December 27th. Sunday.
It was not the holidays for MCMAU yet.
At this moment, it had only been a few days after the second National Martial Arts University Championship. The students were still basking in the glory winning the title as the Best Elite University.
Not many knew that in such a short few days, many things had changed.
Although many had no idea what happened, the students sensed something different following a few announcements and commissions made to them.
December 27th in the afternoon. MCMAU made a few announcements to the public.
Number one. School of Weaponry Deputy Dean Li Changsheng would formally hold the position as the School of Weaponry Dean. Deputy Vice-chancellor Huang Jing no longer held the concurrent position as the School of Weaponry Dean.
Number two. Martial Arts Society President Fang Ping would hold a concurrent position as the university council secretary-general.
Number three. Instructor Lu Fengrou is instated as the School of Weaponry Deputy Dean.
These three job alterations confused people. There were even people whose jaws dropped at the news!
Many people did not actually know Li Changsheng. But, he was now the dean of the School of Weaponry, a school that was the biggest and most powerful in all of MCMAU.
As for Lu Fengrou, the senior students knew her. But, only a handful of new students knew her actually.
The key was still Fang Ping. A student like him actually became a university council secretary-general!
What was a university council?
In MCMAU, the university council was comprised of a few Grandmasters and the four deans. Last time, plans to set up the secretary-general position were constantly pushed back. The university council was actually identical to a dummy setup.
The so-called university leaders and Martial Arts Society’s collegiality was actually having the university leaders as the members of the university council.
Now, Fang Ping joined the university council as a student. Although he was still a student, he was also considered a university leader now.
...
“University council secretary-general?”
Martial Arts Society.
Qin Fengqing’s jaw dropped!
This was possible too?
This meant that... he had really succeeded in seizing power now?
“What’s the meaning of this?”
Qin Fengqing figured that he needed to reorganize his train of thought. How did things suddenly turn out this way?
At this moment in the martial arts society, both Zhang Yu and Liang Fenghua were the only Rank-4 martial artists staying behind for duty.
Zhang Yu observed the vacant look on Qin Fengqing’s face and could hardly contain himself anymore. Unsure whether he was gloating or something else, he said whilst beaming. “Qin Fengqing, MCMAU is different now.”
He recalled how arrogant Qin Fengqing was in those days!
When he was the president, this kid always came looking for trouble and wanted to challenge him one-on-one for no reason at all.
What about now?
You look so listless now!
Go ahead and challenge Fang Ping one-on-one then!
Go on and continue being the prickhead you were!
Dying would be letting you off easily!
When Zhang Yu fought Qin Fengqing back then, he really did go easy on him. But, if Qin Fengqing went to Fang Ping looking for trouble, Fang Ping would bash him up so hard he would run crying for his dad and mom.
Qin Fengqing’s expression was constantly changing. Suddenly, he humphed. “This is none of my business. I’m about to graduate soon anyway. Whatever!”
Zhang Yu darted him a look, smiling faintly. “Qin Fengqing, are you sure you want to leave after you graduate?”
“Bullsh*t. Of course I’m leaving,” Qin Fengqing replied sharply.
Zhang Yu chuckled. “I heard that the university instructors’ benefits have increased by 30%. This is only the basic benefit, though. You can’t find a lot of facilities like Energy Room, Vitality Pool, Mentality Pressure Room, and Celestiality Room outside.
“Even if there are, do you think you will even get a chance to use them?
“Also, many things like MCMAU’s pills, weapons, and Combat Techniques are all sold at the cheapest price. Once you leave the university, you no longer have the right to return to the university and exchange for these resources anymore.”
Qin Fengqing’s expression changed again and again!
Even if these things were available outside, they would not come cheap.
Actually, even the government, the Military Department, and the Department of Investigation Services offered their resources for cheap at cost. The point was—they were limited!
The government would not allow everyone to obtain these things at their cost price without setting a limit. According to different ranks and position level, there would be a monthly exchange limit.
As for MCMAU, as long as you had credits, there would be no such thing as a limit.
With all the credits he had, Qin Fengqing could stay in places like the Energy Room like staying in a hotel.
However, everything would change when he left for the outside world. No matter how much money he had, with his ability as a Rank-4, allocating 10 hours for him to cultivate monthly was the maximum it could get.
There were too many people. Everyone had to take turns.
Though these were the things he was thinking in his heart, Qin Fengqing still let out a humph and said instead, “What’s so good about that? When I become a Grandmaster, I can go wherever I want to. At that time, these playthings will be no use for me at all!”
Zhang Yu observed his stubbornness and let out a splendid smile, nodding his head. “That’s good too. My head hurts terribly when you stay at the university. It’s better if you leave. Next time, MCMAU’s atmosphere will also improve drastically.”
“F*ck off!”
Qin Fengqing cursed. He flew into a rage out of embarrassment. “Don’t piss me off. I’m about to achieve Peak Rank-4 now. Do you believe that I’ll bash you up!”
He had absorbed a lot of energy stones after going into the Catacombs this time. He was about to complete honing his five viscera.
Adding on the 1000 credits he obtained in the championship earlier, 300 credits for drawing a map, and nearly 3000 credits for the exchanged goods he brought back from the Catacombs.
Right now, he was considered a person who had made quite some profit with a net worth of 5000 credits now.
If he went to the Energy Room and stayed there for a few days, he should be able to achieve Peak Rank-4 soon.
Zhang Yu remained indifferent. He smiled faintly. “I may be achieving it soon too.”
Moving from Middle-stage to Upper-stage Rank-4 was a time-consuming matter, but moving from Upper-stage to Peak was much faster.
Zhang Yu was also a genius martial artist. Ever since he stepped down as the Martial Arts Society president, his cultivation progress was not slow either. Around October, he had already broken through Upper-stage Rank-4. Now, two to three months had passed, he was nearly a Peak Rank-4 too.
“Even if I’m the same rank as you, I’ll hang you up and beat you all the same!”
Qin Fengqing sneered. Zhang Yu smiled but made no reply. ‘What a savage fellow. Do you really think that I have no way around you because you can run fast?’
But, he had no interest in entertaining Qin Fengqing anymore. Go on and continue being cocky. Someone would teach you a lesson one day!
...
Today, Qin Fengqing and the rest were not the only ones talking about this.
Not only MCMAU’s students either!
Outside of the university, there was also a widespread discussion about it.
Not only did MCMAU Fang Ping, a sophomore student, take up the position as MCMAU Martial Arts Society president, but he had also joined the university council. This sign... was actually quite thought-provoking.
The chances of Fang Ping starting his career at the university were really high!
This was not as simple as him staying back to work at the university. If he was already the university council’s secretary-general now, what about in the future?
Moreover, MCMAU Li Changsheng achieving Rank-8 was something that surprised many too.
But... Li Changsheng did not organize a Grandmaster’s banquet, keeping quite a low-profile.
Under normal circumstances, when one broke through to Grandmaster, even if one did not organize a banquet, the local government or affiliated institutions would. It was not solely to boast or show off, but it was also to celebrate the enhanced ability of mankind as a whole.
Every Grandmaster powerhouse was a pillar of mankind.
There was a great disparity in ability between Grandmaster and those below Grandmaster. Even for a Rank-6 who did not attain Mentality-Vitality fusion, escaping itself was impossible when one encountered a Grandmaster.
...
The outside world was in a heated discussion. On campus, Old Man Li was sighing incessantly instead.
It was not that he did not want to organize one, but it was because he had no courage to.
How embarrassing!
Right now he had already blown the trumpet that he, Li Changsheng was a Rank-8 powerhouse. But the point was, he was not!
A Rank-8 who could not even use his Mentality?
If he organized a Grandmaster’s banquet, typical people would naturally not notice. But, if Grandmasters actually paid close attention to it, they would notice something amiss.
If a Rank-7 or 8 martial artist attended the banquet and released Mentality pressure, while he, Li Changsheng, unleashed a Vitality outburst to block it, then it would be a great embarrassment for him.
In the Energy Room.
Old Man Li darted Fang Ping a look, sighing. “Kid, we’ve let the cat out of the bag, but we’ll be exposed one day. If I embarrass myself, don’t you even think of getting away with this!”
Fang Ping chuckled. “Why the rush. It’ll happen sooner or later. Right now, your Vitality is extremely strong, your Mentality nurturing speed is extremely fast as well.
“After completing skull-honing, you are very close to expelling it too. After that, go to the Pressure Room and stay there for a period of time. Mentality corporealization isn’t something as simple as one, two, three.”
“Easy for you to say!”
Old Man Li let out a humph. How great it would be if it was really that easy.
Fang Ping ignored him. He turned his head to look at Song Yingji standing beside them, asking with a grin, “Instructor Song, how many Sanjiao Gates have you sealed off?”
Song Yingji had broken through Rank-6 some time ago.
Come to think of it, Old Song was really smug about it. When Fang Ping broke through Rank-4, Old Song told him that he was a Rank-6.
Now...
Song Yingji’s complexion was really dark. He said faintly, “It’s none of your business!”
‘I’m still in Early-stage Rank-6. Why? Are you unhappy about it?’
How could it be so easy to break through Rank-6?
Sealing off Sanjiao Gate was not something that could be done in a short period of time. Until now, his first Sanjiao Gate had only closed less than one-third.
If he wished to achieve Middle-stage Rank-6, he would be looking at one to two years’ time.
As for sealing off all Sanjiao Gates and reaching Peak Rank-6... Old Song was initially looking at about ten years or so.
Before he turned sixty, he would achieve Peak Rank-6.
Then, it would be up to luck and chance. Whether he could achieve Grandmaster in this life was something that he could never tell.
Fang Ping grinned. “Listen to yourself, Instructor Song. As the university council’s secretary-general, it’s my responsibility to care for you. Also, Instructor Song has worked in the Energy Room for many years now, have you ever considered changing to another working environment?”
Song Yingji did not utter a word. His eyes were sharp, though. Little bastard. What were you trying to do?
“It seems like the management office of the logistics department of sanitation still lacks a director...”
“Get lost! I won’t do it!”
Song Yingji flew into a rage. ‘I want to kill you so bad!
‘Sanitation management office... clean the floors and toilets?’
‘You’re asking me to do this? Do you believe that I’ll hack you to death!’
Fang Ping wore a serious look on his face. “Instructor, a job isn’t ranked based on rich or poor. Everyone’s serving MCMAU. How can you behave this way?”
Song Yingji let out a humph. Cut the crap. I would never do it anyway.
“Instructor, are you really not going? If you go, you can cultivate a few hours in the Celestiality Cultivation Room...”
Song Yingji remained silent.
“The wages and treatment are actually not far worse than what you have right now. There are extra subsidies too.”
“...”
“I heard that there are a lot of beautiful chicks there too...”
“...”
“If you give me any more of those bullsh*t, I’ll fight you in a duel!”
Song Yingji was full of hostility. ‘Do you take me for a fool? How can there be beautiful chicks at the sanitation office!’
Beside him, Old Man Li incited, saying, “Little Song, if you’re a man then stop barking and start biting. Are you afraid of him? He’s only a Rank-5. What are you scared of? Fight him in a duel. I’ll be the judge!”
Old Man Li thought it was no big deal just watching the fun. Right now, he wanted to bash up Fang Ping too, only too hesitant to do so.
No matter what, this kid had saved his life too.
Song Yingji’s complexion remained dark. MCMAU had changed. It was no longer the peaceful and friendly MCMAU he once knew.
Even Li Changsheng had become a dean!
Lu Fengrou had also become a deputy dean!
This bastard, Fang Ping, had even become the university council secretary-general. He was really pessimistic right now. What would MCMAU’s future be like?
While they were chatting idly, Lu Fengrou arrived.
At this moment, Lu Fengrou put on a stern look. Behind her, white-haired Wu Kuishan followed her without saying a word.
“Vice-chancellor.”
Upon seeing Wu Kuishan, Song Yingji was about to tear up. You had finally arrived.
The MCMAU today had changed. Last time, he even thought that Wu Kuishan was sinister. Came to think of it now, no matter how unreliable he was, he was still more reliable than Fang Ping.
Wu Kuishan nodded slightly but did not say much.
As for Song Yingji’s pitiful attitude, behaving as if he had been wronged, Wu Kuishan was not interested to find out what happened. It would be fine once he got used to it.
Without much to say to Song Yingji, Wu Kuishan looked at Fang Ping and said in a resonant voice, “I’m sorry for troubling you!”
A Rank-8 being so polite to a Rank-5 student was definitely a rare sight.
Although Fang Ping had recorded into his small book of accounts that he would bash up Old Wu one day, he still bowed quickly at this moment and chuckled. “Vice-chancellor, please don’t mention it. The instructor’s problems are my problems. It’s only a little Life Essence...”
He had just mentioned this when Lu Fengrou turned her head and said, “When I attempt to perform Mentality-Vitality fusion later, remember to ensure that I remain in a fully-loaded state.”
Fang Ping’s expression froze. He let out a hollow smile and said, “That... Instructor, I only have this much. If you spend too much time, this...”
Lu Fengrou turned a deaf ear. That was none of my business. Figure out yourself on how to make them appear no matter what.
Fang Ping pulled a long face. I really did not have so much.
Lu Fengrou ignored him. After taking a deep breath, she strode into the innermost cultivation room.
Song Yingji quickly switched the walls and turned them transparent. Then, he operated the buttons. Next to the control board outside the door, a small platform emerged. On top of it was a funnel-like transparent operating board.
“Later, Dean Lu will attempt Mentality-Vitality fusion forcefully. She needs huge amounts of energy to replenish it. You can pour the Energy Essence directly in here.
“The cultivation room can ensure that energy and Mentality won’t scatter...”
Song Yingji explained. Beside him, Wu Kuishan took a deep breath, exhaling and said, “Lu Fengrou’s Mentality has now exceeded 900Hz. Her Vitality has also hit the ten thousand cal limit a long time ago. One can say that she has already reached the end of her Peak Rank-6.”
Under normal circumstances, one would have attained Mentality-Vitality fusion at this stage a long time ago.
For Peak Rank-6 martial artists who could already expel Mentality, whose Vitality had reached the maximum, although Mentality-Vitality fusion was slightly difficult to attain, it should not be too difficult.
Lu Fengrou was different. Her Mentality had almost reached the state of corporealization, yet she had not attained Mentality-Vitality fusion.
Fang Ping frowned slightly. “It must be very risky to merge them forcefully, right?”
Wu Kuishan nodded. “It’s definitely dangerous. She has a hurdle in her heart. Whenever she attempts Mentality-Vitality fusion, her Mentality will start showing signs of destabilization.
“Now, she can only place her hopes on Life Essence to help her stabilize her Mentality.”
Actually, energy was not what Lu Fengrou was lacking. The real shortfall was still from within herself.
Fang Ping did not say anything else. At this moment in the room, Lu Fengrou put on a solemn look and began to unleash her own Mentality.
Then, Lu Fengrou’s force changed. Her Vitality was released instantly. Even with an energy shield between them and the cultivation room, Fang Ping could sense her extremely rich Vitality.
Fang Ping and Wu Kuishan could both sense the intangible Mentality clearly.
Now, Lu Fengrou was already attempting to merge her Mentality with her Vitality, converting it into Celestiality.
Fang Ping stared for a moment. Lu Fengrou’s Mentality and Vitality began to come in contact. They had also begun to merge.
However, as he watched on, Fang Ping noticed something amiss. Both elements... showed no signs of merging. Instead, there was a clear distinction between them. As soon as Mentality entered the Vitality boundary, it repelled Vitality straightaway.
The next moment, a ring of light appeared on Lu Fengrou’s body.
That was her Celestial Bridge!
Lu Fengrou was ready to perform a forceful merge now!
Massive amounts of Vitality Force entered the Celestial Bridge first, dying the crystal-clear ring light red. A dazzling red. Absolutely splendid. As dazzling as a crimson-jade bracelet.
Fang Ping could not help but feel slightly insecure. My Celestial Bridge... is indeed hideous.
With no time to think. Very quickly, within the crimson ring light, a small portion turned transparent. That was because Mentality had merged into it, yet remained distinctly clear, not a hint of it being merged.
This was different from Fang Ping.
When Fang Ping’s Mentality and Vitality Force entered his Celestial Bridge, the merging process happened instantaneously. But that was not the case with Lu Fengrou’s. This was actually really peculiar.
“Please, merge!”
A furious roar came from within the cultivation room. At this moment, Lu Fengrou was drenched in sweat, a face full of rage and unwillingness!
Why was it not working!
Why was it still not working?
Others could do it, why could she not do it!
All she wanted was to achieve Grandmaster. Why was it so difficult?
Among Rank-6, her Mentality and Vitality Force was definitely the strongest of all. Why did it just refuse to merge?
How unfair were the heavens treating her!
After giving her hope, why did it have to snatch it away from her?
Hum!
A tremor was heard. At this moment, Lu Fengrou’s Celestial Bridge was switching between red and white alternatively. Her Mentality and Vitality Force were colliding with each other vigorously in the Celestial Bridge.
The dazzling Celestial Bridge was already showing signs of cracking.
“Quickly!”
Panic was written all over Wu Kuishan’s face as he hissed.
Fang Ping made no delays either. At this moment, a crystal-like tiny bottle had already appeared in his hand. Old Man Li gave him this bottle. It was also a special product among the powerful forces. The material was the same as the Energy Room’s walls, making sure that energy would not be lost.
Fang Ping unscrewed the bottle cap and poured some Life Essence into the funnel immediately.
He had just poured in when massive amounts of energy seeped outward from the top of the cultivation room, scattering all over the cultivation room.
When the Celestial Bridge that was cracking came in contact with these energies, it began mending slowly. The cracking speed began slowing down as well.
Lu Fengrou was also absorbing other energies. The Lu Fengrou who was bathing in sweat earlier no longer wore a ferocious look. She appeared much more relaxed.
However, this did not last long.
Within the cultivation room, the energy richness was gradually dropping. Both energies were still colliding with each other in the Celestial Bridge. There were cracks in the Celestial Bridge once again!
“Again!”
Wu Kuishan looked inside the room anxiously. Watching the energy dropped, he hissed once more.
Fang Ping exhaled and began pouring Life Essence into it.
In the cultivation room, the Life Essence could be absorbed most efficiently. If Old Man Li had taken the Life Essence in the cultivation room at that time, he would not even need so much. Perhaps less than one-tenth of what he took even.
Whilst thinking about this, Fang Ping poured it in, feeling heartbroken. Up until now, he was still having a heartache. He had wasted too much then!
...
“Again!”
Fang Ping’s complexion changed slightly. He only had about 200 grams of Life Essence altogether. At this moment, nearly 100 grams had been poured in.
However, in the room, Lu Fengrou still could not complete the merging process.
At this time, everyone grew slightly panicky.
Lu Fengrou’s path to Mentality-Vitality fusion was one that was truly challenging to walk. Even her Mentality began to destabilize. The white half within the Celestial Bridge had already begun to show signs of contraction.
Without any delays, Fang Ping poured in once more. He poured about 20 grams every time.
Although 1 gram of Life Essence might only be equivalent to 5 grams of cultivation energy stones, its mending ability was not something energy stones were equipped with.
To compare their values, literally not even 5 times the value could do it justice.
This time, it was consumed even quicker because not only did it need to mend the Celestial Bridge, it needed to stabilize Lu Fengrou’s Mentality too.
In no time, the word ‘again’ was heard once more.
Fang Ping gritted his teeth, pouring in again.
“If it still doesn’t work, all these Life Essences will be wasted this time...” Fang Ping looked absolutely helpless.
In the cultivation room, Lu Fengrou was slightly demented now!
“Why!”
“I’m not willing!”
Click...
A soft crack was actually heard coming from within the room.
Wu Kuishan’s expression changed dramatically. Old Man Li also yelled loudly, “Don’t do anything reckless!”
“Instructor, no rush. No rush. There are still plenty of Life Essence left. Take it slow. Take it slow!”
Fang Ping shouted hurriedly too. Lu Fengrou nearly collapsed her own Celestial Bridge. She was too impulsive.
In the cultivation room, Lu Fengrou’s was slightly sane now. She gritted her teeth. By unleashing Mentality in huge amounts, the seven openings of her head had already started showing signs of bleeding.