Chapter 223: Injured

Blocked from both front and back, the black-clad figure’s gaze turned panicked, and he couldn’t help but retreat two steps.

Glancing behind him, the black-clad figure said in a low voice, “I had no intention of spying; I was merely passing through.”

“Clad in black and masked, lurking in the shadows—is that how one passes through?” Yao Meng said coldly.

Liangqiu Xuanyi’s usually calm expression shifted slightly for a moment before returning to its usual composure.

Jiang Changkong frowned, his body moving like a flash of golden light as he raised his right palm. “We’ll see if it was unintentional after we capture you.”

“Jiang Changkong, you—”

The black-clad figure shouted in shock and anger, retreating swiftly as a sword light shot straight toward Liangqiu Xuanyi.

Liangqiu Xuanyi was startled and was about to dodge when the sword light suddenly halted, veering off to the side instead.

Jiang Changkong’s palm had already arrived. The black-clad figure, unable to evade in his panic, could only hastily swing his sword back to block.

Boom!

Crack, crack!

The sharp sound of breaking bones echoed as overwhelming Star Power surged in, shattering the bones in the black-clad figure’s legs and sending him crashing to the ground.

Jiang Changkong grabbed the black-clad figure, tore off his mask, and revealed an unfamiliar face.

He tossed the black-clad figure at Yao Meng’s feet. “Meng Jie, he’s yours.”

“Alright.” Yao Meng took out her phone, snapped a photo, and sent the information out.

“Jiang Changkong, you keep ruining things again and again. You won’t live much longer, heh heh…”

The black-clad figure roared in anger, but before he could finish, his jaw was dislocated, and Star Power surged into his body, sealing off all his movements.

To prevent the man from committing suicide, Jiang Changkong had gone to great lengths.

Soon, someone arrived and took the black-clad figure away.

The group returned to the bonfire and continued their fun, unaffected by what had just happened.

For these people, such incidents were nothing new—they had encountered them at least several times, if not a dozen.

As they picked up the roasted meat to continue enjoying it, Liangqiu Xuanyi walked over and sat down beside Yao Meng.

“Thank you for earlier, for deflecting the sword just enough.”

A soft, gentle voice spoke, and her usually calm face broke into a faint smile.

Jiang Changkong said indifferently, “That sword light was only meant to force you back; it wasn’t a life-threatening attack. No need to thank me.”

At the time, he had used the Spirit Control Art to alter the sword light’s trajectory, something Liangqiu Xuanyi could still sense.

Yao Meng glanced at her, slightly puzzled. “Among us, aside from Changkong, Xuanyi is the strongest. Why would that person choose you as the breakthrough point?”

Nantian Pang snapped back to reality, also looking confused. “That’s true. If he had targeted any of us, he could have easily killed us. Why choose Xuanyi?”

Liangqiu Xuanyi smiled gently, her voice still soft. “Perhaps he was so frightened by Changkong that he lost his senses. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Liangqiu Xuanyi stood up and returned to her spot.

“There’s something off about her,” Nantian Pang frowned.

Yao Meng nodded, sent a message, and changed the subject. “Let’s finish eating and rest.”

After the meal, the night passed, and the next day, everyone went their separate ways, agreeing to meet again next time.

Jiang Changkong and Yao Meng returned to Ten Thousand Li City together.

Yao Meng whispered, “Last night’s incident wasn’t actually targeting Changkong.”

“Huh? It was targeting Liangqiu Xuanyi?” Jiang Changkong was slightly taken aback.

Yao Meng replied, “Exactly. But that’s all we found out—someone had instructed him to keep an eye on Liangqiu Xuanyi.

Unexpectedly, you were there too, so he took a glance at you as well.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

My apologies for being just an afterthought.

“However, since we’re all part of the same group, even if he doesn’t target me, those behind him will,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

The two nodded, and Yao Meng continued, “The people from Shengjin have been getting close to some members of the Martial Arts Association recently. It’s very likely, as Tianwang said, that they plan to use them against you.”

“A bunch of defeated opponents. I hope they make their move soon,” Jiang Changkong said indifferently.

Nantian Pang remarked, “I think if they do act, they won’t bring Star Stones this time. Your reputation is already tarnished.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Why do I keep having the urge to hit you lately?

Without Star Stones, fighting would be utterly meaningless.

The three entered Ten Thousand Li City. This time, they were taking him out for leisure and to introduce him to some young masters and ladies.

The Martial Arts Association competition continued. After ten days, the top thirty from the Ordinary Provinces were finally about to be decided.

Jiang Changkong defeated another Martial Arts Association and sat in the spectator stands to wait.

By evening, thirty Martial Arts Associations had finally been selected.

Nan Yanyang led them to the competition grounds for the Major Provinces.

The fighting here had already ceased, and thirty Martial Arts Associations had also been chosen.

The thirty teams from the Eleven Overseas Islands arrived as well, their expressions filled with excitement.

Only ninety teams remained now. Forty-five would be eliminated in one round, after which one team would randomly receive a bye.

This time, it was An Shanhe who initiated the competition. The device projected Jiang Changkong’s opponent for this round—someone he had met before: Hai Dafu.

Descending from the air, Hai Dafu arrived with eight Star Spirit Peak cultivators, his expression grave.

“Please,” Jiang Changkong said politely.

Hai Dafu’s expression darkened. “President Jiang, I truly didn’t want to face you.”

Jiang Changkong replied indifferently, “Neither did I, but this isn’t something I can decide. Let the battle begin.”

“Attack!”

Hai Dafu shouted sternly, and the eight Star Spirit Peak cultivators simultaneously erupted with azure starlight.

In Hai Dafu’s hand, a deep blue longsword released a hazy mist, channeling the Star Power of the eight others.

“Finally, there’s a bit of interest in this competition when it comes to you.”

Jiang Changkong’s eyes lit up. The Star Power of the eight gathered, guided by Hai Dafu, and the combined strength of the nine surged almost exponentially.

This level of power was considered extremely strong even among Star Spirit Peak cultivators, second only to prodigy-level fighters.

“Heaven and Sea as One.”

Hai Dafu roared, merging the strength of all nine. The sword light shook heaven and earth, astonishing countless spectators.

Even the soldiers maintaining order couldn’t help but glance over. This sword strike had captured the interest of many.

“Not bad.”

With a word of praise, Jiang Changkong slowly spread his hands, which had been resting behind his back, and a blazing sun gathered before him.

Hum

The golden sun pierced through the night, its dazzling light illuminating the area within a thousand meters as if it were daytime.

A wave of scorching heat surged forth, meeting the azure sword light.

Sizzle

The incoming Star Power turned into white smoke and evaporated.

“How is this possible?”

The faces of Hai Dafu and his eight companions changed simultaneously. Gritting his teeth, Hai Dafu let out a low roar, and the Star Power within the nine of them instantly doubled.

The azure light intensified, and Jiang Changkong finally regarded the nine seriously. This sword strike was already comparable to a prodigy-level Star Spirit Peak attack.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he allowed the azure light to engulf the blazing sun.

Thud

The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh echoed as the azure sword light penetrated his body.

Hai Dafu and his companions rejoiced, but then a blade flash swept past, striking six of them.

The nine were violently shaken, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths as they were sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground.

A surge of Blazing Sun Star Power invaded their bodies, disrupting their Star Power.

Jiang Changkong looked at the wound on his body, gripped the hilt of the sword, and forcefully pulled it out, bringing forth Golden Blood.

The wound healed rapidly, returning to its original state in the blink of an eye.

“I truly underestimated you all, to be able to injure me,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Hai Dafu and the other eight opened their mouths, only to spit out a mouthful of scalding blood.

In this battle, Jiang Changkong had won.

Jiang Changkong flew back through the air and arrived beside Yao Meng.

The two of them gave him a strange look: “Are you so impatient that you want to lure them out?”

Jiang Changkong was someone who could kill Yun Bugui—how could he be injured by that sword strike earlier?

He must have done it on purpose; the two of them were well aware of this.

Jiang Changkong said, “If we don’t give them a chance, how can we act? I hope they’ll be more proactive next time.”

Yao Meng replied, “That will have to wait until the day of rest. With Healing Medicine, such minor injuries will heal quickly for you.”

“From now on, I’ll continue getting injured. When the time comes, keep an eye on whoever makes a move. If they’re from a Martial Arts Association, take all their Star Stones.”

Jiang Changkong thought for a moment and said, “For those who don’t bring Star Stones when they act, we’ll split the gains twenty-eight. For those who do, we’ll split the proceeds thirty-seven afterward.”

Yao Meng narrowed her eyes: “Your business terms aren’t favorable. Fifty-fifty. Although we can’t harm the association heads, we have an excuse, and the Martial Arts Association can also distance themselves. We’ll need to expend considerable manpower to act.”

“What about thirty-seven for all?”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“You’re making this pointless. I’m risking my life here.”