“Do you know Chen Jiasheng of Donglin Martial Arts University?” Fang Ping asked, staring at the tall and fairly heavy youth standing in front of him.
Chen Jiawang was very tall in height. Just like Zhu Wen Long, he was also wielding a spear. The weapons used in Military Schools were mostly standardized to ease group coordination in battle.
Hearing his question, Chen Jiawang shook his head and said, “I don’t, but I have heard of him. Old Grandmaster Chen is an example to my generation’s martial artists. MCMAU’s Grandmasters, especially Vice-chancellor Zhang, are also role models whom we can learn from. They are how martial artists should be like!”
Fang Ping nodded as well before saying, “These Grandmaster powerhouses, including the martial artists and military personnel who have perished in the Catacomb battles, are all examples to my generation.”
Fang Ping did not mention role models as he had no intention to die in battle. Undeniably, those were the outstanding figures of all time. With no more questions to ask, Fang Ping’s Vitality was completely replenished in no time.
Chen Jiawang frowned slightly. A few instructors were standing behind him. There was a hint of surprise on their faces.
Indeed, MCMAU’s Fang Ping was capable!
Not in a haste, Chen Jiawang asked, “You’re not using your saber?”
“I’m not. I want to achieve collective punch and breakthrough Peak Rank-3!”
“So, I’m your training stone?”
“My apologies, but that’s my sentiments exactly.”
“It’s alright. I’ve treated others as my training stone too. Whatever it is, you have blocked the gate of my school – Yunmeng Military School. I will not go easy on you in this fight!”
“That is exactly what I’m hoping for.”
“…”
None of them went on with the conversation. There were no judges as well.
When the conversation ended, The Vitality on Chen Jiawang’s long spear had been refined to the maximum, and even its speed was almost going through the roof!
Initially, Fang Ping was planning to employ the same techniques he had used on Zhu Wenlong. However, when he saw the Vitality force on the long spear, the expression on his face changed as he retreated quickly.
Even though he was supposed to be ferocious, it did not mean that I should be a fool!
He had just retreated when the tip of Chen Jiawang’s spear pointed straight at his chest!
Fang Ping swiftly bent backward and kicked it the moment he raised his leg.
Chen Jiawang’s arms moved, and the spear tip quivered. From stabbing, it became slapping. With a slap, Fang Ping’s chest took the hit!
Pu!
At once, blood shot out of Fang Ping’s mouth. At the same time, he had managed to kick the long spear out of his way.
…
“He injured him with just one move!”
Joy was evident in some people’s expressions from Yunmeng Military School. When Zhu Wenlong who was ranked 46th lost in the fight earlier, everyone was rather dejected and apprehensive.
Among the three great military schools, Yunmeng Military School was the weakest.
Despite being the weakest, they were still one of the top three military schools. Every year, outsiders would use them as their stepping stones. It was definitely not a great feeling.
Although Zhu Wenlong lost in the fight, there were two more people who had a higher ranking than him.
One of them was ranked 37th, so there was hardly any difference between his ability and Zhu Wenlong’s.
The strongest one was still Chen Jiawang – 14th on the list.
The crowd was worried that Chen Jiawang would lose in the fight. However, it appeared that Chen Jiawang had managed to injure Fang Ping in just one move. It was only natural for them to be thrilled to bits.
…
Fang Ping’s face grew solemn. He paid no attention to his injuries.
He did not expect Chen Jiawang to be stronger than what he had imagined.
His speed was like greased lightning. He achieved it by merging all the Spear Techniques into one. It was almost impossible to find a loophole.
“This is the pressure that I am looking for!”
Fang Ping let out a deep-throated growl in his heart. A split second later, Fang Ping straightened his body and shot up, launching a surprise attack on Chen Jiawang’s throat in a swift motion.
Chen Jiawang made no attempts to block. He took a few steps back, and the long spear appeared in front of Fang Ping’s chest once more.
Fang Ping no longer waved his fist. His fist turned into a palm as he slapped the shaft of the spear five times in a row. The long spear veered away from his chest and pierced the air.
Although Fang Ping used his hands to employ five consecutive slashes, he did not release too many Vitality outbursts. Right now, he was learning how to conserve Vitality. He was aiming to defeat the opponent without employing the ultimate move. He did not want to achieve outbursts in every move either as that could deplete more than 1000cal Vitality in just a few times.
Similarly, this was the case with other martial artists. Unless it was the final last-kill moment in a one-on-one fight, it was rare to see anyone employing the ultimate move in a fight.
Chen Jiawang’s long spear might have been smacked away, but Fang Ping was only a short distance away. He maintained his composure, waved his left fist, and blew more than ten punches in a row against Fang Ping.
Taking advantage of the force, Chen Jiawang retreated again. He had attained perfection in employing the long spear as it appeared inches away from Fang Ping’s throat in the blink of an eye.
Fang Ping was slightly befuddled. He grew in stature, took his steps midair, and employed a few slaps from above. It was then that he managed to block the other party’s fatal move.
…
“Fang Ping is no match for Jiawang.”
In the school, the middle-aged man in military uniform waved his hand and motioned the crowd to step back to make more space for both of them. He said softly, “Fang Ping has not cultivated Combat Techniques for as long as Jiawang. If he relies solely on physical toughness and strong Vitality to defeat Jiawang, the possibility is close to none.
“Of course, if he continuously employs the ultimate move to subdue Jiawang, then he wouldn’t be a match for Fang Ping unless he performs a killing blow.”
Another instructor refuted, “That’s not likely to happen. From what I can see, he came here to issue challenges so that he could accumulate strength. I believe MCMAU instructors have taught him that if he depends solely on Vitality to subdue, it won’t do much good for the enhancement of his Combat Techniques and force control. The challenge will lose its purpose.”
If Fang Ping used his unceasing Vitality to subdue Chen Jiawang, then what was the point of the challenge? It would not do him much good in terms of self-enhancement.
If his purpose was neither to show off nor to prove that he had too much Vitality to spare, then it would just be a waste of energy to do so.
As a few of them were talking when someone suddenly asked, “On the topic of his Vitality, there’s still no explanation to it. What’s really going on?”
The middle-aged man in the military uniform answered softly, “Someone claimed that his jade-like bone marrow and Mentality variation are the reasons. They allow him to capture energy particles while his bone marrow replenishes Vitality at a faster rate… Of course, I’m not clear about the specifics.
“This is the reply given by MCMAU. The majority of MCMAU instructors are battling in the Catacombs today. Vice-chancellor Zhang has just perished along with the enemy’s Rank-8 as well…
“This is not the right time to ask, do you understand?”
Many of them nodded their heads hurriedly.
If they continued asking this question, then they would be tyrannizing MCMAU for its lack of successors.
If it was not for Fang Ping’s provocation, no one from Yunmeng Military School would dare smooth things over with the MCMAU High Grandmasters when they return and demand for an explanation at their front door.
The old vice-chancellor had just sacrificed himself and perished a Rank-8 in the Catacombs, and others were already picking on MCMAU’s prodigy student. If MCMAU did not give Yunmeng a hard time for it, then MCMAU might as well just quit.
…
While those instructors from Yunmeng Military School were engaged in discussion, Fang Ping was caught off guard. He ended up taking a stab to his chest by Chen Jiawang’s spear!
Fang Ping took a couple of steps back. His steps completely collapsing the already crumbling ground.
Pu!
Fang Ping spat a mouthful of blood once more. His eyes could not be any more solemn than it already was.
Chen Jiawang was truly impressive. Fang Ping was relatively slower in speed when employing Combat Techniques.
“Prediction. Collective force…”
Chen Jiawang was already close to being in the same league as Qin Fengqing. Fang Ping, on the other hand, was much weaker than the two of them.
“Use the Vajra Punch. Shake him by force!”
The other party’s physique and Vitality were not as strong as his. If his Vajra Punch could achieve collective punch, then Chen Jiawang would be no match for him.
As this thought flashed across his mind, Fang Ping stopped retreating.
Fist swinging at full speed, a punch landed on the spear’s head.
Bang!
As soon as the first impact was heard, the next one fell.
Chen Jiawang was not in a hurry as he incessantly waved his long spear. Butt, sweep, stab, pick – everything was at his fingertips. The students in the crowd showed great admiration as they watched.
Now, this was the strongest Rank-3 in Yunmeng!
Fang Ping, a martial artist ranked third in the martial arts university combat strength ranking, has been beaten to a pulp. His clothes have already been tattered earlier on, which sustained a few more injuries to his body. Chen Jiawang on the other hand, looked completely fine.
…
“It’s so suffocating when I can’t release a big move outburst!”
Once again, Fang Ping punched the long spear away. It was suffocating for him to hold back.
“Though if I constantly release big move outbursts, I may never achieve Peak Rank-3!”
If he could not master collective punch, he might have to remain an Upper-stage Rank-3 for a long time. This was something Fang Ping could not accept. It would be almost impossible unless his physique and Vitality were enhanced to a certain limit, and he relied on his toughened flesh to breakthrough middle rank.
However, that was not what Fang Ping wanted!
“Collective force… It’s also a manifestation of the integrated essence, spirit, and soul.”
“I should stop using Mentality and instead, achieve mind-body collaboration to release outbursts!”
A multitude of thoughts ran through his head. In just a second, Fang Ping let out an almighty roar. He stretched out his left hand into the air and grabbed at the emptiness. At this time, Chen Jiawang’s spearhead seemed to have delivered itself to his doorstep as Fang Ping caught hold of it!
With no time to lose, Fang Ping used this window of opportunity to close in. His right fist and Chen Jiawang’s left fist had exchanged more than ten punches in a row.
This time, Fang Ping did not retreat, and neither did Chen Jiawang. Fang Ping was holding on to his spear.
Both of them fought continuously as sparks flew in all directions.
The eyes of some lower-ranking students lit up as they watched. People like Fang Ping really had their bodies forged like alloys.
“Collective Vajra!”
Fang Ping roared madly. The area around his fists looked like it was cracked open. Though no sound was heard, airwaves started spreading in all directions.
Chen Jiawang did not utter a word. When Fang Ping threw a punch, Chen Jiawang threw one as well!
Bang!
In an ear-splitting crash, Chen Jiawang took three steps back while Fang Ping took seven to eight. He staggered to his feet, nearly stumbling.
“You’re still lacking a little. Collective punch barely qualifies for the elementary stage. Your punches are far weaker than mine!”
Chen Jiawang had finally spoken since the start of the fight.
Fang Ping panted. With a deep-throated voice, he said, “Indeed, I am still lacking a little, but that doesn’t mean I can’t win against you!”
“You can give it a go then!”
Chen Jiawang jabbed the long spear into the earth and shouted coldly, “I’ll show you what a Vajra Punch is!”
Chen Jiawang had on a menacing expression. He let out a thunderous roar as his steps landed heavily on the ground. The soil and cement around him cracked open and sunk in once again.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Jiawang appeared in front of Fang Ping with his fists waving at a blinding speed.
Fang Ping was equally enraged. He had both fists hammering repeatedly as well!
Bang, bang, bang!
A series of banging sounds were heard. The clanging noises of metal grew louder and louder, becoming more frequent by the second.
…
More than ten seconds later, a shadow flung out.
While in mid-air, Fang Ping forcefully employed Mid-air Step. He wiped the corner of his lips and plunged back into position once more!
…
“This fellow is really persistent.”
The middle-aged man with the military uniform sighed when he saw that Fang Ping had been thrown aside by Chen Jiawang. However, he dived back down in no time even though he was still bearing injuries.
Zhu Wenlong who was still recovering at the side, exhaled and said, “His physique is really tough. It will be extremely difficult for Chen Jiawang to injure him critically. If we compare body and bone toughness, it seems that this fellow is relatively stronger than any of us…”
“Mm… Perhaps what they say about his bone marrow being like mercury is real.”
The middle-aged man with the military uniform was only at the beginning stage of Rank-6, hence it was difficult for him to judge whether Fang Ping had truly attained mercury-like bone marrow.
However, judging from Fang Ping’s physique and the destructive force when he stepped on the ground after losing control of his power, it was possible that MCMAU was telling the truth. This kid had really attained mercury-like bone marrow – just like NMAU Wang Jinyang.
“What’s going on in Nanjiang? No, what’s going on in Sun City… Can they really cause variation in human bone marrow?”
The middle-aged man thought for a moment, thinking that he needed to make a trip down there to investigate. Perhaps, he could even recruit a few students with bone marrow variations.
…
Bang!
Fang Ping was once again sent flying from the impact. He gritted his teeth and swooped back in!
‘Just lacking a little. Only a little!
My collective force was just lacking a little. The energy was not refined enough or else, Chen Jiawang would be no match for me!’
Bearing this in mind, Fang Ping was flung out seven to eight times in a row. The smell of blood emanated from his entire body, but he was still persistently fighting.
Very soon, the crowd realized that they could see the fight between them clearly now.
Chen Jiawang’s face was pale, and so was Fang Ping’s. Vitality pulse was no longer detected in the fight. It was purely the impact between their flesh.
Shortly after, someone was flung out again.
This time, it was not Fang Ping anymore.
Chen Jiawang spat out a mouthful of blood, and his expression was grim. He did not utter a word as he charged back in.
In just a very short time, Chen Jiawang was driven back out once more!
Fang Ping roared with rage, “Are there no successors in Yunmeng? Come at me, all you Rank-3. All you good-for-nothings!”
Chen Jiawang’s face was alternating between black and white.
Everyone else was so enraged as well that blood rushed to their heads.
“You were flung out more than ten times, but not once did we look down on you. Right now, you are even provoking us!”
…
An instructor said in annoyance, “Now that his Vitality has been depleted and they’re fighting with flesh alone, Chen Jiawang is not as strong as he is. This kid has actually become arrogant!”
“No, he is trying to provoke our people to attack him from all sides. He has a reason to replenish his Vitality and continue to employ his Combat Techniques. He’s about to breakthrough!”
“Should we grant his wish?”
A few instructors were somewhat unwilling. This kid was too arrogant. He was not a student at their school either. Now that the fight had come to this stage, could he possibly depend on himself to cultivate his Combat Techniques if Yunmeng did not continue sending Rank-3 to fight and pressurize him?
The middle-aged man in the military uniform thought for a moment before saying suddenly, “Anyone who is higher than Upper-stage Rank-3 is up. You can bash him up in any way you like as long as you don’t kill him!”
After he said those words, the students exchanged glances among themselves.
Shortly afterward, four to five people charged forward at once. They had long wanted to let this a*shole have a taste of his own medicine!
In that split second when they were charging forward, Fang Ping’s eyes lit up. His Vitality had recovered almost immediately.
The Vitality pulse on his fists was clearly seen. He sent an Upper-stage Rank-3 lady flying with just one punch.
The lady was sent flying before landing hard on the ground. With her hands on her chest, she said with great indignation, “MCMAU Fang Ping, such impudence indeed. I’ve long heard that you specifically aim for women’s chests. Finish him off, guys!”
A few men became triggered!
It is difficult to have ladies in the military school.
It was fine when Fang Ping had bashed up other ladies in MCMAU, but it is absolutely unforgivable that he was hitting ladies from Yunmeng Military School.
A few of the Upper-stage and Peak martial artists were not too weak as well. Peak martial artists could achieve collective force. When they all closed in on Fang Ping together, he could only focus on what was in front of him. Although he would smack someone out of the fight zone at times, there were also times when someone smacked him to the point that he was constantly shaking.
Even though Chen Jiawang’s Vitality had been exhausted, his flesh was not weak. Fang Ping had worn out his Vitality by dragging him on, and Chen Jiawang was infuriated by this.
At this very moment, he had not surrendered just yet.
Taking advantage of Fang Ping’s intermittent rest period after sending another guy flying, Chen Jiawang landed a hard punch on the right side of his face.
Injuries to the brain can be fatal to anyone with a rank below Grandmaster. However, he did not add Vitality force into his blow. Fang Ping was also an Upper-stage Rank-3 martial artist who had transformed his flesh, so it was not as easy to kill him.
As expected, Fang Ping only cried out in pain, but nothing major had happened. His right cheek, though, started to swell up at once.
“You can hit me but not my face. You’ve pissed me off!”
Fang Ping let out a thunderous roar. A blood-tinted glow flashed from his fist abruptly. In the blink of an eye, Fang Ping sent an Upper-stage Rank-3 martial artist in front of him flying with a punch. The guy began to spit blood non-stop when he was still hanging mid-air!
“Collective punch!”
The martial artist mid-air let out a deep-throated growl. He said in rage, “If you have the guts, stop replenishing your Vitality. Kill him!”
“I’m not planning to replenish it anyway. Come at me, I’ll kill anyone that’s in my way!”
“Charge. Give it your best shot!”
Fang Ping had just finished yelling when the middle-aged man in the military uniform shouted once more. Beside him, more than ten Upper-stage Rank-3 martial artists began to charge forward!
“Do you have no sense of shame? Ganging up on me is nothing heroic!” Fang Ping’s shout was audible.
The crowd’s complexion turned black. Did he not ask everyone to come at him together earlier?
They had granted his wish, and yet he still had something to complain about!
No one paid him any attention. These guys could not care less about how they would be injured if Fang Ping landed a blow on them. They were seething with anger. When they attacked him, they either thrashed his face or kicked his crotch!
Even Zhu Wenlong, whose Vitality had not fully recovered, charged forward at high speed to join his comrades.
There was no limit to this kid’s arrogance!
…
“I’m a Peak Rank-3 now!”
In the crowd, Fang Ping roared madly. Even his Vajra Punch had achieved outbursts that released a great deal of power. Anyone with ranks lower than Upper-stage Rank-3 suffered a punch each. He punched with such great accuracy. Those who were hit were flung out and lost any combat strength to continue fighting.
However, there were too many of them. Fang Ping could only focus his attention on one direction. Very soon, Fang Ping’s entire face swelled up.
…
They had fought non-stop for seven or eight minutes. Fang Ping’s final blow sent Yao Changyu, who had just charged forward, flying. Fang Ping straightened his back while panting heavily and said, “I’ve won!”
The middle-aged man with the military uniform frowned slightly. With no emotion on his face, he said, “We still have more than 30 Rank-3 martial artists in our school who have not fought yet…”
Fang Ping’s complexion changed slightly. Feeling embarrassed, he replied, “I’ll fight once my Vitality replenishes!”
“What’s the point in that? Didn’t you want to train your body?”
“I’ve achieved Peak Rank-3 now. I’ve attained collective force.”
“Hmph!”
The middle-aged man in the military uniform could not help but feel annoyed. He cast a look at the Rank-3 martial artists who were sprawled across the ground after being hit by Fang Ping. Deep lines appeared on his forehead as he crinkled his brows.
Fang Ping had attained collective punch during the fight. He had even depleted Chen Jiawang’s Vitality. No one was a match for him after that.
When Fang Ping no longer replenished his Vitality for the second time, he relied on his tough flesh and still managed to defeat everyone. Needless to say, Yunmeng Military School had indeed embarrassed themselves this time.
Besides, Fang Ping had attained collective punch now. Even if Chen Jiawang had replenished his Vitality, he might not stand a chance.
His eyes swept over Fang Ping. The middle-aged man in the military uniform let out a hmph and said, “Get lost. If anyone from MCMAU has the guts to turn up at Yunmeng again, we will not hold back anymore!”
Fang Ping gave a hollow laugh but did not say anything. He walked over to the side, pulled out his glaive, and walked out.
When the middle-aged man talked about holding back, he was very much blowing his own trumpet.
However, towards the end, he did fulfill Fang Ping’s wish.
When both Chen Jiawang and his Vitality were exhausted, their hand-to-hand combat did nothing to enhance his collective punch. However, the guys from Yunmeng who ganged up on him helped create an opportunity for Fang Ping.
He replenished his Vitality before employing Combat Techniques. It was then that Fang Ping held on to the opportunity and attained collective punch.
Because of this, Fang Ping thought it was best to save the other party’s face.
If they said that they were holding back, then so be it.
He was not planning to come back anyway. The next person from MCMAU to come would have nothing to do with Fang Ping. If the person was bashed to death by these blazing mad Yunmeng students, Fang Ping would not be bothered for one moment.
“I’m a Peak Rank-3 now!”
Hundreds of meters away from Yunmeng Military School, Fang Ping burst out laughing.
It was only his first stop, and he had accomplished more than half of his goals.
Next, his ability as a Peak Rank-3 would assist him in challenging martial artists who were at the top of the ranking. He reminded himself that Chen Jiawang was only ranked 14th.
Those in the top ten abilities were not easy to deal with.
Just as Fang Ping was feeling triumphant, a small child who was passing by leaned fearfully towards his mother and whispered, “Mommy, there’s a pig head!”
The little kid’s mother looked at Fang Ping and realized that he was wielding a saber. With a frightened look on her face, she quickly carried the child in her hands and bolted.
Fang Ping was in a daze. He raised his glaive and looked at the reflection in the blade, and vowed, “Yunmeng Military School, wait for me to return as a Rank-4!”
He was invincible throughout the whole MCMAU and was always the one to bash people into a pig head. Today, he actually got beaten up into a pig head by the people of Yunmeng Military School. This was a grudge that he would bear in his mind!
