Starry Sky Professional

"Courting death!"

The cultivator at the late Qi Refining stage narrowed his eyes, pointing with sword-like fingers as his flying sword transformed into a streak of light, speeding towards Fang Xing.

This flying sword was a top-grade Level One magical item, and when powered by someone at the late Qi Refining stage, its lethality could slice through gold and jade with ease!

But his speed was matched by Fang Xing's even greater swiftness!

Roar!

With just a thought, the 'Dragon's Intention' descended, catching the late-stage Qi Refiner off guard, and his flying sword trembled uncontrollably mid-air as if it had lost its direction.

In that fleeting instant, Fang Xing took one step forward, closing the distance between him and the late-stage Qi Refiner in a flash!

The advantage of a body cultivator lies in their explosive speed and high resilience!

Martial artists from Blue Star are akin to body cultivators!

To gain the upper hand, they must engage in close combat rapidly!

Fang Xing had no intention of a prolonged engagement with the late-stage Qi Refiner; even though he was confident that the flying sword couldn't kill him outright, getting stabbed and covered in blood didn't look good either.

Body cultivators never rely solely on brute force; they always choose a more efficient way to defeat their enemies.

He swung his fist, which connected with a crimson barrier of light.

The late-stage Qi Refiner was experienced, activating the defensive barrier on his magic robe simultaneously as he unleashed his flying sword.

He wore a top-grade magic garment—the Red Cloud Robe, whose protective enchantment was called the 'Fire Cloud Shield,' a Level One top-grade spell that not only excelled in defense but also generated searing flames to scorch the enemy.

But at this moment, a layer of silver-white gloves automatically covered Fang Xing's fists, with a golden bell shield layered over them, crashing heavily onto the crimson barrier.

Having achieved the Essence Jade stage, he could now utilize innate true energy to activate the 'Golden Bell Shield Talisman'!

With nearly the first punch, the crimson barrier quivered intensely.

"Not good!"

Only then did the late-stage Qi Refiner recover from his shock, looking at Fang Xing with terror in his eyes: "Impossible…"

Unfortunately, it was all too late!

On Fang Xing's fists, innate true energy condensed, morphing into another massive fist imprint!

Boom!

Under the impact of a double-fisted strike, the Fire Cloud Shield shattered in an instant. Countless sparks, hot enough to melt metal, scattered and seared the ground, leaving deep, scorching holes.

Fang Xing emerged unscathed from the fires, resembling a deity of flames. With a slight lift of his hand, he managed to tap the blade of a flying sword within a hair's breadth of time, avoiding its edge and flicking it with his finger.

'Whoosh!'

In a flash, the flying sword transformed into a streak of light, embedding itself in the wall across from him.

“How can such a warrior exist in this world?”

The late-stage Qi Refining cultivator glared in fury, only to be punched in the abdomen by Fang Xing, collapsing on the ground, curling up like a shrimp.

“Let me see your lease spirit contract. If you have one, I'll look elsewhere. If not…”

Fang Xing's expression was stern as he reached out with his right hand, pulling the flying sword from the wall and gripping its hilt.

The sword hummed helplessly, like a venomous snake with its vital point subdued, unable to resist.

Extending his left hand, he grasped the cultivator by the throat, lifting him effortlessly, giving him a gentle shake.

The cultivator's magical artifacts and talismans fell to the ground like rain, scattering upon the floor.

“Spare me...”

The late-stage Qi Refining cultivator's face flushed red as he squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: “I have no spirit contract here. I merely occupied this house later on...”

“I knew it…”

With a hint of force, the air around seemed to rumble like a dragon's roar, rendering the cultivator unconscious instantly.

The skirmish happened swiftly, concluding in the blink of an eye. The surrounding environment stirred temporarily but soon fell silent.

‘Interesting!’

Sensing the presences around him, a smile played at the corner of Fang Xing's lips.

In this market, the spiritual veins were discreetly divided between cultivators and beasts, each having their territory.

Hunting and being hunted occurred frequently, following the natural law of survival of the fittest.

Earlier, Fang Xing's neighbors had sensed their 'lord' being challenged, but after the fight ended swiftly, they fell silent, tacitly acknowledging Fang Xing's claim to the territory.

“Humans are indeed part of nature... But to think I was just in class on Eagle Star not long ago, and now I'm here, playing this deadly game of survival. It's truly exhilarating!”

…

The Upper-Grade Cave Mansion was quite expansive, featuring not only numerous buildings but also gardens, herb plots, an alchemy room, beast stables, a basement, and more.

Moreover, the spiritual energy here was incredibly dense, far surpassing that of any other cave mansions.

Standing still for just a moment, Fang Xing could feel his blood and energy flowing vigorously, and his inner energy conversion speed had nearly doubled compared to the temporary camp.

'What a wonderful place! Just the concentration of spiritual energy here is equivalent to consuming half a bowl more of spirit rice every day...'

He silently expressed his admiration and made his way to the basement.

The basement had been transformed into a makeshift prison, currently holding a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator in a comatose state.

Fang Xing quietly picked up a flying sword.

This was the most valuable loot from his recent conquest— a top-grade tier one flying sword. After all, his robe had already been damaged during the battle.

The sword was about one foot long, roughly 33 centimeters. Its blade was a bronze hue, adorned with ancient cloud patterns, both edges sharpened, and the hilt engraved with the characters 'Azure Abyss.'

“Azure Abyss Sword... unfortunately, I have no mana to make it fly... I’ll just use it as a dagger...” he quipped, then grabbed the hand of the comatose cultivator, stabbing a fingertip to draw a drop of blood, which he inserted into a white handheld case next to him.

This was a 'Portable Home Medical Kit' acquired from the black market.

The medical kit absorbed the blood and began its rapid operation.

In less than ten minutes, a detailed medical report was presented before Fang Xing.

“As expected of a cultivator, despite looking old, he’s in fairly good physical condition... Can live over a hundred years? Perhaps it’s due to his late Qi Refining stage cultivation?” he mused aloud.

“However...”

Fang Xing's face showed a hint of disappointment at the report's conclusion, “No abnormal physical structures... It seems the so-called 'spiritual root' is not a physical organ and cannot be transplanted...”

He naturally harbored some fantasies about cultivation.

Nevertheless, this examination of a live cultivator had brutally shattered those fanciful thoughts.

Fang Xing fell into contemplation: “Ideally, I should send this invaluable living specimen to a top laboratory in the Blue Star Federation... but clearly, I will never do that.”

He raised a finger, and a sharp innate energy as sharp as a sword pierced directly into the cultivator's forehead.

The cultivator groaned softly, regaining consciousness.

At first glance at Fang Xing, he instinctively tried to start a hand seal and chant.

“Don't get your hopes up. I just fed you 'Expunging Immortal Herb'. Although this herb can be refined into spiritual pills to enhance mana, it is inherently toxic, making it difficult for cultivators to gather their mana. A Qi Refining stage cultivator like you would need at least twelve hours to expel the toxin of the 'Expunging Immortal Herb'!”

Fang Xing spoke coldly.

“It was my mistake to be disrespectful. What does this esteemed sir wish to do? I will fully cooperate!”

The Qi refining cultivator immediately looked at Fang Xing, his face filled with humility and flattery, kneeling swiftly.

In the market town, all the itinerant cultivators were this pragmatic.

“Good, the ability to adapt is what makes a real man... What's your name?”

“I am Zhou Tong.”

“Do you know about the black market and ghost market?”

…

Fang Xing casually asked about some information, matching it with what Yu Xia had mentioned before.

Unfortunately, this late-stage Qi refining cultivator did not know detailed information about the secret realm, but he was very knowledgeable about the black market.

“The last thing—do you remember how many people you've killed?”

Fang Xing asked, his face expressionless to the end.

Zhou Tong's expression froze, then turned vicious, clearly perceiving Fang Xing's murderous intent: “I curse you…”

Swish!

A surge of innate energy descended, leaving Zhou Tong breathless.

“You're not a good person, and I am not accustomed to leaving potential threats...”

Fang Xing shook his head. From Zhou Tong's collection, Fang Xing knew this person was no ordinary individual, likely a rogue cultivator by upbringing.

Since he was a rogue cultivator, after contributing to medical research, he could die.

Ever since learning that the Core Formation real person had left, Fang Xing had indeed become much bolder.

After all, with his martial arts and equipment now... he could almost sweep through the market town.

Even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, at least he would have a chance to escape.

What’s more… whether it was Yu Xia or Zhou Tong, they both revealed that the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market town were either dead or had followed that Core Formation real person, leading to the current chaotic state of the market town.

…

Several days later.

In the southeast of the market, beneath the ground in a hidden cavern.

Fang Xing, dressed in black with a face-covering and carrying a large bundle, made his way inside.

Beneath the mask, his appearance still radiated fierce determination.

Ever since refining his flesh, muscles, and bones, he could change his appearance at will, adjusting his height, build, and even facial features to suit his needs.

‘I have already visited the ghost market. The items there are truly low-grade, primarily consisting of daily necessities…’

Thinking of this, he felt a bit helpless.

After reaching the Jade-like Realm, cultivation had become even slower than during the muscle and bone refinement stage. To gather the right pills and sell off stolen goods, he had to come again.

This underground cavern was originally formed naturally but later appeared to be modified by cultivators, with multiple entrances.

In the largest cavern, strange pearls were inlaid along the walls, emitting a soft and cold radiance.

On the ground, several scattered cultivators had already set up stalls for trading.

Fang Xing wandered around before stopping in front of a stall run by a white-bearded old man.

This old man was quite robust, carrying the vitality of youth despite his age. Other passing cultivators quickened their pace as they passed, as he was clearly a master at the peak of Qi refining.

In the Qinglin market, where there were no Foundation Establishment cultivators, he was at the top tier.

What caught Fang Xing's interest was a small banner on the stall, marked with an emblem from the Fire Refining Workshop.

‘It seems the situation developed abruptly, and not all these major merchants have left…’

He thought to himself and then stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting, "Esteemed elder... Do you accept materials from demonic beasts, second-hand magical artifacts, and spirit herbs here?"

The old man glanced up at Fang Xing, gave a curt nod, and replied sparingly, "Yes!"

“Good!”

Fang Xing nodded, opened his bundle, and laid out its contents before the old man.

Upon seeing the gauntlets and Qing Que sword, the old man’s expression turned solemn. He gave Fang Xing a perplexed look, then casually picked up a wolf pelt:

“This is a mid-grade, first-level, Green Wind Head Wolf pelt, valued at twenty low-grade spirit stones…”

Fang Xing's brow furrowed: "That price is somewhat low…"

“If nothing had happened at the market earlier, the price would naturally be higher. But now, this is all I can offer.”

The old man shook his head firmly, his response unwavering.

]

(End of Chapter)