Fang Ping left the logistics department 1000 credits richer.
The school was not stingy; the reward for a Rank-4 martial artist was very handsome.
Fang Ping did not exchange the credits for pills as Old Man Li was not at the logistics department. He accumulated them for the time being.
Upon collection of the 1000 credits, Fang Ping’s Wealth increased by another 20 million.
He now had more than 42 million, just enough to cover up for his previous usage.
When he was at the Catacombs, the information he delivered about East Sunflower City bagged Fang Ping 2000 credits which he had not used, so now he had accumulated 3000 credits in total.
Earlier, when the school waged war against the Catacombs, all available resources were poured into the assault. Due to the circumstances then, it was not convenient for Fang Ping to buy pills in bulk.
Besides, he killed many martial artists while he was guarding the city during the war. Now that the war in the Catacombs was over, this reminded Fang Ping that he would have more credits coming in once the Military Department tallied and finalized the combat results.
The Military Department had its hands full, what with the heavy damages they suffered during the war. Fang Ping was in no hurry to claim his earnings and was content to wait till things have settled down.
For his breakthrough, he had spent 5 million at the Vitality Pool, and another 6 million-plus for some Viscera-shielding Pills. Fang Ping was left with 65 million in cash at this moment.
Excluding the company, Fang Ping now had 65 million in cash, 3000 credits, 1 Resurrection Pill, 3 Vitality Outburst Pills, a guandao, a suit of inner armor, and a pair of combat boots.
Fang Ping’s total net worth, including his company and valuables, was estimated to be 300 to 400 million.
‘In just a year.’
Thinking back when he just arrived at Magic City last year in August with almost nothing to his name, Fang Ping was quite proud of his achievements.
Within a year, he had cultivated to Middle-stage Rank-4 and gained close to 400 million net worth. Besides being the biggest earner, he also boasted the quickest advancement among his peers.
“I dare to challenge all who think they can surpass me!”
Fang Ping’s bold and arrogant statement gave a passing instructor a shudder and left him speechless. Since when did Rank-4 martial artists have such arrogant confidence?
...
Fang Ping reached the breakthrough on the 18th of August.
On the 20th of August, streams of students began flowing back to school.
For those who have yet to return, they received a notice from the school, urging them to be back before the 23rd. This included those undergoing their internship elsewhere, unless they had special circumstances.
The previous Vice-chancellor died during the battle at the Catacombs. Even though other instructors of MCMAU escaped and returned from the Catacombs, the school was about to witness a change of new blood.
In other universities, students would not usually witness the reshuffling of instructors.
Being a martial arts university, the relationship between pupils and instructors in MCMAU was not as simple as that. They were also comrades in battle, people who you could trust your life with in the future.
In this kind of situation, martial arts students were also involved in the reshuffling of certain positions.
MCMAU was not as deserted as before. Instead, it began to appear more lively with the return of its students.
...
Fang Ping did not let himself stay idle these few days.
Since returning from Lu Fengrou’s place, Fang Ping began studying the Flight Step. For the time being, he had not started on any high-ranked combat techniques.
Just like eating a meal a bite at a time, having high-ranked combat techniques does not mean that middle-ranked combat techniques were of no use.
He had not fully mastered his seven collective slashes from Manic Explosion. Even an amateur high-ranked Combat Technique user may not be able to compete with him once he had fully mastered it and combined it with the strength of a full-fledged Rank-4.
It did not matter if a high-ranked Combat Technique could expel your Vitality outward. Extending your Vitality did not guarantee a larger outburst or a successful hit. Fang Ping could still kill his opponent with a single strike.
The true significance was having a deep grasp of these techniques. Solely relying on the extension of Vitality was useless. Like the long-ranged archer at the Catacombs who was very skilled at extending out his Vitality, he too was finally killed by Fang Ping.
Fang Ping’s progress of learning Flight Step was rather quick. He had already mastered Cloud Step, while his pole-standing had long reached the elevated stance. Combining these two allowed him to master Flight Step in no time.
Lu Fengrou secretly wondered how Fang Ping mastered these cultivation methods so quickly, which was in contrast to his combat cultivation methods which took forever.
...
Fang Ping’s main homework was on the internal organs chapter for Methods of Honing, and also the Flight Step. His Mentality and Vitality were increasing along with the training.
Fang Ping could tell that his progress was fast despite it being his first time training his internal organs.
Among all the internal organs that he needed to train, honing the heart was the hardest and posed the highest risk, thus he did not force himself to pursue it immediately. Instead, he placed more attention in stabilizing his Middle-stage Rank-4 status.
Li Hansong of CCMAU had progressed swiftly; he only used a little more than 2 months to get from Upper-stage Rank-4 to the peak.
Wang Jinyang took some time to get from Middle-stage to Upper-stage, but his journey from Upper-stage to Peak was faster.
Earlier, on the 1st of July, once the rankings were out, Fang Ping was at Peak Rank-3.
At the time, Wang Jinyang was confident that he would achieve Peak Rank-4 by the time Fang Ping entered Rank-4.
...
Fu Changding and the gang returned to school on the 22nd of August.
Fang Ping took everyone by surprise when he offered to play the role of a gracious host and treated everyone to a meal.
...
On the ground floor of the cafeteria.
“Everyone come over and eat, just order more if there isn’t enough food.” Fang Ping smiled as he enthusiastically greeted everyone.
Fu Changding sighed when he understood. He knew that Fang Ping was a very shrewd and stingy guy. The regular dishes on the ground floor of the cafeteria were in fact free of charge!
As Fang Ping continued to welcome the crowd, he exclaimed across the table, “Zhao Lei, congratulations on reaching Rank-3!”
Zhao Lei gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
“Everyone is so talented! Zhao Lei, Yunxi and Fu Changdingl have all entered Rank-3. Yang Xiaoman is a bit disappointing though, only at Peak Rank-2... Xuemei is already catching up to you.” Fang Ping lamented.
‘So what if I didn’t reach Rank-3? Does it bother you so much that you must rub salt into my wound?’ Yang Xiaoman thought furiously as she took a savage bite from her chicken thigh.
Fang Ping rambled on. “Tang Songting is already at Upper-stage Rank-2, soon to reach Peak. Jin Lei and the rest are also approaching Upper-stage Rank-2. Work harder and get to Rank-3 as soon as possible. Our batch is much better than Xie Lei’s batch. When we enrolled, they didn’t even have a Rank-3 in their group. As for us, we already have 3. Even Xuemei can possibly breakthrough before the new batch of students enter in a few more days.”
Fang Ping gave a gleeful grin as he continued. “Even Zhang Yu’s batch isn’t that great. When we entered last year, the seniors were great and already had Rank-5 martial artists. But look at this year’s seniors—not even a Peak Rank-4 martial artist. I wonder if Chen Wenlong managed to achieve breakthrough. All in all, I still think our batch is the best. It’s time for the school to have an image makeover.”
Fu Changding gave a laugh. “How about you stop beating around the bush? Just give it to us straight and announce that you have already broken through to Rank-4. Don’t be so roundabout and start counting how many Rank-3s we have, hoping that someone will ask why you are not included in the list.”
“Nonsense! Am I such a shallow person? Did I even boast about me being a Middle-stage Rank-4 martial artist?” Fang Ping virtuously answered.
The table fell silent.
Pretentious people were a dime a dozen, but it was a first seeing someone like Fang Ping, who would go through the trouble of gathering everyone just to flagrantly boast.
“Middle-stage? You mean to say you’re already at Middle-stage Rank-4?” Chen Yunxi asked meekly since nobody else seemed curious enough.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just so happened that I managed to connect the five Celestial Bridges at one go when I went for the breakthrough. It’s really nothing.” Fang Ping’s broad grin never left his face.
Cough! cough!
“OK, we know already. So, what’s next?” Zhao Lei responded drily.
Fang Ping gave him a dirty stare as he replied, “Middle-stage Rank-4 is no big deal, right?”
‘Oh my dear lord, aren’t you marveled at all?’
Zhao Lei’s expression turned even more sullen as he paused for a moment before he retorted. “Excellent! Marvelous! Now that you are in Middle-rank while I’m just a Low-rank, I guarantee that my father will come to school if you dare to beat me up again.”
‘Don’t you dare think that I don’t have any ways to handle you, son of a b***h! When we were both at the three lower ranks, I couldn’t say much after being beaten up by you. Now that you’re in Middle-rank while I’m still in Low-rank, I’m not going to let it slide if you attack me again!’ Zhao Lei kept these thoughts.
Fang Ping was stunned for a moment before awkwardly replying, “What are you talking about? How is a friendly match among fellow students considered as beating up someone? By the way, I forgot to ask, is your father an Early-stage or Upper-stage Rank-5?”
“Peak Rank-5!” Zhao Lei snapped. Since he could not win against Fang Ping, he might as well get his father to do so. His father, Peak Rank-5, was more than capable of teaching this brat a lesson.
Fang Ping groaned. “Peak Rank-5... Then let’s continue this discussion when I reach Rank-5 in a few months.”
Zhao Lei felt completely depressed. He just lowered his head and drank his soup, refusing to talk to Fang Ping anymore.
Fang Ping laughed a little and continued. “Alright. We’ve gone off-topic. We fellow students should help, love, and support each other. Isn’t it absurd to be fighting among each other, more so until parents are needed to be called into school? Anyway, this meal is actually to gather everyone for a serious discussion.”
“You’re sure you’ve bought everyone a meal?” Yang Xiaoman raised an eyebrow.
“No? Aren’t the dishes all here? Martial artists should also be prudent and not spend thriftily.” Fang Ping quickly switched back to his main topic.
“Everyone should be quite aware of what happened to the old Vice-chancellor. Vice-chancellor Wu is taking over the position. And I feel that it is time to get a new committee for the Martial Arts Society.
“Everyone knows that the senior year students do not hold the position for the president of the Martial Arts Society. This has been a mutual agreement among all schools. Zhang Yu should make way and step down from his position. But now Zhang Yu is planning to get Chen Wenlong to take over. This has never happened in all of history!
“The seniors will be graduating soon, thus everyone is working ahead for their future plans. It is obvious that Chen Wenlong chose to intern in the Military Department to pave way for plans after he graduates, so how can he find time to spend in school and bring the Martial Arts Society to greater heights?
“I, on the other hand, am just about to enter sophomore year in a few days. My time in school has barely started. I’m a much better-suited candidate to take over as the new president for the Martial Arts Society.
“Whereas you guys are this year’s representatives for the sophomores. You all have some rights to nominate the presidential candidate.
“My older brothers and sisters can represent the voices of the junior and senior year students.
“And let’s be logical. I might reach Rank-5 soon. If I am not elected as the president of the Martial Arts Society, is that even practical?
“I’m not even graduating soon, and most of my time is spent in school. How can I tolerate the commands or instructions from those who are weaker than myself?
“So for the harmony of the school, and also to set a good example to all students...”
Fu Changding raised his hand and cut off Fang Ping. “OK. We get what you’re trying to say. Stop kissing your own ass. It’s no problem if you want us to vote for you to be president, but our votes don’t mean much. It depends on the majority.”
“You guys are representing all of sophomore year’s 1000 plus students, of course your support is significant!” Fang Ping chuckled, then he turned over to Zhao Lei. “What is your opinion?”
“Whatever,” said Zhao Lei.
“How about you, Yang Xiaoman?” asked Fang Ping.
“I...”
Before Yang Xiaoman could complete her sentence, Fang Ping gave a threatening glare. “I have not settled the score with you for tarnishing my reputation last time. I will make you my enemy if you dare vote against me.”
Yang Xiaoman gave an annoyed look and grudgingly said, “Fine!”
Fang Ping added, “Yunxi, you don’t have any objections, right?”
Chen Yunxi shook her head. Shortly after, she wondered out loud, “You haven’t been selling any pills lately?”
Fang Ping was taken aback by the shift in topic. “Let’s not talk about this for now. Back to the issue of the Martial Arts Society...”
Zhao Xuemei could take no more of this. “There are no other issues left to discuss. We all have no problem with you being the president of the Martial Arts Society. Stop talking and eat.”
Fang Ping was perplexed. “I’m going to lead the whole MCMAU student body, can’t you guys show some enthusiasm?”
Fu Changding was rather exasperated. “Can’t you at least have the grace of a student leader and treat us to a fancier meal instead of trying to fool us with this scrap?
“Also, if you continue to solicit pills, believe me, the instructors will hunt you down to the ends of the world.
“Those who don’t know the truth will think that you’re taking bribes.” Fu Changding paused before adding uncomfortably, “Also, can you stop making those minor advertisements? It’s so embarrassing when my high school friends ask if I know a person by the name of Fang Ping.
“When I said I do know you, all they ever ask is if it’s true that one can walk midair wearing Dike. It’s driving me f**king crazy!
“Don’t you think this scandal of yours is an enormous disturbance?
“You’re the unbeatable Rank-3, yet this reputation has been tarnished...”
Fang Ping was displeased and protested. “I did not rob or steal, I merely shot an advertisement, what’s wrong with that? Unlike you rich kids, I’m just a peasant boy. How am I to continue my training if I don’t find ways to earn some money?
“Just a pill for Rank-4 can easily cost a few hundred thousand, where else can I get such an amount? I will teach a lesson to whoever is still going to use this as an issue!”
Chen Yunxi sympathetically responded, “It’s true that it’s not easy. The situation now is considerably OK. There are even people who tried to slander you. Oh right, earlier there was this reporter who somehow managed to find my QQ ID and sent me a PM, claiming that the rumors he circulated previously were on your orders. He is so shameless to blame it on you.”
Fang Ping quietly nodded. ‘I’ll remember you, Liu Dali. Don’t you ever let me catch you. Death awaits you if you ever fall into my hands!’
Unlike Chen Yunxi who thought the reporter was lying, Fu Changding and the rest gave Fang Ping a weird stare because they believed that was just the sort of thing Fang Ping would do.
...
At the same moment, many miles away.
Liu Dali gave a strong sneeze as he grumbled, “The biggest piece of news in MCMAU is that they will be electing a new Vice-chancellor. Unfortunately, that fellow is in MCMAU... Now that I’m an Upper-stage Rank-3, I wonder if I can compete with him?”
Liu Dali felt rather confident at this moment.
He could feel the physical changes that he was much stronger now upon breaking through to Upper-stage Rank-3.
Earlier when he witnessed Fang Ping easily splice away obstacles with a strike while midair, he felt their difference in strength was huge.
Right now, however, Liu Dali felt that he could do it too.
‘To go or not to go? Even if I went, will I be able to enter MCMAU?
‘Now that one of the 2 top institutes is electing a new Vice-chancellor, and the school is reopening soon, this is going to draw a lot of attention.’
Liu Dali could not make up his mind. Magic City was a good place, with a lot of the latest news and great information. Was it not a huge waste for him to give up a treasure trove like Magic City just because of Fang Ping?
‘To be honest, I’m not even afraid of him, I’m just cautious about those who have his back.
‘Fang Ping is just a young man. I have no idea how much strength and wits he has. But his instructors are definitely capable. MCMAU has so many instructors, what if Fang Ping calls for backup?’ Liu Dali lamented silently. It was impossible to constantly be competing with everyone without going mad.