Chapter 161: 161. Progress (Makeup Chapter 6)

161. Chapter 161: Progress (Makeup Chapter 6)

Nine Orifices Jin Dan!

This is the name Fang Xing gave to his external elixir.

With abundant rare materials from the Main Universe and the Si Si Tian Jian Sect, plus the power of the Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron, he barely managed to forge it.

Although elevating cultivation through external means carries the risk of unstable foundations and makes one vulnerable to targeted attacks,

his spiritual sense was naturally powerful, and crucially, it shared the same consciousness as his true body; his martial will was astonishing, his spiritual force exquisitely refined, allowing him to manipulate every bit of cultivation energy with perfect control, like a seasoned false-core cultivator—utterly free from the problem of hollow energy.

"With this level of cultivation, I can finally stir up some trouble in the Main Universe…"

Fang Xing flicked his finger, and a blade of light shot out, emitting a piercing whistling sound mid-air.

This was no longer ordinary sword qi thunder, but sword Gang!

The Realm of Forging Sword into Gang!

At the peak of Golden Element Peak.

A long howl echoed, and a blade of light shot upward, suddenly splitting into ten thousand fine sword threads.

Countless threads spread out like fine rain, yet brimming with extreme sharpness.

Suddenly, the sword Gang changed again!

From one sword shadow, it split into two, then four, then eight!

Each flying sword appeared incredibly solid.

The thunderous chorus of swords instantly alarmed nearby cultivators, and the news spread at breakneck speed.

At another peak.

Jade Yu Jianzi pulled a jade-like flying sword from his sleeve, gazing toward Golden Element Peak, lost in thought: "Forged sword into Gang, mastered sword threads and sword light division? No wonder he's the True Transmission Yu Jianzi! If I faced him, I'd likely lose…"

He had once roamed the world with his sword, achieved sword Gang, and returned to the sect with ambition to seize the True Transmission disciple seat.

Then he heard that an outer hall Foundation Establishment cultivator had ascended to True Transmission status by standing four hundred steps on Sword Heart Peak.

He didn't even possess a true flying sword, and had been holed up on Golden Element Peak forging blades!

Originally resentful, he planned to challenge him.

After all, defeating a True Transmission Yu Jianzi was the fastest way to rise in the Si Si Tian Jian Sect!

But when this disciple finally emerged from seclusion, he revealed such power!

Jade Yu Jianzi immediately abandoned his intentions.

Sword cultivators emphasize honing their blades through combat, but not by seeking death!

Those who charge blindly into certain defeat are fools.

A sword cultivator only draws his blade when he sees even a sliver of victory—otherwise, all sword cultivators would be long dead…

…

The flying sword circled Golden Element Peak three times before Fang Xing retracted the entire hall of sword qi.

"What I just displayed was still the level of a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator, but it matches the standard of a True Transmission Yu Jianzi—surely this will deter many troubles?"

He deliberately revealed only Foundation Establishment-level techniques to intimidate petty schemers.

After all, he'd been holed up in his cave refining treasures and flying swords, consuming vast sect resources—inevitably drawing resentment.

Sure, he could show off and humiliate them, but why bother?

Just making them think twice is enough; it's also a way to give the sect a sign that he's worth the investment…

If any disciple still comes to cause trouble after this, he'll simply cut them down with one sword.

'If someone still dares to harass me at this level in secret, that's actually good.'

'In truth, I'm not just Foundation Establishment early stage… my energy has already reached false-core levels.'

'Even my sword realm is subtly touching upon sword intent.'

The third realm of sword cultivators is the awakening of sword intent!

After the Sword Heart Peak's enlightenment, Fang Xing had even gained some insight into 'sword intent forming momentum,' though his realm was insufficient to manifest it.

Now, with his cultivation roughly matching false-core, and his martial will so strong, he naturally touched upon 'sword heart' effortlessly.

Once he fully consolidates the 'sword heart,' sword intent will arise spontaneously.

'If I revealed this, even Broken Sword True Immortal might go mad… a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator awakening third-rank sword heart and sword intent? That's a genius on par with Supreme Elders…'

'I might even be recommended to Chu Chu Kuangtu—see if he'll take a disciple…'

'But hanging around under Nascent Soul elders' noses isn't wise… better not.'

…

One year later.

Secret Realm Battlefield.

Shhh! Shhh!

Countless black spines pierced Fang Xing.

Each spine was razor-sharp, covered in fine, velvety hairs.

Strangely, after piercing Fang Xing, not a single drop of blood stained them.

It turned out, it was merely a afterimage.

In midair, a massive eyeball turned restlessly in all directions—but it was too late.

Fang Xing appeared above the eyeball as if teleporting; the Ghost-Head Knife roared as it slashed down!

Blinding blade light, carrying martial will capable of destroying all, split the eyeball's defenses and cleaved it cleanly in half.

When this high-ranking servant died, multiple voids across the Secret Realm began tearing and shattering… space storms erupted.

"Tyrant Evil Eye… all broke."

Fang Xing grumbled about the loot, then vanished instantly.

Inside the metal fortress.

【Ding, bodily scan complete: no contamination, no hidden injuries…】

【Reserve Lieutenant Fang Xing, you have earned 80 military merits!】

The feedback from the Omniscient Brain arrived promptly.

"Only 80 military merits? This high-ranking servant must be weak indeed…" Fang Xing sighed. For over a year, he'd undertaken one mandatory mission per month, killing high-ranking servants.

Gradually, his rank had risen.

In truth, as a graduate of Blue Star University, once enlisted, as long as you don't commit major offenses, rapid rank advancement is normal.

Even during internship.

"Out he comes… Demon Blade Fang Xing!"

As he stepped out of the spatial chamber, he received many looks of awe.

As a lone wolf who consistently completed missions with eccentric methods, Fang Xing's reputation in this barracks had grown steadily.

Due to his use of the Ghost-Head Knife, he'd gradually earned the nickname "Demon Blade."

Of course, he'd never admit to it internally.

Even "Blade King" or "Blade Tyrant" would be better than "Demon Blade."

But now, expressionless, he scanned the crowd and walked to the military merits exchange board.

"I already have Lesser Yin Poison Qi, and Sun True Gang is within reach—exchanging for more would make me a fool…"

Fang Xing had no intention of exchanging for anything to strengthen his Jin Dan foundations in the Main Universe.

He planned to gather resources in the cultivation world; once he formed his martial Jin Dan, he'd claim to be merely an ordinary Jin Dan cultivator.

A hidden trump card.

After all, Jin Dan is a private matter—no one can demand a martial artist to open himself for inspection; it's like asking him to hand over his life.

Then, when reaching Jin Gang level, he'd reveal some "Dragon-Elephant Golden Body Invulnerability," quietly cultivate to the Ninth Turn of Great Jin Gang, publicly claim only Seventh Turn, then forcibly break through to Wu Sheng…

Such a Wu Sheng, while having a slight chance to break through to Martial God, would still be far weaker than one who broke through from Great Jin Gang—and attract far less attention.

'Too conspicuous, too much attention…'

'Gradually fading into obscurity later on isn't bad… after all, I have resources from another world—I don't need much from this one…'

Fang Xing browsed the military merits board, exchanged for some secret medicines beneficial to Outer Scene martial artists, then returned to his dorm.

After a brief wash, he lay on his large bed, went online, and checked his email.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, he spotted an email, paused, then dialed the number.

"Senior?"

The call connected immediately—it was Gu Yun.

After all these years, the little girl had grown into a stunning beauty.

"Yeah, you're in your fifth year now—where are you interning?"

After a few pleasantries, Fang Xing asked about her internship.

"At Blue Star Prevention and Control Headquarters…"

Gu Yun's voice was low: "Aunt Bai used up a lot of favors to get me this—how could I refuse? Honestly, I'd rather go to the battlefield."

'Interning at the Prevention Bureau? How many university students would envy that…'

Fang Xing mentally grumbled, feeling how bloated and rigidly stratified Blue Star Federation had become.

For example, Gu Yun—she was one of their own; her university internship could land her at the Prevention Bureau.

After graduation, she'd almost certainly stay there.

It's as likely as Song Song Jingang ending up in the Public Security Bureau.

Of course, Song Song Jingang still had some martial pursuits, so although he could have done his internship at the local Public Security Bureau, he ultimately chose the battlefield.

Gu Gu Gu Jiantong, a child of fate, was no different.

"Is the internship at the Prevention Headquarters tough?"

Fang Xing asked a few caring questions, but a strange feeling stirred in him.

It seemed, maybe, perhaps… after the Prevention Bureau on Chick Hawk Star, his own little informants had already been planted at the Blue Star Headquarters?

'But the inspections here are far stricter… the Omniscient Brain is always watching everything; trying to pull any tricks would only backfire—better to just give up…'

Compared to remote places like Chick Hawk Star, Blue Star's public security must be excellent.

Fang Xing had no intention of testing the limits of the Omniscient Brain.

"It's not bad… though it's tiring, every day feels fulfilling…"

Gu Yun, just as before, had no guard up around Fang Xing, her big brother, happily sharing everything about the Prevention Bureau.

Of course, there were still some small annoyances.

"Today there was another brainwashed idiot woman trying to overturn the case of a cult leader… It made me furious—she was the one who originally handed him over, yet now she's retracting her testimony, even if it means getting charged herself…"

Gu Yun complained.

"Oh?"

Fang Xing felt a strange sense of déjà vu: "Even cult leaders can get their cases overturned?"

"Ugh… he was just a big fraud, pretending to preach while using some minor mental abilities to swindle money and seduce people. I read the case file—he was originally sent in by a student from Blue Star University, then betrayed by his own followers, and kept getting longer sentences. It's hilarious!"

Gu Yun complained.

Fang Xing's sense of déjà vu grew stronger: "Wasn't the Blue Star University student who sent that fraud in named 'Gu Gu Gu Jiantong'?"

"Yeah, how do you know?" Gu Yun sounded puzzled.

"I'm good friends with Gu Gu Gu Jiantong…" Fang Xing became interested: "Is that fraud going to be released?"

"The process is underway. After all, he had nothing to do with outer realm demons—just plain fraud. He returned his ill-gotten gains, served several years in prison, and now the person who sent him in is retracting their testimony—there's a real chance he might get out…"

Gu Yun's voice carried a hint of frustration.