Chapter 340: Revealed (Request Subscription)

Star River Island.

Fang Xing and Nangong Xue sat across from each other, playing chess.

He held the black pieces; with his right index and middle fingers, he pinched a black stone and placed it on the celestial center point.

Nangong Xue frowned, picked up a white stone, and placed it beside his black one.

Clearly, they were playing the five-in-a-row game Fang Xing had "invented."

"I heard Giant God Corporation has smoothed over many connections and arrived with a Federation decree—you're in danger."

Nangong Xue revealed a piece of news.

"It's just the usual: troops meet troops, earth meets water…"

Fang Xing placed a black stone and replied casually: "But within the Federation, the Supreme Council is in turmoil— even the Supreme Executive has been impeached and removed…"

The Blue Star Federation operates under a parliamentary system; the Supreme Executive is nominally the head but cannot monopolize power, being constrained by the Supreme Council.

To become a councilor, Eighth Realm combat power is merely the baseline requirement.

For example, Fang Xing—even though he was once a Martial Saint—could establish a campaign office, but had zero chance of winning an election.

Unless Blue Star University was willing to mobilize its connections for him—but that required joining a college faction.

Even within the so-called "College Faction," there were multiple power bases: Blue Star University, Holy Armor University, and the Nine Swords Academy.

Beyond the College Faction, there was the "Death Duel Faction," advocating immediate war against hostile Outer Demonic Gods.

And the "Family Faction," akin to ancient aristocratic clans, dominated by colossal families and financial oligarchs.

After the Creator's existence was confirmed, the "Escape Faction" and the "Coexistence Faction" emerged as well…

Personnel flowed frequently between these major and minor factions; nothing was fixed.

For instance, the Xu Family belonged to the Family Faction but held strong influence in the military; due to Xu Xu Sanyang, they also had a voice in the College Faction.

In the past few years, after the former principal Ye Ye Liuyun failed his breakthrough, the Blue Star faction's power weakened, intensifying struggles over peripheral interests.

Fang Xing and Xu Xu Sanyang, the "Blue Star Twin Jewels," were attacked and seen as casualties in this fierce power struggle.

To Tenth and Eleventh Realm elders, the loss of an Eighth Realm Martial Saint was merely a "casualty."

Fang Xing had only recently untangled the web after stepping out of the circle, lying low for years, and conversing with Nangong Xue.

They played faster and faster; Nangong Xue slammed down a white stone with a sharp snap: "Giant God Corporation belongs to the Family Faction; the Yin family is one of its minor power bases, and they've even founded the Martial Arts Family Association—significant influence… Do you think it's possible?"

"You mean this isn't just clever theft—it's a test?"

Fang Xing smiled faintly, placed a black stone, and instantly reversed the situation.

"Hmm? They've arrived."

Nangong Xue glanced beyond the villa, then suddenly swept her hand across the board, scattering the pieces: "Let's go welcome them."

"You can't even lose…"

Fang Xing shook his head, thought for a moment, sat in his wheelchair, draped a blanket over his knees, and had Nangong Xue push him out.

Whoosh!

Amid howling winds, a jade-green spacecraft descended slowly.

The hatch opened, and a young martial artist stepped out.

Fang Xing stared at the man, his expression slightly dazed—he thought he saw Yin Huazhen.

"Martial Saint Fang, Martial Saint Nangong… I am Yin Yin Huanyu, Federation Special Commissioner, specially bringing several doctors to examine your health—this is standard procedure."

Yin Yin Huanyu stepped off the ship, smiling broadly.

Fang Xing's current body was perilously close to mutating into a Demonic God offspring; the Federation must conduct regular physicals.

This procedure had been repeated many times over the past decade.

Of course, every result had been poor—no deterioration, but no improvement either.

Thus, many had gradually lost faith in Fang Xing.

"Ah, young Yin…"

Fang Xing smiled: "So young, yet already achieved Great Golden Core—truly impressive."

As he spoke, several medical staff had completed their instrument checks and were printing reports.

"Martial Saint Nangong, may I speak privately with Martial Saint Fang?"

Yin Yin Huanyu suddenly addressed Nangong Xue.

Nangong Xue glanced at Fang Xing; seeing him nod, she shrugged: "Then I'll go back inside…"

Watching Nangong Xue return to the villa, Yin Yin Huanyu opened a metal block the size of a matchbox and casually dropped it on the ground.

"What's this…"

Fang Xing seemed puzzled.

"Federation's latest tech—blocks Martial Saint eavesdropping. Everything we say now won't be recorded or filmed…"

Yin Yin Huanyu said: "Fang Xing… face reality. You're finished. You can't keep your mecha. Just sell it to me—I'll give you a discount and guarantee you a comfortable life for the rest of your days."

"Oh? You little wolf cub are far more ruthless than your cousin…"

Fang Xing coughed: "Yin Huazhen never dared speak to me like this."

"That's why he's dead. Old man, you're outdated." Yin Yin Huanyu glared at Fang Xing; his Great Golden Core martial will slowly pressed down: "Understand this—I've already neutralized most of your connections. You're just a waste. No one will truly fight to save you! Everything you have now rests on shifting sand, because you're broken—and I'm a Federation Special Commissioner, a future Martial Saint who holds your final physical report. Martial Saint Fang, you don't want to spend the rest of your life under forced detention and treatment, do you?"

As a Demonic God contaminant, there was always some risk.

If the health report failed, forced detention and treatment were very likely.

At that point, it wouldn't be like Xu Xu Sanyang's treatment.

"You…"

Fang Xing widened his eyes, staring fiercely at Yin Yin Huanyu: "Was the Numeral Space incident your Yin family's doing?"

"What are you rambling about? Trying to smear me?"

Yin Yin Huanyu frowned.

He couldn't imagine what cards Fang Xing still held.

"So… you didn't do it…"

Fang Xing shook his head, then pressed his right index and middle fingers together and thrust forward like a sword: "Since you know nothing, get out!"

Shhh!

A crimson sword light appeared, slashing across Yin Yin Huanyu's chest.

His expression changed instantly—he was flung dozens of meters away, his Great Golden Core body shattered, a deep, bone-exposing wound gushing blood across his chest!

Moreover, a blade of light remained visible in the air, stretching hundreds of meters, lingering long after the strike.

Soo!

A figure appeared beside Fang Xing—it was Nangong Xue!

Her eyes glowed as she stared at Fang Xing: "You've recovered?!"

"No, I've merely found another path—understood something new…"

Fang Xing waved his hand: "As a Martial Saint, I've long pondered how to transcend the Martial God realm. After observing the former principal's breakthrough attempt, then being injured and unable to use my martial body or will, I finally had the stillness to seek other solutions."

"That sword strike of yours used no martial blood or martial will whatsoever—yet the blade light remained condensed, drawing cosmic energy… that's already an Eighth Realm technique," Nangong Xue said. "Congratulations—you've succeeded. And what's it called?"

"The Mystery of Fire."

Fang Xing smiled at the stunned medical staff: "Yin Yin Huanyu's crime deserves death, but not execution—don't even think about becoming a Martial Saint. Send a few people to save him, and also check my contamination level again."

"I thought you were merely a genius at cultivation—never imagined your creativity matched your martial talent. No wonder you're called one of the Blue Star Twin Jewels alongside Xu Xu Sanyang," Nangong Xue remarked again.

Half an hour later, the new examination report was ready.

Nangong Xue took it directly, compared it with the previous one, and her eyes gleamed: "You've unleashed Eighth Realm combat power, yet your contamination hasn't increased at all… The Mystery of Fire is truly formidable."

Fang Xing was now a cripple because he couldn't use his martial body or will—otherwise, contamination would worsen, mutating him into a Demonic God offspring.

But the Mystery of Fire involved neither his body nor his martial will—only drawing upon heavenly forces—making it a completely novel path.

Fang Xing now possessed Eighth Realm combat power, and perhaps even a path beyond.

All his former connections could return immediately.

At least, Yin Yin Huanyu's report could no longer destroy him.

"The Mystery of Fire I created may one day offer a path beyond the Martial God realm… This could be the hope of martial arts—or an entirely new profession."

Fang Xing watched Yin Yin Huanyu, like a dead dog, being carried onto the spacecraft, and said to Nangong Xue beside him: "Therefore… I plan to notify Blue Star University to come verify."

"I'd ask why not Nine Swords Academy, but Yin Yin Huanyu already answered that… fine."

Nangong Xue nodded.

…

Fang Xing hadn't expected Blue Star University to react so quickly.

Just minutes later, Nie Ying's communication call came through: "Fang Xing… you're better?"

"Not exactly. I've merely grasped something. If your schedule permits, come take a look."

Fang Xing smiled.

The current virtual network couldn't support Eighth Realm combat power, let alone the manifestation of cosmic principles.

Confirmation required an on-site inspection.

Several days later.

A sword-shaped spacecraft landed on Star River Island.

Nie Ying descended with several university professors, seeing Fang Xing walking to greet them.

"Fang Xing!"

Nie Ying's eyes shone: "You say you've comprehended the path beyond the Martial God realm?"

"Indeed! I have named it the 'Mysteries of Fire'!"

Fang Xing, unwilling to reveal even the Law of Fire, now threw a casual punch.

The cosmic energy of heaven and earth was stirred, forming a crimson fist imprint stretching over a thousand meters.

Where it passed, the fist wind forced the sea to part automatically, exposing a dry seabed.

"Good, good, good... truly an Eighth Realm combat power."

Nie Ying laughed heartily, then frowned: "Though using it doesn't worsen the corruption, it also seems unsustainable..."

"I've only created the beginning; once I delve deeper, wielding the Mysteries will let me rival a Martial Saint or Martial God—no big deal."

Fang Xing answered with confidence: "Even... once I use the Mysteries to break through to the Martial God realm, I'll surely be able to expel all corruption from my body and be fully healed!"

(End of Chapter)