Starry Sky Professional

“Madness! Everyone's gone mad!”

Watching the Qi refinement stage cultivators make frenzied bids, even the originally composed VIPs in their private boxes were flushed with agitation. Fang Xing felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Aren’t these meant for cultivators practicing fire-elemental techniques? Why are you all so crazed over this?’

Little did he know, for these Qi refinement stage cultivators, this was their ‘path to the Dao’!

Regardless of the cost, it was worth the gamble.

Moreover, while the Dry Primordial Flame Fiend was most suited for those with fire techniques, it didn’t mean that those with other techniques couldn’t use it.

According to the theory of the Five Elements, fire births earth, so those with earth-elemental techniques might also use it, though the effect would be reduced by twenty to thirty percent.

For cultivators practicing yang-attribute techniques, the reduction might only be ten to twenty percent!

In fact, for most other cultivators, as long as their techniques weren’t water-elemental, which directly counteracts fire, taking this risk could be worthwhile!

Who knows, they might succeed!

If successful, they’d become a Foundation Establishment ancestor, equal to the Zheng Family Ancestor, establishing themselves as the fourth major power in Qinglin Market!

Even in failure, it’s just a death.

In the market, death is a common occurrence.

“This place isn’t suitable for me anymore, time to leave!”

A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. Fang Xing immediately stood up and exited the auction.

At a counter, he retrieved his token, promptly paid sixty-seven spirit stones, and received a bottle of ‘Dragon Blood Pills’.

After completing this, Fang Xing wasted no time, casually choosing an exit from the venue, heading straight home.

Perhaps because most cultivators were focused on the auctioning of Foundation Establishment artifacts.

Or perhaps because the value he displayed wasn’t significant.

Or maybe it was the deterrent of the Qing Xuan Sect.

In any case, Fang Xing returned home safely, without incident.

Fang Xing exhaled deeply, finally turning his gaze to the Dragon Blood Pill in his hand.

Removing the cork, he poured out the pills, each a deep crimson red.

“So, a bottle of Dragon Blood Pills contains five...”

Fang Xing sniffed the air but detected no scent of blood, only a rich, fragrant aroma.

“The old rule still applies—test for poison first, then proceed slowly...”

Regarding anything he consumed, he was always cautious: "I'll sleep on the Hatchling Star first... Being in the presence of a high-level cultivator during the foundation-building stage is indeed exhilarating..."

Some days later.

In the slum area.

Hua Feiyue was drenched in fragrant sweat, seemingly exhausted: "My lord... I can't hold on any longer!"

Fang Xing sat in a chair, his breath slightly heavy, but he appeared somewhat disappointed: "Just a bit more... Your 'Emotion of Seven Sentiments' isn't enough, it failed to fully stir my inner emotions..."

Indeed, he had hired Hua Feiyue again, using spirit stones as payment, to assist in his cultivation.

At this point, Fang Xing had nearly grasped the essence of the Extreme Passion Sword. He only needed a little more to fully comprehend it.

"In your case, my lord, I suggest purchasing a 'Confusion Talisman', one of the talismans used by cultivators. It's more effective than my 'Emotion of Seven Sentiments'..."

Hua Feiyue wiped her sweat and offered her advice.

"Hmm, that sounds feasible..."

Fang Xing nodded, "But the market has been a bit chaotic lately..."

"After all, we're dealing with a foundation-building spiritual treasure. If I weren't a martial artist but a cultivator, I might even risk everything for it too..."

Hua Feiyue covered her mouth and chuckled, her demeanor tinged with schadenfreude.

Attendance by a foundation-building cultivator ensured the auction concluded successfully.

However, post-auction, the market's security deteriorated sharply, with even some cultivators clashing in the stall area, ultimately subdued by the Qing Xuan Sect's enforcement team.

“It seems the battle outside the market is becoming even more intense…” Fang Xing rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “The Flaming Liquid of Qian Yuan was auctioned at an astronomical price, netting a huge profit for the Zheng family…”

“Heh, if they had a choice, how could the Zheng family be willing to sell something as valuable as foundational spiritual items? It must be due to pressure from the Qing Xuan Sect… If there’s a winner this time, it’s none other than the Qing Xuan Sect,” Hua Feiyue shared her perspective.

“When you look at it that way, it does make some sense.”

Fang Xing nodded and suddenly asked, “Did Chen Yi… contact you?”

Hua Feiyue's body trembled slightly, then she replied, “I have severed all ties with that man… Though he tried to reach out previously, I did not respond.”

It was clear that Hua Feiyue had cut all emotional ties with Chen Yi.

Moreover, this woman was quite clever, understanding it was unwise to get involved with Chen Yi, let alone provoke him.

“Cultivators have always looked down on us martial artists… That Chen Yi, back when he pledged kinship with you, seemed to have ulterior motives.”

Fang Xing smiled faintly, “Forget about him. Here are today's herbs; take them to the market to sell… and purchase a ‘Confounding Talisman’ with the proceeds!”

By selling them herself, she could fetch a higher price than selling directly to a store, which would mean a bit more income, though it did require some time.

Therefore, Fang Xing hired Hua Feiyue to run the stall and gave her a small commission.

They settled accounts periodically, so even if she absconded with the money, it would only be a minor loss. It didn’t concern him greatly.

Hua Feiyue gazed at the spiritual herbs Fang Xing gave her, her eyes shimmering with intrigue.

She knew this young man was anything but ordinary and likely had a group of gatherers behind him, or at the very least, a channel for purchasing herbs at low cost!

Naturally, she dared not pry into such matters. Doing so would mean she was spying on her boss's secrets, contemplating betrayal—a path of no return.

Having experienced previous hardships, she understood the preciousness of having a job and didn’t want to lose it…

“Even if she has some entanglement, she’s still useful…”

“After all, she’s quite attractive, has innate skills, specializes in spiritual martial arts… and her eloquence is excellent, which suits running a stall.”

Watching Hua Feiyue depart, Fang Xing nodded in approval.

He resided within the market, protected by the rules of the Qing Xuan Sect, and with a laser gun by his side, he feared no ordinary risks.

“Still, cultivation is paramount!”

In a fleeting thought, Fang Xing glanced at his attribute panel:

【Great Dragon Stake: 15/200】

【Ghostblade: 2/100】

……

“The progress of Great Dragon Stake is sluggish, and Ghostblade even more so... It seems that going out to fight more against beasts or people might expedite my improvement.”

He pondered thoughtfully.

The moment passed, and with a slight raise of his hand, a meticulously forged steel saber fell into his grip, its blade shimmering with a burst of light several inches long.

“My current abilities already rival those of innate martial artists. Even without the nanosuit and laser gun, I can contend with early-stage Qi Refinement cultivators... If I wore the nanosuit, even mid-stage cultivators might not be a match... And wielding a stun baton, perhaps I could even pose a threat to late-stage practitioners?”

“Should I encounter a more formidable adversary, well, nothing left but to resort to the laser gun...”

Swish!

The saber light radiated magnificently as he moved like a dragon, his every strike imbued with a terrifying killing intent.

The ground around him churned as if plowed anew, countless weeds slicing through the air as they were cleaved apart.

After completing a set of Ghostblade techniques, Fang Xing stared at his stagnant attribute panel, momentarily speechless.

Then, he retrieved the 'Dragon Blood Pill'.

“I’ve tested its toxicity and tried it on lab mice—it should be safe…”

“The Zheng family aims to establish a strong reputation with this release; the pills they distribute should all be top-notch…”

Reassured by these thoughts, Fang Xing hesitated no longer. He tilted his head back and swallowed the ‘Dragon Blood Pill’.

Roar!

In an indistinct moment, he seemed to hear the ancient roar of a dragon.

Waves of terrifying heat surged through his limbs and bones, and sweat began to ooze from his body, honed through countless exercises.

Amid the sweat, faint streaks of crimson blood could be seen mingling.

“The Dragon Blood Pill lives up to its reputation! Such powerful efficacy!”

Fang Xing exclaimed, promptly setting himself into the Great Dragon Stance.

Roar!

His entire skeletal frame shifted, emitting sounds akin to dragon roars.

Strangely, he felt these roars drew ever closer to the ancient roar he'd once heard in a daze.

Fang Xing's spine quivered like a serpentine dragon, his limbs transformed into dragon claws, his head lifted as a dragon's would, his tail swaying in rhythm.

“Dragon... What exactly is a dragon?”

“To tirelessly pursue strength is to be a dragon; to dominate the world is also to be a dragon...”

“The Federation's Great Dragon Stance takes inspiration from the ancient concept of dragons. It's mainly a spiritual transformation. It's said that after the Great Interstellar Age, similar dragon-like creatures were discovered on other planets, but they were only 'dragon beasts'...

“In contrast, the mythical dragons of the cultivation world appear more akin...”

After completing the Great Dragon Stance, Fang Xing habitually inspected his attribute panel and was momentarily stunned:

【Great Dragon Stance: 20/200】

“Just one session of Great Dragon Stance increased my proficiency by five points? Is this the effect of the Dragon Blood Pill? I used a single pinch for experimentation from a bottle, just consumed one pill, and still have three left. Does that mean I could gain fifteen more proficiency points?”

“If I buy seven or eight more bottles, my Great Dragon Stance could reach the fourth stage, and I could fully comprehend its essence?”

Of course, Fang Xing knew that any elixir was most effective the first time it was ingested, and its efficacy would inevitably wane afterward.

Nevertheless, this prospect remained extremely promising to him.

“Once the Great Dragon Stance enters the fourth stage, I'll grasp the 'Dragon's Prowess'! Every obstacle before the Valor Phase will vanish... Coupled with the Innate Pill, my progress through the martial arts stages will be astonishingly fast!”

“In the Blue Star Federation's martial discipline, true brilliance is said to unfold after the fourth stage, with combat strength exponentially increasing...”

“Although I lack spiritual roots and can't cultivate in the traditional sense, through martial arts, perhaps one day I might rival late-stage, perfected Qi Practitioners, or even Foundation Building and Core Formation cultivators!”

Fang Xing clenched his right fist, as if seizing the future, clutching onto hope...

(Chapter End)

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(End of Chapter)