Chapter 25: Taiji Fist Scripture Perfected

Ji Ziling was a bit annoyed.

She had only been preparing for the college entrance exam for four years, and this guy was already looking forward to her getting assigned a job.

And he was still thinking about senior and junior female students—this brotherly loyalty was far too shallow.

The boat of friendship could capsize in an instant.

Of course, she wasn’t truly angry, knowing it was just a joke.

The two continued on their way, but before long, Star Demons appeared ahead once more.

Two early-stage Star Cloud Star Demons were occasionally sniffing at something on the ground.

Ji Ziling killed them directly and, as before, tossed them to Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong didn’t hold back either—an early-stage Star Cloud Star Demon was worth 1200 Essence.

With Ji Ziling, a super top student at Star Cloud Peak, by his side, he could just follow along and reap the benefits.

At this rate, he estimated his Taiji Fist could reach perfection directly.

Along the way, he could also upgrade his Severing Water Three Blades.

It wouldn’t be too late to break through to Star Cloud after all three martial arts reached peak stellar qi.

If he broke through now, his Essence would shrink severely, making it troublesome to level up.

This Essence was only related to his cultivation level and wouldn’t adjust based on the grade of the martial arts he practiced.

Happily storing the Star Stones, Ji Ziling looked at the ground.

There were licking marks on the ground, and within the sticky saliva of the Star Demons was a trace of blood.

“Someone deliberately lured the nearby Star Demons here.”

Ji Ziling’s expression turned grim as she said, “The aura contained in this blood should be at Star Cloud Peak.”

“The blood was drawn from the corpse of that Star Cloud Peak Star Demon earlier.”

Jiang Changkong whispered.

Ji Ziling nodded slightly, “I noticed it earlier too, but I didn’t expect they would do this.”

Clearly, they had anticipated she would pursue them, luring Star Demons along the way to hinder her speed.

Expecting these Star Demons to stop her was unrealistic.

Ji Ziling was at Star Cloud Peak—unless they could lure Star Cloud Peak Star Demons.

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly, “Should we take a detour?”

“We can’t take a detour. Once we do, we’ll lose the trail and our direction.”

Ji Ziling shook her head, “Let’s go. As long as no Star Cloud Peak Star Demons appear, everything will be fine.”

Jiang Changkong didn’t object. After all, with free Essence to collect, he was happy to follow.

The two continued forward and, sure enough, encountered Star Demons again—this time only at peak stellar qi.

Ji Ziling plowed through the path, and Jiang Changkong followed, reaping the benefits as his Essence continued to grow.

By nightfall, the two had traveled a long way, killing many Star Demons but still failing to catch up with their targets.

The two found a spot to sit and rest.

Jiang Changkong took out dry rations and water from his backpack, sharing them with Ji Ziling.

Ji Ziling had come in a hurry and hadn’t brought any supplies.

Taking out the notebook, Jiang Changkong began to review it.

Now at peak stellar qi, he couldn’t exactly see in the dark as if it were daylight, but reading a book was no problem.

The notebook recorded the experiences of Liu Feng and the other two, as well as their understanding of the area outside the city.

The land outside Jiangcheng was known as the Star Desolate Grasslands, where countless Star Demons hid.

Some edible Star Demons were also documented, along with nearby water sources.

The distribution and habits of Star Demons were recorded in detail—which ones traveled in groups and which ones were solitary.

The Star Desolate Grasslands at night were even more dangerous. Even Ji Ziling didn’t dare to wander recklessly.

Coupled with the fact that the trail was faint and well-hidden, searching for it was even more difficult, so they could only rest.

Nibbling on the dry rations, Ji Ziling glanced at the notebook in his hand and couldn’t help but look disappointed, “It’s not one of those rare manuscripts. I should’ve brought a few with me.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

What time is it, and you still have the mood to miss your rare books?

Jiang Changkong said irritably, “You should be worrying right now whether your friend Ying Yanxue is in danger.”

“Just got the news, no danger.”

Ji Ziling pursed her lips, glanced at her phone, and said, “Saved by that kid Zhang Hua.”

“Zhang Hua?” Jiang Changkong asked, “Also from the school? Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Because he’s from the school, I’m even more worried.”

Ji Ziling clenched her snow-white fist, angrily saying, “That kid also completed the four-year college entrance exams and has long wanted to make a move on Yan Xue. Now that he’s saved Yan Xue, who knows how he’ll try to curry favor? He even confiscated their phones—it makes me furious.”

“Confiscated their phones? That’s a bit excessive, isn’t it?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“Not really excessive.”

Sighing slightly, Ji Ziling said, “The vice principal sent word that it involves a Special Star Demon. Zhang Hua has the authority to block information.”

Jiang Changkong opened his mouth, momentarily unsure of what to say.

A Special Star Demon—that means it has special abilities!

Such matters truly shouldn’t be leaked. This reason is quite compelling.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, “So what do we do? Go back tomorrow?”

“I’m not going back. Wait until we find them, then you go back.”

Ji Ziling glared at him and said, “You follow me for now. If there are any Second Tier mid-grade Star Stones along the way, help me carry them. Once we find them, you go back. The Second Tier mid-grade ones can’t be given to you, but the rest are yours.”

“Senior, do you really want me to go back that much? Helping you carry Star Stones is no problem. I’ll even keep the First Tier ones for you.”

Jiang Changkong asked doubtfully, “Besides, are you really comfortable with me going back alone?”

“I can’t be bothered with First Tier ones. If it weren’t for buying gifts for Yan Xue, I wouldn’t have bothered earning Star Stones at school before. As for you, with your strength and this notebook, you’ll have no problem getting back to the city.”

Ji Ziling waved her hand and said, “It’s settled. Once we find them, you obediently go back. I’ll go find my Yan Xue.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

Ji Ziling was right. As long as he didn’t encounter a Nebula-level Star Demon, there would be no problem.

And the notebook recorded the distribution of Star Demons. As long as he was careful to avoid them and didn’t do anything foolish, returning to the city wouldn’t be an issue.

He wanted to say more, but Ji Ziling had already finished her rations, sat cross-legged, and closed her eyes.

She wasn’t giving him a chance to speak.

Jiang Changkong had no choice. Following her there seemed truly useless.

That group was mostly at the Star Cloud Level, and with the matter involving a Special Star Demon, he would only be a burden.

It would be better to stick to his original plan: roam freely in this Star Demon territory and improve himself.

Essence: 23613

Almost there. Just over six thousand more, and he could perfect the Tai Chi Fist Scripture and start upgrading the Three Cuts of Severing Water.

On the third day, the two set off again and encountered Star Demons blocking their way once more.

First, a Special Star Demon confiscated Ying Yanxue and the others’ phones, and now Star Demons were blocking the way.

Clearly, they didn’t want Ji Ziling to go over.

However, this worked to Jiang Changkong’s advantage. Ji Ziling, his good friend, generously gave everything to him.

She didn’t care for these Star Stones, which were at most Second Tier low-grade.

Only Star Demons at the mid-level of the Star Cloud Level would she take down.

By evening, the two finally spotted Ying Yanxue and the others.

Over ten people were gathered together, roasting a Star Demon.

The two watched from a distance. Ji Ziling glared at him and said, “I’m going to find my Yan Xue. If you’re a true friend, go back.”

“Putting romance before friendship,” Jiang Changkong scoffed.

Ji Ziling ignored him and walked straight over.

Jiang Changkong didn’t follow. Instead, he checked his Essence, Qi, and Spirit: 36,213.

This was even without Ji Ziling giving him a Second Tier Star Stone. Throughout the day, they had encountered almost nothing but Nebula-level Star Demons.

Without hesitation, Jiang Changkong perfected his Taiji Fist.

A vast yet gentle power surged from within his body, and his Star Power nearly doubled.

Under the influence of this gentle force, the injuries inside his body healed rapidly.

In just a few breaths, those minor injuries were almost completely healed.

The Power Rune within his body also thickened slightly, and his Star Power doubled.

Jiang Changkong: Peak Stellar Qi

Low-Tier Lower-Grade Martial Arts:

Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique: Perfected 32,000/32,000

Tai Chi Fist Scripture: 32,000/32,000

Three Cuts to Sever Water: Beginner 0/10

Essence, Qi, and Spirit: 414

“Ji Ziling, where’s Jiang Changkong? Didn’t he come with you?”

A voice abruptly reached Jiang Changkong’s ears, startling him.

Asking about me?