Chapter 56: Three Tigers
Chapter 56: Three Tigers
Time flew by like flowing water.
Ever since the appearance of the heretical cultists in the Happy Residence Community, Fang Xing had kept a low profile.
He attended school diligently and even took on a part-time internship during the weekends.
Of course, he didn't slack off on his training either.
Unbeknownst to him, two months had passed in the blink of an eye.
At the Prevention Bureau building, in the Department of Faith and Theory, Fang Xing wore his work ID card around his neck as he swept the floor with a broom in hand.
By his side, a state-of-the-art sweeping robot produced by Home Chores Corporation looked on pitifully.
"Fang Xing, Auntie Bai is looking for you."
Gu Yun found Fang Xing and delivered the message.
Fang Xing nodded and handed the broom to Gu Yun before walking into Bai Ziling's office.
"Good day, Manager Bai," Fang Xing greeted respectfully.
"Yes, little Yun mentioned that she has been under your care all this time. Thank you so much..." Bai Ziling's attitude was amicable. "Your internship with us is coming to an end, and your internship wages will be directly deposited into your accounts. I've filled out excellent evaluations for both of you..."
"Thank you, Manager Bai. I've learned a lot during my time here..." Fang Xing expressed his sincere gratitude.
This wasn't mere flattery. Although he hadn't ventured into those 'red zones' during his internship, he had indeed met many people, broadened his horizons, and learned about numerous 'secrets'.
For instance, he now knew how to evade the surveillance in Maple Leaf City, how to respond to searches conducted by the Prevention Bureau, and how to disguise and conceal the aura of heretical artifacts.
In fact, Xia Xia's actions the last time had instilled a bit more trust in him toward the Federation.
He even considered bringing some otherworldly items over for appraisal.
After all, it was the responsibility of the Department of Faith and Theory to examine all sorts of strange objects.
However, Fang Xing ultimately decided to hold off for the time being.
'Just in case... While cultivation items will most likely be identified as extraterrestrial objects and considered useless garbage that requires special energy to activate, it's better to be safe than sorry.'
'But what if... there are cultivators within the Federation as well?'
'To be cautious, I'll have Gu Yun or another member of the Department of Faith and Theory 'accidentally' obtain a talisman from the black market and submit it for inspection...'
This was Fang Xing's way of testing the Federation.
He wanted to see if the Federation could detect the uniqueness of cultivation items and, more importantly, whether there were cultivators within their ranks!
...
Happy Residence Community.
"Hmm? Looks like the protection personnel from the Prevention Bureau have left as well?"
Fang Xing rubbed his forehead and then took out his keys to enter his room.
According to Federation law and the standard practices of the Prevention Bureau, even during protection assignments, they would not intrude on the privacy of the protected individuals.
After closing the door, he turned around and glanced at the 'House Protection Talisman' pasted on the back of the door.
This was a simple yet popular talisman in the cultivation world, typically used during seclusion.
By pasting it on a wall, one could form a rudimentary barrier.
This barrier was extremely fragile, and any intrusion from the outside, even the spiritual sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, would immediately trigger a reaction from the talisman, causing it to turn into ashes...
Yes, the 'House Protection Talisman' had no offensive capabilities whatsoever and served only as a warning.
But for Fang Xing, it was still incredibly useful.
"A single House Protection Talisman can last for up to ten days at most... This one is about to run out."
Fang Xing replaced it with a new talisman, walked into his bedroom, lay on the bed, and pulled the covers over his head.
There were even more protective measures in the bedroom.
"It's been a while since I last visited the temporary campsite..."
In a flash of thought, Fang Xing found himself at the temporary campsite.
Underground Cave.
He first glanced at the system's monitoring log.
"Hmm? Qinglin City is in chaos as expected... But what's this?"
According to the monitoring records, on the second day after Fang Xing instructed them to spread rumors, Qingxiuan Sect's flying boat set off once again toward the direction of Five Scorpion Valley!
"For these ancient sects to react so quickly, could it be that the Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding Qingxiuan Sect already had suspicions and immediately took action upon receiving the information?"
"Hmm, Qingxiuan Sect dispatched three flying boats, but only one returned on the fifth day..."
"Then, on the sixth day, the chaos in the city intensified, and there were signs of Foundation Establishment cultivators making their moves?"
Staring at the overhead view of Qinglin City and the surveillance video showing the grand formation fully activated with faint silhouettes of people engaged in a fierce battle within, Fang Xing fell silent.
"To obtain more detailed intelligence... I'll have to find someone to ask..."
He gently tapped, and the Ink-Patterned Sword appeared in his hand.
This blood-forged weapon was unparalleled in toughness and sharpness, even without refinement.
In addition, the storage bag, the most valuable item he obtained from Chen Yi, was also left by Fang Xing in the temporary campsite, as he still hadn't found a way to unlock it.
"With my full equipment, I should have nothing to fear even when facing a peak Qi Refinement cultivator!"
After donning the nano-protective suit, Fang Xing glanced at his attribute panel, feeling a surge of confidence:
Name: Fang Xing
Age: 17
Occupation: Martial Artist
Second Realm: Sinew and Bone (Bone Refinement: 51/100)
Military Body Boxing, 12 Forms: 20/200 (Mastered)
Great Dragon Stake: 198/200 (Mastered)
Crouching Tiger Stake: 9/200 (Mastered)
Demon God's Blade: 2/100 (Skilled)
Extreme Emotion Sword: 95/100 (Beginner)
【The Gate of Myriad Worlds (Charging)】
...
Two months of dedicated cultivation had greatly accelerated his progress.
The Great Dragon Stake was even close to entering the fourth stage and giving birth to an understanding! In addition, the Demon God's Blade had progressed faster than the Extreme Emotion Sword thanks to Xia Long's guidance. In contrast, the Military Body Boxing, the Twelve Forms, had barely been practiced, resulting in almost stagnant progress.
The Crouching Tiger Stake had also reached the Proficient tier, thanks to the Tiger Marrow Pills and Tiger Bone Wine. If not for the later scarcity of cultivation resources, the progress would have been even faster!
"The most crucial part is my realm; it has broken through to the late second realm, and I've started refining my bones... Moreover, my foundation is so solid that with just a breakthrough, I've already progressed halfway. With a little more training, my speed will be astonishing..."
Fang Xing clenched his fists, feeling the terrifying power emanating from his limbs and bones, and nodded in satisfaction. "I must break through my realm as soon as possible... A mere mortal warrior is insignificant even in Qinglin City."
"Hmm?"
At that moment, he noticed on the surveillance that another group of cultivators had arrived nearby, and his eyes narrowed.
...
"Grandpa..."
Ding Hongxiu's face was dirty and streaked with blood, and she anxiously looked at her grandfather.
Ding Bushan was dressed as an old man, wearing a slightly old Daoist robe, his ruddy nose, and he was driving a low-grade magical artifact—a yellow gourd—with his hands forming seal techniques.
This yellow gourd expanded several times in size, resembling a water vat, after Ding Bushan imprinted his seals on it. It guarded the grandfather and granddaughter, and balls of water emerged from the gourd's mouth.
These water balls were not only extremely heavy but also carried a strong alcoholic fragrance, causing a dizzying effect when approached.
"Old Ding, we, the Black Despair Three Tigers, have been eyeing you for a long time. Today, you won't escape!"
Among the trio besieging the old man and his granddaughter, the leading burly man in black sneered, "Show some sense and die obediently, and we'll spare your granddaughter's life..."
"Hahaha, brother, his granddaughter is indeed quite delicate. How about letting me have the first taste..."
The Second Tiger leered at Ding Hongxiu, his face revealing a lecherous grin.
"This grandfather and granddaughter have been dealing in Spirit Rice for a long time; they must have accumulated a lot of spirit stones. We must make them hand over everything... With this pile of spirit stones, we can take a shot at that secret realm. Who knows, maybe the three of us will be able to build our foundation!"
The Third Tiger, tall and thin with a feminine appearance, had no interest in women but was extremely greedy for money. He was manipulating a fan-shaped magical artifact, waving out gusts of green wind that blocked the water balls and even dispersed the alcoholic fragrance...
"Damn it, I shouldn't have been so greedy and rashly left the city." Witnessing this scene, Ding Bushan felt his heart trembling, knowing that he and his granddaughter might not make it through today.
The Black Despair Three Tigers were infamous in the city for their robberies, and despite being wanted by the Qingxiuan Sect, they had managed to stay alive, indicating their extraordinary abilities.
The First Tiger was a body cultivator, rumored to be able to compete head-on with late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators using pure physical strength!
The Second Tiger was adept at wielding a pair of copper hammers as magical artifacts, which were invincible and indestructible!
The Third Tiger had the lowest cultivation level but was cunning and treacherous, his actions ruthless and cruel!
"Go!"
At that moment, the Second Tiger suddenly formed a seal, and the two copper hammers, one on the left and the other on the right, glowed with yellow light, resembling two grinding wheels as they pressed down heavily.
"Ah!"
Ding Hongxiu cried out in surprise as the 'Protective Amulet' in her hand exhausted its power and turned into ashes, falling to the ground.
Boom! Boom!
Subsequently, the two grinding wheel-like hammers struck the yellow gourd magical artifact, causing it to emit a mournful cry as it was forced to the ground.
Swish!
The Black Despair Three Tigers worked together seamlessly. As the Second and Third Tigers made their move, the First Tiger's figure flashed, and he appeared in front of Ding Bushan.
He didn't need any magical artifacts; he simply clenched his five fingers together and punched the bell-like defensive spell surrounding Ding Bushan.
Crack!
The defensive bell emitted a mournful sound, and a crack appeared on its surface.
Ding Bushan's face turned red, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.
"Grandpa!"
Ding Hongxiu panicked and raised her hand, activating a 'Fireball Talisman.'
But the next moment, the First Tiger coldly smiled and waved his hand.
A black giant palm shadow appeared, and with a slap, the fireball was extinguished, turning into curls of blue smoke...
Boom!
Finally, the bell-shaped defensive spell exploded, turning into golden specks of light like fireflies that disappeared into the grass.
"Hehe..."
The Second Tiger strode forward and reached out to grab Ding Hongxiu.
He loved seeing this kind of fear in the eyes of young girls; it gave him a greater sense of pleasure, as if he were tormenting a little rabbit. It was a completely different feeling from the alluring yet cheap women of the Rain Listening Tower!
Choke!
Just then, the Black Despair Three Tigers suddenly heard a sword cry!
This sword cry contained a certain indescribable spiritual power that made them involuntarily lose focus for a moment, each of them recalling the most regrettable and profound emotional experiences in their lives...
Splash!
A sword with a black pattern appeared, and its tip, like a jumping star, gently tapped on the water wave shield surrounding the Second Tiger. The sharp sword qi easily penetrated his defensive spell and pierced his throat!
After landing the strike, the silver-white figure flashed again, like a celestial being, and instead of going for the most formidable First Tiger, he headed straight for the Third Tiger.
"Brother, save me!"
The Third Tiger had just come back to his senses, his eyes widening in horror. The spirit light on his robe flashed, forming a shield of light that blocked the sword tip.
Swish!
But the next moment, a blade light flashed and slashed his throat...
(End of Chapter)
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