Starry Sky Professional

In the early morning, a thin mist lingered in the air.

Fang Xing, holding a hundred-refined steel blade he had casually purchased from a street stall, slowly practiced a series of sword techniques.

The essence of the A-rank martial art 'Ghost God Blade' lay in simulating a state of mind as part of its basic training, which involved meditation and hypnosis techniques.

Once this mental state was achieved, the moves themselves became quite simple.

After finishing his sword practice, Fang Xing's eyes flashed as he focused on his attribute panel:

[Name: Fang Xing]

[Age: 17]

[Profession: Martial Artist]

[Second Realm: Muscles and Bones]

[Military Fist Twelve Styles: 61/100]

[Great Dragon Posture: 14/200]

[Ghost God Blade: 2/100]

[Gate of the Heavens]

…

“This Calmness Pill not only aids in cultivating the 'Ghost God Blade', but the most crucial aspect is that when its medicinal power takes effect, I seem to enter a strange state, akin to the 'spiritual awareness' of cultivators, allowing me to fully control every part of myself… This is truly the extraordinary elegance of martial arts!”

“Unfortunately, the state only persists for the duration of the pill’s effect, and dissipates afterward… Nonetheless, the Calmness Pill undeniably greatly benefits my martial path.”

Gazing at the increase in his various stats on the panel, Fang Xing's eyes shone brightly.

He increasingly felt that the Qinglin Market held many more treasures, just waiting for him to discover.

“Train! Train!”

“With such favorable conditions, it would be a shame not to put them to full use…”

“At this rate, before the school year starts, I’ll definitely be able to make Gu Yun cry…”

For Fang Xing, nothing else mattered; practicing martial arts was the utmost priority!

Now, with the additional herbs he had 'harvested', he no longer lacked spiritual stones.

Every day, Fang Xing reaped the benefits of spiritual rice and beast meat, nourished further by a mystical environment. Occasionally, he was aided by the Calmness Pill, enhancing his cultivation practice.

Under such a multifaceted regimen, his progress in martial arts was nothing short of miraculous, advancing at an astonishing pace.

So deeply immersed in this frenzied training, he became oblivious to the passage of time.

On this particular day…

Swoosh!

Within the courtyard surrounded by lattice fences, the air was filled with slashing blade energy.

In Fang Xing's hand, the steel blade once emitted only a faint glow, but now the blade light surged to about three inches, radiating a crystalline brilliance.

“After mastering 'Ghost God Blade', this martial art seems to require daily dedication like any ordinary practice...” he mused.

“Its stages are akin to other martial disciplines: starting with initiation, then proficiency, followed by mastery... Beyond the mastery level, it's no longer about simulating the intent but fully embedding it, transforming it into a true 'Intent Martial Art'.”

“In the Blue Star Federation, even though the Rough Jade Realm's martial artists are akin to the innate ones, their combat prowess undoubtedly surpasses... How powerful are the warriors at the fourth stage, 'Bold Spirit'?”

“At the very least, they should be able to match late-stage Qi Refiners, or perhaps... even those who have perfected their Qi Refining?”

Fang Xing speculated silently.

In this world, even the pinnacle innate experts could only compete with mid-stage Qi Refiners.

Upon reaching the late-stage Qi Refining level, one would be considered a top expert in Qinglin Market, with only hundreds existing within the entire marketplace.

Not to mention those who had perfected their Qi Refining.

“I wonder how they compare to Foundation Establishment stage cultivators?”

“Anyway, I'm probably thinking too much.”

Fang Xing was about to return to his house when his expression suddenly shifted.

Rumble!

The ground began to tremble slightly.

He abruptly lifted his head to see that the array covering Qinglin Market was opening, with countless spiritual lights falling like raindrops.

Massive flying boats, each tens of meters tall and nearly a hundred meters long, like gigantic beasts of war, were slowly emerging from the market.

The terrifying spiritual glow and pressure reminded Fang Xing of the Federation's 'aerospace fighter jets', albeit the smallest models...

“By the command of the sect, eradicate the beast tide!”

A voice resonated through the marketplace, ancient and resonant.

Upon hearing it, Fang Xing shuddered internally: "A Foundation Establishment cultivator?!"

“Indeed, it's a great Foundation Establishment elder!”

“Finally, the Qing Xuan Sect couldn't hold back and has decided to act!”

“Haha, let's join forces, wipe out the beast tide, and the spirit stones will flood in!”

Jubilant and leaping, the cultivators within the market eagerly followed suit.

For them, danger is preferable to monotony; it’s the absence of opportunity they fear the most!

Just then, a fearsome beast roar bellowed from beyond the market!

The sound was like muffled thunder, yet carried a pressure distinct from a first-tier demonic beast.

“It’s a second-tier demonic beast!”

Someone among the rogue cultivators exclaimed.

“A mere demonic beast dares to act brazenly?!”

The aged voice sounded again, tinged with anger.

“It's here?”

Then came a terrifying rumble, accompanied by the enraged roar of the second-tier beast.

Moments later, an elder, clad in a green Daoist robe with three long strands of facial hair and an immortal-like countenance, returned dragging the corpse of a second-tier demonic beast as immense as a small mountain.

This beast was a colossal ape, standing around sixteen meters tall, imposing even in death, capable of crushing numerous cultivators to pulp with a single swipe of its paw.

Its fur was chillingly sharp like swords, and lingering glimmers of spiritual light had yet to fade from its body, with fresh blood continuously seeping from its wounds—occasional twitches still shuddered through the corpse…

Yet, it was dead…slain by a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage!

“As expected, cultivators hold a certain advantage over beasts of the same tier, but to defeat it so effortlessly, the difference may lie in minor realms.

This ape might only be a low-grade second-tier beast, while the Qing Xuan cultivator could be mid-stage, or even of higher cultivation…”

Fang Xing mused quietly, his eyes alight with intrigue as they settled upon the beast's body: “I wonder what kind of effect this second-tier beast's flesh might have?”

"To battle!"

At this moment, accompanied by the voice of the elderly foundation cultivator, the fleet of flying ships continued to advance, followed by numerous independent cultivators and martial artists carrying their own provisions.

While they joined voluntarily, those who achieved meritorious deeds by killing monsters would be rewarded generously.

This event was a grand feast, albeit a blood-soaked one.

"Forget it, this isn't for me..." Fang Xing cast one final glance at the marching troops, shook his head, and returned to his dwelling, resolved to seek refuge on Eaglet Star.

Although this expedition to attack the Qing Xuan Sect seemed well prepared and promised great victory, Fang Xing had no interest in playing along.

The world is vast, but one's freedom is even greater. In such perilous times of war, it's best to keep a safe distance.

Eaglet Star.

Happiness Garden District.

"It's August already..."

Watching the torrential storm outside, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring, Fang Xing glanced at the calendar and murmured, "School starts in September..."

Only now did he seem to shake off the lingering impression of the market's previous atmosphere.

"One must maintain their independence and not be easily swayed by the tides of the times... someone with a simpler mindset might have been stirred by what they saw earlier and rushed into the fray. But what good would risking my life do?"

Self-reflecting aloud, Fang Xing picked up his communicator to see if anyone had contacted him recently.

"Hmm? Few messages as usual, since my only real friend was Liu Wei, and even he's stopped hanging out with me... and yet, Ouyang Qianqian invited me for a duel at the gym? Looks like she's not giving up just yet..."

Reviewing the missed communications, he responded to each one by one, then picked up another communicator, entering a password.

This was a device acquired from the black market, stripped of its tracking functions and not registered under his name, helping him avoid numerous hassles.

On this black market communicator, the information was even sparser, with just a single message.

“Huh? Zhang Jiarui? Is there an event at the Blood Cage Arena?”

He looked at the contact, feeling a bit puzzled. However, he knew that this 'Bun' Bunny Girl was no ordinary person, so he immediately answered the message.

Beep!

A holographic projection appeared, and it was indeed Zhang Jiarui!

This time, she was dressed in a black suit, looking much more professional.

“Dear customer... I've been promoted to manager now. As for the A-level martial arts you asked me to search for earlier, I've got some leads. You've probably heard of the 'Passion Sword,' right? Recently, there's a coach at the arena who specializes in it and is willing to take on private lessons. If you want to book a session, you can contact this number...”

This was a pre-recorded message.

Fang Xing closed it thoughtfully, muttering to himself: “The Passion Sword? It's kind of late for that... I've already started learning the Demon Blade, and now you're telling me this?”

He vaguely recalled mentioning something similar to Zhang Jiarui before.

Unexpectedly, she remembered and found something!

“The Passion Sword!”

Thinking this, Fang Xing immediately went online to search for information related to the 'Passion Sword.'

“The Passion Sword, an A-level martial art, created by the martial arts master 'Yuan Lang,' is renowned for its intricate sword skills and incredible power... During practice, one needs to simulate extreme emotional states, which can be friendship, love, or even hatred... Due to its extreme nature, it's not included in high school curricula!”

“Damn, is it really considered more extreme emotionally than other A-level martial arts? Is this a bit dangerous?”

“But I do like swordsmanship, and Zhang Jiarui rarely finds such private coaching channels...”

After thinking for a while, Fang Xing decided to conceal his true identity and used the black market communicator to make a call, expressing gratitude and inquiring about the price.

In the video, Zhang Jiarui was still dressed in the suit, seated in an office, resembling an ordinary urban office worker.

Upon hearing Fang Xing's inquiry, Zhang Jiarui smiled, “Coach Ping is very easy to talk to, and he's offered a cost price this time. It's just a hundred thousand per session...”

“A session... a hundred thousand?! I'll think about it...”

Fang Xing felt a bit of a headache.

“Oh, and... the previous request for a contact, I've found the person too: a triangle-eyed Caucasian, good at communicating with small animals... In the black market, only 'Scavenger' Lance matches the description. This is a complimentary piece of information, but if you want detailed intel, it's a flat rate of two hundred thousand...”

Zhang Jiarui continued with a charming smile.

“Is that so? Thanks, I'll proceed with the transaction shortly.”

Fang Xing cut off the communication without a trace of emotion on his face.

"Lance, the Carrion Eater?"

A glint of icy cold flashed through his eyes.

]

(End of Chapter)