Starry Sky Professional

The newcomer was no young man; in fact, Fang Xing recognized him immediately. He was none other than Chen Yi, the leader of the Five Righteous Heroes of Cangshan.

Chen Yi observed the expression on the Grand Alchemist Wan’s face and couldn't help but find it peculiar.

Grand Alchemist Wan huffed a few times, "Today, when you saw that kid moving about the market frantically looking for Tranquilizing Pills, you ran to inform me. I took your word and sent an invitation, yet he paid me no mind whatsoever, leaving me quite embarrassed. Tell me, how should this be compensated?"

Chen Yi was momentarily speechless, but he understood that Alchemist Wan, renowned for his frugality and love for small gains, could easily take offense over petty matters.

The key issue was that he truly couldn’t afford to offend an alchemist of Wan’s renown. With a wry smile, he folded his hands in apology, "It is my fault; I will certainly make amends to Brother Wan in the future..."

"Never mind the apology," Wan interjected, "but I believe the share of spiritual herbs in this operation needs revision..." His ulterior motives were finally laid bare.

"Well, I must discuss this carefully with my four sworn brothers," Chen Yi showed a hint of hesitation.

"Humph, I still don't understand why you want to curry favor with a mere warrior of his calibre... He doesn’t even appear to be a prodigious talent in cultivation," Wan couldn’t conceal his curiosity.

"Alas... this individual’s background is a mystery. I had originally planned to steer clear of him. However, he's recently moved next to the homes of my fourth brother and fifth sister, prompting me to extend a feeler. Brother Wan, do not underestimate this person; he possesses at least one blood-forged artifact!" Chen Yi sighed, "That’s why I hoped he would play a significant role in the upcoming action. But as it turns out... he doesn’t seem to care much for Tranquilizing Pills..."

"A blood-forged artifact?" Wan's eyes flickered with greed that disappeared in a heartbeat, and he continued, "That’s rather unfortunate. On the matter of dealing with the Scorpion with Purple Wings, he would undoubtedly be of great assistance."

Whether he intended to befriend the young warrior or had more nefarious plans, it was still unknown.

Indeed, Wan believed Chen Yi shared a similar mindset as his own.

To survive as rogue cultivators until now, none could be called fools.

If the newcomer indeed had significant backing and origins, they would serve and curry favor with him, hoping for some trickled benefit.

But absent such considerations, should his venture into hunting demonic beasts prove perilous, there needn’t be the slightest hesitation in kicking him while he was down!

"It seems Brother Wan is prepared to take action soon?" Chen Yi’s eyes brightened upon hearing this.

"Why naturally, since the 'Illusory Heart Orchids' are nearing the end of their blooming period, and even disregarding that, the venom of the 'Scorpion with Purple Wings' is first-rate alchemical material. Why would I pass that up?" Wan cast a deep look at Chen Yi, "The Five Righteous Heroes of Cangshan have long been famed, and this time, I’ll be counting on you all."

"It’s settled then..." Chen Yi acknowledged and turned to leave.

Wan Fenglin watched Chen Yi depart, slowly seated himself, and savored the spiritual tea.

That beetle remained motionless, akin to a lifeless object.

After all, Fang Xing had no fear of losses, and thus directly commanded it to lie in wait.

Half an hour later, another figure pushed the door open and entered, "Master Wan..."

Upon seeing the visitor, a faint smile flashed across Wan Fenglin's face.

"This group of cultivators—six out of seven are full of schemes..."

Inside the shack.

In the basement.

Fang Xing gazed at the monitors, a speechless expression spreading across his face.

Because, apart from the Grand Alchemist Wan Fenglin conspiring, Chen Yi had left Wan's residence only to hurry off to another location, conspiring with other cultivators!

Although afraid of being discovered by the cultivators, Fang Xing instructed the monitoring hummingbird to keep a distance, yet he could easily guess what they were plotting!

"Luckily, I didn't agree to go; otherwise, with this scheming crowd, I might not stand a chance against them!"

"And now? They can all explode with cash for me!"

Fang Xing prided himself on his cautious approach, the key being his self-awareness.

In the marketplace, at least there was some order, and with the golden finger that allowed journeys between realms, perseverance would eventually pay off!

To risk everything for a single pill by leaving the market would be foolish.

The sons of wealthy families do not sit beneath eaves!

The white dragon wears fish attire, inviting only trouble!

Thus, he remained entirely unmoved.

For Fang Xing, the worst-case scenario was not obtaining the pill, and thus being unable to initiate the Ghost God Blade.

If so, he would merely slow down some plans, and when the next school term began, seek out Teacher Xia Long to learn the 'Crazy Eighteen Strikes,' still recognized as A-grade martial arts!

At worst, his cultivation might be slightly delayed, but he could still aim for a good university in the future, and that was enough!

If danger arises during this outing, even leading to death, it would truly be a loss.

“This alchemist, the Five Righteous Ones of Cang Mountain, and the people backing them are quite intriguing. That they would go to such lengths over a bit of beast material and a few Phantom Heart Orchids shows how tough life is for cultivators in this world...”

Fang Xing sighed, preparing to enjoy the show.

Although he's not stepping out into the marketplace himself, he's bold enough to discreetly send a few drones to follow the action.

…

The next day.

Fang Xing stood quietly in the fenced courtyard, practicing the twelve forms of military boxing.

At some point, a small boy peeped over from next door, his eyes gleaming: "Uncle... are you practicing martial arts?"

“Zijin, how can you be so rude?”

Meng Yi pulled his son aside. This little guy had been terribly timid at first, but after tasting their grilled meat, he couldn't wait to come over to the neighbors every day, much to their worry.

He glanced at Fang Xing, offering an apologetic smile.

Fang Xing ignored him, focusing on circulating his qi and blood, each move imbued with seemingly overwhelming power.

His energy gradually flowed from his skin and flesh to his tendons and bones.

Finishing a complete set, he looked at his attribute panel:

'The proficiency has improved again, not bad...'

Since struggling to master the Demon Blade technique, Fang Xing has devoted most of his efforts to military boxing.

By now, his progress in this skill has been nothing short of rapid.

This may be due to his advancement to the second level of martial arts, resolving many of the initially obscure aspects of military boxing.

The higher his realm, the easier the cultivation of martial arts becomes.

As for being seen by others?

Aside from the local disdain for martial arts here, if one could master the Federation's martial arts just by watching a few performances, then professors like Xia Long would have lost their jobs long ago...

“Brother Meng!”

Seeing Meng Yi, Fang Xing greeted him, "Are you heading out?"

“No, just going out to set up a stall...”

Meng Yi waved his hand dismissively, casually saying, “My wife took Zi Jin with her. As the head of the family, I have to go out and earn some spirit sand...”

“I see, wishing you prosperous business.”

Fang Xing sincerely wished him well, though internally, he mocked the obvious deceit.

According to the surveillance outside his house, Shen Yuxin had sneaked out in the dead of night.

Clearly, the Five Righteous of Cangshan and the alchemist were preparing to move out completely to harvest the ‘Illusory Heart Orchid!’

However, Meng Yi was deliberately acting to deceive him, clearly distrustful of his neighbor.

‘But it’s understandable,’ Fang Xing thought, ‘In this world where everyone’s as cunning as a fox, being careless leads to a fate where not even your bones remain...’

Fang Xing understood and watched Meng Yi as he departed. Meng Zi Jin had returned home and closed all the doors and windows, appearing unusually obedient.

‘So pitifully sensible!’ Fang Xing sighed inwardly, returning to his basement to monitor the screens.

In the wilderness, several drones shaped like beetles, lizards, and hummingbirds were ready for action.

‘Although I’m not going along, I’ll be watching the entire time, cheering for you all…’

...

Deep in the wasteland, a few hummingbird drones flitted through the jungle.

Through their tiny eyes, the silhouette of a team of cultivators moving ahead could vaguely be seen.

Fang Xing observed the surveillance screen, nodding silently, “They’re all a bunch of rookies, can’t even detect my hummingbird drones... Though, it’s no fault of theirs, this reconnaissance method is beyond their comprehension!”

One cannot earn beyond their understanding, and naturally cannot identify threats beyond their grasp!

Based on his experiences in the cultivation market, he now possessed a greater understanding of cultivators.

Most Qi Refinement Stage cultivators lacked the ‘spiritual sense’; they couldn’t extend their consciousness to pinpoint enemies.

What they possessed was ‘spiritual awareness’, used only for introspection and reading jade slips.

Although this "spiritual sense" ability already makes warriors like Fang Xing green with envy, as it allows one to have an inner vision of their own bodies, granting absolute control.

In a warrior, this would be seen as the hallmark of a peerless genius!

Yet, spiritual sense cannot be extended outward, making it difficult to detect distant minor enemies.

Moreover, in the concept of cultivators, even the smallest puppet should be manipulated by magical power, carrying magical fluctuations.

However, in the interstellar era, simulation machines obviously would not have such magical fluctuations, and they emit no aura, making them easy to overlook.

“Their destination…”

Fang Xing commanded a drone in the shape of a hawk to soar high, catching sight of a valley over ten miles ahead.

The valley was extremely steep with cliff faces of black stone gleaming with a metallic luster, as if chiseled by knife and axe.

Only a meandering path led inside.

Calling it a "path" was generous—it was merely a gap in the gorge, fraught with precarious risks.

“It should be here…”

A hawk drone descended, revealing a thin mist enveloping the valley.

As it was about to approach, a rustling sound was heard.

Suddenly…

A flash of purple, and the hawk-like drone plummeted from midair.

Hiss hiss!

The drone wreckage hit the ground and instantly emitted the sinister sound of corrosion.

The simulated feathers shed completely, and even fine electric sparks sprouted from the mechanical frame, starting to dissolve…

The last transmitted screen showed nothing but a purple scorpion silhouette!

“Purple-Winged Scorpion? Such potent poison!”

Fang Xing utilized computer power to restore the blurred image, revealing a purple scorpion the size of a basin.

It had wings on its back and appeared covered in a layer of purple armor, flying with abandon.

“Purple-Winged Scorpion, a first-tier mid-grade beast, its adult form can rival a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, possessing deadly poison, favoring communal living.

Encountering one, even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator would think twice before provoking…”

Fang Xing silently recalled the basic information about the Purple-Winged Scorpion, a hint of anticipation flashing across his face. "Come on, Master of Ten Thousand Pills, and you five righteousnesses of Cang Mountain," he muttered to himself with a determined gaze.

(Chapter End)

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(End of Chapter)