Back to the camp.
Zhang Yuqiang was just about to go looking for Fang Ping. When he saw that Fang Ping had returned, he quickly said, “Brother Fang, if it’s not too much of a problem, should we discuss the arrangement?”
Fang Ping gathered himself, he blew out the air in his lungs and said, “Alright, how about this, gather all the supporting elite universities’ Martial Arts Society Presidents for a meeting, let’s all discuss together.”
“I’ll leave it to Brother Fang then!”
Zhang Yuqiang was extremely polite. He might be a Rank-5 martial artist, but he did not have the charisma to make an appeal.
The martial arts universities that came to support this time were not just CCMAU and MCMAU. In fact, there were many other universities.
Of course, there were not many people who came from other martial arts universities.
Right now, Nanjiang had many things to take care of. Among these martial arts university students, some of them were quite unruly as well. Someone had to take charge.
Wang Jinyang could. But, he was NMAU’s student. NMAU’s ability was only average. The others might not listen to him.
...
A few minutes later.
In a temporary meeting room that had just been assembled.
Fang Ping looked around, asking, “Yao Chengjun is not here?”
A few Rank-4 martial artists from FMS came. Everyone was already well-acquainted from the championship earlier. Right now, Bai Xu was the one representing FMS. Upon hearing the question, he replied, “The president has a mission. He will come after he has completed it.”
Fang Ping nodded slightly, turning his attention to Wang Jinyang. “We’re not too clear with the deployment here in Nanjiang. Brother Wang, why don’t you tell us, how should we arrange this?”
Wang Jinyang was unreserved, replying quickly, “After the Catacombs passageway has stabilized, Governor-General Zhang and the rest will enter first.
“Based on the past experiences on the opening of the Catacombs entrances, the entrance at the Catacombs will appear randomly. This may be something that we can’t control.
“But, if we can discover the entrance over at our side, they will too. Once the passageway has been stabilized, if we don’t send our guys in, they will come out.
“Unless we have absolutely no choice, the battlefield must never be on the ground surface.
“As for the specific number of opponents that Governor-General Zhang and the rest would encounter after entering the passageway into the Catacombs, we can’t estimate that for now. But, under normal circumstances, what we’re facing is only the nearest fort.
“Typically, a fort has a Rank-9 city lord, a few Rank-8 powerhouses, and two-digit Rank-7s...”
Fang Ping raised his hand, making a gesture, before saying, “I don’t know this very well. Every time a Catacombs opens, will the situation on the other end turn out roughly the same?”
Wang Jinyang nodded, answering, “About the same. The Catacombs is part of the fort’s system. Moreover, it’s extremely rare for two Rank-9s to turn up because Rank-9 powerhouses should have their own chances at building their own cities. Up until now, the CCMAU Catacombs is the only one where two Rank-9s were discovered in one city. Other than that, the other places have never encountered anything like that.”
After saying that, Wang Jinyang continued, “With regards to the number of high ranks, this has little to do with our mission. Guardian Wu, Governor-General Zhang and the rest will take care of that.
“We’ll mainly enter after that... Of course, what I’m thinking is to form a group of middle-ranked martial artists to enter the Catacombs as the second batch.
“As the passageway continues to stabilize, the Grandmasters can’t enter in large groups. We, however, don’t have any limitations.
“It’s inevitable to find a large number of Catacombs militants standing guard at the Catacombs exit after the Catacombs open.
“What we need to do is to attack them until they pull back, then build our stronghold.
“As for the three lower ranks martial artists, Nanjiang’s plan is to let them in only after the stronghold has been built. Hence, I recommend that the three lower ranks of each university follow the Military Department’s arrangement and wait for the mission allocation...”
Li Hansong cut him off, saying, “There’s no problem with that. So, after the stronghold is built, can we move at will?”
“It depends on the situation. If it’s too dangerous, my suggestion is that it’s best if you don’t act alone.”
“Is it possible for the Catacombs exit to appear in the middle of the fort?”
The one who asked this question was Nanhu Martial Arts University Martial Arts Society’s president.
Upon hearing the question, Wang Jinyang pondered for a moment, and said, “That’s possible. It has not happened before. But sometimes the distance can get really near to the fort. No one knows if the new Catacombs opening will emerge in the middle of the fort...”
Everyone’s heart sank. This was the worst outcome!
If this happened, the best way is to give up the idea of setting the battlefield in the Catacombs. Get out of the Catacombs and choose the human world as the battlefield.
If the exit was placed in the fort, then there was no way to fight.
Reinforcements after reinforcements That was their lair. No one would give up their own lair unless we could attack the other party to the extent which they grow really terrified.
One after another, everyone asked a few questions. Wang Jinyang replied to all of their questions.
In the end, Fang Ping asked, “If... I’m saying if, our people can’t keep the enemy back, can’t build our stronghold, then what shall we do?”
“We have contingency plans for these questions.”
Wang Jinyang explained, “There are two possibilities actually.
“Number one, appearing in the middle of the fort. We’ll most probably choose to give up, move the Auspicious Peace citizens away, and transform Auspicious Peace into a battlefield.
“Number two, not in the middle of the fort. If we’re more than 30 li away from the fort, then we won’t give up!
“No matter what, we must build our stronghold!
“The first batch of Grandmasters will go in and scout the trail. There will be follow-up units, so they’re not the only ones.
“Mainly because the passageway is not sturdy enough. Hence, there can only be a portion of people who can go in as the first batch to scout on the other party’s abilities, to spy on the other party’s intelligence. All in all, we must take them down, placing the battlefield in the Catacombs world!”
“That means that it’s alright to sacrifice as many people as possible and build a stronghold at all cost?”
Wang Jinyang responded with a heavy heart, “There’s no other choice. We can’t have the battlefield in the human world. If that happens, the Catacombs’ powerhouses will not die completely. They will repeatedly attack the passageway and enter the human world. If we’re slightly careless, it’ll be catastrophic!
If a Rank-9 rushed out of the passageway, even if our Rank-9 powerhouses carry out an attack, it will be difficult to kill the other party in a short period of time. Even two or three of them may not be able to kill the other party in a short period of time.
“If the other party has set his mind at fleeing, with extremely fast speed comes greater battle impact. When the time comes, the loss may just be the destruction of the entire city!
“In the past few years, we’d rather sacrifice more people in the Catacombs than to move the battlefield. This is exactly the reason why.
“If a Rank-9 powerhouse has the intention to massacre wantonly and expels his Mentality, it can cover as wide as a kilometer’s radius!
“Martial artists may be able to survive that, but the common folks will die in a flash.
“Throughout the journey, If he suppresses while he escapes, then the casualty rate will be too high.”
Sino Nation had a very dense population, unlike the Catacombs.
In the Catacombs, even when Rank-9s fight, the periphery would be uninhabited. It might not affect anything.
Their people mainly gathered at the fort. Human powerhouses would not attack their forts without warning either. That would be extremely dangerous.
However, the Catacombs powerhouses did not have that many concerns.
After they die, they can resurrect in the Catacombs as long as the powerhouse’s Vitality or Mentality did not obliterate their marks.
Many times, the Catacombs powerhouses might even choose to kill themselves when facing death.
Of course, unless as a last resort, they would not choose to do so. There was an extremely great price to pay to resurrect from the dead. For now, no one could tell what sort of consequence specifically.
However, no matter what the consequence was, it would not be worse than death. The Catacombs powerhouses had lesser things to be concerned about, unlike humans.
Fang Ping was slightly irritated, gritting his teeth, he said, “I know now, as long as it is not in the fort, we’ll fight a deathmatch. We must resist and wait for reinforcements. That’s the plan, right?”
“Yes.”
“How long does it take for the Catacombs to be completely stabilized?”
“At least a month.”
What this meant was that they could only enter without a fear after a month, regardless of the number of Grandmasters.
Before that, however, they could only enter in batches.
“Why don’t we wait for the Catacombs’ guys to come out first, and we’ll go in on a large scale a month later, and build our stronghold in one shot!”
Wang Jinyang frowned at him. After a while, he said, “We can’t wait passively. Or else, if the other party sends a Rank-9 in, I’ve said this before, the scale of the destruction is extremely great...”
“However, if we go in, we may encounter a few Rank-9s as well.”
“Then we’ll delay the time, take away their chances of getting into the passageway and wait for the passageway to stabilize.”
“Whatever it is, we can’t let them come out and we must launch the attack inside no matter what, right?”
Wang Jinyang did not say a word. That was what he meant.
“What if we can’t delay the time?”
“Then split!” Wang Jinyang answered with a guttural voice, “The first batch of Grandmasters will split up and escape, enter the Catacombs to perform destruction, guerrilla warfare. If that happens, they won’t give up on their lair to rush into the ground surface.”
As he said that, Wang Jinyang continued, “There’s Rank-9 in the first batch. Rank-9 powerhouses don’t die that easily. The Catacombs won’t let Rank-9 powerhouses into the Catacombs to perform destructions as they like. Hence, as long as they could hold it for a day or two, wait for the passageway to recover and stabilize, the second batch of Grandmasters will then enter.”
Fang Ping said no more. Actually, it was all a waste of his breath. Since the central had made up their mind to fight in the Catacombs, Fang Ping alone would not be able to change that.
On the other hand, Fang Ping would not actually risk it.
Once the enemy rushed out of the entrance, the provinces at Nanjiang’s periphery would face a great catastrophe.
If human’s Rank-9s were unable to stop the other party, to pin the other party down on the spot, then they would be looking at a large number of casualties.
By the time one reached the stage of Rank-9, the so-called modern weaponry... why not try hitting the other party first?
After huffing out a mouthful of air, Fang Ping said at last, “Is there a possibility in which we will take the initiative to seal off the Catacombs?”
“I don’t eliminate that possibility.”
Wang Jinyang replied, and continued, “Of course, it won’t happen unless as a last resort. Because if we lock it down this time, Tiannan’s Catacombs is opening next. A new Catacombs may also appear. If three Catacombs appear simultaneously, then it will really spell trouble.
“Handling it one at a time is more effective than having everything blowing up together.”
“I don’t have any more questions.”
After he said that, Fang Ping stood up. “Our instructors will enter as the second batch while the students will enter after the stronghold has been built. As for us...”
Fang Ping took a good look around, saying, “The rest of you act with the students, while those with Ranks higher than Upper-stage Rank-4 can follow the instructors and move together.”
Wang Jinyang nodded. “I don’t have any opinion as long as no one interrupts the Military’s arrangement.”
“Neither do I have any opinion.”
“...”
Everyone nodded in succession. The arrangement was considered done.
After the outcome had been discussed, everyone reported the outcome to Nanjiang. Very soon, Nanjiang responded.
After the first batch of powerhouses entered, the second batch would await orders.
If there were opportunities, the first batch of powerhouses could probe around and gather intelligence, sending someone back to deliver the intelligence. The second batch would then enter.
If no news was delivered within two days, the second batch to enter would then be switched into an individual powerhouse, mainly to scout for information.
If no news was delivered within three days, humans would not enter anymore so as to prevent getting wiped out by the other end’s overly strong abilities.
A month later, when the passageway had stabilized, the powerhouses would enter all at once.
If any Catacombs powerhouses rushed out halfway, at a pinch, they would seal off the passageway.
No one had any opinion on such an arrangement. This was also the usual practice over the years.
...
Upon returning to MCMAU camp.
Qin Fengqing asked hurriedly, “How’s the arrangement? When can we enter?”
“Wait! Wait for the first batch of powerhouses to enter. Only after we receive information can we enter after that. If there’s no news, then they’ll send someone who’s brave enough to face death to gather intelligence. Decisions will be made based on the situation. If things go bad, we’ll wait for the passageway to completely stabilize a month later before entering collectively.
Qin Fengqing was suddenly impatient, saying, “So, what happens if the first batch of powerhouses entered and realized that there are energy stones everywhere? What if they were so indulged in pleasure and forgot about their duties, mining first instead of delivering news back?”
Fang Ping’s head hurt so much like they were about to burst open. He replied exasperatedly, “Do you think that the Catacombs belong to your family? Do you think these powerhouses are like you, caring for nothing but money?”
Qin Fengqing was irritated. “Tell me, if you discover an energy mine in the Catacombs, in which you can mine it all away on your own, will you inform others to come and mine it with you?”
He said it like it made all the sense in the world!
In reality, it was complete nonsense!
It might still be possible if an individual entered.
This time, the first batch that entered included high officers like Zhang Dingnan. Certainly, they would work for the benefits of all.
If they really did not deliver news just because they wanted to mine and pocket all the benefits, then that could only mean that these people were blinded by greed and had betrayed humankind.
Besides... Did you think that the Catacombs martial artists were complete fools?
If there really were energy mines, would it even be your turn?
Unless there were high-ranked monsters standing guard!
Qin Fengqing, this fellow, what was he thinking? Did he really think that the Catacombs was full of treasure?
Of course, there were very few people in the Catacombs, hence there was a higher possibility to discover valuable goods in a newly-opened Catacombs, that was inevitable.
Feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, Fang Ping was not in the mood to pay him any attention, nor did he continue any more nonsense with him. You could think all you want.
Qin Fengqing curled his lips, pondered for a moment and whispered, “Why not... we go in secretly with the first batch too?”
Fang Ping looked shockingly at him.
Qin Fengqing lowered his voice again, and said under his breath, “Those who have the guts will fill their tummies while those who have no guts will die of hunger. If we enter only after the situation has been stabilized, at that time, the Catacombs will be keeping an eye on their stronghold, making it difficult for us to make a move.
“Whereas if we do it in the beginning, taking advantage of the chaotic situation when the Grandmasters fought the other party, making our way to the rear, I can guarantee that we will definitely earn like crazy!
“Of course, we’re not a generation that’s blinded by greed. What we’re doing is actually throwing the rear into chaos. If the rear is not stable, would the Catacombs powerhouses in front have the mood to fight? Maybe they’ll retreat just like that. Don’t you agree?”
Fang Ping burst out laughing. “I am truly impressed by your death-seeking capability. Do you know how many people we’re facing on the other end? If one more high rank appears, people like us will die straight away when we encounter him...”
“We must think on the bright side. What if our guys are stronger? Besides, we’re so weak. The high ranks won’t pay us any attention. Excavation—we’ll be rich for sure!”
Qin Fengqing’s eyes were gleaming and he was in high spirits. “You don’t know the benefit of excavating. I can tell you. In those days, when a senior was excavating, he ate a fruit casually. His internal organs were completely honed in a day, shooting up from Rank-4 into Rank-6 in just one day!
“Also, another senior casually drank a sip of water when he was excavating, attaining Mentality-Vitality Fusion straightaway, stepping into the Grandmaster rank in less than a year.
“Also, another senior kicked a rock. Can you guess what that is? It’s a washbasin-sized cultivation-aiding energy stone!
“Also, another senior...”
“That’s enough. Where did you hear that from?”
“From the books!”
Qin Fengqing said with all seriousness, “It’s true. The third floor of the martial arts university’s Combat Technique Library. Most likely you’ve not been there before. There are these notes that record it.
“Also, the sect world has records too.
“Excavation, that’s feathering your own nest, that’s becoming Grandmaster in a day, that’s the shortcut to becoming a powerhouse!
“It’s not easy for us to finally see Nanjiang’s Catacombs opening. If we go according to time, only one will open in four years. Are we going to wait another four years?
“Can we wait until four years later based on this situation right now?
“Fang Ping, let’s do a big one, how’s that?”
Fang Ping stared at him. After a while, he said, “Someone will die.”
“Cheh, people are dying every day. If you die, that’s you running out of luck...”
After saying that, Qin Fengqing struggled for a moment, and asked, “If both of us work together, can we take on a Rank-6?”
“Dream on.”
“It’s a bit troublesome.”
Qin Fengqing paced around, looking slightly restless.
High-ranked powerhouses might not chase after them.
But there was a very high probability for Rank-6s to hunt them down. After all, they were middle-ranked martial artists too.
Both of them were unable to kill Rank-6, that was to say that this was not safe enough.
“Should we call Iron Head Li, the three of us together?”
Fang Ping was slightly surprised. “Aren’t you well-acquainted with Wang Jinyang?”
Qin Fengqing was exasperated by his past failures, hissing, “Am I an idiot or what? Wang Jinyang this bastard is difficult to trick. Iron Head Li is just like an idiot. Also, to take on basing, only by calling Iron Head Li will we be able to maximize our profit. Rank-5 Iron Head Li might not die even after taking on a few attacks from a Rank-6.”
“Even so, we still can’t kill a Rank-6...”
“Are you doing it or not?”
“No!”
“Scaredy cat!” Qin Fengqing cursed. He kept thinking that the benefits would be snatched away by others if they waited for the arrangement to be made before going in.
However, doing it alone... It was truly risky for a Rank-4 martial artist.
Fang Ping this fellow had coarse skin and thick flesh, he could take some bashing.
After calling Li Hansong together, another coarse skin thick flesh bastard, only with two shields in front of this fragile skin of his would he be able to feel slightly confident.
However, Fang Ping actually refused to do it!
Qin Fengqing let out humph. ‘Fine, do you really think that I, Qin Fengqing, am so weak?
‘Let’s wait and see!
‘When I become a Grandmaster earlier than you, Fang Ping, we’ll see who’s the tyrant!’
Whether he could surpass Fang Ping, the Catacombs excavation this time was the key.