Starry Sky Professional

After stepping out of the money laundering shop, Fang Xing let out a long sigh. "So shady... Maybe I should handle my expenses in cash from now on?"

He intended to launder some money simply to have a record of purchasing a large amount of nutrient solutions, which could help justify his rapid progress.

'In reality, though, Teacher Xia Long and the school may not even check on me...,' he thought. 'Even the federal detectives usually focus on million-dollar businesses... I'm not even a small fry in comparison...'

As he pondered, Fang Xing began to search again for the shop that he had been yearning to visit. The primary goal of his visit to the black market had already been achieved.

Now, he was left to explore and see if he could find an A-grade martial art or anything else that could further his martial journey.

To be blunt, aside from various special resources, the guidance and secret techniques here were certainly superior to those found in Qinglin City.

"Hmm?"

Before long, Fang Xing found himself halted before what appeared to be an abandoned sports stadium. The stadium had long been out of commission, with its dome shattered, though it seemed to have undergone some repairs, managing to maintain a general integrity.

The original name of the stadium had been smeared with blood marks, replaced by enormous lettering— 'Blood Cage Arena!'

"An underground fighting arena? Illegal fights?"

Seeing this, Fang Xing couldn't help but sigh.

Those who practiced martial arts, especially the students with bio-enhancements, all knew about illegal fighting.

Even Liu Wei had once looked into it as part of searching for a part-time job.

After all, for bioweapon people whose lives were disposable, entering underground fights was quite an effective way to earn money and improve martial skills rapidly—so long as they survived.

Without doubt, back then, both Liu Wei and Fang Xing were sensible enough to see the grim outcomes many bio-enhanced senior students met on this path. Some were beaten to death in the ring, while others ended up severely injured and disabled, burdened with enormous debts they couldn't pay off even for medical expenses. Therefore, they never seriously considered it.

"Underground fights surely have experts and a plethora of rewards! A-grade martial arts are likely just a tip of the iceberg..."

Fang Xing stepped into the Blood Cage Fight Arena, noticing the unusually quiet atmosphere.

At the reception desk, a girl dressed in a cute bunny costume looked at him with wide eyes. "This customer, the Blood Cage Fight Arena opens after eight in the evening..."

"Hmm..."

Of course, Fang Xing knew that the underground boxing matches in the black market were a favorite pastime for many office workers from the New City.

After a long day’s work, watching a fight where fists meet flesh and blood is guaranteed to flow—it’s an ideal way for many working men and women to vent their frustrations and fatigue.

"I'm just here to check things out. Curious about how the fighters are compensated these days," he mused, deciding to ask anyway.

After all, he was just asking, not planning to participate himself.

"Our fighters here at the arena..." The bunny girl smiled, "For every match they win, they earn at least ten thousand Star Coins, with their winnings doubling for consecutive victories. The more they win, the more they earn... We even help them legalize their income without any service charges. Aside from that, there are also various forbidden potions, A-Class, S-Class martial arts, and even rewards surpassing S-Class martial techniques available to win..."

Speaking of which, the bunny girl winked playfully, "It's rumored—just rumored, mind you—that elite senior class students from nearby high schools sneak in here for fights, looking less for resources and more for blood and real combat experience!"

The word 'martial' isn't something that can be cultivated behind closed doors.

Locking oneself away and then seeing a sudden surge in power—that's for the immortal cultivators!

Martial artists must constantly test themselves in combat to temper their bodies, forge an indomitable spirit, and cultivate a majestic force!

'It seems this Blood Cage Fight Arena has some considerable backing...'

Fang Xing pondered, then said, "Very good, I'll think about it..."

"Customer, my codename is 'Bun', and here is my business card, please keep it..." Before Fang Xing left, the bunny girl handed him a card with a cheerful smile, "Whether you're interested in being an audience member or a fighter, feel free to contact me..."

"Thank you, I'll remember that."

Fang Xing glanced at her distinctive purple eyes and tall, curvy figure and couldn't help but nod with a smile.

...

"Getting into the black market is easy, but getting out... now that's tricky..."

At the boundary of the old city district, Fang Xing still hadn’t taken off his mask. With vigilant eyes, he scanned his surroundings.

Generally speaking, those who only come to the black market to watch the fights and spend little aren't worth targeting.

The big spenders, however, are protected by the arenas and other businesses.

Even in the black market, a modicum of reputation is essential, otherwise, no one would come, and business would suffer.

But clearly, he didn’t fall into the protected category; he seemed like a first-time fat sheep, conspicuously showing some wealth.

"Tens of thousands of star currency wouldn't attract a martial artist in the Dauntless tier, not even those in the Unpolished Jade tier would bother..."

"As for Espers or Mech Masters, they wouldn’t give it a second thought..."

"I suppose... I can handle it, right?"

In a black market death match, openly using purchased weapons was out of the question. Wasn't he afraid of data leaks?

This is one of the reasons black market weapon shops have such high prices.

But using such high-cost weapons against someone like him would be overkill, like using a cannon to kill a mosquito; the chances were very slim.

The highest probability was still a band of common low-level martial artist bandits!

‘No, the greatest likelihood is that no one would care about me...’

Only when he reached the new city district, seeing the clean, orderly roads and the street lamps and surveillance cameras standing on either side, did Fang Xing finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Thankfully, luck was on my side this time...’

‘The talismans I prepared in advance won’t need to be used after all...’

For the black market, talismans from another world are only moderately effective in terms of destruction, but they have many effects.

Among them, the stealth and speed types were Fang Xing's life-saving trump cards!

Of course, the reason they are trump cards is that keeping them unused is for the best.

‘In the black market, you can't use weapons from legitimate manufacturers, and the various black weapons are too expensive; strictly speaking, my talismans are more cost-effective...’

‘There's no doubt about confidentiality and safety, but obviously, I can't go to the black market to sell talismans...’

Fang Xing, having changed his appearance, calmly boarded the maglev train.

Although everything went smoothly today, he still felt a bit uneasy.

‘Living too cautiously... ultimately, it's because I'm not strong enough.’

‘Once I break through to the fourth martial realm—Dauntless Courage, I will immediately undergo the professional examination and register as a true "Professional"!’

‘Professionals’ are the true citizens of the Blue Star Federation, enjoying many privileges.

Take spaceship tickets, for example: the average resident of Nesting Eagle Star isn't qualified to purchase them, but true "Professionals" can!

There are also many military-grade equipment not available to the general public, yet accessible to Professionals!

Many cyborgs aspire their entire lives to become "Professionals," achieving a leap in their social status!

—Whether cyborgs or natural persons, becoming a "Professional" elevates them to the upper echelons!

Of course, to the true upper officers of the Federation, "Professional" is just the starting point, but for many at the bottom, it's the ticket to the elite circles, it's everything!

‘If I were a true "Professional," a little extra income wouldn't concern the Federation at all, let alone cause any investigations; it’s laughable...’

‘Meanwhile, there are more channels and resources to collect the objects of your desire...’

‘Why not set a small goal first, and complete the "Professional Certification" before the college entrance exams?’

Fang Xing’s eyes shone brightly.

This was chiefly for self-preservation.

Liu Wei’s changes, along with other signs, made Fang Xing sense bad things might happen.

But if he becomes a Professional, even when faced with allegations from cultists, he could gain more leeway and opportunities for defense and explanation.

...

A few days later.

【Ding, your account has been credited with 159,736 star coins. Current balance: 160,072 star coins...】

A notification flashed, prompting Fang Xing to nod slightly: "That's quick..."

Just yesterday, he had casually bought a lottery ticket for today's draw.

And he won!

Although it was only a small prize of over a hundred thousand, luck truly is straightforward and unpretentious!

“But, a 50% fee is such a rip-off, and what's worse, I'll still have to pay taxes on this..."

Fang Xing exhaled deeply and then opened the shopping mall app, browsing through D3-level nutrient fluids and other martial arts elixirs, quickly placing orders.

With these purchase records, he had a reasonable explanation for his martial arts advancements come the new school year.

Even if... no one might really care.

“Federation's martial arts elixirs seem just average..."

“The superior D9-level, better than D3, only offers slightly richer nutrients... and there's nothing to aid in breaking through realms?"

Fang Xing pondered, feeling it might be due to his own limited tier.

Or perhaps... insufficient access!

As a professional, more items should become available for purchase.

“However, the Federation's resource scarcity is evident... Or maybe, neither we nor the entire fledgling Eagle Star are deemed an investment-worthy resource, just cannon fodder production stars..."

“No, maybe controlling the resources for realm advancement is part of a grand plan... Only those warriors who can rise in the toughest conditions possess the potential for higher future ranks?"

“But for ordinary folks like us, that's too harsh. I'll stick to my own plan.”

Integrating resources from two realms, his martial progress was bound to accelerate drastically.

As for future potential?

If he couldn't get into college, there'd almost be no future to consider at all!"

]

(End of Chapter)