Seeing that the rest of them were excited, Fang Ping took a look at Tang Feng and Luo Yichuan, smiled, and said, “Other than that, I’ve mastered ways to merge Celestiality in the Catacombs this time. I can master it skillfully. Maybe MCMAU will build a new Celestiality Cultivation Room...”
“What?”
Both of them were stunned. After Tang Feng attained Mentality-Vitality fusion, he could actually condense Celestiality too.
Under normal circumstances, Rank-6 martial artists would rarely do so.
The reason was Mentality. Mentality was easy to consume but difficult to replenish!
Right now, he focused mainly on nurturing his Mentality and must not waste it.
Celestiality was extremely previous for him too.
Fang Ping looked completely nonchalant. He smiled and said, “Of course, due to the high consumption of a Celestiality Cultivation Room, the university may need to subsidize a portion of it. Let’s talk about this in the future.
“Not only that, but I also have more things to do after this as well. I might not have much time to do it.”
Tang Feng and Luo Yichuan stared at each other. How unbelievable!
Fang Ping wanted to build a Celestiality Cultivation Room?
This was no easy feat!
It was actually quite difficult for a Grandmaster powerhouse to consistently supply Celestiality.
They need to spend a lot of time to recover their consumed Mentality.
If he wished to build a cultivation room that was sufficient enough for others to cultivate, he needed at least two Grandmasters to take turns and supply. Not only that, but the supplied Celestiality was also actually limited too.
Could Fang Ping, a Rank-5, really do it?
Their doubts did not affect Fang Ping at all. If he did build it successfully, these Rank-6s would undoubtedly eagerly beg to enter.
“Coming back this time, there are many things that I need to do. I need to carry out a large-scale reformation on MCMAU. Hence, I hope that everyone can continue to support me in what I do.”
As Fang Ping said those words, he chuckled. “Especially both deans!”
Luo Yichuan and Tang Feng exchanged glances. After a while, Luo Yichuan said, “We will support anything as long as it’s beneficial for MCMAU!”
Fang Ping smiled. “That’s for sure. Have I, Fang Ping, ever done anything that jeopardizes MCMAU’s interest?
“Like assisting Instructor Li’s breakthrough to Rank-8, organizing the Rank-1 martial arts competition, winning the title as the Best Elite University, expanding our campus production...
“Let me say something from the bottom of my heart. I, Fang Ping, hope only for the betterment of MCMAU. When have I ever harmed MCMAU?”
As soon as he said those words, everyone was rendered speechless.
“This includes an upcoming series of policies. They’re all to make MCMAU even stronger! I, Fang Ping, am not so selfless to be thinking of giving everyone in the world a better life. That’s not within my power nor capability.
“But, I do admit that I have the capability to give MCMAU students and instructors a slightly better life.
“Today, I’m only a Rank-5. When I achieve Rank-6, Rank-7, I will most certainly lead MCMAU further, steadier, better!”
“Is this a declaration to seize power?”
Beside him, Qin Fengqing mumbled to himself. Motherf*cker. Were you really trying to seize power?
Fang Ping did not hide it either. Unconcerned, he said, “What do you mean seize power. I respect all three deans from the bottom of my heart! I hope they can focus fully on martial arts, to go one step further!
“It is only now that I’ve come to a realization that you’re nothing if you’re not a Rank-9!
“So what if you’re a Rank-8?
“Rank-8 Commander Zhou encountered a Rank-9 and died.
“How many Rank-9s are there in the Catacombs?
“Two in a city!
“I miscalculated the number in Magic City Catacombs. 26 Rank-9s. How terrifying!
“The vice-chancellor’s a Rank-8 now, with Rank-9 near at hand. If he still wastes his time on handling other matters, will he ever have the time to cultivate and breakthrough?
“When the time comes and the vice-chancellor achieves Rank-9, and no longer able to make any more progress, then, if he wants to come forward and handle these trivial things, I will eagerly toss everything back to him.
“Ask Instructor Tang, which is more important? Cultivation or these trivial matters?
“Does a martial artist cultivate to earn rights?”
Tang Feng said with a solemn countenance, “Martial arts come first. All forms of rights are only to serve and ensure the progression of martial arts!”
This was Tang Feng’s most honest opinion!
So what if one had rights?
Martial artists did not cultivate for power and profit, but for the progression of martial arts, and to suppress the Catacombs!
Luo Yichuan nodded slightly as well. In the last hundred years, every martial artist strived hard in order to become strong, to suppress the Catacombs. On the martial arts path, rights could only be seen as a means, not the finishing point!
Qin Fengqing clammed up straightaway. I would just shut up. I knew that everyone would be deluded.
Also, MCMAU’s current situation was slightly complicated.
Li Changsheng would support Fang Ping no matter what.
Liu Polu... it was hard to tell for now. But, in the Catacombs, Liu Polu was generous with his praises for Fang Ping. Liu Polu cared nothing for rights from the start. He might agree with what Fang Ping was saying too.
Huang Jing and Wu Kuishan... it was hard to tell what their stances are at the moment.
Both of them might not mind these things. Otherwise, they would not give Fang Ping so many chances to expand his influence.
“MCMAU is really going to take on the surname Fang!”
Qin Fengqing acknowledged this clearly. Forget it, let me just go to the House of Guardians and try out for the position as a station city guard.
But... Celestiality Cultivation Room and Rank-5 merging of Celestial Bridges. What about these things?
Qin Fengqing was struggling inside now.
If he went to other places, there would be none. No one would give pointers on how to merge them either. At the moment, Fang Ping alone had successfully merged such a hideous Celestial Bridge.
Fang Ping ignored him and continued, “This time, I can’t go in anymore. I’ve offended a few Rank-9s Catacombs powerhouses terribly. They will definitely kill me if I go in again.
“But, you can all stay behind as the city is about to be built.
“Qin Fengqing, draw a Catacombs map and distribute it to everyone. Mark all areas with valuable goods and powerhouses.”
Qin Fengqing did not remain idle in the Catacombs.
This fellow was actually a true talent!
At the very least, even if he had run through at breakneck speed, he could remember all the places that he had run past, its terrains and general situation.
They ran for three days. After three days, Qin Fengqing had almost fully grasped the topography from the passageway to Gigantic Willow City.
He was busy escaping, hence there was no time to perform searches on certain places that held goodies.
When he heard Fang Ping asking him to sketch a map, Qin Fengqing’s expression changed. Fang Ping eyed him dangerously. “What’s the matter? Do you have an opinion? It’s just sketching a map, contributing a little to the university. Is that so hard?
“Can you bear watching everyone walking to their deaths?
“Can you bear watching everyone gain nothing?
“Besides, we can’t go in right now either. If we’re discovered, we’ll be chased to death. It’s hard to tell when you’ll go in the next time.”
Qin Fengqing looked helpless. After a while, he said, “Then give me some reward and benefits, at least?”
“That’s for sure. MCMAU will not ask the students to contribute to the university for free. That’s not our aim. Anything that’s done based on relationships alone never lasts. People will lose interest easily.
“I’ll make the decision and reward you 300 credits. You don’t have an opinion now, do you?”
“Deal!”
Qin Fengqing agreed straightforwardly. 300 credits was a lot!
Unexpectedly, Fang Ping was stung by his conscience for once.
Fang Ping did not mind either. It was only 300 credits. When Qin Fengqing sold his loot to the university, he should be able to earn the profit back.
Then, credits still needed to be spent on campus. Doing so again and again, Qin Fengqing did not really gain many benefits either.
MCMAU’s profit was his, Fang Ping’s, profit. This was no cause of concern.
The crowd did not say anything to Qin Fengqing. But, they did express their gratitude for Fang Ping. Having a clear map would bring great benefits for everyone.
“Please be careful, all of you. Don’t just run amok and don’t go too near to Gigantic Willow City. Also, the Catacombs has just opened. Many villages and towns have a small energy mine vein actually...”
Fang Ping turned to look at Luo Yichuan. “Dean Luo, we’ll have to trouble you this time to pay extra attention. We were in too much of a rush earlier that we didn’t have the time to attend to these things.
“This time, once you have led the team inside, try your best to dig for some of them.
“At the moment, no one is paying attention to this.
“Before we came back, Gigantic Willow City had already implemented a scorched earth policy, actually. Massive amounts of outer city residents were beginning to gather at Royal City.
“Now, too many of their Rank-6s have died in battle. For now, they can’t take care of so many cities and towns at the periphery at once.
“Once these people move out, the energy mine veins won’t be emptied entirely. Currently, the people in Nanjiang Catacombs are still unaware that they might not be able to return for many years to come. They won’t burn their bridges!”
This is the first time for those citizens that humans have entered the Catacombs.
Over at the Catacombs, the city and town residents especially, would not have expected that they might never return to their lands for all their lives anymore.
Those towns and villages would typically have a small energy mine vein.
These would only be obtainable by the first batch of qualified human forces who went in when the Catacombs first opened.
The ones who entered later would rarely have the chance anymore.
As for the official forces like the Military Department, they would prioritize building a city in the short run.
At this moment, Luo Yichuan had nearly forgotten that Fang Ping was the student and he was the dean. He heard his words and answered immediately, “Definitely. This time, I will definitely bring more energy stones back!”
Tang Feng was eager to do it too. He said, “Why don’t I go in too...”
“Forget it, Instructor Tang. Currently, your main goal is still to breakthrough.”
Tang Feng had already attained Mentality-Vitality fusion. He was very close to achieving Rank-7 now. Fang Ping dared not let him in now. If he died in battle, MCMAU would lose a Grandmaster.
Though this was too pessimistic, this was the real situation.
The Rank-6s who entered earlier were typically hopeless in breaking through. Those who had hopes of breaking through would not enter in the early stages.
“Watch out for yourselves and be careful!”
Fang Ping turned his attention to look at these students. Today, the passageway was relatively safe. Perhaps the next time it stabilized, these guys would enter.
It had never once crossed Fang Ping’s mind to ask them to all return. That was not necessary. Martial artists had to seize opportunities themselves.
Now the Catacombs had just opened. Opportunities were truly aplenty.
Gigantic Willow City had also suffered a great loss. For a short period of time, they would not attack rashly. This time gap was also the perfect time for them to make a move.
Everyone nodded. Fang Ping stole a look at Chen Yunxi from the corner of his eyes but said nothing.
While Fang Ping was making arrangements.
Magic City.
MCMAU. Lu Fengrou returned to the university covered in wounds.
She had just returned to the villa when Liang Fenghua, who stayed back to keep watch, ran in excitedly. He shouted, “Instructor, you’re finally back! Good news!”
“What’s wrong?”
Lu Fengrou was slightly exhausted. Liang Fenghua was someone who could not sit still.
“Brother Fang had returned from Nanjiang’s Catacombs, breaking through Rank-5! Moreover, he has even helped Instructor Li breakthrough to Rank-8!”
“...”
Lu Fengrou was suddenly emotionally and mentally exhausted. You sure this was not a joke?
I had been risking my life fighting in the Catacombs. Yet, I have not even achieved Rank-7 now!
“Li Changsheng... has achieved Rank-8 now?”
“Mm!”
“Who said so?”
“Everyone’s talking about it! Also, when they came out of the Catacombs, Instructor Li displayed his golden body. Everyone in the martial arts circle in Nanjiang knows! Mengyao said that Brother Fang has stolen Life Essence in the Catacombs Royal City and fed Instructor Li hundreds of catties of it. Then, he broke through...”
“Hold on? What stuff?”
“Life Essence, which is the Energy Essence...”
Lu Fengrou’s expression changed. She asked immediately, “How much?”
“A few hundred catties...”
Lu Fengrou was suddenly gnashing her teeth, flying into a rage out of humiliation. “Very well, Li Changsheng! Excellent, Fang Ping! I...”
She did not curse aloud. But, Lu Fengrou could no longer contain herself!
This bastard. Who was your instructor exactly?
I was nearly killed from getting bashed up by others in the Catacombs just to search for an energy mine. I went in just to absorb some higher-purity level energy. Energy Essence was something that she would never dare to dream of.
Look what happened now. That student of hers went and gave Energy Essence to Li Chengsheng. Her liver hurt from being too mad!
Scarcity was not the root of the problem but inequality!
If Fang Ping had not obtained any, then Lu Fengrou would have no opinions on this. If she did not rely on herself to cultivate, was she supposed to rely on her students?
But the problem was... Fang Ping obtained some!
He had even given it to that bastard Li Changsheng!
Lu Fengrou felt like she wanted to murder someone. Rank-7... I’ve yearned for it for so many years. Did both bastards not know how to save some for her?
Lu Fengrou felt like her heart could hardly take it. This news sent too heavy a blow to her.
Her heart had completely shattered!
Fang Ping really got his hands on Life Essence?
“No way...”
Lu Fengrou had no mood to recuperate anymore. I must go to Nanjiang and catch those fellows. Others aside, Old Man Li that bastard. I must never let him gain such a big steal!
Before the words left her lips, Lu Fengrou ignored Liang Fenghua, turned and left straightaway. Off to Nanjiang!
Liang Fenghua was dumbfounded. What was wrong with the instructor?
...
Today, Nanjiang Auspicious Peace’s martial artists spent the day in joy and happiness.
Even the central government specifically conducted a meeting with the tycoons because of this.
Nanjiang Catacombs had established a stronghold!
Not only that, but they had also nearly destroyed a Royal City. For the first time, Fang Ping’s name had also appeared in front of the tycoons.
Last time, even though Fang Ping was not considered a person of low status because he is a prodigy and MCMAU Martial Arts Society’s president.
No matter how outstanding he was, he was still only a young person, an amateur middle-ranked martial artist.
Every year, prodigies appeared in martial arts universities.
The tycoons had no time to take notice of a new young individual.
But now, someone had taken notice.
A middle-ranked martial artist who invaded the Royal City, destroying half of the Royal City was worthy of attention!
Of course, they only remembered a person called Fang Ping. Other than that, they remembered his aura-concealing technique. At this moment, the central government had sent its people to check and consult. This was a big deal, bigger than Li Changsheng condensing his Rank-8 golden body.
False Rank-8 aside, even if it was real, a Rank-8’s impact toward a combat situation was not so great.
Instead, an aura-concealing technique like this was one that could really bring about dramatic changes.
...
Lu Fengrou had charged over. Powerhouses sent from the central government were also coming over. Fang Ping had not the slightest clue that these were happening.
Now, after Fang Ping had sent the rest of them away, he saw Chen Yunxi who was intentionally lagging behind the rest. He was seemingly having a headache.
Seeing this lady lowering her head, not saying a word, looking slightly self-conscious, Fang Ping’s head kept hurting. After a while, he said, “Our generation of martial artists may never live to see tomorrow. Especially a person like me. No one can be sure when I will die in which Catacombs.
“As long as the Catacombs are not suppressed, we will live in fear and apprehension, facing an imminent risk of death. Rather than being fearful day and night, you should stop all those wishful thinking!
“It’s the same for me. When you enter the Catacombs and die one day, it will also be a devastating blow for me.
“Yunxi, although you have a Grandmaster grandpa, your grandpa can’t protect you forever.
“Before you can protect yourself, it’s useless for us to think about these things...”
Chen Yunxi lifted her head to look at him. She was not dejected either. She said in a soft voice, “I know that. I will work hard to cultivate and strive to deserve you!”
Fang Ping’s expression sank immediately!
I had already put it so plainly. Were you not supposed to be heartbroken, then turn and leave, crying inconsolably? The next time you see me, were you not supposed to let out a loud humph, leaving without looking back?
What did you mean by ‘strive to deserve you’!
Lady, be more reserved, alright!
Fang Ping was very stressed out. After a long time, he said, “Let’s see. Don’t do anything silly again next time. Is it useful for you to stand for five days straight? If you cultivated more in these five days, you may have even achieved Peak Rank-3 by now.
“In the present era, cultivating to become stronger is your top priority.
“Everything else is trivial matters.
“If I die in the Catacombs, I die. If you die, do you think you can revive me?
“You know what I’m trying to say?”
Chen Yunxi nodded. She replied softly, “I’ll cultivate properly next time then, strive to become even stronger so I can go into the Catacombs with you!”
Fang Ping sighed. Lady, be more reserved. More reserved!
Luckily your grandfather was not here. If he was, would he hack me to death?
Seeing that Chen Yunxi was leaving, Fang Ping felt a prick in his flesh, slapping her suddenly. Then, he said with annoyance, “Go. I want to rest now!”
Chen Yunxi was in a daze at first, then she broke into a smile, asking joyously, “You smacked some Life Essence inside my body, am I right?”
Fang Ping’s complexion turned dark, saying irritatingly, “Energy Essence. Don’t use the noun simply. Alright, I’m going now!”
“Mm. Rest well then. I’m leaving now!” Chen Yunxi was in high spirits. She did not even say thank you or anything like that and left joyfully.
Fang Ping sighed once more. What a deal that only loses money!
That day, he should not have tricked this silly lady into buying his pills. He had tricked her to the point that she had feelings for him now. Women are really complicated!
“It’s because I’m too outstanding and good-looking as well, like a crane standing among chickens. Anyone would have feelings for me. I need to ease up a little now.”
Fang Ping shook his head. How troubling it was for men to be too outstanding.
In this era, he could not even find good men who were on the same level as him.
“One day when I really die, I’m afraid the women all around the world will weep for me. It’s sad just thinking about it.”
Those words, his self-talk, were spoken out loud.
Outside the door, Old Man Li who was about to enter stopped dead in his tracks. Those words—how they pricked his heart!
Were you bullying me for being single?
He took a look not far away and saw Chen Yunxi leaving joyfully. Old Man Li figured that there was no need for him to go in now. If he went in, his heart would get hurt again.
“Maybe...”
“It’s time for me to find a wife!”
Such thought surged in Old Man Li’s mind. Last time, he was fully focused on martial arts. Later, he did not want to delay others, turning to despair.
Now, he had recovered, Rank-8 at hand.
At this moment, was he supposed to find a wife now?
“Who can I find?”
Old Man Li turned to leave, thinking about these things in his heart. Faces after faces flashed across his mind.
In the end, a familiar face emerged, Old Man Li was instantly stunned. What was I thinking?
Wu Kuishan that old thing would bash him to death!
“How unexpected. You better watch your fierce wife, I don’t want her...”
Old Man Li shuddered. This woman would even hack her husband when she had gone mad. He actually thought of her. How terrifying!