Kong Yuanrong was in a state of profound depression, bitterness, anger, frustration, reproach... as he stumbled off the battle stage, unable to accept the result.
He was at his wit’s end.
This was straight-up bullying!
From the beginning till the end, he did not even exchange a move with the other party. He would have accepted it even if he was severely injured with a single punch.
From the beginning till the end Fang Ping was only attacking the stage, seriously tearing it apart. He lost just like that, and that was more shameful than being crippled by Fang Ping.
Fang Ping did not forget to kick a downed man and reminded him saying, “Don’t forget the bet.”
Kong Yuanrong, “...”
Kong Yuanrong did not utter a word and without looking back went backstage.
...
Backstage.
A few students from the Xishan Martial Arts University looked at each other, and after a while, the martial artists that were about to go on stage said sullenly, “Should we fight?”
Everyone stared at each other, this... was not an easy decision to make.
While they were hesitating, an instructor from Xishan Martial Arts University came over and said in hushed tones, “Get on stage, maintain your strength, but don’t give up before you fight!”
To lose, that was a definite thing.
But to admit defeat before even going on stage, there were no such traditions in the martial arts universities.
No matter how tough, they must still get onto the stage, even if they would lose.
When the second person came out from the backstage, Kong Yuanrong let out a sigh and said quickly, “Prepare yourself, we will fight in the revival match!”
They should forget about this match, it was just their bad luck to face MCMAU.
He did not suffer any serious injuries besides some external injuries. His strength was still retained and was in a better place than Tiannan Martial Arts University. Xuan Jiye from Tiannan Martial Arts University had sustained severe injuries. Both of them were confirmed to be in the match for the losers’ bracket. They could not beat MCMAU, but beating Tiannan would not be a problem.
...
Front stage.
The student from Xishan Martial Arts University stared at the shattered battle stage for a moment. After some thought, he chose to step into the air.
At that time, Fang Ping floated in midair, uninhibited. As he was walking on the broken stage, his momentum looked inferior.
Fang Ping did not look at him, but turned to the referee and said, “Teacher, are we not going to fix the stage?”
The referee was speechless, and after a moment said, “There’s no time, just fight like this.”
Fix it?
And allow you to trash it after it was fixed?
Fang Ping quietly complained to himself after he heard those words, “Petty!”
CCMAU was extremely stingy.
...
Second floor.
The chancellor of CCMAU suddenly laughed and said, “Change it to an A-grade alloy stage tomorrow!”
Another Grandmaster said coldly, “If he can break it, then CCMAU will not host anymore championships or stage competitions!”
Everyone knew exactly why Fang Ping broke the stage this time.
After being crowned the previous champions, the championship should rightfully be hosted by MCMAU this year.
In the end, CCMAU lobbied their way through and took this opportunity away, Fang Ping was obviously unhappy about it.
Huang Jing and the others would not say anything. Fang Ping did not publicly say that it was not fair, because that was the government’s choice.
As he destroyed the stage during the match, he proved that with CCMAU hosting the Championship, things seeped through the cracks, and they were not well prepared. It was almost like a backhanded slap to the face.
An A-grade alloy stage!
The other Grandmasters were surprised on the inside. CCMAU had proofed itself to be the top one elite school.
Its resources were sufficient enough to scare a person.
Even though the so-called A-grade alloy stage was only plated with A-grade alloy on the surface, but the battle stage was huge. With such a huge area to cover, they would need at least one or two tons of A-grade alloy to be able to completely cover the stage.
At MCMAU, the price of the A-grade alloy was set at two hundred credits per kilogram. That would mean that one ton was equal to two hundred thousand credits!
A few tons... If this was used to build weapons, imagine how many A-grade weapons could be made?
Of course, the A-grade alloy used for the battle stage would usually be from leftover scraps. While some would call it A-grade alloy, it might not actually achieve the quality needed.
The Grandmasters of CCMAU made up their minds at that moment.
They would let him fight!
If he was able to smash it, they would consider him as strong then. CCMAU would not host another competition, would he be satisfied then?
If he could not break it... Then let this kid break his own bones from impact, they would let him fight!
The few Grandmasters did not overthink things, but a few instructors were plotting at the side. Should they plate the surface with C-grade alloy and with A-grade alloy beneath that?
Let Fang Ping go crazy!
If he was to as now, punch an A-grade alloy surface with their bare hands, there was not much else to say, he could break the bones in his own hands!
...
In the air above the battle stage.
Fang Ping did not know of CCMAU’s thoughts.
After he knew that the stage was not going to be fixed, Fang Ping started to lose interest, and said to the person in front of him, “Is... Is Zhang Wei going to battle?”
When he was backstage, he did not look at the battle sequence on both sides, because he really did not care.
Fang Ping’s dismissive attitude was really evident!
The martial artist from Xishan Martial Arts University was full of rage. Before he could speak, Fang Ping replied impatiently, “Forget it, we’ll know when this is over.”
“Begin!”
“Immobilizing Technique!”
Fang Ping yelled loudly, and at the same time, a blood-red light flashed out from his right fist. A strong wave of Vitality Force shot towards his opponent immediately!
His opponent was stunned for a moment and almost fell to the ground.
He did not wait for his opponent to come to his senses, instead, the vigor of Fang Ping’s Maha Punch was already there, Vitality struck into his body.
“Thump!”
With the sound, his opponent only felt his internal organs quiver. The Third Bridge Between Heaven and Earth[1] that he had just successfully erected in his body shook from the collision. As his energy went out of control, he could not maintain his stance in the air, and fell all the way down!
There was silence in the crowd, a peculiar silence at that!
...
“Is he a Rank-4 martial artist?”
“Yes, he is Rank-4 and also Xishan Martial Arts University’s genius martial artist. In the previous Martial Arts University Championships, he defeated another Rank-4 martial artist from other schools. He has tremendous strength... supposedly tremendous...”
The person who spoke did not know how to respond anymore.
Was he strong?
The second person in line from Xishan Martial Arts University, he actually did quite well in the previous regular Martial Arts University Championships.
In other words, the participating teammates from the martial arts universities that entered the competition for the top ten are all young prodigies, they were powerhouses!
But now?
MCMAU’s Fang Ping beat them like they were children. He had only shouted a few sentences, yet his opponent was dazed and beaten down to the ground and was still in the alloy debris unable to stand.
How shameful!
Some of the spectators from Xishan wished that they could let out their anger. The honor of Xishan!
Beaten to a pulp, not knowing if he was alive or dead?
...
At the same time.
Throughout the gym were participants watching the battle.
Yao Chengjun was not surprised as he watched this scene. He shook his head slightly and said, “Xishan cannot force him to show his strength anymore.”
...
At another place.
Li Hansong was already resigned as he said, “You can’t see it, the difference is too great, Xishan Martial Arts University is unable to force him to use his whole strength.”
...
Wang Jinyang glanced at Lan Wufeng who was at the side, laughed drily and said, “Between you and Zhou Wuji, who is stronger and who is weaker?”
Lan Wufeng was quiet, the difference was probably not great.
“The situation with your sister, I will take responsibility for that decision. Stop thinking about revenge, because when you meet him, you won’t be able to withstand even a single move.”
“I... I understand.”
Wang Jinyang did not say anything else. Whenever this guy Fang Ping faced someone whose strength was unlike his, or if they had a lower rank, they were all defeated in a second.
There was no hope in relying on Xishan Martial Arts University to truly test his strength.
If there were Peak Rank martial artists to make their move, maybe that would be worth watching.
...
Inside the gym, discussions were everywhere.
Outside the gym.
Some of the spectators who were watching the live-stream were getting heated up as well!
“What is this then? Instant defeat?”
“Maybe the opponent was just being silly, I did not even see Fang Ping make his move. He was probably unstable in the air and fell down on his own?”
“I saw it, I think it was an energy blade!”
“Nonsense. It was the release of his vigor. With only one move and you don’t even know if his opponent is dead or alive, Xishan Martial Arts University is really weak!”
“I don’t think Xishan Martial Arts University is that is weak. If they really were weak, they would not have been able to enter the top twenty. I think Fang Ping is too strong. I heard someone said this before, that Fang Ping releases his Mentality... I don’t really understand it, you just need to know that it’s something awesome. If he faces someone who has a weaker Mentality, he could immediately render his opponents unable to counter-attack.”
“Is that what he meant by Immobilizing Technique?”
“Does the Immobilizing Technique really exists?”
“...”
The conversations of the people outside the gym were getting more and more off-topic.
Inside the gym.
It would be better for Chancellor Feng from Xishan Martial Arts University on the second floor to not utter another word. He gestured and hinted at the instructor beside him. The Rank-6 upper management of Xishan said helplessly, “Zhou Wuji, admits defeat!”
On the first floor.
Fang Ping laughed and said, “Continue, don’t give me any time to rest.”
No one acknowledged him.
Did he use his strength? Would there be a difference if he was given any time to rest in between?”
The competition had to continue, the third student from Xishan Martial Arts University was already out on stage. He was also the last Rank-4 powerhouse from the university.
When he saw that his opponent looked like he was staring death in the eye, Fang Ping suddenly said under his breath, “Give me 5 million and I’ll fight with you for a minute!”
“Fang Ping!”
Without waiting for the other guy to speak, the referee shouted, “Continue the match, any more nonsense from you and you will be disqualified.”
Damn it, was he sane?
He wanted to fight a rigged match in front of him!
Fang Ping yielded. Fine, it was just a joke. The referee was an old fart, not even a lick of a sense of humor.
“Immobilizing Technique!”
Fang Ping shouted again, followed by a fist. This time, Fang Ping did not exert his vigor, but swiftly with his flight stance went right in front of his opponent. With a single punch, he immediately sent the opponent out of the battle stage.
There was no need for them to admit defeat anymore. It would just be a waste of time.
“Fang Ping wins!”
The two commentators did not even comment anymore, there was just no point.
Fang Ping effortlessly said in a loud voice, “Continue!”
“Xishan Martial Arts University admits defeat!”
Chancellor Feng immediately admitted defeat from the second floor.
There were only two Peak Rank-3 martial artists left, whether they fought or not, it would not make a difference anyway.
If they went on stage, there was no other possibility aside from the fact that they would be sent flying by Fang Ping’s fist.
Maybe a Rank-4 would have stood a chance, but Rank-3 should just give up. If they fought, it would be a disgrace to Xishan Martial Arts University.
It took only five minutes!
In those five minutes, Fang Ping fought on the stage for only nearly three minutes!
The competition has ended!
Looking at the packed crowd, the people from CCMAU were about to get a headache.
What should they do?
Everyone had just come into the venue!
And now it was time for them to leave?
The price of the entrance ticket for this competition was a thousand per pass. It was not expensive, but it was not cheap either.
In the end... The competition was over for some people in the time that they went to the washrooms. How depressing was this!
CCMAU’s people were vexed, the two commentators knew to help CCMAU gain back a little dignity, to at least save the situation a little. No matter what, a battle should at least be fought for more than ten minutes. Now that it has ended after a few minutes, the pace of it was a little inappropriate.
As Fang Ping was about to coolly step off the stage, the male commentator immediately asked, “Captain Fang, a moment please, about this battle, do you have anything to say to everyone?”
“MCMAU is striving for the first place. Even though Xishan MAU is by no means weak in comparison, but it is in comparison to other martial arts universities, MCMAU has within a short period of time progressed to where we are today, to battle for first place with CCMAU. This is incomparable by the normal martial arts universities.”
Fang Ping saved some of CCMAU’s dignity this time. He continued and said, “Of course, I want to say one more thing, CCMAU did not organize things well this time. It would be more suitable if the Rank-4 battles were held outdoors. An indoor battle would greatly restrict battle movements.
“This is just the appetizer. Next, after entering the top ten’s competition, there will be more powerhouses. I feel that there is no need to continue to confine this range of the battle to the stage.
“This will be too limiting to a lot of people!
“I don’t really care either way, but for some participants whose strength lies in their speed, with one tiny burst they might pass the stage’s borders. Would that mean that they lost?
“Since this is a battle of strength, then it should be all-rounded.
“So, what I suggest for the next competition is to have it outdoors. Then the Rank-4 martial artists will be able to properly demonstrate their strength.
“And another thing, for the next competition, I would suggest adding in another segment, group battles!
“For many martial artists, the ability to fight on their own is their strength, but group battles are a must as well. Some martial artists, be it Rank-4, they don’t do things alone, they have their own teams; by working together as a team, they will be able to fight at a better capacity.
“And with group battles, we would be able to reduce the differences between us.
“For example, this time, if Xishan MAU had come together as a team of five, even though they would have still lost, at least it would not have been too harsh...”
Fang Ping talked passionately, the two commentators did not know how to continue.
This had nothing to do with the competition anymore.
In this helpless situation, the male commentator could only interrupt and said, “President Fang, from what you have seen in this Championship, which team is the biggest threat?”
“If you are taking into account the strength as a whole, naturally it would be CCMAU being the biggest threat; but even though they are strong as a whole, but in the single battles, that may not have been helpful.
“But for the system of this competition, being strong as an individual makes you a bigger threat.
“There are Rank-4 powerhouses holding the fort for First Military School, CCMAU, Nanjiang Martial Arts University to name a few, they would be equally matched.”
“Nanjiang Martial Arts University? President Fang, are you talking about President Wang Jinyang? President Wang does not rank high on the Rank-4 ranking list...”
Fang Ping laughed and said, “To us, the chart is just something that is secondary. You can challenge it if you have time, if we’re too busy it doesn’t matter whether we challenge it or not. We are not that idle. Don’t mind about things like this too much most of the time...”
Those words, made it sound as though Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong were very idle.
The faces of the people from CCMAU and the First Military School were full of indignation, to the extent that they were also unhappy with the commentary. Why were they still asking him, get rid of him!
The two commenters saw that the time had been dragged past ten minutes so they stopped asking questions, laughed and said, “Thank you, President Fang, for his comments on the competition...”
Fang Ping did not care anyway and went straight backstage.
And about those alloy debris on the front stage, Fang Ping did not turn back to look.
Among the spectators in public, he had to maintain dignified.
Even though he could have taken it as a trophy of his win and CCMAU might not come looking for him if he did, but Fang Ping knew that he was a proud man and would never do such a thing.
Once backstage, Fang Ping looked towards Qin Fengqing and said, “There’s a lot of C-grade alloy on the battle stage. CCMAU would feel too awkward to take it now, you can go and take it, we’ll split it 80:20,”
Qin Fengqing was stunned, and speechless he said, “Why don’t you take it yourself?”
“Nonsense, everyone knows me, a man of high standing, how can I do such a thing? You’ll be alright, not many people will recognize you.”
“I... If I take it, then it’s mine!”
“I broke it, 50:50, and don’t say I didn’t help you.”
“80:20, I’ll take 80, you take 20!”
“70:30!”
“...”
Their argument was getting heated, the crowd of people from Xishan MAU at the sides had solemn faces, and they then left from the backstage without a sound.
It would be better to lose to someone else, but to lose to this team was very shameful.
“Hurry up, or else it will be taken away!”
“Then I’m going!”
Qin Fengqing did not say anymore, once it was in his hands, he would not give it to Fang Ping. He was not stupid.
As he saw Qin Fengqing ran fast, Zhang Yu said, his head pounding, “Leave some dignity for MCMAU.”
He said MCMAU, not CCMAU.
How shameful!
Fang Ping shot him a glance and said nonchalantly, “I’m not the one doing it, Qin Fengqing is the one scavenging for scraps. He is embarrassing himself, and he doesn’t care anyway.”
Zhang Yu was speechless, MCMAU, was not the same MCMAU as before!
...
At the same time.
A few of the Grandmasters who were preparing to leave saw what was happening and coughed dryly.
The looks on the faces of the CCMAU instructors were enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone!
Huang Jing looked around as though searching for an excuse, and after a pause, he said, “Qin Fengqing is taking the initiative to help CCMAU clean up. MCMAU and CCMAU are family, so the students should be the same as well, don’t be too biased...”
Tang Feng and a few others sighed quietly. It was hard for the dean, who finally came out with some sort of excuse.
The chancellor of CCMAU suddenly laughed but said nothing. He glanced at Qin Fengqing who was not too far away from them, bent at the waist picking up the alloy debris, and said as he walked, “What Dean Huang said makes complete sense, next time CCMAU will also be a family with MCMAU.”
Huang Jing disregarded it. They would see next time. Moreover, to take advantage of MCMAU while being on MCMAU’s territory... surely would not be easy.
[1] from the forehead to the chin