Chapter 28: Professionals

Although it’s a scam, cleaning the source of a large sum of Star Credits is still necessary.

After leaving the money-laundering shop, Fang Xing exhaled a long breath: “So dark… Maybe future living expenses can just be paid in cash?”

He wanted to launder money simply to create a record of purchasing large quantities of nutrient solution, to prove the source of his rapid progress.

‘But in reality, Teacher Xia Long and the school may not even check me…’

‘Even federal investigators focus mostly on deals worth tens of millions or over a hundred million… I’m not even a minnow…’

…

As he thought, Fang Xing began searching again for the shop he had been longing for.

The main purpose of coming to the black market had already been achieved.

What remained was to browse and see if there were any A-grade martial arts, or anything else that could advance his martial path.

Frankly speaking, aside from various special resources, instruction and secret techniques are certainly superior on Chuying Star over Qinglin Market.

“Hm?”

Not long after, Fang Xing stopped before what appeared to be an abandoned sports arena.

The arena had long been decommissioned, its dome shattered, yet somehow patched up enough to maintain its overall integrity.

The original arena name had been smeared over with bloodstains, replaced by a massive inscription—‘Blood Cage Fighting Arena’!

“Underground fighting ring? Black-box boxing?”

After seeing it, Fang Xing sighed.

All of them, bio-enhanced student martial artists, were aware of black-box boxing.

Even Liu Wei had once looked into part-time jobs involving this.

After all, bio-enhanced people were cheap; if you wanted to earn money or advance rapidly in martial arts, joining underground fights was a great option—as long as you didn’t die. You’d definitely become a master!

Of course, back then, both Liu Wei and Fang Xing were clear-headed; they knew many bio-enhanced seniors who took this path either died on the ring or ended up crippled, drowning in massive debts they couldn’t afford to pay for medical treatment—so they never considered it.

“There must be masters in underground black-box fights, and the rewards are rich! A-grade martial arts? Easy pickings…”

Fang Xing entered the Blood Cage Fighting Arena and found the venue unusually quiet.

At the reception desk sat a girl dressed in a cute bunny outfit, staring at him with wide eyes: “Sir, the Blood Cage Fighting Arena opens after 8 PM…”

“Hmm…”

Fang Xing knew well—black-box fights in the black market were among the favorite pastimes of many urban workers in New City District.

After a grueling day’s work, watching a brutal, bloody fight, screaming to vent frustration and exhaustion, was the preferred stress-relief for many male and female workers.

“I’m just here to check—how are the fighters’ benefits these days?”

After thinking it over, Fang Xing still asked.

After all, he was only asking—he had no intention of fighting himself.

“Our fighters…” the bunny girl smiled, “Win one match, you earn at least ten thousand Star Credits; consecutive wins double the pay—the more you win, the more you make… And we even help convert your earnings into legitimate income, no processing fees… Plus, you might get access to forbidden drugs, A-grade, S-grade martial arts, even martial arts beyond S-grade.”

As she spoke, the bunny girl winked playfully: “Rumor has it—just a rumor, mind you—that top-tier seniors from nearby high schools aiming for university secretly come here to fight, not just for resources, but mainly to get bloodied and gain real combat experience!”

The martial path contains the character ‘Wu’—it clearly cannot be advanced by shut-in training alone.

Locking yourself away to cultivate and suddenly achieving great power? That’s for cultivators!

Martial artists must forge their bodies through constant duels, temper an invincible spirit, and cultivate a grand, overwhelming momentum!

‘This Blood Cage Fighting Arena must have powerful backers…’

Fang Xing pondered, then said: “Good. I’ll consider it.”

“Sir, my alias is ‘Rou Bao.’ Here’s my card—please keep it,” the bunny girl smiled and handed him a card before he left: “Whether you want to be a spectator or a fighter, find me.”

“Thank you. I’ll remember.”

Fang Xing glanced at her distinctive purple eyes and tall, curvaceous figure, and nodded with a smile.

…

“Entering the black market is easy. Getting out is the real trouble.”

At the edge of the Old City District, Fang Xing still wore his mask, eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Generally, customers who came only to watch fights and spent little weren’t targeted.

Big spenders, however, were protected by the fighting arenas and other vendors.

Even the black market had to maintain some reputation—otherwise, no one would come, and business would collapse!

But he clearly wasn’t in that protected group—he was a first-timer, a fat lamb, openly revealing some wealth.

“Tens of thousands of Star Credits won’t attract even a Courage Realm martial artist—even a Jade Essence Realm fighter would find it embarrassing…”

“As for psychics or mecha pilots—forget it.”

“I should… be able to handle it?”

Fang Xing mentally cheered himself on.

In black-market duels, obviously no one would use weapons bought openly—afraid of data leaks?

That’s one reason black-market weapon shops were so expensive.

But for someone like him, high-end weapons would be like using a cannon to swat a fly—extremely unlikely to encounter.

The most probable threat? A gang of low-rank martial artists.

‘No, the most likely scenario is no one cares about me…’

Only when he reached New City District, seeing the clean, orderly roads and the streetlights and cameras lining them, did Fang Xing finally relax.

‘Good thing I got lucky this time…’

‘The talismans I prepared won’t be needed…’

For the black market, talismans from another world had only average destructive power—but many effects.

Among them, concealment and speed-enhancing talismans were his last-resort survival cards.

Of course, the best talisman is the one you never use.

‘In the black market, you can’t use weapons from official factories, and black weapons are too expensive—strictly speaking, my talismans offer better value.’

‘They’re completely secure—zero risk of exposure—but I clearly can’t set up a stall in the black market to sell talismans…’

Fang Xing changed his appearance and calmly boarded a maglev train.

Though everything went smoothly today, he still felt uneasy.

‘Living too cautiously… Ultimately, it’s because my strength isn’t enough.’

‘Once I break through to the fourth martial realm—Courage—I’ll immediately apply for the Professional certification and register as a true “Professional.”’

“Professional” was a true citizen of the Blue Star Federation, enjoying many privileges.

For starters, starship tickets were unavailable to ordinary Chuying Star residents—but true “Professionals” could buy them!

Many military-grade equipments were closed to ordinary citizens—but “Professionals” could purchase them too!

For many bio-enhanced people, becoming a “Professional” was their lifelong dream—their chance to leap up the social ladder!

—Whether bio-enhanced or natural-born, becoming a “Professional” meant becoming upper class!

Of course, to the Federation’s true elite, “Professional” was just the starting point—but for many at the bottom, it was the ticket to the upper circle, everything!

‘If I were a true “Professional,” this extra income wouldn’t even draw a glance from the Federation—let alone an investigation. How ridiculous…’

‘Meanwhile, I’d gain more channels and resources to acquire what I want…’

‘Should I set a small goal first—complete Professional certification before the college entrance exam?’

Fang Xing’s eyes gleamed.

This was also for self-preservation.

Liu Wei’s changes, and other signs, made Fang Xing feel something bad was coming.

But if he were a Professional, even if accused by cultists, he’d have more room to defend and explain himself.

…

Several days later.

【Ding, your account received 159,736 Star Credits. Current balance: 160,072 Star Credits…】

The notification appeared, and Fang Xing nodded slightly: “Fast…”

Yesterday, he’d casually bought a lottery ticket for today’s draw.

And he won!

Though it was only a modest prize of tens of thousands, luck was simply that plain and unadorned.

“But a 50% processing fee is brutal—and I still have to pay taxes on this pittance…”

Fang Xing exhaled, then opened the store, checked D3-level nutrient solutions and other martial arts tonics, and quickly placed his order.

With these purchase records, his rapid martial progress after returning to school would have a plausible explanation.

Though… maybe no one would care about them anyway.

“Federation martial tonics seem pretty average…”

“D9-level, better than D3, is just more nutritious… But no supplements to help break through realms?”

Fang Xing thought it over, concluding he was just too low-level.

Or perhaps… his clearance level wasn’t high enough!

If he were a Professional, he’d likely see more purchasable items.

“But the Federation’s resource scarcity is obvious… Or perhaps we, and even Chuying Star as a whole, are deemed unworthy of investment? After all, we’re just a cannon-fodder production planet…”

“No, perhaps deliberately restricting breakthrough resources is part of a grand plan—only those who rise despite the harshest conditions have the potential to ascend to higher levels?”

“But for people like me, of average talent, it’s too cruel. I’ll stick to my own plan.”

By fusing resources from both worlds, my martial realm will inevitably surge forward.

As for the issue of future potential?

Once you fail to get into university, you’ve got virtually no future—what’s the point of even thinking about it!