Starry Sky Professional

Fang Xing was completely absorbed in the thrill of martial arts training and the rapid progress of his attribute panel, finding it nearly impossible to extricate himself.

The existence of this attribute panel meant that with effort came reward, almost like another version of the heaven-rewarding diligence system.

He had almost completely forgotten the matters of Eagle Star…

After all, he had initially chosen the Devil's Grand Canyon for its disrupted magnetic fields, which could disable most technological devices.

Naturally, there was no surveillance there—satellites, even the heavenly eye, saw nothing…

He planned to find a secluded place to pass the time, reemerging after summer break claiming he had been in seclusion. No one would suspect a thing.

Roar!

At this moment, his body had transformed into a dragon and elephant, enveloped wholly in a faint golden light.

On the attribute panel, the section representing the Dragon Elephant Power had miraculously reached [Dragon Elephant Power: 199/200].

"Just a bit more and I can ascend to the master level… The Dragon Elephant Power is the foundation of the Great Vajra Prajna Strength; without a strong body, it's nearly impossible to handle the explosive force…"

"Now, even the ordinary boiling blood solution has little effect on breaking through the bottleneck?"

He glanced at several empty jars of boiling blood solution beside him, shaking his head: "Luckily, I came prepared…"

Ascending to a level 2 citizen and spending merit contributions to purchase a vial of 'Kunpeng Blood' had almost exhausted all his rewards.

But using it now, it was all worthwhile!

Fang Xing opened a silvery white metal box, pulling out the vial of azure Kunpeng blood.

After opening the vial, he poured the contents directly onto his chest.

The manual within the silvery white box had long explained the application and cautions of the Kunpeng Blood.

This type of body-refining spiritual blood was not to be consumed, only applied externally, otherwise, it could easily cause poisoning.

Sizzle!

The azure Kunpeng blood, shimmering with starlight, landed on Fang Xing's skin, immediately making a corrosive sound.

Even at the third stage completion of Dragon Elephant Power's dragon scale and elephant armor, it was surprisingly difficult to withstand!

Feeling the intense pain in his chest, Fang Xing was not fearful but filled with joy: "Indeed… only such destruction can stimulate another breakthrough in Dragon Elephant Power!"

He watched as the Kunpeng blood swiftly penetrated his skin, spreading through his chest to his limbs.

A sensation of both coolness and heat arose throughout his body.

In a moment of blurriness, Fang Xing seemed to see an enormous beast, akin to a mountain, roaming freely across the cosmos!

'The adult form of a ‘Cosmic Whale’ is a Leviathan-class creature, its size comparable to a planet…'

'This Cosmic Whale was only the size of a mountain, obviously a juvenile among juveniles…'

'Even so, does a vial of its blood possess such effects?'

Fang Xing couldn't help but feel a growing sense of greed.

If he could, he would bathe in Kunpeng blood every day. Imagine the Dragon Elephant Power progressing as if it were on rocket fuel!

But unfortunately, he had to spend most of his contributions to acquire just one vial.

The scarcity of federal resources is evident!

Boom!

Under the stimulus of 'Kunpeng blood,' he introspected with his spiritual power, and instantly saw his already perfect body of jade skin, mysterious flesh, flexible muscles, and steel bones continuing to evolve and strengthen...

A boundless power surged endlessly from his entire body!

With the rise in power, a terrifying idea flashed in his mind.

Vast, monstrous...

It was as if a cosmic whale had dived into Fang Xing's sea of consciousness!

'What is going on? Using Kunpeng blood has such a side effect?'

Fang Xing recalled the manual he read: 'Isn't this supposed to only cause some mental impact? This is terrifying... Could it be that the Federation's control over Kunpeng blood sales is because it's too dangerous to consume?'

He felt as if his mind was being battered by a fearsome giant beast, one careless moment might turn him insane.

At that moment, Fang Xing's mind spun rapidly, and in an instant, he thought of a coping strategy.

“The Great Sun Tathagata Mantra!”

He meditated on the Great Sun, and a crimson sun suddenly rose within his sea of consciousness!

Compared to this crimson sun, the mountain-like cosmic whale was merely a speck of dust!

Even a grown cosmic whale, as enormous as a planet, was nothing in the face of a star!

Fang Xing seemed to hear a cry of lament, and then the 'cosmic whale' melted away in the Great Sun's brilliance.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw his skin, gleaming like yellow jade, with faint golden patterns emerging on it.

When he restrained the Dragon Elephant Power, these golden patterns quickly vanished.

“Did I... achieve a breakthrough in Dragon Elephant Power?”

Fang Xing murmured to himself, looking at his attributes panel:

【Dragon Elephant Power: 1/400】

“Now a master of Dragon Elephant Power... This means I possess the physique of a second-tier physique refiner, impenetrable even by top-level magical artifacts... This is the physique of a second-tier body cultivator! Comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator!”

A subtle smile appeared on Fang Xing's lips.

Frankly, even the geniuses of the Federation in Courageous Soul Realm might not have cultivated Dragon Elephant Power to such a level in the fourth realm!

“The realm of the Dragon Elephant!”

Moreover, Fang Xing clasped his five fingers together, and within his Mud Ball Palace, the roar of a dragon elephant could faintly be heard, granting him yet another enlightenment of realm, making his spiritual power even stronger!

“With every realm enlightenment, a Courageous Soul Realm martial artist becomes even stronger!”

“This isn’t something that can simply be amassed with resources. Judging from my recent experience, the spiritual impact of the Kunpeng blood is immense, beyond what most martial artists at the Courageous Spirit level can handle.”

He glanced at his attribute panel again:

【Great Dragon Stake: 155/400】

【Tiger Subduing Stake: 64/400】

“It’s great that both foundational martial arts connected to the Dragon Tiger Intentions have improved.”

Fang Xing was quite pleased with this. With the Great Dragon Stake at its current level, even a slight increase in proficiency allowed him to gain insights into the ‘Domain of the Dragon.’ It was possible that once his proficiency reached 200 or even 300, he could grasp the prototype of a domain.

He estimated that upon breaking into the next major stage, he could transform this prototype into a genuine domain, thus acquiring the key to advance to an Outer Scene Martial Artist—essentially breaking through to the fifth realm of martial arts.

Of course, mastering a domain, like needing the Dragon Tiger Golden Core, was just a prerequisite. Acquiring domain power didn’t guarantee immediate success as an Outer Scene Martial Artist.

However, without domain power, becoming an Outer Scene artist was impossible!

“At the fifth stage of proficiency, I should be able to reach the pinnacle—standing alongside the creator, freely modifying martial arts. A domain is merely an introduction…”

Fang Xing continued examining his abilities until he pondered the final technique, the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, which gave him a headache. This ‘different martial art’ indeed possessed formidable power. Even at the beginner level, it could defeat the psychic remnants of Leviathan-class creatures within the sea of consciousness.

In truth, it could be rated as an S-level martial art—with potential to surpass that!

Unfortunately, its origins were quite murky, raising his reluctance to pursue it.

“Based on the experience of the Blue Star Federation, the stronger the martial arts intent, the better one can withstand foreign evil gods. Therefore, I need my martial will to maintain an overwhelming advantage. Even if this martial art has some future repercussions, it shouldn’t affect me much…”

After reviewing his martial progression, Fang Xing clenched his fists, feeling the mighty power surging within him once more. He was immensely satisfied with the enhancement from the Dragon Elephant Power. “After this boost, even in face-to-face combat with Foundation Establishment, I’m not afraid…”

The advantage of a powerful physique was a high margin for error!

Combined with the immense strength from Dragon Elephant Power and the combat power increase of the Great Vajra Prajna Strength, Fang Xing was confident he could stand his ground against any second-tier demon beast or Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Suddenly, a shrill cry pierced through the heavens, tearing through the clouds!

A beam of golden light appeared, descending upon the market, revealing a terrifying second-rank demonic bird—a golden-feathered vulture!

It surveyed its surroundings, its beak like a golden stream of light, swiftly seizing a Qingfeng Wolf and devouring it in just a few bites.

Then, its vulture-like head turned with an owl-like gleam in its eyes, and suddenly it fixated on the small courtyard where Fang Xing resided.

“Hmm? Has it discovered me?”

Fang Xing was taken aback and then grumbled, “This useless talisman really serves no purpose... No, any high-level demonic bird seems to have some innate spiritual sight, especially those akin to eagles and falcons...”

“This second-tier demonic bird can surely see through ordinary talismans and formations...unless it’s a second-tier type of protection. But how could I have one?”

“Screech!!!”

The golden-feathered vulture's eyes glinted red; its talons moved swiftly, its massive body crashing through the houses on its path.

With Fang Xing's sharp sight, he could even see droplets of saliva dripping from the beak of the demonic bird.

‘Has it become addicted to eating humans? After all, cultivators are rich in spiritual energy, their meat tender, while warriors are more chewy...’

Seeing this second-tier demonic bird charging directly at him, Fang Xing couldn’t help but reveal a cold smile.

The opponent clearly regarded him as easy prey.

No!

To this second-tier demonic bird, he was not some easy prey but a reserved delicacy!

“Perfect, I also want to gauge the strength of a second-tier demonic beast.”

A flash of azure light appeared in Fang Xing’s hand, and the second-tier Azure Rainbow Sword was already grasped firmly. His figure transformed into a series of afterimages as he launched himself at the approaching demonic bird with a push of his toes against the wall.

As he drew closer, he could feel the demonic bird’s aura and the dense spiritual light on those golden feathers even more clearly.

For ordinary cultivators, even the defenses of a second-tier demonic beast alone could be a formidable barrier.

Seeing the ‘small figure’ rushing towards it, the golden-feathered vulture harbored no doubts and thrust its beak downward.

Its beak was exceedingly hard, comparable to a second-tier spiritual weapon.

Moreover, its actions were swift, moving at a nearly incomprehensible speed, akin to a martial artist maneuvering a sword with precision and swiftness!

Fang Xing twisted his body to dodge the stabbing attack, a cold gleam in his eyes.

Roar, roar!

In the void, the presence of dragons and tigers erupted, transforming into a terrifying martial will that surged into the mind of the golden-feathered vulture, momentarily slowing it down.

Subsequently, Fang Xing’s muscles swelled, golden lines surfaced on his body, resembling a suit of golden-threaded jade armor.

— Master-level Dragon Elephant Power!

“Kill!”

Holding the sword with both hands, a fleeting golden light flashed in Fang Xing's eyes.

— Great Vajra Prajna Strength, doubled!

An incomparable might was infused into the Azure Rainbow Sword, causing the second-tier blade to explode with a terrifying sword aura several feet long!

Splat!

The azure sword light slashed through the air like a shooting star, its chill as sharp as it was intense, colliding heavily with the neck of the golden-feathered vulture.

With a loud crash, the once resplendent layer of spiritual light that enmeshed the golden feathers dimmed instantly.

A second-tier spiritual weapon tore through the golden plumes, slicing deep into the vulture’s neck, severing flesh and bone alike.

Fang Xing poured every ounce of his strength into the blow, finally severing the neck completely. Like a golden meteor, he shot into a nearby building, erupting a cloud of dust and shattered debris.

Heavy thud—

The head of the vulture, resembling a bald eagle, fell to the ground, crimson blood gushing from its neck.

It staggered forward a few more steps before its massive corpse crashed heavily to the ground. Only then did the unspent demonic aura within it begin to dissipate, a testament to its unwilling death. After all, it could never have anticipated that the seemingly timid Fang Xing, often bullied for his size, would unleash such a terrifying blow.

Had it been prepared, triggering the demonic energy in its plumage might have stopped the sword. And if faced with a greater threat, it would have simply soared high, bombarding from above with wind blades and demonic energy, escaping with superior speed even in defeat—surely never to die in this place.

Yet none of that came to pass. One moment’s neglect led directly to its demise, with no second chances.

"Indeed, when facing Foundation Establishment cultivators or second-tier beasts, it’s best for Blue Star warriors to decide the outcome in a single strike. After that, it’s either your death or my retreat," Fang Xing reflected, brushing the dust from his body. Looking upon the corpse of the golden-feathered vulture, a hint of joy appeared on his face. "This second-tier beast is a treasure trove..."

Certainly more formidable than the Azure Rock Bull, this creature was at least a middle-grade second-tier beast. Its flesh was undoubtedly richer in nutrients. Fang Xing lamented, though, that Su Ye had left long ago; there was no one to concoct the ‘Boiling Blood Elixir’ for him now.

"And these feathers, clearly extraordinary..."

Approaching a few steps, he touched the bird’s golden feathers, finding each as heavy and firm as steel. Not only that, there were several feathers over a meter long at its tail, gleaming like wrought gold, perfect for crafting second-tier spiritual artifacts.

"Too bad I don’t know where its nest is... Otherwise, near a beast of this level, there’d surely be wondrous treasures from heaven and earth."

Fang Xing sighed, beginning to skin and butcher the beast.

The other beasts around, cowed by the vulture’s tyrannical presence and likely terrified by the recent battle, dared not show themselves, saving Fang Xing a lot of trouble.

"Huh?"

While butchering, Fang Xing rummaged through the beast’s belly, unexpectedly grasping a peculiar golden orb.

About the size of a lychee, the ball was pure gold, its weight substantial.

"Could this be... a demon core?"

Fang Xing recalled the battle against the Azure Rock Bull led by Su Ye and the other cultivators, pondering thoughtfully. Some second-tier beasts with innate gifts indeed possessed ‘demon cores’ within them.

This second-tier demon core seems to be a primary material for crafting the 'Foundation Establishment Pill', which is enough to drive any cultivator at the peak of Qi Condensation into a frenzy of competition for it!

]

(End of Chapter)