Scorching summer.
While the outside world was still widely discussing, Fang Ping had already driven back to Magic City.
...
Magic City was bustling with energy as always.
On the streets, a few more ladies were seen dressed in revealing clothes. Fang Ping could not help but stare at them for quite some time.
As he was already used to seeing valiant female martial artists, when he looked at these ordinary ladies, he had an entirely different feeling.
“Female martial artists...”
In the car, Fang Ping drove lazily, shaking his head.
Female martial artists could almost be equated to monstrous creatures.
Yang Xiaoman who smashed her head into Han Xu; Zhao Xuemei who kicked groins; Ling Yiyi who wielded a heavy ax...
Even polite-looking Chen Yunxi could be a monstrous creature when she erupted.
“Seems like there’s no luck in putting gentle chicks and female martial artists together.”
Fang Ping grew slightly despondent. However, for martial artists like them, it would be best if their other half were martial artists too.
With the other half, one could discuss the Catacombs, martial arts, contributions, sacrifices...
They had nothing to be afraid of.
When discussing these things with an ordinary person, the other party might be absolutely clueless, causing a severe communication gap.
As he was thinking about these things, Fang Ping was also contemplating a life-and-death question!
There was no more Wealth!
“Only cash. 35 million cash...”
Going all the way up north this time, he did not acquire much, though he did earn some money. A few advertising fees and 28 million were in his pocket.
However, after using Wealth to hone his torso bone marrow, as well as a few challenges later, it was now running on empty.
“I need to make preparations for Rank-4 breakthrough as well. That’s another expenditure.”
“Where can I make some money?”
Without Wealth, how could he even talk about defeating Rank-4 effortlessly? Today, Fang Ping could defeat typical Rank-3 martial artists at the snap of his fingers by relying on his tough physique.
In terms of Vitality, not only was his Vitality strong, it replenished very quickly too. When fighting with same-rank peers, even if the other party consumed pills, they would still be no match for Fang Ping.
This was referring to a one-on-one, though. If more Peak Rank-3 martial artists ganged up on Fang Ping, he could still fight one against ten, provided that there were no powerhouses like Ling Yiyi and the rest. However, if a few more turned up, then he could only rely on his physical body to defend in the end.
“Earn money!”
Fang Ping looked like he was about to have a headache. Students like them were forbidden from entering the Magic City Catacombs. Fang Ping was reluctant to take on typical missions as well.
Not long ago, the company had just sold off part of the shares too.
It seemed like it would be a challenge for him to earn any money now.
...
MCMAU.
The massive MCMAU was currently engulfed by absolute stillness, it was as if the whole place was isolated.
As soon as it was the summer holiday, almost all students of ranks lower than Rank-3 had gone home.
A portion of Rank-3 students was completing missions outside, while the other portion had gone for internships at different locations.
Today, there might only be less than 500 people in MCMAU that was comparable to a small town.
The university gate remained shut. A small gate at the side was opened... if a four to five meters wide gate was considered small at that.
In the guardhouse outside the gate, the university guard saw Fang Ping’s car. He poked his head out and smiled, saying, “Student Fang is back. You did everyone here in MCMAU proud this time!”
“Just average...”
Fang Ping replied humbly. Then, he smiled and asked, “Uncle, are you a Grandmaster? I heard the guys from other universities saying that their powerhouses are either keeping watch, staying in the library or the Combat Techniques Rooms. You’re also a Grandmaster powerhouse, aren’t you?”
The MCMAU guard did not look very old. About forty to fifty years old.
Upon hearing the question, he was slightly stunned. Shortly after, he burst out laughing. “If I’m a Grandmaster, would I still be here? I’ll be in the Catacombs long ago.
“Although, thanks to the school, after grinding for the past few years, I’m also a Rank-3 now. I’ve embarrassed all of you instead.”
Actually, a Rank-3 guard was already extremely strong. If the guard went to a small city, even if it was a slightly lacking one, he could still enter a prefectural-level city and take on the position as a deputy in the Department of Investigation Services.
A deputy did not need to do much thinking. In the Department of Investigation Services, one could just focus solely on fighting.
Still, these guys were unwilling to leave as they were already used to staying in MCMAU.
Fang Ping seemed slightly doleful when he heard the reply. Very quickly, he chuckled and said, “Uncle, you’re not so bad too. If you go to other universities as a Rank-3, you’re already qualified as an instructor.”
The guard uncle smiled. Then, he said softly, “I’ll just retire in MCMAU. When I’m old and after I die, I wish I could be buried in MCMAU.”
As he spoke, the uncle stared into the distance that was the southern area.
That was MCMAU instructors’ final resting place.
He might not be an MCMAU’s instructor, yet he had devoted his entire life to serving MCMAU. There should be a place for him there when he dies.
Fang Ping noticed him looking towards the southern area, and could tell what he was thinking about. He smiled, waved his hand, but did not continue with the conversation.
...
After returning to his dormitory, Fang Ping sat down for a bit. The dormitory area was unusually quiet.
Almost every freshman year students had gone home. At this moment, Fu Changding and the rest were not here yet.
“I’ll be a sophomore student in a few more days.”
Fang Ping lamented. He thought for a while before striding out the door, heading towards the logistics department. Lu Fengrou had not returned yet. With regards to breaking through Rank-4, he still needed to ask Old Man Li for advice.
...
Logistics department.
To describe the logistics department today as deserted would be an understatement. Not a single soul was seen there.
Unexpectedly, Old Man Li who was always overseeing the logistics department was currently not around.
The only staff who stayed behind saw Fang Ping. He informed him in no time that Old Man Li was in the School of Weaponry instructor’s office.
Fang Ping was dumbfounded for a while. Office?
What an unfamiliar word!
Old Man Li in the office?
Without thinking much about it, Fang Ping turned and headed for the School of Weaponry’s instructor building. There were still instructors staying behind. After asking around, he finally found out where Old Man Li was.
...
A few minutes later.
Fang Ping knocked and entered, a face full of surprise. “Instructor, you’re a dean now?”
Old Man Li tossed a file away, rubbing his head, and said as if he had a headache, “Deputy!”
That day when Fang Ping and the rest entered the Catacombs, the old vice-chancellor had made arrangements. Huang Jing would take on the role of deputy vice-chancellor, while Tang Feng and Old Man Li as the School of Weaponry deputy deans.
This had not been announced yet because of the things happening in the Catacombs.
Even Wu Kuishan had not officially assumed the role as the vice-chancellor, hence, these deputy deans would not assume their roles publicly either.
However, Huang Jing and Tang Feng had not returned yet. As the deputy dean, Li Changsheng was forced to come out and start handling school matters.
Looking very much ecstatic, Fang Ping said, “You’ve become the deputy dean. Not any deputy dean, but The School of Weaponry’s deputy dean. That’s great news. Why not ask Dean Huang to just hand over the dean’s position to you...”
“What are you thinking about!”
Old Man Li snapped, “MCMAU School of Weaponry is the signboard. It is also a facade. If I become the school’s dean without having Grandmaster-level abilities, I’ll just pull MCMAU’s profile down for no reason at all. I’m not counting on becoming a dean. It’ll probably happen if I switch to the School of Social Sciences.”
After he had said those words, Old Man Li took a look at him. He nodded slightly, saying, “Not bad. You’ve refined your power a lot. No longer loose and sloppy like before. Looks much pleasing to the eye.”
Fang Ping said smugly, “Of course. No one in Rank-3 is my match...”
“That’s enough. Stop showing off. You’re still tender.”
Old Man Li thought otherwise. He motioned Fang Ping to take a seat. He said lazily, “Now that you’ve returned to the university, stop by the research institute some other time to take a sample.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Ping grew slightly uncomfortable.
“Instructor, must I go?”
“Take a sample to create a backup sample. You don’t have to concern yourself about the things that can be discovered. This is also a form of contribution toward mankind. Some Rank-7, 8, and 9 powerhouses will take the initiative to provide some blood and bone samples and information to the research institute for research.”
Old Man Li curled his lips and said, “Although they did not find anything too amazing, do you think the wide variety of pills are developed out of nothing? It’s all based on these. It’s only after a few clinical trials, that they will go through targeted development.”
After hearing what he said, Fang Ping did not say anything else.
Unexpectedly, supplying blood and hair samples were things that even Grandmasters were doing. He would not feel so awkward doing it then.
Halfway through the conversation, Fang Ping recalled about the real business for his coming back. He asked, “Instructor, I wish to breakthrough to Rank-4. What are the things that I should take note of?”
“Rank-4...”
Old Man Li was slightly taken aback. That was too fast.
It was only less than a year.
He recalled the day when Fang Ping had just enrolled. He was still not a martial artist when he participated in the school allocation competition at the start of the semester.
However, it was not even a year, yet he already wanted to breakthrough Rank-4.
After being absorbed in thoughts for quite some time, Old Man Li snapped back, saying, “Rank-4 is actually a bridging process.”
Fang Ping nodded. “I know, the instructor has mentioned it once. Bridging inner and outer bridges. Mediate the Vitality outside-in, and continue honing the internal organs.
“Once the vital organs have been completely honed, half a golden body attained, and Peak Rank-6 achieved, one can start Mentality maintenance. With collective essence, spirit, and soul, one can officially step into the Grandmaster rank...”
Old Man Li rolled his eyes. ‘I don’t need you to teach me. Why are you butting in!’
Without waiting for Fang Ping to answer, Old Man Li continued. “In order to achieve Rank-4, first of all, you need to cultivate the Methods of Honing – Internal Organs...”
“I know, I know. The Methods of Honing is divided into internal and external sections. However, I did not learn the internal organ section...”
“Shut up!”
Old Man Li flew into a rage. He reprimanded, “If you cut me off again, leave this instant!”
Fang Ping looked sheepish. ‘But I really know this. I’m only asking how to breakthrough Rank-4. It’s really not necessary for you to repeat all the basic knowledge to me.’
Old Man Li let out a humph. Then, he said, “Cultivating the internal organs is the gate that opens up the bridging process. The vital organs are just a general way of calling it. The five viscera have a specific definition: heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney.
“The six bowels, on the other hand, have a different definition. The six bowels are commonly known as the gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder, and sanjiao.
“On the topic of sanjiao, it is more of a concept to those of ranks lower than Rank-6.
“Therefore, when bridging, we are only building five bridges, merging only five viscera.
“Of course, once you’ve built a bridge and succeeded in internal and external merging, then you will qualify as a Rank-4 martial artist.
“At this time, you will be called an Early-stage Rank-4 martial artist. Once you’ve successfully built all five bridges, we call that a Middle-stage Rank-4.
“When you start honing the five viscera, we will first hone the heart. This is because the heart is one of the most important internal organs of the human body. Only a strong heart can bear a martial artist’s heavy burden.
“Once heart-honing has completed, it is at that moment that you will become an Upper-stage Rank-4 martial artist.
“As for Peak Rank-4, out of the five viscera, you need to finish honing the rest of the four first. Once the five viscera have been honed completely, only then you will become a Peak Rank-4 martial artist.”
Fang Ping nodded quickly. Old Man Li was in no rush. He continued, “As for Rank-5, you need to hone the six bowels. Perhaps we shouldn’t put it this way. Instead, it should be honing every part of the internal organs other than the five viscera. This is what a Rank-5 needs to do.”
Fang Ping continued to nod his head. Please continue. Honestly, he did not know much about these things.
Middle-rank cultivation was not part of the basic knowledge. It was all taught separately by respective instructors.
As there were very few middle-ranked students, the university did not find it necessary to open up a major class because they would almost never use it.
Of course, after you had graduated, and had achieved the middle-ranked stage, you could still return to the university to seek advice.
“At Peak Rank-5, it is at this moment that the human body, other than the skull, has been completely honed. What should a Rank-6 martial artist do then?”
Old Man Li asked and answered his own question. He smiled and said, “Strictly speaking, Rank-6 martial artists no longer hone their bodies. Instead, they are performing energy integration.
“Didn’t I mention it earlier? About sanjiao, it is an absolute mystery. It’s a concept, but it is also not a concept.
“What Rank-6 martial artists need to do is to seal sanjiao, forming a true internal circulation system. Martial artists’ Vitality scatters. As one becomes older, Vitality will decline.
“However, if Rank-6 martial artists can seal sanjiao, creating an internal and external circulation, then there will no longer be a state of decline.”
Fang Ping could understand part of it. He thought for a while, saying, “What you’re saying is, Rank-6 are actually cultivating an implicit organ. For many people, sanjiao does not actually exist, just like Mentality. Instead, it represents the rest of the cavities other than the organs that have shapes...”
Old Man Li chuckled. “Actually, it’s not entirely non-existent. Once you’ve cultivated up to Peak Rank-5, you will realize, once the human organs have been completely honed, this part actually exists in the body. Though you can’t feel it if you’re not a Peak Rank-5.
“At that time, sanjiao is just like three doors. What Rank-6 martial artists need to do is to seal these three doors.
“Forget it. You can’t experience it right now, so it’s useless to tell you. Let’s just go back to the topic of Rank-4 cultivation.”
Fang Ping rolled his eyes. ‘I am indeed asking about Rank-4 cultivation. You are the one who has too much to say, going all the way up to Rank-5 and 6, alright.’
“Honestly, Peak Rank-3 breakthrough to Rank-4 is neither difficult nor easy. It would be actually quite easy for you.
“Bridging. The first bridge is the heart bridge.
“Surely, there’s some risk in it. You’re opening up an internal-external connecting passage in your body from nothingness. Nevertheless, the human heart is actually closely related to the external body. It is still traceable. Follow this path, open up an energy passage, or perhaps a Vitality passage, then you will become a Rank-4 martial artist.
“However... this process consumes a lot of Vitality. Under normal circumstances, it’ll be easier if you enter the Vitality Pool.
“In your case, there’s no need to...”
Fang Ping really wanted to say, ‘I need to!’
At this moment, he had depleted his Vitality. There was no way of replenishing it.
“Purchase a few Viscera-shielding Pills to shield your internal organs, ensure that they are not injured. Let your body reach the Peak state, open up the passage, build bridges. This is how it is. Your physique is very strong. I think there’s no problem with that. Of course, if you’re really afraid of dying, and if Lu Fengrou has not returned, I can watch over you as well...”
Fang Ping’s complexion turned black. ‘I’m afraid of dying?’
‘Who’s afraid of dying?’
‘I’m not asking for anyone to watch over me. Although if Old Man Li insists to watch over me, I don’t have a choice either. I can’t turn down an elderly’s kind intention.
“I understand now. Instructor, I don’t have the Methods of Honing – Internal Organs here with me. Do you have it?”
“Of course. You, kid, have broken through too quickly. Since Lu Fengrou happens to be away recently, it’ll be the same if I give it to you.”
Old Man Li tossed a book to Fang Ping smoothly. He did not wait for him to flip it open before smiling, saying, “Actually, Fang Ping, cultivating step-by-step is not what geniuses should do.
“Isn’t your Vitality extremely high?
“You can try building five bridges in a one-off, stepping into Middle-stage Rank-4 straightaway!”
“Is this possible?”
“Of course it’s possible. If you have the capability, then complete a one-off honing of five internal organs. If that happens, I’ll admit that you’re powerful. You can become a Peak Rank-4 straightaway.”
Fang Ping went deep in thought for a moment. Suddenly, with a face full of bitterness, he said, “I can’t.”
I am broke!
I lacked Wealth. How could I replenish my Vitality without Wealth?
He knew as soon as he heard it. That building five bridges would definitely cost a hefty amount. Otherwise, there would not be a need to intentionally set Early-stage and Middle-stage Rank-4 apart.
If everything went smoothly, without ten thousand cal Vitality or more, there would be no hopes for him to build bridges in a one-off.
When other Rank-3 martial artists built a bridge, they had to go to the Vitality pool to assist them in cultivation. That meant that they lacked Vitality.
To replenish more than ten thousand cal Vitality right now would cost tens of millions in Wealth.
This was only Fang Ping’s self-estimation. He would not attempt a one-off if he did not have more than twenty to thirty million.
Old Man Li threw him a look, a look that seemed baffled. After a while, he said, “It’s not really that risky. Kid, Is it necessary for you to be so afraid?”
Fang Ping continued to roll his eyes. ‘I’m afraid?’
‘If I can enter Middle-stage straightaway, then why should I be afraid? The key is that I do not have a base. Does this old man really think that Vitality comes out of thin air?’
He did not care what Old Man Li was thinking about. Fang Ping stood up while holding the Methods of Honing – Internal Organs in his hand, and said, “I’ll go back and do a bit of reading, make some preparations, and find a time to breakthrough. I’ll inform you when the time comes.”
“You have met the requirements now. Honestly, your preparation should take one to two days only...”
“I’ll take a few more days to prepare.”
Fang Ping was painfully aware of the problems he had to face. How I wished I could breakthrough now too. Still, the key. Everything was back to square one.
“I still need to earn money!”
Fang Ping walked out of the office, with only this in his mind. Rank-4 was just in front of him, yet he was blocked by money.
Actually, he could spend some money and go to the Vitality Pool. However, what Old Man Li said about building five bridges in a one-off sounded equally tempting to Fang Ping as well.
The interference between bridges would not be strong when building it for the first time. It would be much easier.
Otherwise, to continue building the rest of the passages once the first passage had been successfully built, certain energy would start to emerge to interfere and repel. This was also the advantage of a successful one-off building.
“Earning money... is so hard!”
An almost inaudible sigh was heard. In the office, Old Man Li was stunned. This kid was truly worshipping the almighty dollar now!