Chapter 161: Progress

Chapter 161: Progress

At Blue Star University, Fang Xing spent a considerable amount of time in the library, quietly contemplating the Manual of Myriad Spirits.

This time, instead of recklessly invoking the qi mechanisms of various ultimate techniques, he focused on cultivating his own martial arts skills.

Even though he was now an intern at the military camp, he could still take leave after completing the minimum tasks for the month.

Fang Xing was determined not to give up on the Manual of Myriad Spirits at Blue Star University.

As he continued to ponder the manual, countless movement techniques and steps appeared in his mind, only to be eroded by his own Dancing Sky Steps state of mind.

And then... they became nourishment for his growing proficiency.

On the attributes panel, the rune representing the Dancing Sky Steps underwent a transformation, and new information emerged:

[Dancing Sky Steps: 1/800 (Grandmaster)]



Endless insights suddenly surfaced, allowing Fang Xing to stand on the shoulders of the master who had created this martial art.

"So, there are so many tricks and secrets to the Dancing Sky Steps... When used, it's like a teleportation technique, far faster than domain flight, making it the perfect choice for combat!"

When martial artists engage in battle, it often comes down to a single close-range move, and victory or defeat can be decided in the blink of an eye.

That's when the Grandmaster-level Dancing Sky Steps would prove to be extremely useful.

At this moment, he closed his eyes and used the Dancing Sky Steps to make up for the shortcomings in his movements when combined with the Star Martial Trinity.

"Back then, I wanted to incorporate movement techniques into the Star Martial Trinity, but I couldn't achieve it because my Dancing Sky Steps cultivation wasn't sufficient."

"Now, it feels like everything has fallen into place."

As Fang Xing looked at the 'Star Martial Trinity' on his attributes panel transforming into the 'Star Martial Quadrinity', a slight smile appeared on his face.

While this might not count as creating an entirely new martial art, it was still a summary of his own cultivation journey.

Naming it 'Star Martial' also represented his immense ambition.

Perhaps in the future, the 'Star Martial' style he had created would reach the true standard of stellar martial arts—the 'Star Destroyer Sword' level displayed by the Sword Autumn Martial God of the Nine Swords Academy!

Furthermore, if the previous 'Star Martial Trinity' barely reached the threshold of an S-tier martial art, with the essence of the Dancing Sky Steps now incorporated, it could firmly stand among the ranks of S-tier martial arts.

Although it couldn't compare to the absolute peak of S-tier martial arts like the 'Great Golden Light Wisdom Power', it was still a force to be reckoned with.

"The Manual of Myriad Spirits is truly a treasure for me."

As the day drew to a close, Fang Xing could only reluctantly end his cultivation session.

"Old Meng."

Old Meng, looking like a security guard, nodded slightly when he saw Fang Xing, "Not bad. One credit."

After Fang Xing made the payment, he took a step and his figure instantly disappeared.

This extreme speed caused Old Meng to narrow his eyes, "These youngsters nowadays are getting more and more formidable..."

...

"Hmm?"

At the Moon God Spaceport, as Fang Xing was about to return to the military camp, he saw someone walking out of the camp entrance, and it was none other than Gu Jiantong!

"You're injured."

Although Gu Jiantong's limbs were intact, there were slight bloodshot streaks in his eyes, indicating that he had suffered some mental trauma.

Fang Xing was somewhat surprised.

With Gu Jiantong's strength, he should have been effortlessly slaughtering his way through those D-rank missions.

"I got a little careless while fighting a higher-level moonlight sprite, a servant-level one, and got injured..."

Gu Jiantong waved his hand dismissively.

"You actually took on a higher-level mission on your own initiative?"

Fang Xing furrowed his brows. He couldn't accept D-rank missions because he was rejected by the secret realm and couldn't enter it.

But Gu Jiantong, at the Courageous realm, could take on more challenging tasks and fight against higher-level servants!

"Lower-level servants no longer pose any challenge to me. I need some inspiration..."

Gu Jiantong remained at the Courageous realm, like a finely crafted sword that had undergone countless refinements, ready to display its unparalleled brilliance.

'He's about to create the most suitable exotic martial art for himself and find his own path...'

'This is actually quite rare. After all, not everyone can cheat like me and develop immortal martial arts...'

'Those who forge their own path, rather than following the established rules, may not show much difference at the Golden Core or Vajra stages, but at the Martial God stage, they have a greater chance of breaking through to realms beyond!'

Fang Xing nodded inwardly. He had always kept a close eye on Gu Jiantong, as the next world they would encounter through the Gate of Myriad Worlds depended on Gu Jiantong as bait.

From the various clues they had gathered, it seemed like the Sect of Gates still had their eyes set on Gu Jiantong.

"It looks like your injuries are not light. While physical injuries are easy to treat, mental trauma can leave lasting repercussions if not careful. Do you want me to introduce you to a doctor? Although he's a bit unreliable..."

Fang Xing thought of Xu Sanyang, the senior student from Qing Shan Psychiatric Hospital.

Although that senior was a bit eccentric, his healing abilities as a shaman were truly remarkable.

"No need. I've already redeemed a treatment session in a Source Sea-level healing pod... These minor wounds will be healed in no time."

Gu Jiantong waved his hand and took a few steps forward before turning back abruptly, "Wait for me to finish my outdoor mission, and we'll have another match!"

"Sure. But you'd better hurry up..." Fang Xing replied calmly, "Because by then, I might already be at the Golden Core stage..."

"You just wait for me!"

Gu Jiantong's fighting spirit was ignited.

Gazing at the departing figure, Fang Xing's brows furrowed in suspicion.

'He's too normal... So normal that it's abnormal...'

He had encountered Gu Jiantong several times each month and was very familiar with his usual state.

With the added perception of the 'Great Sun Tathagata Curse', he could confirm that Gu Jiantong was definitely not secretly corrupted.

'Could it be that... the Sect of Gates has given up?'

'As far as we know, they covet the Manual of Myriad Spirits... But while the manual is excellent, it's merely a tool for cultivating students. It's not that useful to Martial Saints or Martial Gods.'

'Even if they did something to the manual through Gu Jiantong, what difference would it make?'

'Hmm... I should probably go through the school's history. I know too little about the first principal...'

Fang Xing entered the military camp and spotted a woman with eyes like rippling autumn waters in the square.

"Sister Huyan," he greeted her. "Here to check the battle merit board?"

With her long legs and watery gaze, Huyan Qiushui asked, "Now that Luo Kai is dead, our Trinity Squad is missing a key member. I want to invite you, Junior Brother. Are you willing to join us?"

Fang Xing glanced at the battle merit board and saw that the Trinity Squad was ranked tenth, an impressive feat.

"Why me?" he asked, curious.

"Because we are the Trinity Squad, and we only recruit from the top three of the battle rankings. And you, Junior Brother, are ranked first." Huyan Qiushui smiled. "Back when I was in the student council, I wanted to get to know you, but you were always focused on your studies and rarely came by..."

She had indeed been a student council president, and her demeanor was as warm and inviting as a spring breeze.

Fang Xing suddenly felt that it was only natural that Yin Hai had jumped through hoops for years without much success.

Even so, he would still refuse.

It was much more convenient to undertake missions alone, allowing him to act freely and even use some hidden methods without fear of discovery.

Forming a squad was too troublesome, and he would have to follow the commands of the highest-ranked member. Otherwise, he would be guilty of insubordination, and the consequences could be severe if reported.

"There's also another member in our squad, a dark star from the Nine Swords Academy named Anxing. He has no objections to you joining us..." Huyan Qiushui added sincerely.

In fact, any other student from Blue Star University would have eagerly accepted such an invitation.

But for Fang Xing, there were still some concerns.

Besides the inconvenience of having to hide his methods and the reluctance to take orders, he was also worried about Wei Shentong.

Although Pan Xiong had stood up for him, and Wei Shentong seemed to have forgotten about him, Fang Xing couldn't let his guard down completely.

Especially since the student council president was a master manipulator and was likely to have connections with Wei Shentong.

"Alright, then, Junior Brother. Please consider it carefully," Huyan Qiushui said without pressing further, seeing him off with her eyes as he left.

...

Back in the dormitory, Fang Xing thought, 'For me, there's the resource-rich cultivation world, so I don't need to go all out like Summer Dragon...

'Taking on a mission once a month is enough. I'll just coast like this for a few years, and then I'll reach the Golden Core stage...'

He sat cross-legged and took out the history of Blue Star University.

To be honest, this was the first time he had looked at such a book.

After all, books filled with tales of glorious achievements tended to get boring if one read too many of them.

"The first principal was called Wu Changsheng... That name sounds quite domineering. Unfortunately, he died in battle."

As Fang Xing flipped through the pages, he learned that Principal Wu was an extremely talented martial artist with a divine body, possessing numerous extraordinary qualities. He founded the 'Myriad Spirits Martial Way', delineated various martial arts realms, and was even the first Martial God of the Blue Star Federation!

His life was dedicated to cultivating countless martial artists for the Federation and fighting extradimensional evil gods.

He had slain powerful god-children like the Overbearing Devil, Nine-Tailed Fox, and Blood God.

He had even... personally severed and sealed a part of the Moon God's body...

"Moon God? Lunar Yin?!"

Upon reading this, Fang Xing felt a chill run down his spine.

A part of the Moon God's body was sealed right beneath his feet, on the Moon God spaceship!

"The first principal severely wounded the Moon God... Could the seal here have something to do with his Myriad Spirits Martial Way?"

When one reached the Martial God level, their mental willpower could traverse the ages and endure for centuries without fading.

Fang Xing had reason to believe that the seal on a part of the Moon God's body was set up by the first principal!

Just like how he had twisted the 'Overbearing Devil's True Form' into the Manual of Myriad Spirits!

"I suddenly feel like I'm sitting on a powder keg... All my speculations are based on the assumption that the Sect of Gates is plotting something with Gu Jiantong and targeting the Manual of Myriad Spirits..."

"Things shouldn't be that bad, right? After all, this is the federal center, with numerous powerful experts and the all-seeing brain monitoring everything..."

Fang Xing heaved a sigh of relief and secretly resolved to pay closer attention to Gu Jiantong.

This man was a dangerous indicator of the Sect of Gates' plans!

If trouble arose—he would run!

After all, when the sky fell, there were tall people to hold it up, and he was just a small shrimp who hadn't even reached the Martial Golden Pill stage yet.

'Hmm? Before I run, can I frame Wei Shentong?'

Fang Xing's heart stirred.

He had never been the type to return kindness for evil, nor did he expect Wei Shentong to forget about him.

Having already made an enemy, Fang Xing decided to go all out.

Usually, slandering a graduate of Blue Star University with excellent grades, a Grand Diamond Realm, and the backing of a faction like Wei Shentong, would be a difficult task.

However, if he could link him to this shocking case, it might be a different story.

Even if his innocence was proven later, the intense scrutiny would surely take a toll, severely hindering his path to becoming a Martial Saint!

It would be even better if some damning evidence, like a bezoar, could be planted.

'To achieve this, I first need some tokens or insignia from a sect... Something that can be secretly planted in Wei Shentong's bedroom without anyone knowing...'

'My clone is perfect for this task. Even if it's discovered, it has nothing to do with me...'

Of course, this was a rudimentary frame-up plan.

To perfect it, there were many other aspects to consider.

Fang Xing's gaze fell on the attributes panel, where he noticed the 'Great Sun Tathagata Curse'!

...

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several months passed.

In the Sky Sword Sect, on Jin Yuan Peak.

Suddenly, a sword cry rang out from within a cave abode, piercing the sky and clouds, even tearing through the array formations.

"A sword cry?"

"It's Sword Child; he must have successfully refined his sword into a Nascent Soul Sword!"

Xu Zie, the steward, gazed at the ripples in the lake, his eyes narrowing slightly in approval.

The previous occupant of Jin Yuan Peak had taken away most of the rare and precious materials, including Gengjin, from the storeroom to refine his Nascent Soul Sword.

However, instead of seeking help from the outer sect's artifact refinement masters, he chose to refine it himself slowly.

This was the right path for a sword cultivator; how could one's Nascent Soul Sword be crafted by someone else?

Xu Zie was unaware that Fang Xing had not only refined his Nascent Soul Sword but had also achieved much more.

Inside the cave abode, Fang Xing rubbed his belly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "The Great Freedom Golden Sword Canon... Finally, the transition to this cultivation technique is complete."

He pointed casually, and a sword light appeared, flying with incredible speed that defied imagination.

This was the 'Great Freedom Golden Sword Qi', renowned for being the fastest sword speed!

At that moment, Fang Xing turned his spiritual sense inward and saw that the faint golden liquid-like spiritual power in his dantian had transformed into a platinum color, appearing more profound and substantial, like little platinum sword pellets.

"So, this is the liquid-like spiritual power formed after changing my cultivation technique? Among sword cultivators, it should be called 'Sword Origin'?"

Looking at these sword origins, which were almost solidified, Fang Xing deeply appreciated the value of a top-tier cultivation technique.

"For Foundation Establishment cultivators to form their Golden Cores, it's essentially the process of transforming liquid-like spiritual power into a solid Golden Core... Originally, with my Heaven-grade spirit root, cultivating a Golden Core technique, the liquid-like spiritual power would already show signs of solidification... indicating that even without using a Golden Core-forming treasure, I would still have a good chance of achieving a successful breakthrough to the Golden Core stage."

"Now, with the boost from the cultivation technique, the Sword Origin is like little sword pellets... The True Core is no longer a concern."

"The only thing left to strive for is the Undying Golden Core!"

In this world, the Golden Cores formed by Foundation Establishment cultivators were categorized into three standards: Fake Core, True Core, and Golden Core.

The Fake Core was almost equivalent to a failed Golden Core formation, and many Golden Core cultivators looked down on it.

The True Core was further divided into upper and lower grades. Upper-grade True Cores cultivated at an extremely fast rate and had the potential to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

As for the Golden Core, it was also known as the 'Undying Golden Core', the true foundation of the Dao!

Fang Xing continued to examine his dantian with his spiritual sense and saw a small sword amidst the many sword origins, floating alongside them.

It was palm-sized, completely platinum, and emanated a starlight glow.

This was the Nascent Soul Sword he had refined using the Tianxuan Star Sand as the main material, along with various rare supplementary materials such as Gengjin and the Golden Yuan Mother Iron!

"Now that the Nascent Soul Sword is formed, it needs a name..."

"How about... 'Lantian,' to remind me not to forget my original intention?"

"It doesn't seem quite right. If I were to truly forge a Nascent Soul Sword out of scrap copper and iron, and then cultivate the Embryo of the Dao technique, constantly refining it by cutting down enemy swords, that name would be fitting. Only when it reaches its peak and cuts down all the famous swords in the world will it truly be worthy of that name..."

"Should I use that broken copper and iron to cut down the flying sword of that white-haired sword cultivator from the Scripture Pavilion, who once mocked the Wind and Snow Sword?"

"Never mind, it's not good to hold grudges within the same sect..."

"Nowadays, two-character sword names are no longer fashionable. It should be a three-character name... 'Starry Sky'? 'Surprising Crane'? Or 'Ten Steps Kill' or 'Sorrowful Joy'?"

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to name it..."

In the time it took for Fang Xing to breathe, amidst the solid-looking sword origins, more plump yet illusory 'sword origins' appeared, their number skyrocketing to three hundred and sixty-five. Eventually, they even condensed into a somewhat illusory inner core.

At the center of this illusory core was a uniquely shaped golden pill.

It had nine orifices, and with just a slight refinement, an endless stream of spiritual power gushed out, propelling Fang Xing's cultivation base to the Fake Core realm!

"An external pill... It's also done."

"With the external pill, my Nascent Soul Sword, and a top-tier cultivation technique... I should be able to take on most Golden Core cultivators!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end