Chapter 4: White Moonlight (Please Collect)

On the way to school, Fang Xing was still pondering the issue of powerful weapons.

At this point, his journey in Martial Arts had just begun, and he hadn't even completed refining the first realm, "Skin and Flesh," thus he was just a small shrimp.

Traveling through other worlds rashly was prone to danger.

But what humans excelled at was using tools and leveraging external forces!

"A laser gun, if I could get a military-grade one, that would be awesome..."

A military version of the laser gun definitely wouldn't have 'not-to-be-used-against-humans' protocol, making it a small killing device.

"I shouldn't even think about the regular stores for this, but perhaps the black market..."

Fang Xing kicked a pebble with his foot.

The pebble elegantly soared through the air and landed in a small river, creating over a dozen skips on the water.

Within the Blue Star Federation, humanity was not harmonious and unified but had been plagued with constant contradictions since ancient times.

Moreover, those terrifying Outer Realm Evil Gods even mastered the "Imaginary Space's" authority, enabling them to deploy their clans and even more dangerous offspring of the Evil God into human territories!

The destruction they caused was minor; the main issue was the spread of their beliefs, even leading to the emergence of covert cultists.

"Cultists, the Resistance Army... are serious internal threats to humanity..."

"It's said that there is a black market outside Fengye City where anything is for sale, possibly even traces of cultists..."

"This is playing with fire, and I am a good student after all."

"Moreover, I don't have enough money..."

Once the balance in his wallet crossed his mind, Fang Xing suddenly abandoned all other thoughts: "Next, I'll focus on studying hard, working diligently... saving up money. If I can't afford a laser gun, buying an electric baton will also do..."

...

Three days later.

[Name: Fang Xing]

[Age: 16]

[Profession: Martial Artist]

[First Realm: Skin and Flesh (Refining Skin: 22/100)]

[Military Boxing Twelve Styles: 57/100 (Beginner)]

[Great Dragon Stance: 68/100 (Beginner)]

[Gate of All Heavens: 5/100 (Locating)]

...

At school, after completing the Great Dragon Stance, Fang Xing looked at his attribute bar, somewhat silent.

"Three days of arduous cultivation, and the quickest growth was actually in the Gate of All Heavens... ridiculous..."

"The most crucial Martial Arts realm, refining skin, only increased by 1 skill point. At this rate, I need another 231 days to fully refine my skin and then my flesh... Only when both skin and flesh are perfected can I attempt to break through to the Second Realm—Sinews and Bones!"

"Refining skin is close to taking a year; refining flesh will be even harder, let alone the initial period where skill points might increase by one every four or even five days..."

"Based on this calculation, dreaming of advancing to the Third Realm before graduation is indeed a dream..."

Fang Xing pursed his lips.

Of course, calculations are not always so straightforward. Special nutritional medicines and even auxiliary cultivation devices could greatly speed up the cultivation process.

However, these were out of his reach.

"The only way left is the 'Great Dragon Stance!'"

"Currently, my Great Dragon Stance is only at a beginner level, naturally the efficiency in refining my skin and flesh is low... but once it reaches higher levels... the efficiency will surely be incomparable."

"Unfortunately, the improvement in the Great Dragon Stance is not swift either. The path of Martial Arts is indeed difficult..."

Fang Xing reflected to himself.

"Ah Xing... ready to go to work? This time it's in the affluent district... Ever heard of the Glorious Manor?"

Liu Wei came over with a sly look, his eyes darting around.

"Oh? That famous affluent community where all the rich people live..."

Fang Xing seemed to recall something, his mouth curving slightly: "Someone from our school... their family seems to live in the Glorious Manor..."

Hearing this, Liu Wei's face turned a bit red and he looked around: "Cut the chatter, are we going?"

"Definitely!"

Fang Xing readily agreed: "I need money... but let me be clear, I won't take jobs from Second Realm individuals..."

"Of course, Second Realm Martial Artists wouldn't bother with us anyway..." Liu Wei replied as if it were a given.

With the technology of the Blue Star Federation, finding purely physical labor was already challenging.

The jobs that the previous owner and Liu Wei sought out were naturally not ordinary but rather — human punching bags!

For Martial Artists, refining skills on living targets was always more effective than on static ones.

"Human bodies are the most sophisticated and complex,'' some students with natural talent opted to hire human punching bags for training instead of the specialized training robots, which were too luxurious for First Realm Martial Artists.

Fang Xing mused about this as he headed to the Glorious Manor.

After disembarking the hover train, a sight of green hills and waters greeted him, with the occasional villa sprinkled among them, showing a harmonious and quaint atmosphere.

The streets were clean and tidy, with few pedestrians, but each was dressed impeccably.

The environment near Yutai High School was already considered good, but compared to this area, it was like the difference between a grass chicken and a phoenix.

At the entrance of the Glorious Manor, two security guards in uniform were standing upright, as sturdy as pine trees, their demeanor exuding an inexplicable aura.

Fang Xing knew just by looking that these two were at least practicing an entry-level above of the Great Dragon Stance, their aura was fierce and compelling.

'So this is the affluent district? Even the security guards are at least Third Realm Martial Artists...'

He scoffed internally, while beside him, Liu Wei had already approached with a beaming smile: "Hello, senior guards, Brother Wang... care for a cigarette?"

They had worked here before and were somewhat acquainted, knowing that these two guards came from Yutai High School and were tough individuals who had survived the battlefield.

He wasn't ruthless enough, nor could he compete for this job.

Brother Wang, with his naive-looking facial features, waved his hand, speaking righteously, "Liu, even though we know each other, we still need to follow procedures... Register first, and then have the owner make a call, only then can we let people in!"

"Of course, of course..."

Liu Wei nodded repeatedly, gesturing Fang Xing to come forward and register, giving him a meaningful look.

Fang Xing stepped forward, shifting his body to block the surveillance camera.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Wei stealthily slipping a pack of cigarettes into Brother Wang's pocket, and couldn't help but nod in approval: 'Such skill... even more painstaking than the Military Boxing Twelve Styles...'

But knowing the logic that "it's easier to deal with the king than his minions," Fang Xing could only silently curse in his heart: "Xinghe brand? Costs over a thousand per pack, doesn't it? What a rip-off..."

Brother Wang pocketed the cigarettes, smiling cheerily, "Received the call, we'll take you there... It's the rule."

As he spoke, he moved towards the magnetic levitation car next to the sentry booth. "Get in!"

This was clearly to prevent visitors from wandering around and disturbing other owners.

Fang Xing and Liu Wei got in, and the levitation car rose into the air and flew toward a villa.

The leather seats were incredibly comfortable, and there wasn't the slightest bump along the way.

Liu Wei looked around, as if it were his first visit, which made Fang Xing inwardly smirk, knowing that the other was looking for his crush—Ouyang Qianqian.

Ouyang Qianqian was Liu Wei's classmate, well-developed, with fair skin and big eyes.

Most importantly—she was a natural-born human!

Although there was no legal difference between natural and bioengineered humans, the disparities in ethnicity, resources, and social status were enough to make any youthful heart despair.

For this reason, Liu Wei always kept his affection hidden, with no one in his class aware of his secret love for Ouyang Qianqian, except Fang Xing.

At that moment, another levitation car flew by, crossing paths with Fang Xing and his companions.

It appeared to be carrying just a young girl.

"Ah!"

Liu Wei turned his head abruptly, eyes widening, but he quickly shut his mouth.

"We've arrived..."

Brother Wang dropped Fang Xing and Liu Wei off in front of a villa's massive gate, then stylishly got back into his car and left.

That was when Liu Wei finally spoke, "Ah Xing, that person just now... was that Bai Lianyi?"

"I don't know, couldn't see clearly."

It was only a fleeting glimpse, but Fang Xing felt there was a seventy to eighty percent chance.

"Bai Lianyi, like us, is a bioengineered person, how can she afford to live in such a place? She's also the top student in our class... she usually dislikes mingling with us, could the rumors be true?"

Liu Wei's eyes darted around.

Fang Xing was speechless. Bai Lianyi was beautiful, with a demeanor like a delicate family jewel, even more attractive than Ouyang Qianqian. Drawn to her beauty and aloofness, many rumors spread about her.

"It's said four hundred a time..."

Liu Wei seemingly muttered to himself.

"Ahem, don't believe in rumors, don't spread rumors... Besides..."

Fang Xing lifted his chin slightly, signaling that their employer was about to come out, and they were under surveillance, so it was best if Liu Wei didn't seek trouble.

"Sigh..."

Liu Wei sighed, "Too bad... I don't have the money."

Fang Xing gave him a side glance, knowing full well Liu Wei had more savings than he did, and was even more miserly.

'What about your crush Ouyang Qianqian? Is she still not as significant as a cinnabar mole?'

Just as he was about to say something, the villa's door automatically opened, and a girl's voice came through: "You've arrived? Come to the training area yourself!"

Fang Xing walked through the garden to a flat area.

Around were various wooden posts and racks, on which various weapons hung.

He sniffed, catching a strong scent of medicine, knowing these were specially treated wooden posts soaked in medicinal solution to effectively heal bodily injuries and invigorate the qi.

At the side of the posts stood a girl.

She had her hair pulled back into a bun, looking as if she was only thirteen or fourteen years old, her face still childlike and features delicate, very adorable. She was dressed in training garb, holding a wooden blade in her hand.

The wooden blade was dark red, with clearly visible grains and a shiny, oily sheen, clearly well-handled over a long time.

"My name is 'Gu Yun,' It was I who hired you."

Gu Yun flicked her wooden blade, pointing at a weapon rack, "Know what to do? Grab two wooden sticks, and let's practice..."

"This... little sister, it's not really appropriate, we might accidentally hurt you..." Liu Wei quickly picked up a wooden stick, swinging it through the air with a muffled sound, somewhat embarrassed.

Gu Yun raised an eyebrow, "If you can injure me, I'll double your wage!"

"Okay!"

Liu Wei shouted, holding the stick with both hands, and executed a move 'Forceful Mountain Split,' with the shadow of the stick fiercely falling.

Crack!

The stick hit the ground, emitting a crisp sound.

"So fast!"

Fang Xing's face twitched, recalling the little girl's movements, feeling as if her steps were like a civet, quick as the wind.

"Attack!"

As he pondered, a shadow flashed by his side, accompanied by a sharp cry, a blade shadow chopping down on Liu Wei's shoulder.

"Ah!"

Liu Wei screamed in pain, sent flying as if his shoulder was dislocated.

Had it been a real blade, probably half of his body along with his shoulder would have been sliced off.

Liu Wei fell to the ground, looking at Gu Yun, and couldn't help but wail, "Cultivated to perfection? And a Grade B Martial Arts 'Demon Blade'? Even a Second Realm Martial Artist might not be able to beat you, right? This job isn't right!"

"But I am just a First Realm Martial Artist, and haven't broken through yet..."

Gu Yun smiled sweetly, looking at Fang Xing, "Your turn... but indeed, I'm too strong, there's no training effect this way..."

She pressed a button on her wristband, and her clothes suddenly lit up, "Wait until I activate the Gravity Suit, then we'll fight!"