Chapter 48: Tiger Subduing

In the Blue Star Federation, martial arts are seen as cannon fodder, but their future is actually very bright... It’s also a path of human evolution; if you achieve a Martial Arts Golden Core, you’ll be a major figure even on Falcon Star.

Xia Long seemed to say it casually: “A Martial Arts Golden Core cultivator can live four or five hundred years even without any gene surgery... As for higher levels, our Blue Star Federation’s Martial Saints and Martial Gods have never died of old age—only in battle.”

“Martial Arts Golden Core... four or five hundred years?”

Fang Xing was stunned.

After years in Qinglin Marketplace, he had heard that beyond Foundation Establishment came the Elder stage of Golden Core.

In the Qingxuan Sect alone, there was one such being, said to have lived over four hundred years!

And it seemed that within the Golden Core stage, there were further distinctions: False Core, True Core, and Golden Core.

“Shouldn’t the Immortal Golden Core be different from the Martial Arts Golden Core?”

“But it sounds somewhat similar.”

A series of questions rose in Fang Xing’s mind: “I wonder how a Martial Arts Golden Core cultivator would fare against an Immortal Realm Golden Core Elder?”

“So you understand? If you ever hope to break through to a Martial Arts Golden Core, the Dragon Pillar and Tiger Pillar are absolutely essential—you must reach at least Stage Four. I see great potential in your Dragon Pillar; don’t miss this chance...”

Xia Long’s voice was extremely serious.

Even achieving the Dragon-Tiger Realm is merely the most basic requirement for attempting the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core; many more trials lie ahead.

But if you cannot even attain the Dragon-Tiger Realm, there’s no point even speaking of the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core.

Therefore, even if Fang Xing now only showed a glimmer of hope, he would give him serious guidance.

“Thank you, Master. What realm are you in?”

Fang Xing was curious.

“Me?”

Xia Long smiled slightly, and suddenly, streams of silver-white lightning erupted around him.

Shhh!

Lightning danced everywhere, turning the surroundings into a lightning hell.

Fang Xing instantly felt his whole body tingling as if electrocuted, every hair standing on end.

To blend in better in ancient times, he had deliberately let his hair grow out—resulting in an even more comical spiky hairstyle.

“A domain prototype... External Landscape Realm!”

Fang Xing understood: “No wonder...”

Professionals in the Federation held certain status; reaching the fourth realm of martial arts qualified one as a certified “Professional.”

Xia Long was a fifth-rank expert—no wonder he always acted so arrogant and could take vacations on other planets during summer!

“When inner intent manifests externally, when spirit influences matter—that is called ‘External Landscape’!”

Xia Long smiled faintly, then checked his watch: “You haven’t said which A-grade martial art you’ll train. The school curriculum only offers three choices: Ghost God Blade, Crazy Eighteen Strikes, and Demon Madness Staff Technique... Judging by your mastery of the Twelve Forms of Military Boxing, I recommend Crazy Eighteen Strikes. Both are part of the ‘Military Path Killing Fist’ series, and later, when you join the military, you’ll seamlessly access deeper techniques.”

“I choose ‘Ghost God Blade!’” Fang Xing said firmly.

“Huh? Didn’t you hear me?”

Xia Long frowned, and immediately, pressure surged forth.

Within his domain prototype, even a Courage Realm martial artist would be suppressed; even though Xia Long had restrained himself, Fang Xing still felt breathless, even unconsciously wanting to obey.

‘This is a domain prototype? Truly tyrannical!’

He stirred internally but still insisted: “I choose Ghost God Blade!”

“Why?” Xia Long showed a hint of confusion.

“Because I’ve already entered the threshold of Ghost God Blade.” Fang Xing felt the pressure vanish and exhaled deeply.

“What?”

Xia Long’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

“While working before, I met Gu Yun and received some guidance. Then I went to the black market to observe underground fighting, repeatedly contemplating the ‘Ghost God Blade’ realm... Perhaps I have a natural talent for this art; my meditation method and hypnosis techniques also came easily, so I succeeded in entering the threshold... Don’t believe me? Let me show you a few moves.”

Fang Xing explained—this way, if he was ever found to have visited the black market, he could openly claim it was to study Ghost God Blade!

“Show me!”

Xia Long’s face turned grim; he didn’t move, yet a ghost-headed great blade flew automatically from the wall and landed in Fang Xing’s hands.

With the blade in hand, Fang Xing’s expression changed instantly—his blade erupted with a sheen of blade aura!

“Enough, no need to show more—you... you...”

Xia Long pointed at Fang Xing, his smile widening until it became a roaring laugh: “Hahahaha... You’ve given Old Xia a tremendous surprise! At the High School Second-Year Final ‘Hundred-Star Exam,’ you must crush the students from SanYe High and Phoenix High, and win us Falcon Star a top ranking!”

“Yes, Master!”

Fang Xing solemnly agreed—he knew the higher his rank, the more benefits Xia Long would gain.

In this way, he repaid the earlier investment.

“Since you’ve already entered Ghost God Blade, today we’ll focus on the Tiger Pillar!”

Xia Long seemed to reassess Fang Xing and adjusted his teaching plan.

At that moment, as he pressed a button, a massive 3D projection of a black tiger appeared in the classroom.

Though he knew it was only a projection, the tiger’s posture, gait—even its aura—seemed to leak out naturally, radiating tiger majesty that sent chills down the spine.

“The Tiger Pillar requires observing the tiger’s form, then attaining spiritual resonance...”

Xia Long began explaining the Tiger Pillar: “The posture is still, but the spirit is alive. Only when the tiger’s form is ingrained into your bones can you truly achieve it... This ‘Black Nightmare Tiger’ projection is specially crafted—it nearly perfectly replicates the demeanor of that ancient tiger beast!”

“Originally, the Tiger Pillar was just an ordinary qi-blood pillar technique on Blue Star. But in the interstellar age, we discovered many tiger beasts on other planets—among them, the ‘Black Nightmare Tiger’ was deemed the most suitable for visualization! Ancient martial artists were lucky to leave behind one or two meditation diagrams—how could they compare to such immersive experience? Also remember: this special projection is only available at the most legitimate schools. Online videos may be inaccurate and even harmful—so if you want to observe, you must come here!”

After speaking, Xia Long immediately formed claws and lunged forward.

Roar!

Fang Xing instantly felt a ferocious tiger charging straight at him.

It was as if Xia Long was no longer human—but a tiger demon in human form!

“I’ll imitate him...”

He dropped to all fours, mimicking Xia Long’s movements while observing the Black Nightmare Tiger, imprinting its demeanor firmly in his mind.

The Tiger Pillar, like the Dragon Pillar, was a C-grade martial art—entering the threshold wasn’t difficult.

Thus, when school ended, Fang Xing glanced at his status bar and saw it quietly lit up with a blood bar:

【Tiger Pillar: 1/100 (Threshold Entered)】

“With the foundation of Dragon Pillar, my early progress in Tiger Pillar should be swift... Not to mention I have other resources.”

For one thing, there were many tiger demons around Qinglin Marketplace—even Fang Xing had eaten tiger demon meat, and at home he still had the tiger bones gifted by that dead man Meng Yi!

“Tiger demon bones soaked in alcohol should work well... Also, I should check Qingdan Marketplace for ‘Tiger Bone Pills’ or similar bone-strengthening pills...”

“As for tiger beasts, Blue Star seems inferior to the other world... If I could find a descendant carrying even a trace of third-rank tiger demon blood, like ‘Dragon Blood Pills,’ and refine it into a special pill, it would greatly aid in comprehending the ‘Tiger Realm’!”

“The Dragon-Tiger Realm—I will definitely obtain it. That’s the seed of the Golden Core. Who knows? It might even earn me bonus points for university entrance!”

“Indeed, our Blue Star martial arts must crush the otherworldly immortal paths!”

Fang Xing always believed that one’s position and interests were aligned.

Now that he had no spiritual root and couldn’t cultivate immortality, he was firmly a martial arts faction member!

As for the future? We’ll deal with that later!

If the benefits are great enough, even flipping your face and saying “I was wrong” won’t cost you a thing.

A small boat turning is flexible!

Leaving school, Fang Xing stood by the riverbank, gazing at his reflection in the water, silently giving himself a thumbs-up.

At that moment, Liu Wei also stepped out; the two met, nodded calmly, then went their separate ways.

The sun set, stretching their two shadows infinitely long.

Happy Home Community.

“It’s the start of term—rest for one night first.”

Fang Xing ordered takeout, then put on his holographic glasses and sank into a game.

Only when eating did he remember something and send Gu Yun a congratulatory message.

After all, it was her first day of high school; if Xia Long hadn’t mentioned it, he’d have forgotten entirely.

After Fang Xing finished eating, Gu Yun’s reply came.

“Huh? She’s calling? Answer it!”

Fang Xing put on his holographic glasses, and before him appeared a tea room.

Gu Yun wore her school uniform, her hair tied into two buns, slowly brewing tea.

Seeing Fang Xing enter, she showed no expression, only nodded: “Thank you, Senior!”

“Mm. As a first-year, if you have any questions, ask me—I know Yucai High well. I know exactly which cafeteria aunt serves the best nutritious meal... Though honestly, they’re all pretty bad.”

Fang Xing sat down and sipped the tea.

Even this virtual tea had a faint, fragrant aroma.

“This semester, my high school produced several top students who can enter university...” Gu Yun got straight to the point: “One of them... is you?”

“Didn’t expect the news spread so fast?” Fang Xing was slightly surprised.

“The principal is going all out for the college admission rate.” Gu Yun looked at Fang Xing, her eyes holding a spark of challenge: “It seems you’ve improved greatly this summer. Good—I want to test you. Let’s fight another day!”

“Alright, alright...”

Fang Xing waved his hand, exasperated—he knew Gu Yun only contacted him for business.

“Also, I’ve applied to the principal for off-campus internship opportunities—if your strength impresses me, I can recommend you to join me...”

Gu Yun then mentioned something that made Fang Xing raise an eyebrow: “Oh? Is this the prize for a martial challenge?”

“If you think it is, then it is!”