The qualifiers lasted for 7 days straight.
Competing for seven rounds consecutively and fighting intensively had exhausted some martial artists.
Even so, the intense battles also allowed certain martial artists to stand out.
The number of martial artists who registered for the competition had hit 40 thousand!
After seven rounds of competition, and some withdrawals due to injury, there were only 200 people left. Today, the top hundred would be decided.
Only the top hundred could enter MCMAU, participating in the final qualifying match.
The top hundred list would also be ranked based on this combat result.
The 8th round of competition was held at the city gym.
10 specially-built arenas lined up in a row, 10 matches at a time. One-on-one. The winner will qualify for the top hundred; the loser leaves.
...
“The 8th round of martial arts competition. The final round of the top hundred’s competition. We’ve invited President Fang Ping, MCMAU Martial Arts Society President. This is also President Fang’s first time coming on-site since the opening ceremony...”
The star host, who had been hired externally, made an enthusiastic introduction.
The final match for the top hundred had already attracted many spectators. The gym was packed with people.
As for the tickets, the branch court combined with the gym had sold more than 80 million alone.
Priced at 1000 for a ticket, nobody complained that it was expensive.
In a week, more than 80 thousand tickets were sold. It was not that the tickets were expensive, but the seats were insufficient.
For the top hundred’s competition, Fang Ping had planned to conduct only 5 matches a day, one-on-one. The first round would be 50 matches spanned across 10 days.
For the second round, it would also be 5 matches a day, spanning across 5 days.
As for the top 25, a competition would be held to determine the top 10. It should take another 10 days.
With the top three, semifinals, and finals combined, Fang Ping estimated to finish everything within a month.
MCMAU’s gym was not compact. He planned to set 2000 as the price of each ticket for the top hundred’s competition, selling 5000 tickets each time. If he could finish selling them every time, it would be a profit of 10 million a day.
In a month, it would be an extra profit of 300 million.
Of course, there might not be so much in the end. However, Fang Ping believed that there would still be two hundred million to be made.
This was organized solely by MCMAU, so there was no need to split the profit with others.
In just one competition. Fang Ping thought that it was too easy to earn money.
Of course, this was the first time a large-scale competition like this was held. When there were more competitions in the future, the cost of the tickets naturally decrease. There would not be so many people either. Though if Rank-1 competitions had lost its popularity, Rank-2 competitions would be held. After Rank-2 competitions, Rank-3 then...
This might become a tradition every year in the future. In a year, Fang Ping thought it would not be difficult to earn more than a billion for MCMAU.
Being in the limelight, Fang Ping did not bother to execute the Flight Step this time.
Walking on stage, Fang Ping scanned the crowd, speaking loudly, “All of you can rise above millions of other martial artists nationwide, making your way into the top two hundred. You are all giants among the people! Of course, I’ve turned up today for more than just a simple speech.
“I’ve heard that many people have been badly injured in the competition and lack funds to treat their wounds.
“Since MCMAU is responsible for organizing the competition, encouraging everyone to participate, we won’t just sit around and do nothing!
“Finishing what we started is MCMAU’s—and also Fang Ping’s—way of doing things!
“Although I am unable to bear everyone’s pain and take them upon myself, I am able to offer my support with some pills.
“MCMAU has made a decision. The martial artists who are injured due to the competition will be given 1000 bottles of Healing Water, 200 Rank-1 Bone-honing Pills, and 10 Resurrection Pills!”
Boom!
An uproar broke out offstage!
The price for these martial artists’ items was jaw-droppingly expensive.
Healing Water was a type of medical good most commonly used by martial artists, producing extremely promising results toward healing bones and superficial wounds.
In MCMAU, a bottle was exchanged for 5 credits.
Bone-honing Pills not only aided cultivation but also facilitated the healing of bone injuries. It was extremely useful too. At 15 credits each.
Needless to say, Resurrection Pills were truly magical for healing wounds. Mainly for healing internal injuries. It was so expensive to the point that Rank-1 martial artists could die from the price tag. At 200 credits each.
MCMAU had taken out 10 thousand credits worth of pills altogether—300 million in market price!
The market price was actually a price that everyone could identify with. MCMAU supplied its own raw materials, manufacturing them on its own. The cost price was only 100 million or so. Although, it was clear that the privilege to receive a discounted price like this was not something that outsiders could enjoy.
For the eliminated martial artists, MCMAU had forked out 300 million. Adding on the preparation works earlier, prizes and so on, MCMAU had spent 500 million on the competition!
This had taken everyone present by storm.
Some spectators yelled, “MCMAU is noble!”
“They totally live up to their title of being the number one martial arts university!”
“If you’re taking a university entrance exam, take MCMAU’s. A university like this is worth going!”
“Not for fame and fortune, but for martial arts to flourish. Today, I trust in the words President Fang has said during the opening ceremony!”
“...”
Some people were so moved that they even burst into tears.
Amid the crowd, someone yelled, “Thank you, President Fang. Thank you, MCMAU. I thought that I can only bid farewell to martial arts for this life. I did not expect... did not expect...Sob, sob, sob...”
This person’s head was wrapped in gauze. Clearly, he was injured during the martial arts competition earlier.
Fang Ping was exhausted inside. Was the shill he hired a complete fool?
You were already injured to the point of bidding farewell to martial arts. Would you have so much free time to even watch the competition?
His instructions were: Arrange a few martial artists of minor injuries to create emphasis. Exactly which idiot had arranged for a critically injured martial artist?
...
Backstage.
The crowd did not sense anything amiss. Arranging a shill was something that only a few people knew.
A few new female martial arts students were beyond moved, choking on their words. “President is such a good person. Not only capable, but also especially kind, strong in martial arts, and handsome too...
“Our batch is also the batch that progressed the fastest. In a little over a month after the semester began, many people have entered Rank-1.
“We truly hope that the president will constantly lead MCMAU forward...”
Beside them, Yang Xiaoman was depressed. Fang Ping was handsome, strong, and kind too?
‘Jeez, why haven’t I noticed?
‘That fellow had bought all of you off just like that?
‘A bunch of fools. This money was not paid out of Fang Ping’s own pocket. Have you ever tried asking him to pay with his own money?’
Even so, the Martial Arts Society had earned a big one this time.
More than a hundred million in sponsorship.
The broadcasting fee was even more, at more than two hundred million.
On top of that, the entrance fee had hit nearly one hundred million now.
As of now, the Martial Arts Society already had a minimum of 500 million in profit.
As for the expenses, it looked like it had also hit 500 million. However, MCMAU’s own competition was supported by paying the cost price, so it was only 200 million or so.
A bit more entrance fee would be collected afterward. Once MCMAU had built a reputation after this competition, there would be a total profit of five hundred to six hundred million.
“This fellow...”
Yang Xiaoman did not know what words to describe him with. Capable?
Quite capable.
This was just one competition. He had made the entire nation aware. Right now, people were even praising it. A big group of injured martial artists this time would be deeply grateful. One would be grateful even if one was not injured. After all, they need not worry about the repercussions that followed.
Martial artists were most afraid of getting injured when fighting in the arena. The medical fees could easily amount to hundreds of thousands or millions.
Many martial artists held back from fighting too violently.
Now that MCMAU sponsored their medical fees, martial artists had the free rein to go all out.
Most importantly, would the blind imitators... have the guts to follow MCMAU’s trend?
The investment would be staggering. If the effect was terrible, other than losing money, one would lose reputation as well.
MCMAU was the pioneer who had set the benchmark. It would not be appropriate for anyone who came later to follow their footsteps.
Right now, many martial arts universities and local governments that were prepared to follow the trend would start making noise. MCMAU had its own pill and weapon production line but they did not. If they tried to copy them, they would suffer losses for sure!
In disguise, Fang Ping was actually using the pills and weapons that MCMAU had produced and converting them into cash.
MCMAU had no way of selling the pills and whatnot to the public. In the name of prizes and compensation, they were gifting them to the outside world in exchange for the entrance and broadcasting fee. They were technically selling the items.
As it happened, the few big companies could hardly make sense of that.
After pondering further, organizing the competition this time, MCMAU was really gaining fame and fortune, despite Fang Ping claiming that was never their intent.
Yang Xiaoman had mixed feelings. A few other people around were experiencing complicated feelings as well.
Fu Changding said softly, “If that’s the case, he has built a reputation now. With reputation and ability... This fellow is considered to have successfully maintained his reputation. After a few more times, with adequate ability, whether he takes over the position as the governor back in Nanjiang or stays in MCMAU, it all comes naturally. Moreover, he has already set a network in place.”
The competing martial artists this time came from all over the nation.
A few years later, most people would achieve Rank-2 or even Rank-3, becoming the backbone of their local regions.
The martial artists who came this time were mostly Upper-stage and above, after all.
In addition, not a year, but a few years later, having this foundation, Fang Ping’s reputation might really peak.
Even if he was young, with his ability, no one would doubt him even if he took on a position as a higher-up after he graduated.
Zhao Lei did not think too much of it. He said gruffly, “Ability is still the key!”
Fu Changding, Yang Xiaoman, and the others rolled their eyes at the same time. ‘God. You must have hit your head!’
‘We’re talking about acquiring reputation, and yet you’re here talking about ability as soon as you open your mouth. What’s wrong with your head?’
Having ability alone would only portray combat strength and nothing else.
Plenty of Grandmasters had strength, though not all of them had lofty positions. Why was that? It was because they lacked inspiration and were not reputable enough!
...
Fang Ping was unaware of the things going on backstage.
After making an announcement about the pills, Fang Ping continued, “I will not say too much. After this round of competition, I’ll offer an extra opportunity for all of you martial artists who qualify for the top hundred. Enter MCMAU Martial Arts Society and select a middle-ranked Combat Technique!
“I hope everyone will continue to work hard. This year, a Rank-1. Next year, a Rank-3. In the next Rank-2 and Rank-3 martial arts competition, I will still see each and every one of you!”
With that, Fang Ping left the stage.
Applause broke out offstage.
...
Backstage.
Once Fang Ping arrived, a few new students female martial artists rushed up to him one after another, their faces full of admiration. The fear and apprehension earlier had dissipated.
The president was a good man.
As for the rumors, those were most certainly slanders deliberately made against the president out of jealousy.
Fang Ping looked affable and gentle as well, smiling in acknowledgment. He spent a lot of time giving half-hearted explanations before finally sending these people away.
Once they had left, Fang Ping put on a straight face, staring at Fu Changding and the rest, saying, “Zhao Lei, I sent you to East Sino Nation Normal University for the championship, yet you’ve lost. Do you know how embarrassing this is?”
“Yang Xiaoman, you went for a competition in South Sino University of Science and Technology, and have lost too. How did you cultivate?”
“Even Tang Wen is better than any of you. At least she still qualified for the top 200th, with hopes of qualifying for the top hundred. If both of you continue to embarrass yourself next time, don’t return to the university!”
Zhao Lei did not utter a word, neither did he retaliate. He had just achieved Middle-stage Rank-3 and had to face an Upper-stage Rank-3. He was bashed up by the other party while being pressed down all the while.
With his lack of ability, he could only take a beating, get yelled at and submit.
Whereas Yang Xiaoman said defiantly, “I’ve just achieved Rank-3...”
“That’s because you’re weak. Take a look. Your same-batch peer, Zhao Lei, has achieved Middle-stage Rank-3; Chen Yunxi, a Middle-stage Rank-3 now; Even Fu Changding is almost Middle-stage Rank-3 now...”
Fu Changding gazed upon the heavens. ‘What do you mean by “even Fu Changding”?
‘What is the meaning of this?’
“Also, Zhao Xuemei was with you. Why did Zhao Xuemei win, but you lost?”
Zhao Xuemei was itching to say something but held herself back. She fought an Early-stage Rank-3 martial artist while Yang Xiaoman fought a Middle-stage Rank-3.
However, Fang Ping did not give her an opportunity to speak. Sincerely and earnestly, he said, “Everyone, we’re all classmates, studying in the same class. I’ve achieved Upper-stage Rank-4 now. You are all advancing too slowly. I’m heartbroken!”
In an instant, everyone got the message!
Upper-stage Rank-4!
Fu Changding immediately said flatteringly, “Great, awesome, wonderful. You’re actually an Upper-stage Rank-4 now...”
Though they sounded indifferent, each and every one of them was about to throw curses around.
This kid must be crazy, right?
Upper-stage Rank-4!
He had only achieved Rank-4 a few days ago, no?
How could others live?
A Rank-4 advancing quicker than a typical Rank-1. There was no way they could live now!
Even Yang Xiaoman who was used to going against him had her mouth clammed up this instant too.
Upper-stage Rank-4!
This was to say that at the end of the year, Fang Ping might achieve Peak securely. In the upcoming junior year, there was no doubt that he would achieve Rank-5 as well.
Rank-5 martial arts students were rare even for CCMAU and MCMAU.
Last year, there were a handful. However, that was also because the last batch last year was really powerful.
As for Fang Ping, could he achieve Rank-6 in his senior year?
He might.
Becoming a Rank-6 powerhouse as soon as he graduated was a monumental feat. He had the right to look down on many people.
At this moment, a few of them started feeling like a piece of trash.
In reality, they had only entered sophomore. Martial artists like Zhao Lei who had stepped into Middle-stage Rank-3 were commendable. Perhaps in no time, they could achieve Upper-stage Rank-3—a true elite stage.
Even thrice-honed Xie Lei had only stepped into Upper-stage Rank-3 toward the end of the second semester of his sophomore year. Cultivation at Peak was faster instead.
Zhao Lei, Chen Yunxi and the rest might surpass Xie Lei in their sophomore year. This speed was already exceedingly shocking.
Nevertheless, as classmates who studied from the same class, he was one rank and a bit more higher than them. It was inevitably a blow to them.
Fang Ping sighed softly, shaking his head. “There’s no need to flatter me. Everyone should work harder. Time and tide wait for no man. All of you should put your heart and soul into martial arts. Some students should make better use of their time and get down to business. Learn from Zhao Lei who focuses his attention on training. Don’t spread any rumors outside.
“Justice naturally inhabits a man’s heart. Look, did anyone believe those rumors?”
Yang Xiaoman stared into the distance. ‘Just say my name already. Why bother saying “some students”?’
“Oh, Xiaoman. I place high hopes on you. In those days, among the girls, I thought highly of you and admired you. But, you have let me down a little.
“Yunxi’s a Middle-stage Rank-3 and Xue Mei’s nearly Middle-stage Rank-3 now. You’re a twice-honed. While you still have some advantage in the Rank-3 stage, use the advantage to cultivate.
“Classmates, let’s all work hard. Martial arts is a long journey. I’ll see you at the peak of powerhouses!”
Fang Ping placed both hands behind his back, striding off.
Once he was gone, Zhao Lei said earnestly, “Didn’t I say that ability rules? Without strength, you can’t even deceive him. What can you do?”
Everyone nodded in unison!
It made sense!
This man was powerful; his skin thicker than others.
Yang Xiaoman scoffed. “Right now, he is more of a vice-chancellor than vice-chancellor himself. Say, isn’t the vice-chancellor doing anything to control him? Right now he’s handling every major and minor affair of MCMAU. He is close to controlling the instructors now...”
Fu Changding laughed bitterly. “Who said that? Just yesterday, he went to the vice-chancellor’s office, applying to have the instructors’ pay to go to the Martial Arts Society. He ended up getting kicked out by the vice-chancellor. He must have gone insane thinking about seizing power all day. How brazen. I’m actually impressed.”
Seizing power from a Rank-8 golden body powerhouse!
Fang Ping was actually reckless enough to ask for the right to distribute the instructors’ resources. Even Fu Changding thought he was insane.
If the right of distributing instructors’ resources had fallen into his hands, this would mean too many things. With that, Fang Ping could make Wu Kuishan and the rest into mere figureheads.
A few of them exchanged glances. All of them were completely dumbstruck.
Forget it. Do not mess with this lunatic for now. He was so arrogant to the point that he was messing with a Rank-8. Was there anyone that he would not mess with?
...
At this moment, Fang Ping was walking out of the gym. Clearly, he did not think that he was arrogant.
In Fang Ping’s words, he was toughening himself.
He had messed with a Rank-8 beast king, but had not really messed with a Rank-8 human. Yesterday, he pissed Wu Kuishan off. As soon as Old Wu’s thriving force was released, it nearly crushed Fang Ping to death.
Fang Ping now had a clearer picture. When encountering a Rank-8, it was wise to act as cowardly as possible. He must never think for a moment that he would stand a chance against a Rank-8.
“No, even Rank-7 too. Whatever it is, if I meet any high-ranked ones, I will run as fast as I can!”
Fang Ping had learned about the disparity, feeling like he was particularly awake now. He used to brag about escaping a Rank-8. Nope, no one should take that seriously.