Chapter 218: An Shanhe

These guys, just like Chen Hua, don’t even know how to haggle when doing business.

They don’t understand the principle of asking for the sky and bargaining on the ground.

Negotiating with such people is truly a headache.

After much persuasion and explanation, the cooperation was finally settled.

One top-tier seventh-grade mecha, without Star Stones.

This was the condition offered by the three major factions, and also their bottom line.

Although there were no Star Stones, it didn’t matter—Professor Yun could extract Star Power to serve as the driving energy source.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be able to unleash the mecha’s full power, but it would still be more powerful than a low-grade seventh-grade mecha.

Suppressing High-Rank Martial Artists at the early or middle stages of the Stellar Embryo would still be an easy task.

As for the late stage, that would depend on whether the energy could keep up. As for the peak stage, forget it—even with a top-tier seventh-grade Star Stone, it might not be possible to win.

Once the discussions were concluded, the group finally began eating and drinking.

These Martial Arts Association presidents were envious of Jiang Changkong’s treatment but didn’t dare say anything.

Jiang Changkong had earned these privileges through his own strength.

Would they dare say they wouldn’t make things difficult for Heng Xueyue in the Sin Domain?

If they said such a thing, they’d be beaten to a pulp in no time.

Moreover, whether they could even enter the Sin Domain was still uncertain.

Given the current situation, all the major factions were first recruiting people and then discussing cooperation matters.

They were casting a wide net, hoping to catch as many as possible.

Additionally, these major factions were being shameless.

Not enough Star Spirit Peak members in the Martial Arts Association? No problem, the major factions had plenty of people and could help fill the quota for Star Spirit Peak, as long as they were given spots after the task was completed.

“Troubling President Jiang. Later, three people from my Heng family, three from the Yaoguang Chamber of Commerce, and two from the Nantian family will join the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Association,” Heng Xueyue raised her glass and said.

“Alright, but will your people participate in the competition?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“It’s better if they don’t. We believe in President Jiang’s strength,” Nantian Pang shook his head.

Jiang Changkong alone could easily defeat a group of Star Spirit Peak experts. Even if their people participated, it would just be a formality.

What would outsiders say then—that the three families had found a strong ally who carried them all?

Sometimes, face was still something to be maintained.

Yao Meng took a sip of wine and said calmly, “Changkong, be careful. The Shengjin people might cause trouble for you.”

“Shengjin? As long as they’re not High-Rank Martial Artists, it’s fine,” Jiang Changkong replied indifferently. In Anding Province, the Jin Alliance had first sent five people, then eight, and he had eliminated them all.

The Jin family’s elites had also been wiped out. The Shengjin people were unlikely to let it go.

Yao Meng said gravely, “Although Changkong is strong, some methods are hard to guard against, such as the poison of the Sin Domain.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression turned serious. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder.”

If they couldn’t come at him openly, underhanded methods like secretly poisoning him were something he might not be able to withstand.

After the meal, everyone dispersed. Nantian Pang arranged a room for him, and now even accommodation was free.

The three families also sent eight people to join the Martial Arts Association.

All of them were at Star Spirit Peak, after all—entering the Sin Domain wasn’t a sightseeing trip.

If it weren’t for the fact that he had business in the Sin Domain and needed to rescue someone, he could have easily taken people to farm the Sin Domain.

With his current strength, he could probably solo the Sin Domain without any trouble.

After reviewing the information on the Sin Domain, he learned that everyone there had been placed under a Restriction Seal, preventing them from breaking through to the High-Rank Martial Artist stage.

Only by leaving and starting anew would they have the chance to continue advancing.

This was also why Yun Bugui had remained at Star Spirit Peak for over a decade.

What worried him most was whether the people in the Sin Domain had all fled and whether they had taken all their Star Stones with them.

If he went there and found no Star Stones left, that would truly be frustrating.

After asking Yao Meng for her thoughts, he received the answer: no.

No matter how bold those people were, they couldn’t have brought out too many individuals.

Even Yun Bugui—they had investigated the news—had died in the Sin Domain.

Only after creating the illusion of death did they dare to bring people out.

After finishing his inquiries, Jiang Changkong began to rest.

The night passed without incident. The next day, Jiang Changkong was dragged out by Nantian Pang with no other purpose than to eat and drink.

They met with various presidents of the Martial Arts Association, and along the way, Nantian Pang took the opportunity to show off.

No matter who he met, this guy would say something like, “My brother Jiang Changkong built a city single-handedly.”

“If you encounter him in the Sin Domain quota competition, go easy on him,” or “If you don’t follow him, things might not go well later.”

For the sake of his Seventh-Order Mecha, Jiang Changkong could only hold his nose and watch him spin his tales.

The remaining five days passed in the same manner, and Jiang Changkong even felt that Nantian Pang had grown another layer of fat.

Finally, the Sin Domain quota competition began. Jiang Changkong took his token and arrived at the previous registration site.

A middle-aged man stood there, his aura restrained. Jiang Changkong couldn’t gauge his depth—likely a High-Rank Martial Artist.

The middle-aged man wore a suit of armor, his face resolute, with a faint trace of killing intent lingering around him. He was likely a military expert.

“My name is An Shanhe, one of the organizers of this Martial Arts Association competition. Now, let me explain the rules of the Martial Arts Association competition.”

“First, no fatalities are allowed.”

“Second, the use of temporary enhancement potions or poisons is prohibited.”

“Third, once an opponent surrenders, the battle must end immediately. Continuing to attack is forbidden.”

“Fourth, a maximum of nine participants will engage in random duels…”

He spoke for half an hour before finally pausing and saying, “These are the rules. Now, take your tokens and head outside the city, three hundred li to the east.”

A group of Martial Arts Association presidents left the tall building and headed outside the city.

An Shanhe exited the city, took to the air directly, and transformed into a streak of light as he departed.

The other Martial Artists also employed various methods—some directly retrieved vehicles from their Spatial Equipment, while others surprisingly had flying equipment.

Jiang Changkong took to the air directly, chasing after An Shanhe.

“Flying through the air? Is there a High-Rank Martial Artist hidden among us?” The Martial Artists below were somewhat bewildered.

A High-Rank Martial Artist in the Martial Arts Association—was this a joke?

“Don’t be ignorant. That’s Jiang Changkong, the president of Jiangcheng. He can fly with his Star Spirit.”

“Oh, it’s him—the one who built a city single-handedly.”

Listening to the voices below, Jiang Changkong’s lips twitched. The deepest impression these people had of him was that he had built a city single-handedly.

Jiang Changkong chased after An Shanhe, though his speed was certainly no match.

He had no idea what level of High-Rank Martial Artist An Shanhe was.

A distance of three hundred li was nothing more than a few breaths for him.

Descending through the air, Jiang Changkong noticed many Martial Artists gathered here, with military soldiers maintaining order.

These Martial Artists had come to spectate the competition, as this event was not considered confidential.

Stepping onto the ground, An Shanhe glanced at him and said, “Jiang Changkong, are you interested in joining my ranks?”

“Thank you for the kind offer, but I’m used to being alone,” Jiang Changkong politely declined.

An Shanhe smiled. “An Yuanshan was right about you—no one can pull you away.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression shifted slightly. “Are you and An Yuanshan acquainted?”

“I am his uncle,” An Shanhe said. “You’ve done well in Anding Province, but some people have taken a grudge against you. After all, you’ve killed quite a few. Be careful when you go to the Void Realm in the future.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Jiang Changkong clasped his hands in acknowledgment, though inwardly he was puzzled. Uncle?

You look even younger than An Yuanshan!

But then again, High-Rank Martial Artists have extended lifespans, so looking young isn’t unusual. As for exactly how long they could live, Jiang Changkong wasn’t sure.

According to federal records, no High-Rank Martial Artist had ever died of old age—they had all perished in battle.

As for other High-Rank Martial Artists holding grudges, he wasn’t concerned. His journey to the Sin Domain should allow him to break through to the High-Rank level as well.

As long as they weren’t Stellar Body Martial Artists, it was fine. If they were, he could always seek help from the three families or join the military himself—the federation would surely welcome that.

“They’re here,” An Shanhe said, ending their conversation as he turned his gaze toward the arriving representatives of the various Martial Arts Associations.