Chapter 96: Star Gate, Mid-Tier Martial Arts

If it weren’t for Pang Yun seeming relatively normal, Jiang Changkong would have thought he was a fool.

Clearly having no hope of victory, yet still insisting on challenging him.

The third time, he was still defeated with just one finger.

Later, when they talked and Pang Yun learned that Jiang Changkong was still at the Star Sea stage, he became even crazier, determined to force him back a step.

Jiang Changkong had also asked him what he would do if he could never force him back a step.

Without hesitation, Pang Yun replied that he would use a potion to unleash a burst of power.

He wanted to remember the name of every target, and before leaving, he had to know what they were called.

In the future, he would come back to challenge them until he defeated them.

This was how he had always done things.

By the seventh day, Jiang Changkong had already gathered enough Essence to upgrade a martial art.

He chose to improve the Blazing Fire Technique, bringing it to perfection.

With the upgrade of the Blazing Fire Technique, he alone could kill Star Demons and obtain over ten thousand Essence in a single day.

Adding Pang Yun’s contribution, it was close to twenty thousand per day.

At first, Ji Ziling and the others were somewhat worried about Pang Yun, but seeing that he was not only fine but also full of energy and enthusiasm every day, they stopped saying anything.

Most importantly, this martial arts fanatic wouldn’t pester them anymore—they were more than happy to see him go out.

A few more days passed, and Jiang Changkong received a message from Ji Ziling.

The merit rewards had been issued, and she asked him to find time to return to the city to collect them.

Jiang Changkong replied that he had no time for now and would return after advancing to the Star Gate stage, as the rewards wouldn’t run away anyway.

With a free laborer like this, he had to make the most of it.

Pang Yun had good talent and had improved rapidly during this time, showing signs of approaching the Star Sea Peak stage.

“Don’t you find it boring, killing Star Demons like this every day?” Pang Yun asked.

“Do you find it boring?” Jiang Changkong countered.

“No, as long as there’s combat, it’s never boring,” Pang Yun said. “But many people can’t stand it.”

“Star Demons are too dangerous. If you have the strength, you should kill as many as possible. It also helps improve yourself.”

Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Pang Yun fell silent and focused on killing Star Demons.

The day passed, Pang Yun left, and Jiang Changkong continued his slaughter.

On the third day, before dawn, Pang Yun shouldered his large blade and prepared to head out.

“Xiao Yun.”

As soon as he stepped out of the stone house, Fang Lin caught up and called out to him.

“Brother Fang Lin, what’s wrong?”

Pang Yun looked at him in confusion.

Fang Lin’s expression was grave: “Wang Peng has caught up and has already entered the Star Desolate Grasslands. Don’t go out today. I see you’re close to reaching Star Sea Peak—focus on breaking through in the next few days.”

“Wang Peng has caught up?” Pang Yun’s face darkened. “His brother was no match for Cheng’an, and Brother Cheng’an won fairly. What reason does he have to come after us?”

“He doesn’t need a reason. In martial artists’ conflicts, the strong decide everything,” Fang Lin said in a low voice. “Once you break through to Star Sea Peak, the two of us, along with Cheng’an and the others, should be able to put up a fight.”

“Alright, but I haven’t told my brother about this. If I don’t go today, I don’t know if he’ll be angry with me.”

Pang Yun frowned.

“Explain it to him later. I’ll go tell Ziling and Yanxue to leave now. Later, I’ll head to the Star Desolate Grasslands to scout Wang Peng’s whereabouts.”

Fang Lin sighed softly and went to find Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue.

“It’s too dangerous,” Pang Yun said gravely.

“It’s fine. We’re all from Jiangshui City. Wang Peng will leave some room,” Fang Lin reassured him.

Only then did Pang Yun stop arguing and return inside to cultivate.

On the other side, Jiang Changkong was puzzled by Pang Yun’s absence. Could it be that he had grown tired of it?

If he’s annoyed, then so be it. He had already gathered half of what he needed, and at his current speed, he could finish it in five or six days.

Once the Three Blades Without Trace reached perfection, he would be able to step into the Star Gate realm.

His martial arts could also advance to the intermediate stage!

Another night passed, and on the second day, Pang Yun still hadn’t come.

Jiang Changkong focused on killing Star Demons without giving it much thought.

Three more days passed, and at the school’s outpost, Fang Lin returned severely injured.

“Brother Fang Lin.” Yang Chengan quickly supported him, took out a potion, and poured it into his mouth.

After taking the potion, Fang Lin’s complexion improved: “Thank you, I’m not seriously injured, but Wang Peng is almost here.”

“Let’s fight him. Does he even have any sense of reason? His brother lacked the ability, yet he still won’t let it go,” Ji Ziling said angrily.

Yang Chengan sighed and said, “I told you to leave with the principal and the others earlier, but you refused.

At this point, there’s no use saying anything else. Take your things and leave here.

This has nothing to do with you. All of you, go.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Among brothers, loyalty comes first,” Ji Ziling said unhappily. “You might as well throw that thing away. I don’t want it anyway.”

“Ziling, it’s a shame you transferred from the provincial capital. Strength determines everything. If you lack ability but have backing, it’s only because we don’t have an older brother.”

Fang Lin said bitterly.

Pang Yun’s heart stirred: “I have an older brother, one I’ve recognized these past few days. I just don’t know if he’ll help.”

“That older brother of yours, you’ve only known him for a few days. Will he help us deal with a Star Gate Martial Artist?”

Fang Lin shook his head. “Wang Peng has already reached the limit of the Star Gate Initial Stage and could step into the Star Gate Intermediate Stage at any time. His strength is formidable.”

“My older brother’s strength is unfathomable. Although he says he’s at the Star Sea Peak, I think he might be even stronger.

As for whether he’ll help, I think he will. He’s also from Jiangcheng Martial Arts School.”

Pang Yun pondered.

“He’s also from the Martial Arts School?” Everyone was stunned. Jiangcheng Martial Arts School had such a strong person?

“Enough talk. I’ll prepare some wine and food and be right back.” Pang Yun hurriedly left.

Carrying the wine and food, Pang Yun rushed toward where Jiang Changkong was.

Jiang Changkong’s location was easy to find—wherever there was blood energy, he would be there.

He was almost done gathering Essence, Qi, and Spirit, just a few thousand short.

Just as he was about to hurry and finish gathering, his gaze caught sight of Pang Yun, whom he hadn’t seen in days, rushing over.

“Not bad, you’ve reached the Star Sea Peak. You must have been in seclusion these past few days,” Jiang Changkong praised.

“Big brother, I… I want to ask you for a favor,” Pang Yun said somewhat awkwardly, hesitating.

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly. “Since when have you become so hesitant? Just say it.”

Pang Yun took a deep breath and said, “I encountered a Star Gate Martial Artist. His younger brother lost in a competition for a treasure, and he personally came after us.

Big brother, you’re also from Jiangcheng Martial Arts School. Please don’t refuse.”

“Does this matter involve Jiangcheng Martial Arts School?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“Yes, Yang Chengan graduated from Jiangcheng Martial Arts School. However, he didn’t want to involve the school, so he had the principal take the students away.

It’s just that Sister Ziling and Sister Yan Xue—Brother Chengan wanted to give the item to them and have them leave, but they value loyalty too much and absolutely refuse to go.”

Pang Yun explained.

“And it involves Ziling and Yan Xue?” Jiang Changkong looked at him. “What stage is the Star Gate Martial Artist at?”

“Initial Stage limit.”

“Where is he? I’ll go kill him directly,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Pang Yun: “…”

Big brother, are you really that fierce?

Go kill him directly?

“Speak,” Jiang Changkong urged.

Pang Yun quickly said, “We don’t know where he is yet, but he will definitely come looking.”

“Alright then. Notify me when you have news of him,” Jiang Changkong replied.

After discussing this matter, Pang Yun added, “Then it’s settled, big brother. How about we fight another round? I must know your name.”

Jiang Changkong said calmly, “After this matter is resolved.”

“Deal.”

After making the agreement, the two indulged in food and drink. Once finished, Pang Yun left directly.

Jiang Changkong turned and continued killing Star Demons.

This time, after just half a day of slaughter, he gathered enough Essence, Qi, and Spirit, perfecting the Three Blades Without Trace.

Jiang Changkong pondered for a moment and continued killing without rushing to level up.

He wanted to accumulate as much Essence, Qi, and Spirit as possible, otherwise it would be useless at the Star Cloud Level.

Late into the night, with nearly ten thousand units of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, Jiang Changkong sat cross-legged, first recovering his Star Power.

By dawn, his condition had returned to its peak, and he directly initiated the upgrade.

Hum

A faint ripple of Star Power emanated from his body, followed by golden light—brilliant, radiant golden light.

Streaks of golden light burst forth, and the surface of his body transformed from its previous bronze hue into a golden color.

Threads of golden light pierced through his clothing, making him appear like a Golden Figure.

Under Internal Vision, his internal organs, even his meridians and blood, had all turned golden.

Indestructible as diamond!

Within him, Star Power surged mightily. A faint, golden, ethereal gate rose from the golden Star Power, standing above the Star Gate.

Star Gate!