Chapter 339: Ten Years (Requesting Monthly Votes)

"The Awe Group?"

In the villa, after receiving Gong Nong Xue's message, Fang Xing rubbed his chin.

"Though we had some personal grudges, we later reconciled… they don't seem like the kind of force capable of orchestrating something this big."

"This time, they're probably seeing me down and out, eager to kick me while I'm down—shortsighted fools…"

Fang Xing didn't care at all.

He had already made his plans; this current state was merely a temporary facade of ruin.

Even with his body severely wounded, it didn't hinder his comprehension of the Fire Principle or the Great Sun Tathagata Palm at all!

"Great Sun Tathagata Master… consolidating the Great Sun Divine Core?"

Fang Xing touched his brow.

The consolidation of the Great Sun Divine Core, besides enabling him to walk the path of becoming a demonic deity, brought the greatest change: a transformation in his innate talent for principles!

"My understanding of the Fire Principle seems to have improved!"

He thought silently.

Originally, Fang Xing had comprehended the complete Mystery of Fire and finally crossed the threshold into the Fire Principle, yet it remained hazy, like viewing flowers through mist—unclear.

But after consolidating the 'Great Sun Divine Core,' his grasp of the Fire Principle was like a nearsighted person putting on glasses.

How much more than several times faster had his comprehension become?

"That 1600 proficiency level had almost driven me to despair…"

"Now it seems there's still hope."

"I wonder what kind of power will emerge when a principle's entry level becomes proficiency?"

A flicker of anticipation shone in Fang Xing's eyes.

…

Time flowed like water, swift as a shuttle.

Before he knew it, several more years had passed.

Star River Island.

The island now appeared desolate.

Outside the villa, Fang Xing wrapped himself in a thick blanket, sitting in a rocking chair, watching the falling snow.

"Snowflakes fill the sky, the heavens and earth solemn and deadly… truly beautiful!"

He extended his hand, letting snowflakes melt in his palm, bringing a cool sensation.

A pair of pure white hands appeared behind him, gently pushing the rocking chair: "Dr. Wang has sent word… your custom mech is almost complete."

The speaker was none other than Gong Nong Xue!

As a Martial Saint, her lifespan was extraordinarily long; she still looked twenty, brimming with youthful vitality: "All these years, despite every blow you've suffered and your company's dismal performance… you've done your best to maintain the mech factory. Many see this as proof you refuse to abandon the martial path. So… the ten-year deadline is near. Are you ready?"

Gong Nong Xue spoke with implied meaning.

Having spent so long with this man, she even had a strange feeling.

Even in this half-crippled state, Fang Xing remained dangerously unpredictable!

In fact, he seemed even more dangerous than during his peak nine years ago!

"Sigh… ten years of life and death, both distant and vague…"

Fang Xing sighed.

During his decade of silence, the Blue Star Federation had seen no major events.

But many things had happened around him.

It was said the memorial hall on Chick Hawk Star had been torn down…

Such is the coldness of human relations.

Among his former contacts, some had completely cut ties, while others harbored ill intent.

Even those who once showed him kindness had gradually distanced themselves after seeing him remain stagnant year after year.

This is the truth: no filial son stays by a sickbed for long.

Even parents and children are like this—let alone friends.

'I can only say, I brought this on myself…'

'Then… it's time to reveal something. After sinking into ruin, I spent ten years crafting a rudimentary form. Isn't that reasonable?'

Fang Xing slowly pondered, glancing at his status bar:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 65】

【Profession: Immortal Martialist】

【Eighth Realm: Martial Saint (Severely Injured)】

【Martial Will Inscription: 39/400 (Master）】

【Star Martial Nine Extremes: 1267/2000 (Grandmaster）】

【Great Sun Tathagata Mantra: 16/800 (Grandmaster）】

【Heavenly Mother Virtuous Golden Lotus Twin Guardian: 1/800 (Grandmaster）】

【Great Sun Tathagata Palm: 55/400 (Master）】

【Fire Principle: 160/1600 (Entry）】

【Gate of All Realms: 34/100】

… "Ten years of silence, little progress in martial arts. The Heavenly Mother Virtuous Golden Lotus Twin Guardian did indeed leap straight to Grandmaster level—unexpected, yet this was its effect…"

This body-splitting technique reaching Grandmaster level gave Fang Xing a simple effect: it didn't add another body slot, but allowed him to recall his clone with a single thought!

In other words, merge the clone with his true body!

For Fang Xing, the 【Immortal Martialist】, this was naturally a great advantage.

If he had been able to do this during his last breakthrough to Nascent Soul, he wouldn't have failed due to subtle conflicts between his magical and martial essences—and could have saved a Supreme Nascent Soul Pill.

Now, this 'Clone Recall' skill, in Fang Xing's mind, could serve as an absolute aid when his true body breaks through major realms!

For example, if his cultivation clone achieves Godhood first, then when he himself breaks through to Martial God, recalling the clone would be like consuming a supreme elixir for realm breakthrough!

'What is this? A cannibal cultivation stream? Except I'm eating myself!'

'Of course, when the cultivation clone returns, it merely becomes magical energy—only the true body of an 【Immortal Martialist】 can absorb it, converting magic into blood qi!'

'Besides, the Gate of All Realms progress bar has advanced one-third; in another twenty years or so, I can cross over to the Great Xia World. This may be my final chance—I must obtain the legacy!'

'Lastly, the Fire Principle… I've finally comprehended one-tenth of the Entry level…'

Though only one-tenth, and still only one-tenth of Entry level, Fang Xing felt his power rising rapidly.

Gong Nong Xue watched Fang Xing in thought, a wry smile forming on her lips: "What? Are you thinking of your old lover, Ouyang Ouyang Qianqian?"

"What do you mean 'old lover'?"

Fang Xing was speechless.

Many things had happened over these years.

For instance, his old classmate Ouyang Ouyang Qianqian, upon hearing he was half-crippled, came to White Bird Star.

Given her wealth, bearing the cost of interstellar travel tickets, plus the time and energy involved, was no small feat.

Fang Xing reluctantly kept her by his side, letting Ouyang Ouyang Qianqian care for him.

At first, it seemed fine—but after several years, trivial grievances piled up.

Then came daily cohabitation, and all illusions vanished.

Once the novelty faded, Ouyang Ouyang Qianqian felt an inexplicable disappointment.

It was like, as a child, seeing a mound of dirt at the door and thinking it a towering mountain impossible to climb—only to grow up and realize it was just a small hill, easily stepped on.

Finally, one day, she left without a word.

Fang Xing understood perfectly.

Pretending to be kind for a day or two was easy; pretending for ten years was hard; pretending for a lifetime… that was true kindness.

So he simply saw her off, didn't stop her, and even transferred a sum of star credits into her account—as payment for her caretaking.

What about Gong Nong Xue?

Fang Xing felt this woman was half-mad; she stayed not because she liked him.

No, she didn't like him at all—she liked the mystery, the uncontrollable side…

In short, women's emotions were far more complex than the Fire Principle.

"I received word that a young master from Titan Group is arriving, reportedly carrying official documents from the Federation."

Gong Nong Xue said: "Clearly, he's not here for friendly reasons—he's after your mech."

"Titan Group? The Federation's energy giant? What a distant name…"

Fang Xing's eyes held a trace of memory: "Why are you so certain this Yin is here for my mech?"

"Because the man's name is Yin Huan Yu, from the Nine Sword Academy. He's already reached Great Golden Core, and rumors say he's secured eligibility for refining the Divine Marrow—waiting only for the next batch to be forged before attempting to break into Martial Saint."

Gong Nong Xue said: "Besides, the Yin family holds resentment toward you…"

"Back then, Yin family prodigy Yin Huan Zhen tried to recruit me—he was my university classmate. Unfortunately, he was devoured to bone fragments during the Moon God Incident…"

Fang Xing sighed: "This Yin Huan Yu clearly belongs to the same generation as Yin Huan Zhen—probably the genius who rose after Yin Huan Zhen's death. Sigh… why go this far?"

…

As Fang Xing and Gong Nong Xue spoke,

Evil Dragon Star, wormhole.

A green spaceship swiftly flew out.

Inside a luxurious cabin of the ship, Yin Yin Huanyu stared at the documents in his hand: "Already completed? Hmph… Though piloting someone else's mecha is unpleasant, since it's just a temporary measure until I reach the Martial Saint stage, I'll reluctantly accept it."

"But, Young Master… Fang Xing is a Federal Martial Saint, and he has ties to Blue Star University."

A white-collar secretary beside him spoke with concern: "Isn't this a bit risky? Moreover… his mecha has zero outside ownership. If he refuses outright to sell, we have no legal recourse."

"Hmph… After ten years of decline with no hope of recovery, he's a fallen phoenix worse than a chicken. Besides… I don't intend to harm him. I only want to acquire Xinghe Company… Since he's already ruined, he should humbly donate the mecha to contribute to the Federation."

Yin Yin Huanyu gazed at the two documents in his hand, a cryptic smile forming on his face: "Otherwise, he'll refuse the wine and choose the punishment. I'm doing this with family backing…"

He thought of Yin Henzhen, and his expression instantly turned strange.

'Henzhen died at Blue Star University. The family accepted it back then—after such a massive disaster, a death was only natural…'

'But later, we found traces… Henzhen's death may have been connected to Fang Xing. But since he's already a Martial Saint, we couldn't act.'

'Now they've sent me here—is it revenge? Or a test?'

'In any case, if I handle this well, my future prospects are limitless!'

'What are these "Blue Star Twin Jewels" to me? They're just stepping stones.'

Yin Yin Huanyu's eyes burned with desire.

To him, Martial Saint was not the end—he would one day attain Martial Godhood!

Ultimately, he would inherit the family's and corporation's burdens, even become Chairman of the Martial Arts Association!

(End of Chapter)