Chapter 97: 97. Master of the Dragon and Elephant Technique (In Honor of Ally Adrianfufu)

97. Chapter 97: Master of the Dragon and Elephant Technique (In Honor of Ally Adrianfufu)

By the river.

Temporary camp.

In the basement, Fang Xing neatly sorted and stored the cut bird meat and feathers.

Though the second-rank demon core was a valuable item, it held no use for him, and he could not find a alchemist to craft a Foundation Establishment pill, so it remained merely a collectible.

Yet this collectible was precious enough to be stored in a storage pouch.

Since acquiring the storage pouch, Fang Xing’s moves had become far easier—though, due to its sensitivity, he would never bring it to the Blue Star Federation, using it only here.

Moreover, since both storage pouches had limited capacity, he could not fit all the second-rank demon beast meat inside, so he used them merely as extra carrying space during transport.

“This place can be upgraded into a permanent camp.”

After stowing all the loot, Fang Xing scanned the area and felt reasonably satisfied.

Compared to the marketplace, this location had no spiritual energy and thus attracted no demon beasts.

Unlike Qinglin Marketplace, where even a brief absence triggered a massive demon beast brawl over the blood and flesh of a second-rank beast!

Even by the third day, a new second-rank demon beast appeared, seemingly coveting the territory of Jin Yu the Bald Eagle!

This made Fang Xing realize he could no longer stay at the marketplace, so he chose to return to his original landing site.

“Even if I can now slay a second-rank demon beast with a single strike, if a high-grade second-rank beast lands a few claws on me, I’ll be in serious trouble… and if I’m surrounded, or face a cautious second-rank flying beast that refuses to land, it’ll be troublesome…”

After his last battle, Fang Xing had gained a clear understanding of his own strength.

He also formed a vague comparison between this world’s immortal cultivation system and the Blue Star Federation’s martial arts system.

“Cultivation level is cultivation level. Combat power is combat power.”

“In terms of level alone, the Federation’s martial arts—first level: skin and flesh, second level: tendons and bones—is equivalent to this world’s post-heaven martial artist, merely refined more thoroughly.”

“The third level, Raw Jade, corresponds to this world’s pre-heaven martial artist—and can also be likened to a Qi Condensation beginner…”

Though immortal cultivators looked down on pre-heaven martial artists, they at least acknowledged that such martial artists could threaten Qi Condensation beginners!

“The fourth level, Courageous Martial Artist, should lie between late Qi Condensation and Qi Condensation completion… The fifth level, Landscape, might match Foundation Establishment? Then the sixth level, Martial Arts Golden Core, resembles a True Cultivator who has formed a Golden Core? Their lifespans seem roughly similar…”

Whether the Blue Star Federation’s Martial Arts Golden Core or this world’s Golden Core True Cultivator, both appeared to live around four to five hundred years.

But Fang Xing had not reached that level, so his guesses might be inaccurate.

“Of course, level is one thing—combat power is another.”

“At least a second-level Federation martial artist can learn an A-rank martial art; once mastered, they can fight pre-heaven cultivators!”

“And a third-level Raw Jade, if they master an S-rank martial art, can casually slay ordinary Qi Condensation mid-to-late stage cultivators… with a slim chance of threatening a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“As for me, a fourth-level Martial Artist, I’m off the charts—few can reach such heights in Courageous Stage with so many martial arts… So on Blue Star, I might even challenge weak Landscape cultivators. After Dragon and Elephant Technique reached Master rank, I’m at least equivalent to a second-rank body refinement cultivator.”

“As for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, their bodies are frail—let me get close and they’re dead! Even second-rank demon beasts with strong bodies can be killed if I catch them off guard…”

Fang Xing had self-awareness: humans surpass demon beasts by using tools.

Thus, to kill that demon bird, he would definitely use Qing Hong Sword for a clean, decisive strike.

Should he face a stronger enemy, he wouldn’t hesitate to deploy Gunfighting Arts.

“If we compare pure combat power, there’s no fair comparison… If Zhong Yuxiu came, armed with a military mech, she could slaughter Foundation Establishment cultivators at will… yet she’s only at third level, Raw Jade.”

“It seems the Blue Star Federation’s martial arts might even be stronger than this world’s immortal cultivation? At least in burst power and rapid progression!”

Fang Xing began pondering how to combine strengths and compensate for weaknesses.

Or rather, to absorb the wisdom of immortal civilization and forge his own path of “Immortal Martial Arts.”

“But… my exposure is still too limited.”

“Qinglin Marketplace is a backwater within a backwater—its cultivators cannot represent all cultivators.”

“Perhaps some true experts among Foundation Establishment cultivators can effortlessly slay second-rank demon beasts… If they wield powerful artifacts, they might rival low-tier mechs?”

Among immortal cultivators, there are methods to let low-level cultivators unleash high-level power.

The most common: talismans!

If a Qi Condensation cultivator activates a second-rank talisman, they temporarily unleash Foundation Establishment-level power.

If talismans can do this, then artifacts and arrays are even more potent.

Especially arrays!

They are the true art of gathering small strengths into overwhelming force—weak overcoming strong!

In Fang Xing’s view, arrays are the most powerful method among immortal arts for boosting individual combat power, potentially rivaling some low-tier Federation mechs.

For example, a Qi Condensation completion array master controlling a second-rank array might trap Zhong Yuxiu in her mech.

After all, Zhong Yuxiu’s current strength cannot sustain a powerful mech.

Of course, if Zhong Yuxiu became a Starfleet commander—even commanding just one warship—it would take a third- or even fourth-rank array to stop her.

…

A month passed in a flash.

In the wilds, deep within the forest.

Thud! Thud!

Terrifying impacts rang out continuously, shaking the ground and felling trees.

Countless birds took flight in panic; nearby small animals scattered in all directions like fleeing refugees.

Thud!

A dark shadow surged forward, slamming into Fang Xing with such force he was blasted away like a cannonball. His body recoiled rapidly, as if struck head-on by a speeding locomotive—crushing three ancient trees, each as thick as a waist, before finally stopping.

He patted his unharmed chest, then glanced at the second-rank demon beast across from him, and grinned: “That was fun… Again!”

The second-rank demon beast before him was a crimson wild boar, over three meters tall, now exhaling twin plumes of flame from its nostrils.

“Using magic? You’re playing dirty!”

Fang Xing dodged aside, closing in beside the boar, and grabbed one of its tusks.

Then he exerted force!

Like a mighty king lifting a tripod, he hoisted the massive boar and hurled it hard against a nearby hill!

Boom!

Amid the boar’s pained grunts, the hill bore a deep crater, stones flying everywhere.

“No wonder it’s a second-rank demon beast—even just newly ascended, its hide is thick and tough.”

Fang Xing stretched his shoulders and neck, giving a thumbs-up.

Lately, he had been intensely training, growing tired of the bird meat.

Plus, some martial arts require real combat to advance, so he ventured out seeking battle opportunities.

Using drones to avoid danger, he found this newly ascended second-rank demon beast.

Its strength matched his own perfectly—enabling him to fight without Qing Hong Sword, relying solely on his body’s defense and raw power.

—Of course, Fang Xing admitted he was also craving braised pork.

“Oink! Oink!”

The crimson boar rolled to its feet, utterly exasperated with this opponent.

The man was just too tough!

No matter how hard it charged or unleashed its innate demonic fire, the man showed no sign of injury.

Yet even a few light strikes from him left the boar wounded.

Now it exhaled thick black smoke, rapidly enveloping the area—preparing to flee.

Demon beasts were clever; they didn’t fight to the death against opponents they couldn’t defeat.

“Want to run? What a shame—such a perfect target.”

Fang Xing sighed, tapped his waist pouch, and Qing Hong Sword instantly shot out as a streak of blue light into his palm.

He flashed forward, appearing beside the boar, and Qing Hong Sword erupted into a razor-sharp, brilliant blue blade of light!

The blade curved like a dragon, slicing swiftly through the boar’s neck!

A massive boar’s head flew high, blood gushing.

“Today’s meal: pig’s blood with intestines… and prepare some pork stew. These ham cuts are good—start curing them…”

Fang Xing began butchering the second-rank demon beast, a hint of delight on his face.

“Can I now outright crush low-grade second-rank demon beasts?”

He knew his own limits.

Previously, slaying Jin Yu the Bald Eagle was pure luck—surprise and ambush.

Had the bird taken him seriously from the start, he’d have been running for his life.

But this second-rank beast was different: a true, clean kill—no fluke!

Even if repeated ten times, the outcome would be identical.

“My strength has improved…”

Fang Xing glanced at his status bar and noticed his martial arts level had changed:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 18】

【Profession: Martial Artist】

【Fourth Level: Courageous (57/200)】

…

“Cultivating Courageous Stage should relate to the Dantian… This data suggests my Dantian is now roughly one-quarter filled with spiritual energy…”

Combining this with the attribute panel, Fang Xing speculated about the cultivation of the Niwan Palace.

For a Warrior of the Courage Realm, the most important thing is the Warrior’s Will!

Each time a martial art is cultivated to the Master level and receives the baptism of its artistic conception, it should greatly strengthen the Niwan Palace and spiritual power—many benefits!

“But… without noticing, my birthday has passed…”

Looking at his age increased by another year, Fang Xing couldn’t help but sigh; even under the laws of the Blue Star Federation, he was now an adult.

“If I hadn’t crossed over, the original Fang Xing clearly would have failed the college entrance exam… At eighteen, upon finishing senior high, he’d likely have been drafted—into the most dangerous frontline cannon fodder unit.”

“Natural-born families could use connections to choose technical roles, logistics, or even space forces… but bio-engineered humans? They’d definitely be the most dangerous frontline cannon fodder!”

Bio-engineered humans carried heavy debts and had no choice in enlistment—they’d most likely be assigned to the Secret Realm units, forced to face the Dark God’s followers head-on, blade in hand!

Natural-born citizens fared better: aside from logistics, they’d most likely be assigned to space forces, serving aboard space fortresses or starfleet vessels, where years might pass without a major battle—even in combat, most would operate from screens, offering far greater safety.

Of course, if such space forces were defeated, they could suffer total annihilation.

Some natural-born individuals, seeking to hone their martial will or for other reasons, deliberately joined the Secret Realm cannon fodder units, fighting daily against the Dark God’s followers.

As Fang Xing was lost in thought, his expression suddenly changed—he turned toward his storage pouch.

His spiritual power swept through it, revealing a dark iron token among the clutter, emitting a faint glow.