“Convert!”
He said it clearly in his heart. No reaction!
“System, convert!”
Still no reaction!
Fang Ping was about to curse aloud!
What was going on?
“Perhaps I need to state what I want it to convert into? How am I supposed to know what the system can convert?”
Wealth could be converted into Vitality Force and Mentality for sure. What else could it convert into?
Fang Ping pondered for a moment. Wealth was related to strength.
Whether it was Mentality or Vitality Force, they were both a form of strength. Or perhaps a form of energy.
“Could it be... Celestiality?”
After Mentality-Vitality fusion, it would be Celestiality.
Whilst thinking about these in his heart, Fang Ping began giving the instructions in his heart.
The next moment, a few phantom-like figures swooped down instantly!
Wu Chuan and Zhao Xingwu were prepared to confront a formidable enemy, probing all around. Then, they turned their attention to Fang Ping... No, to be precise, they were looking at Fang Ping’s hands!
“Mentality-Vitality fusion?”
Both of them could not help but stare at Fang Ping. Fang Ping looked indifferent, waving his hands, smiling. “Brother Wu, Senior Zhao, what’s wrong with both of you?”
Wu Chuan frowned slightly, staring at his hands in silence.
Fang Ping saw that and smiled. “I’m trying out the effects of Mentality-Vitality fusion. Last time, I compressed it a little with my Celestial Bridge. I realized I can combine my energy together using the Celestial Bridge. Didn’t expect it to become easier when I tried it for a bit just now.”
“You... you better stop messing around!”
Wu Chuan did not take his eyes off Fang Ping’s hands. Now, a small cluster of energy was condensed in Fang Ping’s hands.
Not pure Vitality Force nor the Catacombs martial artists’ energy force. Instead, it was true Celestiality after Mentality-Vitality fusion!
Celestiality was an energy that one could use only after achieving high ranks.
Fang Ping’s ability was not up to par. Condensing Celestiality rashly was really dangerous.
Last time, this fellow nearly crushed his own Celestial Bridge.
“Oh, alright.”
Fang Ping said no more, tossing the energy ball in his hands away carelessly.
Boom!
A loud explosion was heard. A massive pit formed where the explosion was.
Fang Ping was in a daze. What great power!
No, what great expenditure!
This energy ball that was only so big had consumed him several million!
This was not the main point. Fang Ping took a look at his arms, there were already signs of them cracking.
“As expected, it is indeed converted to Celestiality... it doesn’t seem too useful, though.”
Fang Ping was slightly unsatisfied. Yes, Celestiality’s lethality was pretty great.
However, this plaything could only be used as an energy bomb.
Was he supposed to use Celestiality when he was fighting too?
If that was the case, he would rather not fight. When he finished fighting, he might have even blown himself up.
Of course, it was not like there were no benefits at all. Celestiality was a much more advanced energy. He could even change his profession into a magician right now. It would look pretty awesome.
Fang Ping was still pondering whether it was really necessary to convert Celestiality, or if the function was simply worthless.
Wu Chuan seemed rather surprised. “You can even expel it?”
“That’s not right?”
Fang Ping was taken aback. ‘Of course I could expel it after condensing energy!’
Wu Chuan frowned, “It’s not a matter of right or wrong. But... How do I put this? Even a typical Rank-7 martial artist finds it difficult to expel it entirely. Do you know what I mean?”
“Not quite.”
“Fool!” Wu Chuan snapped. He explained, “What I’m saying is, Celestiality outbursts may seem really powerful in fights, but there’s a reason behind it. For example, your Celestiality can only attain a certain range based on the range which Mentality spreads into.
“Have you ever seen any Rank-7 martial artists launching an attack casually at a ridiculous range, exceeding their own Mentality coverage?
“If they exceed this range, it will scatter.
“Celestiality is a combination of Vitality Force and Mentality. If it exceeds one’s Mentality coverage, then that will just be pure Vitality Force.”
Fang Ping seemed to have come to a realization. He asked in surprise, “So that means that a Rank-7 martial artist can only expel Celestiality within his own Mentality range?”
“That’s right.”
As he spoke, Wu Chuan frowned, “What’s with you?”
Earlier, Fang Ping’s Mentality did not expand, yet his Celestiality gathered and did not scatter, being expelled instead
This was not something that typical martial artists could achieve. Of course, certain powerful Rank-7s’ Mentality could attain corporealization and could materialize. At this point, they could cut off parts of their Mentality and expel those fragments.
However, that was terribly unnecessary.
Although Fang Ping did not have much knowledge on this topic, he had snapped back to his senses now. He let out a dry cough and said, “I cut off my Mentality straightaway, condensing it with Vitality Force. That’s how I expelled it.”
“Cut off?”
Fang Ping heard what he said and instantly spread out his Mentality. Then, he cut off a small portion of it, making Fang Ping’s complexion slightly pale.
Wu Chuan was about to say something but swallowed the words. Zhao Xingwu could no longer contain himself. He instantly chided, “You have a death wish!”
This boy, who was not a Rank-7 martial artist, destroyed his own Mentality. If this was not a death wish, then what was?
Mentality recovery was really difficult!
Fang Ping looked completely nonchalant, saying, “It’s nothing, I often self-detonate my Mentality to blow others up...”
“I...”
Both Rank-9 really wanted to curse aloud!
You were really something!
A Rank-5 martial artist—no, he was still a Rank-4 earlier—often detonated his Mentality to blow others up?
Until now, he had not turned into an invalid nor became brain-dead. Did you know that you just created another miracle!
Wu Chuan took a deep breath, holding back the urge to smack him to death. Such bastards who cut off Mentality for no reason were the cause of his agony.
“How fast can you recover after you cut off your Mentality?”
“Very fast.”
Fang Ping intentionally slowed down the process this time, replenishing his Mentality gradually. He would like to demonstrate to both Rank-9s what he meant by very fast.
After about five minutes, Fang Ping was done replenishing it.
In reality, he could do it in a second.
Even so, both Rank-9s were already in a daze. So fast!
Zhao Xingwu stared at Fang Ping’s brain and was staring holes through it. Fang Ping trembled with fear. ‘Motherf*cker. I have no intention of dying at all. But why are you all turning up so quickly?
‘I’ve already made sure to recover it super slow. Do you still want to cut my brains out?’
Wu Chuan frowned. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Have you ever performed any detailed checks on your brain?”
As he said that, he turned his attention to Zhao Xingwu. “Say, do you think he has condensed his brain core?”
Zhao Xingwu also started mulling it over. After a while, he answered, “There’s a high possibility. He may have really condensed his brain core now.”
“Brain core?”
Fang Ping put on a curious look. Did both of them rack their brains to come up with an explanation for his system?
Wu Chuan elaborated, “The brain core is a core system of the brain condensed by martial artists above Rank-7. It’s the same concept as the heart core.
“Rank-7 martial artists’ Mentality source has a certain relationship with the brain core, actually. Of course, they may not be completely related. There still isn’t any specific answer to this research for now.
“But, the brain core does indeed exist. When you kill martial artists above Rank-7, if you gather his heart and brain cores, you can stimulate them to release Mentality pressure...”
Fang Ping continued quickly, “MCMAU’s Pressure Room!”
“That’s right.”
Wu Chuan nodded and continued, “The brain core may be equipped with Mentality replenishing functions. The reason your Mentality recovers so fast may have something to do with you condensing your brain core in advance.
“This also explains why you are equipped with Mentality at such an early stage.
“As for your bone marrow peculiarity... it may be because of the advanced appearance of your brain core, causing a bone marrow peculiarity...”
Fang Ping was ‘suddenly enlightened’ and said, “So, brain peculiarity is actually like having an extra brain core? Is this plaything useful?”
Wu Chuan looked speechless. He considered for a moment and said, “There are certain unexplainable areas. It’s a pity brain cores can’t be explored. Like Sanjiao Gate, it’s nonexistent. Unless we kill you, your brain core will not be condensed into a physical shape...”
Fang Ping’s expression stiffened. These two were not thinking of doing that, were they?
Wu Chuan glared at him irritatedly and frowned. He snapped, “Brain cores are of no use to us. Having you alive is much more beneficial than having you dead.”
Fang Ping stayed calm and collected. He did not say anything else. They should have no more doubts now, right?
Wu Chuan remembered something instead, asking suddenly, “That’s not right. This is not what I wanted to ask. How did you condense your Celestiality?”
Fang Ping was no longer afraid of being found out this time. He chuckled. “It’s easy. Just compress the Celestial Bridge. Pouring Vitality Force and Mentality into it can compress it into Celestiality. Both of you didn’t watch the championship right? I could already do it last time.”
It was true that both of them had not watched the championship. Both of them were really busy—where would they find the time to watch a competition between middle ranks?
Upon hearing Fang Ping mentioning it, Wu Chuan frowned. “It could work, but it will cause great damage to the Celestial Bridge. It can cause the Celestial Bridge to break easily. Don’t fool around!”
“I’m not fooling around. My Celestial Bridge’s degree of tenacity is really high. It won’t be a problem.”
Fang Ping had the intention to try again, to let both Rank-9s take a look. He was just about to try when he said suddenly, “Forget it, I won’t try it today.”
‘My Celestial Bridge is too hideous!’
Other people’s Celestial Bridge was a circular ring; his was a steamed bun. It was too embarrassing. Forget it.
Behind him, Old Man Li said whilst yawning, “Try it. Let everyone take a look.”
“I don’t want to.”
“If you don’t want to, that means that there’s something wrong. Guys, cut him open!”
Fang Ping’s complexion turned dark. He said exasperated, “Stop it. Everyone knows my Celestial Bridge can compress Celestiality. Am I right, Iron head?”
Fang Ping looked at Li Hansong. These guys were also attracted by the explosion earlier.
Li Hansong was just about to nod when Qin Fengqing said quickly, “Fang Ping, go on, try it out. I’ve never seen what Celestiality looks like. Try it.”
He figured that the more Fang Ping refused to do something, the more he must make him do it.
Both Rank-9 martial artists saw what happened and were also slightly curious. Was he trying to hide something else?
Fang Ping glared at Old Man Li furiously. ‘Don’t you feel guilty? I saved you and now you’re throwing me into a trap?’
Old Man Li grinned, squinting his eyes. “Come on, try it. Don’t be shy. It’s fine...”
Fang Ping making a fool of himself was definitely a rare sight to behold. This was getting fun.
“I won’t do it!”
“If you don’t do it, that means that there’s something wrong. I’ve always thought that it would be really interesting to slice your brain up.”
“Stop it. You’re the one with a problem. I definitely condensed my brain core.”
“Kid, think it through. We’re all really interested. Think about it, it’s just a few of us right now. If you don’t satisfy us...” Those words just sounded really pervy no matter how he heard them. Paired with Old Man Li’s sinister smile, it felt even more dubious.
Fang Ping’s expression was dark. He humphed, “Don’t you just want to take a look? Fine, I’ll let all of you take a look. You think I’m afraid of getting embarrassed? What a joke. I, Fang Ping, have opened up a new level of cultivation!”
The next second, Fang Ping released his Celestial Bridge!
“Huh?”
Li Hansong and the rest gaped, looking completely shocked.
What was this thing?
Celestial Bridge?
This was not funny, alright!
Li Hansong unconsciously released his Celestial Bridge. Splendid and magnificent. A circular ring sparkled in front of him.
Beside him, Fang Ping’s was... squashed into a pile of god-knows-what. It was also sparkling, hideous beyond comparison!
This time, even both Rank-9s’ expressions changed. On closer inspection, they seemed to be stifling laughter.
Typically, the Celestial Bridge could be expelled at Peak Rank-4. Of course, there would be five bridges at that time. It was not much of a difference.
At Rank-5, they merely merged.
However, Fang Ping... he also merged it. The main point is, how did this kid do it?
Did he stack up the five bridges into a pile?
Wu Chuan rubbed his forehead gently, covering up his loss of manners.
Zhao Xingwu, on the other hand, was very much interested. He went forward to check it out. He let out ‘tsk, tsk’ sounds and said, “Its capacity is pretty big. Interesting. Perhaps we can increase the capacity limit by squashing it this way?”
Fang Ping replied in a serious manner, “Indeed. It’s because I noticed this function, that’s why I chose to merge it this way. Right now, my Vitality is close to 4000cal, equivalent to a Peak Rank-5 powerhouse. I can even attain Mentality-Vitality fusion. This also has something to do with my strong Celestial Bridge.
“The path of our predecessors is suitable for typical people, but not for geniuses like us.
“In this generation, only I, Fang Ping, can do it.”
Li Hansong was surprised. “Can it really enhance the energy capacity limit?”
“Of course!”
“But...”
“If you don’t believe me, let’s compare ours. Between our Celestial Bridges, whose energy is more abundant? You broke through earlier than me. Is yours stronger than mine? If we fight now, though you have an iron head, I can defeat you easily. Do you believe me?”
Li Hansong was slightly convinced now. The energy from Fang Ping’s pile did seem to be much richer than his.
“Then can the form still change after merging?” Li Hansong asked hurriedly.
Fang Ping chuckled. “You can try. Try pressing your Celestial Bridge into a round flatbread first...”
“Compress it?”
Li Hansong stared at his Celestial Bridge in front of him and looked again and again. Old Man Li saw that he had taken it seriously, and even Qin Fengqing was a face full of longing. He was instantly speechless!
Were you idiots?
Fools?
All of you believed what Fang Ping said?
If you really learned from him, your Celestial Bridge would definitely collapse!
Old Man Li berated instantly, “Don’t do anything reckless. What he has is an unexpected product. He absorbed too much Energy Essence that time. The excess energy repeatedly collapsed and mended, finally forming the Celestial Bridge you see right now.”
Fang Ping said with all seriousness, “You guys can do it too. Believe me. Otherwise, as the same rank, all of you will have a weaker foundation than me.
“I can unleash 3000cal Vitality in one move, no sweat.
“When all of you unleash 2000cal Vitality in one move, your Celestial Bridges will start shaking as they are not firm enough. You also need to spend lots of time strengthening it.”
As he said that, Fang Ping hurled a punch. Massive amounts of Vitality Force gushed through the Celestial Bridge, unleashing suddenly!
After employing a move, Fang Ping continued, “It also replenishes energy much faster. Pay attention. I’ve absorbed huge amounts of energy now...”
The young people were all watching closely, their faces looking serious.
Even Qin Fengqing did not call it hideous nor wished to watch him make a fool of himself now.
So what if it was slightly hideous!
It was practical enough!
Much higher tenacity, much larger capacity, much faster recovery... This was just too tempting.
Qin Fengqing gulped, asking quickly, “So what you’re saying is that, after swallowing huge amounts of Energy Essence, we can then compress it, right?”
Fang Ping chuckled, “Provided that you didn’t explode.”
“I can’t explode!”
Qin Fengqing blurted out. Old Man Li was completely stressed out. He should not have tried to make Fang Ping make a fool of himself. Qin Fengqing, this kid was already tempted!
Nonetheless, after thinking about it, his chances of laying his fingers on Energy Essence were slim.
That thought had just flashed across his mind when Qin Fengqing touched his chin and asked, “If we don’t use Energy Essence but burn and release huge amounts of energy stones, liquifying the energy, will it produce the same result after I swallow it?”
Now, Li Hansong also asked, “We can nourish the degree of tenacity. But how can we avoid the Celestial Bridge from collapsing?”
Wang Jinyang pondered and asked, “Your Celestial Bridge has been nourished by Mentality. Ours wasn’t. Is there a difference? Could it be that it is more tenacious only after nourishing it with Mentality?”
Qin Fengqing said quickly, “Guys, hold your questions first. Fang Ping, is there any difference between the liquified energy released from Energy Essence and energy stones? Are there discrepancies between them?”
...
Old Man Li was struck dumb!
‘Motherf*cker. I was only trying to watch the fun. Who would have thought that you guys would go and spark a discussion!
Fang Ping said a few words to deceive them and they actually believed it!
It was not only them. Beside them, Wu Chuan also said under his breath, “If this can be popularized, does it mean that same-rank peers’ abilities will grow even stronger? They can unleash greater outburst and have higher limits. If this can really be made mainstream, the next generation of young martial artists will become even stronger!
“Nourish huge amounts of same-rank max limit powerhouses. Once they become high ranks or even Rank-9, they may be able to kill a Catacombs Rank-9 alone!”
At this moment, they had long forgotten about Celestiality.
That was no big deal at all!
The transformation of martial arts was the real deal.
An individual peculiarity alone was nothing. Only a peculiarity that could be popularized was something worthy of attention.
Zhao Xingwu pondered and said, “We can try it out. But, you do know what Energy Essence is. It’s different compared to energy stones.”
“We can let the research department make improvements. If it still doesn’t work, we can snatch some. We don’t necessarily need to enter a city. There are Rank-9 monster plants in the wild too. Kill a few and grab some. We may be able to get some test results.”
“I think it’s still better for Fang Ping to try it out first. See whether it is possible for it to grow even stronger, whether it will influence future breakthroughs, only then we’ll try it out...”
“That makes sense!”
“...”
Old Man Li was in a daze. Whilst explaining to the rest, Fang Ping stared at him, offering him a contemptuous smile. ‘Old Man Li, trying to scheme against me? Try harder!’
Handled easily!
Even Old Man Li wanted to squat on the ground and draw circles now. Why!
Did none of you see that hideous Celestial Bridge of his?
A pile!
Whose Celestial Bridge looked so hideous?
“People today are really easy to deceive!”
No one understood Fang Ping more than him. Not just anyone could achieve this form of peculiarity, no doubt.
Even if others tried it, their chances of failure would be staggeringly high.
Guys like Wu Chuan might have to waste a huge amount of Energy Essence now.
Of course, failure was not for sure. Even so, Old Man Li thought that the possibility of failure was impractically high.
Right now, Fang Ping was still boasting shamelessly, “Taking the martial arts path of our forefathers doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s right. Of course, I’m not trying to deny their martial arts path. All I’m trying to say is that we can walk even further on this path!
“Yes. If we can create our own Combat Techniques, then we’ll do it! Cultivation isn’t fixed and unchangeable to start with!” Qin Fengqing showed substantial support. He was eager to have a Celestial Bridge like this too. Hanging up same-rank peers and beating them up good!
Old Man Li was mentally and emotionally tired. ‘Forget it. Just forget everything I had ever said. How very foolish of me!’