Starry Sky Professional

Qinglin Marketplace.

"I never expected this revenge to go as smoothly as it did..."

Fang Xing gazed at the sleek, silver laser gun in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips. "If I hadn't found them, I was ready to use a 'Qi-Seeking Talisman' or some such method..."

It's undeniable that while the talismans in the cultivation world might not pack the destructive power of ordinary weapons in the interstellar era, they do have their uses.

For instance, with a 'Qi-Seeking Talisman', one can pinpoint someone's location within a certain range, granted you have their aura!

Then there's the Concealment Talisman from last time, which quite literally saved Fang Xing's life.

Otherwise, he could very well have been found and killed by Lance's beast... In such a dire situation, he would have preferred to risk exposing his secret of crossing worlds to escape to another realm.

Fang Xing stepped out of his room, stretching with satisfaction.

Just then, the door to what was formerly Widow Shen's residence next door opened, and a burly man dressed in black emerged.

Upon seeing Fang Xing, he paused before greeting him with cupped fists, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. I am Yuxia, the 'Demon Hunter'. I've just moved in, so it seems we are neighbors now."

"Ah, it's Daoist Yu," Fang Xing returned the greeting with a smile. "I've been in seclusion recently, and only know the sect sent people to quell the beast tide. How did it go?"

"So, you've been in seclusion these past days..." Yuxia's grin widened. "With a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator stepping in, our victory was assured. The sect's senior and the Zheng Family Ancestor took action, slaying several Tier 2 demonic beasts in one fell swoop. Without their leader, we managed to kill quite a few Tier 1 beasts as well, so the tide naturally subsided."

"So, the beast tide has been quelled?" Fang Xing felt a sense of disbelief as he heard this, marveling inwardly at how, in the cultivation world, the outcome of high-level battles determines everything.

"Indeed, and the prices of basic goods are finally dropping again. Damn it... just a shame the abundance of beast materials led to plummeting prices, affecting my livelihood," Yuxia, who called himself a Demon Hunter, naturally pursued hunting beasts as his main occupation.

Yet even as he said this, he did not appear defeated, but rather a little proud.

"Haha, with the sect's bounty for defeating the beast tide, it should suffice for a while... Eventually, the prices for beast materials will rise again." Fang Xing laughed.

"Exactly. It's a pity you didn't join us... However, in two days, the Zheng family is hosting an auction to celebrate the successful end of the beast tide. You shouldn't miss it," Yuxia added.

Fang Xing was strolling through the bustling market streets when he caught snippets of conversation.

“An auction? Thanks for the heads-up, fellow Daoist,” Fang Xing clasped his hands in gratitude before moving deeper into the market.

As he wandered, various calls from vendors filled the air.

“Discounted beast meat! Discounted beast meat for sale!”

“Premium ‘Black Spirit Fruit’, just one piece of Spirit Sand each…”

“Beast hides, tendons, and bones at low prices…”

The market was as lively as ever, perhaps even more so than before.

Fang Xing noticed the increased number of stalls, each displaying an array of beast materials so vast and captivating that it was almost overwhelming.

“Hmm, it might be wise to stock up on diverse beast meats, especially with prices taking such a dive…”

Fang Xing nodded thoughtfully as he completed a circuit of the market.

“I should perhaps find an agent, whether to sell spiritual herbs on my behalf or to gather market information. I'm too engrossed in martial training, and the flow of information is somewhat limited. I only learned about the auction from others.”

With a laser gun for protection, his actions had become bolder.

Having sufficient strength meant that he could enlist others to work for him without fearing backlash—any rebellion could be crushed with a mere flick of his wrist.

However, there was no rush for such plans; they could be arranged and considered over time.

“At least, before the new semester starts, there's no urgency…”

Once school begins, Fang Xing’s time in this area would be significantly reduced, and every moment would need to be devoted to cultivation. Having someone to manage tasks would be quite beneficial.

Fang Xing approached a stall selling beast meat. “How much is your beast meat?” he asked.

The burly vendor, wielding a bone cleaver, deftly separated a bone, leaving it impeccably clean. Without looking up, he replied, “Fifteen pounds for a Spirit Stone.”

"How about making it cheaper? Thirty catties for a spirit stone?"

Fang Xing began bargaining.

Having spent quite some time in Qinglin Market, he had gradually adapted to the local customs, knowing well that if one didn't haggle, they'd certainly be ripped off!

"You're joking, the most I'll go for is eighteen catties!"

The butcher glared, exuding a fierce aura.

Judging by his cultivation, he was likely a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator!

However, such intimidation had no effect on Fang Xing, who carried a laser gun: "Twenty-five catties!"

After much haggling, they finally settled on twenty catties.

"Alright, give me a hundred catties."

Fang Xing retrieved five low-grade spirit stones and secretly decided to cure the meat back home: "Is this from a demon boar? I want the leg meat, from the hindquarters!"

The butcher, though somewhat speechless, still obediently cut the meat according to Fang Xing's instructions.

After all, there were too many stalls selling beast materials, and if the meat was left too long, it would spoil. Selling any bit more was a gain.

"This leg meat is not bad. I can make ham with it when I return..."

For a martial artist like Fang Xing, carrying a hundred catties was no harder than taking a stroll.

He went around twice more before heading back to his little shack, eager to enjoy the meat and train, and to await the auction.

On his way, he passed through the sheds in Zone B.

As he walked by, he occasionally spotted heavily made-up women leaning against their doors, their eyes seemingly hooked, following every passerby.

Every now and then, one or two martial artists would approach, negotiate a price, and then disappear inside, slamming the door behind them.

"Damn, engaging in debauchery in broad daylight..."

Fang Xing spat, unconsciously touching his money pouch: "It only costs one spirit sand here, quite cheaper than the one low-grade spirit stone at the Listening Rain Pavilion... But that's different, the Pavilion hosts real fairies who have learned unique seductive techniques from their cultivation, while here it's just martial artists... We don't often get a chance to genuinely dominate cultivators..."

As he was walking, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.

Snap!

A shadowy figure was tossed out, sprawling awkwardly on the ground.

Fortunately, the one who acted didn't intend any harm, so the person quickly rolled and stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Damn it... If you won't sell, just say so! Why get violent?"

"Hmph... Take a look at yourself before trying to take advantage of me! Go back and drink your mother's foot bath!"

Hua Feiyue leaned lazily against the door, a blend of teasing and scolding evident in her alluring demeanor.

She wore a lotus leaf dress that revealed a generous amount of her fair, voluptuous chest, her skin smooth and captivatingly beautiful.

In a place like this, no wonder misunderstandings arose.

After chastising the guy who mistook her for a courtesan behind a partly open door, she caught sight of Fang Xing out of the corner of her eye and let out a playful laugh, "If you were as handsome as this young gentleman, I might reconsider and even offer you half a spirit stone for free!"

The patron wasn't ugly, but he was quite unremarkable and shot Fang Xing a fierce glare, clearly resenting him as well. Fang Xing couldn't help but find it ridiculous.

Was this a disaster out of nowhere?

He mused internally, then smirked, "My dear Hua, your words are not quite right..."

"Oh? What did I get wrong?" Hua Feiyue giggled.

"I am dashing and charming... surely worth your spirit stone, not mine." Fang Xing naturally replied.

"Not bad, not bad, here's a spirit stone for you!" Hua Feiyue beckoned with her finger.

Fang Xing promptly stepped through the door, executing a swift kick to shut it firmly.

The disgruntled patron could only curse them as adulterers and leave under the disdainful and mocking gazes of the others.

...

"So... Are you really here to do business with me, young brother?"

Hua Feiyue asked, a flash of something in her eyes, accompanied by a teasing laugh as Fang Xing closed the door with a kick.

"Why has Fellow Daoist Hua fallen to such a state?"

Fang Xing glanced around and spotted a blue and white porcelain bowl on the stove with some leftover rice—plain, ordinary rice.

"Sigh... I offended the Black Tiger Gang and severed ties with my boss. How could I dare to go out hunting? I can only stay close to the market to ensure my safety. Most of my savings have been spent, and the rest used to purchase medicine for healing. Is there a choice but to live in poverty?" Hua Feiyue's tone carried a hint of resentment as she stared straight at the pork Fang Xing held. "Little brother, you seem to have a carefree life... enjoying spirit beast meat every meal!"

"I'm just running a small business, and things have been looking up recently, that's all."

Fang Xing originally intended to just stop by for a quick chat.

However, seeing Hua Feiyue in such a situation, he couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

After all, she once was an innate martial artist; her misstep was to socialize with cultivators as equals and predictably lose it all.

Now, her circumstances were so desperate that she was practically eyeing his meat ...—

"To have a trade within the marketplace is the dream of both cultivators and martial artists alike... Such a pity..."

Hua Feiyue seemed to have lost some of her spirits, pondering silently.

Perhaps she should leave this place of sorrow like her fifth sister?

If she stayed much longer, she might end up actually resorting to... selling herself.

"Don't be discouraged, Fellow Daoist Hua. Please, accept these ten pounds of spirit beast meat."

Fang Xing thought it over and decided to offer a token of goodwill first.

After all, it's only polite to bring a gift when visiting for the first time. Nowadays, Sister Hua is without support but is adept at navigating social circles. Perhaps she could make a promising store manager in the future?

Even if their business partnership doesn't pan out later, giving away some spirit beast meat now is no big deal; it's not worth much anyway.

"Little brother..."

Hua Feiyue was genuinely touched, her eyes glistening as she teased with a laugh, "Could it be... that you've taken a liking to your sister? But alas, your sister has no spirit stones…"

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(End of Chapter)