[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-57":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starlight Professional",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308717,4512,"Chapter 57: The Path of Banditry","starlight-professional-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>\"A martial artist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a moment of distraction, two brothers were dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu’s heart lurched in shock as he turned to the newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood a young man in silver robes, sword and knife in hand, calmly beside the corpses of the Three Tigers, smiling at Ding Boshan and his granddaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Comrade Hongxiu, long time no see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Hongxiu felt the man was familiar, as if she had seen him long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were Fang Xing’s true face, she would have recognized him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before acting, Fang Xing had disguised himself, assuming the appearance he had when first entering Qinglin Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was naturally for safety!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his later appearance was tied to Chen Yi’s death, and he had openly killed people in the market—he might already be wanted by the Qingxuan Sect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then, we even set up stalls together!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing reminded him with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s you!?\" Ding Hongxiu’s face lit up with sudden joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Boshan, relieved to have survived, felt a pang of shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once looked down on the man, comparing him to that handsome young lord who came later—yet it was this man who came to his aid in his hour of need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Boshan looked at the corpses of Er Hu and San Hu, his expression turning grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Hu was gone, but Da Hu was the hardest to deal with!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s such a powerful martial artist in the market?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu stared at Fang Xing, his expression grim: \"You killed my two sworn brothers, forcing me to find two more. What are you going to do to compensate me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this martial artist was formidable, Da Hu wasn’t truly afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was a body cultivator, his physique hardened to the point where ordinary low-grade artifacts couldn’t harm him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Body cultivators, as a branch among cultivators, were relatively rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They still needed spiritual roots to enter the path, but their daily cultivation focused on refining their bodies with spiritual energy—not magical power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu had reached a level where he could rival late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, a rarity in the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, reaching such a level didn’t mean his body could ignore high-grade artifacts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could ignore high-grade artifacts and catch them barehanded, he’d be virtually invincible in the Qi Condensation realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, being able to catch low-grade artifacts barehanded was already impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach a body so hardened it could resist artifacts entirely, one needed at least the strength of a second-stage body cultivator comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, second-stage body cultivators still feared attacks from Foundation Establishment cultivators’ spiritual artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his current strength, Da Hu could largely ignore low-grade artifacts; if a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator wielded a mid-grade artifact, he’d need caution—not to be struck in vital spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a late-stage Qi Condensation expert wielded a high-grade artifact, he wouldn’t dare to block it directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, a normal late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, without defense, would die instantly under such an attack—but he could withstand several strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with body cultivator techniques, he had a strong chance of defeating a normal late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he faced only a martial artist; though the opponent seemed strong, Da Hu still trusted himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator was invincible against martial artists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he was stronger than ordinary late-stage cultivators, and a body cultivator to boot—this blood-refined artifact could at most match a low-grade artifact’s power, easily ignored!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Boshan clearly saw this too, and quickly warned: \"Comrade, be careful! Among the Black Absolute Three Tigers, Da Hu is the strongest—his body resists low-grade artifacts!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, now you say this? Isn’t it too late?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu looked at Fang Xing: \"You’re strong, and you’re skilled at ambushing cultivators. Why not become my second brother? Those two useless fools are dead—I need replacements anyway... If you agree, I might even spare these two today!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Become a bandit? Impossible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing shook his head—he was here to gain combat experience, not to rob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Refuse my offer and take punishment... You think, as a mere martial artist with a few mental arts, you can challenge cultivators...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu sneered, black qi surging around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his body cultivation technique—the Five Tiger Body Refinement Scripture—requiring him to hunt and kill tiger spirits, extracting their essence, blood, and souls to forge into his own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When pushed to its limit, it could even form a \"Tiger Soul,\" shielding his body and purging evil influences, offering protection against mental attacks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar! Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black qi coalesced, faintly taking the shape of a black tiger clinging to his body, swelling his frame, a dark \"King\" character appearing on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, Da Hu pulled out a \"Calm Mind Talisman\" and slapped it onto his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a body cultivator, he still possessed magical power and could use any cultivator item without issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he claimed not to fear, Da Hu was still wary of Fang Xing’s earlier technique that had made him lose focus for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fully activating his technique, he added a talisman to protect his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was confident—even a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator using a special artifact to attack his spirit wouldn’t faze him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s silver robes fluttered as his sword and knife suddenly roared to life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Ding Boshan and Ding Hongxiu slipped into mental paralysis again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Da Hu only lost focus for a heartbeat—his eyes quickly regained focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiger-shaped black qi swirling around him let out a roar and struck first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two massive black magical fists, one front, one back, surrounded Fang Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mental influence of Extreme Emotion Sword and Ghost God Knife no longer affects him much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing remained calm, his sword and knife crossing—Blade of Nothingness and One Sword to Break Magic merged seamlessly, slicing through the two magical fists, shredding them to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... A-grade martial arts mainly defend one’s spirit, and since I’m not proficient enough... It makes sense they can’t affect cultivators at this level?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This cultivator’s tiger roar must also have a spirit-shaking effect—yet it failed on me, proof enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After shattering the two fists, he flashed forward like a cloud-dragon twisting nine times, closing the distance to within seven feet of Da Hu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A martial artist: within three steps, all men are his enemies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven feet was now nothing to Fang Xing—he could reach it in a thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, sword and knife roared together!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade and light exploded, forming a dragon-tiger dual strike, slicing through the tiger-shaped black qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phantom Tiger Soul in the air let out a mournful wail and vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss! Hiss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword and knife crossed over Da Hu’s muscular arms, leaving behind a trail of white marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu sneered, opening his hand to seize the blade’s tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing frowned—Mo Wen Sword had already settled against Da Hu’s throat, a trickle of blood appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He floated back like a white cloud, staring at his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Wen Sword was unharmed, its tip still stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hundred-fold forged steel knife he’d bought casually in the market had snapped in two!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve damaged me with a low-grade artifact—you can be proud!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu wiped the blood from his neck, shoved the blade tip into his mouth, and chewed it like a bean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chewing metal raw!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If any martial artist from the mortal world saw this, they’d doubt their eyes, thinking they’d witnessed a legend!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After testing Fang Xing’s swordplay, Da Hu’s sneer deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain: though this martial artist was strong, he couldn’t threaten his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for a body cultivator—when enemies can’t even break through his defense, the advantage is clear!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I gave you a chance—you refused. Now die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Hu slipped on a pair of artifact-grade gauntlets—rare and expensive items in the market, designed specifically for body cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared, his body transforming into a colossal black tiger as he lunged at Fang Xing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed, dropped the steel knife, and Mo Wen Sword turned into a torrential downpour of blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extreme Emotion Sword was already the most intricate sword technique—and in his hands, it was flawlessly agile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their forms clashed several times, yet sword and gauntlet never touched, making Da Hu so frustrated he nearly vomited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You martial artist, do you only know how to dodge?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared, pulling a small black banner from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banner was pitch black, embroidered with a snow-white skull, lifelike—its hollow eye sockets seemed to emit ghostly flames...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A demonic artifact?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from the side, Ding Boshan was already thinking of dragging Ding Hongxiu away to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t take a loss, huh... Fine...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glanced at his status bar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Extreme Emotion Sword: 96\u002F100 (Beginner)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just using you to practice my swordplay—gaining a bit of proficiency isn’t bad...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hand appeared a silver firearm, aimed at Da Hu’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beam of silver-white laser flashed—Da Hu’s headless corpse collapsed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter how high your cultivation, one shot brings you down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing blew on the barrel, tucked away the laser gun, and turned to Ding Bushan and his granddaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What an incredible artifact!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Bushan’s pupils shrank: “This power rivals a Thunderbolt Pill—yet there’s not a trace of spiritual energy… Da Hu didn’t die unjustly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any artifact in actual combat emits spiritual energy fluctuations; cultivators have keen senses—they might not dodge the laser, but they can dodge the gun’s aim!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, even the best laser gun still requires a human operator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were a Foundation Establishment cultivator, their spiritual sense could easily lock onto Fang Xing now—they’d evade the aim before he even fired!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the eldest of the Black Absolute Three Tigers had clearly been careless—or overly confident in his physical body—and ended up with his head blown off, dead beyond redemption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Bushan, heart uneasy, bowed deeply with his daughter: “This old man and his granddaughter thank you, Daoist friend, for saving our lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I merely acted on a whim...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing had set out specifically to find a cultivator and ask about the marketplace, while practicing combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’d met someone he knew, he had no objection to lending a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, I’ve been training outside—how is Qinglin Marketplace now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Ding Bushan, eyes sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qinglin Marketplace… it’s been chaotic lately. With that secret realm emerging, the Qingxuan Sect’s enforcement force has weakened, and many bandit cultivators have appeared… sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Bushan’s face was bitter—he, a proper spirit farmer, held the lowest regard for those bandit cultivators with no real skill.\u003C\u002Fp>",1793,"2026-06-20T11:03:20.053Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1e207879f9c343d46e317c8dd18d2d3a9b6d1b6d26661c7824faffe5b3853cc4","starlight-professional-chapter-58","starlight-professional-chapter-56",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]