Starry Sky Professional

After parting ways with Li Wei and Xia Long, Fang Xing returned to his dormitory at Blue Star University, his expression solemn.

"Xu Sanyang, with such talent, originally had a bright future ahead. But after hearing the whispers of an outer god, he ended up like this... Is there any hidden conspiracy behind this?"

"A healer cannot heal himself. He can treat the mental corruption of higher-ranking Godly Servants but cannot cure his own problem with the whispers of the evil god..."

"Just how terrifying must the true form of an outer god be?"

...

Having witnessed Xu Sanyang's power, Fang Xing deeply understood how insignificant and weak he still was in the cosmos.

Even a genius like Xu Sanyang was brought down by the whispers of an outer god, left unable to rise again.

He must be even more cautious.

In the following month, Fang Xing dedicated himself to his training, until the new semester of sophomore year approached.

Just then, a piece of good news arrived.

In the virtual world.

Fang Xing logged in, preparing to head to the battle arena, when Little Blue flew over: "Master, someone has contacted you... requesting to enter your private space..."

"Oh?"

Fang Xing glanced at the contact, and a smile spread across his face: "Permission granted."

In the next instant, the world transformed.

He found himself in a living room, seated on a leather sofa.

Across from him sat a young girl with a youthful face, refined features, and a bun hairstyle, smiling as she brewed tea.

"Congratulations on being admitted to college, Gu Yun."

Fang Xing genuinely congratulated her, inwardly reproaching that old scoundrel, Lu Guangming, for forgetting to mention such an important matter.

"I didn't perform well. I've only been admitted to Blue Star Defense University."

Gu Yun poured some tea for Fang Xing, “It may just be a second-rate university, but on Blue Star, it has quite a pleasant environment…”

Little Blue by Fang Xing’s side quickly searched, “A second-rate university is not bad at all. I’ll aim to become a formal professional while in university, and graduate directly to an external scene... By the way, what’s your major?”

Fang Xing looked at the information and found that Blue Star’s Prevention University was quite decent. However, the key issue was that it offered too many courses related to outer gods, and graduates often signed employment agreements with the Prevention Bureau.

These agreements couldn’t substitute for military service; they merely stipulated that after serving, one would work at the Prevention Bureau.

Overall, it sounded somewhat dangerous.

“Of course, it’s still the martial arts department, but I’ve also elected courses like emergency response to outer gods…”

Gu Yun answered softly, evidently having already decided on her future path.

“Since you’re so intent, there’s nothing more I can say.”

Fang Xing sighed.

“Even though I’ve just entered the university and gained access to the virtual network, I’ve already heard of your famous name on the battle platform…”

Gu Yun shifted to another topic.

With the development of the virtual network, more and more universities were joining in, and the prestige of the battle rankings was rising naturally.

Though the rankings didn’t record Martial Golden Elixir, and many senior students went to practice in secret realms, the battle rankings were gaining more fame among university students.

Furthermore, the virtual space operated even during winter and summer vacations, as did the battle platform.

Fang Xing immediately invited Gu Yun to a match, offering her some guidance with his expertise in the external scene realm.

After seeing Gu Yun off, he looked at the list of challenges again and nodded.

In an abandoned parking lot, a flash of light burst forth, unexpectedly manifesting a blazing sun.

Scorching rays covered the sky, illuminating the surroundings.

Gu Jiantong hovered in the void, his golden eyebrows like flames, “Fang Xing… come battle!”

Although he claimed he didn’t want to fight Fang Xing again, his actions spoke otherwise.

“Hey... Yellow-browed boy!”

When Fang Xing saw Gu Jiantong, his teasing demeanor was hard to hide: “Why are you still stuck at the mere fourth realm of martial arts?”

“In the path of martial arts, foundation is key... The strongest in the fourth realm can indeed defeat those in the fifth realm!” Gu Jiantong replied proudly: “It's not that I can't break through, but I choose not to... I'm waiting for the right moment, consolidating my martial skills, so when I do break through, I will be a formidable external realm!”

“Oh?”

Fang Xing checked Gu Jiantong's combat record: “To have defeated so many external realm seniors... truly impressive.”

Being able to reverse defeat opponents of the fifth realm while in the fourth truly speaks of his extraordinary talent!

“But why do I feel like your light transformation ability has awakened a second time?”

He chuckled: “To be an ultimate ability user, wielding just the light transformation ability, comparable to a martial god... you're still too green.”

“Enough with the talk, let's fight!”

Especially the light transformation ability!

Right now, it's as if the sun is shining upon everything, neutralizing the suppression of the dragon-tiger domain!

His movements are like rays of light, coming and going with incredible speed.

Whoosh.

In a flash of light!

Gu Jiantong suddenly appeared by Fang Xing's side, striking out with his palm.

As he delivered this strike, his palm slightly concaved inward, as if gathering intense light, forming a small sun in his hand.

“A nuclear peace palm? No... too far off... there's a bit of Zen to it...”

Fang Xing flipped his right hand, his middle finger slightly bent, and flicked it lightly.

Sizzle!

A dazzling blade light emerged, cleaving through the scorching sun resting in the palm.

Despite the clash, he couldn’t help but feel a semblance of admiration in his heart.

After all, he relied on his superior martial ability, coupled with a straightforward advantage from his attribute panel.

But Gu Jiantong seemed to be paving his own way: “A good palm technique… yet a bit unrefined, unlike something a master would teach.”

“Indeed, this is my self-created ‘Scorching Sun Palm,’ inspired by my insights from the 'Myriad Spirits Record' and the essence of the first moves of the Neutralizing Palm and the Tathagata Divine Palm Technique!”

Gu Jiantong’s palm technique transformed, as if he became the scorching sun itself, his hand splitting one into two, then four… until nine palm shadows appeared, seemingly holding nine blazing suns aloft: “Nine Suns in the Sky!”

Yet Fang Xing simply flexed his fingers, each motion sharpening the blade energy to its peak, slicing through every fiery orb into pieces.

“Impressive, truly… you indeed possess the strength akin to external combatants now.”

Inwardly, he was filled with wonder.

For Gu Jiantong to faintly invoke the essence of those two supreme techniques’ initial moves signified the possibility of mastering them after reaching a deeper martial realm in the future!

Of course, the Neutralizing Palm is an armor-specific technique, best synergized with mech-suits, yet warriors might still adapt it reasonably.

‘Strictly speaking, I’ve never delved into the Myriad Spirits Record myself… How many supreme techniques’ essences could I invoke at present?’

Fang Xing’s form became elusive, suddenly soaring like a phoenix to confront Gu Jiantong, flicking a finger.

“Ah!”

Gu Jiantong cried out, all defenses crumbling as if made of paper, struck squarely on the forehead by a single tap, his whole form sent hurtling back, crashing atop an abandoned vehicle's roof, creating a deep dent.

“Though you can defeat ordinary external combatants, if you wish to contend with me, break through the external levels first…”

Fang Xing stood aloft in the air, hands behind his back, proclaiming with pride.

“Damn it… If I hadn’t aimed to establish the direction of my unique martial technique during the fearless stage, I’d have broken through the external levels long ago, to face you head-on.”

Gu Jiantong rose unsteadily, feeling a large swelling on his forehead, somewhat at a loss.

“Wait, don’t concede yet, let’s discuss further, shall we?”

Fang Xing touched down lightly, a smile spreading across his face.

He'd long known Gu Jiantong was a target of the sect, and so he had kept an eye on him.

After all, the sect might have been exerting some influence over him in secret. "By the way, how was your summer break?"

"Not great, it was boring as hell... Even the student council tasks were dull."

Though Gu Jiantong was aloof to those beneath him, when faced with opponents he respected or those who could best him, he displayed a surprisingly comical side.

Seeing that Fang Xing had stopped fighting and hadn't left the space immediately, he began to complain. "This time, the student council tasked me with capturing a cult leader... I was so excited, thinking I'd caught a big fish. But after thorough investigation, it turned out to be just a swindler using his psychic powers to scam people out of food, money, and even sex. His power was pitiful. After I defeated him, his own believers ratted him out, and he was promptly thrown in jail. I checked his sentence; he's likely to rot in there for a long time..."

Upon first hearing about the cult leader, Fang Xing felt a chill, thinking it was someone formidable like a sect master.

After listening to Gu Jiantong, he too was speechless. "Isn't that just a fraud? Seriously... and someone got duped on Bluestar?"

"Even though Bluestar welcomes practitioners to settle here, practitioners also have families... They aren't born with fourth-level power... These vulnerable groups, when met with misfortune, can be susceptible to deception. Although our technology is advanced, human ignorance is hard to eradicate, especially when that swindler's psychic abilities are indeed quite effective."

Gu Jiantong shook his head. "It's a pity for him... Initially, it was just fraud, but he had to go and associate himself with extraplanar evil gods. Even though the Bureau of Prevention eventually verified there were no real issues, he was still given extended sentences purely due to his actions."

"It truly is laughably absurd..."

Fang Xing chuckled. "So your path in unique martial arts isn't settled yet?"

Gu Jiantong became visibly more interested when it came to cultivation. "Of course not. My photokinetic powers are unrivaled under heaven; I can’t waste such a gift... I've looked into some unique martial arts, but they don't quite suit me. It seems the best martial art is one you create yourself..."

"I've spent credits and gone through the All Spirits Codex multiple times. I've found some inspiration from nuclear blast rays and the radiance of the sun. I've now got a preliminary idea... When I break through using this as a foundation, I'll certainly seek you out for a match."

Gu Jiantong's gaze was firm. "But today's battle gave me some insight... In the end, I'm not quite compatible with the Nuclear Peace Palm; I might be more suited to our academy's 'Sutra of the Buddha's Hand'..."

‘Is this… a destined entanglement? If you also mastered the Great Sun Buddha's Mantra… it would be more than a perfect match for the Sutra of the Buddha's Hand.’

Fang Xing thought as he joked inwardly.

Kicking Gu Jiantong out, he regained his composure and began to reflect.

‘According to Gu Jiantong, his cultivation has always been like that, without any outside influence...’

‘Those student council tasks were mostly about catching petty criminals...’

‘It seems like there aren’t many issues... So, where exactly lies the influence of the Sect?’

(End of Chapter)