Starry Sky Professional

By the riverside, in a temporary camp, Fang Xing organized the bird meat and feathers he had just cut into different categories in the basement.

Although the second-tier demon core was a valuable item, it wasn't much use to him without an alchemist to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill. Hence, it remained a prized collectible stored in his spatial bag.

Having the convenience of a spatial bag made moving much easier, but due to its sensitivity, Fang Xing refrained from taking it to the Lanstern Federation, using it only here.

However, as both spatial bags had limited capacity, he couldn’t store all the meat from the second-tier demon beast. They served more as tools to slightly increase his carrying capacity.

"This place can be transformed into a permanent camp," Fang Xing mused after placing all the spoils in the warehouse, feeling quite satisfied with the setup.

Unlike Feng City which abounded with spiritual energy and attracted many demon beasts, this locale was devoid of such energy and thus did not attract beasts.

In Feng City, even a brief absence could result in a chaotic beast battle, as illustrated by the second-tier demon beast's arrival to challenge the Golden-Feathered Vulture.

After three days, a new second-tier beast appeared, seemingly eyeing the territory of the vulture, prompting Fang Xing to realize that staying in the market town was untenable, leading him to return to this initial landing site.

"Although I can now slay a second-tier demon beast in one strike, being clawed by a superior second-tier beast would be damaging.

If surrounded or faced with cautious flying beasts, it could spell trouble," Fang Xing noted, gaining a clear understanding of his abilities from the recent encounter.

Moreover, he began forming comparisons between the world's immortal cultivation system and the martial arts system of the Lanstern Federation.

"Realm is realm, and combat strength is combat strength."

"From the perspective of realm, the Federation's martial arts path — First Realm in skin and flesh, Second Realm in sinew and bone — aligns with this world's acquired martial artists, but polished to a higher degree."

"The Third Realm Jade State is comparable to innate martial artists here, akin to early-stage Qi Condensation cultivators."

Although cultivators scorn innate martial artists, even they acknowledge their threat to early Qi Condensation cultivators.

"The Fourth Realm Bravery Martial Artists, in terms of realm, should fall between late Qi Condensation and complete Qi Condensation.

The Fifth Realm External Scene could perhaps match Foundation Establishment.

Then, the Sixth Realm Martial Gold Core is akin to this world's Core Formation Real Person, comparable in lifespan, both suggesting a lifespan of around four to five hundred years."

Fang Xing hadn't reached that level yet, so his conjecture might not be completely accurate.

“Certainly, that’s the nature of realms, but there is a disparity in combat power.”

“Even a second realm martial artist of the Federation can learn A-level martial arts and, once proficient, can fight a congenital expert!”

“As for a third realm Jade, if they master an S-level martial art, they could easily slay a mid to late-stage Qi Refining practitioner if caught off guard... there’s even a slight threat to Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

“I, being a fourth realm martial artist, am something of an outlier. Few people can cultivate so many martial arts to such profound depths at the Courage realm... Therefore, I might even be able to challenge some weaker external realms on Blue Planet. Once my Dragon Elephant Power ascends to Master level, I’ll at least be equivalent to a second-tier Body Refining cultivator.”

“As for the ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators here, their physical bodies are weak, and being in close quarters with me spells certain death! Even the physically strong second-tier demon beasts could be accidentally slain by me...”

Fang Xing had a clear understanding of himself. The advantage humans held over demon beasts was their ability to utilize tools.

Hence, to slay that demon bird, he would surely wield the Azure Rainbow Sword to ensure a clean kill.

In the presence of stronger foes, he wouldn’t hesitate to use gun martial arts.

“When it comes to pure combat strength, there’s simply no comparison... Otherwise, someone like Zhong Yuxiu could easily massacre Foundation Establishment cultivators with just a military mech... but she’s only a third realm Jade.”

“Looking at it this way, the martial arts of the Blue Planet Federation seem to be somewhat stronger than the immortal paths of this world? At least they have higher bursts and faster progress!”

Fang Xing began to ponder how to glean the best of both worlds.

Or rather, learn from the experiences of immortal cultivation to forge his own path of ‘Immortal Martial Arts.’

“However... I still haven’t seen much.”

“Green Forest Market is the backwater of backwaters, and the sample of cultivators here doesn’t represent them all.”

“Perhaps there are truly formidable Foundation Establishment practitioners who can easily slay second-tier demon beasts... and if equipped with a powerful magical treasure, they might rival some low-level mechs?”

Within the ranks of Daoists, there are also methods that allow low-level cultivators to unleash high-level power.

The most common, being talismans!

If a Qi Refining cultivator deploys a second-tier talisman, it’s akin to unleashing Foundation Establishment combat power.

If talismans are so capable, then magical weapons and formations are even more significant.

Especially formations!

They embody the true art of accumulating advantages, where the weak conquer the strong!

According to Fang Xing, formations are amongst the most potent methods to amplify personal combat strength within the myriad arts of cultivation, rivaling some lower-tier mechas of the Federation.

For instance, a formation master at the peak of Qi Refinement could potentially trap Zhong Yuxiu pilot in a second-tier formation.

After all, given Zhong Yuxiu's current power, she can hardly sustain a particularly powerful mecha.

Of course, if Zhong Yuxiu were to transfer to the Galactic Fleet as a commander and pilot even a single battleship, at least a third-tier or even a fourth-tier formation would be necessary to stop her.

...

A month flew by in a blur.

In the great wilderness, amid dense forests.

Bang!

Terrifying sounds of impact echoed incessantly, making the ground tremble and trees topple.

Countless birds were startled into flight, while nearby small animals fled in panic in all directions.

Bang!

A shadow suddenly surged forward, slamming heavily into Fang Xing and sending him crashing through the air like a cannonball.

He patted his unscathed chest and glanced at the tier-two demonic beast opposite him, immediately laughing, "Thrilling... again!"

The demonic beast facing him was a massive red wild boar, standing a full three meters tall, with two jets of flame erupting from its snout.

"You're actually using spells? Can't handle the heat, huh?"

Fang Xing sidestepped and approached the tier-two wild boar, grabbing its hoof with one hand.

Then, with tremendous force!

He lifted the enormous boar-like a titan hoisting a mountain and hurled it toward a nearby hill!

Boom!

As the wild boar let out pitiful grunts, a massive crater appeared on the hill, with debris scattering all around.

"A tier-two demonic beast indeed, though only just advanced, its hide is still thick and tough."

Fang Xing stretched his shoulders and neck, giving a thumbs up.

Over these past days, Fang Xing has been deeply immersed in his martial training, growing tired of the demonic bird meat he has been consuming.

Moreover, some martial arts require battle experience to advance, so he decided to venture out in search of real combat opportunities.

Using a drone to avoid potential dangers, he stumbled upon a newly advanced second-tier demonic beast.

Its strength was just on par with his own, allowing him to face it without wielding his Qinghong Sword, relying solely on his physical power and defensive capabilities.

Of course, Fang Xing also admitted to himself that he was craving some braised meat.

If the opponent had been serious from the start, he would have had no choice but to run like a trapped rat.

However, this second-tier demonic beast was different; it was a straightforward kill, without any gimmicks.

Even if I faced it ten more times, the outcome would undoubtedly remain the same.

"My strength has indeed improved..."

Fang Xing glanced at his status panel and noticed a change in his martial arts level:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 18】

【Occupation: Martial Artist】

【Fourth Level: Courage and Soul】

...

"Training at the courage and soul level should be related to the brain palace... This data suggests that currently, my brain palace is about a quarter filled with mental force..."

Reflecting on the status panel, Fang Xing made some guesses about training his brain palace.

As a martial artist at the courage and soul level, what's most crucial is martial willpower!

Every time I master a martial art to the grandmaster level and undergo a spiritual baptism, it should significantly enhance my brain palace and mental force, bringing many benefits!

"However... without realizing it, my birthday has passed..."

Seeing that he was now a year older, Fang Xing couldn't help but feel emotional. According to the laws of the Azure Federation, he was now an adult.

"If I hadn't crossed over, the original Fang Xing would clearly struggle to succeed in the college entrance exams... at eighteen, upon graduating from high school, he'd likely be drafted into the army... into the most dangerous cannon fodder units."

"Natural families could pull strings, choosing technical roles or even logistics or space units... But bioengineered humans are destined for the most hazardous front line cannon fodder!"

Carrying debt, bioengineered humans had no choice in service, most likely ending up in the secret dimension units, facing the god-spawn directly, in brutal combat!

In contrast, natural humans had it a bit easier; apart from logistics, they would generally be assigned to space units, serving in space fortresses or star fleets with a minimal chance of encountering major battles. Even if a fight ensued, they often only operated from behind screens, making safety considerably higher.

Of course, in space units, it's all or nothing—defeat could mean complete unit casualties!

Also, some natural humans, driven by a desire to hone their martial arts skills or for other reasons, deliberately joined the secret dimension cannon fodder units, engaging in daily battles against the god-spawn!

Fang Xing was lost in his thoughts, when suddenly, his expression changed as he looked towards his storage bag.

He swept the area with his spiritual perception, and among the miscellaneous items, a mysterious iron token was emitting a faint glow!

]

(End of Chapter)