Chapter 222: Liangqiu Xuanyi

For now, the Sin Domain remained quiet, and all major factions were eager to rescue their people, keeping a close watch on the Sin Domain.

Whether now or in the future, it would be nearly impossible for the other party to interfere in the affairs of the Sin Domain again.

Jiang Changkong was somewhat curious about this faction—they actually had the audacity to call themselves a “genius organization.”

He informed Yao Meng about this matter and asked her to investigate along the lines of “geniuses.”

Over the years, various geniuses had encountered incidents, and it was likely that the other party had tried to recruit them.

It might not be of much use, but at least it was a lead.

Leaving the matter to them, Jiang Changkong returned to his room to sleep.

On the third day, he slept until noon and indulged in another round of feasting.

Jiang Changkong finally understood how Nantian Pang had accumulated all that fat.

After a peaceful day, Jiang Changkong participated in the competition again.

It was the same as before—no Martial Arts Association could withstand even a single move from him.

Step up, finish, it had always been like this. By now, no one paid attention to his fights anymore; they were too dull.

Another four days passed, and a day of rest finally arrived. This time, instead of feasting, they went camping outside the city.

Tents were set up outside Ten Thousand Li City, with a group of young masters and ladies gathered around a bonfire.

Jiang Changkong was only able to join thanks to Nantian Pang and Yao Meng.

Yao Meng sat by the fire and whispered, “These people all have family businesses in the Void Realm.”

Jiang Changkong glanced around. Besides them, there were thirteen other young men and women. “So, their families all have High-Rank Martial Artists?”

“Yes, and they all have some cooperation with the Yaoguang Chamber of Commerce,” Yao Meng said softly.

Jiang Changkong understood. “Are they trying to curry favor with you?”

“Not exactly. It’s more about building connections,” Yao Meng chuckled. “Is there any girl you’re interested in? I can introduce you. You could save yourself ten years of hard work.”

“Ten years?” Jiang Changkong shook his head. “In ten years, I’ll be standing at the pinnacle of this world.”

I don’t even know if there’s a major faction that could save me a year of hard work, let alone ten.

If I can’t surpass all of you major factions in ten years, it would only mean there’s too little “Essence, Qi, and Spirit.”

Nantian Pang shifted his plump body and moved closer. “Changkong, aren’t you going to make a move? Look, that one’s beautiful.”

Following his finger, Jiang Changkong saw a woman in a goose-yellow dress, stunningly beautiful with skin as fair as polished jade.

Her long hair was tied up, adorned with a green jade hairpin that shimmered faintly, complementing her elegance.

She sat alone, gazing up at the starry sky, lost in thought.

“She is indeed beautiful, but forget it. I’m not interested,” Jiang Changkong shook his head.

Nantian Pang looked at him in disbelief. “That’s a beauty on par with Xueyue’s sister. You’re not interested?”

Then, he glanced down at Jiang Changkong with a horrified expression. “I heard you and Ji Ziling are like sisters.”

I…

Haven’t you ever been beaten up?

We’re brothers, okay? How did we become sisters in your mouth?

Jiang Changkong took a deep breath, grabbed Fatty Nan, and gave him a good rubdown.

Yao Meng’s lips twitched, wanting to laugh but holding back. She glanced at the woman and said, “She’s from the Liangqiu family, named Liangqiu Xuanyi. Although her talent isn’t on par with prodigies, she has reached the peak of the early Star Spirit stage at just nineteen.”

“Compared to her, you all seem rather lacking,” Jiang Changkong released Fatty Nan.

“Our talents are only average, and the Liangqiu family is just an ordinary faction.”

Yao Meng said, “The factions we’ve categorized, without high-rank martial artists, are all considered insignificant. Having one or two would count as an average faction…”

Jiang Changkong was a bit confused. Having one or two high-rank martial artists still only made it an average faction?

Seven or eight high-rank martial artists, including stellar body martial artists, were needed to qualify as a second-rate faction.

Beyond stellar body, with ten high-rank martial artists, could be considered a first-rate faction.

Beyond high-rank, with top-tier martial artists, would qualify as a top-tier faction, or a major power.

“So, if there were enough resources for cultivation, this Liangqiu Xuanyi might not be inferior to prodigies?” Jiang Changkong pondered.

“Yes, it’s just a pity she refuses to join the Federation.”

Yao Meng sighed regretfully. “If she joined a major power or the Federation, she could receive the same treatment as a prodigy.”

“Joining a major power? I imagine there are many restrictions,” Jiang Changkong remarked.

Nantian Pang chimed in, “Joining here means marrying into it—marrying someone from a major power.”

“Then why don’t you hurry up and win her over? You’d have a prodigy as your wife in the future,” Jiang Changkong joked.

Nantian Pang curled his lip. “I’ll go over after she finishes stargazing.”

Jiang Changkong asked curiously, “Now that you mention it, is stargazing a habit of hers?”

He looked up at the starry sky, filled with countless stars, but there was nothing particularly special about it. He had seen it countless times in both his past and present lives.

“The Liangqiu family had a high-rank martial artist who participated in the Starry Sky Expedition—her grandfather.”

Yao Meng sighed softly. “Her grandfather adored her. She’s been waiting since she was seven, and even now, he hasn’t returned.”

Nantian Pang added, “An expedition can take over twenty years to return, if at all. She still has a long wait ahead.”

Jiang Changkong changed the subject and asked more about the Void Realm.

The two of them stopped discussing Liangqiu Xuanyi and began explaining things to him.

It wasn’t until late at night that Liangqiu Xuanyi finally stopped gazing at the stars. The young men immediately rushed over to strike up conversations.

Fatty Nan was among them, but they clearly lacked the skills to impress her. Liangqiu Xuanyi’s expression remained unchanged from start to finish.

She politely declined all their invitations.

Yao Meng spoke up again, “Are you really not going to try? With your talent and strength, Liangqiu Xuanyi would surely give you a chance.”

Jiang Changkong tore off a piece of roasted star demon meat and chuckled, “It’s like in nature—a bunch of males showing off, wagging their tails, trying to impress the female.”

He then looked at Yao Meng. “Sister Meng, in terms of beauty, you’re only slightly less stunning. In terms of talent, your family background makes up for it. Yet, you don’t have any bees buzzing around you.”

Yao Meng replied calmly, “I’ve rejected everyone.”

Jiang Changkong smiled and said, “One day, I’ll also embark on an expedition. I only focus on my own goals.”

Chasing women was out of the question—Jiang Changkong had no such thoughts.

He only wanted to improve his strength, venture into the starry sky, and one day achieve immortality and eternal freedom.

If he really pursued a woman, what then? He’d be away on an expedition for decades, while she stayed below, gazing at the stars?

Nantian Pang returned, looking dejected.

Yao Meng chuckled softly. “The male returns, crestfallen after a failed courtship.”

Nantian Pang’s expression darkened, and he viciously bit into a piece of meat. “Sister Meng, don’t mock me. Even Changkong would fail if he tried.”

Jiang Changkong smiled and was about to say something when a sense of being watched washed over him. He turned to look behind him.

A man was hiding in the weeds, his cold, eerie eyes fixed intently on Jiang Changkong.

“Persistent as a ghost!”

Jiang Changkong set down the piece of meat, his expression turning cold and stern. In an instant, his figure vanished.

“Changkong.” The two quickly rose and hurried after him.

The others who had been enjoying themselves were also startled and promptly followed.

Jiang Changkong moved with extreme speed, reaching the thicket of weeds in almost the blink of an eye.

The peeping figure, as if sensing something amiss, hastily retreated.

“Friend, since you’ve come, why not leave your life behind?”

In a flash, Jiang Changkong overtook the peeping figure, blocking the escape route.

A figure clad in black, holding a long sword, looked somewhat panicked.