Starry Sky Professional

In a different world, beneath an underground campsite, Fang Xing returned right after finishing business on Nestling Star.

Feeling the air even fresher and the environment more suited for martial arts training, a flush of excitement spread across his face, "Until school starts, I'll stick around and grind as much as possible!"

His recent trip to the black market left him with a profound reflection on his own weakness.

Weakness itself isn't terrifying; the key is to rise vigorously and close the gap.

"Hmm?"

When Fang Xing arrived at the monitoring room and browsed through the system logs, his expression suddenly changed, "How could this be? So many more beasts?"

The surveillance over the past few days showed a sudden surge in beast activities around the camp!

The camouflaged grass on the ground looked as if it had been plowed over, leaving a chaotic mess with hollows all around.

"Hmm? Quite a few of the simulation bird drones are damaged…"

Quickly, Fang Xing launched new drones and immediately witnessed astounding scenes.

Across the vast earth, ferocious beasts were running and causing tumult...

The territory once belonging to a boar demon had a new ruler—a swarm of fiery red ants the size of fists.

Meanwhile, the fierce boar demon, which had fatally charged at several martial artists, was now a silent, ivory skeleton, standing stark in a certain spot, seemingly narrating tales of agony and defiance...

"Although I heard about frequent beast activities at the trade post, this sudden change is too drastic,"

"I really know too little about this world…"

Fang Xing mused silently.

Despite the increasing danger outside, he had compelling reasons to revisit the market.

After all, once the supply of pills and spirit rice talismans runs out, replenishment becomes unavoidable!

‘Finding a somewhat safer path through the drones shouldn't be too challenging...’

‘But the pressing issue is to first evaluate the market situation... if the Qinglin Market has fallen, it might be rendered worthless… or maybe, more worth scavenging for loot!’

Fang Xing's expression turned serious. "Here, I can use my nano protective suit and the electric baton, coupled with talismans, increasing my strength significantly... But it's still not completely safe, maybe if..."

Again, he thought of the item he longed for—the Swift Dragon-class laser rifle!

Of course, he couldn't afford the black market version, but the official one from the store was within reach.

Although two hundred thousand was a lot, with a few more trips to the black market, it was not impossible to earn.

The most crucial aspect is...

"Even if it can't be used on people, it can certainly kill beasts!"

"It's just a pity that the 'anti-human' program in the laser gun is built-in. Even offline, it still functions. Otherwise, it would be great..."

Fang Xing realized that his ability to travel between worlds had another advantage—it allowed him to bypass certain restrictions.

For instance, the basic nano suit in his hand, ever since he saw it without any backdoor on the black market, he understood it was the right choice not to bring modern products back.

Of course, if his tech-enabled devices could send data to Blue Star Federation from another world, it would mean that the Federation had already mastered interdimensional travel technology, and Fang Xing would just have to accept his fate.

"Most of the legal Federation weapons can't be used against people... but I can use them in another world. As long as there's no built-in program, I can sidestep it; it can't even sound an alarm..."

"And the talismans and magical devices from the other world... used on fledgling Eagle Star for murder and crime, they would undoubtedly be very effective. The most critical point is, they wouldn't leave any trace..."

Every weapon has a source, but for fledgling Eagle Star, talismans and magical devices just 'appear out of thin air,' breaking many leads for any investigation.

"Although there's a chance they might associate it with evil gods... after all, those with control over the virtual space should also be able to drop supplies... But as for cultists? Aren't they just there to take the blame?"

Blaming them was something Fang Xing felt justified in doing.

...

Pssh!

Pssh!

In the jungle, a few birds flew by, their gazes vacant, yet their movements were very nimble.

Moments later, a figure emerged, advancing stealthily—it was Fang Xing!

"This is getting somewhat bothersome..."

This time, Fang Xing appeared as himself, with his hair tied up in a bun, wearing ancient attire, and carrying a large basket on his back filled with herbs and similar items.

Fang Xing needed to stock up on spiritual grains, given how much he'd already used. Thus, he had to visit the marketplace for supplies.

To ensure safe travel, he deployed numerous drones to find a secure route, even if it meant taking a longer path—quite the hassle indeed.

But recalling the beast he had seen earlier, Fang Xing felt it was worth the detour.

“That beast… stood six or seven meters tall, and its claws were larger than my whole body. It must be at least as strong as a late-stage Qi Cultivation practitioner or perhaps even comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator… Best to avoid it,” he muttered to himself.

In Qinglin Marketplace, he had heard about the general classification of beasts. Beasts that could rival Qi Cultivation stage cultivators were known as first-tier beasts, while those comparable to Foundation Establishment cultivators were second-tier beasts.

“It seems there could even be second-tier beasts emerging now…”

“If it weren’t for the surveillance showing that the marketplace is guarded by a formation as stable as a mountain, I wouldn’t even consider going…” Fang Xing joked, suddenly frowning as he noticed something, “What’s this?”

Through a scout drone, he saw a strange scene unfolding ahead. A group of martial artists and cultivators were besieging an unusual beast.

The beast was over three meters long, resembling a red-furred tiger, adorned with dazzling patterns and a shiny coat that radiated a gentle light.

“Are they hunting a beast? Their coordination seems quite practiced…” Fang Xing observed closely, counting five people—a mix of men and women.

Leading them was a black-robed elder who occasionally used talismans while chanting. He was clearly a cultivator.

The others appeared to be martial artists, showing impressive agility and wielding various weapons, each movement exuding formidable power.

As the elder finished his incantation, he summoned a pale green wind blade in the palm of his right hand, its sharpness spreading immediately, making even the tiger beast wary.

“Amazing, big brother's wind blade technique has become even more refined,” an alluring woman among the four martial artists remarked in admiration.

“Go!”

With a wave of his hand, the elder sent the azure wind blade flying. As it traveled mid-air, it absorbed specks of green spiritual light, swiftly growing to over a meter in length and accelerating rapidly.

“Roar!”

The demon tiger let out a fierce growl, attempting to dodge, but was forced back by a man with a stature like a tower wielding a massive iron hammer. With no other choice, it faced the wind blade head-on.

Sizzle!

The spiritual light on the demon tiger’s fur had already dimmed significantly from the previous assault and now started to disintegrate entirely.

That wind blade sliced open the demon tiger's skin, tearing through flesh and leaving a gaping wound on its right shoulder.

If the demon tiger hadn’t managed to dodge mid-air, the wound might have landed on its neck.

“Well done!”

The martial artists exclaimed in admiration, while the elder simply took a few steps back without any haste, affixing a golden talisman to his body. He warned, “Be wary of its counterattack...”

A wounded beast is the most dangerous!

This is true even among demon beasts!

The demon tiger, now drenched in its own blood, suddenly let out a furious howl, opening its bloody maw.

Threads of crimson brilliance gathered, forming into a massive fireball that exploded in a certain direction!

“Watch out, dodge quickly!”

Five people scrambled away, their faces covered in ash, as they watched the demon tiger seize this opportunity amid the explosion’s opening to escape!

“Damn it, after it!”

The elder burned a talisman in his hand, transforming it into a refreshing breeze that enhanced his speed, the 'Wind-Walking Talisman'!

The group hurried to pursue; after all, they had scouted for a long time before encountering a solitary, weak demon beast.

They had invested significant resources into this demon beast, and if it got away, every single one of them would be frustrated beyond measure!

However, just at that moment!

“Roar!”

Ahead, the roar of the demon tiger carried what sounded like pain!

“Stop!”

The old man quickly raised his right hand, signaling his sworn siblings to halt and advance slowly.

Passing through a thicket, they saw the demon tiger lying on the ground, its life or death unknown. Beside it stood a young man in a silver robe.

“Gentlemen, have you come to hunt this demon tiger?”

Fang Xing, clad in his silver robe and holding a staff, smiled slightly as he asked.

Since seeing these five individuals, he decided to approach them to inquire about the news regarding the market.

Although drone footage confirmed that the market had not been breached, the changes within required inquiry from others.

Naturally, Fang Xing needed to ask thoroughly, ensuring the market housed no dangers before venturing in to spend with ease.

Otherwise... uh... the Federation's nutrient fluids might not be great, but they could suffice in a pinch.

With the environment here, martial arts training progress wouldn't be too slow either...

“Precisely!”

The five exchanged glances. It was the black-robed elder who stepped forward, saying, “I am Chen Yi, and these are my sworn siblings, Hua Feiyue, Chen Hongtian, and the couple Meng Yi and Shen Yuxin... Thanks to the esteem of fellow market friends, we're dubbed the 'Five Righteous of Cangshan.'”

This was a bit modest. Without some skill, they would hardly dare exit the market to hunt demon beasts at such times.

The Five Righteous of Cangshan might be ants to the three major forces of the market, but among lower-level cultivators, they were not without reputation.

“So it is the Five Righteous of Cangshan in person. I am Fang Xing, well met...”

Fang Xing smiled slightly, his eyes glancing over the Five Righteous of Cangshan, offering a cupped fist in greeting.

This time, he intended to use a new identity to lease property within the market, establishing another stronghold. Therefore, he used his true appearance.

After all, with long-term interaction, any disguise would easily be seen through. Better to show his true face.

His past was clean, ensuring no trouble, allowing him to manage things well.

At this moment, observing the Five Righteous of Cangshan, he seemed pensive.

Chen Yi was a Qi-trainer and had quite a few talismans, likely the strongest among the five.

Hua Feiyue, in a peach-pink dress, her eyes alluring, appeared around thirty, like a ripe peach indeed.

Chen Hongtian was the black-robed, hammer-wielding strongman, his face chiseled like a sculpture, exuding a shrewd and formidable aura.

Meng Yi wore a simple yet elegant blue scholar's robe, exuding an air of gentility. Beside him, Shen Yuxin carried a charming demeanor, akin to a refined and gentle beauty from a small town. The two of them shared a moment of warm intimacy.

]

(End of Chapter)