Chapter 78: Traceless + Raging Fire

“Now that there’s time, I’ll explain it to you.”

Chu Jun smiled slightly and began, “Whether it’s one martial art or multiple, the most important thing is how to use them…”

Jiang Changkong and the two senior sisters listened quietly. When it came to grand principles, they understood them as well.

But sometimes they overlooked them, or simply never thought about them.

A single martial art, aside from linking techniques, also includes various variations.

For the same martial art, some people practice it step-by-step and achieve ordinary results, while others cultivate it to unleash immense power.

Martial arts can also complement each other, and there are formations and combined techniques.

“For example, Yan Xue’s Flying Snow Technique—if she could join forces with a martial artist of the ice attribute, its power would surely increase.”

Chu Jun said calmly.

Jiang Changkong nodded sincerely, “Teacher is right. I overlooked that.”

“This isn’t some special secret method. If you think about it more often, you’ll understand.”

Chu Jun was pleased with his earnest attitude.

Jiang Changkong had a sudden thought, “Teacher, I’d like to try combining the Blazing Fire Technique with Iron Shirt.”

“Oh? As for Iron Shirt, I’ve never practiced it myself. It’s entirely up to you,” Chu Jun replied.

Jiang Changkong sat cross-legged, activating the Blazing Fire Technique. Fiery Star Power instantly filled his entire body.

The next moment, his skin flushed red, and a scorching heat radiated from within.

Jiang Changkong’s expression changed, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, carrying a searing heat.

He quickly withdrew the Star Power within him, not daring to attempt it again.

“What happened?” Chu Jun asked with concern.

The two senior sisters also watched him nervously.

“It was my impatience. Although Iron Shirt provides unparalleled defense, I haven’t yet cultivated it to protect my internal organs.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head and explained.

When using the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique, Star Power could be said to permeate the entire body.

To apply the Blazing Fire Technique meant allowing its Star Power to spread throughout his body.

His Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique currently only provided external defense and iron-like bones—his flesh, blood, and internal organs were not yet that strong.

If he hadn’t stopped in time, his formidable strength would have been the only thing preventing him from being cooked alive.

Chu Jun said, “Then rest well. Battalion Commander Cheng Huai’s confiscation of Star Stones will still take some time.”

Jiang Changkong nodded and calmly circulated the Tai Chi Fist Scripture to nourish his internal organs.

In terms of healing and nurturing the internal organs, the Tai Chi Fist Scripture was somewhat better than the Blazing Fire Technique.

Although the Blazing Fire Technique couldn’t currently be combined with the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique,

he believed that as he continued to improve, he would eventually succeed.

Moreover, even if the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique wasn’t suitable, that didn’t mean the Three Blades Without Trace wouldn’t work. He planned to refine it thoroughly after collecting the Star Stones.

Ji Ziling cast a few more healing spells on him.

Chu Jun left the room to receive the Star Stones delivered by the Martial Arts School.

“Senior sister, I’m fine,” Jiang Changkong stopped her from casting more healing spells.

“It only consumes a bit of Star Power.”

Ji Ziling said nonchalantly, then took two books from her bosom. “Come, let’s study these together.”

Jiang Changkong: “…”

You brought this kind of book to the martial market?

Ying Yanxue blushed slightly, turned her head away, and ignored them.

“This is a divine painkiller. Whenever I’m injured, I take it out to study.”

Ji Ziling said seriously, “I suspect it contains hidden, peerless healing abilities.”

Jiang Changkong was stunned. Well, you make a compelling argument. Let’s take a look together.

The two of them flipped through the books, while Ying Yanxue sat bored nearby, not even sneaking a glance.

Two hours passed in continuous reading before Chu Jun returned, and Ji Ziling swiftly tucked the book away.

Five backpacks, all filled with Star Stones.

“By the way, since you’ve reached the Star Sea, I never got around to explaining the cultivation experience for the Blazing Fire Technique at this stage.”

Chu Jun finally remembered this and began explaining the Star Sea chapter of the Blazing Fire Technique.

Although he didn’t need it, Jiang Changkong still put on a show, listening with a serious expression.

At noon, Chu Jun cooked, and after eating their fill, everyone returned to their cultivation.

It wasn’t until evening that Cheng Huai arrived by car, bringing a total of eleven backpacks.

“Jiang Changkong, these are for you. Deliver them to that person.”

Cheng Huai jumped out of the car and said, “Including the Star Stones from Shen Jiangxing and Liang Zhe, there are a total of 829 low-grade third-tier stones, 311 mid-grade stones, and 189 high-grade stones. No top-grade ones.”

Top-grade stones were rare to begin with; even after killing the man in black, he had only obtained fifty-five.

210,700, plus 60,000 from the Special Starstones.

270,700!

Another windfall.

“Can you drive?” Cheng Huai handed him the keys.

“No, I’ll just carry them over later.”

Jiang Changkong replied calmly.

Cheng Huai nodded. “When you have time, let’s have a drink together.”

“Just say the word, Commander Cheng, and Changkong will make time even if he’s busy,” Jiang Changkong said with a smile.

Cheng Huai was very pleased; this super genius was giving him plenty of face.

As Liu Feng and the others had said, this genius lacked the usual arrogance.

As he prepared to leave, Cheng Huai paused and added, “Oh, there’s one more thing. We couldn’t find Lu Wuhai.”

“Lu Wuhai?” Jiang Changkong pondered for a moment. “Thank you for letting me know, Commander. Changkong will be cautious.”

Only then did Cheng Huai stride away.

Jiang Changkong didn’t rush to leave. He waited until nightfall before setting off with the Star Stones on his back.

The two senior sisters were worried about his safety and wanted to follow, but Chu Jun stopped them.

That expert, comparable to the Star Gate Initial Stage, was not someone they could tail unnoticed.

Jiang Changkong found a rope, tied the backpacks together, and carried them all at once.

Once he was far from the martial market, Jiang Changkong directly extracted all his Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

“First, I’ll perfect the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique and the Tai Chi Fist Scripture.”

Jiang Changkong thought to himself. As for the Three Blades Without Trace, he wouldn’t use it for the time being.

This identity would temporarily disappear from Jiangcheng.

If he wanted to test the Blazing Fire Technique and the Three Blades Without Trace, it was better to keep them consistent.

Having made his decision, Jiang Changkong began his enhancement.

As he allocated points to Essence, Qi, and Spirit, the power and Star Power within his body surged once again.

A bronze glow shimmered across his skin, which, already healed by his regenerative abilities, now became exceptionally tough.

His blood and energy surged, radiating a masculine aura.

In his Internal Vision, the third Power Rune thickened slightly.

The Taiji Diagram manifested, sealing the blood and energy within his body and making him appear utterly ordinary.

Paired with the Hidden Star Ring, which concealed his Star Power, it was nearly perfect.

Jiang Changkong: Star Sea Peak

Low-grade Superior Martial Arts:

Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique: Perfected 128,000/128,000

Tai Chi Fist Scripture: Perfected 128,000/128,000

Three Blades Without Trace: Perfected 1/128,000

Blazing Fire Technique: Perfected 1/128,000

Essence, Qi, Spirit: 29,012.7

With two martial arts successfully upgraded, Jiang Changkong spent half an hour cultivating to familiarize himself with the newfound power within.

Then, he began channeling the Blazing Fire Star Power, following the path of the Three Blades Without Trace.

As his long blade swept through the air, faint sparks scattered, accompanied by the subtle sound of slicing wind.

The long blade fell upon the weeds, leaving no visible mark on the surface, yet with a sudden bang, flames erupted from within, spreading outward.

The weeds turned to ashes.

“The first attempt wasn’t perfect, with flames spilling over. More practice will fix it.”

Jiang Changkong nodded in satisfaction, pondering: “I wonder if Taiji Fist could be used in the same way?”

Once an idea formed in his mind, he acted on it. Jiang Changkong channeled the Star Power of the Blazing Fire Technique, guiding it along the pathways of Taiji Fist.

To his surprise, a Taiji Diagram, as solid as reality, materialized before him—one half radiating scorching heat, the other half serene and calm.

Bang!

The Taiji Diagram exploded, scattering sparks in all directions. Fortunately, his protective Taiji barrier held firm.

“The Taiji Diagram requires a balance of yin and yang. Using only flames disrupts that equilibrium.”

Jiang Changkong withdrew the Blazing Fire Technique and the Taiji Diagram, understanding the reason for his failure.

But if that was the case, did he also need to learn a water or ice attribute technique?

Ding-dong.

His phone chimed, interrupting his thoughts.

It was a message from Ji Ziling and the others, asking how he was doing.

Jiang Changkong replied with a single word: “Fine.”

Just as he was about to head back, another message arrived, this time from Zhou Wen: “Changkong, Zhang Hua met with Lu Wuhai, bringing some bombs with him.”

“Lu Wuhai?”

A flicker of delight crossed Jiang Changkong’s face. No wonder Cheng Huai hadn’t found him—he had gone to see Zhang Hua instead.

Well then, everything could finally come to an end.

He might as well inform Chu Jun and the others while he was at it.