Starry Sky Professional

At the canyon entrance, Fu Qing of the Black Tiger Gang was skillfully wielding a turtle shell shield and a tiger-head saber. His dual mystic artifacts, one for defense and one for attack, entangled him in battle with Wan Fenglin, who had produced an alchemical cauldron-like artifact.

Although both were cultivators, Fu Qing held a superior cultivation realm. However, Wan Fenglin, being an alchemist with significant resources, apart from his earlier 'Dan Thunder,' unexpectedly revealed a stack of first-tier, high-quality talismans. Countless talismans flashed brilliantly, transforming into wind blades, golden arrows, and boulders, firmly entrapping Fu Qing and even giving him trouble.

"Third Brother, today I shall cleanse our family name," declared Chen Yi. He surveyed the battlefield, his gaze settling on Chen Hongtian with a grim expression, a gusting blue wind blade forming in his hand.

"Big Brother, we are brothers by blood. Must you be so ruthless?" Chen Hongtian roared, urgently infusing his innate true qi into a defensive talisman as they clashed fiercely.

Typically, innate experts could at most contend with cultivators at the early stage of qi refinement. Only the exceptional pinnacle innate warriors could barely compare to mid-stage qi refinement cultivators.

Consequently, Chen Hongtian knew he was no match for his elder brother; his sole aim was to delay him.

Hua Feiyue and Meng Yi lay on the ground, both expelling poison with their innate true qi while gazing at the battlefield with confused expressions. Why… how did things escalate so quickly? How did the situation develop to this point? Third Brother's betrayal, and now Big Brother involving us without our knowledge…

Meng Yi's heart ached as if pierced by knives, while Hua Feiyue frowned, considering the possibility of survival.

No one noticed the eagle soaring above the fog-free canyon until it had already circled twice and made a sudden dive like a black arrow.

With a swish, the next instant, the eagle swooped down beside the lake, extending its sharp claws to grab a 'Phantom Heart Orchid.'

"Cunning beast!" Grand Alchemist Wan's eyes widened in rage as he witnessed the scene. However, with Fu Qing directly opposing him and the eagle moving so swiftly and from such a distance, none of the cultivators could do anything but watch helplessly as it flew away.

With a resounding rumble, despite their conflicts, the cultivators instinctively moved further into the canyon.

The hard-won spoils of war—if taken by unrelated beasts once again, it would make them vomit blood!

...

Qinglin Marketplace.

Fang Xing walked about, pretending to carry a large basket on his back, dressed like a herbalist on a journey.

As a resident of the marketplace, the pressure of rent loomed each month. Many innate martial artists struggled to survive there, often forced to sign contracts selling their labor to work as tenant farmers in nearby spirit fields.

Those who could stay either had skills or were willing to risk their lives.

Venturing out regularly was a necessity for gathering medicinal herbs or hunting demonic beasts.

Living within the boundaries of the marketplace had many benefits—safety, order, and the dense concentration of spiritual energy which accelerated inner cultivation and extended one's lifespan.

Though Fang Xing had enough spirit stones to cover his rent, continually doing so also attracted attention.

Besides, the illusory heart orchid was nearly ripe.

Hence, he decided to visit his temporary camp.

Recently, many spiritual herbs picked by drones had been stored there, ready for collection.

Upon reaching the marketplace entrance, Fang Xing noticed numerous martial artists.

Most, like him, dressed ready for the mountains, with an air of facing life-and-death challenges.

After all, with the current beast tide, venturing deep into the wilderness was a gamble with life.

"Sigh... Old Song the Fourth is gone too..."

Seeing several martial artists returning with a corpse, those nearby felt a deep sense of shared grief.

At this moment, a martial artist noticed Fang Xing and approached immediately, "So, young brother is a herbalist, too. Do you know how much more dangerous it has become? Many demonic beasts have sensed the dense human presence here and are migrating towards the Qinglin Mountains, treating this place like a hunting ground..."

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do..."

Fang Xing sighed heavily, "When the storm is strong, the fish are expensive!"

"True, well said!" The martial artist's eyes shone, "How about we team up?"

"No need."

Fang Xing waved his hand dismissively, exhibiting a distant demeanor, and quickly slipped into the dense forest using his agility skills.

With the high-altitude reconnaissance of the drones, the chances of him encountering danger were not high, yet they were not entirely absent either.

Consequently, he couldn’t help but exercise caution.

Of course, Fang Xing didn’t need to dash directly back to the temporary camp.

He only had to exit Qinglin Market, avoid prying eyes, and then he could collect the bounties nature provided via the drones.

Strictly speaking, the danger was minimal.

After spending merely half an hour outside, he returned with a basket brimming with herbs.

Naturally, to maintain his disguise, he covered them with miscellaneous items on top.

Remembering the earlier lesson from the old man with the pipe, he even took the extra step of masking the herbal scents.

As Fang Xing carried his basket into the market, he stumbled upon the sight of the martial artist he had spoken to earlier, now reduced to a mutilated corpse.

“This... what is...”

“Alas, their team's luck ran out. They hadn’t ventured far when a ‘Fire Origin Jackal’ attacked them...”

Listening to the nearby martial artists’ discussion and observing the charred marks on the man’s injuries, Fang Xing shook his head.

“Isn’t this brother just returning?”

One martial artist noticed Fang Xing, then glanced at the plants camouflaging the contents of his basket and sneered, “So, brother wasn’t gathering herbs, but digging up taro roots to stave off hunger?”

“Sigh, in these times, forget spiritual rice—even common rice is becoming unaffordable.”

Room No. 57 Ding.

Fang Xing glanced over and saw the door next to his room was still tightly shut.

Only when there was a sound did a cautious eye peek through the door crack, resembling a pitiful little beast.

“Sigh, quite a pitiful little fellow too...”

Fang Xing ignored Meng Zi Jin, shut his door, and headed to the basement.

Tossing the taro roots that covered the basket aside, he revealed it brimming with herbs, each one valuable enough to make any martial artist’s eyes turn green with envy!

Especially the ‘Illusion Heart Orchid’!

The orchid was as beautiful as a dream, with a soft, glowing sheen on its stem, leaves, and petals.

A gentle sniff left Fang Xing feeling a little tipsy and dazed, as though he had consumed some fine wine.

“Truly a valuable thing," Fang Xing mused to himself. "As long as I take it to the Qingdan Workshop for refining, obtaining a 'Calming Elixir' shouldn't be an issue...”

However, he paused, pondering, “But I snatched this spiritual herb; the Grand Alchemist Wan and the Black Tiger Gang are still watching. Would the Qingdan Workshop keep my involvement confidential?”

Though the Qingdan Workshop had a decent reputation, Fang Xing remained hesitant.

At this point, he turned on the surveillance log to check the aftermath of the battle involving Cangshan's Five Virtues, Grand Alchemist Wan, and Fu Qing.

“Huh?” he exclaimed.

The scene showed Meng Yi, pierced through the chest by a tiger-headed blade, fiercely pushing his wife Shen Yuxin aside.

In Shen Yuxin's hand was a ‘Illusion Heart Orchid’!

“Hmm? This is… an absolute mess,” Fang Xing noted to himself as he pieced together the sequence of events.

Chen Yi had prepared well in advance and was not poisoned, while Hua Feiyue and the others swiftly joined the fray after detoxifying themselves.

Despite being a renowned alchemist, Wan Fenglin lacked sufficient combat prowess, and Chen Hongtian, only at the inborn level, was besieged by the remaining four and subsequently slain on site!

Seeing the dire turn, Wan Fenglin activated a life-saving talisman and fled successfully!

At first glance, it seemed like the victors were the Black Tiger Gang’s Fu Qing and the Cangshan Four Virtues.

But during the division of spoils, Chen Yi made a sudden move, ambushing Fu Qing!

Hua Feiyue and the others had no choice but to assist. Meng Yi ended up with a blade through his heart, leaving him unquestionably dead.

Before his demise, he created an opportunity for Shen Yuxin to leave with their findings.

Fu Qing, already worn out from Wan Fenglin’s attacks, was caught off guard by Chen Yi’s ambush and overwhelmed by several innate fighters.

Choosing not to prolong the battle, he took the largest share of the loot and withdrew.

This herbal gathering expedition concluded on such a grim note, claiming the lives of two inborn warriors!

Those that remained were mostly injured, painting a picture of utter devastation.

“The world of cultivation and treasure hunts is truly perilous,” Fang Xing silently advised himself, “better to refrain from participating in these mysterious operations when possible…”

With that thought, he proceeded to cook rice, prepare dishes, and grill meat…

Thanks to the market's rich spiritual energy environment and a steady supply of spiritual rice and beast meat, he managed to consistently train every day.

As the data on each attribute panel continued to rise, he experienced the thrill akin to leveling up in a video game.

It was almost addictive!

Nighttime.

Fang Xing was just about to sleep when he suddenly heard a heart-wrenching cry from next door: "Father... sob... I want my father..."

"Is that Meng Zijing? Have they returned? Such a slow pace..."

Lying in bed, he turned over: "Hmm, maybe my expectations are too high. After all, they can't fly back and must avoid many dangerous places along the way..."

Although he knew what had happened, visiting them now would undoubtedly seem strange.

Therefore, Fang Xing stretched lazily and waited three seconds, allowing a silver glow to envelop him.

He chose to sleep on the Eaglet Star!

To say the least, the security in the Blue Star Federation was commendable; except for the occasional cultists, it was usually very safe.

Living in such an environment, even his sleep was more restful than in Qinglin Market.

If it weren't for the appealing spiritual atmosphere at the market, he would probably stay here to rest.

The next day.

Qinglin Market.

As Fang Xing stepped out of his house, he noticed a white mourning banner erected outside the adjacent shack.

This was a local funeral custom; a white banner outside signifying a family member had passed away.

He approached, seeing that the central space in the shack had been transformed into a mourning hall, complete with a memorial plaque and garments.

Clearly, Meng Yi's remains had not been retrieved.

After all, Shen Yuxin fled in such haste, one couldn't expect much from her.

"Ah? What happened here?"

Fang Xing exclaimed in shock as he witnessed the scene before him.

"It was my husband, gathering spiritual herbs outside. Unfortunately, he met his demise..."

Shen Yuxin's eyes were slightly reddened. Dressed in mourning clothes, she calmly responded, "It's all fate... I do not wish to remain in this place full of sorrow. I have already prepared to leave with Zijing."

]

(End of Chapter)