20th of June.
MCMAU hall.
97 students. All fully armed.
Tang Feng, a Rank-5 and three Rank-4 instructors. Altogether there were 5 instructors, all armed to the teeth. They had made all the necessary preparations to enter the Catacombs.
The team was over a hundred-man strong, with the majority being Rank-2 martial artists. It had been many years since MCMAU last sent such a lineup into the Catacombs.
The three Grandmasters, the old vice-chancellor, Wu Kuishan, and Huang Jing, had all arrived.
…
“All of you are the backbone of MCMAU. The backbone of Sino Nation
The old vice-chancellor’s voice was strong and sonorous as he declared loudly, “I hope that all of you can return safely. I hope that someday, all of you can achieve high ranks!”
“I also hope that your greatest achievements lie in the future and not the present!”
“However, by blindly protecting yourself and shirking away from danger, you will never become a powerhouse!”
“If it is possible, I would rather not see young people like you appearing in the battleground of the Catacombs!”
“However, due to the current aggression of the Catacombs, you, as the elites of martial artists, have the duty and obligation to enter the Catacombs!”
“Duty… obligation… you might feel that this shouldn’t concern you. You are still so young, after all. But, we’re martial artists!”
“Remember that a martial artist is defined by duty and obligation!
“A leisurely life of sipping morning dew and sleeping when the sun sets—that’s for sages, not martial artists!
“Today, I send you off and await the day all you ladies and gentlemen return!”
The old vice-chancellor shouted the last sentence especially loudly. All the hunched backs in the crowd bolted straight up.
Tang Feng’s expression was stern as he boomed, “Let’s go!”
All the instructors who were here to send them off, including the three Grandmasters, had straightened their backs, placed their hands across their chests, and took a martial arts bow!
Overcome with emotion, all the students returned the bow, then strode forward with their heads held high. They turned, caught up with Tang Feng, and headed out together.
…
Outside the hall. One after another, everyone got on the bus.
The old vice-chancellor and the others did not follow them out to see them off, yet their sight never strayed from the buses. They had mixed feelings.
Year after year. Again and again!
Farewells, sending offs…
Perhaps it was parting forever!
Young prodigies dying at foreign lands, not even their corpses and bones remaining. How many people in the world would even know this!
“How heartless are the heavens!”
The old vice-chancellor looked up to the sky and sighed. MCMAU was established 60 years ago. He had been in MCMAU for 60 years. Over the years, he had experienced many ups and downs, seen many lives and deaths, and much, much more!
Even so, he could not help but feel sorrowful every time he saw these young people sacrificing themselves one after another in foreign lands.
“Instructor, this is fate,” Huang Jing murmured.
“No, this is not fate! Martial artists don’t believe in fate!” The old vice-chancellor’s vigor was suddenly thriving. His stature grew unexpectedly imposing as he roared, “It’s because my generation was too weak and unable to suppress the Catacombs, so the consequences are left for the next generation to deal with!”
“There were extremely few Catacombs entrances then. If they had been suppressed, it would never have reached this point!”
“I’ve decided that if the situation worsens any further, the old-timers like us need to suppress a Catacomb before we die! A new entrance will be the most fitting!”
“Vice-chancellor!”
“Instructor!”
“…”
Everyone present was in shock. The duration before the next entrance appearance would be one to two years at most and three to five months at least!
“From today onward, Vice-chancellor Wu will oversee the MCMAU operations. Dean Huang will take on the position of Deputy Vice-chancellor while serving a concurrent position as the School of Weaponry Dean. Tang Feng and Li Changsheng will take on the position as the School of Weaponry’s Deputy Dean!”
“Vice-chancellor!”
The old vice-chancellor straightened his back and roared with frustration, “I’ve lived 80 years and have already outlived my life! I’m already a walking bag of injuries and ailments. Even if I don’t die now, I won’t be able to live long anyway. One life for another!”
Everyone was engulfed in sorrow. Rank-8 Grandmasters were also called vajra-state powerhouses!
When a person had attained a Vajra Form, how can they not expect to live a few more years?
No one in the Rank-8 vajra state had died of old age yet. The oldest Rank-8 Grandmaster today was over 130 years old—and still had plenty left in the tank!
The old vice-chancellor had just turned 80 but was already injured and sick. His Vajra Form was close to crumbling.
Everything was a result of all the journeys taken into the Catacombs throughout the years.
The old vice-chancellor did not narrate anymore. He looked at Huang Jing and said, “You should go!”
Huang Jing inclined his head and, with a small sigh, departed. This time, he needed to enter the Catacombs to watch over the students as well.
Hundreds of Rank-2 and 3 martial artists. After graduating from their senior year, more than half of them gathered here would become MCMAU’s elites. If they were completely wiped out, it would be a blow that MCMAU could not recover from for many years to come.
…
On the bus. Everyone’s emotions were still surging like waves.
Three High Grandmasters and more than ten middle-ranked instructors had seen them off. How spectacular!
Tang Feng, on the other hand, remained silent. He did not utter a word.
After driving for more than ten minutes, the bus stopped suddenly. Only then did Tang Feng speak in a low voice, “Get off. Clear your luggage. Don’t bring useless trash that will only weigh you down.”
Everyone got off the bus. When they were all out, they lifted their heads to take a look around. What unveiled in front of their eyes was the endless fence of electrical barbed wire that represented the military restricted area.
Heavily sentried, the place was full of armed military personnel who were on watch.
Everyone scanned the other side of the barbed wire fence. Tankers were seen everywhere. Almost no effort was made to cover it up.
Cannons and rocket artillery were also spotted from the numerous fortifications.
This was only the military strength that they could see.
Tang Feng did not say anything and led everyone toward the main gate.
The security at the gate was extremely heavy as well. Fang Ping felt an overwhelming sense of threat and pressure. Inside, there were firearms and even artillery pointed at them.
Moreover, at the entrance, a few martial artists with strong Vitality scanned everyone vigilantly. None of them were lower than Rank-3. They were strict and imposing.
“MCMAU. Tang Feng of School of Weaponry, applying to bring MCMAU special training class into the Catacombs!”
“ID and Admission order!”
The one dealing with Tang Feng was a middle-ranked martial artist. In Fang Ping and everyone else’s eyes, his rich Vitality proved that he was in no way weaker than Tang Feng.
Meticulously, Tang Feng took out his ID, the university’s application papers, and the Military Department’s official reply for admission order.
The other party verified them one by one. Then, he nodded his head and motioned for Tang Feng to enter.
When Tang Feng and a few other instructors had entered, it was the students’ turn. They needed to get their IDs verified too. Even their packs were inspected. The military personnel paid great attention to detail, strictly cross-checking IDs for each and every one of them.
In the group, Fu Changding asked curiously, “They’re that strict?”
Zhao Lei replied flatly, “Why shouldn’t they? Probably to prevent cults from sneaking in.”
As they chatted, a few students in front had goods confiscated from their packs.
“Don’t bring your handphones. They’ll be useless inside anyway. There’s no need to bring any technological products inside. Bringing them will only increase the chances that they will be seized by the other party.
“You only need to bring one set of clothes to change into. You are not on holiday!
“As for food, you depend mainly on consuming pills, eating raw food, or buying basic energy ores for yourself. You can use them as a fire source in the Catacombs.”
The military officer who had earlier exchanged with Tang Feng gave them these instructions.
When everyone had been checked, the military officers and other military personnel looked on with unwavering determination. They faced Fang Ping’s group and took a military bow!
“The trip that you’re taking is a battle for the honor and passion of our country. To battle for the human race. Return in triumph!”
“Return in triumph!”
The sonorous and forceful roar heightened everyone’s emotions once again.
Even as they watched Fang Ping and the rest leaving for the depths of the base, the military personnel did not put their arms down. These were the Catacombs martial artists!
The outside world had categorized martial artists into two: Vitality and actual combat martial artists.
In their eyes, however, martial artists were categorized as the outside world martial artists and the Catacombs martial artists!
True heroes were the ones who took their fights to the Catacombs!
…
“We haven’t even entered the Catacombs yet, and suddenly it feels like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I feel completely different.”
“Exactly. Starting from our journey here, to the Grandmasters seeing us off, to the military bow. It’s stressing me out…”
“Whoosh! Whoosh! The fierce winds blow; the Yi River water’s so cold… 1”
Before the person could finish the rhyme, he was punched and bashed by a few people close to him. He became obediently silent after that.
Fang Ping did not utter a word and continued to follow the group forward.
Along the way, the base interior was also guarded strictly. Sentry posts were everywhere, the guards carried spears and martial artists were everywhere. Occasionally, small units could be seen retreating from the depths as well.
These units were completely different from what Fang Ping was used to.
Fierce and filled with the aura of death!
Many of their bodies were still stained with blood. Perhaps they had just retreated from the battleground.
They were also carrying standard military weapons in their hands. There were long spearmen and saber militants. Fang Ping had even seen shield military units.
After looking for quite some time, Fang Ping suddenly said softly, “The archery unit is missing.”
Tang Feng, who was walking in front, explained flatly, “In the Catacombs unit, only martial artist groups can deploy archers.”
“Why?”
“Normal people don’t have sufficient Vitality. When the arrow leaves the bow, the Vitality force will not be able to last long. Its lethality is equivalent to throwing a stone.”
“Vitality force…”
Fang Ping could understand slightly. In the Catacombs, humans depend mainly on Vitality force to harm the other party. For weapons like bows that leave the body, aspiring martial artists with weak Vitality would find it challenging to muster the Vitality force when employing long-range weapons.
Martial artists were comparatively stronger.
The base was huge. Everyone arrived at the destination after walking for another five to six minutes. It was a great metallic hall that had even stricter security!
Even here, many military personnel were stationed. At the same time, there were even more martial artists.
When Fang Ping’s group arrived, all of them saluted. Some of the more nervous students reciprocated by taking the martial arts bow.
Tang Feng made necessary arrangements with the other party. Very soon, a tightly shut alloy door inside the metallic hall creaked open slowly.
“This is the door that connects to the underground. It is also the final line of defense…Though it’s hard to say if it’s useful or not.”
Tang Feng explained emotionlessly. At this moment, everyone had already walked into a very long underground passageway. There was no one on both sides of the passageway. However, Fang Ping could still feel an intense sense of threat.
“The entrance to the Catacombs is just ahead. Get a grip!”
Following Tang Feng’s words, everyone continued walking forward. Very soon, a person’s shadow appeared up ahead.
The passageway Fang Ping’s group was on was not the only one that could lead to the entrance to the Catacombs. There were actually a few others. Other places had passageways that could link to this location as well.
Fang Ping and the rest exited the passageway to find themselves in a vast and vacant hall.
A huge display stood erect at the center of the hall.
“Urgent need for energy ores. Unlimited purchase!”
“The third defense entrance is facing a major crisis. In urgent need for middle-ranked martial artists to join the defense force!”
“Purchasing Rank-6 martial artists’ hearts.”
“Stronghold outside 60 kilometers. A Peak Rank-5 ancient reptile beast is discovered. Recruiting a team of three Rank-5 martial artists to capture and kill it…”
“…”
Instantly, everyone’s attention was drawn to the display. Tang Feng explained plainly, “This is similar to our mission system. Most of the martial arts university missions originate from here.”
Everyone understood.
At this time, there were other people in the hall. Seeing Fang Ping and the crowd pouring in, some people recognized Tang Feng and approached him, grinning broadly. “Instructor Tang, so many MCMAU students going in this time?”
“Yes.”
“Eh? Rank-2 martial artists…”
One of them could feel Rank-2 martial artists Vitality coming from the group and frowned slightly. “Sending Rank-2 martial artists inside… it’s dangerous.”
“They’re not at that level yet. These youngsters should go back and cultivate a few more years!”
“…”
Everyone spoke one after another. All of them had something to say.
Tang Feng replied, “We’re just here to adjust to the new surroundings. Mainly moving about within 30 kilometers.”
“The situation doesn’t look so good recently…”
“They’ll have to come in one day anyway.”
“Sigh!”
Someone let out a sigh but did not say anything else.
Tang Feng did not linger too long in the hall and strode forward. Everyone followed suit.
On their way, Fang Ping recognized a few familiar faces.
“Is that MCMAU television station host?”
“It’s her. I didn’t expect that someone who usually looks so refined would actually be so ferocious-looking in person…”
“That’s…”
“Chen Tianhou. Can’t imagine that she sings so well and kills so unhesitantly as well…”
Everyone was discussing in whispers. Meanwhile, the celebrity called Tianhou, whom they were talking about, turned her head to look at them. She inclined her head and gave a small smile. “Return safely.”
After she had said those words, Fang Ping caught sight of a being’s corpse, one that he could not recognize, in her hands. He was slightly troubled. It was hard to get used to!
Other than these people, Fang Ping had also seen countless military personnel passing by.
When they saw Fang Ping and the rest, they still saluted meticulously even though their bodies were stained with blood and had critical injuries.
…
After a minute, everyone arrived at the end.
An enormous alloy gate, gigantic beyond compare, stood in their way.
The giant gate was copper-colored throughout. Nearly 10 meters high. It was blended into one with the surrounding alloy walls. Right now, a tiny door slightly larger than human height was opened up on the enormous gate.
The tiny door opened wide, yet it was still hard to see the scene on the other side.
Fang Ping murmured, “This is the Catacombs entrance?”
Tang Feng said, “We built the gate. The entrance to the Catacombs used to be a passageway similar to a space vortex.
“This gate is forged using A-class alloy all throughout. Even high-ranked powerhouses need to spend quite some time to break it down.
“In reality, this is not a gate but an enclosed house. The purpose of building a massive gate like this is to resist the invasion of the Catacombs beings.
“Of course, the situation must be truly grim if they’re ever able to reach to this point.
“We enter from inside of the gate, pass through space passageway before arriving at the Catacombs world.”
While he explained, Fang Ping had made his way to the front gate and gave it a testing touch. Feeling the cold gate, he gulped and exclaimed, “A-class alloy!”
Three lower ranks martial artists mainly used E and D-class alloy weapons.
Three middle ranks, on the other hand, used B and C-class alloy weapons.
A-class was the weapon material choice of Grandmasters.
Of course, whether Grandmaster powerhouses were using it or not, Fang Ping and the rest had only speculated based on situations. No one had ever seen the kinds of weapons they were using specifically.
This stuff was not even on the exchange catalog. Even the price for it was unknown.
Even so, D-class alloy required 20 credits per kilogram. One could only imagine how expensive an A-class would be.
More than 100 credits per kilogram, that was for sure!
This had to be the minimum!
How heavy was this gate?
No, not a gate but a house. The parts where Fang Ping and the rest could not see, at the back and the sides, were all walls forged with A-class alloys.
500 thousand kilograms?
Fang Ping judged roughly based on the scale of it.
500 thousand kilograms were only 500 tons. Seeing this kind of massive alloy house, this would not be an overestimation.
How much would this be worth?
Fang Ping could hardly imagine!
Seeing that Fang Ping was touching the gate and lost in deep thoughts, Tang Feng’s expression turned slightly dark. What was this kid thinking about?
Footnotes:
Ch 234 Footnote 1
Extracted from a Chinese poem by Jingke
