Chapter 219: Step Up and It's Over

The Martial Arts Association gathered, with nearly all those with sufficient strength from the Thirty-Six Provinces of the Federation and the Eleven Overseas Islands in attendance.

A dense, dark mass of people stretched as far as the eye could see, likely numbering over ten thousand participants this time.

Divided among the thirty-six provinces and eleven overseas islands, aside from some minor provinces and small cities, there were as many Martial Arts Associations as there were cities.

In some major provinces, a single city had more than one Martial Arts Association.

With so many competing, it would truly take some time to complete the tournament.

Despite the gathering of over ten thousand, not a single sound was made; everyone remained silent.

An Shanhe rose into the air, his expression indifferent. “This competition is divided into three zones: Ordinary Provinces, Major Provinces, and Overseas Islands.

Each zone will select thirty Martial Arts Associations to compete for ten slots.”

“Ten li to the left is the Ordinary Province competition zone; ten li to the right is the Overseas Island zone. Here is the Major Province zone.”

“Everyone, proceed to your respective zones based on the city where your Martial Arts Association is located.”

Jiang Changkong was momentarily taken aback. “What about minor provinces?”

An Shanhe glared at him. “Minor provinces go to the Ordinary Province zone.”

Jiang Changkong was the only one from a minor province; the others had no opportunity to be involved in such matters.

The various Martial Arts Associations separated and headed to their respective zones.

Jiang Changkong also went ten li to the left, where there were military personnel, spectators, and monitoring equipment.

Nantian Pang and Yao Meng were also in the crowd.

Here, too, was a High-Rank Martial Artist holding an instrument.

Jiang Changkong looked at the arriving Martial Arts Associations—nearly several thousand people.

“Now that everyone is here?” the High-Rank Martial Artist said indifferently, hovering in the air, his voice soft yet clear to everyone’s ears.

The token in Jiang Changkong’s hand glowed. The High-Rank Martial Artist glanced at the instrument and relaxed slightly. “Good, everyone is here. My name is Nan Yanyang, one of the hosts of this Sin Domain competition. Now, the random matchups begin.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the instrument emitted light, forming a massive starlit screen filled with names.

“Battlefield Two: Jiang Changkong versus Tianfeng Martial Arts Association.”

Jiang Changkong saw his name immediately. He didn’t know which province the Tianfeng Martial Arts Association was from, nor did he need to—he just had to fight.

Three hundred battle zones were delineated around them, each marked with a special stone tablet indicating the battlefield number.

Jiang Changkong flew to Battlefield Two, where his opponents had also arrived.

Nine individuals, all at Star Spirit Peak.

“One person builds a city—we’ve long heard of your reputation.”

The nine Star Spirit Peak experts stepped onto the battlefield, looking at Jiang Changkong with solemn expressions.

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained indifferent. “Just a hollow reputation. How about we decide this in one move?”

“Agreed.” The members of the Tianfeng Martial Arts Association tensed, feeling a glimmer of confidence.

In a prolonged battle, Jiang Changkong’s strength would allow him to defeat them one by one, but in a direct confrontation, they stood a chance by joining forces.

One of the Star Spirit Peak experts sneered, “We’ve been hearing about your fame these past few days. Today, let’s see if that reputation holds any weight.”

“Enough talk. Let’s begin.”

Jiang Changkong stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor aloof.

The instrument in the air also focused on them.

In the crowd, Nantian Pang and Yao Meng watched the battle. “Meng Jie, do you think Jiang Changkong might face some difficulty with this one move?”

“No difficulty. He’ll likely go all out. Most Martial Arts Associations have changed their members by now.”

Yao Meng said gravely, “Now the people in the Martial Arts Association have basically all been replaced by members of the major factions. Only the president remains unchanged.”

The Star Spirit Peak experts sent by the major factions were all quite strong, generally stronger than ordinary Star Spirit Peak cultivators.

As they spoke, the battle began.

The nine members of Tianfeng shouted softly, their Star Power surging as they unleashed their full strength in an instant.

Nine Star Spirit Peak experts erupted simultaneously, their starlight dazzling as it shot straight into the sky, shaking the surrounding area for hundreds of meters.

Jiang Changkong stood with his hands behind his back, watching as the nine attacked. The Blazing Sun Star Power within him erupted violently.

Boom!

Vast Blazing Sun Star Power, golden light sweeping across, swallowed the nine Star Spirit Peak experts.

Pfft!

Nine figures were sent flying simultaneously, blood spraying as they were instantly severely wounded.

“You have lost,” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

“Number two, Jiang Changkong wins,” Nan Yanyang’s voice came through.

Jiang Changkong did not linger and left directly.

The nine Tianfeng Martial Artists had just gotten up, their faces filled with terror.

One move?

Just now, Jiang Changkong hadn’t even moved—he had merely unleashed his Star Power!

What kind of monster was this? Even the prodigies from the major factions couldn’t compare, could they?

In the other competition arenas, the various Martial Arts Associations were stunned upon hearing this. It was over?

We haven’t even started yet, and Jiang Changkong is already done?

Even surrendering wouldn’t be this fast!

The most bewildered were Nantian Pang and Yao Meng. At least put in a little effort! Wasn’t it supposed to be one move?

“This guy is probably even stronger now,” Nantian Pang said gravely. “I wonder if my brother could defeat him if they faced off.”

“Hard to say. Hopefully, we’ll be able to gauge his strength a bit in the upcoming matches.”

Yao Meng’s expression was heavy. “Fortunately, he uses Blazing Sun Star Power, while Jiang Changyue uses Taiyin Star Power.”

Nantian Pang found some comfort in this. “Yes, with these two types of Star Power, the Nan and Heng families working together can still suppress them. Even if they can’t win, they shouldn’t lose.”

“Right. There’s no doubt Jiang Changkong will secure a spot, but once he enters the Sin Domain, he won’t be able to sweep up all the Star Stones.”

Yao Meng breathed a slight sigh of relief. She knew Jiang Changkong all too well.

He cared too much about Star Stones. Once inside, he would definitely try every means to suppress the criminals in the Sin Domain and seize all the Star Stones.

If he took everything, what would be the point of them going in?

Now, they could only hope that the prodigies from the Nan family could restrain Jiang Changkong.

However, they had no idea that Jiang Changkong had cultivated the Nine Heaven Nine Cloud Art.

Jiang Changkong left the battlefield and returned to Nan Yanyang’s side. After glancing at Nantian Pang, he walked over and sat down beside them.

“Congratulations,” the two said.

“What’s there to congratulate? It was a guaranteed win.”

Jiang Changkong sighed lightly. “It’s them—they’re fighting too slowly. When will the next match start?”

The two: “…”

You’re right. They’re holding you back.

The Martial Artists watching around couldn’t bear to listen and moved farther away.

In the past, matches would take half a day or even several days to determine a winner. But Jiang Changkong? He went up and it was over.

Jiang Changkong sat beside the two. There were instruments here projecting the matches from three regions—some were watching the Ordinary Province matches, while others were watching the Overseas Island and Major Province matches.

“So slow. Isn’t there a faster way to finish? Like fighting a hundred at once?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Can you fight a hundred?” Nantian Pang’s expression darkened. Even his brother couldn’t fight a hundred.

“Could give it a try. It would be faster,” Jiang Changkong said, resting his chin on his hand. He was least afraid of group battles.

Not to mention a hundred, as long as they aren’t from the same lineage and their Star Power cannot merge and enhance, even a few hundred more would be no problem—it would just take more time.

The two of them: “…”

Can you die if you don’t show off?

I’ve noticed that among us, you’re the best at showing off, and the most skilled at it!

“There’s no way around it; those are the rules,” Yao Meng said helplessly.

Jiang Changkong also knew these were the rules. Even if he swept through all the competitors, the ten spots still had to be determined through competition.

Just as he was about to say more, Jiang Changkong stiffened slightly. Someone was watching him—with malicious intent.

If it were just a casual glance, his heightened senses wouldn’t have given him such strong feedback, let alone the clear sense of malice he felt.

He glanced around, but everyone was focused on the match, and no one seemed to be paying attention to him.

Thinking this, he leaned close to Yao Meng’s ear and whispered, “Someone is watching me. Have someone investigate quietly, but don’t make a scene.”

Yao Meng nodded almost imperceptibly, her left hand turning the ring on her finger as a faint glimmer of starlight flickered and vanished.