Chapter 51: A Thousand Miles of Ice

Along the way, through Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue, Jiang Changkong gained a deep understanding of the Martial Arts School.

Through Tang Ruoxi, he also learned about Kexiang.

The five-year college entrance exam at the Martial Arts School ranges from peak stellar qi to Star Cloud Peak.

The first year requires one hundred Star Stones at peak stellar qi, the second year requires early-stage Star Cloud, and so on until Star Cloud Peak.

One hundred Star Stones per year, totaling five hundred over five years.

If completed within five years, and if finished ahead of schedule, there are rewards.

In the first year, if you finish one month early, you’ll be rewarded with ten percent of the Star Stones you hunted.

If you finish two months early, you’ll get twenty percent.

Finishing ten months early is truly remarkable—you keep everything.

If you finish eleven months early, besides the Star Stones, there’s also a mysterious reward.

However, the prerequisite is that these Star Stones must be hunted by you, not bought.

Some people might be wealthy, but the school won’t allow them to exploit this to earn Star Stones.

In his past life, there were those who paid for graduation certificates, and this world is no short of rich people either.

It doesn’t seem difficult, but even the simulation college entrance exam is challenging to pass.

Over three hundred days a year, averaging one Star Demon every three days? Who could manage that?

“Should I stay and kill one or two hundred Star Cloud Peak demons?”

Jiang Changkong’s expression turned serious.

That way, he could complete the five-year college entrance exam in a single day, keep all the Star Stones for himself, and the school would even reward him.

Where else could you find such a good deal?

“Let’s go back. Leave this matter to me and Yan Xue.”

Ji Ziling patted her chest confidently.

Ying Yanxue nodded slightly.

Only then did Jiang Changkong feel reassured. However, there was still time before the school’s enrollment began. If necessary, he could come back to hunt later.

As for Kexiang, their college entrance exam only involves hunting Star Demons for half a year.

They distribute combat armor, which is lower-tier than mechas. True mechas are capable of soaring through the Void.

Kexiang is indeed wealthy, as they specialize in weapon forging, combat armor manufacturing, and mecha production.

Beyond that, they also excel in producing healing medicines, enhancement drugs, and more.

It’s a proper school for cultivating scientists, and money is no issue.

Kexiang has many businesses in Jiangcheng and other cities, with its headquarters being a major hub in the Federation.

The Martial Arts School cultivates strong warriors for the Federation, while Kexiang cultivates talented individuals.

After learning how wealthy Kexiang truly is, Jiang Changkong found himself unsure of what to ask for.

Weapons?

He only knew the Three Blades Without Trace technique. Asking for a blade might expose his identity unless he learned another blade technique.

As for other weapons, he didn’t know how to use them and had no plans to learn for now.

“I’m not sure what I want right now. I practice fist and foot techniques—maybe gloves? But my defense is already strong.”

Jiang Changkong felt frustrated. Should he request a third-tier pair of gloves?

It didn’t seem particularly useful. Upgrading his Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique would clearly be more effective.

As for gloves, he might as well exchange them for a pile of Star Stones.

Or perhaps ask for a heap of third-tier Star Stones?

Kexiang definitely wouldn’t agree. They have money, but Star Stones are too important.

They refine Star Stones into energy stones to power their instruments.

A large pile of third-tier Star Stones?

They’d rather give you a few third-tier weapons than a heap of third-tier Star Stones. A few pieces would be more likely.

“That’s fine. This matter isn’t over yet. Do you want to share some of the credit?”

Tang Ruoxi blinked and asked.

“Share some credit?” Jiang Changkong was taken aback. “What credit?”

Tang Ruoxi pursed her lips, gesturing for him to look at Zhang Hua. “Unauthorized use of military weapons is a serious crime. If we take him back, it’ll be a significant achievement.”

“No wonder you kept him. It would be a blow to the Martial Arts School’s reputation.”

Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue said softly.

“Reputation? Do you care about that?” Tang Ruoxi curled her lip.

Ji Ziling smiled. “We really don’t. Then let’s each take a share.”

If there’s credit to be had, there’s no reason not to take it.

Tang Ruoxi nodded. “After all, we’re from the same school. It’s not good for you to step forward. Leave everything to me to handle; just take the benefits.

As for keeping him, besides that, it’s also because our surveillance has been running all along.

We can’t easily destroy the surveillance footage, especially since someone died this time. We can only keep him to exchange for benefits.”

Kexiang School’s surveillance was on, and someone died during this operation.

The school would definitely check the surveillance and would surely discover Zhang Hua.

If they destroyed the footage, wouldn’t that look guilty?

Better to keep Zhang Hua and exchange him for benefits. After all, they weren’t at fault—they had actually contributed.

“Send us a copy of the surveillance too.”

Ji Ziling said.

Tang Ruoxi’s expression changed slightly, showing some hesitation.

“This can’t be kept hidden. It will definitely get out. Aren’t you just worried that if the Martial Arts School sees the footage, it’ll be harder for you to poach Changkong?”

Ji Ziling chuckled lightly. “Hand it over.”

Tang Ruoxi had no choice but to give them a copy of the surveillance recording.

After a moment of silence, she said, “When you return to the city, things will surely be very different. Whatever you want, we’ll see what’s lacking then.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, not dwelling on it further.

As for Zhang Hua?

He no longer cared about him. The Special Starstone had been taken, and both his hands were chopped off.

Even if he could recover, Jiang Changkong could kill him instantly, so he was completely unconcerned.

Plus, they had caught him with evidence of his crimes. Everything was perfect.

All that remained was to return to the city.

They traveled during the day and even during the first half of the night.

With Jiang Changkong around, they didn’t care about hordes of Star Demons, let alone the minor dangers of the night.

By traveling day and night, they returned to Jiangcheng in just four and a half days.

At the city gate, the guards on duty were rotated. Today’s guards were unfamiliar, so Jiang Changkong didn’t greet them.

Back in Jiangcheng, everyone went their separate ways. Zhang Hua wasn’t so lucky; he was taken away by Tang Ruoxi.

Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue helped carry his backpack filled with Star Stones to his home.

Jiang Changkong tossed one backpack to them. “This is what we agreed on earlier, your share.”

Ji Ziling lifted the backpack. “Isn’t this too much?”

Opening the backpack, Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue were stunned to find it filled entirely with Second Tier Mid-Grade and High-Grade Star Stones.

“Good friends don’t stand on ceremony.”

Jiang Changkong patted the three full backpacks beside him. “I didn’t hold back with you, so why are you being polite with me?”

Ji Ziling smiled, picked up the backpack, and said, “Alright, then we won’t be polite. Let’s go, my dear Yanxue.”

Jiang Changkong saw them off, closed the door, took a shower, and changed clothes.

On the table lay a palm-sized, sparkling Star Stone with white specks inside.

This was that Special Starstone. He couldn’t make anything of it. After playing with it for a while, he checked his own data.

Jiang Changkong: Star Cloud Peak

Low-Grade Mid-Tier Martial Arts:

Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique: Mastery: 586/64000

Tai Chi Fist Scripture: Great Achievement: 493/16000

Three Blades Without Trace: Mastery: 24042/64000

Low-Grade Low-Tier Martial Art:

Frozen Thousand Miles: Beginner 0/500

Essence, Energy, Spirit: 0

“??”

Jiang Changkong was slightly stunned. When did he acquire the martial art Frozen Thousand Miles? Low-Grade Low-Tier?

No, Frozen?

His gaze fell upon the Special Starstone. As he set down the Star Stone, Frozen for a Thousand Miles vanished.

Could the special skill within this Star Stone be a martial art?

If he were to enhance Frozen for a Thousand Miles, would he directly extract the special skill?

“This is a valuable thing.”

Jiang Changkong hurriedly stored the Special Starstone away carefully.

This single piece was worth many ordinary Star Stones. Even if he wanted to exchange it for third-tier Star Stones, someone would offer a pile in return.

“Isn’t it just a low-tier, inferior-grade martial art?”

Jiang Changkong shook his head, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Perhaps he simply knew too little about Special Starstones.