Chapter 52: The Defense Bureau
Chapter 52: The Defense Bureau
In a distant star known as Eagle Nebula, within the Happy Homestead community, a figure appeared with a flash of silver light. Fang Xing emerged, carrying a long sword on his back and a package dangling from the tip of its sheath.
Ever since he had devised his plan, he made his final purchases before leaving Qinglinfang City without a backward glance. He returned to his temporary campsite and then shuttled back to his current location.
Only now did he heave a sigh of relief and take the time to inventory his spoils.
"Let's see... aside from spirit stones and miscellaneous items, I've got a storage bag, a blood-forged artifact, a low-grade flying dagger artifact, and a high-grade magic robe..."
"Damn that Chen Yi, even if he explodes with gold coins, it's not satisfying..."
"Luckily for you, you're dead. But even in death, I won't let you off the hook. If Hua Feiyue and the others don't do a good job, I'll send a drone to post notices and make this matter known to everyone. I'll definitely create a spectacle; after all, the bigger the fuss, the better."
Fang Xing sighed as he picked up the high-grade magic robe. The robe was a dark shade of green and was woven from spirit silk. Its intricate stitching emitted a faint glow, indicating its various functions, including size adjustment, temperature control, and protective spells. However, it was of no use to him...
"Damn, I don't have any magical power... Theoretically, this high-grade magic robe should be slightly more expensive than a typical high-grade artifact, but it's useless to me!"
As a martial artist, Fang Xing couldn't refine the magic robe or even adjust its size as he pleased. However, wearing it provided some temperature control and could serve as soft armor. Of course, this depended solely on the robe's material to withstand attacks, as he couldn't activate any protective spells.
The only function the high-grade magic robe held for Fang Xing was to sell it for spirit stones!
"And this storage bag... there must be good stuff inside, but I can't open it..."
Fang Xing gazed at the dull-gray storage bag in his hand, his expression growing more frustrated.
"Storage bags are difficult to damage with ordinary artifacts. Even if I shoot at it, the items inside won't burst out. Instead, they'll scatter into the spatial turbulence and disappear without a trace..."
Many of the treasures from the cultivation world were of little use to him, which was why he wasn't particularly interested in Chen Yi to begin with.
But Chen Yi had insisted on seeking death!
"Strictly speaking, was I already under surveillance when I moved in next to the Meng Yi couple... and then when I got in touch with Hua Feiyue?"
"Never mind. No matter what schemes that person had planned, death is the great equalizer. I forgive you."
Fang Xing sighed and picked up the flying dagger, a low-grade artifact, examining it in his hand.
The dagger felt heavy, and a blood groove ran down the center of its blade. It was a genuine low-grade artifact, difficult to activate even with innate true qi.
For Fang Xing, it was nothing more than a decoration.
On the other hand, the 'Ink-Pattern Sword' was a blood-forged artifact. Not only could it be activated with innate true qi, but even martial artists like him could unleash a fraction of its power through blood sacrifice! However, Fang Xing clearly didn't trust Chen Yi's character, and until now, he had only relied on the sword's sharpness in battle.
Now that he had returned, he intended to use various means to thoroughly inspect it.
Artifacts from the cultivation world were unlikely to pose a problem in terms of information leakage, so he could bring them over to this world without worry.
As for the technological methods of this world?
There was still some risk, but it was more likely that they would be regarded as extraterrestrial items or unknown alloys.
"For safety's sake, I might need to buy a piece of equipment and bring it to the temporary campsite for testing... But that will cost a lot of star coins, and I might have to go to the black market..."
Fang Xing sighed.
The reason he actively participated in off-campus internships was to gain a better understanding of the official means at their disposal, so he could deliberately avoid them!
"However, even without using my own blood for sacrifice, this blood-forged artifact is still a rare and powerful weapon... It's more than enough for me at my current stage."
Fang Xing carefully put away his loot and opened the package hanging from his sword.
Inside were jade bottles of various sizes, each emitting a faint fragrance of alcohol.
The larger bottles contained 'Tiger Bone Wine,' made from the bones of demonic tigers. Aside from the ones Fang Xing had brewed himself, he had also purchased quite a few from the market.
In addition, there were Tiger Marrow Pills, recommended by Little Rui from Qingdanfang, which were refining pills for the body.
It was said that the process of refining this type of pill required the marrow of demonic tigers, hence the name. These pills were most suitable for body cultivators in the middle stages of qi cultivation, as they enhanced one's physique.
For a martial artist like Fang Xing, it was a bit of a waste.
However, one thing Fang Xing never worried about was waste!
He went to the nearby practice room he had specially set up and took a mouthful of the Tiger Bone Wine: "Whoosh... It's spicy and strong... Drinking alcohol as a minor, am I breaking federal law? But it feels so good! Who practices martial arts without drinking?"
After the Tiger Bone Wine warmed his belly, Fang Xing felt a surge of qi and blood energy coursing through his body, beginning to temper his bones and wash his marrow.
"Hmm... Tiger Bone Wine has a mild effect and is suitable for daily consumption in moderate amounts. It goes well with Spirit Rice..."
"Now, for the Tiger Marrow Pills!"
He poured out a black pill and popped it into his mouth.
Roar!
In the next moment, Fang Xing's hands transformed into claws, and he pounced forward, assuming the stance of the 'Crouching Tiger.'
In that instant, he seemed to metamorphose into a demonic tiger, striding through the mountains and forests.
With each breath, a gust of wind accompanied him!
After half an hour, Fang Xing wiped away the pungent sweat from his body and glanced at his attribute panel:
[Second Realm: Sinews and Bones (Refine Sinews: 77/100)]
【Crouching Tiger Stance: 15/100 (Proficient)】
"Hmm? My progress with the Crouching Tiger Stance is surprisingly fast?"
In fact, Fang Xing had noticed over the past few days that each time he cultivated the Crouching Tiger Stance, his proficiency increased by several points, an astonishingly rapid improvement.
This was, of course, due to his foundation in the Great Dragon Stance, as well as his progress in the Sinews and Bones Realm.
But today, a combination of the medicinal wine and pills had caused his proficiency in the Crouching Tiger Stance to jump directly from novice to proficient.
It had even progressed a little further into the proficient stage, which was somewhat unimaginable.
"What a great item!"
"With these, I'll probably be able to quickly raise my Crouching Tiger Stance to the 'Mastery' stage... and then on to the fourth stage, 'Tiger's Intent'!"
Fang Xing even felt that the medicinal effects of the wine and pills had not yet been fully realized, but were instead settling into his bones.
When the time came for him to temper his bones, his progress would likely be even more remarkable!
"After all, it's just a mere mortal realm... A little extra resource is all it takes to push through."
After finishing his Crouching Tiger Stance cultivation, he picked up the Ink-Pattern Sword and began practicing the moves of the 'Extreme Emotion Sword' technique.
Szz!
With a casual swipe, the blade of the Ink-Pattern Sword flashed with black light, instantly leaving a deep mark on the wall.
"What a fine sword, truly remarkable!"
The sharpness of this sword was something he had experienced before, and he had even used it to take lives.
Now, as he practiced a few sword techniques, he felt a smooth flow, and the sword's edge seemed even more fluid and sharp than ordinary swords.
"In the Blue Star Federation, there are also specially forged weapons for martial artists, made from various alloys... They are extremely precious."
"But as it looks now, this Ink-Pattern Sword in my hand is definitely no ordinary item..."
"If it were to be exposed... it would most likely be regarded as smuggled goods from another planet..."
After all, even in the interstellar age, not everyone has their minds filled with thoughts of crossing over.
When faced with such situations, people would still make judgments based on their own experiences and knowledge.
With its unknown material, the Ink-Pattern Sword would most likely be seen as a special metal from another planet, and its forging technique could be attributed to some alien technology!
In the vast universe, there are countless races, each with their own peculiarities, and such a scenario is highly probable!
"Even so, I still can't be too conspicuous..."
"After all, the origin of this sword is really hard to explain."
Fang Xing caressed the Ink-Pattern Sword, letting out a slight sigh. "Chen Yi, you're not very righteous. Why didn't you send another blood-forged artifact-level sword?"
...
In the following days, Fang Xing reduced the number of times he traveled to other worlds.
Every day, he shuttled between school and the dormitory, diligently studying and practicing, causing his martial arts realm and Crouching Tiger Stance to advance rapidly.
Occasionally, he would also visit the Splendid Jiang Mansion to spar with Gu Yun.
It must be said that martial arts require actual combat to improve, and Gu Yun happened to be somewhat similar to him, yet lagging behind in all aspects, making her an excellent sparring partner.
One day.
Fang Xing and Gu Yun stood side by side in front of a towering silver-white building.
The building seemed to be made entirely of metal, without a single gap, nor any sign of doors or windows.
"This is the Defense Bureau?"
Fang Xing glanced at the silver-white building, a sense of awe filling his heart.
The Defense Bureau was a formidable force in the Blue Star Federation, with branches on every planet and in every city.
It could be said that they handled all matters pertaining to the daily lives of ordinary people and their potential encounters with extradimensional evil gods!
"Yeah, today is the first day of our off-campus internship. Auntie Bai will come to pick us up."
Gu Yun made a call, and soon, Fang Xing noticed the silver-white metal wall in front of them seemed to melt, revealing a circular door.
Through this circular doorway, they could see more arched doors inside, stacked like layers of a cake.
From the layers of arched doorways, a career woman in her thirties emerged.
She wore gold-rimmed glasses, and her delicate face, originally devoid of expression, now held a hint of a smile as she saw Gu Yun. "Little Yun, you're here?"
"Auntie Bai, hello. This is my classmate, Fang Xing!"
Gu Yun and Fang Xing greeted her promptly.
Fang Xing's eyes caught a glimpse of the name on the work badge hanging on Auntie Bai's chest—'White Ziling, Faith Theory Department'.
"Alright, follow me."
White Ziling adjusted her glasses and turned, walking in front of them.
Fang Xing followed Gu Yun and stepped into the silver-white building.
"Each of these doors corresponds to a known extradimensional evil god... If you have any items related to them or are carrying similar contaminations, an alarm will sound immediately."
White Ziling's voice echoed.
Fang Xing's heart stirred, and out of caution, he had left all his talismans and the Ink-Pattern Sword in another world before coming here today.
He wondered what would have happened if he had brought them along.
Passing through a dozen silver-white metal arches, Fang Xing and Gu Yun finally arrived in a grand hall.
Above, a high-tech projection displayed a blue sky with floating clouds. Numerous staff members bustled about, making the hall seem exceptionally busy.
"This is... the Defense Bureau?"
Gu Yun murmured, and suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder. "Little girl, are you Gu Renwang's daughter?"
(End of Chapter)
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