Fang Ping felt it was a pity there was no storage equipment.
Some large items were hard to bring back from the Catacombs, just like last time when he had killed quite a few martial artists but had to leave all their weapons behind.
Fortunately, he managed to retrieve two weapons, otherwise, he would be crying with vexation.
Fang Ping did not continue tying himself into knots over the matter, however. He considered for a moment; he did know how long it would be before he next went down to the Catacombs.
He could not delay his cultivation from now on either.
“Let me have 10 Bodybuilding Pills, 10 Eleven Pills, and 10 Viscera-shielding Pills as well.”
“What do you want so many for? Are you preparing to hone your heart?”
Old Man Li was slightly surprised. For middle-ranked cultivation, these three pills were highest in demand.
Bodybuilding Pills and Eleven Pills were for honing the inner organs. Of course, Bodybuilding Pills were mainly meant for honing the body. Eleven Pills were for the vital organs, and the Viscera-shielding Pills were to prevent the inner organs from being harmed.
Bodybuilding Pills and Eleven Pills were actually categorized as Rank-5 pills. In reality, they did not need to be separated by rank and could also be treated as specialty pills.
Rank-4 and Rank-5 martial artists required the aid of such pills to hone their inner organs.
When they reached Rank-6, they would not need these anymore.
Sealing the Sanjiao Gate was not something pills could help with anyway.
“Mmm-hmmm. I have to buy them sooner or later anyway.”
Fang Ping continued a little awkwardly, “Instructor, can I get this put on a tab first? I don’t have any more credits.”
Using money to buy the pills was out of the question; Fang Ping felt it was a bit of a waste. The difficulty of earning credits had now been lowered, which made him feel that spending cash to buy things was an enormous loss. In reality, 1 credit still required an exchange of 300 thousand in cash, so there was no difference.
Now that he had entered the middle ranks and was honing his vital organs, the system did not allow Fang Ping to cheat.
Although using Wealth points to replenish Vitality could speed up the rate of cultivation, Vitality was not that significant in honing the vital organs.
It was these pills for targeted use that had more significant effects. Supplemented by his unlimited Vitality, his cultivation rate would definitely be extremely fast when he started honing his vital organs.
Old Man Li slid him a glance and chuckled, not saying anything.
Fang Ping sighed. Spending cash was the same actually, but why did he feel it was just a big waste of resources?
“Resurrection Pills are 200 credits each, Bodybuilding Pills are 200 credits per pill, Eleven Pills are 200 credits as well, and Rank-4 Viscera-shielding Pills cost 150 credits a pill...
“7500 credits. Are you sure you want to buy so many?”
Old Man Li directly toted up the necessary expense—10 of each pill, all of them middle-ranked pills. Resurrection Pills were not ranked.
Even Peak Rank-5 martial artists who came to buy pills did not bulk-buy 10 of each type the way Fang Ping did.
“With all these pills, if your cultivation goes smoothly, you’ll have enough to break through to Rank-5 even. You don’t have to buy that many Resurrection Pills either. In fact, it’s fine to not buy Viscera-shielding Pills. You’re a brat as strong as a demon—what do you need Viscera-shielding Pills for?”
“My inner organs aren’t strong enough...”
“If your inner organs strengthen any more, you’ll be halfway to a golden body—what the h*ll do you still need to cultivate for!” Old Man Li scolded. This brat really could never be satisfied.
Fang Ping pursed his lips. ‘7500 credits; you might as well kill me. I’d have to spend more than two hundred million.’
“I’ll take 5 Resurrection Pills...I don’t want the Bodybuilding Pills anymore...”
Old Man Li’s face was full of confusion. This brat wanted Viscera-shielding Pills over Bodybuilding Pills—just how motherf*cking afraid of death was he?
“4500 credits. That’ll be 135 million in cash...”
Fang Ping sighed softly and grumbled, “Didn’t the school lower the prices? Why is it still so expensive...”
“That’s for credits, not cash.”
Credits were what students earned, and were impossible to generate out of nothing. On the other hand, some students would just rely on their families for something like cash.
Moreover, the university had to prevent people like Fang Ping from reselling pills. MCMAU did not have the rights for external operations, so they could give students some leeway credits-wise, but not cash-wise.
“Is there a discount?”
“130 million.”
“I’m the Martial Arts Society president. I’ve bled for MCMAU, I’ve fought for MCMAU’s welfare and secured it. I’ve even...”
“Oh, hush. If you’re not buying, then go away!”
Fang Ping cursed inwardly. Old Man Li was certainly not cute now, unlike in the beginning when he would give Fang Ping cheaper prices.
...
Fang Ping walked out of the logistics department with a ton of Rank-4 and Rank-5 pills.
In total, he had 6 Resurrection Pills, 10 Viscera-shielding Pills, and 10 Eleven Pills.
He only had 45 million in cash left.
“I should buy a house now—get some property in Magic City. If the situation in Nanjiang isn’t good, I’ll get Mom and Dad to move here.”
Fang Ping fell silent for a while. He did not want to put his money into his company now either.
A loan for his company would be sufficient; he would see how things went after he spent all of his own money first.
Every time martial artists went to the Catacombs for whatever reason, they had to treat it as if it might be the last time. Before they entered the Catacombs, they had to make all the necessary arrangements.
Even Grandmasters had to prepare for these things.
...
Noon on the same day.
Southern Contribution District.
Bay Gardens.
This was one of the most famous villa areas in Magic City. It was extremely in demand, and units were not sold to nonentities.
It was also close to Magic City’s Catacombs entrance.
This meant that the distribution of energy particles was a little more saturated here than in other places. The environment was good, and cultivation would progress swiftly here. All this made Bay Gardens’ detached villas very valuable.
In fact, some of MCMAU’s instructors did not stay in the school but bought houses here.
It was not too far from MCMAU either—only 20 minutes’ drive.
The villa area’s real estate gallery could not even be called a real estate gallery.
Fang Ping, in his inexperience, thought he had gone the wrong way when he reached the real estate gallery—it was constructed along the lines of a grand hotel.
The second he entered the door, someone was there to greet and welcome him. Next, tea was served, and a beautiful professionally-dressed woman came to speak to him.
When a house agent did not talk about houses but instead talked about family, life, and needs...Fang Ping felt that making small talk with women was so annoying!
“Beautiful, I only want to buy a house!”
Fang Ping interrupted the intellectual beauty in front of him and produced his martial arts license straight away. “I am Fang Ping from MCMAU. Unless only Grandmasters can purchase property here, I’m certainly qualified enough.
“Also, I’d like a discount; the lowest price possible, and the house has to be the best.
“I’ve no other requirements...”
The intellectual, professionally-dressed beauty laughed softly and said, “How can we not know you, Mr. Fang? You made your way up north challenging powerhouses from each place. Your name is widespread. I recognized you the moment you stepped through the door...”
‘Of course, it has to do with your little commercials as well. Every day, I can hear ‘Fang Ping will teach you to fight monsters’ whenever I go online.’
The professionally-dressed beauty naturally kept these thoughts to herself.
She had only made conversation to clarify Fang Ping’s needs.
It did not take her long to recommend Fang Ping a private gated villa in a quiet environment.
It had three stories, 6 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, and 4 bathrooms. The house was 580 square meters with an attached swimming pool; outside the basement, there was a small personal garden. It was 60 thousand for one square meter, no bargaining allowed.
During peak real estate periods, this was not expensive.
However, at this moment, 60 thousand for one square meter was extremely pricy.
Fang Ping went to look it over. There were no furnishings, but the design, location, and whatnot were all not bad. Plus, the woman kept singing his praises all the way.
She mentioned something about “MCMAU’s leader”, “the younger generation’s number one example”, and “sunnily handsome”...
Only when the contract was signed and the accounts settled did Fang Ping realize something was off.
There were a ton of taxes to be paid along with the payment for the house, and the agent had actually charged him 36 million for it. Just like that, she had even made Fang Ping feel that he had gotten a bargain. This was not right.
All this while, he had been the one who played others; now he had nearly been played himself.
“I’ll transfer another 4 million to you to help me furnish the place. It must be furnished well; if it’s lacking, I’ll hold you all liable and deal with you accordingly.”
Fang Ping did not care if the other party was willing or not and proceeded to settle the payment.
Everybody in the real estate gallery was stunned into silence.
Did he think that 4 million was enough to furnish a house properly?
Fang Ping could not care less what they thought and swiped his credit card, commenting, “Your chairperson is also a student who graduated from MCMAU—a Peak Rank-6 powerhouse. Since he can manage such a successful real estate business in Magic City, he should have no problem taking care of a junior.
“Actually, if I didn’t pay it wouldn’t really be too much of an issue.
“But we are all one family, and I wouldn’t be able to stomach not paying, so this is how it will be.
“Spending 40 million to buy a house...that’s such a waste.”
It was unclear whether Fang Ping’s complaint was directed at himself or other people.
The manager standing off to the side was a knowledgeable man. He smiled upon hearing Fang Ping’s comment and shook his head slightly at the others. Since Fang Ping had said 4 million, then 4 million it would be.
Just as Fang Ping said, if he had defaulted on payment, the chairperson would not necessarily say anything either.
Running a lucrative business in Magic City actually had a lot to do with MCMAU and its people.
This was the prodigy of MCMAU’s current generation. Leaving aside the fact that he had already paid 40 million, if he really had defaulted on that sum of money, all anyone else could do was pinch their noses and let him.
...
Coming out of the real estate gallery.
Fang Ping released a breath. Previously, he had felt that the 175 million he had could never be fully spent.
Now, reality had shown him that spending so much money only took a day.
Currently, he only had 5 million left.
“However, it’s good that I’ve purchased property here. Now that I have it, unless Magic City’s Catacombs are destroyed, this will still be the safest place.”
Magic City’s military was situated not 5 kilometers away.
Around 100 thousand troops were stationed above and below ground, with nearly 10 thousand martial artists.
The two martial arts universities in the area, MCMAU and ESNNU, were not too far away either. Reinforcements from powerhouses could happen in an instant; besides, micro districts also had a large concentration of martial artists.
As for safety concerns, aside from the government, the Military Department, and a few other martial arts universities that were considered safer, Magic City was safer than anywhere else.
“I have to tell Dad and Mom that I have a house here now, and if the situation gets dangerous, they can come here.”
If the danger from the Catacombs increased, Magic City and Capital City were the safest havens.
...
Fang Ping called his father and told him about the house in a few simple sentences.
He did not say anything much, merely let his father know that if the family could no longer stay in Sun City, they could come to Magic City.
Fang Mingrong did not say much either. The truth is, after entering government service, Fang Mingrong had gradually begun to see some things in a much clearer light.
Sun City’s local government was forming a local martial artist combat team. All of the martial artists in the city were starting to be trained in Combat Techniques, including some of the people in the government.
Even Vitality martial artist Tan Zhenping had been forced into joining a Combat Techniques training class and had begun to receive guidance on Combat Techniques.
Commander Bai Jinshan took this very seriously.
The atmosphere of Auspicious Peace City next door was even more tense than that of Sun City. Their Rank-4 commander had personally performed his martial arts drills in the plaza at the heart of the city. All the city’s martial artists had to drill and practice every day. Should someone not do so, they would be severely punished!
Auspicious Peace was now beginning to be under military rule.
“Take care of yourself, son.”
Just as Fang Ping was about to hang up, Fang Mingrong spoke softly. He paused before continuing, “Don’t worry about us at home. Your mother and I have lived here for so many years. We won’t starve to death without this position either. Money and wealth are all external things. No matter how strong you are at martial arts, you still have to take care of your body.”
“Dad, don’t worry.”
Fang Ping laughed, and his answer came easily enough.
After hanging up, Fang Ping shook his head slightly. This was not about money or wealth.
...
On the shores of Safe Haven.
Currently, there were not many martial artists who practiced martial arts on the shores of Safe Haven. A few days ago, some martial artists were so badly fined they nearly had to sell their own pants, they were so broke.
Just smashing a rock could result in a fine of tens of thousands. Now, none of the instructors came here to cultivate. They really could not stand those Martial Arts Society people.
Lu Fengrou had no such scruples. As far as she was concerned, if anything was wrecked, it was Fang Ping who would be paying the fines.
Furthermore, the environment here was good, and the area was spacious. It was best to cultivate here.
“Maha Punch and Vajra Punch are actually in the same vein, except the Vajra Punch is an external assault whereas Maha Punch is an internal one.
“You’ve been cultivating Maha Punch for a few days now. Punch now and let me see.”
Fang Ping found a rock and looked around first before drawing his fist back and delivering a single blow.
Bang!
With a brittle sound, the rock crumbled.
Lu Fengrou nodded slightly, saying, “Not enough. You might say that after your strength skyrocketed, you still haven’t yet grasped the essentials of this type of strength. When you’ve truly mastered the Maha Punch, the stone will crumble, but not like this.”
As she spoke, Lu Fengrou struck the ground with her fist.
Fang Ping’s gaze flickered slightly. He walked over to a rock and kicked it. At that moment, the rock split open; the inside of it had completely turned to dust.
Fang Ping’s expression changed, and he turned his head to look at Lu Fengrou. “Instructor, is this Vitality Force penetrating and crumbling the inner part of the rock?”
“Yes.”
Lu Fengrou nodded, putting both hands behind her back. She said lightly, “If I wanted to kill a martial artist below Peak Rank-5 now with a single punch, they would die with no question—no luck involved!
“Peak Rank-5 martial artists would have completed honing their inner organs, so it’s not so easy to kill them.
“However, to me, it’s all the same. When I use my Mentality to shock my opponent and pressure them, then strike their head, they would still die.
“In Rank-6, each gate sealed strengthens Mentality. A strong Mentality means it’s not so easy to be killed anymore.
“When all of the Sanjiao Gate is sealed, Mentality at this stage won’t be that low. If you meet a powerhouse like this, it’s best not to assume that you can use your Mentality to disrupt them.”
Fang Ping asked, “Instructor, under normal circumstances, how strong is the Mentality of Rank-5 and 6 martial artists?”
“It depends on the person, but before Peak Rank-6, most martial artists’ Mentalities would stop at 499Hz.”
“Then I’m still much stronger than they are...”
Lu Fengrou shook her head. “Mentality isn’t the only thing. If your opponent has strong Vitality, great force, and immense willpower, your Mentality won’t have the effect of pressuring them. Instead, you would be more susceptible to being injured. This is very problematic, so martial artists below Grandmaster level very rarely have matches that are decided by Mentality.”
Lu Fengrou continued, “Alright, we’ll stop talking about this for now. You’ve seen for yourself how to cultivate Maha Punch. The important part still lies in your ability to control it.
“Also, for Saber Techniques, I asked Nanjiang for Royal Decapitation, which I’m about to give you. It’s in the same vein as Manic Explosion...”
Fang Ping smiled bitterly and said, “Instructor, are these the only methods available for Saber Techniques?”
Zhang Dingnan’s Saber Techniques were very embarrassing!
Manic Explosion, Royal Decapitation and Divine Annihilation were a series of Saber Techniques.
Royal Decapitation was a high-ranked Combat Technique. Divine Annihilation was a Combat Technique Zhang Dingnan developed at Peak Rank-6 after he unified his essence, spirit, and soul, and it had yet to be perfected.
However, he had eventually perfected Royal Decapitation after he achieved Grandmaster rank.
“There are others, but Combat Techniques in the same vein are easier to cultivate. Your Manic Explosion is much easier to mesh with this. Plus, because it was developed by one person, the paths Vitality has to flow through are the same. Are you sure you want to change Combat Techniques?”
Fang Ping said sheepishly, “Does Governor-General Zhang not find this name embarrassing?”
Lu Fengrou chuckled. “Is it? I think he’s quite pleased with it. He even warned you against disgracing his Combat Technique. Otherwise, he’ll hold you liable...”
Fang Ping had no words to counter this.
Zhang Dingnan was a governor!
With such a lofty and powerful position, could he not be a bit more reasonable?
What decapitation of what royal!
In his heart, he cursed countless times, but in order to master Combat Techniques as quickly as possible, Fang Ping could only pinch his nose and learn them.
It was still the same order of things. He would study the manual first. If he had anything he did not understand after reading through, then he would ask.
Fang Ping was not in a hurry either. Cultivating Combat Techniques was not something that could be done in a day and a night after all.
Having received the manual on the new Combat Technique, Fang Ping asked with some curiosity, “Instructor, haven’t you created any other Combat Techniques aside from the Blood Arrow Method?”
Zhang Dingnan had developed an entire crate’s worth of Combat Techniques.
“I have.”
“Why don’t you teach me?”
“You’re sure you want to learn them?”
“I do.”
Fang Ping felt that Lu Fengrou always thought out of the box. Learning some of her Combat Techniques would be very interesting.
“Go to the Combat Technique Library to look for it. Invincible Punch is what I developed two years ago.”
Fang Ping was rendered speechless.
Did all these Combat Technique developers not pass their sophomore year of high school?
Lu Fengrou clearly did not feel embarrassed by the name. After some thought, she added, “But my Invincible Punch is more suitable for people who have at least have half a golden body to cultivate. It’s one realm above Zhang Dingnan’s Saber Technique. You might not be able to learn it yet.”
Fang Ping felt weary. ‘Fine, I won’t learn it. The old ancestor’s Combat Technique sticks closer to the script anyway.
‘You could set up a flea market stall with all your Combat Techniques and people might not necessarily want them because they all sound so cheap.’