Starry Sky Professional

This region is merely a barren land within the vast wilderness. Thousands of years ago, numerous immortal cultivation sects came to pioneer this place, laying the foundation for great sects like the Qingxuan Sect.

Those lands, once a desolate wilderness, were thus transformed into a paradise for cultivators.

Near the Qinglin Marketplace, however, remains undeveloped territory, which the Qingxuan Sect continues to explore.

'The Supreme of All Arts' was a famed cultivator of the past, known for his exquisite and extensive mastery of the arts.

It must be understood that for a cultivator to learn a magic art often requires an extended period.

If it contradicts one's own spiritual roots, it becomes more troublesome, requiring a significant amount of effort. The proficiency and power usually don’t match those that align with the spiritual root.

Yet, the Supreme of All Arts possessed astonishing talent, claiming to master 'all arts,' proficient in not only the Five Elemental Arts but also aberrant arts such as Wind, Thunder, and Ice. He was unparalleled and deeply skilled.

It's said he needed only to see an art to understand it and learn it with great expertise, eventually becoming a disciple of the 'Sect of All Arts'. However, due to his poor spiritual roots, he was long denied advancement to the true teachings.

Later, for reasons unknown, he betrayed the sect. He went on to build his foundation, form his core, and even crafted an immortal golden core more powerful than a top-grade one, annihilating the All Arts Sect upon his return!

His strength, even among core-forming realmasters, was unmatched!

He eventually achieved complete core formation but mysteriously vanished!

"At that time, there was speculation that the Supreme of All Arts was seeking a chance to form his own Nascent Soul... Which of those who've fully formed their core wouldn't wish for the full success of their Nascent Soul, granting them a thousand-year lifespan?"

Wan Fenglin sighed deeply: "No one imagined that the Supreme of All Arts would eventually die sitting in this hidden realm... The great move by the Qingxuan Sect clearly aims to covet the heritage, wealth, and even the secret of how he, with his inferior spirit roots, advanced to complete core formation!"

"It is indeed very tempting... No wonder even core-forming realmasters from Qingxuan have come."

Fang Xing stroked his chin, somewhat enlightened: "So many cultivators are unwilling to leave... Perhaps they’re sure the sects established on familiar barren lands will certainly come back? Perhaps soon?"

Cultivators divided the vast wilderness, with the developed areas being familiar barren lands and the undeveloped as wild barren lands.

There is no doubt that the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate is in the familiar barren lands, where dangers are greatly reduced.

Meanwhile, the Qinglin Marketplace is in the wild barren lands, surrounded by primeval ancient forests and rampant beasts... However, resources here are also most plentiful.

"Precisely so, but even if those sects take longer to return, we would not part with this marketplace and spiritual land..."

Wan Fenglin echoed his words, looking at Fang Xing in a flattering manner.

Fang Xing smiled slightly and casually tossed out a handful of low-grade spiritual stones, turning to leave.

“Farewell, fellow cultivator!”

Behind him, Wan Fenglin bowed deeply and then greedily pounced on the ground to pick up the spiritual stones.

Suddenly, he glanced around furtively as if he were a thief, hurriedly rolled up his stall, and slipped away.

He had just left the market when two people unexpectedly walked towards him.

“You…”

Wan Fenglin was shocked, but before he could finish speaking, he saw one of them using a talisman while the other unleashed a mid-grade magic weapon, a flying sword whose blade gleamed with a cold light, aiming to kill him.

Boom!

The talisman was the 'Mind-shaking Charm', leaving Wan Fenglin momentarily dazed, allowing the flying sword to swiftly reach him.

The robe he wore flickered with light, as if trying to form a defensive shield.

But the patches on the robe acted like black holes, absorbing spiritual energy and bursting into chaotic auras.

Thump!

Wan Fenglin's head flew off, disbelief written across his face.

“Heh… I thought he'd be formidable, yet he was so easy to defeat.”

The two unscrupulous cultivators sneered, stepped forward to grab Wan Fenglin's bundle, money pouch, and magic weapon, and left without a backward glance.

Wan Fenglin was truly unlucky.

As a skilled alchemist, he once had considerable wealth and a host of valuable items, particularly those for survival.

However, after experiencing a great disaster, not only did his cultivation plummet, but his family fortune was reduced to nothing. He couldn't even afford to mend his torn robe, patching it poorly himself, ultimately leading to his demise.

‘Did he just die like that?’

Not far away, on a rooftop, a canary focused on the scene, transmitting the images back to Fang Xing's spectacles.

“It seems like this renowned alchemist Wan is having a really rough time. He's nothing like the sharp and decisive figure who was dueling in the valley before...”

“Moreover, this man's last name is Wan, and he’s so familiar with Wan Fa Shangren. I almost thought he was a descendant of Wan Fa Shangren's lineage. Although Wan Fa is a title, using it as a surname to honor one’s ancestors' glory is quite normal...”

Fang Xing gathered the surveillance footage with a blank expression.

He intentionally offered a large number of spirit stones and made sure others took notice, deliberately setting up a trap for Wan Fenglin.

Wan Fenglin had swindled him once, so he was giving him a taste of his own medicine, making them even.

The Black Market Cave.

In front of a pill stall.

Xiaorui's face turned slightly pale upon seeing the burly, robe-clad Fang Xing approach, “Uh... Esteemed guest, what kind of pills are you looking for?”

“Am I really that intimidating?” §Fang Xing muttered to himself, a bit taken aback. His presence in the black market today attracted an undue amount of attention; every cultivator he met showed him utmost respect, almost to a fault.

“Esteemed guest, you’re not scary at all, but defeating the Thirteen Guardians of the Underworld Guild is quite intimidating... Esteemed guest... no, could it be that Senior has already achieved the Foundation Establishment stage?”

Seeing Fang Xing's mild demeanor, Xiaorui found some courage and cautiously inquired. §Fang Xing shook his head and handed over a box containing 'Whale Elephant Ointment', “Do you have this, or anything similar in terms of body-strengthening elixirs?”

Xiaorui carefully received it and took out a talisman.

Upon seeing Fang Xing's look, she explained, “This is a 'Diagnostic Talisman'. It is used to identify medicinal properties...”

‘Look at that... Far more professional than that old man Wan...’ §Fang Xing thought to himself, followed by Xiaorui's commentary, “This ointment is made from the essence of flesh and blood of a second-tier demonic beast. I, with my limited knowledge, cannot identify its complete composition...” §If it were an ordinary customer, she would generally stop there.

But, observing Fang Xing again and recalling instructions from above, Xiaorui added, “However, our proprietor might know more about it...”

“Your employer?”

Fang Xing's curiosity was piqued, “Oh? Can your Qingdan Workshop possibly provide such an ointment, or perhaps a similar elixir?”

“We should be able to. Our workshop has long admired your reputation, and our employer is eager to meet you.” Xiaorui said.

“Agreed, you choose the time, I choose the place,” Fang Xing said gruffly.

He possessed a collection of drones, allowing him to survey locations in advance, ensuring his safety.

After agreeing on a means of communication with Xiaorui, he proceeded to the stall of the Fire Refining Workshop.

The same elderly vendor from before was still manning the stall.

Upon seeing Fang Xing, the elder stood up and bowed, “I, Long, knew when you brought in the black-hearted tiger and Zhou Tong's artifacts that you were no ordinary person. You've done something monumental before...”

‘It seems that my actions against the Tianxia Gang were quite wise. Now even practitioners at the peak of Qi Condensation must treat me with respect...’

Fang Xing smiled inwardly, maintaining an expression of innocence, “I have always been benevolent, but Luo Hong refused to relent...”

As he spoke, he took out the Yuquan flying sword along with some low-grade artifacts.

The elder's eyes twitched involuntarily at the sight.

He thought to himself that even he, if surrounded by the Tianxia Gang’s elite, the Thirteen Tiger Protectors, would likely meet a grim fate.

With this thought, his gaze toward Fang Xing became even more admiring.

“These artifacts, a total of one thousand three hundred spirit stones, how does that sound to you?”

“Accepted.”

Fang Xing nodded in agreement, then pondered aloud, “Do you have any swords or sabers over three feet long? The materials must be exceptional, the most resilient...”

In truth, the art of blood refining artifacts was of little use to him.

Even those that only matched the strength of low-grade artifacts were slowly becoming inadequate for Fang Xing's progress.

Fang Xing felt a growing urge for a sharper and more durable sword or long blade. This desire crept in after having to hold back every time he encountered high-quality magical artifacts, cautious of clashing head-on with them. Even the most exquisite swordsmanship or blade techniques were useless if the weapon snapped within a few collisions, leaving him awkwardly barehanded in battle.

‘If worst comes to worst, I'll have to buy alloy swords from the Blue Star Federation... They don't regulate these, but they are incredibly expensive! The more advanced the martial artist, the pricier the weapon!’ He mused. ‘But if I buy them outright, I can't afford it, and the black market is dangerous now...’

Fang Xing’s fishing plan was still fresh in his mind, prompting him to steer clear of the black market to avoid unnecessary trouble.

“A sword or blade over three feet, huh? That's a bit long for a flying sword or dagger...” Elder Vendor Long's face showed a hint of hesitation, but suddenly, an idea seemed to dawn on him, his eyes lighting up. “Would you be interested in a second-tier spirit weapon?”

“A second-tier spirit weapon?” Fang Xing was taken aback.

Cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage could only wield first-tier artifacts, while second-tier spirit weapons were typically reserved for those in the Foundation Establishment stage. A third-tier treasure was, of course, highly valuable even to a Core Formation true person.

He quickly collected himself. “Do you happen to have a second-tier spirit weapon for sale?”

“I do... Just see for yourself.” Elder Vendor Long possessed a storage pouch and, with a casual swipe across his waist, produced a long sword reminiscent of blue jade, its sword light akin to a pool of clear water.

“This...”

Fang Xing accepted it and immediately sensed the unparalleled sharpness of the sword. Even holding its hilt, he could feel a piercing coldness.

“This is a second-tier low-grade spirit weapon—the 'Azure Rainbow Sword'! Crafted from Evergreen Wood of the second tier... This particular wood is a special spiritual plant, which grows into the first tier over ten years, becoming second-tier low-grade over a century. If cultivated for nine hundred more years, it would mature into a quasi-third-tier spiritual plant...” Elder Long sighed deeply. “Originally, this sword belonged to an elder in the Foundation Establishment stage of the Qingxuan Sect. On an ill-fated day, he encountered a third-tier demon beast, which spewed a poisonous mist that left the elder's body utterly destroyed, and the Azure Rainbow Sword’s spiritual light was tainted, with its internal formations completely annihilated—now it’s a waste sword... I happened upon it by chance.”

Such damage would be irreparable, even for a second-tier alchemist found outside.

Needless to say, there wasn't even a second-tier forge master in Qinglin Market!

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(End of Chapter)