The big hall.
Fang Ping was straight-backed as he stepped onto the stage.
Without saying a word, he bowed to the people, everyone was silent.
“Dear instructors, the reason why I called for this school-wide instructor meeting is that I have several things to announce.”
Fang Ping said this and paused a while, his eyes sweeping over the people below before continuing, “Number one, Vice-chancellor Wu has broken through to Rank-8, and Rank-9 is nearly at hand. In the days ahead he needs to focus on his cultivation, to create history for MCMAU, by being the first Rank-9 Grandmaster in the school!”
Offstage, Wu Kuishan did not say a word. Whatever he said goes, he did not know when or if he was going to breakthrough to Rank-9. If he did not, this would certainly be a slap to his face.
“Number two, Deputy Dean Li of the School of Weaponry has broken through to Rank-8, and has greatly increased the prestige of MCMAU, MCMAU has added on another Grandmaster powerhouse!”
Below the stage, there was a buzz rising.
Rank-8!
Li Changsheng also did not say anything, he had to hold it in. He was not a fake Rank-8, He was really... at least sooner or later he would be!
“Number three, because Vice-chancellor Wu has decided to prepare himself for the breakthrough, he cannot waste too much energy on the daily matters of MCMAU. From now on, the matters of school will be dealt with through a joint decision made between the university council and the Martial Arts Society!”
“Nonsense!”
“Fang Ping, this coalition between the university council and the Martial Arts Society, from the way I see it, is for you to be superior to the vice-chancellor!”
“...”
Offstage, some people could not handle it anymore.
Not many would be able to accept this matter.
What qualifications did Fang Ping have to take over MCMAU?
Just because he was the president of the Martial Arts Society?
Just because he was a prodigy martial artist?
On what grounds!
Fang Ping could not be bothered with the noises and continued speaking, “This afternoon, the university council and the Martial Arts Society managed to gather and decided on several things, I would like to share that with everyone.”
“From next month onwards, that is from January 2010 onwards, all instructors in MCMAU will have increased welfare of 30%!”
Offstage, many of the instructor’s expressions were changing.
“Rank-6 instructors, aside from basic welfare, you have an allocated amount of sixty hours of cultivation time in the Celestiality Cultivation Room every year.”
“Celestiality Cultivation Room?”
Many had blank looks on their faces, and some Rank-6 instructors even asked, “Does MCMAU even have a Celestiality Cultivation Room?”
“Fang Ping laughed and said, “We didn’t have one before but we will have one in the future, for now, we are making preparations to begin the construction.”
“But...”
“There are no buts, this is the school’s decision. If we can’t achieve it, then it would mean that the school is neglecting their duty, the university council and the Martial Arts Society will then bear all the consequences!”
Fang Ping said and then he continued, “Besides that, the pills and weapons production line in MCMAU will be expanded once again. In the future, both students and instructors will have free allocated cultivation time in the Energy Room and Vitality Pool!
“Besides the free cultivation time, instructors can request for their annual salary in advance to continue their cultivation and the school will bear the early stages’ of consumption.
“The students could also sign with the school for future work agreements, or could apply for loans as well.
“We will continue to increase the loan limit on the school’s loan platform, giving all students a chance and opportunity!”
Offstage, the sound of discussion once again rose.
It might sound like there were not many changes but in actuality, it was plenty!
The welfare of the instructors to be increased 30% and that was no small number!
Even though there were only about a thousand instructors in MCMAU, around four to five hundred were middle-ranked, and another four to five hundred were Rank-3.
However, every year, even though the salary for the instructors was not as high as those in some corporations, it was not low by any chance, close to a billion!
An annual salary of about ten million per head!
In reality, it was not considered much, as some middle-ranked martial artists might get even more if they went into the corporates.
And Fang Ping had increased it by 30% so casually, that was at least an extra budget of more than three billion.
That was nothing compared to the construction of the Celestiality Cultivation Room. All Rank-6s would be getting sixty hours of free cultivation time every year, whose idea was that?
Sixty hours was not a short amount of time; the Grandmasters would need to replace for consumption more than a few times and continuously provide for sixty hours of Celestiality.
There were not that many Rank-6s in MCMAU, but as of now, there were also about thirty of them.
And opening up the Energy Room and Vitality Pool to everyone, with the free cultivation time, and being able to request for future sessions in advance, only meant one thing—burning money!
Burning a huge amount of money!
According to what Fang Ping said, it would be at least pumping in billions before it was sufficient to meet those needs, maybe even more!
He also said that they were increasing the loan limit, these loans might not be paid back in a short period of time.
Maybe they would need to come out with a budget coming up to billions!
Where did MCMAU get this much money from?
Even though they had gotten the reputation as the Best Elite University, and had the appropriation of tens of billions increase in budget, but up till now, MCMAU were still trying to increase the number of students enrolled, it was also an expense.
Offstage, the discussions were still ongoing.
Fang Ping continued, “These are just a few decisions that we have made for now. In the future, MCMAU will continue to carry out more of its welfare policies. For example, to provide some of our Rank-6 instructors with Life Essence to help them breakthrough.
“To help some of the Grandmasters to create their own Divine Weapon!
“Even to the extent of building a fort in the Catacombs that could be called our own!
“And maybe we would be able to seize some high-purity level energy mines, to aid the cultivation of the instructors and the students.
“Anything would be possible!
“Today, you may think that I, Fang Ping am speaking big words, making empty promises, but whether this is true or not, whether it can be done or not, we will be able to see it in due time!”
After Fang Ping spoke, he paused for a moment before continuing, “Today, MCMAU has a total of four Grandmasters. Before my graduation, the number of Grandmasters will hit the double digits!
“As for the instructors, we will strive to provide even more support for the Rank-3 instructors, to achieve their breakthrough to middle-ranks!
“In regards to students, I believe that the embarrassing situation of having only a single-digit number of middle-ranked students would not happen again. What is even more unlikely to happen again is the situation where more than half of the students in school are Rank-1 martial artists!
“MCMAU will become better and stronger than before, and one day, the dream of having one school guarding one catacomb will become a reality!
“To those who said that I, Fang Ping am here to seize power, I have no excuses for them. Everyone, the vice-chancellor is a Rank-8 powerhouse, do I have such courage to bravery to want to seize power from the vice-chancellor?
“Ask yourselves, I, Fang Ping is only a student, a mere Rank-5. If what I say and do is not beneficial for MCMAU, I wouldn’t even get the chance to say all these things, I would be beaten up by the instructors first!
“There are several Grandmasters in the school, dozens of Rank-6s. In a time where the strong triumphs, will being a busybody make one stronger?
“If there is anyone here who thinks that they can do the things that I have mentioned just now, I, Fang Ping will say no more, and the Martial Arts Society will fully support this instructor who will be handling the school’s daily matters!
“I believe that the Grandmasters will not reject this notion too.
“Is the cultivation of martial artists for their own power?
“If it was really for power, then you guys would not stay in MCMAU those days!
“Many instructors are taking a meager salary, but are willing to live and die for MCMAU, why is that?
“Because it is for dreams!
“To oust the enemies and to suppress the Catacombs!
“What are the martial arts?
“What is a martial arts university?
“A martial arts university is not a place to vie for power, but it is a place for nurturing people, a place to train and develop martial artists and powerhouses!”
Fang Ping’s voice was getting louder and louder, and he said loudly, “The bigger the ability, the greater the responsibility! Martial artists become stronger, not to act as a tyrant in a small martial arts university, and not to become the master of the place!
“This is not our target, but it is the Catacombs!
“Everything that I do, is to see more powerhouses and talents appearing within MCMAU!
“Whenever I go down to the Catacombs, I might obtain an income of billions. Does everyone here really think that I, Fang Ping would for the sake of meddling with things that do not concern me, for the authority over a few people, waste my own time and carry out these arduous things?
“Dear instructors, until the day, when you think that MCMAU has become worse, then you can point at my back, and say that I, Fang Ping am a sinner against MCMAU. By then I will have nothing to say!
“But today, I must say that I am not taking MCMAU into that path, everything is moving forward towards a good direction!
“Of course, in all things, we cannot deny the hard work that the instructors have done, and we can’t leave the support of the vice-chancellors.
“Without the support of the Grandmasters, MCMAU will not be able to reach this point, as for this point, no one would be able to deny it.”
When Fang Ping said this, he did not continue anymore, instead, he bowed and said, “Instructors, if you have any doubts, and have anything you are unsatisfied about, you can speak up now.
“What MCMAU needs now is unity, and not individual power. This is not anybody’s private backyard, this is our MCMAU!
“We are working towards the same goal, the same dream. As we gather together, our hearts have to be in the same place, and that would be the best for MCMAU.
“If you have something to say, don’t keep it inside your hearts, otherwise, there will be dissension and discord sooner or later in MCMAU.”
In the audience, silence filled the air.
After a moment, an instructor opened his mouth to say, “If one day we decide to leave MCMAU, are there any restrictions?”
Fang Ping laughed and said, “Instructor Chen, you are hilarious. Everyone is free, no one is stopping anyone. In this time and age, do you think something like this will happen? If it happens, once you report it to the masses, the Rank-9 powerhouses could kill us all, would we still be able to do something that restricts the freedom of others?”
And someone else said quietly, “Then you Fang Ping, are you considered the school’s leader, or are you a student?”
Fang Ping laughed and said, “I have yet to graduate, of course, I’m a student! This is not a conflict of interest, shouldn’t students put in the effort for the school?”
“Whatever that we get from the Catacombs in the future, should we turn it over to the school?”
“You must be joking, this is something that you risked your life for, and of course it would belong to you. However, sell them to the school as much as possible, the school’s purchase price will not be lower than the major companies. Now that the school wants to expand the production line, we are in desperate need of raw materials.”
Someone else asked, “I have a few graduates who want to come back to the school and become an instructor, is the school still recruiting?”
Fang Ping’s face lit up with joy as he said, “Of course, but... for now, the school is only hiring middle-ranked instructors. Of course, if they are above upper-stage Rank-3, and they are still young, the school will still hire them.”
“Will it be easier to obtain school credits?
“Not to disregard this possibility, it is highly likely it will!”
“Those who were gravely injured or died in the catacombs, will there be any changes in the compensation system?”
Fang Ping said in a low voice, “What I hope to see is the percentage of casualties reduced further in the future. Of course, the Catacombs are dangerous, no one can guarantee these things. In regards to the injured or sacrificed instructors and students, the school will take care of them even better, and not try to skimp on money in this regard!
“And about the next of kin of the deceased instructor, the school will take care of them as well, and bring them into school as special recruitment or exceptional admission.
“And, for all future students, my recommendation is for them to not enter the Catacombs until they are at least upper-stage Rank-3.
“Of course, there will be no lack of special training.
“Aside from that, to add on to the students’ crisis awareness, I am prepared to, from next year onwards, tell them of the real situation in the Catacombs!
“I would even go so far as to allow some of them to leave school!
“If they cannot accept the fact that they would need to enter the Catacombs in the future, then it would be better if they left!”
In the audience, the noise started once again.
After a while, Wu Kuishan who had not said a word until then said blandly, “I heard that you have prepared to establish an open network sharing system between the schools. If other schools need to exchange resources with MCMAU, how would you determine the price, and if MCMAU is unable to fulfill it, then what would happen then?”
Fang Ping laughed and said, “In regards to the price, I am prepared to discuss it with the different schools. There would be a unified credit system! Methods of obtaining credits will be standardized, so would be the price. Of course, if foreign students wanted to exchange for resources of MCMAU, it would be double in price!”
Wu Kuishan frowned and said, “Even if it is double the price, it would still be the same price as before the restructuring of our credit system. There will be a shortage of supply in MCMAU!”
“We will be using raw materials for exchange in the early stages.”
“The pill and weapon companies will not leave it at that. You will be bringing in opponents that MCMAU does not need.”
“The strength of the martial arts universities is not afraid of these companies!”
“Do you think that the other martial arts universities will go all in?”
“Of course, they have already gained their benefits, and we have set up a new community of shared interests, so why not? And I am not putting all of my eggs in one basket, it’s just part of it as a start.”
“There will be tremendous stress on MCMAU.”
“If there is no stress, where would the motivation come from? If we are plagued by fears, then we won’t be able to do anything. Of course, I understand your doubts, when it’s really necessary, I will stand up and take responsibility. At the worst, I could hide out in the Catacombs and come out later. I want to see if anyone would want to hold me accountable!”
Fang Ping said all of these loudly, and it made all those who heard it excited.
Wu Kuishan did not say anything more.
After a pause, Huang Jing asked softly, “Does anyone have any other opinions?”
There was not a sound from off the stage.
“Since there are none, then it is settled!”
Huang Jing stood up with a faint smile and said, “Be at ease everyone, the vice-chancellor and I along with Vice-chancellor Liu will be watching. MCMAU will only get better!”
Fang Ping laughed too and said, “My dear instructors may supervise as well, and those with any opinions may voice out at any time. We should always correct our mistakes and guard against them if there are none. I am still young after all, there may be areas that I would overlook.”
Off the stage, Old Man Li yawned and said, “These are all trivial matters, what is the point of discussing all these, just quickly build the Celestiality Cultivation Room.”
Lu Fengrou also said blandly, “I don’t care who takes over the school, as long as it doesn’t skimp on our welfare, you can do whatever you want.”
Tang Feng also opened his mouth and said, “As long as the strength of the students increases and the rate of casualties decreases, I have no objections.”
“I hope the school extends the same treatment to all and does not treat the School of Social Sciences any differently.”
“The School of Production has only the same request.”
“I hope that the number the instructors can be increased, for now in terms of teaching, we are under great stress.”
“...”
All the deans of the different schools and the Rank-6 instructors voiced out their opinions.
The instructors of other ranks did not say anything else. It did not matter who was in control of the school, as long as their treatment was not adversely affected, and there were more opportunities for the students, then there was no problem.
Fang Ping assured them one by one, with that smile on his face, and called the meeting to an end.
The situation was better than he had thought.
After everyone had left, the next moment, Fang Ping immediately sprawled out on the floor.
Wu Kuishan looked at him coldly and said softly, “Boy, you can be in control of the school, but... remember this, if anything happens to the school, you will bear all the consequences!”
Everyone else just watched from the side, no one stepped forward to help.
Even Old Man Li acted as though he did not see anything, Wu Kuishan was probably burning up inside right now.
If they did not let Wu Kuishan vent it out, what would happen to a Rank-8 who had suppressed everything and gone insane?
In regards to Fang Ping... a beating would mean nothing.
Fang Ping did not mind either. As he lay sprawled out on the floor with no dignity, he laughed and said, “Be at ease, vice-chancellor, I still have a sense of responsibility, if something does happen to the school, I will bear all responsibility!
“However... like I said just now, I would go into the Catacombs first to hide. When I come out, the people who bullied me would know what’s coming for them!”
He said this through gritted teeth!
‘Old Wu, today you pinned me on the ground until I can’t get up, tomorrow, I’ll beat you up till you are unrecognizable!’
The corner of Wu Kuishan’s mouth twitched, the strength of his Mentality increased slightly, and he who was being pinned sank into the ground slowly.
Alright, he was brave enough to threaten him even at a time like this.
Listening to what he was saying, it was as though the Catacombs were his home. People treated the Catacombs as a very dangerous place, and he made the Catacombs his refuge, not bad!
Wu Kuishan did not say much after that, he just turned and left.
The moment he left, Fang Ping jumped up off the ground, laughed, and said, “From today onwards, MCMAU’s surname is Fang!”
Old Man Li and the others acted like they did not hear it, Tang Feng’s mouth twitched as he was about to leave. He had the feeling that he might not be doing the right thing.
Could this bastard really make MCMAU into a better place?
As the people left, their emotions and thoughts were unexplainably convoluted.
Although it was supposed to be a coalition between the Martial Arts Society and the university council... but in reality, the people in the university council had already given up on managing the school. MCMAU had become a place ruled by Fang Ping alone.
“I hope we are right.”
At that moment, many of them had the same thought.
Even Old Man Li, as he saw the cheeky grin on Fang Ping’s face, he was still worried. He was just nineteen years old... he was still a young man after all!
“I hope when I die, my instructor won’t beat me up.”
Old Man Li was not too sure when he died later on, would he be beaten up by the old vice-chancellor?
Thinking about it... the chances of that happening were quite high.