Starry Sky Professional

Fang Xing certainly wouldn't admit that he was just laying low for a while.

At this moment, he glanced at his contact list and dialed Gu Yun: "Junior, fancy a hearty, intense, hand-to-hand fight?"

"No thanks, I don't want to be your punching bag!"

On the screen, Gu Yun replied with a straight face.

"Haha!"

Fang Xing burst into laughter, thoroughly amused, then peered behind her, sensing something was off: "Where are you?"

"Black Market, there's a mission by the Defense Bureau…"

Gu Yun answered without a hint of secrecy. After all, she was not an official member of the Defense Bureau.

"Huh? You're still in contact with the Defense Bureau, and now you're joining them on missions? You should take care…"

Fang Xing advised earnestly.

"Don’t worry, there’s no real danger, just gathering some items… remember that alien civilization I mentioned last time? The Department of Faith Theory identified an energy block they use, which is quite intriguing… pity we haven't seized much." Gu Yun sighed.

'I know… those low-grade spirit stones are my doing.'

Fang Xing added silently, changing the subject.

Sure enough, Gu Yun fell for it, and their conversation gradually shifted to final exams.

On this topic, Fang Xing—who had repeatedly clinched first place in his grade—offered several tips to Gu Yun, concluding with: "With your talent, not securing first place would be quite disappointing for the principal…"

"I heard that the final exam in sophomore year will be a Hundred Stars Joint Exam, you need to give it your best too!"

Gu Yun encouraged Fang Xing in return.

"No worries, it’s not a big deal!"

Fang Xing waved dismissively.

Even without breaking through to the third realm of martial arts, he could easily dominate the entire Yu Cai High School, or perhaps even the whole fledgling star?

"By the way, do you know who is the chief examiner for this year's Hundred Stars Joint Exam?"

Gu Yun suddenly asked.

"The candidate has already been chosen?"

Fang Xing was a bit surprised. This is like knowing the examiners for a crucial test in advance—a definite advantage.

"It's the minor martial sage, 'Wei Shentong.' He's reached the ninth transformation of the Golden Core and is a master of the Great Diamond realm…"

In martial arts, there are seven stages: Skin, Flesh, Bone Strengthening, Jade Tempering, Soul, Golden Core, and Diamond!

The Diamond stage is achieved by refining the Golden Core into imperishable matter, forging a golden martial body.

Each transformation of the Golden Core strengthens this body.

Upon reaching the ninth transformation, one attains the Great Diamond realm, the final step before the Martial Saint—a stage imbued with great significance.

"I've heard that some martial arts Golden Cores, during the Diamond stage, struggle to reach even the sixth or seventh transformation, barely becoming Martial Saints… Such saints have flaws and are known as 'Flawed Martial Saints,' making it difficult to reach the Martial God stage."

"Only by achieving the ninth transformation, with a perfect Great Diamond, can one become a flawless Martial Saint with a brilliant future ahead…"

Gu Yun seemed to repeat the words of an elder: "This Director Wei is a Great Diamond realm expert with a boundless future…"

"Great Diamond, huh…"

Fang Xing mused.

The Diamond realm is indeed intriguing, as one's progress depends entirely on their ability.

Martial Saints who break through at the sixth or seventh transformation of the Golden Core naturally fall behind those at the Great Diamond transformation.

Of course, worse are those stuck below the third transformation in the Diamond realm, who find it impossible to ascend to the Martial Saint stage.

Wei Shentong achieving the ninth transformation to become a Great Diamond is promising for reaching the Martial God stage in the future.

Of course, it's hard to be completely certain of these outcomes.

Such individuals aren't small figures within the Blue Star Federation, much more distinguished than someone like Lu Guangming, who can only dominate on Rookie Planet.

"However… just how many Golden Core martial artists are there on a planet? Is the Diamond stage that difficult to reach?"

"Fortunately, so long as the 'Dragon Elephant Diamond Indestructible Skill' is mastered, pushing the Golden Core to six or seven transformations isn't too problematic…"

Fang Xing pondered quietly, curious: "It seems you're well-informed."

“Of course, Aunt Bai told me all about it.”

Gu Yun said, “I can also tell you that in this interstellar collegiate exam, there are quite a few formidable participants... Just on our fledgling star, I heard there's a sophomore who awakened the 'Diamond Body' ability. They call him Little Diamond, and he's already reached the third realm of martial arts. His defense is such that even Jade-Warriors can't break through it...”

Abilities vary in strength, much like Liu Wei's, which is pretty ordinary.

The 'Diamond Body' ability, however, is renowned. It's said that awakening this ability can even assist in reaching the Diamond Realm in the future.

Of course, that's only if the ability is developed to an extremely high level.

“Oh? What's his name?”

Fang Xing's interest was piqued.

“It seems like there are students on the path to becoming Mecha Masters?”

Fang Xing was somewhat expectant, curious about what potential undeveloped Spiritual Mentors or Mecha Masters might possess.

“The Federation has mostly warrior-training planets, but there are a few special ones that cultivate elite talents among naturals... The most famous are Dragon Star, Phoenix Star, and Unicorn Star! Students from Unicorn Star participate in every interstellar collegiate exam, and they typically dominate the top ten... Even those on the martial artist path from these planets are generally much stronger than us.”

These three planets are like noble schools in the intergalactic era, with almost a hundred percent graduation rate and the highest probability of entering top-tier universities.

“Hearing this makes me even more interested...”

A smile crept onto Fang Xing's lips.

“I advise you to be cautious. As far as I know, Unicorn Star is brimming with geniuses, several of whom are quite renowned, like Gu Jiantong, Qi Lingzhen, and Zhong Yuxiu... The most formidable, Gu Jiantong, is on the martial path and already nearly guaranteed to be number one this year. He's also an ability user, having awakened the ability—'Photonic Transformation'! Qi Lingzhen is a Beast Tamer, already commanding a beast as fierce as a fourth-realm martial artist, and Zhong Yuxiu is a Mecha Master...”

Gu Yun provided plenty of intel, implying it was information she specifically sought out rather than overheard.

“Photonic Transformation?”

Fang Xing drew a sharp breath.

The reputation of such a top-tier ability was well-known to him.

This ability supposedly allows the user to become 'light'... Of course, a sophomore today couldn't achieve that, but it does offer comprehensive enhancement. It's rumored that just lying in the sun can make you stronger!

At its peak, metamorphic transformation could almost rival Martial Saints and Martial Gods solely on the strength of the ability!

Naturally, to fully develop such an ability to its limits, a lot of effort and resources are necessary.

But compared to the ordinary struggling individual, it's not just being born to privilege, it's like you're born already in the winner's circle!

It's not just being ahead at the starting line, it's as if the starting line had to be moved back for you!

"What an enviable talent..."

Fang Xing sighed, yet his confidence remained undeterred.

After all, no matter how impressive one's innate gifts are, could they surpass the advantage of having a cheat?

...

"However, since there are so many monsters in the Interstellar Collegiate Exams, I have to push myself even harder..."

After ending the call, Fang Xing stepped out of his house, planning to treat himself to a nice meal as a reward.

After eating spiritual rice day in and day out, he was getting a bit tired of it.

It was dusk, and the distant horizon was filled with flaming clouds.

As Fang Xing was about to step out of his neighborhood's gate, a sharp pain pierced his forehead!

He instinctively turned his head.

Bang!

In the next moment, a blossom of blood burst from his shoulder!

The blood flower exploded, revealing the nanotech protective suit underneath!

Having accumulated significant star coins, Fang Xing had long invested in multiple sets of nanotech protective suits for emergencies. He had lost several sets at the Qinglin Fair, and wore them daily here as well.

This was a lesson learned from the last encounter with the Moon Insect Beast!

Yet now, a bullet had broken through the air, penetrated the nanotech suit, shattered his Dragonscale Elephant Armor, torn through flesh, and finally lodged against his bone!

"A sniper?!"

Fang Xing rolled and took cover, pinpointing the enemy's position: "Again?!"

He retrieved a healing pill from his pouch, swallowed it immediately, and flexed his muscles, seamlessly closing the wound.

Refining his body to this extent granted him such control!

Then…

Like a leopard pouncing on prey, he moved in a serpentine path, leaving afterimages in his wake.

In the blink of an eye, Fang Xing dashed forward, reaching the base of a tall building.

With a swift motion, he halted halfway, his ears twitching, and thrust out his right hand.

The concrete wall beside him exploded with a resounding blast, sending debris and bricks flying. A thin, small figure was revealed.

The intruder was clad in a form-fitting nano-suit, its color a deep black, concealing their entire face.

“You dare attack me? You court death!”

Roaring with fury, Fang Xing lunged with a mighty punch.

The impact made the surrounding floors tremble violently, as if they were enduring the recoil of a howitzer blast.

As the punch landed, Fang Xing's eyes held a profound depth, embodying the essence of the Dragon and Tiger stances.

These formidable stances overlapped, enough to unsettle a warrior even at the Courageous Realm.

The masked assailant hesitated momentarily before raising their arms to block in a defensive cross.

They were thrown back like a rag doll, crashing through a wall as if struck by a freight train.

Fang Xing followed in hot pursuit, throwing another fierce punch!

The very space around them seemed to hum like a bowstring pulled taut.

—A Half-Stepped Crushing Fist!

Simultaneously, golden threads seemed to emanate from his arm beneath the nano-suit, accompanied by the fierce roar of a dragon and elephant.

—The Dragon Elephant Technique!

This technique not only offered unmatched defense but also subtly enhanced his physique, boosting his strength.

The figure in black was once again sent flying like a battered ball.

Fang Xing watched intently, convinced that the individual had already started to bleed internally, though the nano-suit concealed any visible trace of body tissue or blood.

The defense of the nano-suit was formidable, but if the person inside wasn't sufficiently strong, they might still be shaken to death by sheer force!

]

(End of Chapter)