Subduing Tiger (Monthly Pass Request at the Start of the Month)

"In the Blue Star Federation, although Martial Arts is considered cannon-fodder-tier, its prospects are actually very bright... It is also a path of human evolution. If you can achieve a Martial Path Golden Core, you'll be considered a major figure on Chuying Star."

Xia Long seemed to speak casually. "A Martial Path Golden Core expert can live four or five hundred years even without undergoing any Gene Surgery... As for those at higher levels, among the Martial Saints and Martial Gods of the Blue Star Federation, some have died in battle, but none have died of old age!"

"Martial Path Golden Core, four or five hundred years?"

Fang Xing was stunned.

After spending years in Green Forest Market, he had also heard that above the Foundation Establishment Stage were the ancestors of the Core Formation Stage.

Such beings—there was one even within the Qingxuan Sect, and it was said that he had lived for over four hundred years!

And it seemed that within the Core Formation Stage, there were distinctions such as False Core, True Core, and Golden Core.

"Immortal Path Golden Cores should be different from Martial Path Golden Cores, right?"

"But they do sound rather similar."

Questions surfaced one after another in Fang Xing's mind. I wonder what would happen if a Martial Path Golden Core expert fought a Core Formation ancestor from the Cultivation World?

"So you understand now? If you want to strive for a Martial Path Golden Core in the future, the Great Dragon Stance and Subduing Tiger Stance are of utmost importance. You must reach at least the Fourth Stage. I can see that you have great talent in the Great Dragon Stance, so you can't let this opportunity slip by..."

Xia Long's voice was incomparably solemn.

Even if one achieved the Dragon-Tiger Artistic Conception, it was merely the most basic requirement for attempting the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core. There were still many hurdles ahead.

But if one could not even achieve the Dragon-Tiger Artistic Conception, then there was no point even mentioning the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core.

Therefore, even though Fang Xing only seemed to have a sliver of hope at present, Xia Long still gave him this earnest guidance.

"Thank you, Teacher. What realm are you in?"

Fang Xing was somewhat curious.

"Me?"

Xia Long smiled faintly as arcs of silver-white electricity suddenly surged around his body.

Whoosh!

Bolts of lightning coursed about, making the surroundings seem as though they had fallen into Thunder Prison!

Fang Xing immediately felt as if a weak current were passing through his entire body, and every strand of his hair stood on end.

To make moving around in the ancient world more convenient, he had deliberately started growing out his hair. The result was even more comical—it had turned into a hedgehog hairstyle.

"Domain Prototype... Outer Scene Realm!"

Fang Xing understood. "No wonder..."

Professionals held a certain degree of status in the Federation, and one could be certified as a Professional upon reaching the Fourth Realm of Martial Arts.

Xia Long was actually a fifth-realm expert. No wonder he always looked so arrogant, and could even vacation on other planets during summer break!

"When one's inner artistic conception manifests outwardly and the spirit affects matter, it is called the Outer Scene!"

Xia Long smiled faintly and checked the time again. "You still haven't told me—which A-Rank Martial Arts do you plan to cultivate? The school curriculum only offers three choices: Ghost God Blade, Crazy Eighteen Strikes, and Mad Demon Staff Technique... Judging from your mastery of the Military Body Boxing Twelve Forms, I recommend Crazy Eighteen Strikes. These two Martial Arts come from the same lineage and both belong to the Military Path Killing Fist series. If you join the military in the future, there will be more advanced Martial Arts that you can transition into seamlessly."

"I choose Ghost God Blade!" Fang Xing stated his choice in a deep voice.

"Hm? Didn't you hear what I said?"

Xia Long frowned, and an oppressive pressure followed.

Within a Domain Prototype, even Courage Realm martial artists would be suppressed. Although Xia Long was already restraining himself, Fang Xing still felt as though he could barely breathe, and even had an involuntary urge to obey him.

So this is a Domain Prototype? It really is overbearing!

His heart stirred, but he still insisted, "I choose Ghost God Blade!"

"The reason?" Xia Long revealed a trace of puzzlement.

"Because I've already reached Beginner level in Ghost God Blade." Fang Xing felt the pressure vanish and immediately let out a long breath.

"What?"

Xia Long's eyes widened, finding it almost impossible to believe.

"Because of my previous part-time job, I got to know Gu Yun and received some guidance from her. Then I went to the Black Market to observe underground boxing matches and repeatedly contemplated the artistic conception of Ghost God Blade... Maybe I have some talent for this Martial Arts. I also quickly reached Beginner level in the Meditation Method and hypnosis, so I successfully got started... If you don't believe me, I can show you a few moves."

Fang Xing gave his explanation. This way, even if it was discovered later that he had visited the Black Market, he could openly explain that he had gone there to observe Ghost God Blade!

"Show me!"

Xia Long's expression became extremely serious. Without moving his body, he made a large ghost-headed saber fly down from the wall and land in Fang Xing's hands.

The instant the saber was in his hand, Fang Xing's expression changed. A layer of saber radiance burst from its blade!

"Enough, no need to demonstrate. You brat... you brat..."

Xia Long pointed at Fang Xing, but the smile at the corners of his mouth only widened until it became wild laughter. "Hahaha... You've given this old Xia such a huge surprise! At the second-year final Hundred Star Joint Examination, you must show those students from Three Leaves High School and Phoenix High School what you're made of, then win a good ranking for our Chuying Star!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Fang Xing agreed solemnly. The better his ranking, the more benefits Xia Long should receive.

That could be considered repayment for his earlier investment.

"Since you've already reached Beginner level in Ghost God Blade, today we'll mainly study the Subduing Tiger Stance!"

It was as if Xia Long had gotten to know Fang Xing all over again, and he adjusted his teaching plan accordingly.

As he pressed a certain button, a giant 3D projection of a Black Tiger immediately appeared in the classroom.

Though he knew it was a projection, the Black Tiger's expression, gait... even its aura seemed to spill forth with it. It naturally carried the might of a tiger, making one shudder with fear.

"The Subduing Tiger Stance requires observing a tiger's form, then attaining spiritual resonance..."

Xia Long began explaining the Subduing Tiger Stance. "The stance is dead, but the spirit is alive. Only when you train the tiger's form into your bones can it be considered true accomplishment... This projection of a Black Nightmare Tiger was specially made. It can almost perfectly simulate the demeanor of that tiger beast from back then!"

"Originally, the Subduing Tiger Stance was merely an ordinary Qi-Blood stance technique on Blue Star. But after entering the Interstellar Age, we discovered many tiger beasts on other planets. Among them, the Black Nightmare Tiger was judged to be the interstellar creature most suitable for visualization! Those ancient martial artists were lucky to leave behind one or two meditation diagrams. How could they compare to something this immersive... Also, remember this: only the school has these specially made projections in their most proper form. Videos elsewhere online may not be accurate and may even be harmful. So if you want to observe one, do it here!"

After saying that, Xia Long immediately formed claws with both hands and pounced forward.

Roar!

Fang Xing instantly felt as if a ferocious tiger were lunging straight at him.

It was as if Xia Long were not human, but a Tiger Demon in human form!

"I'll try following along..."

He got down on all fours and began imitating Xia Long's movements. At the same time, he observed the Black Nightmare Tiger and firmly memorized its mannerisms deep in his heart.

Like the Great Dragon Stance, the Subduing Tiger Stance was only a C-Rank Martial Arts, so reaching Beginner level was not very difficult.

Therefore, by the time school ended, Fang Xing glanced at his attribute panel and saw that it had calmly lit up a Health Bar:

Subduing Tiger Stance: 1/100 (Beginner)

"With the foundation of the Great Dragon Stance, progress in the early stages of the Subduing Tiger Stance should be very fast... Besides, I have other resources."

Not to mention that there were plenty of Tiger Demons around Green Forest Market. Fang Xing had even eaten Tiger Demon Meat before, and he still had the Tiger Bone gifted by that dead bastard Meng Yi at home!

"Tiger Demon bones should work quite well when steeped in wine... Besides that, I can visit Azure Pill Workshop and see whether they have any bone-tempering spiritual medicines like Tiger Bone Pills..."

"When it comes to tiger beasts, Blue Star seems inferior to the Other World as well... If I can find descendants containing a trace of the bloodline of a third-rank Tiger Demon, like with the Dragon Blood Pill, and refine them into special pills, it would clearly be very beneficial for comprehending Tiger Intent!"

"I'll definitely obtain the Dragon-Tiger Artistic Conception. That's the seed of a Golden Core—maybe it'll even earn me extra points for university admissions!"

"As expected, the Martial Arts of Blue Star must crush the Immortal Path of the other world!"

Fang Xing had always firmly believed in the principle that one's stance should align with one's interests.

Now that he had no Spiritual Root and could not cultivate immortality, he was a resolute supporter of Martial Arts!

As for the future? He would deal with it when it came!

If the benefits were sufficient, then he could just swallow his pride and admit that it was worth it. It wouldn't cost him a piece of flesh.

Turning a small boat around was called flexibility!

After leaving the school gates, Fang Xing stood on the road beside the riverbank and looked at his reflection in the water. He could not help silently giving himself a thumbs-up.

Just then, Liu Wei also came out. When the two met, they merely nodded calmly before heading off in different directions.

As the sun set, their two shadows stretched endlessly long.

Happy Home District.

"Since school has started at last, I'll rest for one night first."

Fang Xing ordered takeout, put on his holographic glasses, and immersed himself in games.

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

After all, it was her first day of First Year High School. If Xia Long had not mentioned it earlier, he would have nearly forgotten.

By the time Fang Xing finished eating, Gu Yun's reply had arrived as well.

"Hm? She's actually calling? I'll answer it!"

Fang Xing put on his holographic glasses, and a teahouse appeared before his eyes.

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

When she saw Fang Xing enter, her expression did not change much. She merely nodded. "Thank you, Senior."

"Mm. Now that you're a First Year High School student, you can ask me about anything you don't understand. I'm quite familiar with Yucai High School. I even know exactly which cafeteria auntie makes the best Nutrient Meal... Though none of them are very good, anyway."

Fang Xing sat down and took a sip of tea.

Even this virtually generated tea carried a faint fragrance.

"I heard today that several top students emerged in the second year—students who can get into university..." Gu Yun went straight to the point. "One of them... is you?"

"I didn't expect the news to spread so quickly." Fang Xing was slightly surprised.

"For the sake of the admission rate, Principal Uncle has really gone to great lengths." Gu Yun looked at Fang Xing, a trace of fighting spirit in her eyes. "It seems you've improved greatly this summer. Good... I want to test myself too. Let's arrange a match another day!"

"Sure, sure, sure..."

Fang Xing waved his hand, feeling somewhat helpless. He knew Gu Yun had business with him.

"Besides that, I also applied to Principal Uncle for an Off-Campus Internship opportunity. If your strength satisfies me, I can recommend you to join me..."

Gu Yun continued with another matter, causing Fang Xing's eyebrows to rise. "Oh? Is that the prize for our martial arts challenge?"

"If you think it is, then it is!"