Chapter 33: Late-Stage Star Nebula

The Star Desolate Grasslands, with the sky just beginning to lighten.

The Star Demons still watched the protective shield, surrounding it in a tight circle.

Suddenly, the crescent moon trembled, and the silver protective shield slowly dissipated.

Sensing the issue with the silver shield, all the Star Demons rose and slowly closed in.

Jiang Changkong remained calm, his Star Power and physical strength fully restored to their peak.

There weren’t many Star Demons here—thirteen in total.

One at the late Star Cloud stage, two at the mid-stage, three at the early stage, and the rest all at the peak of stellar qi.

Now, with the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique on the verge of reaching mastery, he only needed to worry about the late-stage Star Cloud demon.

Even the mid-stage Star Cloud demons would struggle to break through his defense. He could ignore them for a short while, giving him enough time to slay the late-stage Star Demon.

Roar!

As the protective shield completely vanished and the silver light returned to the crescent moon,

the Star Demons let out low growls and lunged forward.

“Fall back.”

Jiang Changkong charged out directly, heading straight for the late-stage Star Cloud demon.

“We should still join the fight.”

Liu Jun and the other three shouted softly, their sword hilts extending three-foot-long blades that gleamed with golden light.

These swords were all sharp weapons, none below second-tier high-grade.

As for their strength, only Liu Jun had reached the early Star Cloud stage, while the other three were at the peak of stellar qi.

A thin layer of armor also appeared on their bodies, covering them entirely.

The armor emitted powerful energy fluctuations, no weaker than a mid-stage Star Cloud demon.

This equipment…

Jiang Changkong’s resolve wavered slightly. Should he go to Kexiang to learn how to operate an excavator?

At the Martial Arts School, just look at Zhou Wen and the others—they were using second-tier low-grade weapons.

Zhang Tao and his group, as early-stage Star Cloud Martial Artists, were still using first-tier top-grade weapons.

How embarrassing!

His mind raced with thoughts, but the late-stage Star Cloud demon was already upon him. Jiang Changkong neither dodged nor evaded, choosing instead to meet it head-on.

Boom!

A fist descended, the Taiji Diagram shining brightly as Star Power clashed.

Clang!

Fist met claw, but with the Taiji Diagram protecting him, Jiang Changkong remained unscathed.

The violent force surged, causing the late-stage Star Cloud demon to tremble and even roll several times from the immense impact.

“What formidable strength!”

The four were startled, growing even more convinced that Jiang Changkong was a super genius from the Martial Arts School.

Not daring to delay, the four quickly moved to block the other Star Cloud demons.

Although Jiang Changkong insisted on handling all the Star Demons alone, they still intervened.

First, they worried that Jiang Changkong might be overestimating his abilities. If he fell, they’d have to continue hiding.

Second, even if he couldn’t hold out, as long as he could buy them a moment, they could either rescue him or seize the chance to escape.

Jiang Changkong paid them no further mind. It was better without the other Star Demons interfering.

Having forced the demon back with a punch, he pressed forward without pause, his fist descending once more.

Boom!

Starlight exploded, Star Power scattering in all directions, dazzling like fireworks.

The surrounding weeds turned to dust, and the ground was pitted with small craters from the Star Power impacts.

Roar!

A furious roar echoed as the late-stage Star Cloud demon grew frantic—it was being suppressed!

From the very start, Jiang Changkong had been overwhelming the late-stage Star Cloud demon, each punch landing harder than the last.

Boom! Boom!

Fists rained down continuously, sending the late-stage Star Cloud demon tumbling repeatedly. Its claws trembled, even emitting cracking sounds.

“If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was wearing second-tier top-grade armor.”

Zhang Xiaoyu and the other three glanced over, their faces filled with shock.

Was this just talent in unarmed combat?

This was extraordinary talent, plain and simple!

Earlier, they’d only asked about his defense—they hadn’t even inquired about this fist technique.

Looking at that Taiji Diagram, could it have been cultivated through Taiji Fist?

Crack!

Thud!

It was almost a complete overpowering. The Star Demon at the late Star Cloud stage, with its prideful defense, was finally breached after several punches.

His fist plunged deep into the Star Demon’s body, nearly half his arm penetrating through.

Blood sprayed out, but the Taiji protection around him remained unstained.

Roar!

The Star Demon roared in agony, but Jiang Changkong paid no heed and continued to strike.

Almost following the wound, Jiang Changkong punched in again, this time even deeper.

His entire arm nearly pierced through the Star Demon’s body.

His fist inside the body clenched forcefully, grabbing hold of some internal organ, and he yanked it out with brute strength.

The Star Demon collapsed with a heavy thud, convulsing on the ground as its vitality rapidly faded.

“Is it dead already?”

The four were somewhat shocked. Wasn’t this a bit too fast?

Just a few minutes?

Ignoring their astonishment, Jiang Changkong flicked his wrist, sending the Taiji Diagram flying. It struck the head of the Star Demon at the mid Star Cloud stage.

Bang!

The head of the mid Star Cloud stage Star Demon exploded like a watermelon, scattering in all directions.

A one-hit kill!

The remaining Star Demons were even less of a concern. The Taiji Diagram flew out, blasting their heads one after another.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all thirteen Star Demons were dealt with.

“Alright, thank you four for this time.”

Jiang Changkong expressed his gratitude: “These Star Stones all belong to you. Let’s part ways here, with no debts between us.”

“Changkong, how about we team up?”

Lu Hong suddenly suggested: “These Star Stones can be yours.”

Having witnessed Jiang Changkong’s strength, they suddenly felt no need for caution.

After all, even with all their methods combined, they couldn’t handle a Star Demon at the late Star Cloud stage.

Yet that very Star Demon had been beaten to death by Jiang Changkong’s fists.

“I still need to find my senior brother and senior sister. We can meet up again after returning to the city.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head and declined.

The four could only nod: “Very well, we also need to find our senior sister. Let’s part ways here.”

Liu Ya suddenly said: “Then let’s exchange contacts on the Kexiang network and leave phone numbers so we can get in touch back in the city.”

“Well, my phone is with my senior brother.”

Jiang Changkong hesitated for a moment before saying: “You leave your numbers, and once I meet my senior brother and get my phone back, I’ll contact you.”

“In that case, you can borrow my phone for now. Just tap into the Kexiang network directly—my account is set to remember the password.”

Zhang Xiaoyu took a pink phone from his backpack and handed it over. After a moment’s thought, he also took out a golden compass: “Take this too.”

“How can I do that? What if I break it?” Jiang Changkong waved his hands repeatedly.

“Just take it. If it breaks, it breaks.”

Zhang Xiaoyu said generously: “This compass is a Second Tier Primal Martial Compass. It’ll be very useful in the Star Desolate Grasslands.”

Lu Hong added with a hint of pride: “This is unique to our Kexiang. Even top students from Martial Arts Schools might not be able to get their hands on one.”

“Just accept it. The Primal Martial Compass can detect biological energy fluctuations within a hundred-meter radius, with a maximum detection range up to Star Cloud Peak.”

Liu Jun explained further: “We each have one. If it’s lost, we can just get another one back.”

If it breaks, it breaks?

Get another one back?

Jiang Changkong was a bit bewildered. Damn, they were really rolling in money!

Being able to sense Second Tier energy fluctuations, even within just a hundred meters, was no small feat.

Not only did they each have one, but they could also get another if it was lost.

Suddenly, it felt like Martial Arts Schools were the stepchildren, while Kexiang was the biological mother.

The difference in treatment was huge, but it was understandable. After all, this thing was made by Kexiang themselves.

“Since they’re offering all these Star Stones and we haven’t refused, why are you hesitating?”

The four were quite enthusiastic. Since these were things he needed anyway, he decided not to refuse any longer.

He would treat them to a meal once they returned to the city.

After expressing his gratitude, Jiang Changkong bid farewell and left.

Within a few minutes, the four had dug out the Star Stones, cut some Star Demon meat, and departed from the area.

Shortly after they left, Jiang Changkong reappeared and extracted the Essence from the corpses.

Essence: 500

Considering only the corpses remained, some parts had been cut away, and there had been some dissipation, this amount was already quite good.

Jiang Changkong allocated the Essence to the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique, upgrading it once again.

Now, he felt confident he could even slay a Star Cloud Peak-level opponent!

However, the amount of Essence required for further progress left him somewhat frustrated—it was substantial.

Jiang Changkong: Late Star Cloud Stage

Low-Grade Mid-Tier Martial Arts:

Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique: Mastery 1/16000

Tai Chi Fist Scripture: Minor Mastery 3/4000

Three Blades Without Trace: Minor Mastery 1/4000

Essence: 408

“First, I’ll go find Brother Wen.”

Jiang Changkong opened his phone and sent a friend request on the Science Network, adding a note: “Brother Wen, it’s Jiang Changkong.”