10th October.
The opening ceremony of the National Rank-1 Martial Arts Grand Competition was held at the city’s gym.
Early morning, countless media reporters crowded the city gym.
...
“They’re here!”
Someone shouted from among the group of reporters. Soon enough, the crowd turned their gaze outward.
“There are so many people here!” Someone babbled to themselves at the shock that followed.
Before their eyes, more than a thousand martial artists in light clothing equipped with weapons appeared. For people who had never entered the Catacombs before, it was impressive.
What were the chances of seeing thousands of martial artists teaming up?
It was at this moment that someone shouted suddenly, “Look at the sky!”
The people paused and then turned simultaneously toward the sky.
What followed was a wide-spread astonishment!
“Flying powerhouses!”
“So many of them!”
“Inhuman!”
“...”
The crowd started clamoring!
Everyone had seen the video of a powerhouse’s Flight Step. However, a video could never come up close to witnessing the real thing, what more it was just a stranger in the video.
At this moment, the people from MCMAU glided across the sky, with hundreds of powerhouses executing Midair Steps, fully equipped with weapons. What was second to their grandiose was still grandiose!
...
In the air above the crowd.
Old Man Li caressed the hood that he put on with a fake wig made of white hair attached to it. He felt somewhat uncomfortable with the fake hair that was flowing in the air. In his annoyed state, he started nagging, “What in the world. Who did they learn this from? Why didn’t the bastard wear a hood himself? Anyway, where is everyone else?”
Next to him, Tang Feng harrumphed coldly. “He made me put on a lion’s hood this morning, trying to convince me that it looks cool. I beat him up so he’s probably recovering right now.”
Old Man Li was immediately rendered speechless.
The instructors around them had a hard time stifling their laughter. Luo Yichuan was no exception. After laughing with them for a while, he opened his mouth to say, “Is there a point to this?”
When midnight swung by, Fang Ping, the horrendous character started paying visits to the many instructors in the instructors’ quarters.
It all boiled down to one request—Please help them look good.
For MCMAU’s sake. For humanity’s sake.
It was truly for humanity’s sake. The aim was to further propagate everyone’s interest in martial arts; to give hope to the weak, telling them “If I can do it, so can you.” Today, you could learn Flight Step; Tomorrow, I could replace you.
As for how this was for MCMAU’s sake, it was, of course, to showcase MCMAU’s abilities to the entire world. Of course, with the parade of endless powerhouses doing Flight Step, anyone in the field understood that MCMAU might not be at par with CCMAU.
However, to the laymen’s eyes... MCMAU was absolutely overpowering!
Hundreds of powerhouses utilized Flight Step! Did CCMAU even have that many people?
Without evidence, the public would rather believe what they saw with their own eyes.
As the instructor of the School of Weaponry, his presence was mandatory.
As for the instructors from the School of Social Sciences and other schools, they could decide for themselves. However, if they chose not to go, all future resources from the Martial Arts Society would lean heavily toward the School of Weaponry.
Now that Fang Ping had taken office as the president of the Martial Arts Society, the resources had not been unfairly leaning toward any major schools.
It was all thanks to the ample amount of money. Even the School of Social Sciences received plenty of opportunities. That included the martial arts grand competition this time as well. Many students from the School of Social Sciences participated as task force leaders, earning them extra credits.
Even the distribution of standard weapons was the Martial Arts Society’s responsibility.
Although Fang Ping never articulated his threat, everyone understood his implied meaning—the greater good is the real good. If you did not support his movement now, no school should think about gaining any sort of favors from him afterward.
After an entire night’s effort, Fang Ping managed to drag over nearly two hundred instructors to join his cause. That was how the parade of Flight Stepping powerhouses came to be.
Chen Zhenhua, the dean of the School of Social Sciences said with a smile, “Based on my understanding, what the brat’s attempting to achieve is the branding effect. Even the greatest wines might get buried in the most secluded alleys. If MCMAU wants to expand, it will be a great help if more budding martial artists enroll.
“Letting the outside world know about how powerful MCMAU is will enhance some of our industries too. There are still benefits after all.”
Tang Feng’s eyebrows furrowed slightly and said, “Although I’m not a fan of his methods, I understand there are still benefits to reap. However, by doing this, my only concern is that this won’t end well.
“MCMAU is getting really high profile recently. We’re so high profile that we’ve started to annoy certain people.
“Let’s start with the CCMAU... There will be a national championship at the end of the year. I’m afraid it won’t end well.”
Old Man Li made an irritated sound and said, “Afraid of CCMAU? If you really want something to fear about, MCMAU is now still eating dirt (TN: Eating dirt means being broke.). What in the world is there to be afraid of?”
Tang Feng was speechless. “It’s not fear; it’s about being realistic. CCMAU now has 18 Rank-4 martial artists, 4 people at Upper-stage Rank-4, and 1 person at Peak Rank-4.
“What about MCMAU?
“We have one person at Upper-stage Rank-4 and no Peak Rank-4!”
“Chen Wenlong broke into Peak now.” A Rank-6 instructor butted in.
Tang Feng was not surprised. He nodded and said, “Good. We have one at Peak Rank-4. But can Chen Wenlong fight Li Hansong?”
Old Man Li said with a smile, “We have Fang Ping. Isn’t the brat almost reaching Upper-stage? Perhaps he’ll be able to break through to Peak by the end of the year.
“Additionally, the brat, Zhang Yu, hasn’t returned from the Catacombs yet. Once he’s back, it isn’t hard for him to achieve Upper-stage. In fact, there’s hope for him to reach Peak too.
“Once the year-end is here, it won’t be hard for Qin Fengqing to reach Upper-stage Peak-4. The fella went along with Fang Ping to clear out an old nest belonging to someone highly ranked. Now, we don’t know where he’s been cultivating.
“Xie Lei might even reach Middle-stage Rank-4 at the end of the year, at least.
“Also, we still have a few others who are striving toward Middle or Upper-stages.
“When the National Championship arrives, we’ll have two Peak Rank-4 martial artists and a few Upper-stage martial artists. It won’t seem like we’re putting in too little effort against CCMAU.”
“It seems true in theory...” Tang Feng sighed lightly. “Li Hansong still poses a great threat to us. If we retreat in the face of defeat, everything we’re doing right now will become nothing but making CCMAU’s wedding gown (TN: Making someone else’s wedding gown is an expression that means paving the way for others.).”
CCMAU might be holding in their tongue and awaiting the beginning of the National Championship.
The moment CCMAU defeated MCMAU, all the effort MCMAU put in right now would be in CCMAU’s service.
If the all-powerful MCMAU was defeated by CCMAU, then how powerful was CCMAU exactly?
The more elusive they were, the more people would be enticed to study them.
In the coming year, it would be disastrous when all the gifted students enrolled at CCMAU.
The more MCMAU appeared to be stronger, the more benefits CCMAU could reap from defeating MCMAU. The only worry CCMAU would have was having opponents who were not strong enough. The stronger the opponents they faced, the more they could show off their power.
While the instructors engulfed themselves in the discussion, cheers soared into the air from the crowd beneath them again.
Clad in white, Fang Ping flew toward them with Flight Step from afar.
The clothing designated for martial arts students was form-fitting, black clothing that eased movement. Yet, Fang Ping intentionally put on something white to put more emphasis on himself.
There was nothing more the instructors wanted than to beat him up.
Internally, everyone’s thoughts echoed in the manner of, ‘Goddamnit. How dare this brat. Now, everyone has become his backdrop.’
Fang Ping traveled very swiftly over with his Flight Step.
Soon enough, Fang Ping landed in front of the gym entrance.
The instant he touched down, countless flashes of light started exploding around him.
Fang Ping raised his hands slightly. Behind him, thousands of martial arts students dressed in form-fitted clothing roared in unison, “Leading martial arts universities is our pursuit, all hail MCMAU!”
The reporters were hyped. Did they mean they would be... taking over?
CCMAU was the top among the martial arts universities—this was an undeniable fact.
Even if MCMAU’s recent reputation was quite well, the truth was that MCMAU was established more recently than CCMAU. CCMAU was number one; MCMAU was number two.
Today, the instructors and students of MCMAU were all gathered here, surrounded by countless media.
MCMAU blatantly roared their slogan of “leading the martial arts universities is our pursuit”. What could CCMAU respond with now?
...
Instructors who were afloat descended one by one, but none of them spoke.
This slogan... Fang Ping did ask the instructors to try too but they almost beat him to death.
It was too embarrassing. They would never do it; not even through their dead bodies.
Things were different if only the students shouted the slogan. There was rarely a clear-cut number one in arts, yet people rarely cared about what happened to the number two in martial arts. Despite being slightly inferior to CCMAU, what could CCMAU do if students shouted a few slogans?
If you have the capability, just get your own students to shout in retaliation. No one is stopping you.
Moreover, according to Fang Ping, this was all done in the name of increasing students’ collective sense of honor. It would motivate everyone to improve themselves while firing up everyone’s motivation and morale.
Without reaching Rank-3 or without entering the Catacombs, students would still lack some motivation after all.
By turning back and fighting a few championships against CCMAU, if they won, everyone would be more confident; if they lost... The shame and embarrassment would make everyone more diligent too.
Based on that rationalization, the instructors had no comment against Fang Ping’s request for students to shout a slogan as such.
The students completed their roars but Fang Ping did not enter.
After a brief pause, Fang Ping shouted, “Martial arts alone is simple. The National Rank-1 Martial Arts Grand Competition has officially begun!
“MCMAU expanded their blood, sweat, and tears to organize this martial arts grand competition—not for the sake of fame—all for the sake of promoting the growth of martial arts; all this to make Sino Nation more powerful!
“Fights between martial artists are never about fame nor reputation. What they fight for is to improve the art itself; to strengthen the morale in martial arts!
“Practicing martial arts isn’t simply a fight to be stronger; to win. However, as a martial artist, if you are not strong, how dare you call yourself a martial artist?
“Heresy troubles the mind and disrupts the law. It is everyone’s wish to eradicate it!
“For practitioners who perform well in the martial arts grand competition—or namely, people who intend to kill your enemies—MCMAU will provide the recommendation you need to join the military, the Department of Investigation Services, or even join us at the MCMAU. Together, we can kill our enemies!
“It’s my hope that all participants will give your all to win the fight against your opponents. This is the greatest respect you can give everyone!
“The winners shouldn’t be snobs and the losers shouldn’t lose hope. Rank-1 is the foundation of martial arts. On the long road of martial arts, we fight for the morning and the evening, and for all of eternity too!
“Hopefully one day, we can conquer our enemies together! I’ll be waiting for everyone to start their journey to become stronger. Everyone will cheer each other on!”
Once his speech ended, Fang Ping ascended into the air with his Flight Step.
All at once, the instructors of MCMAU took flight too and disappeared from everyone’s line of sight.
The reporters were dumbstruck. That was it?
The reporters expected the group of martial artists to enter the gym. Did they not say that everything was ready inside?
What happened then?
In the end, a group of flying powerhouses flew away after Fang Ping’s few lines of speech?
“That’s it?”
“I suppose...?”
“Damnit. I thought the opening ceremony would last for a few hours. I didn’t expect it to end just like that.”
“...”
As the reporters were all boiling in anger, Liu Dali raised his head carefully smack-dab in the sea of reporters. He heaved a gentle sigh and muttered to himself, “Thank God it has ended.
“That fella... Can fly now. Damn, he’s fast.”
In the past, Fang Ping could only use Midair Step; he could not fly.
Now, he could actually execute Flight Step. That was not all. He led a bunch of flying powerhouses over.
Liu Dali almost peed his pants.
With so many powerhouses around, would Liu Dali be beaten to death if Fang Ping noticed him?
Whilst Liu Dali immersed himself in his thoughts, there was a sudden shout from the powerhouses up in the air, “Participating martial artists, proceed to the competition venue. The qualifiers have now officially begun!
“Students of MCMAU shall assist the city council to maintain order. However, anyone who disrupts order and commits crimes shall be executed instantly!”
“...”
The voice belonged to an unseen powerhouse. Out of everyone’s line of sight, their voice resonated in the air and echoed into more than half of Magic City.
A few of the Grandmaster-level powerhouses in Magic City let out strings of profanities.
How brazen could those people from MCMAU get?!
Forget about making a few hundred people execute Flight Step, they managed to get a Grandmaster to show up?! Surely, they were trying to achieve greater feats!
...
Simultaneously.
At the residence of Magic City’s Governor.
The Governor of Magic City looked at Wu Kuishan and muttered, “Number one or two, is it that important?”
Smiling, Wu Kuishan shook his head and said, “It’s not an issue of finding out who’s number one or number two. Like what Fang Ping said, the world of martial arts today is like a dead puddle. It isn’t interesting enough nor is it active enough. It doesn’t matter to us, who are just a bunch of old people.
“Yet now, we need new blood to make the world of martial arts active again.
“MCMAU has started their plan of action; CCMAU is just about to begin. Once CCMAU starts, other martial arts universities will follow suit. Once the martial arts universities join in, the entire world of martial arts is basically set in motion.
“Truth be told, all of the government’s long term efforts might not give the same effect as having a grand competition...”
“Perhaps. Magic City wishes MCMAU to achieve greater heights too, but with the prerequisite of not getting into a major fight with CCMAU. Some form of healthy competition is beneficial—which is also the reason why so many martial arts universities exist—but I’m afraid...”
Wu Kuishan shook his head and interrupted, “That’s not what we should be worrying about. In the face of our great enemy, everyone’s aware that competition between students will remain with the students. As teachers, we will not intercept.”
The Governor of Magic City peered at him and replied, “That’s true. You, the Snake King, isn’t an idiot either. After all, there are still 5 high-Rank powerhouses in CCMAU...”
Wu Kuishan responded with a breezy reply, “If we’re to compete, MCMAU isn’t afraid either.”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
The Governor of Magic City laughed. After thinking for a while, he added, “Why didn’t any of you show face and let that Fang Ping fella instead?”
“Well, he’s the one with the idea. So, we let him. He still has to pave his own way to the top.”
“Having slightly weaker skills, being too high-profile might not be the best thing for him. He should restrain some of his edginess for the sake of his future growth.”
After saying that, the Governor of Magic City continued, “Also, I’ve received reports saying that he declared that everyone should gather to eradicate martial artists in the evil sect. That’s not a good thing.
“It’s nothing big for us to simply talk about it. We’re doing that too. He can do that too, but he shouldn’t exaggerate.
“As the leader of the Martial Arts Society in MCMAU, his resolve has been strong. It won’t just affect MCMAU. Perhaps in the coming years, his actions will bring forth policy changes in the Sino Nation.
“A mediocre person can talk about it; a person at the top of the chain can talk about it. But if the potential ruler of the future who is barely a grownup talks about it, he’ll easily be targeted.”
Wu Kuishan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. After thinking for a while, he said, “He has his own ideas. We’ll wait and see.”
The Governor of Magic City did not respond further and changed the conversation altogether. “Currently, West Phoenix City’s status is unclear. Once West Phoenix City joins in the war, the pressure on us will be greater. Are you certain that you can achieve a breakthrough to Rank-9?”
Wu Kuishan fell silent. He contemplated it for a while before answering with a shake of his head, “The path to Rank-9 is difficult. Too difficult, way too difficult. Perhaps ten years, or even twenty years...”
“God!”
After the sigh, the Governor of Magic City and Wu Kuishan both lapsed into silence.
To reach Rank-9 was too monumental a task.
Yet, without reaching Rank-9, even if one had a Rank-8 golden body, it would not be enough for a fight to decide between the winner and the loser.
The moment West Phoenix City joined the war meant that there would be an additional Rank-9 powerhouse. Magic City would have to make the necessary preparations to deter and exercise restraint on another Rank-9 powerhouse.
Yet, where could they find that many Rank-9 martial artists?
How many Rank-9 powerhouses were there in the entire Sino Nation?
With that many Catacombs around, Rank-9s were necessary to hold guard everywhere. Now, mobile units established in the past and the guardians all were forced to enter the Catacombs for the sake of defense.
...
Meanwhile.
In MCMAU.
Immediately after Fang Ping landed, he took out his mobile phone, dialed some numbers and hissed through gritted teeth, “Form a search team this instant and start investigating! There’s a guy named Liu Dali among the reporters just now—the one who looks wretched... That’s right, the same bastard who got pinned down by Vice-Chancellor Chen underground last time.
“Take him in!”
“...”
“Under what cause?”
“...”
“What cause do you need?! That fella owes me money- Eh, no. He scammed... Yes, he scammed someone and ran with the money. All he needs is to get shot!”
“...”
“How thick his nerves are to show up in Magic City!”
“...”
“He didn’t scam me!”
Fang Ping roared in denial. “He’d better not have any ideas of scamming me of my money! If he’s thought of that, he must have grown bored of living! It’s someone else; a friend! Stop it with the nonsense. Hurry up and don’t let him escape! Capture him now! He’s dead meat this time!”
“...”
After hanging up the phone, Fang Ping exhaled loudly. ‘That Liu Dali fella has truly grown tired of living.
‘How dare he appear before my own eyes?
‘Does he truly think that I’m blind?’
If it was not because Fang Ping was concerned about keeping up appearances for the crowd just now, he would have rushed over and cut Liu Dali down on the spot.
“This jerk better not let me catch him this time. If I catch him, he’ll get it alright!” Fang Ping muttered to himself.
For the first time in his entire life, Fang Ping actually got scammed. Undeniably and truthfully, he was robbed of his money. There was nothing Fang Ping wanted more than to beat Liu Dali to death.
Fang Ping worked in blood, tears, and sweat. Additionally, he also made some videos to earn some money. Yet, this bastard came swooping over and snatched away his silver dollars. How brazen he was.
‘I should go and retrieve my welfare from the Martial Arts Society first. I’m afraid it won’t be easy to win the National Championship at the end of the year. All my priorities should be focused on breaking through to Peak Rank-4,’ Fang Ping thought.
With MCMAU being that high-profile and Fang Ping being equally brazen, it would be a smear on CCMAU’s reputation as the number one if CCMAU did not retaliate in any form.
Fang Ping could imagine how the current CCMAU was plotting to deal with him right now.