Chapter 338: Plans (Happy National Day!)

The good things I have are just two… first, a new type of inhibitor; second, my exclusive mech.

After ending Weijiali's communication, Fang Xing sat on a bench, silently calculating in the biting cold wind.

"Now that the news of my partial collapse has spread… those enemies will probably wait and observe first."

"But those who want to swallow the profits have already come out swinging—Xi Ling has had contact; what about Weijiali? Dr. Wang? And… Nangong Xue?"

He held all the raw material channels for the new inhibitor—no fear at all.

The real problem lay with the exclusive mech.

The most likely to strike was none other than Nangong Xue!

After all, this newly promoted Female Martial Saint had no mech of her own, was from Nine Swords Academy, and was perfectly suited to the Demonic Mech.

"Though that bio-mech has long been locked to its core, restricted to me alone, Nine Swords Academy may still have techniques to transfer ownership—even if it weakens power slightly, it's far faster and cheaper than building one from scratch…"

"Though I've prepared a backup—the bio-mech's core has already been refined by my Great Sun Nascent Soul into a personal spiritual treasure—but other martial artists don't know that…"

"My mech isn't some sponsored project or funded venture—the entire equity of Star River Corp is mine. According to Federation law… no one can seize my mech unless I sell it myself…"

"Perfect chance to test the Federation's rule of law? See if Blue Star University still wants to protect me after I'm crippled?"

"As for the Xu family—Xu Xu Sanyang is already crippled. If they don't hate me, that's already a miracle… If I were still intact, I'd probably be listed as the prime suspect."

Fang Xing sighed inwardly.

He didn't want to test human nature—because human nature simply couldn't withstand testing.

But being ambushed alongside Xu Xu Sanyang had truly shaken him.

This was the perfect chance to retreat swiftly, vanishing from public view for now.

Meanwhile, quietly investigate the masterminds behind it.

"Back then, Xu Xu Sanyang's extraordinary talent led to betrayal… now I've been trapped alongside him—could it be the same group?"

Though Xu Xu Sanyang claimed he'd killed all his enemies.

But with his strength, he could only swat flies—eliminating the direct perpetrators.

The puppeteers behind the scenes might have remained completely unharmed!

After all, though the Xu family was powerful, they still fed from the pot of the Blue Star Federation—Xu Xu Sanyang had a sister, parents… a whole family, too many ties.

But Fang Xing was different—no ties, no attachments.

Whoever dared scheme against him, once uncovered, would face brutal retaliation—even if it shattered the Federation's order.

"Wait… maybe it won't go that far…"

"After all, I still have a mask—I can act freely…"

"After all, whatever the Demon God Lord does… isn't it all perfectly expected?"

…

White Bird Star.

Rustle rustle.

Nangong Xue was flipping through Fang Xing's medical report.

Well… with Nine Swords Academy's influence, obtaining such a report was simple enough.

Had Fang Xing not been crippled, the hospital might have feared retaliation from a Martial Saint.

But he was crippled now…

The adult world was simply that realistic.

Across from Nangong Xue sat a white-haired woman in a form-fitting, ornate robe, her movements elegant.

"So… Master, has Ah Xing truly become a cripple? Even your Nine Swords Academy's 'Martial Saint' profession can't save him?"

After a long silence, Nangong Xue set down the report and looked at the white-haired woman.

"Yes. You know the nature of our 'Martial Saint' profession—it requires the life source and will core remain untainted, then gradually digest the Demonic Bloodline. But Fang Xing was contaminated from the start—his life source tainted, his will polluted. Had his martial will been weaker, he'd already be insane!"

The white-haired woman sighed: "Though I'm heartbroken over the fall of a genius, you must think of yourself… after becoming a Martial Saint, your exclusive mech required massive investment. You can attract investors, but there'll be countless conditions—even the Academy's contract is harsh. But now… if you acquire Star River Corp and make minor modifications, you can gain Ninth Realm combat power!"

"Besides, your Master's company can also gain the patent for the new inhibitor, right?"

Nangong Xue suddenly smiled: "Then… how do you acquire a company that's not publicly traded?"

"Simple—just get Fang Xing to agree to sell. He's crippled, no cure possible. Why waste resources on him?"

The white-haired woman said: "Of course, you're partners. So after acquiring the company, you can promise him something—say, safety protection? Even the most reclusive Martial Saint may offend people, sometimes unknowingly. You're helping him!"

"Yes, I'm helping him!" Nangong Xue removed her glasses: "But I'm willing to give him one more chance—ten years. I hope you can endure ten years…"

"What if I don't?" the white-haired woman smiled sweetly, yet with a hint of danger.

"Then you're no longer my Master."

Nangong Xue spoke—and above the villa, a giant serpent's shadow flashed and vanished.

Moments later, the white-haired woman staggered out: "Madwoman… you really are a madwoman!"

"Master, take your leave—I won't see you off!"

Nangong Xue put on thick, bottle-bottom glasses, a faint smile curling her lips: "You won't even wait ten years? Master, you're too impatient. No wonder you lost to me… you're only a weak Martial Saint, while I'm a strengthened Great Golden Core Martial Saint…"

At that moment, her face lit up with surprise as she answered a call: "Fang Xing, you dead man finally remembered to call me?"

"I'm on a spaceship. I'll be back on White Bird Star soon."

Fang Xing's projection appeared, looking exhausted: "I've resigned from my Federation Security Advisor post. Now I'm just an ordinary company owner…"

Blue Star University still backed him—Nie Ying still held his back; his honorary post in Logistics remained, even upgraded in administrative rank, with a higher salary grade.

Adjusting rank and salary meant nothing.

What mattered was they still let him hold the post—using Blue Star University's prestige saved him countless troubles.

"Oh? So what do you want?"

Nangong Xue's eyes narrowed slightly.

"There's one thing—Xi Ling is preparing to resign. Keep an eye on her. If she leaks company secrets, kill her. Also, observe Weijiali…"

Fang Xing didn't trust those two secretaries—he had Nangong Xue act as insurance.

"No problem."

Nangong Xue immediately agreed: "Anything else you want to say?"

"No."

Fang Xing fell silent.

"Alright, I'll tell you—my Master told me to seize your company outright… but I refused. I'm giving you ten years."

Nangong Xue smiled sweetly: "If within ten years you can't recover…"

"Then you'll just act?" Fang Xing gave a bitter smile.

"No. I'll just leave."

Nangong Xue's lips curved slightly: "I'm not used to piloting someone else's mech! You built your own from scratch—why can't I?"

…

Click!

The call ended.

Fang Xing nodded: "No wonder Nangong Xue became a Martial Saint—her conviction is truly unshakable." Then he fell silent again.

Playing the fool too long might turn you into one.

Human nature couldn't withstand testing.

Take Nangong Xue—if I kept pretending for five more years, I'd lose her as an ally. Even telling the truth would turn her against me!

And seeing how weak I am, those who never wanted to step on me will now try to eat me—everyone will push when the wall falls. That's called overreaching and failing.

"And… everyone's targeting me—how do I know who the mastermind is?"

"If the mastermind planned to strike Blue Star University, they've already succeeded… the university's top Martial Saint is crippled. No further action needed—no trace left."

"Therefore… when I return, I must find a moment to show signs of possible recovery."

Some won't care about offending a crippled Martial Saint—but a Martial Saint with hope of recovery? They'll still tread carefully.

This also gives allies and friends confidence, preventing them from turning against me.

As for fools like Xi Ling—who can't even wait for the bullet to fly—just kill her.

"So… how do I recover?"

Fang Xing already had a full plan.

"My body and spirit? No cure possible—that's the verdict from Blue Star Federation's most authoritative doctors. Any sudden recovery would defy logic…"

"The martial path is closed to me."

"So… I'll reveal the Fire Profound Principle as a brand-new path to break through to Divine Martial!"

The Profound Principle requires neither willpower nor physical strength.

Only insight!

Once understood, even a single move can greatly amplify power.

And it's the orthodox path of the Great Xia world.

Fully comprehending a type of Profound Principle, combined with lineage inheritance, allows ascension to the Star Lord Realm—even the weakest Satellite-level Star Lord equals a Martial Saint!

A little research will reveal this path's boundless potential.

But what if there's no further lineage to ascend to Star Lord Realm?

Of course not—I've only just created the beginning!

I won't release all thirty-six scrolls of Fire Profound Principle—just one or two meanings will be enough to astonish outsiders.

"So… after becoming a cripple, I pondered long and hard, finally found a new path—observed the old Principal's breakthrough… gained new insights into cultivation, and opened the Profound Principle path?"

I have now fully comprehended the mystery of fire, and can turn my insights into a "manual" to aid cultivation and understanding—though the material may be inferior and the effect weaker… but what of it?

Once this news spreads, most of the Federation's professionals will support me, hoping I forge a new path.

My friends and allies will support me even more fiercely.

Even those who once slighted me, so long as it wasn't a life-or-death grudge, will abandon their plans!

Only the shadowy mastermind who betrayed me is most likely to lose patience and strike—because he has already made me his mortal enemy. If he doesn't kill me, and I rise again, he will never sleep or eat in peace!

The more he acts, the more likely he is to reveal his flaws!

Then, we can bring back the heads of the sects to resume their duties.

Fang Xing's eyes darkened as he settled on his plan.

There was no choice.

The one who struck this time hid too well—even Nie Ying's raging fury could not uncover the true culprit.

Fang Xing could only use himself as bait, setting a trap to lure the serpent out.

…

Star River Island.

A blue private spacecraft landed slowly; the hatch opened.

Fang Xing stepped out, his steps unsteady, his spirit and vigor utterly drained.

He scanned the area and saw Nan Gong Xue had indeed come—along with Dr. Wang, Wei Wei Jiali, Xi Ling, and others.

"I'm back."

He offered a faint smile.

"So… you've become a weakling."

Nan Gong Xue's aura swept over him, her expression slightly dimmed: "Let's go… back to the villa or to the company?"

"Sigh… back to the villa."

Fang Xing waved his hand, looking utterly defeated.

Those around him felt a pang at the sight.

A Federation Martial Saint, returning from an outing turned into a useless shell—few could accept that.

Of course, whether anyone secretly rejoiced… that was another matter.

…

"So… he's become incredibly weak."

Xi Ling returned to her dormitory, her eyes flickering with light.

She thought again, then pulled out her communicator: "Are your promises still valid?"

"Of course. You should trust the reputation of our Aowei Group… Now that Fang Xing can no longer protect you, if you defect to us and help us obtain the inhibitor formula and, most importantly, the source of the raw material, we will cease all retaliation—and grant you abundant resources, enough to help you break through the Seventh Realm, even the Eighth…"

A line of text appeared.

"No. I need a credible third-party guarantee."

Xi Ling stated her condition: "My boss treated me well—I only intended to resign…"

But then Aowei Group showed up.

Even just hinting at continued retaliation made Xi Ling feel she couldn't hold on.

After all, the more one was a Federation citizen, the more one understood the terror of these mega-conglomerates.

"Xi Ling…"

At that moment, the door suddenly opened and Wei Wei Jiali walked in.

"Ah… you?"

Xi Ling's expression changed; she pressed her chest.

Countless nanometal instantly spread, forming a Sixth Realm exosuit that covered her entire body.

As a professional, she never lacked decisiveness.

Though sometimes, she was a bit too decisive…

"It's useless…"

Wei Wei Jiali looked at Xi Ling, her eyes filled with pity and an indescribable emotion: "I shouldn't have introduced you to my boss… This has been a mistake for both of us."

"Sister Wei Wei Jiali, forgive me!"

Xi Ling raised her hand; a laser cannon instantly blasted through a wall, preparing to flee.

But the next instant, a colossal serpent aura appeared—thousands of meters long. Its massive head simply inhaled, and Xi Ling's figure vanished…

(End of Chapter)