Starry Sky Professional

Hovering above the city ruins, two figures clashed repeatedly.

Fang Xing’s hands moved like a butterfly among flowers, and with a sudden extension, he caught a breaking armor-piercing bullet.

Bang! Bang!

The rest of the bullets landed on him, producing the sound of raindrops hitting banana leaves, tumbling harmlessly to the ground.

“It seems your marksmanship isn’t up to par... you couldn’t even craft blood-breaking bullets,” Fang Xing shook his head in disappointment.

As a mecha specialist, Wu Lie’s capabilities were somewhat restricted in this virtual space.

For instance, these weapons needed to be individually ‘manufactured’ within this environment before they could be equipped.

If they were outside, a mecha of this grade would certainly be supplied with an array of enhanced ammunition, such as ‘blood-breaking bullets,’ which are proficient at penetrating martial artists’ vitality defenses.

He definitely wouldn’t dare to perform such a physical demonstration, as it could easily turn him into a sieve.

Stomp!

With a step, Fang Xing seemed to tread upon solid ground, using it to propel himself rapidly towards Wu Lie.

The gun barrels on Wu Lie’s mechanical arms disengaged automatically as a layer of gauntlet emerged: "Bullet Fist!"

This was a martial technique specifically designed for mecha, and its power was astonishing when executed by a mecha specialist.

Countless fist shadows rained down on Fang Xing like bullets, overwhelming and dense.

With a movement of his eyes, Fang Xing triggered faint tremors in the surrounding void, summoning a black dragon and a white tiger.

Dragon roar, tiger growl!

—Dragon Tiger Domain!—

The numerous fist shadows were inexplicably slowed to a crawl upon entering the domain.

"Anti-Magic Field, neutralize!"

A dim glow flickered across Wu Lie’s armor, unleashing a strange force field.

This was a component Wu Lie painstakingly recreated over many years in the virtual space, a trump card for mecha specialists against martial artists’ domains!

Once the Anti-Magic Field was deployed, Fang Xing immediately felt his Dragon Tiger Domain weakening.

Yet he showed no hesitation, his lips curving into a smile as he unleashed a lethal hand strike.

Ghost Blade—God Severer!

A terrifying martial will surged like a raging tide, relentlessly beating against Wu Lie’s heart through his mecha.

[Warning! Warning! Psychic defense component compromised. Damage at 23%! 25%!...]

A string of crimson alerts appeared, turning Wu Lie’s face dark.

In the curriculum at Sacred Armor University, the component he had the least patience for was the psychic defense construct.

It was far more challenging than designing weapons, especially for someone without much martial talent.

‘If we were outside, my mecha would be equipped with the latest ‘Dream Engine AG32 model,’ making it impossible for an external scene martial artist’s psychic will to breach my defenses…’

‘But…here, I can only use the outdated version I've crafted myself, truly an irritation…’

Amidst a faint background of draconic roars and tiger cries, the vast array of fist shadows dissipated suddenly.

A blade of light descended upon his mech, instantly activating the shield, which was worn down rapidly.

Bang!

Golden light flashed in Fang Xing's eyes, and under the blessing of the Great Vajra's Strength, he punched through the energy shield with unstoppable force, piercing through Wu Lie’s visor and then his head...

Boom!

The headless mech’s remains dropped, exploding mid-air…

Outside the battle platform, Gu Jiantong sighed softly at this sight: "Face-Smash Maniac indeed... It seems I shouldn’t compete with him next time after all."

Yin Huanzhen glanced at Gu Jiantong, struggling not to laugh, thinking: 'Is he admitting he'll lose? But losing a martial contest is one thing; losing so dramatically is indeed something else...'

Outside distractions faded away, unnoticed by Fang Xing.

He was reviewing new information.

[Ding, Fang Xing, congratulations on making it to the leaderboard, Rank: 9! Please keep up the great work!]

“Hmm, as the ninth on the leaderboard, I need to accept ten bouts... If fewer than ten challengers come forward, the system will automatically match me?”

Fang Xing looked around, finding he had already received quite a few challenges.

It’s all in a virtual space anyway; no one faces real death when they lose, so who's afraid?

“Oh?”

As he browsed through the list of names, one stood out. He nodded, “It’s you then…”

Tick! Tock!

In a misty bamboo grove, light rain fell.

A small bridge, flowing water, and a cluster of thatched huts in the distance.

Fang Xing stood on the bridge, waiting for his first challenger.

“Gu Zhen!”

He looked at the newcomer, spotting a young man in black, with delicate features and a calm demeanor, holding a strangely shaped ancient sword.

The sword was entirely black, and its hilt appeared to be inlaid with a crimson eyeball.

The eyeball was uncomfortably restless, causing strands of mental unrest.

“A longsword made from the materials of a Heretic God's minion?”

Fang Xing nodded, “Let me see your sword's edge!”

The Federation, after years of war with Outland Heretic Gods, naturally developed a field dedicated to studying these entities.

In fact, experiments on utilizing Heretic Gods and their minions' blood, corpses, and bones were conducted.

The Nine Sword Academy excelled, pioneering a unique evolutionary path—[Sword Saint]!

To advance to a Sword Saint, one must first become a martial artist, then transition to [Demonic Swordsman]!

A [Demonic Swordsman] can seal a portion of the Heretic God's power within their body and attempt to wield various weapons crafted from the bodies of the Heretic God’s minions.

Throughout battles, they continually hone themselves, utilizing blood-soaked combat to assimilate their Heretic God powers, evolving into Demon Weapons!

During the pinnacle period, those who pass the trial of the Sword of Nine Paths achieve the perfected state of absorbing the Heretic God's power, becoming a [Sword Saint]!

While many [Ghost Sword Artisans] appear neither quite human nor ghostly, seeming like the culmination of the mutation discipline, in reality, the true [Sword Saint] remains the purest of humans, even reverting any bodily mutations.

“The sword's name—Dragon Evil, crafted primarily from the upper echelon clan—the Heretic Eyed Dragon Clan!”

Gu Zhen's hands were white as jade, his nails cut short, a true master of famous swords.

Yet, as he slowly unsheathed Dragon Evil at this moment, Fang Xing noted the dark, vein-like ridges that emerged on his hands, writhing like worms.

Clang!

Dragon Evil was unsheathed!

Fang Xing's eyes were briefly entranced, seeming to visualize a creature part dragon, part worm appearing before him.

It was covered in dark claws, and its eyes bore a crimson vertical pupil, unleashing waves of dark red rays.

“Hmm? Such strong mental contamination... has it not surpassed the outer limits?”

Fang Xing furrowed his brow, then ignited his blood energy, his bones resounding in a series of explosions, donning a layer of golden filigree, accompanied by the roar of dragons and tigers.

—The Dragon-Tiger Domain!

Clang!

The sword's cry resumed, a dark glory akin to a moon blade, piercing through into the Dragon-Tiger Domain.

A sharp sensation shot through Fang Xing's brow, as if his domain had been slashed open!

Following this, an extraordinary surge of sword energy poured through this breach, as if a broken dam gave way!

Rumble!

Countless sword energies descended upon his gold-threaded robes, like a tempest crashing on millennial stones, exploding and dispersing into nothingness instantaneously.

Amidst this sky full of sword energies, a streak of dark sword light unexpectedly emerged.

It was like a venomous dragon, seizing upon a flaw in Fang Xing's energy flow, turning a point of terror into a flying star aimed directly!

Fang Xing remained unmoved, extending his right hand.

His right palm emitted a gentle golden glow, seeming slow yet swift, as it met the sword light, striking Dragon Evil's blade!

The sword light spread apart, and Gu Zhen’s expression remained unchanged, launching yet another slash.

This sword seemed like a dark lightning bolt descending from the heavens.

On Dragon Evil's blade, the crimson pupil flashed wildly.

Whizz!

The sword's shadow fell but struck air.

“Dancing Void Step? Impossible... how could you evade Dragon Evil's mental assault?”

Gu Zhen was in disbelief, having fully unleashed Dragon Evil's sword cry, its contamination and hindrance so profound that only through the tempering of the 'Fire Sword Path' could even he remain unaffected.

Yet, Fang Xing had moved behind him, both fists unleashed.

Great Vajra Prāṇa Power, quadruple amplification!

Bang!

Gu Zhen's domain was torn asunder, with his entire upper body disappearing.

“This sword is indeed menacing, but unfortunately for it, it clashed with my supreme martial will.”

Fang Xing snorted coldly. In truth, when faced with the sword strike that could slice through lightning, his mind did waver for a moment.

Yet, with the ‘Great Sun Tathagata Mantra’ suppressing his consciousness, he found a countermeasure in that blink of an eye.

After all, any attack that directly targets his mind is bound for failure!

When a swordsman's strike misses, death is often near at hand.

This is the essence of duels among martial experts, where victory and defeat are determined by the slightest margins.

Fang Xing sighed inwardly, then realized his body had 'refreshed', returning to peak condition. He smiled slightly and looked towards his next opponent...

Pan Xiong laughed heartily while watching a match broadcast, unable to hide the smile on his face. He turned to Yin Hongding beside him. "See? I told you my judgment was better, and you doubted me. Now Fang Xing ranks ninth on the duel leaderboard. Even though this board excludes Golden Core cultivators, it still proves something. Where is that Gu Jiantong you thought so highly of?"

Yin Hongding appeared somewhat embarrassed but maintained a placid demeanor. "I never denied Fang Xing's talent. I merely think he may struggle to achieve the Golden Core stage within the remaining nine years of university..."

"Care to wager, then? A small bet on whether my student stays in the top ten today, or a larger one on whether he can achieve the martial Golden Core within the next nine years." Pan Xiong suggested, narrowing his eyes.

"No bet," Yin Hongding shook his head. "Your student has secured the ninth spot. Aside from Gu Zhen, no contenders from the other top academies seem noteworthy..."

"Then how about betting on whether he reaches the Golden Core during university years," Pan Xiong proposed again.

"Still not betting," Yin Hongding declined once more.

"Why not? I've fancied your 'Nine Heavens Gold Essence' for some time now. Give me a chance... I can offer you three slots in the Cosmic Secret Realm for enlightenment in exchange!" Pan Xiong remarked cheekily.

"I don't bet because not betting guarantees I won't lose!"

Yin Hongding smiled suddenly. "Even if Fang Xing succeeds, as a teacher at Bluestar University, I'd be proud of him!"

“You... sigh!” Pan Xiong shook his head in exasperation.

“Too weak, too weak!”

After defeating the last challenger, Fang Xing logged off, feeling a bit disinterested.

Among the ten challengers, aside from Gu Zhen, the others, though also veterans from the external scenes, posed less pressure than Gu Zhen did.

“It seems that talents like Gu Zhen have already surpassed many seniors…”

Fang Xing nodded to himself before going to sleep.

The next morning.

Logging into the virtual network, he saw a message:

[Student Fang Xing, your outstanding performance on the duel platform last month has brought honor to the school. Bluestar University awards you 2 credits!]

“Only 2 credits? The top rank gets 10...”

Fang Xing sighed. "Anyway, 2 credits are still good. If I keep this up, in just 50 months, or a little over four years, I could collect enough for a bottle of 'Rejuvenation Elixir', right?"

Rising to wash up, he prepared for the end-of-year exams.

Luckily, after advancing his martial abilities to the external realm, his cognitive ability improved, ensuring he didn’t fail and successfully passed all exams, earning 6 credits in total.

In the training room.

“This year's teaching has concluded, and you all performed quite well, especially you, Fang Xing.”

Pan Xiong, still with his rosy cheeks and youthful look, clasped his hands behind his back, commenting with an air of maturity: “Here, I would like to especially commend Fang Xing. Not only did you pass your major martial arts class, but I'm also awarding you an additional three credits."

“Thank you, teacher.”

Fang Xing expressed his gratitude, secretly calculating in his mind. With this, he now had 12 credits.

Compared to many seniors who couldn't save up even 10 credits after a year of hard work, this was very commendable—especially since he had given up student union tasks.

“As for Su Longyan and Ouyang Qian... both of you passed your major course assessments. The teacher is rewarding you each with one additional credit.”

Pan Xiong looked over at the other two students and announced.

“Thank you, teacher!”

Su Longyan and Ouyang Qian thanked him eagerly, knowing well how hard-earned these credits were.

Once out of university, acquiring the rare resources from the treasury meant risking their lives on the battlefield.

Otherwise, they would have to sign strict contracts, basically selling themselves to powerful factions as lackeys.

Therefore, every university student was striving to achieve more while still in school.

“Alright, apart from martial training, make sure to balance work and rest. Plan your summer on your own.”

Pan Xiong waved dismissively and walked out of the training room.

“Vacation already?”

Su Longyan was still in disbelief.

“Yes, what are your plans for this summer?”

Fang Xing suddenly appeared beside Su Longyan with a smile, “Do you need some guidance from me?”

He remembered the first time he made a move, it was knocking this junior sister's face out.

Perhaps, the nickname "face-slapping devil" started spreading from her.

“No, that won’t be necessary!”

Su Longyan was startled, nervously looking to Ouyang Qian for help.

“And you, Ouyang?”

Fang Xing turned to Ouyang Qian.

“Keep practicing hard, maybe check out the Wàn Líng Tú Lù…”

Ouyang Qian replied calmly.

They were all students with average family backgrounds and couldn’t just take a spaceship home on a whim; hence, they spent most of their summer and winter vacations on Blue Star.

“Alright, see you next academic year.”

Fang Xing didn’t have anywhere specific he wanted to go and planned to stay in the dorms to make the most of the university resources.

In addition, he could dedicate more attention to the realm of cultivation.

(End of Chapter)