Chapter 281: From Today, This Place Bears the Surname Jiang

Lin Nanfeng guided the direction while Jiang Changkong flew with him in tow.

Under the influence of the Divine Control Art and the invisible light sphere, Lin Nanfeng finally understood why Jiang Changkong hadn’t been detected when following him to meet the middle-aged man.

If Jiang Changkong didn’t fluctuate his Star Power, those weaker than him simply couldn’t sense his presence!

In the Void Realm, the territory occupied by humans was only a small corner. The remaining areas were either dominated by Star Demons or were desolate lands accessible only to Top-Rank Martial Artists.

Opportunities abounded here, and Ancient Ruins could be said to be scattered everywhere.

In Jiang Changkong’s Uncharted Land, even Star Demons at the Early Star Constellation Stage occupied an Ancient Ruin. Deeper within, there were even better ruins and resources.

On average, across other regions, nearly one out of every ten territories contained an Ancient Ruin.

Of course, the majority of known Ancient Ruins in the Void Realm had already been exploited and developed by Star Demons.

Only the less valuable ones, which Star Demons deemed not worth the effort—where the gains didn’t justify the costs—were left untouched.

After some thought, Lin Nanfeng spoke softly, “Later, I’ll lure them out, and you can strike directly.”

“No need for such trouble. We can just pull them out directly.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained indifferent. With the Divine Control Art, he could effortlessly and silently extract the remaining two Star Demons.

Lin Nanfeng fell silent. With Jiang Changkong possessing such abilities, he felt utterly worthless.

If the Immortal Palace still didn’t contact him and he lost his value, only one outcome awaited him.

That was death—there was no second option.

Unless Jiang Changkong could treat him as one of his own, but Lin Nanfeng doubted Jiang Changkong would ever trust him.

The invisible light sphere descended, arriving at a mountain peak as its intangible power spread outward.

“These Star Demons are truly careless. They haven’t even noticed two of them are missing.”

Jiang Changkong remarked calmly. He had first come to the palace of the Star Demon he had eliminated.

Inside the mountain’s belly, the Star Demons were still conducting their research, unaware that the Star Body Peak Star Demon from the palace had already vanished.

“These Star Demons usually don’t venture out. If something happened, I would have notified them in advance, so it’s normal he didn’t notice.”

Lin Nanfeng explained. If a true powerhouse arrived, he would have alerted the Star Body Peak Star Demon.

However, he hadn’t anticipated that Jiang Changkong had been watching him all along.

Jiang Changkong took him to the next palace. “You could have simply called to notify the Star Demons earlier. Why did you come in person?”

“Star Demons use their own networks for communication, not human ones, to avoid being monitored. The Immortal Palace forbids us from using Star Demon networks to prevent eavesdropping and information leaks.”

Lin Nanfeng’s expression darkened. “Star Demon technology isn’t much weaker than humanity’s.”

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly. “So, you also use your own network?”

“Yes. I’ve heard—just rumors—that the Immortal Palace has its own internal network, called the Immortal Net. Only formal members can log in to access certain information.”

Lin Nanfeng sighed helplessly. “I’ve worked for the Immortal Palace for years, yet I’m still just a peripheral member.”

“The Immortal Palace’s secrecy measures are quite thorough,” Jiang Changkong noted.

“Their secrecy is only average, but they handle loose ends well. The Immortal Palace has infiltrated both the human and Star Demon races, and they can clean up any matter without a trace.”

Lin Nanfeng said gravely, “So, if you plan to oppose the Immortal Palace, you’d better think carefully.”

“We’re here.”

Jiang Changkong didn’t respond. Instead, he unleashed the Divine Control Art, and a light sphere flew out from the palace, landing before the two of them.

Lin Nanfeng watched this scene, his eyes flickering with starlight, concealing a trace of shock.

A phantom-like soul flew out from the Star Demon’s body, shattered into fragments, and dissipated into the air.

After collecting the Star Stone and the Star Demon’s corpse, Jiang Changkong flew toward the final palace.

From then on, Lin Nanfeng fell silent. Jiang Changkong killed too quickly.

Slaughtering Star Body Peak Star Demons was as easy as killing chickens. Even an ordinary Star Martial Artist wouldn’t have been so effortless.

The last Star Body Peak Star Demon met the same fate—its soul shattered into pieces.

Lin Nanfeng pointed ahead. “The Early Star Constellation Stage Star Demon is inside a mountain peak up ahead. The old master of the Jiang family is also imprisoned there.”

“Take me there. After that, you can return. The remaining Star Embryo Star Demons will be left to you,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

“Yes,” Lin Nanfeng replied respectfully.

“You’ve adapted to your new role quite quickly.”

Jiang Changkong chuckled lightly and soared through the air.

The two arrived before a mountain peak. Jiang Changkong’s gaze remained calm. There were many Star Arrays here as well, and they had reached the ninth-tier lower grade.

If he hadn’t broken through earlier, he would have needed to exert some effort to deal with them. Now, he could completely ignore them.

“Go deal with those Star Demons.”

Jiang Changkong waved his hand, dismissing Lin Nanfeng, and entered alone.

He sensed a powerful aura—an Early Star Constellation Stage presence.

The Divine Control Art passed through invisibly, not triggering the Star Arrays.

Atop the mountain peak stood a massive palace, capable of withstanding attacks from ordinary Stellar Body Martial Artists.

A golden star, the size of a basketball, hovered above the main seat of the palace. Mysterious patterns intertwined across its surface.

Without rushing to act, Jiang Changkong used the Divine Control Art to seep into the mountain’s interior. There, Star Demons were conducting research, accompanied by two Late Star Body Stage Star Demons.

An elderly man was immersed in star liquid, his body covered with tubes.

“Who’s there?”

The golden star trembled, and a short, ugly Star Demon materialized. A three-foot-long beam of starlight shot out like a sharp blade, directly targeting the location of the Divine Control Art.

“Only now do you notice me? You’re not much of a Star Demon.”

Jiang Changkong revealed himself, the Flaming Sun Blade hovering beside him.

The short Star Demon’s expression turned grave, a flicker of wariness flashing in its eyes. “Who are you? Since when has a powerhouse like you appeared here?”

“You’re in my territory, and you ask who I am?”

Jiang Changkong spoke coldly, his long blade vibrating the Void as a blade aura shot forth. “From today onward, this place belongs to the Jiang family!”

“The fifty-third Uncharted Land?”

The Star Demon’s gaze turned icy. The golden star gathered, and the palace erupted with boundless starlight—a Star Array!

With a thunderous roar, the blade aura and the star shattered simultaneously. Jiang Changkong retreated, pressing a palm downward as invisible Star Power penetrated deep into the ground.

Rumble—

The mountain peak trembled, the interior collapsed, instruments were destroyed, and the tubes snapped. The elderly man immersed in the liquid suddenly opened his eyes, stars swirling within them.

“What have you done?”

Noticing the change, the Star Demon’s expression turned frosty. Its claws stirred ripples in the Void, gathering the power of the Star Array.

“Just releasing an old man. No need to be so tense.”

Jiang Changkong swiftly retreated, the Holy Sun shining brightly. The power of the Holy Sun shattered the killing move and broke the golden claw aura.

Boom—

A surge of overwhelming Star Power shook the mountain peak violently, yet the old man did not emerge.

“He’s already exhausted his energy. Hoping for an extra ally? Your plan has failed!”

The Star Demon roared. The Star Arrays outside erupted with boundless starlight, golden Star Power transforming into sharp swords radiating terrifying sword energy.

Boundless power converged, merging into the Star Demon’s body. Its aura and strength instantly surged.

Jiang Changkong narrowed his eyes, the Holy Sun transformed, golden-red intertwined patterns surged with overwhelming blood energy, shattering the entire palace as the mountain peak cracked.

Endless blood energy outlined a formation—Power Runes activated the array!

He intended to blast this Star Demon apart with sheer force alone!

Roar!

The Power Runes roared as Jiang Changkong’s body swelled, blood energy churned, his aura skyrocketed, and a savage, ferocious presence erupted, like an ancient primordial beast.