Chapter 28: Mid-Stage Star Nebula

Jiang Changkong went off to kill Star Demons again, barely touching that piece of Star Demon meat.

But there were urgent matters ahead; he needed to boost his strength first.

He kept killing until 3 p.m. before stopping.

Essence, Energy, and Spirit: 1550

Without hesitation, he spent 1,000 to enhance the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique, raising it to the Minor Achievement stage.

This martial art was his foundation and his guarantee of survival.

Only by continuously improving the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique could he act without restraint and crush all opponents of the same tier.

As the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique strengthened, his power naturally broke through to the mid-stage of Star Cloud.

His Star Power increased, his five senses sharpened, and his Power Runes thickened slightly.

His defense also improved once more; early-stage Star Cloud practitioners could no longer harm him in the slightest.

Jiang Changkong: Mid-stage Star Cloud

Low-Grade Mid-Tier Martial Arts:

Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique: Minor Achievement 1/4000

Tai Chi Fist Scripture: Novice 1/1000

Three Blades Without Trace: Novice 1/1000

Essence, Energy, and Spirit: 550

Sensing his current strength, Jiang Changkong felt somewhat satisfied.

Now he was confident he could utterly dominate mid-stage Star Cloud opponents.

Although only the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique had improved, his Star Power and overall strength were shared across all three martial arts.

The other two martial arts had indirectly advanced as well.

“Martial arts are divided into low, medium, high, and top tiers, each further split into upper, middle, and lower grades,” Jiang Changkong muttered softly.

Iron Shirt had evolved into the low-grade Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique.

Low-grade lower, middle, and upper tiers seemed to correspond to the Star Qi, Star Cloud, and Star Sea realms, respectively.

What if it were upgraded to medium-grade?

What would the Tai Chi Fist Scripture and Three Blades Without Trace become at medium-grade?

Or even high-grade or top-tier in the future…

Jiang Changkong shook his head; that was still far off.

He kept an eye on Wu Jun, and when he saw him leave, Jiang Changkong secretly followed.

This time, he was clever enough to take out his phone, ready to record evidence of the crime.

With this evidence in hand, trying to pin the blame on me?

You deserve whatever happens to you!

Jiang Changkong followed Wu Jun away from the crowd, watching as he hid in the weeds and quietly opened his phone.

Before long, two figures holding sharp swords approached side by side.

“Brother Zhou Wen, why not let go of your grudge against Wu Jun?” Li Yuantong said as they walked.

Zhou Wen remained silent.

Li Yuantong continued, “If you just shift all the blame onto Jiang Changkong, Senior Zhang Hua will ensure you graduate smoothly.

In the future, once Senior Zhang Hua establishes himself outside, he can even give you a hand.”

“Enough nonsense,” Zhou Wen shot him a cold glance. “Changkong risked his life to save me. How could I frame him?

If Wu Jun keeps quiet about this matter, fine. But if he dares to stir trouble, I’ll definitely report it to the principal.”

Li Yuantong’s face darkened. “Don’t push your luck. Who do you think you are? Do you really think Ying Yanxue would ever take a liking to you?”

Zhou Wen’s expression remained unchanged as he replied coldly, “That’s none of your concern.”

Li Yuantong threatened with a cold glare, “Think carefully. Your injuries haven’t healed yet, and anyone who dies here will be blamed on the Star Demons.”

Zhou Wen’s face turned icy as he suddenly stepped back. “You dare kill me? Senior Ji Ziling is nearby.”

“We’re already some distance away from them,” Li Yuantong sneered coldly, his sword suddenly thrusting forward as starlight bloomed. “I never intended for you to return alive.”

“You have some nerve,” Zhou Wen roared angrily, his sword flashing as brilliant starlight erupted, a golden sword aura slicing through the sky.

Boom!

The two swords collided, Star Power scattering in all directions. The surrounding weeds were shredded, and soil flew into the air.

Star Power surged around them as both staggered back simultaneously.

Zhou Wen retreated, her sword blade sweeping to deflect the residual waves of sword energy.

“Die!”

Wu Jun, who had been hiding all this time, finally emerged. He leaped into the air, his sword aimed directly at Zhou Wen’s back.

At this point, there was no way Zhou Wen could be allowed to live.

“Wu Jun!”

Zhou Wen’s expression changed, her heart heavy. Before she could fully deflect the residual energy, the killing intent had already arrived. This time, even if she didn’t die, she would be severely injured.

Suddenly, the weeds rustled, and a figure rushed forward in time, heading straight for Wu Jun’s sword.

Someone else?

Wu Jun was startled, but upon seeing who it was, he immediately laughed. “Jiang Changkong, seeking your own death.”

Perfect! He wouldn’t have to wait until returning to the city—he could deal with this nuisance right away.

“Changkong…”

Zhou Wen urgently called out, wanting to stop him.

Jiang Changkong had no time to explain. The Taiji Diagram emerged from his body, and a Taiji Diagram manifested in his palm.

Seemingly real yet illusory, the yin-yang fish rotated gently, meeting Wu Jun’s sword.

Star Power scattered in all directions, deflecting the attack and instantly reducing its power by eighty percent.

Star Power surged from his palm as he directly grasped the blade.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out, yet the sharp sword couldn’t harm him in the slightest.

“How is this possible?” Wu Jun’s eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him.

His full-strength strike had been caught, and it hadn’t even broken the skin?

“Wen, leave this one to me. He won’t get away.”

After speaking, Jiang Changkong charged straight at Wu Jun.

From that single grasp, he knew this sword was only a low-grade Second Tier weapon.

If it were a mid-grade Second Tier, it might have caused him a hint of pain.

But he felt nothing—this sword truly couldn’t harm him.

Zhou Wen was inwardly shocked, but now wasn’t the time for discussion.

Seeing that he had the strength to deal with Wu Jun, she said nothing more and immediately lunged at Li Yuantong.

Wu Jun’s heart grew heavy. Sword light flashed again as crimson sword energy surged forth, slashing downward.

Protected by the Taiji Diagram surrounding him, Jiang Changkong showed no fear. The Star Power within his body surged simultaneously.

Although he had only just reached the mid-stage of Star Cloud, he cultivated three martial arts, making his Star Power three times that of his peers!

Even though Wu Jun had accumulated power in the mid-stage of Star Cloud for a long time, he was still far from a match.

Star Power and Power Runes erupted together, yet his fist remained restrained, without even a hint of wind—like an ordinary punch.

Only a seemingly real yet illusory Taiji Diagram revealed its extraordinary nature.

Boom!

The punch landed, annihilating the crimson sword energy. A tremendous force, mixed with robust Star Power, struck the sword.

Thud!

Splat!

The immense force impacted him, splitting the tiger’s mouth of his hand. Unable to hold the sword steady, Wu Jun felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Your strength… mid-stage Star Cloud…”

Blood trickled from his mouth as Wu Jun struggled to believe it. Previously, he had only been at the peak stellar qi.

How long had it been? He had directly reached the mid-stage of Star Cloud?

Jiang Changkong didn’t answer, launching another attack.

Clang!

Splat!

One punch, blood splattered, his body staggered, and the sword trembled.

Another punch, Star Power erupted. The fierce, tyrannical force of the fist, as sharp as a blade, passed through the sword and transmitted to Zhou Wen.

Crack!

“Argh…”

The sound of bones breaking echoed. The sword fell, and in the midst of excruciating pain, a wretched cry escaped his lips.

“Wu Jun!”

Li Yuantong’s expression changed, and he shouted urgently.

“Worry about yourself first,” Zhou Wen sneered, relentlessly entangling Li Yuantong.

Li Yuantong grew anxious inside. What was once a flawless plan had not only failed but now threatened to trap him here as well.

He wanted to escape, but Zhou Wen’s strength was no less than his. Even though her injuries hadn’t fully healed, she was more than capable of holding him back.

Thud!

Punch after punch rained down, leaving Wu Jun utterly defenseless.

Both at the mid-stage of Star Cloud, even though Jiang Changkong had just broken through, he could still overwhelm his peers.

Even if it were the late stage of Star Cloud, he was absolutely certain he could kill him.

Jiang Changkong threw another punch, landing on Wu Jun. Star Power and fist force all poured into his body.

Crack, crack…

A series of explosive sounds rang out as all the bones in Wu Jun’s body shattered, turning him into a pile of mush as he collapsed limply.

Having dealt with Wu Jun, Jiang Changkong turned and lunged toward Li Yuantong.

Li Yuantong, flustered and panicked, cried out urgently:

“I’m under Senior Zhang Hua’s protection. Senior Zhang Hua is a top academic genius, the school… Ugh!”

Before he could finish, Jiang Changkong’s fist had already struck, sending Li Yuantong flying backward.

Blood splattered. Zhou Wen was momentarily stunned, but Jiang Changkong didn’t hesitate—he immediately charged forward.

His fist moved without a sound, appearing ordinary yet containing the profound essence of restraint.

Ugh!

Blood sprayed again. After taking that punch, Li Yuantong, severely injured, had no strength left to fight back.

Punch after punch, Jiang Changkong showed no mercy. Before Star Power could even manifest, it was directly shattered.

“Changkong, if you keep hitting him, he’ll die,” Zhou Wen couldn’t help but speak up.

“If we don’t kill him, are we leaving him to harm us?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

Zhou Wen replied, “Then finish him off.”