November 22nd.
After four rounds of battle, Beijiang Martial Arts University took the lead and secured its spot in the top seven with victory in four straight rounds.
It was the first martial arts university to finish four rounds—with four consecutive wins. The victory was obtained rather effortlessly. Not all key players had fought.
November 23rd. Another two martial arts universities had qualified for the top seven.
They were Donglin Martial Arts University and Nanjiang Martial Arts University.
November 24th. Tiannan Martial Arts University sent all key players out, defeating the opponent by a hair. With that, it won all four rounds and advanced into the top seven.
November 25th. Magic City Women’s University advanced.
November 26th. Xishan Martial Arts University advanced.
November 27th. Chungchou Martial Arts University secured the final place. They qualified after a long struggle.
By making a clean sweep of four rounds, a team could advance into the top seven straightaway.
Chungchou Martial Arts University, however, had fought six rounds, winning five and losing one before scraping their way into the top seven. All key players had been sent into the arena, with many of them sustaining injuries. Out of the seven universities that qualified, they had to work the hardest for their meal.
There were many sect martial artists in Chungchou, but the martial arts university was only average. Chungchou Martial Arts University was deeply involved with the sects. Some sect powerhouses had taken on positions at Chungchou Martial Arts University too. For them to go from 89 martial arts universities to the top seven was largely related to the sects as well.
Some students who attended Chungchou Martial Arts University were students of the sect.
Finally, the Normal Martial Arts University Championship ended.
The other 82 martial arts universities would continue to compete, though they would only be ranked after the top ten. If they intended to challenge the position as one of the elite universities, they had to train at least 5 middle-ranked students in the upcoming years, an extremely difficult task for normal martial arts universities.
...
MCMAU.
Wu Kuishan had returned.
The first thing he did upon his return was to get an update on the championship.
“How’s the preparation?”
“Sure-win.”
Fang Ping gave a brief reply. Hearing his answer, Wu Kuishan stared at him for a moment, saying after a pause, “Already a Peak Rank-4?”
“Yup.”
Fang Ping nodded. He had achieved Peak sooner than he expected. It was also thanks to the ossicle-honing that made his physique even more robust.
It did not take long. He had achieved Peak Rank-4 on the 25th.
Even though it had only been a few days since then, Fang Ping was swelling with more confidence than ever. The disparity that existed between the stages had somewhat been leveled off now.
Even if people like Yao Chengjun broke through Rank-5 now, they would only be Early-stage Rank-5 at most. They might not have even started on six bowels-honing. Fang Ping was confident he could beat them.
“Very fast.” Wu Kuishan said ruefully.
It was incredibly fast. During mid-August, Fang Ping achieved Rank-4. At the end of November, Fang Ping achieved Peak Rank-4.
In little over three months, Fang Ping had completed his Rank-4 journey.
In terms of cultivation speed, Fang Ping was the best of his generation.
Today, the few great prodigies—Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong included—could not match up to Fang Ping in this regard.
When Fang Ping enrolled in the university, he had seen a Rank-3 ranking list.
At that time, Yao Chengjun and a few others were the top powerhouses of the Rank-3 ranking list.
Now, barely over a year has passed. Not only did these guys transition from Peak Rank-3 to Peak Rank-4, but they had also become top-notch powerhouses of Rank-4s. They were already progressing at full throttle.
Coming back to Fang Ping...He had just become a martial artist at that time. The disparity between them was enormous
In a year, Fang Ping had caught up and closed the gap.
After lamenting, Wu Kuishan no longer pursued the topic. Instead, he said, “30th, the day after tomorrow, is the top ten competition’s opening ceremony. On that day, the pairings will be decided from drawing lots.
“December 1st, the competition will officially kick off.
“Tomorrow, you will lead the team to Capital City...”
Fang Ping nodded, not saying much.
This championship would be held in Capital City.
Logically speaking, last year’s champion was MCMAU, hence it should be held in MCMAU this year.
However, the higher-ups believed that MCMAU had organized more than its fair share of competitions this year. The Rank-1 Martial Arts Competition had just ended too. If another competition was immediately held in MCMAU, it would delay MCMAU’s instructors and students’ cultivation. Hence, it was moved to Capital City.
Fang Ping was aware of Capital City’s true intention.
Magic City was, after all, not Sino Nation’s capital. With MCMAU holding so many national-level grand competitions consecutively, all the attention was focused on Magic City. What about Capital City then?
Hosting competitions did not mean anything.
However, hosting a martial arts grand competition would lead to an inflow of martial artists into Magic City. If this carried on, Capital City’s status would fall.
In the present era where martial artists predominated, Capital City would do everything in their power to prevent MCMAU from hosting the second batch grand championship.
This batch was especially crucial as the top ten elite universities’ status would be determined.
“Vice-chancellor, aren’t you going this time?”
“No. I need to stay in Magic City. Vice-chancellor Huang will accompany you. Other than that, Dean Tang and Dean Luo will go too.”
A Grandmaster and two Peak Rank-6 were in charge of leading the team. In addition to that, there were a few more Rank-6 instructors making the trip.
These were the abilities of the instructors who would lead MCMAU’s team this time.
Going to Capital City meant MCMAU would be leaving their home turf. Wu Kuishan was naturally on his guard.
Whether it was to prevent foul play, or to portray abilities, it was absolutely necessary for Grandmasters to keep watch.
Hearing that Wu Kuishan would not be going, Fang Ping mulled it over before saying quietly, “Vice-chancellor, my instructor...she has entered the Catacombs and has yet to return...”
“I know!”
Wu Kuishan squeezed his hands again and again, gently exhaling a mouthful of air. Looking rather worn, he continued, “I’m still in Magic City. As long as nothing major happens, I can enter the Catacombs anytime. Just watch out for yourselves...”
Lu Fengrou entering the Catacombs was the reason why he did not make the trip to Capital City this time.
If he had gone too far, he might not be able to rescue her in time if something came up.
These days, news had spread across Magic City’s Catacombs that Lu Fengrou had been foolhardy. Five days ago, she encountered a Rank-7 chieftain-level powerhouse. Not only did she not retreat, but she had also fought the other party in a great struggle.
As a result, Lu Fengrou sustained critical injuries and fled; the other party chased her all the way to Hope City.
If not for the Hope City powerhouses’ involvement, Lu Fengrou would have been killed.
That was why Wu Kuishan rushed back from Capital City and did not even stay for the draw lot ceremony. That woman had gone insane.
Did she know what she was doing?
Although she called herself Unconquerable, was Lu Fengrou truly unconquerable in Rank-6?
Now, when encountering the other party who was a Rank-7, not only did she not retreat, but she had even taken the initiative to start a fight. If not for her good luck, she would have been killed ages ago.
Obviously, Fang Ping knew nothing of this.
Nobody bothered to tell him, anyway.
However, Wu Kuishan was back. Fang Ping was not too concerned about Lu Fengrou’s safety.
After a quick exchange, Wu Kuishan had nothing more to say to Fang Ping.
He did not demand Fang Ping to win first place or anything like that.
Based on the current situation... securing the first place proved to be slightly challenging. Wu Kuishan knew that Li Hansong and Yao Chengjun had fought their way to the top ranks of Rank-4.
Fang Ping had just broken through to Peak Rank-4. His Qi was not too stable.
In slightly over three months’ time, what was his progress for his high-ranked Combat Techniques?
He was a genius at cultivation, though that did not mean that his ability was exceptionally powerful.
Looking at MCMAU’s ability as a whole, it would not be an issue to enter the top five. However, they would need some luck to push further than that.
...
Coming out of the vice-chancellor’s office, Fang Ping initially wanted to go to the Martial Arts Society. After further contemplation, he turned and left for the logistics department.
Logistics Department.
Old Man Li was still not around.
The instructor who replaced Old Man Li at the last minute said, “Dean Li has been in isolation recently. I’m afraid he won’t be available anytime soon.”
“He has been in isolation for a long time now...”
Fang Ping frowned slightly. Old Man Li went into isolation not long after they had returned last time.
A month has passed.
Martial artists’ isolation was usually not a long-term matter. The shortest could last two to three days; the longest ten to fifteen days. Old Man Li’s one-month isolation this time was far too long.
Without delaying, Fang Ping left the logistics department, heading for MCMAU’s old dormitory area.
Old Man Li was not housed at the instructors’ dormitory. Those villas were built at a later time.
In those days, MCMAU was not large. It had some old buildings too.
Old Man Li resided in the old dormitory area. Currently, very few lived there. Some of the injured martial artists who had retired would stay there.
When the Old Vice-chancellor was alive, he resided there as well.
Fang Ping walked along the narrow bluestone path, passing through the campus’ maple forest. More than ten minutes later, he stopped in front of a cluster of old buildings.
He rarely visited this place. This was a place where some old people relaxed. Under normal circumstances, people would rarely drop by and interrupt them.
At this moment, outside the old buildings, a number of elderly people were sunbathing in the mini garden at the periphery.
When Fang Ping arrived, someone recognized him. An old man who had lost an arm chuckled. “Fang Ping, my grandson didn’t cause any trouble recently, did he?”
Fang Ping responded cheerfully, “How could he? Last time, I sent someone to bash him up. He’s doing so well now, breaking through Rank-2 a few days ago. I’ll send him to fight a Rank-2 championship in a few days. He won’t have the time to cause any trouble.”
The one-armed old man burst out laughing, nodding. “Good, good. This is how it should be. If he doesn’t listen, then bash him up! If he still doesn’t behave, throw him into the Catacombs. That stinking rascal is nothing like his father!”
Beside him, a few other elderly who had lost their arms and legs laughed and responded with words like, “He deserves to be punished” and “Spare the rod, spoil the child”.
Fang Ping did not walk away either. After the old folk talked for some time, he chuckled, “Rest assure, instructors. You are all heroes. Your next generation won’t turn into cowards...”
“Heroes... We’re no heroes,” One-armed old man said modestly.
The true heroes were lying in the Southern Area cemetery.
These guys were on their last legs, with no fight left in the tank. Otherwise, would they have so much free time to even sit around idly and wait to die?
Without waiting for Fang Ping to respond, the one-armed old man chuckled. “Looking for Li Changsheng?”
“Yes. Is Instructor Li here?”
“Yes. But he’s still in isolation. You can forget about it. Aren’t you holding some sort of championship? Don’t worry, just go on and lead your team in the competition. Old Devil Li won’t starve to death. He’s very much alive. Why would he starve himself?”
“Still in isolation...” Fang Ping thought deeply for a moment and asked, “Instructor Li still has his old wounds, hasn’t he? If he’s in isolation now...”
“It’s fine. Old Devil Li is tinkering with his Longevity Sword.”
The one-armed old man continued, “Go do your thing. While we’re still alive, we’d like to witness MCMAU surpassing CCMAU. After surpassing CCMAU, one of the Old Vice-chancellor’s wishes would be fulfilled. He deserves to die with no regrets.”
Fang Ping raised his head and looked at a nearby courtyard with its gates tightly shut. That was Old Man Li’s residence.
Old Man Li was still in isolation, so it would not be appropriate for him to interrupt. He could only bid farewell to the elderly and take his leave. Before he left, he vowed with swelling confidence, “Rest assure, instructors. MCMAU doesn’t need a few years to surpass CCMAU.”
The elderly folk let out a hearty laugh.
Today, after the Old Vice-chancellor and a huge number of instructors had perished in battle, it seemed like MCMAU’s top-tier ability had declined as a whole.
However, the younger generation’s ability was growing day by day.
There were Rank-5 students last year. Even though there were none this year, people like Chen Wenlong were no weaker than the Rank-5 last year.
The lower-ranked students worked hard too. The elderly were aware of it.
If this went on, in a few more years, once people like Tang Feng broke through to Grandmaster to fill the gap for the loss of top-tier forces, it might even outshine MCMAU’s period of prosperity.
Hope was placed on the younger generations.
...
Martial Arts Society.
Fang Ping addressed the crowd, saying, “Chen Wenlong, Zhang Yu, Qin Fengqing, Xie Lei. The four of you are the key players. Liang Fenghua, Zhou Qing, Liu Yuying... You guys will enter the reserves team. Any objections?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Xie Lei could qualify for the first team because he had competed with others in private and possessed top-notch abilities. In martial arts universities, ability was still everything.
Fang Ping looked at Xie Lei, saying, “You’re the only Middle-stage Rank-4 martial artist in the first team. This time, your chances of fighting are low. Unlike in the past, MCMAU will not hold back this time. Everyone must give it their all. Victory belongs to the powerful!
“So, if everything goes as planned, Chen Wenlong will be the starter, I’ll go next, Zhang Yu third...
“We must obtain a clear-cut victory. None of you should have any reservations!
“Chen Wenlong, as the starter, if you can defeat five in a row, then make a clean sweep straightaway. There’s no need to save us any opponents.
“We’re all Rank-4 martial artists, so we don’t need this for training experience.
“Let the world witness MCMAU’s greatness. Do you hear me?”
“Crystal clear!”
Everyone responded.
Fang Ping checked the time, saying, “Go back and pack your luggage then. We’ll take a plane to Capital City tomorrow morning. Anyone lower than Rank-4, take the high-speed rail and make it there in time. Although it’s not our home arena, we must keep the momentum going!
“There’s its ebb and flow. I have no intention to be looked down upon by everyone else before making a comeback. There’s no need for that.
“I want to let everyone know that MCMAU is powerful—until the end!
“Once we’re in Capital City, there’s no need to be afraid of anything. Put on your best imposing manner. We’re all youths. We can be as flamboyant as we want!
“The older generations will not get involved. The younger generations are our rivals. The path that MCMAU takes on is the domineering path, not the benevolent one!
“Anyone who has the guts to make sly remarks about us, who are brave enough to yammer and whine, we’ll beat him up if he’s a martial artist. If anything happens that’s not within my capability to handle, the Grandmasters will!”
Everyone burst out laughing. If you were capable enough, you would take back that last sentence. Only then you would be considered truly domineering.
Fang Ping had just finished speaking when Chen Wenlong said, “How about I go first and you go last...”
“No need.”
Fang Ping shook his head, saying, “If they make a clean sweep and force me into action, frankly speaking... it won’t be easy for us. If I delay and cripple a few, all of you will still stand a better chance at winning. If I’m the last to go on and lose, then it’ll be completely over.”
Qin Fengqing mumbled, “I’m placed fourth... It’ll be better for you to get bashed up until you’re crippled...”
“F*ck off!”
Fang Ping humphed and shot him a sharp look. “Qin Fengqing, if you’re unhappy, we can go at it. Let’s see if your One Sword Style has any effect on me!”
Ignoring Qin Fengqing, Fang Ping continued, “If none of you have any objections, then the meeting’s over!”
...
November 29th.
More than 10 Rank-4 students, more than ten Rank-6 instructors, and Grandmaster Dean Huang Jing boarded the flight to Capital City.
Meanwhile, some Rank-2 and 3 martial artists took the high-speed rail heading for Capital City.
In various other regions, one after another, there were martial arts students who were setting out on their journey.
The top ten elite universities’ fight was immensely important to these martial arts universities. All of them were accompanied by Grandmasters.
A huge number of media reporters had also made their way to Capital City successively.
This batch’s championship had gathered a large number of prodigies of the present era.
Although they had not graduated yet, people like Yao Chengjun had already surpassed a great deal of graduated students. Even some Rank-5 and 6 graduated powerhouses were far less reputable than they were right now.
The entire nation, even the entire world, had focused their attention on such a grand occasion.
The younger generation of Sino Nation, the gathering of extraordinary individuals, who would stand out as the most outstanding one?