Chapter 224: Call Everyone You Can

In the end, they settled on a four-six split.

Jiang Changkong decided he didn’t want to do business with Yao Meng again in the future—he’d need to find a professional for that.

People from these major factions always kept emotions and business strictly separate.

There were things they could give you for free, tasks they’d help with without charge.

But when it came to business, they showed no mercy, not a hint of sentimentality.

In the following battles, Jiang Changkong was injured again, his wounds worsening.

The Healing Medicine given by Nantian Pang and the others could only temporarily suppress the pain.

As a result, Jiang Changkong sensed more people watching him, as if trying to confirm whether he was truly injured.

He went from defeating opponents in a single move to barely managing to finish them off after several hours.

By the end of the fourth day, only twelve teams remained. After a day of rest, the next round would directly determine the ten quota holders.

That night, Jiang Changkong and the other two returned to the city and checked into a hotel.

“Should we go to the hospital to put on another act?” Nantian Pang asked.

“No need. If they’re tempted by the Sin Domain quota, tonight is their last chance.

Besides, even if it’s not for the quota, once the ten slots are decided, we’ll be heading to the Sin Domain anyway.”

Jiang Changkong spoke calmly.

Tonight was likely their only opportunity. If they missed it, who knew how long they’d have to wait.

“Then why are you pretending to be injured? Bored or something?” Fatty Nan rolled his eyes.

“The injury is just to provoke them, to solidify their resolve to take action.”

Jiang Changkong said indifferently, “Didn’t we agree to go camping again tonight? Let’s hurry.”

Yao Meng said, “We still need to prepare. Bring Aunt Liu along. You may be confident, but we still need to prioritize safety.”

Nantian Pang nodded repeatedly. The other side was surely prepared, and bringing a Star Spirit Peak expert wouldn’t slow them down.

After calling for their bodyguard, the three headed to the camping site.

This time, the location had changed, a fair distance from the previous spot.

Jiang Changkong looked pale and weak.

Liu Min and a middle-aged man followed closely beside Yao Meng and the others, providing protection.

When the group arrived at the campsite, Liangqiu Xuanyi and the others were already there, with several other camping teams nearby.

Seeing the five of them, a young man laughed, “You’re being too cautious this time, even bringing bodyguards.”

“The situation is different now. Changkong is seriously injured,” Yao Meng explained.

The young man said, “Brother Changkong, I watched all your matches. You were just too careless.”

“Exactly. Almost everyone competing for the Sin Domain quota is a powerhouse or a genius in their own right.

Brother Changkong, you did fine earlier against weaker opponents, but you didn’t research Hai Dafu thoroughly beforehand.”

Others chimed in, with a few taking out Healing Medicine. “Fortunately, it’s not life-threatening. Take this Healing Medicine and use it.”

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’ve already taken some Healing Medicine,” Jiang Changkong thanked them one by one.

Yao Meng said, “Changkong’s injuries have stabilized. Everyone, go about your business as usual.”

Only then did the group disperse to their tasks—some lighting fires, others preparing ingredients, and some setting up tents.

Liangqiu Xuanyi continued gazing at the stars, ignoring everyone, sitting quietly by herself.

Nantian Pang and Yao Meng took charge of grilling the meat, while Jiang Changkong, now the patient, was responsible for eating.

The group chatted and laughed as time flew by, the enticing aroma of food wafting through the air, making everyone’s mouths water.

“Let me tell you all, I’ve professionally studied barbecue.” Nantian Pang began to boast, though this time the barbecue truly was fragrant.

Liangqiu Xuanyi held a plate, took a piece of roasted meat, and sat beside Jiang Changkong: “Too fragrant, there’s a problem.”

Jiang Changkong glanced at her, ate a piece of meat, and indeed, there was an unusual force eroding his Star Power.

If one wasn’t careful, it would be impossible to detect this abnormal force.

However, having only taken a bite, the threat was minimal, not even requiring an antidote.

Since Nantian Pang had mentioned using poison, they had long prepared antidotes—high-grade, universal detox pills, effective only against poisons below high rank.

Liangqiu Xuanyi looked at him, her expression unchanged, and simply stood up and left.

The others ate the barbecue, chatting and laughing, while Jiang Changkong ate the meat while cleansing the toxins inside his body.

“This meat is problematic…”

A startled cry rang out as a young man directly threw away the meat in his hand, quickly swallowed a bottle of medicine, and sat down cross-legged.

“It’s poisoned! Who was in charge of today’s ingredients?” Nantian Pang’s expression changed as he shouted angrily.

“I brought them, but I’m poisoned too. I had no idea there was a problem.”

A young man, his face pale, took out an antidote and swallowed it.

If the ingredients he was responsible for were tainted, and something happened to Yao Meng and Fatty Nan—people from top-tier major factions—he would be in serious trouble.

Jiang Changkong sat cross-legged, a faint flush appearing on his pale face, with traces of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Everyone present, except for Liangqiu Xuanyi who hadn’t eaten, was poisoned.

“Why are you unaffected?” Nantian Pang’s gaze turned to Liangqiu Xuanyi.

Liangqiu Xuanyi slowly stood up, saying nothing.

The others were shocked and angry: “Liangqiu Xuanyi, we never expected you to be this kind of person.”

“I didn’t poison it,” Liangqiu Xuanyi said calmly, showing no trace of panic.

“Bullshit! If you didn’t poison it, why didn’t you eat it?”

Thud, thud

Heavy footsteps approached as several groups from the surrounding camping teams arrived, not to rescue them, but with murderous intent.

“Of course she didn’t poison it, and she wouldn’t dare to say who did.”

A cold voice spoke as figures emerged from the darkness.

One of them fixed his gaze directly on Jiang Changkong, who was sitting cross-legged: “President Jiang, we meet again.”

“Hai Dafu, your appearance surprises me somewhat.”

Jiang Changkong looked toward the speaker—Hai Dafu, whom he had defeated before.

Hai Dafu’s expression was sinister, and behind him stood eight Star Spirit Peak experts: “President Jiang’s strength is astonishing. This time, we wish to challenge you again!”

“And the rest of you?” Jiang Changkong looked at the others. Combined with Hai Dafu’s group of nine, there were nearly thirty people, all at Star Spirit Peak.

The many Star Spirit Peak experts wore cold expressions: “We came for you, and for another battle.”

“There must be others behind you. Call them all out.”

Jiang Changkong stood up, his expression indifferent.

“President Jiang truly has the courage of a master. Knowing there was danger, you still dared to leave the city.”

A chilling voice came from the darkness as five figures in black robes appeared simultaneously: “With such a grand lineup to send you off, your journey in this world will not have been in vain.”

“Who are you people, daring to attack us? Do you not know our identities?” A young man’s expression changed—this lineup was too extravagant.

“Daring to act here, aren’t you afraid of High-Rank Martial Artists from Ten Thousand Li City coming out?”

The man in black said coldly, “The surrounding area has been cleared. There’s no one within a hundred miles. If you want to blame someone, blame Jiang Changkong.

We conduct our affairs by first extending courtesy before resorting to force. We previously invited President Jiang, but not only did he refuse, he also detained our people.”

Jiang Changkong sneered, “Courtesy before force? Is it because you can’t win, or you’re not confident, that you talk about courtesy? Besides, was that what you call courtesy?

I, as president, am giving you a chance. Call everyone you can summon, so as to avoid trouble in the future.”

“Arrogant! Today, even if you weren’t poisoned or injured, you would still be doomed to die.”

The five men in black shouted coldly, producing several golden stones in their hands. They scattered them in all directions, unleashing beams of extreme, blazing golden light.

Taiyang Star Array!

Jiang Changkong glanced at Fatty Nan with a complicated expression. “Is this one of the disciples you taught?”