Chapter 85: Chu Tianxing

Zhao Qianjun’s mouth twitched as he asked, “May I ask why Venerable Jiang is here killing Star Demons so late at night?”

Jiang Changkong replied indifferently, “I was bored, so I came out to lighten Jiangcheng’s burden and incidentally gather some Star Stones to repay the school.”

“So that’s how it is. Why not come to my tent for a chat? We can discuss how to kill more Star Demons together,” Zhao Qianjun said with a smile.

“No need. My method is already killing enough,” Jiang Changkong replied.

Zhao Qianjun frowned slightly. “About what happened earlier, I apologize. We were unaware of the situation. The Star Demon rampage injured our soldiers. Venerable Chu didn’t recognize you and acted out of momentary anger.”

“My apologies. I didn’t know Battalion Commander Zhao would be here,” Jiang Changkong said apologetically. “I’m truly sorry for involving you all. I’ll continue my actions during the day tomorrow. Please be prepared, Battalion Commander Zhao.”

“To err is human. We also didn’t expect Venerable Jiang to be here,” Zhao Qianjun said with a smile.

“Since everything’s been cleared up, I’ll stop here and take my leave first.” Jiang Changkong cupped his hands in farewell, then leaped away with several swift movements.

Watching the direction Jiang Changkong left, both men’s expressions turned extremely grim.

“Taiji Fist, impressive skill. My palm strike couldn’t kill him—it only made him spit blood,” Venerable Chu said coldly.

“Jiang Changkong’s strength lies in his defense. He’s like a turtle—with Taiji Fist plus Iron Shirt, even Star Demons of the same rank can’t break through,” Zhao Qianjun said with a troubled expression. “I just didn’t expect that kid’s phone would turn out to be an alarm going off.”

Venerable Chu’s face was equally dark. They had both thought someone was calling. Had Jiang Changkong answered the call, they wouldn’t have dared to continue their lethal attack—unless they wanted to defy the Federation and risk their lives.

But neither had anticipated it was just an alarm.

Both were furious. Of all times for the alarm to ring, why did it have to be then? An alarm in the middle of the night—what was he trying to do? Become a thief?

“No matter how strong his defense is, he won’t live past tomorrow,” Venerable Chu snorted. “That Special Star Demon must not fall into anyone’s hands but ours.”

“I understand. It’s just that I can’t easily take action against Jiang Changkong myself,” Zhao Qianjun frowned.

Venerable Chu said indifferently, “Leave this to my two subordinates. They’ll handle it properly.”

After their discussion, the two didn’t leave but hid nearby to watch for any Special Star Demons. To their disappointment, none appeared throughout the night.

Jiang Changkong was also disappointed—he had been staking out the area all night as well. Could it be that the Star Demon had run away again?

Watching the two leave, Jiang Changkong found an uninhabited spot to rest. He slept until noon before waking up. Fortunately, no Star Demons had attacked while he slept.

Sitting up, Jiang Changkong recalled the events of the previous night. That Venerable Chu had tried to kill him from the moment they met. Zhao Qianjun had only intervened to stop Venerable Chu after hearing his alarm go off.

It seemed the Special Star Demon was extremely important to them—important enough to attempt killing him over it.

“Luckily, I set the alarm in advance last night. Otherwise, I would have had to reveal some of my true strength,” Jiang Changkong mused. Exposing his strength wasn’t a big deal, but he couldn’t let Zhao Qianjun think he was unbeatable. If he scared Zhao Qianjun away, who would help find the Special Star Demon?

As for Venerable Chu—a Star Sea Peak expert from another city—what would happen if he died in Jiangcheng?

Jiang Changkong continued slaying Star Demons during the day. He had already notified Zhao Qianjun last night.

If Zhao Qianjun tried to stop him again, he would have no justification.

The stench of blood filled the air, and the Star Demons once again went into a frenzy.

Zhao Qianjun and the Chu Elder were nearly driven mad with frustration—didn’t he ever get tired?

However, what disappointed Jiang Changkong was that there were still no Special Star Demons.

These second-order stellar stones were still somewhat useful, but first-tier Star Stones were completely useless now.

After some thought, he decided to keep a few first-tier top-grade ones, storing them in his Space Ring to give to Liu Feng or some school juniors later, which might earn him some goodwill.

Perhaps next time, there would be Special Star Demons to notify him.

After another day of slaughter, Jiang Changkong leaped away, finding a random spot to recover his expended Star Power.

The night was deep, and the surroundings were silent.

Suddenly, Jiang Changkong, who was sitting cross-legged, frowned and opened his eyes.

In his keen senses, two faint footsteps approached, clear and distinct.

With his saber hilt in hand, Jiang Changkong focused intently, sensing the footsteps drawing closer.

Two people, not weak in strength—late Star Sea Stage, less than a hundred meters away.

In his senses, the two were completely exposed.

Pushing aside the weeds, two middle-aged men stepped out simultaneously, their gazes fixed on Jiang Changkong.

“Who are you?” Jiang Changkong slowly rose to his feet, his saber blade sliding out.

The two middle-aged men, one with long hair and the other with short hair, were both burly in build.

“Third Brother’s Hidden Star Ring? Why is it on your hand?”

The gazes of the two men simultaneously focused on the black iron ring on Jiang Changkong’s left hand, a fierce killing intent surging forth.

“Members of the Qingyun Demon-Hunting Team?”

Jiang Changkong was slightly taken aback—he hadn’t expected to encounter people from the Qingyun Demon-Hunting Team here.

“Kill.”

The two exchanged a glance, their sword auras flickering. Green sword auras stirred up a fierce wind, uprooting the surrounding weeds.

“Golden Flame… Mystic Saber.”

Jiang Changkong’s saber blade spun, terrifying golden flames spreading as fire sprang from his feet, his figure moving like a ghost.

Hum

With a single slash, the sword auras dissipated, and blood flowed.

“Ah…”

The clatter of metal rang out as two longswords fell to the ground, accompanied by two severed hands.

“Star Sea Peak…”

The two men’s expressions changed drastically. This was not someone approaching the Mid Star Sea Stage—this was Star Sea Peak, and not an ordinary peak at that!

With their strength, even an ordinary Star Sea Peak expert couldn’t sever their hands in a single move.

Before their screams could fade, the saber blade flashed again, and another hand flew through the air—both hands now severed.

Robust Star Power surged, flowing out from their bodies, quickly staunching the wounds.

In the next moment, a vast and mighty Star Power erupted. Jiang Changkong abandoned his saber, his palms descending to envelop them.

Thud

As his palms landed, the two men’s Star Power instantly scattered. Their knees buckled, and they knelt directly, creating four deep pits in the ground.

“With strength like this, you dare come to kill me?”

Jiang Changkong coldly stared at the two. “Why are you here?”

Their bodies trembled, their internal Star Power still making a final struggle.

But no matter how they struggled, Jiang Changkong’s Star Power pressed down on them like a mountain, holding them firmly in place.

“Not saying a word—quite tough.”

A golden flame appeared in Jiang Changkong’s palm. “Let’s see how long you can stay tough.”

The golden flame landed on the severed wrists of the two, the scorching high temperature burning their flesh.

“Ah…”

Piercing screams echoed through the night, sending chills down the spine.

The flames licked at their flesh, the excruciating pain contorting their faces into grimaces, sweat pouring down their cheeks.

Suppressed by Star Power, despite being in excruciating pain, the two could only tremble and remain firmly on their knees.

Even rolling on the ground had become a luxury, while the scent of roasted flesh wafted through the air.

“Still not talking?”

Flames once again flickered in Jiang Changkong’s palm. “If you speak, you can leave. I’ll return your hands, and you can still heal them when you return to the city.”

“I… I’ll talk.” The long-haired young man was the first to break, crying out in agony.

The short-haired middle-aged man howled in pain, wanting to move but was firmly pinned down by Jiang Changkong’s overwhelming Star Power.

“Speak.” With a wave of his hand, Jiang Changkong extinguished the flames on the long-haired young man’s arm.

“You’ll really let us go?” The long-haired young man caught his breath, looking at him with uncertainty.

“Jiang’s word is his bond,” Jiang Changkong assured.

“It was Young Master Chu Tianxing who sent us to kill you…”

“Old Eighth, you traitor…”

The short-haired middle-aged man gritted his teeth and roared angrily, his body trembling violently as he struggled against Jiang Changkong’s Star Power.

“Continue.” Jiang Changkong conjured a Taiji Star Power in his palm and directly shoved it into the short-haired middle-aged man’s mouth.

“Because you killed Lu Wuhai, cutting off the arms supply line, and with the Special Star Demon this time, he was worried you’d ruin things.

Chu Tianxing ordered us to kill you to prevent you from interfering…”