Late at night.
Fang Ping and Old Man Li had finally returned to MCMAU.
Fang Ping would not go to Nanjiang anymore. Otherwise, if Zhang Dingnan made a request, he would find it difficult to refuse.
It was the perfect timing, for things had ended here. Zhang Dingnan might not embarrass himself as to mention anything about doing anything for his homeland and whatnot anymore.
“It’s not so bad. I’ve killed a Rank-8 golden body and two Rank-7s during this trip this time. This is not something a typical person can do.”
Old Man Li turned a deaf ear. He had gotten used to it.
Motherf*cker. How shameless could you be for claiming that you were the one who killed them?
“I killed the Rank-8,” Old Man Li thought impulsively and still said it anyway.
Fang Ping understood. “I understand. You killed a Rank-8, I killed two Rank-7s.”
Both of them entertained themselves with those thoughts as if there was no one else around.
After saying those words, Fang Ping added, “So both Rank-7s’ loot is mine. Don’t you agree?”
The Rank-8 had been taken away. Old Man Li claimed that he had killed a Rank-8, so be it. There was no dispute over debt anyway.
Old Man Li’s expression turned grim. So, he was actually waiting for this!
“I’ll get someone to send them over afterward.”
“Instructor, that’s not necessary, right? The Grandmasters don’t appreciate these things. Otherwise, they would’ve taken it earlier. If it’s really something valuable, do you think they wouldn’t even ask?”
The Grandmasters clearly did not want them.
Cult martial artists were all poor bastards, really.
Even if the other party really did run a Catacombs entrance, they were still poor bastards. How rich would a bunch of sneaky people get?
The Grandmasters who joined the fight this time were supported by reinforcements anyway. They might just have no interest in these things.
Old Man Li pondered for a moment, saying, “We still need to put on an act. We’ll send someone there. If they don’t want it...”
“Instructor, what if they want it? They will easily take it after we send it to their doorsteps. Do you think they will send it back?”
“That’s true... so...” Old Man Li pondered again. “I guess they wouldn’t want the boots that others have worn. I think it’s better to send the heart essence over. Old Liu is easier to talk to. It’s Vice-chancellor Chen that’s...”
Without saying anything further, Fang Ping fished out his phone and made a call.
The call went through very quickly. Chen Yunxi was somewhat in a state of confusion. “Fang Ping?”
“Mm. It’s me. Are you home?”
“Mm.”
“Is your grandfather home?”
“Grandfather? Did my grandfather go out?”
“Tell Vice-chancellor Chen that I’ve retrieved a heart essence. Should I divide it in half and send it to him...”
Beside him, Old Man Li rolled his eyes. This kid was really something!
If Chen Yaoting was shameless enough to take it, then there must be something terribly wrong.
Splitting it in half and sending over. Could you even cut it open?
Old Man Li was still thinking about it when someone let out a faint laugh on the other end of the call. “I want it. Cut it in half and send it to me. If not, I’ll go get it from you myself!”
“...”
For a moment, Fang Ping held his phone and did not say a word.
It was obvious that Chen Yunxi was sleeping. Vice-chancellor Chen, this old man had barged into his granddaughter’s room without permission and eavesdropped on his call. Was he not embarrassed?
Not only was he eavesdropping, but he was also even responding!
Old Man Li’s face had also turned slightly purple from straining. Made a fool of yourself this time, had he not?
“This... that... forget it. I don’t want it anymore. I’ll send all of it to you.”
Fang Ping was helpless. I admit defeat.
“No, I only want my half. If you can’t take out half of it, I’ll get you!”
Chen Yaoting let out a soft humph!
This old man thought quite highly of you last time. Upon seeing Fang Ping for the first time in Capital City at that time, he thought Fang Ping was a promising talent, a prodigy of the present age.
Who knew that this little bastard had the guts to actually threaten him!
Chen Yaoting must be really stupid then!
MCMAU was lucky to have his granddaughter, a genius, attending MCMAU.
Who knew that Fang Ping actually forced him to provide sponsorship.
He did not provide the sponsorship, so this nasty piece of thing sent his granddaughter to lead a team and fight in South Capital Martial Arts University. SCMAU’s students’ heads were about to burst from the stress.
Everyone knew that the old vice-chancellor had only one granddaughter.
It was fine to hit his grandsons. If you hit his granddaughter, the vice-chancellor would hold a grudge.
Forget about the sponsorship, forget about sending his granddaughter to lead a team to South Capital, even if he did not give him the loot, he would also forget about it. Chen Yaoting was not prepared to get it back either. But, Fang Ping just had to show that he was grand and noble as if he was not greedy at all. Instead of giving him a call, he intentionally gave his granddaughter a call. This kid was sly like a fox, not planning to hand it over.
Right now, this was not a matter of loot. From Fang Ping’s tone, he was most certainly bullying his granddaughter!
Chen Yaoting had decided that he must stand up for his granddaughter!
Fang Ping was helpless. “Alright. I’ll send half of it to you then.”
“You said it. Good. I’m hanging up!”
Chen Yaoting hung up directly.
Fang Ping was speechless. He sighed. “Unbelievable. He insists on taking half instead of one...”
Old Man Li rolled his eyes. After a moment, he measured his words and said, “The heart essence is extracted from a Rank-9 powerhouse. It looks like a pill, but it isn’t. Of course, it’s to be taken orally, melting as soon as it enters the mouth.
“Remember, it’s melting as soon as it enters the mouth. But, if it’s not taken, and wants to be separated, then only Rank-9 powerhouses can do it.
“In other words, if you want to send half of it there, remember to seek help from a Rank-9.”
“...”
Fang Ping was quieted instantly, feeling somewhat tired mentally and emotionally all of a sudden. Old Chen was so petty. I had already admitted defeat and offered to give you the entire thing, yet you did not want it. What was wrong with you.
“Sigh!”
Fang Ping sighed, his mood spoilt. He said helplessly, “We’ll talk about it another time. In MCMAU, I can’t leave and he can’t come. He wouldn’t turn up and ask for it, would he?”
“That’s hard to tell. It’s only right for you to owe a debt and pay it back. If he comes to collect this debt from you, MCMAU will not stop him.”
“Instructor...”
“Don’t ask me. I’m only a Rank-6.”
“But you said you could kill Rank-8...”
“Did I say it?”
“You said you killed a Rank-8 just now.”
“You must have imagined it. I’m leaving now. The items will stay with me for now. We’ll talk about it next time!”
“...”
Old Man Li left. Left like the wind.
...
October 17th day and night. A great battle broke out on the outskirts of Peace Bridge.
This was the first time a battle between top-notch powerhouses had broken out in front of common folks.
Last time, even when there was a great battle between powerhouses, the location would also be in the depths of the forest. In the past, encircling powerhouses was also done with consideration for the safety of the people. A situation like this was extremely rare.
Besides, in the past few years, the Internet was not so advanced.
It was October of Year 09 today. Smartphones were already starting to emerge.
In the night, the battle between the powerhouses was clearly visible. Many people had gotten some footage and pictures.
What the cult powerhouses declared about massacring the entire city had also been announced to the public.
In an instant, the cults were detested by all!
As for common folks, there was also a tremendous increase in their sense of crisis awareness. For top-notch powerhouses to declare a massacre as easily as this, and from the power and influence portrayed by both parties when they fought that day, many people had no doubts that the other party could really do it.
Moreover, in that situation, other than powerhouses who could be of a match, modern weapons were hardly useful.
The other party was within Peace Bridge’s vicinity. Could they possibly count on launching missiles to teach the other party a lesson?
The fact that martial arts powerhouses were so powerful had surprised many people once again.
Especially when some extremely daring fellows took the opportunity of holes in the blockade to break into the scene of the battleground that was left behind, taking some pictures. This left everyone astonished, and yearning at the same time.
Three golden body powerhouses were still acceptable. But, when a few Rank-7 powerhouses started fighting, they could not consider too many things. In a battle of life and death, the earth cracked, buildings collapsed, at the border, several hundred meters in circumference had turned into a tiny lake.
Powerhouses could change the world!
In a day, many people decided to take the path of martial arts for once, no matter the result.
Even the middle-aged ones, many of them decided to enroll in martial arts training classes.
Too powerful!
At this moment, the Rank-1 top hundred’s battle that had just ended started attracting even more attention.
October 17th. The end of Rank-1 top hundred’s competition. The Rank-1 top hundred’s list was out.
...
Heated debates were firing up all over the Internet. The government also used the opportunity to steer the topic, magnifying the cults’ evil deeds, spreading it to the public.
Turning the cults into human’s greatest enemy was the government’s provisional strategy.
Other than informing the common folks that we had enemies, everyone could also get used to witnessing bloodshed in martial arts, so as to avoid even greater fear and panic.
After all, the cult martial artists were the minority, their abilities were not too powerful either. They were still within humanity’s control.
Unlike the Catacombs. Its existence was one that humans found it impossible to eradicate.
This was not the right time to announce the existence of this kind of enemy yet. It could easily trigger widespread panic, people would lack the motivation to work and the economy would collapse. How would they support so many martial artists and military troops then?
Unless absolutely necessary, it was best for the secret of the existence of an enemy, one that could wipe out humankind, to stay hidden.
...
As a participant in the war with cults, Fang Ping did not care too much about it.
He was still more interested in the affairs between Zhang Dingnan and Nanhu’s governor.
After asking around many times, Fang Ping had also learned a little about what had happened.
In the dormitory.
Fang Ping laughed. “Governor-General Zhang didn’t get beaten up?”
The call was made to Wang Jinyang.
As the leading figure of Nanjiang’s younger generation, Wang Jinyang was informed of certain things.
“How is that possible.” Wang Jinyang burst out laughing. “Even if Nanhu’s governor wants to bash someone up, he wouldn’t really do it. But he still reported it to the central. How should I put this, this time, Governor-General Zhang... might not get into any trouble.
“After all, nothing happened to Peace Bridge. High-ranked cults were eliminated instead.
“However, he did somewhat break the taboo. He might receive some verbal warning.”
“Boring. That just means that nothing will happen to him.”
“It’s inevitable. Today, Nanjiang’s Catacombs is opening up. Honestly, if Peace Bridge is truly devastated, nothing will happen. We still need Governor-General Zhang to fight for us here in Nanjiang.”
Wang Jinyang sighed softly, saying, “Don’t blame him. You might think that he is scheming against you. Although he did not force you into doing anything, he was still considered to have used righteousness as a reason to compel you.
“Though thinking from another perspective, if it was me, I might do so as well.
“Governor-General Zhang does not care how others think of him now. You know what I’m trying to say?”
Fang Ping’s voice was deep. “It’s unlikely. Even if the Catacombs open, as governor-general, he...”
“He plans to go in with the first batch. Forget it. It’s meaningless to talk about this.”
Wang Jinyang did not continue with the subject. But, he had made an explanation on Zhang Dingnan’s behalf.
With the Catacombs opening, the first batch martial artists to enter would be in the most danger – grave danger!
The more powerful the powerhouse, the greater the danger.
Because the first batch of powerhouses to enter would inevitably be targeted by the Catacombs powerhouses. If there were too many powerhouses in there, one might die in battle, unable to hold on until the next batch of members entered.
Every time the Catacombs opened, not many from the first batch would remain.
It was not that they did not want to enter altogether. The passageway would not be very stable when the Catacombs opened. If there were too many powerhouses, it would trigger a chain reaction in the passageway, maybe even collapsing it.
It would be fine if it collapsed for good. But, the passageway will remain open. This had also forced the powerhouses to enter in batches.
Fang Ping did not say anything else after hearing his words. Zhang Dingnan, a Grandmaster Governor-General, joined the battle with the mindset that he would die.
So what if he pissed off a few people now?
He knew Fang Ping was not comfortable, yet he did not care. Right now, Fang Ping was still unqualified to teach him a lesson. When he would be qualified, he had to be alive to experience it.
Take this time for example. A great war broke out in Nanhu.
Nanhu’s governor must be really pissed off, though there was nothing that he could do.
Fang Ping blew out a mouthful of air, putting this matter aside, saying, “Brother Wang, how’s your cultivation progress recently? Nearly Rank-5 now, I’m sure?”
“Not yet, there’s no rush.”
“Still at Peak Rank-4?” Fang Ping asked even when he knew the answer. He chuckled. “Brother Wang, you’ve been a Rank-4 for a year now. I feel like you’ve slackened a little. Is it because of the lack of pressure?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. I broke through Upper-stage Rank-4 a few days ago. I’m considering. I may be able to achieve Peak Rank-4 in another one to two months. I’ll be on the same level as Brother Wang by then. Let’s fight, you and me, when we get a chance?”
“...”
The other end was silent for about one to two seconds. Wang Jinyang said slowly, “Not bad. The fight can wait. If the Catacombs are not open, I will definitely go to the championship at the end of the year. Don’t worry.”
Fang Ping was eager to try. He laughed and said, “Brother Wang, it’s alright if it has opened. We can delay it until next time. MCMAU will suggest to delay it.”
“That’s even perfect.”
“Brother Wang, if it is opened, let’s both go round in the Catacombs. Let’s see who can kill the most powerful powerhouse?”
“Very confident.”
“Can’t help it. Sigh. I’m invincible amongst the students in MCMAU now. It’s quite lonely.”
“Don’t worry. You won’t be lonely very soon. Fang Ping, ease up a little. As a person who initiated your martial arts journey, I think I am obliged to teach you something else.
Fang Ping’s was still smiling, replying, “I’m sure Brother Wang knows what I’m thinking of. You’re a half-master to me, but we’re both of the same age.
“We’re of the same generation. No one settled for second in martial arts. Surpass others. Actually, there’s no reason for me to be proud of myself.
“I’ve been looking forward to facing only you, Brother Wang, for so long. Compared to guys like Li Hansong, only Brother Wang is my goal. They’re nothing.”
“Let’s wait and see then!”
Wang Jinyang laughed, hanging up the call very quickly.
When he had hung up the call, Wang Jinyang chuckled. “This kid is very arrogant.”
“Upper-stage Rank-4...”
Tapping gently on the table, Wang Jinyang mumbled, “If I fail a simple task such as this, defeated by his hands, it’ll be too embarrassing for me to face anyone.”
He was the one who initiated Fang Ping’s martial arts journey!
When he was a Rank-3, Fang Ping had only gotten in touch with martial arts for a few days.
When he had achieved Rank-4, Fang Ping was only a Rank-1.
In the blink of an eye, Fang Ping was an Upper-stage Rank-4, while he was a Peak Rank-4.
How embarrassing!
Ranks aside. In one year, he had gone from just achieving Rank-4 to Peak Rank-4. No one would call this speed slow.
But... if he was defeated by Fang Ping, he would be so humiliated, would he not?
“Unlimited Vitality, bone marrow peculiarity, powerful Mentality... invulnerable? Nope. He has always had a flaw. Because of the lack of time, he was unable to make up for it.”
Wang Jinyang raised his eyebrows. Fang Ping did have a flaw.
The greatest flaw was the lack of power in his single unit outburst.
In Peak Rank-3, he had barely made up for this flaw, yet, because he achieved Rank-4 too quickly, even at Upper-stage Rank-4 now, this flaw had emerged once again.
Whereas Wang Jinyang had stopped in Rank-4 for a year. Even though it was not too long, it was still much longer than Fang Ping.
“To deal with him, a protracted battle will drag him down.”
Wang Jinyang babbled for a bit, finally burst out laughing. When was the last time he had ever thought that he would be pondering ways to defeat Fang Ping one day?
Last time, many people claimed that Fang Ping and Xie Lei were destined to have a match with each other.
Two thrice-honed martial artists would definitely fight.
The result was Fang Ping beating Xie Lei easily. It was done almost without the slightest difficulty.
In reality, the one who was destined to fight with Fang Ping was him, Wang Jinyang.
If not this time, then next time.
He was Fang Ping’s martial arts guide and instructor. He was also Fang Ping’s psychological barrier. Like what Fang Ping said, they were of the same age.
No one fought for first place in the world of arts; no one settled for second in martial arts.
Fang Ping had overtaken others. The day he did not overtake him, Wang Jinyang, he would not be worthy of the title as the first in the present age.
Fang Ping wished to become an invincible powerhouse, so did he, Wang Jinyang.
“Not only you and me. Even Li Hansong and Yao Chengjun wanted the same thing. By the end of the year, this will be so much more interesting if the military schools could participate as well!”
Wang Jinyang smiled. Today, out of the students who were still in university, only four of them were the strongest.
Maybe there were other Upper-stage or even Peak Rank-4 powerhouses, but those people were most certainly not their target.
“This is getting interesting.”
After a moment of self-talk, Wang Jinyang stretched himself, stood up and walked out. It was time to carry out some preparations.
...
Meanwhile.
MCMAU.
Fang Ping sat cross-legged, grinning. “Must be thinking of ways to kill me in seconds, I’m sure. My single move outburst isn’t powerful enough, right? Once I’ve picked up Old Man Li’s skill in killing a Rank-8 in a slash... I won’t be remotely afraid of getting killed in seconds. I’ll beat you till you cry!”