Chapter 105: Genius Does Not Equal Talent
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Faculty Dormitories Area One.
Although it was called a dorm, the place was really a high-end villa residence!
Large independent villas had nothing to do with the word dormitories.
...
Villa number 8.
When Fang Ping knocked on the door, it was Lu Fengrou who personally opened it.
Perhaps more accurately, Lu Fengrou was the only person living in the entire villa.
Seeing Fang Ping, Lu Fengrou showed no surprise and said calmly, “You’ve come.”
“Yes, Instructor. I came because...”
“Breakthrough to martial artist, right?”
Lu Fengrou cut him off and turned away, saying, “Come in.”
With that, she paid Fang Ping no attention and walked into the living room by herself, leaning on the couch while she resumed watching television.
Fang Ping, who was standing at the door, felt a little helpless. He wanted to find a pair of slippers to change into, but he noticed there was not a single pair of slippers on the entire shoe rack!
What was Lu Fengrou doing?
Did she not receive guests?
“Come in. You don’t have to change your shoes.”
Lu Fengrou gave a shout, as though she knew what he was looking at.
Fang Ping could only step in straight away at her word.
“Your Vitality stopped growing?”
“It has reached the limit of thrice-honing. It stopped at 209cal.”
“That’s about what I expected. To be able to hone it to a 209cal Vitality in the aspiring martial artist stage is no easy feat, so you should be able to have other opportunities.
“Of course, it doesn’t matter because no matter how strong an aspiring martial artist is, they’re still just an aspiring martial artist. Any random peak Rank-1 martial artist isn’t someone you can provoke.
“I’m talking about martial artists from martial arts universities. Casual martial artists don’t count as martial artists; they’re just a bunch of useless people with Vitalities!”
Lu Fengrou regarded casual martial artists with extreme contempt. She noticed Fang Ping was still standing and said airily, “Have a seat.”
Fang Ping looked around, then sat on the couch next to her.
“Choosing to break through to a martial artist is the right choice.”
Lu Fengrou said lightly, “To put it this way, for the human skeleton, in the aspiring martial artist stage, bone-honing once equals to one honing point. You’re thrice-honed, so it’s equal to three honing points.
“This is your whole body. You know how difficult it is honing your entire body three times.
“If you want to keep honing to four points... That’s pretty much impossible.
“Even if you can, it’ll take up a lot of time!
“It’s different after you enter Rank-1. You can choose to isolate the honing to a single limb of your choice and aim for nine honing points!
“Now that you’re at three honing points, after you enter Rank-1, you’ll have it much easier than others. You only have to hone another six points.”
Fang Ping noticed that Lu Fengrou was in a talkative mood and hesitated a moment before asking, “Isn’t that overall honing?”
“Are you kidding me!”
Lu Fengrou said impatiently, “The human skeleton is not that simple! Can you hone your marrow now? Martial artists below Rank-3 only hone the outer layer of their bones. Nine points is the limit.
“When you complete the honing of all bones, only then can you replace the marrow. The last point is not to force a honing, it’s a natural rebirth of your bones.
“Of course, this is Grandmaster stuff.”
Fang Ping felt he had profited. Casual words from powerhouses benefitted people a lot.
An aspiring martial artist who had done bone-honing once was equal to a whole-body honing of one point.
Thrice meant three points!
Martial artists below Rank-3 could choose to hone individual limbs and could hone to a maximum of nine points, which was considered the completion of honing.
The last bone marrow honing had to wait until the grandmaster realm was reached; by then their bones would naturally replace themselves.
“You’re thrice-honed. Your days cultivating below Rank-3 would have an increase. Realistically, not everyone can withstand a thrice-honing.
“Don’t listen to those people who say you can become a thrice-honed martial artist as long as you’re willing to spend resources. This also has to do with personal qualifications.
“If it were that easy, even if they had to spend some time to do it, everyone would choose to thrice-hone to save time in the later stage.”
Lu Fengrou smiled. “In other words, you can be considered a genius. Do you feel that I don’t look after geniuses enough?”
“No.”
“Fang Ping shook his head and said, “Cultivation is a personal matter. Instructors are just teachers to help guide the cultivation, not parents. I don’t feel there’s anything not appropriate.”
“Heh heh. These words are true, but also false.”
Lu Fengrou spread out on the couch and browsed through television channels. She said lazily, “Actually, a lot of times, I feel that being a genius is not necessarily a good thing.
“Geniuses always want more and have more nerve; they behave as if only the sky and earth are above them.
“Someone like this entering the field will mostly die faster!
“Being a little more average is better. Dying of old age or illness still means enjoying some peace.
“Geniuses though?
“Others are Rank-1 while he’s Rank-3. When others are enjoying life, he’s going through hell.
“Everyone’s still young. Dying without enjoying or letting loose—sometimes I feel sorry on their behalf.
“Me, I don’t actually look up to geniuses. However, since I’m peak Rank-6, it won’t do if I don’t accept some geniuses.
“Do you know why my students die so quickly?”
Fang Ping shook his head. Even if he knew, he would not say a word.
“Heh heh, it’s because they’re geniuses! I wasn’t lying when I said that you’ll have more medicinal pills and elixirs, more missions and faster improvement if you’re with me.
“That’s why my students get breakthroughs sooner too.
“As a result, these people ended up thinking they’re unparalleled geniuses who can do anything.
“They accepted missions that others wouldn’t dare to!
“In the end, they died.
“Still, I can’t deny, among my students, Rank-3 make up the majority.
“In these few years, aside from you and Zhao Xuemei, I’ve accepted 12 students. 11 of them were Rank-3... Another one was Rank-4!
“Now, the Rank-4 has died and another 3 Rank-3 have died too. 3 others are quite seriously injured. I asked them to drop out and enjoy their lives, but they were not willing and wanted to continue struggling, so I don’t care about them anymore and let them do what they want.
“There are a total of 5 people who are still whole and healthy, excluding you two.
“The 5 of them are all Rank-3. 4 of them are undercover outside the school. I don’t know if more of them will die later on. There’s still one left in school—a girl.
“If you have any problems in the future and I’m not there, you can consult her. She’s more responsible than most instructors.
“I’ll give you her number, so you can contact her yourself.”
Lu Fengrou told him everything about her students’ circumstances; clearly she felt it was pointless hiding anything from him.
After that, she said, “If you want to live a little longer, then do things with your own judgment. I’m not your mom. I can warn you, but I can’t dissuade you.
“If worst comes to worst and you die, I’ll help you get more welfare and compensation, so your family won’t be troubled.
“Every one of them thought they were amazing geniuses. Just a few words and they lost all reason.
“I can see that you value your life though. Yesterday, during the school allocation, being able to surrender and admit defeat is quite meaningful.”
Lu Fengrou gave a rare smile and said, “A great person recognizes the right times of action. This saying is very appropriate at times.
“Of course, I’m not saying you should have cling to life and be afraid of death, but you should be able to look clearly on the whole.
“When it’s time to fight, like it was before, then go fight—that’s the way to earn more credits!
“When it’s not time to fight, what’s the point of battling to the death with others?”
Fang Ping nodded. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “Instructor, I heard...”
“Speak!”
“I heard it was because of Senior Wang Jinyang...”
Lu Fengqing interrupted. “Whom did you hear this from? Ah, forget it, there’s no need to linger on these things.
“You’re an aspiring martial artist. You’re not worth shit. Nobody has any designs on you, so don’t be too conceited.
“This is a contest between normal martial arts universities and famous schools. It has nothing to do with you people!
“Still, Wang Jinyang is quite heavily tied to it right now. His mentor fell into the ground... He hit rock bottom, so he wants to break through quickly.
“Since he doesn’t have any influence or family support, he can only be flashier and charge onward on behalf of the Nanjiang Province and Nanjiang Martial Arts University so that he can exchange for what he needs!
“Wang Jinyang might die very soon, or he might improve at the speed of light. This is the road he chose himself. Others would have a hard time replicating it.
“Still, you don’t have to worry. Wang Jinyang isn’t brainless.
“He has a Grandmaster’s support behind him. His safety is guaranteed. If he can quickly break through Grandmaster, the Big Two’s Grandmasters have power that cannot be ignored anywhere!
“You are far from a Grandmaster, so there’s no reason you should be bothered.
“Didn’t you want to break through to martial artist?
“Have you applied for medicinal pills and elixirs?”
“I have.”
Fang Ping mentally noted all this, but he could not continue. It was as Lu Fengrou said—he was still too weak. Even if he wanted to get involved, he was not qualified.
The contest behind Old Wang had to do with the fight between the martial arts universities and Grandmasters. It was not something he could participate in.
The most urgent business at the moment was to break through to martial artist.
“It’s good that you have. In that case, tomorrow I’ll go to your dorm. You prepare yourself a little. It’s fine as long as you’ve chosen to break through.
“Actually, as you’re thrice-honed, the breakthrough’s outburst won’t affect you much, so there should be no hazards to your safety.
“As your instructor, I hope you’ll be able to break through quickly, but I also don’t want you to improve too quickly and become involved in these matters too early.
“However, I treat my students as my children. When an old person buries a young one, I understand that I will have overstepped.
“I’m just your instructor. The path is your own choosing...
“If I feel deeply for you, I’ll suffer if you die. If you feel deeply for me, you’ll suffer if I die. These feelings are unnecessary.
“Wang Jinyang is like this. It’s unknown if Zhang Qingnan is dead or alive, but it’s possible he’s been dead for ages, yet Wang Jinyang is still fantasizing about rescuing him.
“If he had not been like this, he wouldn’t have to act this way...”
Lu Fengrou lamented. She was not unfeeling and did not stir things up without reason. She merely did not want to feel too much for her students.
It was too much suffering!
At the start, she had accepted 3 students for her first batch and had raised them as if they were her own children!
What were the results?
The 3 of them did not give a word of protest and charged straight to the Catacombs. Two of them died, and one of them was disabled!
Lu Fengrou had no place to cry and had nobody to get revenge on!
Later on, when more of her students died one by one, she could not stand it anymore.
Now, when she accepted students, she only did her job.
After speaking with Fang Ping, she waved him away. “Alright, that’s it. I want to make up for my sleep.”
Fang Ping did not know whether to laugh or cry. Her dismissal was too straightforward.
Still, it was better this way. Lu Fengrou’s words and actions were straightforward, which saved a lot of trouble.
When Fang Ping got up to leave, Lu Fengrou suddenly remembered something and uttered a string of numbers. “This is your senior’s number. You can contact her if you need anything, but don’t disturb her for nothing.
“Of course, if any martial artists with higher rankings than you are bothering you, you can contact her.
“If there are any instructors bothering you, report straight to me.
“You can die in missions, you can die outside too, but if you have any trouble in school, seek me out!”
“Thank you, Instructor.”
Wu Fengrou waved a hand, dismissing him. She did not care if he appreciated it or not.
...
After Fang Ping left, Lu Fengrou thought for a while before dialing a number and saying, “Fight your own battles. Don’t involve normal people, especially on my side!
“Don’t provoke me. If you provoke me, I’ll slaughter your entire family!”
The person on the line was stunned for a moment and only spoke half a beat later. “You’re my wife!”
“We divorced long ago!”
“Have we?”
“Bullshit!”
“Then why are you still using my name to intimidate people?”
“I’m happy to, what do you care? Wait until I break through to Grandmaster, then you should go wherever you should!”
“...”
The person on the line had no words to retort this. He spoke wearily after a long silence. “It won’t. The overall situation is serious. Nobody wants to involve anyone specifically.
“How could MCMAU pursuit for all the resources be for me?
“My daughter died ages ago, and I’ve divorced my wife. I’m all alone. For whom would I fight for all of this?
“I’m doing this to centralize resources...”
“Don’t bring this up with me. What does it have to do with me!”
Lu Fengrou cut him off and impulsively hung up.
...
Outside the door.
Fang Ping mumbled to himself, “We were talking about death, but how do martial artists actually die?
“Cults?
“Missions?
“Or is it something else?
“Wang Jinyang’s mentor is possibly dead... That little girl last time, is she his mentor’s daughter?
“Wang Jinyang’s journey to Magic City and the north might have some other factors involved... It’s so complicated!
“Forget it. I’m too weak. Right now, I have to gather strength and Wealth.
“Only when I have them, I’ll be qualified to participate.
“Whether if it’s to help Old Wang or myself, all of it depends on strength as the foundation.
“If I don’t have strength, I’ll probably have safety, but is this what I want?
“Lu Fengrou...”
Finally, he verbalized his mentor’s name. This instructor was not as insane as he imagined her to be. She was a very calm and logical person.
The reason her students’ death rate was high was actually due to her students improving too quickly!
This point was once again out of Fang Ping’s expectations.
“Whatever. I’ll break through Rank-1 first and fight to enter Rank-3 quickly. I’ll consider more after I reach Rank-3. According to what everyone’s saying, as long as I don’t seek death, I won’t die that easily.
“The ones who died all asked for it.
“Isn’t Qin Fengqing still living well?
“Old Wang has been asking for it all this time, but because he’s strong enough, he’s living well too.
“All in all, I should either be strong enough or cautious. This way, my safety is ensured...”
Having spoken for a while, Fang Ping exhaled a breath of air and paced away.
...
At the same time.
Capital City.
Wang Jinyang turned and left.
Behind him, a peak Rank-3 martial artist from Capital City Martial Arts University coughed blood and said, “Wang Jinyang, challenge our president now if you have the guts! Aren’t you the president of Nanjiang Martial Arts University’s Martial Arts Society? Could it be that you don’t dare to compete once?”
Wang Jinyang ignored him and left. When he exited the martial arts stage, somebody asked in a low voice, “Why don’t you give it a try?”
Wang Jinyang gave him a glance and smiled icily. “Are you an idiot or am I?”
Having spat this out, Wang Jinyang walked off straightaway. A Rank-3 facing Rank-4...did they expect him to deliver himself for slaughter?
It was not as if he owed these people. ‘Everyone is just working together. You do yours and I do mine. Do they think I would give away my own life?
‘Or do they think I, Wang Jinyang, can’t accept this?’
The person who had been scolded was not happy and spoke angrily, “Wang Jinyang, don’t forget...”
Before he finished speaking, suddenly, a long saber hacked his shoulder!
Snap!
His shoulder was cut clean off. The slice was so quick, the people were at a loss!
“Idiot! Spout any more bullshit and next time it’ll be your brain!”
Wang Jinyang gave a cold laugh and did not linger, leaving immediately!
“Ah!”
A woeful cry sounded. The expressions of the bystanders who had been watching changed drastically as they looked at Wang Jinyang. The expression of the martial artist who had been coughing blood on the stage changed too. Without a word, he silently watched Wang Jinyang walk away.
The others did not make a sound either. Wang Jinyang was on the brink of Rank-4 and he had a Grandmaster backing him up. He was not to be served on a platter.