Starry Sky Professional

Fang Xing knew that by refusing the internship arrangement, he had certainly offended Wei Shentong.

Therefore, he immediately sought out his teacher.

Inside the training room, Pan Xiong, who had the appearance of a young boy, smirked slightly after hearing Fang Xing's account: "Wei Shentong is still the same as ever... Despite once being the most outstanding graduate of Bluestar University, he is exceedingly power-hungry... Even after suffering setbacks, he remains unchanged."

Could the so-called "setbacks" be referring to the Hundred Star Joint Exam last time?

Fang Xing suddenly felt that there were unfathomable depths the last time around.

Thinking carefully, he realized that while the ninety-nine planets like Young Eagle Star were nothing in the Bluestar Federation, Young Unicorn Star, alongside Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix, were among the best educational planets in the Federation, home to countless offspring of influential figures.

Despite troubles arising during the assessment, Wei Shentong managed to emerge unscathed, which was quite remarkable.

Perhaps this was why his martial saint resources had been consistently obstructed, preventing his advancement.

Thus, in order to quickly gain the favor of a faction, he set out to accomplish some substantial feats at Bluestar University, hoping to enhance his faction's influence...

"Then teacher, what should I do? And which faction is Wei Shentong affiliated with?"

Fang Xing posed his questions.

"You need do nothing... You are a student of Bluestar University, so just follow the rules."

Pan Xiong said, "Even if Wei Shentong tries to influence your fifth-year internship, there's only so much he can do... At most, you might end up at the Secret Realm battlefield. For us warriors, going to the battlefield is as it should be."

"And as for faction issues? The Federation is vast, with countless factions... Premature exposure to such matters could be detrimental to your growth. Do you really believe Wei Shentong can exert faction pressure on you? You overestimate yourself, you're not worth it yet!"

"Moreover, suppressing a Federal genius carries a terrible reputation, it's like handing weapons to political enemies... Everything must be done according to the rules, understand?"

"I think I understand. The priority is to strengthen myself."

Fang Xing nodded.

"Correct... The Secret Realm battlefield primarily demands combat-ready talents, the ones who can challenge the odds! If you're strong enough to defy expectations, the battlefield isn't all that dangerous for you, and it can earn you a lot of credits and merits..."

Pan Xiong smiled: "You're doing great, never stalled by any bottleneck, always progressing... I believe you can completely achieve martial golden core before graduating and then apply for graduate studies."

With graduate studies, military service can be deferred once again!

Fang Xing pondered, understanding that Pan Xiong was hinting about Wei Shentong’s faction possibly having some influence within the military.

After all, Wei Shentong once served in the military, which is not comparable to an internship at Bluestar University.

In an internship, he’s still a student, not a soldier. Protected by Bluestar University, he could leave anytime, still somewhat safe.

But if he enlists, he becomes a true soldier; even if ordered to a deadly mission, he would have to go.

Such is the strictness of military law!

In such circumstances, it would be easy to manipulate things against him.

"It seems I need to breakthrough to the Martial Dao Golden Core before graduating university, or else, if tossed into a certain-death mission, I'd have no choice but to betray the Federation."

"Or perhaps… continue to graduate school, then pursue a doctorate and post-doc…"

"Could I become a Martial Saint just by studying?"

Fang Xing’s heart stirred: "Perhaps… becoming a sage through study is quite a respectable path."

Pan Xiong had no idea that this student was contemplating so much in an instant. He grinned, "We martial artists overthink these things. What you should be doing now is training! Train hard! I haven't stretched my bones in a while; today, I'll have a practical fight with you. Don't worry, I will only defend, not attack!"

He twisted his neck, causing a crisp sound to echo from his bones, and moved to the center of the field.

"Teacher, excuse me."

Fang Xing wanted to understand the gap between himself and a master in the Vajra realm, and immediately bowed.

As he rose, dragon roars and tiger howls erupted around him, as if a gigantic elephant was also trumpeting.

Clap!

He raised his right hand, chopping down with a knife-hand.

Suddenly, the air swirled with wind and clouds, as if ghosts and gods were wailing!

Master-level Ghost-God Blade!

By this time in his third year’s second half, he had already mastered the Ghost-God Blade, the Extreme Emotion Sword, and even the Twelve Styles of Military Boxing, achieving perfection before moving on to comprehend the Universal Spirit Diagram, successfully breaking through to master level.

Clap!

The startling blade light fell on Pan Xiong’s body, yet not even leaving a white mark!

Pan Xiong's face revealed a trace of satisfaction, "The fact that you've forced me to use my Triple Gold Body... your strength is certainly beyond just the ninth rank on the competitive list."

Martial Gold Body!

This technique involves circulating martial qi to absorb eternal substances, refining one's body to achieve an unimaginable physique!

Fang Xing felt that even if he used his entire strength, it would be difficult to breach Pan Xiong's defense.

‘This Triple Gold Body... it feels like even inferior magical treasures can't penetrate its defense,’ he thought.

‘If Pan Xiong went to the realm of cultivators, perhaps he could rampage effortlessly through the Zheng Kingdom...’

His mind stirred, and his hand transformed into a sword-finger position.

The sword light was chilling, like mercury pouring down, searching for the weak points in Pan Xiong's protective aura.

Hiss!

Threads of sword qi pierced Pan Xiong's golden body but instantly shattered!

Not only did they shatter, but they even bounced back!

Though Pan Xiong focused solely on defense without attacking, the reflected attacks didn't count!

Fang Xing's hands shifted again, surrounding the space with flickering blades and shadows.

A blade is a sword, a sword is a blade, it can even transform into a punch, a palm, or a kick...

Pairing with his footwork, it all becomes one harmonized whole.

"Well done!"

Pan Xiong gazed at his student, unable to conceal his admiration, "Hand blade, sword finger,拳掌腿, and your footwork... You've miraculously mastered and combined the Ghost God Blade, Extreme Sentiment Sword, and Military Fist techniques to such an excellent degree, forming a unique exceptional skill that might already reach S-grade. Still, incorporating footwork is tricky. It's a pity your Step of Dancing Skies isn’t perfected yet, making the fusion quite challenging."

This wasn't an entirely self-created martial art; rather, after mastering the three martial techniques to a grandmaster level, Fang Xing combined the strengths of each to create the martial art best suited to himself, much like fusing the Dragon Stake and Crouching Tiger Stake into Dragon-Tiger Stake!

It was a process of consolidating his martial arts.

Originally, he wanted to incorporate his Step of Dancing Skies too, but since this S-grade footwork wasn’t yet mastered to the grandmaster level, he couldn’t alter it at will, and Pan Xiong could detect some inconsistencies.

"Excellent skills, what is this martial art called?"

Pan Xiong laughed heartily, a flicker of golden light shimmered in his dantian, gradually spreading across his entire body, transforming him into a golden Arhat, stable as Mt. Tai amidst Fang Xing's storm-like offensive.

“Stellar Martial Trinity!”

Fang Xing cast a quick glance at his status bar:

【Stellar Martial Trinity: 8/800】

……

【Sky Dance Step: 1/400】

These were the results of his diligent practice for over a year.

Yet, at this moment, in front of Pan Xiong, it was still insufficient.

“Well then...”

Fueled by the thrill of battle, Fang Xing emitted a powerful roar, his body as if clad in a golden silk armor.

Within his eyes, two brilliant golden stars shone!

Great Vajra Prajna Power—eightfold surge!

Stellar Martial Trinity!

Numerous martial energies merged into one, converging onto the three fingers of Fang Xing’s right hand, driving the deadly strike within the Stellar Martial Trinity with the Great Vajra Prajna Power!

It was his strongest attack to date!

Although he aimed to conceal his true strength, after three years together and their recent conversations, Fang Xing felt that Pan Xiong was trustworthy.

Moreover, his actual prowess was something no one would ever truly fathom.

Faced with this attack, an expression of seriousness crossed Pan Xiong’s face for the first time.

He sensed that even his thrice-refined golden body might… sustain injury under this assault?

“Is this the Great Vajra Prajna Power?!”

“Not only that, but his ability to endure such an explosive force with his fingers suggests that his Dragon Elephant Skill has reached an incomprehensible level; this kid...”

In the blink of an eye, thoughts flashed in Pan Xiong’s mind before he gently extended his palm.

Bang!

Fang Xing's three fingers were like indestructible spears, striking Pan Xiong's golden palm with a sound like clashing metal.

Then...

He felt the powerful force and true qi he unleashed disappear without a trace, as if a clay ox entering the sea!

No!

It was shattered by an even more powerful force!

If Pan Xiong had not held back, this counter-shock force could have breached a master's Dragon Elephant Defense, causing him injury!

“I lost...”

Fang Xing retreated swiftly like a flickering shadow, gazing at Pan Xiong, who stood with arms crossed. “Teacher... what exactly did you do... just now?”

“The Martial Dao Golden Core,” Pan Xiong explained leisurely, “is the condensation of our essence, energy, and spirit, known in ancient times as ‘Embracing the Core’. It harmonizes all a martial artist’s qi, strength, and true energy into 'Golden Core Primordial Force'. Furthermore, being one major realm apart in martial arts makes an insurmountable difference in actual combat.

Not to mention that after forming a Martial Dao Golden Core, one's domain power will surge massively, transforming into a true 'Golden Core Domain'! Therefore, a Martial Dao Golden Core fighting against external techniques is akin to an adult fighting a child, invincible unless you can master those legendary techniques of your realm. However, such unparalleled talent hasn't appeared in a long time.”

“I understand, teacher,”

Fang Xing bowed deeply, then suddenly received a message: “There's an issue in the virtual space... I need to handle it.”

“Alright, go take care of it.”

Pan Xiong watched Fang Xing leave before slowly extending the hand he had behind his back.

To his surprise, there was a white mark on his palm!

In the center of the mark, there seemed to be a faint red spot...

“Luckily, the kid didn't notice, otherwise if I had been caught off guard by a student's attack... what would become of my reputation?”

Pan Xiong sighed. “No wonder Wei Shentong is so shamelessly eager to recruit him; his talent truly is astounding... Should I recommend him to the higher-ups as well?”

While he was lost in thought, two students entered: “Teacher...”

Pan Xiong looked up to see Su Longyan and Ouyang Qian.

Strictly speaking, both had decent talent and were progressing rapidly.

But compared to Fang Xing, their potential was overshadowed completely!

“Why haven't you reached the external essence stage yet?”

Pan Xiong immediately reprimanded them, "It's troublesome that I still have to separate you three for lessons... You're already in your third year; by next year, you'll be interning. Without the capability of external essence, you'll be utterly embarrassing me..."

Su Longyan and Ouyang Qian exchanged glances and lowered their heads in frustration...