Chapter 76: The Breaking Dragon and Elephant
In the high-grade cave dwelling, Fang Xing was holding a storage pouch, feeling somewhat sentimental. "Who would have thought that the things I sold would end up back with me..."
It was clear without thinking that the high-grade artifacts he sold were likely in Old Ghost Long's storage pouch.
"This time, I went out just to watch the show but ended up earning quite a bit... This is what they call the true victory of a good strategist."
He then looked at a spirit contract in his hand, with an even wider smile on his face.
This second-tier spirit contract was made from some unknown material, feeling leathery to the touch, and it was the size of a regular page, bordered by various strange and complex patterns.
At the center was content written by Su Ye in his own blood, including the promise of 'compensating' him with twenty-five bottles of 'Boiling Blood Elixir', a pledge to help him leave Qinglin Bazaar, and assurances of no future vengeance, among other things.
At the bottom were the signatures of both Su Ye and the mediator Han Qingyun.
Most importantly, Fang Xing hadn't signed it himself! It was a contract that only restricted Su Ye!
Fang Xing wasn't particularly eager to leave Qinglin Bazaar.
He had involved Han Qingyun simply to give him and Hua Feiyue a chance to leave the market.
He had always been thoughtful towards his own people.
But since Su Ye had plotted against him earlier, it was only right to demand compensation when Su Ye was vulnerable!
"After running around this long, I'm getting a bit hungry again..."
Fang Xing set up a grill and started barbecuing slices of beef.
This beef came from the Azure Rock Bull. Although most of the meat was meant for Su Ye's alchemical purposes, Fang Xing couldn't resist taking a leg for himself.
Given the Azure Rock Bull's towering height of seven to eight meters, one front leg was enough to last him for quite some time.
The meat of a second-tier demon beast was naturally quite potent, and its taste was exceptionally satisfying.
Especially when paired with spices from the Blue Star Federation, it was even more irresistible.
Fang Xing even had to use talismans to conceal the aroma within the courtyard, lest it attract nearby demon beasts!
He took a skewer of roasted beef, the fist-sized chunks threaded onto iron skewers, sprinkled with spices, and dripping with oils.
"Ah, this is how meat should be enjoyed..."
Such a robust approach, yet the taste was surprisingly delicate as it hit his palate. The beef was unbelievably thick and firm, requiring formidable teeth to conquer—certainly not for the average person, only for those who practice physical cultivation.
Fang Xing had an inherently large appetite, but after devouring just a single skewer of beef, he surprisingly felt almost satiated.
Moreover, he noticed his energy and blood surged wildly through his body, akin to the effect of consuming body-refining elixirs. He could scarcely wait to start practicing his Tiger Subduing Stance.
Half an hour later.
[Tiger Subduing Stance: 80/200]
Looking at the slight improvement in his Tiger Subduing Stance proficiency, Fang Xing beamed with joy, "The effect of the second-tier demon beast meat is truly remarkable! Not to mention it's pure, without a trace of pill toxins..."
"Combined with the boiling blood liquid that is still in refinement, the second-tier demon beasts indeed have treasures in every part of their bodies! It's just a pity that they're so damn hard to kill."
...
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, the new school term commenced.
Fledgling Eagle Star.
Blissful Haven Community.
Fang Xing stood up, gazing at his reflection in the mirror.
In the mirror stood a youth with striking eyebrows and a starry gaze, skin glowing with a healthy amber hue. He had grown taller, with a physique that boasted smooth and perfect lines, each inch seemingly imbued with terrifying strength.
"The first level of Dragon Elephant Power, achieved!"
With a simple hand gesture, the Tiger Slayer Saber—his blood-refined weapon—fell into his palm.
In the void, it seemed as if a tiger's roar echoed, and the heavy blade slashed onto his shoulder, shattering with a thunderous crash soon after!
Throughout recent days, dwelling in quarters rich with superior spiritual energy, dining on spiritual rice and second-tier demon beast meat, his martial advancement was nothing short of rapid strides.
After Su Ye delivered the twenty-five bottles of 'boiling blood liquid' as promised, his proficiency in Dragon Elephant Power skyrocketed as if shooting up on a rocket.
Last night, he managed to break through the first level to reach the 'proficient' tier!
At this stage of Dragon Elephant Power, merely the defense of 'Dragon Scale Elephant Armor' alone was enough to disregard ordinary inferior magical tools.
"From the looks of it, should I reach the 'expert' level, I could even ignore mid-grade magical tools...and at the 'master' level, all magical tools could be disregarded. Only spiritual artifacts from Foundation Establishment cultivators could break its defense—which seems like a second-tier physical refinement."
Reflecting on this, even Fang Xing found it rather terrifying.
"The 'Dragon Elephant Power' is merely an A-rank martial art, with its practice threshold at the Tendon and Bone Realm, equivalent to a postnatal martial artist in another world – it's not even on the level of an immortal cultivator!"
"This means that while such a person might seem monstrous in the realm of immortal cultivation, in the Blue Star Federation, they'd just be considered a minor genius."
"Not to mention that above the master level of 'Dragon Elephant Power', there might be yet another realm..."
"Moreover, now that I've reached the Jade Essence Realm, I can barely begin with S-rank martial arts. If I were to master the 'Diamond Vajra Power', imagine how formidable I’d become!"
This is the advantage of martial arts from the Blue Star!
Even at the same level, the vast array of martial arts ensures that Blue Star warriors possess strength far surpassing their counterparts from other worlds.
Whether in defense, speed, or power... they excel in all aspects, worthy of being called hexagon warriors!
"With proficiency in Dragon Elephant Power, my strength has increased significantly again..."
A hint of satisfaction appeared on Fang Xing's face.
His previous defenses included outer layers of talismans from the realm of immortal cultivation, a nano protective suit, and an inner layer of dragon-scale elephant armor, with his physical body being the final shield – skin like jade, muscles like iron, tendons like willow, bones like steel!
These layers combined allowed him to withstand a few attacks from superior magical items, enabling him to rampantly slaughter among early and mid-stage Qi Refiners.
But now, with the upgrade in Dragon Elephant Power, he feared he could endure over a dozen attacks from top-tier magical items.
Even if faced with an assault by late-stage or even perfect Qi Refiners, he could hold his ground for a moment.
That brief moment would suffice for a warrior to annihilate multiple foes.
If he advanced to the master level, as a tier-two body refining cultivator, he could attempt to duel with Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"There’s still plenty of 'boiling blood liquid' left. Happy days are beckoning..."
Fang Xing sighed with emotion as he silently managed his communications.
On his regular phone, there were only ordinary greetings from classmates. He specially checked and found none from Gu Yun.
However, his fishing plan seemed successful, and he figured he'd subtly inquire after returning to school, being careful not to appear too deliberate.
The other black market communication device, however, piqued his interest.
"It's Zhang Jiarui from the Blood Cage Fight Arena again?"
He glanced through and found several messages, starting with "Hey handsome, feeling lonely? Want to watch a blood-pumping performance?"
“Coach Ping says she misses you… Her 'Extreme Passion Sword' still has a few secret moves…”
That seemed rather normal.
But what followed was somewhat off.
“Recently, the Bureau of Prevention's dogs have been raiding the black market again, it's so boring...”
“There are some very interesting things in the black market, wanna check them out, handsome?”
“I'm getting transferred… The black market here is too chaotic…”
…
"Transferring? I wonder where she's going?"
Fang Xing thought about it, then couldn't help but chuckle silently. Zhang Jiarui's position in the Blood Cage Fighting Arena was clearly not low, so there was no need to worry wherever she was transferred.
Moreover, being aware of the depth of the black market and getting transferred right away was something many could only wish for.
"Is she showing off? She must be showing off, right?"
Fang Xing considered it and decided not to reply.
After all, his supply of body-refining pills was secured, so he didn't need to visit the black market anytime soon, reducing entanglements and avoiding exposure.
"Right now, the most important thing is starting school tomorrow. If my Pure Jade Realm is exposed, I can demand to learn the 'Great Vajra Prana Power'... It's an S-class martial art, one level higher than A-class, and it has follow-ups that perfectly match with Dragon Elephant Power!"
"If I can master this S-class martial art or even reach a high level, who knows, I might be able to overwhelm the Foundation Establishment cultivators with my Pure Jade Realm!"
As he planned, he prepared a pot of spiritual rice porridge with his rice cooker for breakfast.
Only after finishing it all did he leisurely step out.
The sharp chill of early spring still clung to the riverbanks, with few pedestrians on the riverside streets.
Fang Xing let his mind wander carelessly, focusing on his attribute panel:
【Name: Fang Xing】
【Age: 17】
【Occupation: Warrior】
【Third Realm: Pure Jade】
【Military Boxing Twelve Forms: 78/200】
【Great Dragon Stance: 25/400】
【Subduing Tiger Stance: 100/200】
【Ghost God Blade: 89/100】
【Extreme Passion Sword: 58/100】
【Dragon Elephant Skill: 1/100】
【Gate of All Heavens】
……
"The progress during this winter break is simply astounding! It's all thanks to the high-grade spiritual energy dwelling, the second-tier demon beast meat, and the boiling blood liquid..."
"Judging by this, by the end of this school term, before the Hundred Star Unified Exam, I'll definitely achieve the Fourth Realm!"
The Fourth Realm of Martial Dao—The Gallbladder's Courage Realm!
It is where the Niwan Palace opens and the spiritual power awakens, allowing the martial artist to perform the impossible. Only at this stage is one seen as having entered the martial arts house, eligible to seek a professional license, and elevate their citizen status!
To break through to the Fourth Realm while still in high school—that is the mark of a genius among geniuses!
One might even secure admission to a top-tier university.
Ordinary universities, second-tier universities, first-tier universities... each level offers vastly incomparable resources.
Yet Fang Xing's current goal is naturally a super-first-tier university!
"My first choice—Blue Star University. And coincidentally, I'd like to buy a house there..."
Though it feels like buying a house is a bit of a trap, it happens to be the previous body's dying wish. Fang Xing is determined to fulfill it, putting past regrets to rest.
While mulling over these thoughts, a dog-walking lady appeared before him: "Little Brother Fang..."
"Captain Jing Xia..."
Fang Xing greeted her courteously: "How was your winter holiday?"
"Not great..."
Jing Xia's face was full of worry: "Some bastard dumped a batch of alien products on the black market, and it's ruffled the higher-ups. I'm even more frustrated!"
]
(End of Chapter)