Starry Sky Professional

Fang Xing was slightly taken aback, "Madam, do you have enough for the journey?"

The Qinglin Market was established by the Qing Xuan Sect to exploit the vast wilderness, and it was extremely remote and perilous in all directions.

Apart from the sect's flying boat caravans that came by periodically, there were no other paths to leave.

For itinerant cultivators, coming to Qinglin Market was relatively easy, but leaving was prohibitively expensive due to the cost of tickets.

"We’ll have to sell our belongings to gather enough."

Shen Yuxin replied calmly, but her voice was resolute, clearly having made up her mind.

Now, not only was the dissolution of the Cangshan Five Virtues inevitable, but they had also deeply offended the Black Tiger Gang, making it unsafe to even step outside the market. Staying put was nothing short of a death trap!

The only way out was to leave!

"Here’s a spirit stone, think of it as a small token. Please don't find it lacking…"

Fang Xing considered for a moment and handed over a low-grade spirit stone.

"How can I possibly accept this?"

Shen Yuxin’s eyes reddened further, her voice choked with emotion, "So many years of brotherhood, yet it cannot compare to the kindness of a neighbor we've only known for a few days… Honor indeed…"

Yet, she was a shrewd woman, and after expressing her gratitude, she led Fang Xing to the back room, "All our belongings are here, Brother Fang, feel free to take anything you fancy…"

Fang Xing’s generous gift was, in fact, to gain this opportunity.

He glanced over and saw that Meng Yi and his wife's 'belongings’ were not much, merely a few weapons, five manuals, and some pills, talismans, and herbs.

"Oh? There’s a 'Illusive Heart Orchid' here?"

Fang Xing pointed to a freshly picked orchid with surprise in his voice.

"This was obtained through great risk by my husband and me. If Brother Fang desires it, ten spirit stones will suffice to take it…" Shen Yuxin responded. With those ten spirit stones, plus their savings, they could buy two tickets.

Although unafraid of the Black Tiger Gang within the market, the logic of "a thousand days guarding against thieves" still applied.

Naturally, the sooner they left, the better.

"Ten spirit stones? That’s not too steep… Just what I need for my martial arts training, lacking only the 'Calming Pill'…"

Fang Xing sighed and handed over ten spirit stones, taking the Illusive Heart Orchid into his hand.

A single low-grade spirit stone was only about the size of a fingernail, and a small purse could hold many.

Despite their scarcity among wandering cultivators, these ten spirit stones were a precious find.

Even Shen Yuxin couldn’t help but cast an extra glance at Fang Xing but said nothing more, swiftly concluding their transaction.

"Got it!"

Leaving Shen Yuxin's residence, a smile played on Fang Xing's lips.

It might seem redundant to buy another Illusory Heart Orchid, given that he already had one, but the truth was far from it.

At the very least, the legitimacy of the orchid in his possession was now "cleansed."

Rather than having snatched it from the clutches of the Black Tiger Gang, he had purchased it fair and square.

No matter how aggressive and domineering the Black Tiger Gang could be, this was no grounds for them to harass him.

As for how many Shen Yuxin might have sold him, who could tell?

Once the mother and son duo were gone, it would become a case of dead men tell no tales.

The Cyan Pill Pavilion.

"May I help you, dear customer…?"

A maid with a charming smile approached, but Fang Xing dismissed her directly. "Is Miss Xiaorui in?"

"Oh, I'll call her right away…" the maid's smile faltered a little.

In moments, Xiaorui appeared before Fang Xing. "Are you the one who previously wished to acquire a Tranquil Spirit Elixir?"

Her sharp memory served her well, it seemed, as she recognized Fang Xing.

"Indeed," he confirmed, "Does your store have stock?"

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but the Tranquil Spirit Elixir is still out of stock," Xiaorui replied apologetically.

"Oh?" replied Fang Xing with interest. "Yet I recently acquired an Illusory Heart Orchid. Could you undertake its refinement?"

He asked anew.

"You truly have good fortune to have obtained an Illusory Heart Orchid!" Xiaorui said, genuinely surprised before she continued with a smile, "If you wish for us to refine it, there should be no issue… You provide the Illusory Heart Orchid, and we’ll supply the additional ingredients. If successful, you'll receive half of the pills… If not, there's no need to pay extra spirit stones."

Fang Xing furrowed his brow slightly, feeling like this shop was gouging him a bit.

However, he had no alternative; other private alchemists charged even more and their skills left much to be desired.

“Rest assured, our alchemist's success rate for crafting the Tranquil Spirit Elixir exceeds seventy percent...”

Xiaorui immediately assured, noticing Fang Xing's hesitation.

“Fine, let's go with it then...”

Fang Xing took out an Illusory Heart Orchid, deciding to give it a try.

After all, he still had one more orchid on hand, so he wasn't too worried. Even if this shop turned out to be unreliable, it would give him a clearer view of the market's integrity. Sooner or later, accounts would be settled in full!

After wandering around the market, Fang Xing returned to his makeshift shelter. Just as he was about to open the door, he paused, noticing a crowd gathered at Widow Shen's doorstep. They were a fierce-looking bunch, with tiger emblems embroidered on their chests – clearly members of the Black Tiger Gang.

"Where did the woman and the child living here go?"

"I heard that Widow Shen, having lost her husband, planned to leave Qinglin Marketplace with her child..."

Fang Xing felt a chill run through him, as he sold out Shen Yuxin instantly, "They left. Smart move. Let’s go!"

It appeared the Black Tiger Gang had already interrogated other neighbors, and on confirming their departure, they left in frustration.

"Indeed, dealing with gang members – it's better safe than sorry,"

Fang Xing muttered, closing his door, shaking his head.

In his current state of powerlessness, patience was essential. When he eventually had the strength to dominate this place, he would live by his own rules. That was his path in martial arts!

Although Xia Long spoke often of the martial spirit – how the weak should challenge the strong and the like, Fang Xing found little appeal in it.

His martial path was simple: to become stronger, to protect himself, and then, with that protection assured, to do what he could.

"Train, train!"

Fang Xing prepared a pot full of spirit rice for himself and began practicing the Grand Dragon Posture once more.

In the middle of the night, the sound of knocking suddenly echoed through the room.

"Hm? Who could it be this time?"

Feeling a bit impatient, he peered through the crack in the door and was taken aback.

After a moment of thought, he opened the door.

In came a woman with an alluring scent—peachy cheeks, almond eyes, sweeping willow-like brows, and movements as captivating as smoke.

She carried an air of a mature woman, like a ripe, luscious peach. It was none other than the second of the Cangshan Five Virtues—Hua Feiyue.

"Miss Hua... no, Fellow Daoist Hua, we meet again."

Fang Xing's acquaintance with Hua Feiyue was limited, and thus he maintained a notably cold demeanor: "May I ask what brings you here?"

"Brother Fang, I merely came to see my Fifth Sister, only to discover she's already left. Such a discerning person..."

Hua Feiyue's breath was slightly unsteady, showing her injuries hadn't yet healed completely.

"Miss Shen didn't elaborate much—just that there was an accident while Brother Meng was gathering herbs, leaving her all alone. It's uncertain how the Cangshan Five Virtues plan to handle this..."

Fang Xing muttered about the things Shen Yuxin managed that day.

"Leaving, huh? Perhaps it's for the best... The name of the Cangshan Five Virtues might soon fade from Qinglin Market entirely!"

Hua Feiyue gave a bitter smile, then looked at Fang Xing with clear, bright eyes: "Brother Fang, you're honest and brave. I quite admire that. If you find yourself with free time, do visit No. 66 of Building B..."

She gracefully bowed and left.

Fang Xing found himself with a strange expression: "That woman can't have a thing for me after just two meetings, right?... Or does she have a private connection with Shen Yuxin and is here to test me? Or is she... genuinely ready to wash her hands clean and stop living on the edge? But, for those martial artists in the market, if they don't do those risky jobs, how can they make a living?"

Originally, the herb-gathering profession was perilous enough. Now, with the beast tide, the difficulty had multiplied tenfold!

For martial artists without savings, this was even more true.

'I've heard many female martial artists of decent beauty have to take on half-hidden jobs aside from their routine work to make ends meet...'

Stroking his chin, Fang Xing pondered deeply.

...

Three days later.

“Is this the 'Calmness Pill'?”

Fang Xing picked up a jade bottle and poured out a pill.

The pill was entirely green, exuding a strange, spicy aroma.

After waiting two days, he visited the Qingdan Workshop, relieved to find that the alchemist had kept their promise and succeeded in refining four bottles in total.

As per the original agreement, he received two bottles.

“Honestly... who really knows the true success rate of that alchemist? But just getting the pills shows a good level of reliability. One shouldn't ask for too much—after all, people in this world seem to have very flexible principles.”

Fang Xing shook his head, ready to test the effects of the hard-earned 'Calmness Pill'.

He sat cross-legged, his mind as calm as an undisturbed lake, attempting to enter a meditative state.

Soon, he silently visualized the imagery of 'a single blade severing the divine spirits, leaving none behind'.

In an instant, his previously clear mind lake stirred with countless ripples. The once clear waters turned entirely black, where endless thoughts formed faces showing joy, anger, sorrow, and joy...

“It's troublesome enough just to meditate... If these were true inner demons, how terrifying would it be?”

With a sigh, Fang Xing swiftly swallowed a 'Calmness Pill'.

As the spicy taste spread across his palate, he immediately felt his mind clearing.

The numerous stray thoughts that had surfaced were suddenly suppressed.

Remarkably... he even felt as though he could 'inwardly see' every part of his body, noticing veins, bones, organs... down to the tiniest detail!

“Could this be the 'Spiritual Perception' of cultivators?”

In this state of 'absolute control', Fang Xing successfully focused his mind, overcoming the first hurdle in mastering the 'Ghost God Blade', then began to hypnotize himself, gradually transforming his spirit to be 'like a ghost, like a god'!

This self-hypnosis was not a simple technique, but one that truly altered his mental traits.

It even unleashed the vast potential deeply buried within his body!

“With a blade at hand, slaying ghosts, killing gods, confronting deities—it takes just a thought!”

With a shift in intent, a hundred-refined steel blade appeared in Fang Xing's hand. He leaped up and slashed down,“Slay Ghosts!”

Sssh!

Like lightning in an empty room!

In the void, a dazzling blade aura suddenly emerged.

“True energy unleashed, transformed into a blade aura!”

Fang Xing sheathed his blade and stood tall, his eyes gleaming. "Of course, this isn't because I've advanced to the innate level. It's because I've finally mastered the 'Ghost God Blade', achieving innate combat strength!”

(Chapter ends)

]

(End of Chapter)