In the next two days, there were not many movements made by MCMAU.
Fang Ping paid a short visit to the research institute and had a thorough check-up. Magic City’s government and Military Department both sent over a representative. For the most part, they acknowledged Fang Ping’s explanation.
If it could apply to all of mankind, there was no point for Fang Ping to hide it.
If he wanted to keep it a secret, he would not have employed it in the first place.
Under the lax investigation on Magic City’s part, this matter was considered resolved for the time being.
December 31st. Fang Ping received some news.
Firstly, Chen Yunxi and the others had entered Nanjiang Catacombs!
Secondly, NMAU’s Peak Rank-6 deputy vice-chancellor had taken over the position as the vice-chancellor while the Peak Rank-6 from the School of Weaponry took over as deputy vice-chancellor.
This was the first time ever that there were no Peak Rank-6 powerhouses amongst the four schools’ deans.
The Martial Arts Society president Wang Jinyang’s position remained the same. However, he had taken up a virtual position—Nanjiang deputy governor!
This caught many by surprise.
All things aside, Nanjiang was still a great province. Even if Wang Jinyang’s title was a virtual one and he would not take any actual positions in Nanjiang’s House of Governors, for a youth who would just turn 21 over the new years to become a province’s governor was out of everyone’s expectations!
All other news seemed trivial when compared to this.
In CCMAU, the Martial Arts Society took the initiative to establish a special training class.
Most outsiders might not know the purpose for establishing this special training class.
However, Fang Ping knew... It was established mainly to help the students adapt to the Catacombs.
All in all, it was mostly to teach Stepping Skills and hole-digging techniques. Of course, hole-digging techniques were better kept under the table. From Li Hansong’s explanation over a phone call, their goal was to intensively study the necessary survival skills in the Catacombs.
Iron Head Li was badly influenced by their most recent experiences!
As soon as he returned, he adamantly proposed the establishment of a special training class.
CCMAU’s leaders did not agree... They did not see eye to eye on this. Eventually, Iron Head Li threatened that, if they did not agree, he would lead a bunch of members to learn at MCMAU!
Of course, they would not transfer universities. He would only bring them to MCMAU to learn survival skills.
As soon as he said those words, though the CCMAU’s leaders were infuriated, they grudgingly accepted his demands.
If they allowed this bastard to bring a team to MCMAU, could he even bring them back?
In conclusion, there was now a new special training class in CCMAU.
...
Martial Arts Society.
Fang Ping nearly burst his stomach from laughing too hard at Li Hansong’s story.
Iron Head Li was really something!
What was he thinking?
Did Iron Head Li really think that these Rank-3 and 4 society members would ever venture so far into the depths of the Catacombs and get chased by countless powerhouses?
Or perhaps, he thought that these fellows would get the opportunity to dig energy mines?
What happened in the Nanjiang Catacombs was undoubtedly a special case. If Iron Head Li did not enter with Fang Ping and the first batch but entered afterward, such a situation would never happen.
Getting hunted by a pack of Rank-5 and 6 powerhouses until finally, even the high ranks left the lair to come after them.
For Chen Yunxi and the rest going into the Catacombs this round, there was no way they would have such an encounter. Getting hunted by dozens of powerhouses was not normal.
If they felt they were under pressure, they would retreat without delay.
Li Hansong’s call had considerably reduced Fang Ping’s worries for the MCMAU guys who entered the Catacombs.
Fang Ping could not guarantee that the current MCMAU batch in the Catacombs would all make it out alive.
Although Luo Yichuan was a Peak Rank-6 powerhouse and was leading numerous middle-ranked instructors for this trip, the Catacombs was always full of surprises.
In the Catacombs, the hostile martial artists were not the only threat.
Monsters and hazardous areas were threats too.
Fang Ping did not encounter them often because he rarely entered the Catacombs. After all this time, he had entered a grand total of three times. Despite that, he had already encountered the Rank-8 Jiao.
Whilst thinking about it, Qin Fengqing pushed the door open and entered casually. Leaning against the couch and propping his ankle over one knee, he asked, “Where are the things?”
Fang Ping darted him a look, raising his eyebrows. “They’re not here yet.”
“So slow? Why is it so inefficient?”
Fang Ping raised his brows again. He grinned. “Are you suggesting that I’m slacking?”
Qin Fengqing seemed to catch a hint of hostility from his tone and let out a dry cough. He gave a half-hearted laugh and said, “I’m not talking about you. I’m questioning how the Military Department is handling their affairs so inefficiently. How unreliable. It’s been ages since we sent the books to them. There are still no results even now!”
“Soon. It’ll come today.”
Fang Ping abruptly asked, “How long will it take for you to achieve Peak Rank-4?”
Qin Fengqing gave him a side-eye, thought for a moment, and said, “Before the end of the year.”
Fang Ping tapped on the table gently. After a moment, he said, “Why don’t we do this? When you hit Peak Rank-4, We’ll both go and dig up the energy mine together...”
“No way!”
Qin Fengqing rejected without hesitation!
He would never do it!
Fang Ping said mildly, “Do you think that I’ve set my sights on this measly energy mine? The amount of energy stones I’ve seen in my life is far beyond what you can dream of.
“I’m considering this for MCMAU’s sake. Tomorrow onward, the Energy Room will officially be open to the public.
“The university will cover the funds in advance. But, we don’t have a stable supply of energy stones. Even money might not get us all we need.
“Although I still have some stones with me, it’s still not enough.
“Am I, Fang Ping, doing this for myself?
“If it’s not for MCMAU’s sake, would I even beg you this way?
“Qin Fengqing, quit being so selfish. Besides, if I didn’t go, do you think you can dig all these energy mines?
“Under the watchful eyes of high ranks, even if they’re only Rank-7, you won’t stand a chance!”
Qin Fengqing said in a muffled voice, “I don’t care. Stop messing around with me. I need to cultivate too. Your cultivation resources are so plentiful that you can never finish using them, but that’s not the case with me. If other people want to cultivate, then let them find their own resources. Didn’t I risk my life to seize my own cultivation resources too?
“Stop deceiving me. I’m not like those fools. You have even turned Big Lion into a fool with your sweet talk.”
“Instructor Tang, you’re here.”
Fang Ping stood up and greeted.
Qin Fengqing did not even turn his head. He humphed, “Stop pulling this trick on me. Trying to use Big Lion to threaten me? What’s the point? There’s no use even if you bring a Grandmaster here to intimidate me!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare. Can anyone possibly intimidate you, Qin Fengqing?”
Behind him, Tang Feng spoke in a mild voice.
Qin Fengqing’s expression froze instantly!
Motherf*cker, you must be kidding me?
He actually came!
This was the Martial Arts Society, what was Big Lion doing here?
Fang Ping looked at Qin Fengqing with a faint smile. Then he grinned at Tang Feng. “Instructor Tang, why did they trouble you to send these books over in person? Surely they can just get some random person to do it?”
“I’m passing by anyway. Also, certain information isn’t exactly for public viewing.”
Tang Feng gave a small smile. Then, he looked at Qin Fengqing and let out a humph. “Qin Fengqing, you’re a bigshot now, eh? You don’t even know how to greet me anymore?”
Currently, Qin Fengqing’s was still a statue. He was still frozen on the couch.
Hearing those words, Qin Fengqing stood up slowly. He turned around, a smile covering his entire face, and said obsequiously, “Instructor Tang, you’re here. Come, take a seat, take a seat!”
“Please, call me Big Lion. Calling me Instructor Tang makes us so distant.”
Qin Fengqing froze once more. His throat felt dry. “How can I? Say, nowadays everyone knows your prestigious title, Mad Lion. Soon, we’ll need to add ‘king’. Mad Lion King... No, it should be Lion King!”
Tang Feng darted him another look, looking hostile.
Last time, Fang Ping was not reliable; an annoying prickhead he was. Therefore, Tang Feng’s attention was fully focused on Fang Ping.
Looking at it now... Qin Fengqing, this kid, was an insufferable bastard—equally arrogant!
This was not the main point. Did this kid have no sense of gratitude?
No matter what, he was still a talent nurtured by MCMAU. Had he never thought of contributing to MCMAU?
Of course, it was Qin Fengqing’s own resourcefulness that enabled him to monopolize a small energy mine. Tang Feng had no intention of forcing him to promise anything. Nevertheless, humans were afraid of being compared to.
Look at Fang Ping, he offered his own energy stones just like that.
Although they were not free, he did not mention anything about collecting payments either.
By giving everyone some time to cultivate and some time to prepare, they would be able to pay back one day, right?
Seeing Tang Feng’s watchful eyes on him, Qin Fengqing was close to cursing aloud!
‘I did not do anything to you, did I?
‘Bullying me again!
‘I was not the one who started calling you Big Lion. Before Fang Ping started, no one called you Big Lion. It was only when Fang Ping started did everyone start calling you Big Lion.
‘This Big Lion must have been tricked into an idiot, right? Think about it, the root of all evil is standing directly in front of you!’
Qin Fengqing concluded that MCMAU’s environment was gradually getting worse.
His days were also getting harder and harder to get by.
In the past, he could tyrannize anyone he wanted to. Right now, it seemed like anyone could bully him however they wished.
A hint of sorrow pricked his heart. He, Qin Fengqing, was coping really terribly!
‘Fang Ping is a hundred times worse than me. He’s just good at pretending and deceiving others. Right now, he’s living such a well-off life—a university leader to boot.
‘It seems like I still need to learn some tricks from him. This is really something worth learning.’
...
Paying no attention to what Qin Fengqing was thinking about, Tang Feng turned away from him. Nevertheless, he still walked next to the couch and sent Qin Fengqing flying with his butt before sitting down. He said, “Come and take a look at the information. When someone from the Military Department sent them over, they said that they’ve gained great insights this time around. Both of you wouldn’t mind if I take a look, right?”
Fang Ping laughed heartily. “How could we? It’s not some kind of secret anyway. Even the Military Department knows this, so why should we hide it from our own people?
“Qin Fengqing, you don’t have any objections, do you?”
Qin Fengqing was still kneeling on one side after he was sent flying earlier. He had a woeful look on his face. ‘What kind of objections could I possibly have?’
‘Would I dare to have an opinion?’
Whilst thinking about it, Fang Ping added, “What are you kneeling there for? Come on, let’s take a look together!”
Qin Fengqing really wanted to bash someone up now!
‘Did I ask for this?’
‘Big Lion knocked me here!’
‘I’ll never stay in MCMAU anymore. I won’t stay even if I die! Never! Even if Fang Ping kneels and begs me, I will never stay!’
After cursing countless times in his heart, Qin Fengqing made a decision. He would never stay in MCMAU!
He darted Fang Ping a look, then Tang Feng. ‘Just you wait. Before I leave, I will teach both of you a lesson!’
It was fine if he was no match for Big Lion. He could bash up Tang Wen!
As for Fang Ping... He had a sister, did he not?
Qin Fengqing had even begun to consider whether he should take up a position in Nanjiang. Going to Nanjiang and becoming a commander was not so bad either. He could oppress Fang Ping’s family while he was at it.
Also, should he chase after Fang Ping’s sister?
As these sinister thoughts crossed his mind, Qin Fengqing broke out in a leer. Indeed. It was fine if he was no match for them. Revenge did not necessarily mean that he had to take it out on the person himself.
Fang Ping darted him a look. Seeing that he was smiling creepily, he knew that this fellow was starting to entertain foolish ideas in his head and was self-comforting again. He had no interest to pay him any attention.
When Qin Fengqing walked over, Fang Ping picked up a translated book and began reading.
Qin Fengqing and Tang Feng took a book each as well.
The translated information this time came in only six to seven books, whereas Fang Ping and Qin Fengqing had sent in over a hundred books back then. A portion of them had not been translated yet.
Of course, there was also a chance that they already were.
Fang Ping suspected that the government and Military Department might be inclined to withhold some information from them even after it had been translated.
Without thinking too much about it, Fang Ping opened up the book and scanned it.
...
“Monster imperial calendar Year 3882. A great war broke out. The sky split and earth cracked! The Forbidden Sea appeared... Both kings led the remaining troops and fled across the wilderness...”
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4105. The Forbidden Sea outbreak stopped. Divine Land vanished. Both kings wailed and wept. The entire nation was grief-stricken...”
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4137. There was a disagreement between the kings. Both of them led their own remaining troops and became independent...”
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4185. There was another outbreak at The Forbidden Sea. Both kings joined hands and established the Land of Shield...”
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4307. The kings had a dispute. A great war broke out...”
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4312. Both kings reached an agreement. War ended...”
The book Fang Ping held in his hand might be related to history.
The more Fang Ping read it, the more knitted his eyebrows were. Certain areas were not translated. He could not tell if they were unable to be translated or intentionally blurred out.
All in all, the records went on and off.
Though the book looked thick, in reality, they were really just f*cking ellipsis!
Fang Ping was completely speechless. You should have just written it on a piece of paper. Was it really necessary to write such a thick book?
“Monster imperial calendar?”
Fang Ping was deep in thought. Calendars existing in the Catacombs were nothing surprising. The key was, who were the “both kings” referenced?
From Year 3882 until Year 4312, both kings were constantly mentioned in the records.
More than four hundred years had passed between them!
More than four hundred years, both of them could still fight tooth and nail... How old was the current oldest human powerhouse?
“Longevity?”
Fang Ping was really curious. How long exactly could powerhouses live?
In the past, Grandmasters were called the gods and immortals of the land. Could they attain immortality?
It seemed impossible. However, Rank-8 golden bodies might last a long time.
It was a shame. The Rank-8s he knew today were all recent generation martial artists. He had not heard of the existence of really ancient ones.
“The Forbidden Sea is the sea area in the south?”
“Divine Land vanished... Divine Land is the restricted area? Or something else?”
“Monster imperial calendar... Monster imperial is just an alternative name? Or does such a person really exist? Perhaps it’s not the Catacombs humans, but monsters?”
“The Forbidden Sea outbreak... What sort of outbreak?”
Countless thoughts flashed across Fang Ping’s mind. In such a short period of time, because some key information was missing, he was unable to connect the dots.
At the back, there were some other records.
The last record jumped straight to monster imperial calendar Year 4895!
“Monster imperial calendar Year 4895. Someone came from the Restricted Area, opening up the Rebirth Passageway, entering the Land of Rebirth!”
Fang Ping’s pupils dilated. The Land of Rebirth!
“The Land of Rebirth... Is the Land of Rebirth earth?”
Fang Ping took a deep breath, looking at Tang Feng immediately. “Instructor Tang, what year did Magic City passageway open? Year 49?”
“Yes, it was opened in Year 49.” Tang Feng nodded.
Fang Ping made some calculations, mumbling, “60 years ago. If 60 years ago was monster imperial calendar Year 4895... the key is, the passageway recorded in this book is referring to Magic City Catacombs’ passageway, right?”
“From the great war recorded at the very beginning, it was more than 1000 years now. If Year 4895 is Year 1949, then one thousand years ago would be somewhere around 900 A.D.?”
“Between Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and Song dynasty?”
Fang Ping shook his head. What was the use of thinking about these things?
“Oh right, based on the narrations given in previous courses, the first Catacombs entrance emerged in 1303, more than 700 years ago from now... If the timeline is right, it would be monster imperial calendar Year 4190 or so. That’s not right either. Maybe the Rebirth Passageway...is the first passageway that opened?”
Fang Ping’s thoughts drifted far. Suddenly, he thought of many, many things.
“Monster imperial, Divine Land, The Forbidden Sea, Restricted Area, both kings, Land of Rebirth...”
Fang Ping was still thinking when Qin Fengqing beside him suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “Holy sh*t. It’s true. Underneath the Royal City is a large-scale mine vein!”
Fang Ping looked speechless. Was it necessary for you to be so excited? Did you not already know that?
Qin Fengqing looked excited. He lifted his head and said, “Fang Ping, you actually didn’t lie to me. I thought...”
Fang Ping’s expression turned dark!
What was this bastard thinking?
‘Did I even need to lie to you?
‘So, all the time you had been suspecting everything I said to be fake?’
Qin Fengqing ignored him. He continued, “What I’m reading is the Introduction to the Seven Southern Territory... Fang Ping, Magic City Catacombs is actually not called Magic City Catacombs. The other party calls it Seven Southern Territory...”
“Seven Southern Territory... Nanjiang Catacombs’ people call themselves Nine Southern Territory!”
Fang Ping’s eyes darted and he said, “If that’s the case, there is still an Eight Southern Territory. These three Catacombs should be adjacent to one another?”
Tang Feng thought for a bit before answering, “Eight Southern Territory... Between Magic City and Nanjiang, there’s one Catacombs there indeed...”
“Donglin Catacombs!” Fang Ping blurted. “Maybe Donglin’s Catacombs is Eight Southern Territory?”
Tang Feng shook his head, saying, “I really don’t know. I don’t know much about Donglin’s Catacombs either. This is also my first time knowing that our side is called the Seven Southern Territory.”
“Seven, eight, nine territories...” Fang Ping raved on, “If that’s the case, we may be able to go from Magic City Catacombs to Donglin Catacombs, and then to Nanjiang Catacombs?”
Qin Fengqing was indifferent about it. “Who cares. How many Catacombs do you want to run in when you can’t even finish running one? Fang Ping, take a look at this, quick. This book contains information on the different cities’ names and tutelary plants and monsters. East Sunflower City... is not called East Sunflower City. It’s called Monster Sunflower City, alright. What’s with the simple names?
“Eh? Monster Sunflower City’s tutelary plant is really a sunflower... Holy sh*t, it bears sunflower seeds too!”
After taking a look, Qin Fengqing gulped, and mumbled, “After eating the sunflower seeds... one can nurture one’s Mentality, I think!”
Fang Ping snatched the book over hurriedly. He took a quick scan and frowned, “Where?”
“Idiot!”
Qin Fengqing snapped. “See, isn’t it written here, seeds can nurture the soul?”
Fang Ping quickly took a look. It was true!
“Soul... soul is Mentality?”
“Dumbass, it definitely is!”
Fang Ping mumbled, “If that’s the case... After defeating East Sunflower City and killing the monster sunflower, we could perhaps nurture massive amounts of Grandmasters?”
Qin Fengqing was also rambling, “I want to eat the sunflower seeds. After eating them I’ll become a Grandmaster...”
Both of them were lost in their fantasies. Tang Feng’s head hurt slightly. “Boys, that’s a Rank-9 monster plant. Let’s not discuss whether it really has such effects. Even if it has, are you sure you can kill it?”
What were these two thinking of!
Qin Fengqing looked grudging. “That’s hard to say. Oh right...”
Qin Fengqing turned his attention at Fang Ping suddenly. “Fang Ping, you can blend in, can’t you? Sneak your way in and steal some of them back!”
“Get lost!” Fang Ping cursed.
Humans had been in war with Magic City Catacombs’ fort for many years. They were very familiar with the humans’ situation. Gigantic Willow City was practically oblivious to the existence of humans. There was no way you could compare the two.
If they wished to sneak into East Sunflower City, the difficulty level and risks would increase substantially.
Qin Fengqing egged him on. “What are you afraid of? Fang Ping, think about it. If you lay your hands on the sunflower seed and take them back to sell, how much can you sell them for?”
“Cut the crap!”
Fang Ping ignored him, snatched the book in his hand, and began reading.
This book might be the Introduction to Seven Southern Territory’s customs.
Other than East Sunflower City, other cities were also introduced.
As Fang Ping read on, this was the first time he had a clear and three-dimensional perception toward the situation in the Catacombs.
“We didn’t raid the lair last time for nothing!”
This was Fang Ping’s only thought at the moment. These books were really important. At least that was what he thought.