NMAU versus DNMAU.
Dongnan Martial Arts University’s Upper-stage Rank-4 powerhouses were in charge of suppressing. One Middle-stage and three Early-stage Rank-4s.
Even so, when they saw Wang Jinyang coming on the arena, DNMAU could still sense a tremendous pressure weighing down on them.
...
“Begin!”
Following the referee’s command, Wang Jinyang looked calm and composed. His changdao slit and tore the sky apart, crashing down like thunder!
The first slash had not crashed down when the next slash had already appeared on the left side of his body. His changdao moved like a shadow, sweeping across horizontally.
Bang!
A crash and a dull thud was heard. Blood spurted out of DNMAU’s Martial Arts Society president’s waist, his white bones faintly visible.
Fast, decisive, accurate!
Wang Jinyang employed his saber at blinding speed. The disparity between both parties was too great. His opponent was not given an opportunity to avoid it at all.
Wang Jinyang pulled his saber back, not chasing further, staring at his rival in silence.
On DNMAU’s grandstand, an instructor sighed softly and yelled, “Surrender!”
...
“The championship this time is completely different from the first batch Rank-1 championship!
“For Rank-1 martial artists, even a prodigy martial artist like Fang Ping may not have taken the lead by far too much in the Rank-1 stage.
“A Seckill[1] is a rare occurrence in the Rank-1 stage.
“However, at the Rank-4 stage, these genius martial artists have gradually pulled the gap between them and others.
“Chen Wenlong, Wang Jinyang, Yao Chengjun... when these guys encounter martial artists who are incomparable to their ranks, the emergence of seckill force is almost apparent.
“It seems like the martial arts championship highpoint this time will appear only in later stages.
In later stages, Peak Rank-4 prodigy martial artists will fight one another. Perhaps when the time came, the battle would last more than a few seconds...”
The male commentator took advantage of the spare time to explain.
The female commentator nodded, saying, “Indeed. The disparity is too great. Also, when it comes to the middle ranks, one’s recovery speed is extremely quick as well. Although it won’t keep up with the consumption speed, one against five isn’t really a difficult thing to do. When Peak Rank-4 martial artists like Wang Jinyang encounter other Rank-4 martial artists whose ranks are lower than them, thirty to fifty opponents might not even take them out.”
“The championship this time saw many Peak Rank-4 martial artists. CCMAU has three, MCMAU two, FMS one, NMAU one, NSMS one, SNMAU one...”
“That’s not it. FMS’s Bai Xu has broken through to Peak Rank-4. In Upper-stage Rank-4, Bai Xu is also a top-notch powerhouse among the Upper-stages.”
“That means that the number of Peak Rank-4 martial artists has hit 10!”
“That’s right.”
“However, based on MCMAU Fang Ping’s division, even if they are all Peak Rank-4s, there’s still a great disparity between them. According to him, it can even be divided into four levels. He alone is at the top of the pyramid; Yao Chengjun and the others at level two; Chen Wenlong and other top hundred members at level three; and the final level for the rest of the Peak Rank-4 martial artists...”
“Let’s wait and see whether this is the case. Very soon, these Peak Rank-4 martial artists will fight each other.”
“...”
At this moment, both commentators had nothing left to add, so they could only talk about other topics.
The difference between NMAU Wang Jinyang and the guys from Dongnan was too great—all of them defeated in a second!
If he was considered to have employed two slashes in the first match, then the four matches after that would bring the total to four slashes.
Altogether six slashes from start to finish, ending the battle!
“NMAU wins!”
The referee announced the result, though not many were surprised.
A competition that was expected to last a few hours in the afternoon had all ended about half an hour later.
At this moment, Fang Ping suddenly decided that 1000 bucks was not a cheap price at all.
Some of the spectators made a long trip, waited for a long time at the arena, only to watch a few punches and a few slashes. They might even be cursing in their hearts.
Fang Ping thought about this and started pondering again. Next time, he decided that MCMAU would not hold any middle-ranked competitions.
A middle-ranked competition would do so much worse in terms of its viewability.
Rank-1 martial artists’ battles involved biting punches and people getting badly mangled. Also, they often fight to the point of Vitality depletion before finally giving in.
On the other hand, middle-staged competitions displayed a lot more disparity in ability. In this current championship, it was almost always a one-sided battle.
...
In the afternoon, the first match would be between CCMAU and ESNNU.
ESNNU was already the weakest among all teams. Now they even had to face CCMAU.
There was absolutely nothing to watch in this battle.
Even the underhanded Hu Yong did not last a minute fighting against starter Qin Ze, defeated in the blink of an eye. Even his underhanded tactics could not save him. If it were not for that, Qin Ze would not have used more than three moves to defeat Middle-stage Rank-4 martial artists.
The remaining members from ESNNU seemed rather half-hearted.
There were actually only two Rank-4 martial artists. The remaining three of them were all Rank-3 martial artists.
Maybe such a line-up had angered Qin Ze. After the Rank-3 martial artist went on stage, Qin Ze did not even close in on him, punching the other party to the ground from afar. He was not even a martial artist who specialized in punches.
With the fastest speed, CCMAU defeated all members of ESNNU.
A series of booing broke out across the floor. None of the civilians in the audience had the courage to boo martial artists, of course. However, the CCMAU students outside the arena were less reserved, showing the greatest displeasure toward ESNNU. They should have at least sent all five Rank-4s to fight. Were they afraid of getting injured?
The second match in the afternoon: FMS versus SCMAU.
South Capital Martial Arts University that had just been critically hit this afternoon took another blow. Yao Chengjun became the starter straight away, sending Chen Haoran flying in three strikes of his spear. The remaining four were just a matter of one strike per person.
...
“This is gruesome to watch!”
Even Fang Ping was slightly sympathetic. SCMAU had been hit too pathetically today.
Fortunately, SCMAU was not competing tomorrow. Otherwise, things would get even worse when they ran up against SNMAU.
MCMAU, on the other hand, had a competition tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon, a match against Taishan Martial Arts University.
Whereas in the morning, TMAU would fight against SNMAU...
Fang Ping felt a great sense of malice toward the arrangement of this competition schedule. Today SCMAU was unlucky, tomorrow it would be TMAU’s turn.
The day after tomorrow, these two poor bastards would have a match against each other to comfort one another.
MCMAU would fight TMAU on the 14th; SNMAU on the 15th.
A day’s rest on the 16th, a match with First Military School on the 17th. This was MCMAU’s competition schedule arrangement this time.
During their rest day on the 16th, FMS would fight SNMAU.
These significant matches were all arranged toward the back.
It was nearly the same on CCMAU’s side.
The highlights would be the ones in the final few days.
In the final few days, CCMAU would fight NMAU and NSMS; NMAU would fight NSMS as well. Peak Rank-4 powerhouses would fight against each other. This was also the cause of many people’s growing anticipation.
...
December 14th.
In the morning, SNMAU versus TMAU.
Top hundreds’ member Liu Shijie was the starter. Maybe it was to remind others of his existence. Liu Shijie unleashed full outburst, defeating TMAU Upper-stage Rank-4 president in three slashes. The remaining four were defeated in a streak as well.
Another group, CCMAU versus DNMAU. Qin Ze fought once again, winning against DNMAU easily.
In the afternoon, MCMAU Chen Wenlong remained the starter, defeating TMAU effortlessly in a straight victory.
The situation was the same in NSMS versus ESNNU. NSMS won at the flick of a switch too.
...
Over the course of two days, every competition ended at the speed of light.
On December 15th, however, a few significant competitions were held.
On the 15th, NMAU would fight NSMS in the morning, whereas MCMAU would fight SNMAU in the afternoon.
For the first time ever, Peak Rank-4 martial artists’ fight had begun.
...
“One Rank-4 and another Rank-4 is different.”
Morning of the 15th. Whilst walking, Fang Ping beamed at the camera lens. “NSMS isn’t weak as a whole, but they will undoubtedly lose fighting against NMAU.
“Although NSMS’s president Xiao Yuming is also a Peak Rank-4 martial artist, and has even made it into the top hundred’s ranking, he is further back in the ranking. Running up against Wang Jinyang means that he will be defeated without a doubt.
“As soon as he is defeated, Wang Jinyang will finish off the rest in a streak easily.”
Liu Dali questioned, “President Wang Jinyang is also ranked further behind. The disparity between them isn’t too great, so why does President Fang look so highly upon President Wang?”
“You have no idea. There are only three people in the second-level sequence I mentioned earlier: Yao Chengjun, Li Hansong and Wang Jinyang.
“Xiao Yuming only qualifies for the third-level. Though you may see only a slight difference, in actual truth, the disparity is really great...”
“In that case, President Fang, you have ranked yourself in the first-level sequence. Does that mean that when you fight SNMAU President Liu this afternoon, you can also defeat the other party instantly?”
Fang Ping let out a faint laugh. “It shouldn’t be a huge problem. If everything goes according to plan, the final four universities that will qualify for the next round will be MCMAU and the three other universities that I have mentioned earlier.
“The fifth place is hard to tell, though. It depends on SNMAU and NSMS’ specific skill set.”
“From what you’re saying, the top four has been decided? Can President Fang predict which team will be the winner?”
“MCMAU.”
“What about the second place?”
“CCMAU’s slightly stronger as a whole, their chances are higher. Of course, the two other universities would stand a chance as well. It depends on their effort. However, for NMAU, unless Wang Jinyang goes all out, defeating all five consecutively, they won’t stand much chance.”
“If that’s the case, President Fang is confident in defeating President Yao Chengjun, third on the ranking?”
“Ranking is just a trinket and doesn’t really represent anything. Of course, these people have extremely strong abilities as well. But, among us, have none of us killed a Rank-5 before?
“Don’t treat us as Rank-4 martial artists alone...”
Fang Ping said it light-heartedly; Liu Dali was sweating profusely.
The disparity between martial artists was so great, even up to this extent now?
Thinking about it though, in the competition this time, when the Rank-4 martial artists encounter Chen Wenlong and the rest, their only fate was to be killed in a second. Even the disparity between the same rank was huge.
Earlier, he was even thinking that his abilities were extremely strong now that he was an Upper-stage Rank-3, so there was no need to be afraid of Fang Ping.
Thinking back about it now... Liu Dali breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he did not get bashed to death. How very lucky he was.
...
While they were having an exchange, the competition started.
For NMAU, as usual, Wang Jinyang was the one to go on.
The commentator did not even look at the battle list. If NMAU Wang Jinyang did not get on the arena, then there was no way for them to fight anymore. So, there was no need to take a look at it.
NSMS knew that the rest were easy opponents for Wang Jinyang. A battle strategy to fight in turns to tire him out was no use. Therefore, Xiao Yuming did not try any fancy strategies and became the starter straightaway.
“The first match between Peak Rank-4 martial artists! Wang Jinyang and Xiao Yuming are both powerhouses among the Peak Rank-4s! Similarly, both of them have qualified for the top hundred list.
“Whether Wang Jinyang will fight until the end or Xiao Yuming will put an end of Wang Jinyang’s invincibility—let’s wait and see!”
“Let the competition begin!”
The referee this time was different from the last—Peak Rank-6 powerhouses!
After the call to start, ordinary people had yet to see what was going on when a loud boom resounded midair!
Two shadows flashed across the sky.
This time, it was so fast that even Rank-2 and 3 martial artists could not see what was going on in the competition.
...
Although the rest of them could hardly see a thing, Fang Ping saw everything clearly.
“If Xiao Yuming can qualify the top hundreds, that means that he is not weak indeed. He has cultivated High-ranked Combat Technique Eight Corners Invincible Spear to an extremely refined stage...”
At the same time, at one side of the grandstand, the male commentator said loud and clear, “Xiao Yuming has cultivated the Soaring Dragon Nine Strikes up to the ninth style. It’s no wonder he can qualify for the top hundreds. Eight consecutive slashes with his spear, slightly more powerful than Nanjiang’s Governor-General Zhang’s self-invented Manic Explosion. The highest attainable level for Manic Explosion is seven consecutive slashes...”
Liu Dali gaped at Fang Ping in complete shock!
This was a live broadcast!
How could you have the guts to even make this up?
With so many martial artists around too!
In the past, he had also made things up. During the fight between the Rank-8 golden bodies, he did not go to the fight scene, filming from the top of the mountain, making up certain Combat Technique names.
Right now, however, under everyone’s noses and plenty of powerhouses around, Fang Ping had the guts to whip up random names for Combat Techniques?
Holy sh*t. This was one kick-ass fellow!
Fang Ping looked composed, saying calmly, “Soaring Dragon Nine Strikes is not the only way to call it. There are many ways to address Combat Techniques. This is not the main point.
“The main point is, Wang Jinyang is about to unleash an outburst!”
As soon as the words left his lips, Wang Jinyang growled midair, his changdao splitting through the void. In outsiders’ eyes, it might seem like one strike. In reality, Wang Jinyang had already unleashed over a hundred strikes at blinding speed!
Hundred consecutive slashes!
Dang!
A series of metal-clanging sounds merged into one, turning into a loud boom in the end. To others, there seemed to be one sound only.
Midair, a shadow fell in an instant.
Xiao Yuming had blocked off dozens of slashes, but was unable to block everything. In the end, his scapula was hit in a strike by Wang Jinyang. Blood and flesh burst and cracked open on his shoulder, traces of cracks on his bones were evident as well.
Bang!
Xiao Yuming crashed to the ground. He was just about to stand when countless saber marks split open throughout his body instantly—blood spurted out uncontrollably!
The commentator saw what happened and sighed suddenly. “Xiao Yuming can’t fight anymore. Wang Jinyang has employed 97 consecutive slashes earlier. Xiao Yuming had blocked off 82 slashes, using his robust physique to take the last tens of slashes forcefully. Unfortunately, he did not, after all, attain a golden body, so he is injured quite critically.”
As soon as he said those words, the referee took a look and announced loudly, “Wang Jinyang wins!”
The first Peak Rank-4 match ended very quickly as well.
Wang Jinyang landed on the arena, his chest rising and falling, breathing somewhat rapidly, though he was unscathed.
Xiao Yuming defeated; Wang Jinyang unscathed. The result was clear.
Liu Dali could not help but ask, “President Fang, did he really employ 97 slashes just now?”
Fang Ping pondered for a moment, answering, “Nearly.”
“Nearly?”
Fang Ping thought for a while, and explained, “The final slash was held back because it was aimed at Xiao Yuming’s head. If he had employed that slash, Xiao Yuming might have been killed.”
As he said those words, Liu Dali did not seem too fazed.
On the grandstand, a few Grandmasters’ attention gathered on him.
Fang Ping this fellow. When he was uttering nonsensical things earlier, they had already started to keep an eye on him.
With regard to Fang Ping’s commentary, the Grandmasters reacted with dark expressions.
This kid, sputtering nonsensical names, caring nothing for martial artists’ reputation at all.
However, when Fang Ping claimed that the final slash was not employed, the Grandmasters were slightly intrigued. Compared to the Rank-6 martial artist commentator, this kid’s eyesight was not so weak. The Rank-6 commentator might not have even seen it. Perhaps they refrained from mentioning it as it would be a slap to NSMS’ face.
Fang Ping did not care about these things. He continued. “Nine States Military School has been defeated. As for Group B, right now only the match between NMAU and CCMAU will be interesting. There’s really nothing much to see for the rest.
“As for our side, only Yao Chengjun alone has me looking forward to it.”
“So, will President Fang be the starter for this afternoon’s fight?”
“Of course, I can’t let others take all the limelight. Playing dumb and taking advantage of others isn’t how martial artists do things. It’s time we let others know why MCMAU is a famous school now!”
Fang Ping laughed heartily. He did not continue watching the upcoming matches because there was no suspense anymore.
He still had to pay slightly more attention to the competition in the afternoon. Until now, Liu Shijie had not completely unleashed his ability. To be defeated by such an easy opponent would be extremely embarrassing.
...
Not long after Fang Ping had left, Wang Jinyang defeated the remaining four NSMS members effortlessly, completing another winning streak.
At this time and moment, certain claims that Fang Ping made were completely acknowledged.
Even the disparity between Peak Rank-4 was so great. Things like rankings and whatnot should not be taken too seriously.
[1] killing in a second