Beijiang Military Department.
The Military Department people were very simple and straightforward.
As soon as Fang Ping arrived, the Military Department did not even bother making any polite conversation. Very soon, Fang Ping saw two youths dressed in the military uniform in the martial arts hall that was stationed in the Military Department.
Both of them were big and tall, even their expressions looked as if they were carved out from the same mold – cold.
“Beijiang Military Department, Chen Qiufeng!”
“Beijiang Military Department, Guo Xuan!”
Both youths stood erect, the military rank attached to them showed that they were both commander-in-chief military officers.
It was still extremely challenging to become commander-in-chief military officers as Rank-3 martial artists.
Right now, Fang Ping could be one himself. If it was not for the East Sunflower City incident, he would be far weaker right now. He would not even make it to master commandant.
Not another sound was made after both of them introduced themselves.
Other than these two guys, there was another older military officer, about thirty years old, on the scene, also a commander-in-chief.
Seeing that Fang Ping had not reacted, he smiled lightly. “Both of them are here. You can choose any of them. It’s the same whoever you choose. They often fight each other, the result is also always fifty-fifty.”
Fang Ping burst out laughing. So straightforward?
He cast a look at both of them standing opposite. They looked... expressionless.
When he saw Fang Ping looking, Chen Qiufeng, the youth who introduced himself earlier, said in a masculine voice, “We’re much willing to fight in the Catacombs. However, since you insist to fight, we’ll be glad to fight too. Though, accidents happen. We’ll not go easy on you!”
Fang Ping chuckled, saying, “Definitely. As for fighting in the Catacombs, honestly, meeting an equal match is too difficult. Therefore, we have no option but to challenge.”
In the Catacombs, no one would list you in any ranking list so that you could challenge anyone. Such an opportunity simply did not exist.
If one wished to meet a top-notch same-rank powerhouse, it would depend on their luck. It was very rare to encounter one.
Neither of them standing opposite said anything. Indeed, the probability of meeting one-to-one same-ranked powerhouses in the Catacombs was much lower compared to meeting high-ranked ones.
Seeing what had happened, Fang Ping no longer hesitated. He looked at Chen Qiufeng and declared, “I’ll challenge you!”
If he wanted to fight, then he would naturally fight the first.
If Guo Xuan was second in place, that would mean that he was still slightly weaker than Chen Qiufeng.
Chen Qiufeng did not hesitate even for a bit. In no time, he took off his military jacket, revealing only a military vest inside.
Scars covered his body.
On his wrist alone, Fang Ping could see a bunch of hideous scars.
Chen Qiufeng was also a martial artist who used spears. In the Military Department or the Military School, more martial artists were using spears rather than sabers and swords, for it was easier to form a battle array, strangling martial artists who were much stronger than them to death.
Martial artists who employed spears were further divided into two:
One type used spears with wooden shafts. Spears like this had slightly more varieties and diversified Combat Techniques.
Whereas another type used full-alloy spears. Slightly lesser Combat Techniques varieties, though more direct and straightforward, much more ferocious.
As a matter of fact, Chen Qiufeng used a full-alloy spear.
A faint dark-red color was apparent on the spearhead.
That was a mark after being stained by blood for a long period of time, where the blood had seeped inside, impossible to scrub off.
...
Walking up the martial arts hall, Chen Qiufeng looked at Fang Ping.
Upon seeing that, Fang Ping did not hesitate as well, wielded his changdao and walked up.
“MCMAU Fang Ping. May the best man win!”
“Please!”
The word “please” had just left Chen Qiufeng’s mouth when the long spear attacked almost simultaneously, stabbing towards Fang Ping’s throat without warning.
Fang Ping moved lightly. He had just avoided it when the long spear crashed, carrying a rich Vitality and killing intent with it!
Fang Ping put on a grave expression. Employing a killing move as the first move itself, the Vitality outburst incredibly powerful!
“Can your Vitality beat mine?”
Fang Ping spread his legs, lowered his waist and sprung up, the changdao crashed down bearing the weight of a mountain.
He had just leaped up when Chen Qiufeng let out a low growl. The long spear veered off, stabbing at his blade. At blinding speed, the stabbing went on repeatedly, diverting Fang Ping’s changdao off the center.
Immediately afterward, Chen Qiufeng moved his body, closing in on Fang Ping abruptly. He leaped in midair and bent his knees. Both knees striking at Fang Ping’s chest swiftly and fiercely.
Fang Ping did not retreat, waving his palm, he slapped his knees.
Fang Ping had just slapped it when he felt a shock on his palm. It was slightly painful.
Chen Qiufeng’s fighting techniques were simple, yet his power was merciless. Striking Fang Ping’s chest with his knees was not enough, his hands that were wielding the spear had bent as well, his elbow slamming viciously into Fang Ping’s head.
Fang Ping let out a low roar, retreating a few steps. His changdao slashing downward immediately.
Chen Qiufeng wielded his spear and stabbed again, the Vitality outburst massive, the speed blinding. He stabbed more than ten times in a row, sparks flew in all directions.
When Fang Ping’s changdao had deviated again, Chen Qiufeng let out a low roar, a faint blood-red glow emerged on the spearhead. The spear pointed at Fang Ping’s throat.
Fang Ping furrowed his brows, letting out a deep roar. The speed of his saber was further boosted, releasing an outburst of blood-red glow as well, slashing towards his clavicle.
However, it was as if Chen Qiufeng did not see anything. His long spear was still swift and fierce, jabbing towards Fang Ping’s throat.
Wrath flashed across Fang Ping’s eyes. Was Chen Qiufeng convinced that he would not slash him to death?
Or perhaps, this was how the Military Department fought?
There was no time for too much thinking. Fang Ping’s changdao deviated quickly, slashing on the spear shaft, releasing an enormous outburst. The long spear was instantly slanted from the hit, stabbing at the void beside Fang Ping.
Chen Qiufeng showed neither gladness for surviving nor a hint of hesitation. At almost the same moment as Fang Ping veered off his long spear, this fellow closed in on him once more, striking Fang Ping with his elbows and knees, each move hitting his fatal points, either his groin or his throat.
Needless to say, the throat was one of the fatal points of Peak Rank-3 martial artists.
As for the groin, although his physique was very strong, it was certainly another fatal point. If it was hit, no man could bear it.
Fang Ping pulled away once more. As soon as he pulled away, the spearhead appeared at his throat, or in front of his face. From the beginning until the end, Chen Qiufeng was like a robot. Lightning speed and explosive outbursts. There was no time to catch a breath.
Fang Ping was still raging inside when Chen Qiufeng changed his fighting technique again.
When Fang Ping slashed the long spear away once more, Chen Qiufeng’s eyes turned the color of crimson suddenly. Roaring in rage, he pulled his spear back. Then, he paused for a moment to gather his powers. Seconds later, the long spear released a ‘woo’ sound, slamming towards Fang Ping’s skull-like lightning.
“Military Department martial artist!”
This noun emerged in Fang Ping’s mind at this moment. The next second, all forms of hesitation had dissipated. It was as if the changdao was about to split the void open, unleashing a massive Vitality force outburst. The saber smashed downward, a series of sounds that were almost impossible to distinguish went off repeatedly.
A thunderous rumble!
The ground surface split open, crushed stones flew about in all directions.
Fang Ping had just stopped to catch his breath for a moment when Chen Qiufeng flew upside down for some distance, showing no signs of stopping. The long spear was hurled from his hand, emanating a whistling sound, heading straight for Fang Ping’s face.
As for Chen Qiufeng himself, he followed closely behind the long spear that he had flung out. Fang Ping was just about to avoid it when he saw what happened. Letting out a low growl suddenly, his left palm turned into the shape of a saber, hacking quickly towards the long spear that was flying towards him.
After he had hacked the long spear off, in a full-throated roar, Fang Ping cried, “Taste my collective seven slashes!”
Hum!
The air was filled with a ‘woo’ sound. Fang Ping wielded his saber with his right hand alone, the faintly visible changdao quivered seven times midair, hacking downward in the blink of an eye.
Chen Qiufeng’s eyes were cold, his speed increased further. He paid no attention to the changdao that had smashed downward. Instead, he tightened his hands into fists, intending to break Fang Ping’s neck in one punch.
At this moment, Fang Ping’s changdao had smashed downward; Chen Qiufeng’s fists flinging towards his throat.
The fastest would win, the slowest would die!
...
There were only a few spectators. Other than a few militants, the rest were the Sun Mingyu duo whom Fang Ping had brought.
Sun Mingyu duo put on a grave look. The few militants who were watching the match looked equally solemn.
Chen Qiufeng’s ability... seemed to be slightly weaker than Fang Ping.
Despite that, Chen Qiufeng’s fighting techniques were straightforward, giving his all in every move.
In contrast, Fang Ping was slightly less straightforward and fierce compared to him.
However, right now, fighting up until now, one move could determine victory or defeat, the winner and the loser... If no one intervened, casualties would most likely happen!
After Fang Ping had slapped the long spear away earlier, his long-forgotten left hand emerged all of a sudden just as the military officer with the strongest ability was about to intervene. His palm turned into the shape of a saber, unleashing tremendous Vitality outburst, slashing towards Chen Qiufeng’s fists!
Click!
A crisp sound was heard. Fang Ping slashed Chen Qiufeng’s fists with his left palm until blood was splattering everywhere, deviating them away from his throat.
As for the changdao, it had already smashed downward, reaching the top of Chen Qiufeng’s head, carrying with it a bunch of hair chopped up by the energy. Blood had also flowed like the river from the top of Chen Qiufeng’s head instantaneously, his face covered in traces of blood.
“You’ve lost!”
Fang Ping was panting, not moving his changdao.
Chen Qiufeng wiped the blood off his face. He was not too disappointed, and said calmly, “You Vitality is really strong. Your right hand released outburst continuously, yet you still have remaining energy in your left hand to release outburst again. Can you tell me how high exactly is your Vitality?
It was not solely the high Vitality that was the reason. Fang Ping could also multitask, unleashing big moves with both hands independently.
Of course, this was related to his strong Mentality. Fang Ping could control with sufficient energy remaining. This was something Chen Qiufeng had guessed, so it was not too surprising as well.
“More than 1400cal...”
Chen Qiufeng was suddenly silent. He brushed past him directly, bent his waist to pick up his long spear, and said in a muffled voice, “You’re not brutal enough. If you’re brutal enough, you won’t have to drag on with me. If your speed can catch up with mine, you could finish me off in one slash.”
“I’m here to fight and learn, not to kill anyone.”
“That’s why I said that it’s meaningless to fight with human martial artists. I prefer fighting with Catacombs martial artists. It’s either he dies or I will.”
Fang Ping shrugged his shoulders but did not continue with the conversation. Chen Qiufeng’s ability was indeed powerful, though not much powerful than Ling Yiyi.
He could only say that his fighting techniques were brutal, giving his all in every strike.
The ones who were weaker than him, or slightly stronger than him, would be overcautious when fighting with him, hence they would not be his match.
Actually, Ling Yiyi had killed a lot of people too, though Ling Yiyi did not risk her life solely to kill. She still had an idea of self-defense. When there was a crisis, Ling Yiyi would still defend and block.
From the moment he launched an attack, Chen Qiufeng had almost never blocked.
If he encountered Ling Yiyi, under the circumstance where both their abilities were equal, Ling Yiyi would most probably be killed, while Chen Qiufeng would end up critically injured.
As for Fang Ping, his Vitality was much stronger than his. Even his Mentality was so much more powerful. Hence, he won pretty quickly too.
Actually, losing or winning happened in the blink of an eye.
...
When their fight had ended, the military officer who was slightly older smiled lightly, he said, “Fang Ping, why not consider coming to Beijiang Military Department to steel yourself for a period of time? Your abilities are not weak, though I can see that you haven’t seen enough blood...”
Fang Ping laughed uncontrollably. Actually, he had killed plenty of people.
However, compared to the guys here at the Military Department, that was really just a minuscule amount.
“Thanks, but I still need to return to the university, so I’ll pass for now.”
Fang Ping shook his head. He had plenty of opportunities to witness bloodshed.
MCMAU Catacombs was just next to the university. If he wanted to kill, he could just enter the Catacombs straightaway. In the current stage, he could kill as many as he wanted.
“It’s a pity.”
The slightly older military officer thought it was regrettable. It was more effortful for the Military Department to recruit geniuses compared to martial arts universities.
In the eyes of many, martial arts universities were more popular. After enrolling in martial arts universities, one had a wide variety of options to choose from. Whether to join the Military Department, politics, the Department of Investigation Services, to manage business... These were the possibilities.
What about the Military Department?
That was so much more restrictive!
It was rare for martial artists’ descendants to enroll in the Military Department unless they were militants. The mortality rate was much higher in the Military Department than in the martial arts universities. Even Rank-1 martial artists needed to fight on the battlefield.
Over here at the martial arts universities, they would at least nurture you up to Rank-3 before sending you there.
The Military Department nurturing powerhouses... was much more similar to Wu Kuishan’s idea. Throwing several thousand to ten thousand Rank-1 martial artists into the Catacombs, they would become even powerful if they survived.
No one had doubted the Military Department’s way of doing things. Unlike martial arts universities, the Military Department’s main duties were to guard and kill.
If the martial arts universities wanted to do the same, many would object.
...
After the fight, Sun Mingyu walked towards him, smiled and said, “I can’t believe you won so effortlessly.”
“It’s not really effortless.”
Fang Ping shook his head, and said, “A fight that goes on for an extended time, until the entire body is covered with wounds, is for the purpose to fight and learn. Their purpose is to kill. At this time, if he can’t kill me, then I can kill him.
“He had no intention to harm me. No matter how critical his injuries are, there is still an opportunity to turn the situation around. Might as well kill in a hit.”
“No matter what, you still won. Your Vitality is insanely strong.”
Fang Ping smiled, and said, “There’s no visible change yet. The power of the Vitality force between 1000cal and 1400cal Vitality is still the same, only slightly more powerful. Once there’s a visible change, we call that true transformation.”
A few of them chatted for a while. Fang Ping did not continue to bother them and wanted to leave.
At this time, Guo Xuan, who had not spoken a word, walked towards them. He said, “Fang Ping, please take care of my brother. He adores you very much.”
“Ah?”
“Guo Sheng.”
Fang Ping was stunned!
This fellow was that chubby guy’s brother?
Guo Xuan did not say much as well. He said, “Honestly, I don’t really want him to become a martial artist. He chose this for himself, though. I’ll not stop him either. MCMAU suits him so much more compared to the Military Department. I’m away all year round, so I can’t take care of him. I hope you can look out for him for a bit.
“For guys like us, our only wish is for our family members to be safe.”
Fang Ping looked at this well-proportioned figure, as well as cool and good-looking youth, then he recalled chubby guy Guo Sheng. After some time, he asked in a daze, “Your blood brother?”
Guo Xuan looked at him for quite some time, nodding ever so slightly. He did not say anything else and strode away.
Beside him, Chen Qiufeng had also cleaned the blood off his body. After he was done putting on his jacket, he smiled faintly. “Please take care of Chen Yunxi for me.”
Fang Ping had almost collapsed, asking, “Your sister?”
“Yes.”
“Blood-sister?”
“Cousin sister.”
Fang Ping was absolutely speechless. What should I say?
Was this a gathering to acknowledge relatives?
“Why didn’t anyone tell me anything before?”
Chen Qiufeng gave him an odd look. ‘Why should I inform you in advance?
‘Now that we’ve said it, taking care or not is entirely up to you. No one is forcing anything down your throat. Besides, it may be better if you don’t take care of them. No one knows when you will bring them out and get them killed.’
Fang Ping laughed bitterly. Finally, he looked at the older military officer who was about to leave. He asked softly, “Big brother, do you have any family members that you would like me to take care for you?”
The older military officer could not help but laugh. He shook his head, saying, “There’s no need. Just take care of yourself. Becoming a Grandmaster is the most important thing of all”
A Grandmaster was equivalent to a military troop. Martial artist troop!
A military troop formed with less than ten thousand three lower ranks martial artists might not stand a chance when they encountered and Grandmaster and wanted to kill him.
One more Grandmaster meant one more hope of victory.
Fang Ping breathed a sigh of relief first, then nodding his head, saying, “I believe it’ll be very soon.”
Everyone in the hall laughed. No one said anything, not wanting to dent Fang Ping’s confidence.
If becoming Grandmaster was so easy, then there would not be only so few of them in Sino Nation.
Although hundreds of people seemed like a lot, this was an accumulation over tens of hundreds of years. Out of more than three hundred Grandmasters, more than half were older than 80 years old. The truly young ones were rare. It was only in recent years that the number had started climbing.
Younger than 20 years old, even if Fang Ping had hopes of becoming a Grandmaster, how many years would it take?
The senior military officer did not say anything else and left with the others. It would be great if they won, though it would not really matter even if they lost. Losing to humans was much stronger than losing in the Catacombs. In the Catacombs, the only thing that came with losing is death.
...
8th of August. The Rank-3 combat strength ranking was updated once again.
MCMAU Fang Ping. First place!
Once the ranking list was out, the outside world was certain that Fang Ping had challenged the Military Department martial artist. It was a pity that they could not watch any video.
In reality, they might be extremely disappointed if they were to watch it.
The combat ended too quickly. There were no fancy fighting techniques, only life-risking fatal moves.