Starry Sky Professional

"This is..."

Fang Xing's mind stirred, and a small black iron token the size of a thumbnail fell into his hand.

"The All-Encompassing Order given to me by Chen Yi?"

Fang Xing murmured to himself, putting on a monocle to connect with the drone and scan the nearby map.

"Hmm... This place is quite close to Scorpion Valley. Could it be that the token sensed a secret realm? To think it can detect even through a storage bag... It seems this token is of a high grade, possibly made from third-tier materials."

After considering for a moment, he turned around and left.

No matter how intriguing a secret realm might be, it held little interest for a martial artist.

He walked several kilometers until the glow from the token gradually faded, losing its mysterious nature.

"The maximum sensing distance is 16,923 meters..."

"If I keep at this distance, the token loses its signal?"

Fang Xing cast one last glance toward Scorpion Valley.

Based on the drone's aerial footage, there appeared to be no third-tier demon beasts there anymore; the strongest was a single-horned lion demon beast.

Judging by its speed and strength captured on video, it was comparable to the Golden-Feathered Vulture.

He could potentially infiltrate or even launch a surprise attack, then unlock the secret realm!

"But... I possess no cultivator skills; what should I do after entering the secret realm?"

"Even if I gain something from it, it's likely only cultivators can utilize it. What's it to me as a martial artist?"

"High investment, low return—only a fool would do it."

"Rather than explore a secret realm, I'd prefer to excavate tombs!"

After transporting the pork from a second-tier demon beast back to the underground camp, Fang Xing's appetite was piqued.

He specifically sliced a prime piece of pork belly to make himself a dish of red-braised pork.

Although the demon beast had just ascended to a new tier, its meat was dense and tender, with a remarkable flavor!

More importantly, after eating it, he felt a surge of vital energy coursing through his body, which greatly benefited his martial training!

"It seems this demon beast meat surpasses even the high-grade nutritional solutions available in the professional market..."

Fang Xing steamed a full pot of spirit rice, devouring three large bowls with the red-braised pork, not even letting the last of the sauce go to waste, using it to mix with his rice. He ate with immense satisfaction.

After practicing his foundational martial arts skills for a while, he finally stepped out of the camp, ready to dig a grave.

“Hmm, according to the last drone recording, it should be buried here, right?”

He arrived at a desolate field, digging open a layer of earth.

It didn't take long before he uncovered a metal box. Inside, there were some ashes and a half-piece of dark golden cloth.

This was the burial place of Bai Lianyi's bones from last time!

“Indeed... it resembles what the Young Bishop left behind, but a bit blurred... If we set them side by side, it's like comparing an original to a copy...”

Fang Xing gazed at the half-risen red sun, lost in thought.

Back then, the Young Bishop might have had a backup plan. If he were to fail, he would willingly die at Gu Jiantong's hands!

Then, that piece of cloth would become Gu Jiantong's trophy!

Given this young man's talent, just a few glances might allow him to grasp the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra' technique, gradually becoming addicted, and unknowingly corrupted.

“However... this is just speculation.”

Fang Xing picked up the half-sheet of cloth, noticing that the Door of All Heavens on his attribute panel remained silent.

It seemed... like it was used to gourmet meals and found this snack unappealing?

An amusing thought surfaced in his mind, as he sent a trace of mental power to probe into the dark gold cloth.

Boom!

In the next moment, within his sea of consciousness, a crimson great sun rose, and incomplete incantations, as well as scattered fragments of information, inexplicably emerged in his mind.

Moments later, Fang Xing returned to his senses, looking at the cloth in his hand.

Only to see this once unknowable material transformed into ashes, drifting away with the wind from his palm.

“If what I obtained from the Young Bishop was the general outline of the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,' then these fragments were the application, explanations... even some moves?”

Use martial arts for good and it will be righteous, use it for evil and it will be malevolent.

Even among those with extraordinary abilities, most are loyal to humanity.

Since he had already acquired the general outline of the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,' there was no harm in studying these moves.

“The Great Sun Tathagata Mantra... I've just begun to understand it. Besides visualizing the great sun, which steadies my spirit, the most important technique is the 'Great Sun Furnace!' This is also the method to elevate the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra!”

The 'Great Sun Furnace' can refine all external mental anomalies, imprints, and even the corruption of dark deities... transforming all of these into 'fuel' to advance the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra!

"So that means... this 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra' can be directly 'enhanced', though the resources for doing so are somewhat peculiar... it can even devour similar corruptions from dark deities!"

"Is this really intended to be a top-tier technique for corrupting humanity's geniuses? Why does it seem geared towards restraining the followers of dark deities? Could it be inner conflict among dark deity followers?"

"Or has the nature of the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra' undergone transformation through the influence of the attribute panel?"

Fang Xing was somewhat puzzled but quickly glanced at the attribute panel:

【Great Sun Tathagata Mantra: 10/100】

...

"I haven't practiced it at all, yet the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra has increased by 9 points in proficiency, likely due to the last absorption of the cosmic whale's psychic remnants leading to this 'enhancement'..."

"In fact, this is merely the lesser quality of fuel... the best 'fuel' comes from the followers and minions of dark deities!"

"If I desired, martial artists of the four realms of humanity could also 'burn', likely providing quite excellent fuel!"

"However, why should I recklessly enhance this enigmatic technique?"

Fang Xing remained cautious of this 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra', resolving to stick to his original plan.

He would always ensure his martial resolve remained superior to the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, maintaining at least an entire tier advantage!

...

Having made up his mind not to seek trouble, the dangers of the secret realm naturally steered clear of him.

In this focused state of mind, time quietly and swiftly passed by.

The Devil's Canyon.

Inside the cave.

A flash of silver light, and Fang Xing's silhouette emerged.

"Unbeknownst to me, another summer vacation is nearing its end..."

He silently mused, glancing at the attribute panel:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 18】

[Profession: Martial Artist]

[Fourth Realm: Valor]

[Military Boxing Set, Twelve Forms: 198/200]

[Great Dragon Stance: 182/400]

[Subduing Tiger Stance: 101/400]

[Demonic Blade: 156/200]

[Absolute Emotion Sword: 143/200]

[Dragon Elephant Power: 22/400]

[Great Vajra Prajna Strength: 45/100]

[Great Sun Tathagata Mantra: 10/100]

[Gate of the Worlds]

...

"A summer vacation of arduous training, and I've grown stronger again... Once I master the Military Boxing, I'll achieve another baptism of martial intent. The proficiency in the Valor Realm will surely increase further..."

"But the Great Vajra Prajna Strength, being an S-class martial art, is indeed a challenge to enhance..."

As for the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra', that peculiar martial art?

It was deliberately left untrained by Fang Xing.

"Judging by the days, it should be time to leave. For those who are coming to sign contracts, if they're sincere, they should probably have arrived by now."

Fang Xing stepped out of the cave, glanced at his tattered clothes that made him look like a beggar, and couldn't help but smile as he headed towards the valley entrance.

...

At the mouth of the Devil's Grand Canyon.

In a luxurious suite at the Seven Star Hotel.

"Honestly, that Fang Xing, so engrossed in training... It's been over a month, right?"

Liang Yucheng sighed out of boredom.

Opposite him sat a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties.

This young woman was dressed like an urban professional, sitting casually as she picked up a drink, took a slow sip, and then spoke leisurely: “What does one month of seclusion mean? Without this resolute belief in martial arts, no matter how gifted you are, you won't truly grow... You should be happy, really. Bringing back such a genius contract for the 'Green God Group' will be beneficial to your future... You must understand, our family is large, and you can't miss any opportunity if you want a good position in the future...”

Green God Group is a powerful consortium within the Azure Federation, holding numerous pharmaceutical patents, its influence permeating every aspect of the Federation.

“Yes, Aunt. I was wrong!”

Liang Yucheng hurriedly apologized.

He is currently only responsible for Green God Group's sales on Hatchling Star, ambitiously aiming to become the General Manager of the Black Mountain System.

Thus, when the group released a mission, he immediately went to Mapleleaf City, only to not find Fang Xing.

After finally hearing news, he chased all the way here, only to find out Fang Xing had vanished into the Devil's Grand Canyon!

Without any way to contact him, finding him was like searching for a needle in a haystack, so he had to rent a room and wait here.

“Fang Xing's a bit shrewd, deliberately disappearing—is he trying to play for time and see what offers he can get?”

The professional woman laughed.

She was Liang Yucheng’s great-aunt, over a hundred years old and well-versed in dealing with all sorts of people.

Fang Xing's little tricks could not be hidden from her.

“That's indeed the case... but if everyone makes offers, our Green God Group may not stand a chance.”

Liang Yucheng sounded troubled: “I initially hoped to leverage my local connections to be the first to secure a deal... Aunt, could you increase my credit limit a bit?”

“Signing with a high offer, if it doesn't turn out well in the future, it won't be credit but failure on your part!”

The professional woman shook her head, setting her drink down: “You work diligently; at least your attitude is commendable, and that's enough... Our family does control the group, after all. As long as your stance is right, the position of General Manager for the Black Mountain System is yours to lose. Alright, I have an important guest to see, so manage this yourself...”

As she finished, her image vanished instantly.

Liang Yucheng breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to head to a bar to unwind, his communicator buzzed: “What? He's appeared... Alright, I'm on my way!”

As he stepped out, he saw the door across the hall open, and a white man in his forties emerged.

The two exchanged a look and were both momentarily stunned.

‘This is not good, it's Wright from Shadow Dragon Group... He's definitely here for the genius contract too.’

Liang Yucheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

]

(End of Chapter)