but with these prodigies present, the Sin Domain is essentially filled with the strong.

Having eight extra quotas would mean greater safety and richer rewards.

However, unless there were eight prodigies or another powerhouse like himself, the gains wouldn’t be particularly substantial.

Selling them too expensively would mean failing to recoup the cost.

Selling them too cheaply? Jiang Changkong wouldn’t do that either.

Yao Meng continued, “The cooperation we three families propose is to secure you a place in the Void Realm.”

“A place?” Jiang Changkong frowned slightly.

“If you choose to enter through this cooperative arrangement, our three families will carve out a region for you and establish a basic survival outpost,” Yao Meng explained. “You won’t be under our protection, but the danger level won’t be high, as the nearby Star Demons are all below the High-Rank stage.”

“Since this is a cooperative relationship, you can pay a price to request assistance from our three families,” she added. “If you discover anything valuable and have the ability to claim it yourself, our three families will never seize it. Of course, the same applies to discoveries made by our families—you cannot take them either.”

“Even if I discover a Star Crystal Vein, you wouldn’t be tempted?” Jiang Changkong asked, feeling somewhat intrigued by the proposal.

Heng Xueyue chuckled, “If there were a Star Crystal Vein, you’d likely ask for our help.”

Jiang Changkong couldn’t defend a Star Crystal Vein on his own!

When the time came, wouldn’t he still have to turn to them?

These three families had a clever plan, but Jiang Changkong was no fool. “In that case, you’re just giving me a piece of land to brush me off. I still think it’s better to wait until I reach the High-Rank stage.”

“Just state your conditions. As long as they’re not excessive, we’ll agree to one more condition,” Heng Xueyue said coolly. “I know you won’t join the federal military, but you’re not unmoved either. You must still want benefits.”

Jiang Changkong shrugged. “You really do understand me. In that case, I want a mecha.”

A mecha is equivalent to a High-Rank Martial Artist!

As long as he had a mecha, he would possess high-tier combat power!

“You really dare to ask for that.” Heng Xueyue laughed in exasperation. “Mechas are extremely expensive to build, almost entirely crafted from high-tier materials.”

Jiang Changkong replied calmly, “This is my only condition. I can promise you that in the Sin Domain, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

The group fell into silence. Not making things difficult for them in the Sin Domain?

Thinking of Jiang Changkong’s strength, they felt a pang of frustration. This guy had even slain Yun Bugui.

Yun Bugui, a prodigy at the Star Spirit Peak—even their own elder brothers and sisters wouldn’t have the slightest confidence in defeating him, let alone killing him.

With this in mind, the three exchanged glances. “A seventh-tier low-grade mecha, and five seventh-tier low-grade Star Stones.”

“An eighth-tier mecha…”

“Get lost!”