[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starlight Professional",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308685,4512,"Chapter 25: Invitation","starlight-professional-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Using the purchase of spirit rice and martial arts manuals as a cover, Fang Xing and Ding Hongxiu conversed quite pleasantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Miss Hongxiu is also a cultivator? I truly apologize for my ignorance…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing her identity as a cultivator, Fang Xing feigned solemnity and bowed first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, nowhere near—it’s just that my talent is low, barely at Qi Condensation Stage Two… Grandpa won’t even let me leave the market to make a living…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Hongxiu waved her hand: “He’s afraid I’ll be casually killed by some martial artist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? How would a battle between a Primordial Qi cultivator and a Qi Condensation cultivator turn out?” Fang Xing became interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not entirely sure, but Grandpa said that if a beginner Qi Condensation cultivator doesn’t quickly activate a defensive talisman or artifact, and a Primordial Qi martial artist closes in, it becomes extremely dangerous…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Hongxiu added: “Of course, things improve greatly by mid-stage Qi Condensation—once distance is established and preparations made, a mid-stage cultivator can easily slaughter Primordial Qi martial artists. Those late-stage Qi Condensation masters are utterly unmatched by any peak Primordial Qi martial artist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded; this assessment from a cultivator seemed quite reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So a Puyu Realm martial artist can already threaten beginner and mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators? What if that Puyu martial artist has mastered an A-rank martial art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about a Danpo Realm martial artist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt that once he advanced to the third or fourth martial realm, he might finally gain some sense of security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder what major factions actually dominate this market?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some thought, Fang Xing decided it was better to clarify this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Within the market, the Qingxuan Sect holds the highest status—it founded Qinglin Market and always has a Foundation Establishment elder stationed here; over sixty percent of the stalls here maintain close ties with them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beyond that, the Zheng family has an ancestor who reached Foundation Establishment, making them second…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Black Tiger Gang is formed by several Qi Condensation Completion-level hermits; their leader, Black Tiger Immortal, is elusive and rumored to be secretly preparing for Foundation Establishment—making them the market’s third major force!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse voice interrupted Fang Xing and Ding Hongxiu’s conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing turned to see an old man with a white beard, wearing a slightly ill-fitting Daoist robe, its fabric frayed in multiple places yet still faintly glowing with spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drew closer, a cool sensation washed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the robe’s innate “Impervious to Cold and Heat” effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This robe must have been used for countless years… probably around Low-grade First Rank…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked at the Daoist elder: his skin was dark, his frame lean and wiry, a large yellow leather gourd strapped to his waist, exuding a faint aroma of liquor; most striking of all was his bright red, bulbous nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Growing spirit rice and learning to brew liquor… quite fitting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s heart stirred—he sensed the old man’s terrifying aura and realized he was no beginner Qi Condensation cultivator, but a mid-stage one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa… you’re back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Hongxiu rushed forward, delighted to see the Daoist elder, then scowled at the gourd at his waist: “You went drinking again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good granddaughter, you don’t understand—my ‘Drunken Immortal Scripture’ requires drinking! As the saying goes: ‘Three shi of liquor daily, become immortal in a hundred days!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist elder belched, then bowed to Fang Xing: “Young brother, this old man is Ding Bushan. I overheard your conversation with Hongxiu and couldn’t help but interject—forgive my rudeness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all, Elder, your knowledge is vast—I’ve learned much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled and bowed back, then turned to Ding Hongxiu: “Pack me thirty jin of Lotus-Fragrant Spirit Rice… give me a discount…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, alright! Originally three spirit stones, but I’ll cut you three spirit sands instead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing a sale was coming, Ding Hongxiu’s eyes lit up—she felt the half-day of idle chatter had finally paid off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing took one low-grade spirit stone and seventeen spirit sands from today’s earnings, handed them to Ding Hongxiu, shouldered the basket, waved goodbye, and walked toward the market’s exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the wind, faint voices of grandfather and granddaughter drifted faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa, you’re too overprotective…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dear granddaughter, do you know who that man is? Someone who won’t even rent a shanty in this market is either a desperate outlaw or a pauper—does he look like a pauper? Stay away from people like him in the future…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices gradually faded and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing heard it all and merely smiled: “Old people truly are cunning—but they only worry about their granddaughter…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only human nature; he bore no resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the temporary camp, everything returned to routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, the most useful things in this world for me are this cultivation-friendly environment, and various pills and spirit rice…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or low-grade talismans and blood-refined artifacts…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the cave, Fang Xing practiced Great Dragon Stance while letting his thoughts wander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, these talismans and artifacts are nearly useless to me—once I have money, I can just buy a laser gun, far more effective than any blood-refined artifact. Still, I should prepare a few low-grade talismans as surprise trump cards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the only things in this world that truly help me now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Train hard—once my Sinew and Bone stage is complete, immediately buy the Primordial Qi Pill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing had already inquired about the Primordial Qi Pill—it was sold at Qingdan Market, but the price was brutal: fifty low-grade spirit stones!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its value rivaled that of a low-grade artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said this was because crafting the Primordial Qi Pill consumed medicinal herbs normally used for Qi Condensation pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, few cultivators were willing to buy Primordial Qi Pills as rewards for their retainers—the market was too small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Fang Xing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty low-grade spirit stones aren’t hard—so long as I have drone support later, slowly harvesting spirit herbs and selling them will eventually get me there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time slipped unnoticed into July.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chickenshaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happy Home Community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the sweltering heat outside and the cicadas’ drone and birdsong, Fang Xing felt a pang of nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, ‘my’ birthday is coming soon, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bio-engineered Fang Xing’s birthday was naturally marked by his emergence from the growth chamber: July 17th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So though he longed to remain in the other world and train until school resumed, he had to return now to handle affairs, lest anyone think he’d vanished and cause unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???????Co\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glanced at his status panel:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Name: Fang Xing】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Age: 16】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Profession: Martial Artist】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Second Realm: Sinew and Bone (Sinew Refinement: 16\u002F100)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Military Body Boxing Twelve Forms: 44\u002F100 (Proficient)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Great Dragon Stance: 6\u002F200 (Mastered)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gate of All Worlds (Charging)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since taking spirit rice, my sinew refinement has progressed about one point per day—slower than pills, but steady, with no sign of blood qi instability; each step is solid, grounded…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I keep this pace, I should surpass half the progress before school starts—that’s already quite rapid. Too fast a leap without a teacher’s guidance isn’t wise…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of a master’s guidance, Fang Xing sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing Xia Long’s instruction during the holiday was indeed troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, after reaching the second realm, he had no idea where to learn advanced martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I call Master Xia Long? Or… hire a private tutor? But I have no money…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Online videos can serve as references, but believing them entirely? You won’t even know how you died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martial arts must be taught face-to-face, through direct instruction and demonstration, for true stability…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone’s physical constitution differs—teaching must be tailored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, the elusive concept of martial will cannot be conveyed online at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his phone, replied to some messages, then his gaze lingered on Liu Wei’s number, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past few years, Fang Xing’s birthday always included this annoying friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… the past cannot be reclaimed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed, then noticed another message—his eyes suddenly sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he dialed back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A 3D projection appeared—Gu Yun, still in a little girl’s form, now wore a far colder expression, glancing around: “So you live in a place like this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Gu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded in greeting, then realized his phrasing was off—likely influenced by the other world’s speech patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss? That’s an archaic term. Call me Ms. Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yun said bluntly: “I need a sparring partner. Star Yuan is no problem—will you come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huanghai Jiangfu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yun’s small face was cold, clad in training attire, still wielding that wooden sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Fang Xing’s view, since her father Gu Renwang died in battle, this young girl’s temperament had changed greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, her aura was simply like a block of ice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I want you to give it your all, and wear your protective suit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yun stood with her blade held horizontally, coldly saying: “If I hurt you, I’ll cover your medical expenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t bring the nanosuit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled: “But I’m confident…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nanosuit and the electric baton had been left behind in the other world, and he had no intention of retrieving them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only things he intended to bring back were some items from the other world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was currently planning how to enter the black market and get some money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spirit rice, talismans from the other world… they don’t fit at all with the specialties of Chick Hawk Star; even the black market struggles to sell them… but there’s gold and silver there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the interstellar age, gold was no longer a precious metal, and its price had dropped significantly, but it was still relatively valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Qinglin Market, gold was a material for forging weapons; it took thousands of jin to extract just a few liang of “gold essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raw gold wasn’t very expensive—a single spirit sand could buy a considerable amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon discovering that both worlds shared the same metal, Fang Xing immediately conceived a smuggling scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One sale, just enough money to get by…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the very least, I need to buy a real self-defense weapon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My current strength is too weak; if I encounter a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator or a high-level expert of late-stage Qi Refining, I’ll be in grave danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And since I’m advancing rapidly, I need an excuse, need to earn money—and even launder it—to openly use it to buy nutrient solutions and invest in myself…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While sparring with me, are you still daydreaming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a sharp cry cut through Fang Xing’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliant blade flash descended straight onto his head!\u003C\u002Fp>",1781,"2026-06-20T11:03:20.053Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","31779a09b271430321c224db8c2d9d381039101aeb1095e1b1b5b1be7145671f","starlight-professional-chapter-26","starlight-professional-chapter-24",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]