Star Sky Professional

Even though it's a pit, laundering huge sums of Star Coin is still a must.

After stepping out of the money laundering shop, Fang Xing exhaled a long breath, "So dark... Maybe I can just use cash for various living expenses in the future?"

He wanted to launder a sum of money merely to have a record of purchasing large quantities of nutrient fluid, to justify the rapid progress of his abilities.

'But in reality, Teacher Xia Long and the school might not even bother checking on me...'

'Even the Federation detectives mostly focus on businesses involving tens of millions or billions... I'm not even small fry...'

While thinking, Fang Xing began to search for the shop he had yearned for.

His primary objective for coming to the black market had now been accomplished.

What remained was to rummage around to see if there were any A-level Martial Arts techniques or anything else that could aid his Martial Arts progression.

To speak frankly, apart from all kinds of special resources, teachings and secret skills still definitely favored Chuying Star over Qinglin Square.

"Hmm?"

It wasn't long before Fang Xing stopped in front of what seemed to be an abandoned gymnasium.

The dome of the gymnasium was shattered but seemed to have undergone some repairs, largely maintaining its integrity.

The original name of the gymnasium had been smeared over with a layer of blood, replaced with large letters—'Blood Cage Fighting Arena'!

"Underground fighting arena? Unsanctioned matches?"

After seeing clearly, Fang Xing couldn't help but sigh.

All of these martially trained bio-engineered student fighters were aware of the existence of such unsanctioned matches.

Even Liu Wei had looked for part-time jobs in that area before.

After all, bio-engineered humans were cheap lives, and if they wanted to earn money or rapidly advance in martial skills, participating in underground fighting was a good choice—as long as they didn't die! They were sure to become experts!

Of course, at that time, both Liu Wei and Fang Xing had clear heads, and they knew that many bio-engineered seniors who took this path ended either dead in the ring or with severe injuries and disabilities, plus insurmountable debts and unable to pay for their medical expenses, so they never considered it.

"Among these underground fights, there are definitely experts, and rich rewards! A-level Martial Arts are just the tip of the iceberg..."

Fang Xing entered the Blood Cage Fighting Arena and found the place unusually quiet.

At the reception desk, there was a girl dressed in a cute bunny girl outfit, looking at him with large, round eyes: "Dear guest, the Blood Cage Fighting Arena opens at 8 o'clock in the evening..."

"Um..."

Fang Xing certainly knew that unsanctioned fight matches in the black market were the favorites of many office workers in the new district.

After a day's hard work, to watch a flesh-pounding, surely bloody match, shouting and venting their frustration and fatigue, was favored by many male and female office workers as a way to relieve stress.

"I'm just looking around; I wonder what the welfare and treatment for the fighters are?"

After some thought, Fang Xing still asked.

After all, he was just asking; he wasn't going to fight himself.

"Our fighting arena's fighters..." the bunny girl smiled, "As long as you win one game, you can earn tens of thousands of Star Coins at least, with the reward doubling with each consecutive victory, the more you win, the more you earn... It's even possible to turn the money you earn here into legitimate and legal income, at no charge... Besides that, there are various Taboo Potions, A-level and S-level Martial Arts, and even Martial Arts beyond S-level as rewards that one might obtain..."

Upon saying this, the bunny girl even winked playfully, seeming rather cheeky, "It's said, just said, that students from elite senior classes of nearby high schools who aim to sprint into universities secretly come here to fight for practice. Earning resources is secondary; the main goal is to gain combat experience through bloodshed!"

In Martial Arts, the character 'Martial' clearly indicates that advancement could not come from training in isolation.

Cultivators might train in seclusion and then emerge with greatly increased strength!

A Martial Artist must temper their physique and forge an invincible spirit through constant combat, developing a majestic Qi.

'It seems this Blood Cage Fighting Arena has quite a powerful backing...'

Fang Xing mused and then said, "Very well, I'll consider it..."

"Guest, my code name is 'Meat Bun', here is my business card, please take it..." Just before Fang Xing left, the bunny girl cheerfully handed over a business card, "Whether you want to be a spectator or a fighter, you can find me..."

"Thanks, I'll remember that."

Fang Xing looked at her distinctive purple pupils and her tall, voluptuous figure, and couldn't help but smile and nod his head respectfully.

"Entering the black market is easy, but getting out is the tricky part..."

At the borders of the old district, Fang Xing did not remove his mask, watching his surroundings warily.

Generally speaking, customers who came to the black market just to watch a fight and didn't spend much weren't targeted by anyone.

And those who spent lavishly, like the fighting arenas and other businesses, would be protected.

Even in the black market, there's a need for some sort of reputation; otherwise, no one would come, and there would be no business!

But he, who clearly was not in the protected category and seemed like a fattened sheep on his first visit, exposing a certain wealth...

"Tens of thousands of Star Coins definitely won't attract a Courage Realm Martial Artist, even Rough Jade Realm would be somewhat shameful..."

"And there's no need to mention Superpower Users or Mecha Masters..."

"I should... be able to handle it, right?"

Fang Xing silently psyched himself up.

Fighting to the death in the black market, it was clearly impossible to use bought weapons in broad daylight—weren't they afraid of data leakage?

This is one of the reasons why weapons from the black market are so expensive.

But for someone like me, such pricey weapons are overkill, like using a cannon to kill a mosquito—the likelihood of encountering them is extremely slim.

The greatest likelihood is encountering a band of low-rank Martial Artists turned thieves!

"No, the greatest likelihood is that nobody will pay any attention to me..."

It wasn't until I reached the new city district and saw the clean, tidy roads, as well as the street lamps and cameras standing alongside the road, that Fang Xing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good thing my luck was on my side this time..."

"The talismans I prepared in advance won't be needed after all..."

For the black market, the lethality of talismans from Otherworlds is just average, but their effects are numerous.

Among them, the stealth and speed-boosting types were the life-saving cards Fang Xing had prepared for himself!

Of course, the best use of an ace in the hole is not having to use it at all.

"The black market won't use weapons from reputable manufacturers, and all kinds of illicit weapons are too expensive. Strictly speaking, my talismans are more cost-effective..."

"Because I can be sure there won't be any leaks, their safety is beyond doubt, but obviously, I can't just go to the black market to sell talismans..."

Fang Xing changed his makeup and took the maglev train calmly.

Although everything went smoothly today, he still felt somewhat peeved.

"I've been living too cautiously... ultimately, it's because my strength isn't strong enough."

"Once I break through to the Fourth Martial Arts Realm—Courage, I will immediately proceed with the Professional certification and register as a real 'Professional'!"

'Professionals' are true citizens of the Blue Star Federation and possess many privileges.

Not to mention, ordinary residents of Chuying Star aren't even qualified to buy spaceship tickets, but real 'Professionals' can!

Also, many pieces of military equipment, not open to regular citizens, are available for purchase by Professionals!

For many biotech people, their lifelong dream is to become 'Professionals', to leapfrog social classes!

—Whether biotech or natural-born, after becoming 'Professionals', all belong to the upper class!

Of course, for the real Federation elite, 'Professional' is just the beginning, but for many at the bottom, it's a ticket to the upper circles, it's everything!

"If I were a real 'Professional', the Federation wouldn't care about such a little extra income, wouldn't even bother investigating, it's almost laughable..."

"At the same time, there would also be more channels and resources available to collect the items I desire..."

"Should I set a small goal, to complete the 'Professional' certification before college entrance exams?"

Fang Xing's eyes shone with determination.

This was also for self-preservation.

The changes in Liu Wei, and some other signs, made Fang Xing feel that something bad might happen.

But as a Professional, even if faced with accusations from Cult members, I would have more opportunities to maneuver and defend myself.

...

Several days later.

[Ding, your account has received a deposit of 159,736 Star Coins, with a current balance of 160,072 Star Coins...]

A notification popped up, causing Fang Xing to nod slightly: "That was pretty fast..."

Just yesterday, he had casually bought a lottery ticket that was drawing today.

And then he won!

Though it was just a small prize of tens of thousands, luck is just so plain and simple!

"But a 50% service fee is such a rip-off, and I still have to pay taxes on this little bit of money..."

Fang Xing exhaled a long breath, then clicked open the marketplace to browse D3-grade nutrient fluids and other Martial Arts Potions, and quickly placed an order.

With these purchase records, I would have a reasonable explanation for the sudden leaps in my Martial Arts progress once the school year starts.

Though… it's not guaranteed that anyone would care about these.

"The Federation's Martial Arts Potions seem just average..."

"The D9-grade, which is superior to D3-grade, simply has more nutrition... but there's nothing to assist in breaking through Realms?"

Fang Xing thought for a moment and felt that perhaps it was because his level was too low.

Or to put it another way… he lacked permissions!

If one were a Professional, they should be able to see more purchasable goods.

"But the scarcity of the Federation's resources is evident... or perhaps, our entire Chuying Star is just not worth the investment? After all, we're just a conscript-producing star..."

"No, perhaps deliberately controlling breakthrough resources is part of a grand plan... Only Martial Artists who stand out under the toughest conditions will have the potential to ascend to higher levels in the future?"

"But for someone of average talent like me, it's just too cruel. I'll stick to my own plan."

By merging resources from both worlds, my Martial Arts Realm is bound to surge dramatically.

As for issues with future potential?

If I fail to get into college, then I practically have no future to consider at all.