February 19th.
MCMAU Southern area. Inside the Energy Room.
Chen Yunxi’s face was filled with worries. She asked, “Fang Ping, are you really alright?”
Fang Ping was wrapped in a big cotton-padded coat. Under the circumstance where most of the martial artists were wearing unlined garments, he seemed rather out of place.
Yesterday, Fang Ping and his family arrived in Magic City. Chen Yunxi had already given up on waiting in South Capital the day before yesterday, arriving much earlier than Fang Ping.
If it was not because Fang Ping claimed that he was busy yesterday, making it rather inappropriate for her to turn up at his doorstep to see him, she would have gone to see Fang Ping a long time ago.
When she had finally waited for Fang Ping to arrive at the university, Chen Yunxi was burdened with worries when she saw Fang Ping covered in a thick cotton-padded coat.
“What can happen to me?”
Fang Ping let out a faint smile. “I’m wearing a cotton-padded coat to stay warm, trying to get a taste of what it’s like to become an ordinary person.”
Chen Yunxi bit her lips, saying softly, “Grandpa says that you’re hurt. Have your injuries recovered?”
“Mm. Minor injuries.”
Fang Ping said airily. He chuckled softly and continued, “Can a few Rank-6 martial artists even injure me? I fought with a Rank-9 before and nothing major happened to me.”
Beside them, a few guys who were being ignored exchanged glances with one another. After a long time, Zhao Lei asked sulkily, “Why are you here in the Energy Room then?”
Fang Ping cast a quick look at him, saying exasperatedly, “I’m here to wait for someone. Is there a problem with that? Even if I’m not here to wait for someone, can’t I come in to cultivate? Guys, I’m only here to take a look, why are you crowding around me!”
In a muffled voice, Zhao Lei said, “Dean Li said you’ve turned into a skeleton, that you’re here to recover from your injuries today. Hence, we’ve come to take a look.”
“What?”
Fang Ping was surprised. Who told you that?
On the other end, Yang Xiaoman said faintly, “Dean Li told us not to play with fire. If we encounter those ranked higher than us, we should just behave ourselves. Escaping comes first.
“Moreover, he also gave us a negative example, saying that someone has been reduced into a skeleton, reminding us to learn from this lesson.”
Fang Ping’s expression was changing unpredictably. Beside them, Chen Yunxi did not quite understand what was happening. She darted a look at Fang Ping’s cotton-padded coat, hoping to say something. She swallowed her words eventually.
Certain things had already happened. It was useless to question further.
Fang Ping cursed in his heart for a spell. Old Man Li that blabbermouth!
Instead of cultivating his Mentality, this old man actually had the free time to gossip. Served him right for not becoming a true Rank-8.
As they were talking, Huang Jing walked over to them.
Taking a look at the crowd around Fang Ping, Huang Jing did not comment much about it. Everyone else started greeting him one after another.
Huang Jing nodded slightly. Then, he turned his attention to Fang Ping, saying, “The vice-chancellor has gone to pick them up. Get yourself ready. Whether or not you can recover is dependent on what will happen this time. It will spell trouble if you fail this time.”
If his half a golden body construction failed and Fang Ping lost his flesh, that would mean that he would not be able to advance into Upper-stage and Peak Rank-5.
If this happened, Fang Ping would hit a wall in his upcoming cultivation.
Aside from how he could advance, how long could Fang Ping last?
Golden bones were a separate existence. It was really hard to tell whether he could survive or not.
Fang Ping nodded slightly. Taking a deep breath, gnashing and grinding his teeth, he cried, “I’m sure it won’t be a problem! That’s 12 billion right there!”
Indeed. 12 billion!
This time, Wu Kuishan had spent a fortune inviting Rank-8s from all over the place to provide assistance. For 1 billion each, they need only offer a little imperishable substance.
This time, 8 Rank-8s had been invited.
This would amount to a staggering 8 billion!
There was also an additional 400 grams of Energy Essence. The government actually had a fixed price for Energy Essence. At 10 million per gram, it was 10 times more expensive than cultivation-aiding energy stones. On top of that, this was the kind that had a price but no buyers.
This time, the two major companies had returned and reported the news to the higher body. Eventually, they agreed to MCMAU’s conditions.
However, Wu Kuishan was only willing to take 2 billion worth of pills and weapons at cost price to exchange for 400 grams of Energy Essence.
It was hard to tell which one of them profited or experienced a loss. Ultimately, the higher body agreed to Wu Kuishan’s request.
Fang Ping’s flesh had crumbled apart with no way of healing it. As the first in Rank-5 today and the first among martial arts university students, if they did not save Fang Ping, MCMAU would certainly not leave the matter at that.
The dispute that had subsided might resurface again.
Hence, 2 billion was exchanged for 400 grams of Energy Essence.
As for the eight Rank-8 powerhouses’ rewards, although they were promised 1 billion each when Wu Kuishan mentioned about paying them with pills and weapons, the Rank-8s were pleased and were much more satisfied with it than accepting cash.
Fang Ping’s remaining 3 billion had been paid off by Wu Kuishan for 8 billion. No one found that unfitting at all.
The Rank-8s was pretty satisfied with it.
It was said that many Rank-8 powerhouses who were initially uninterested offered to help eventually. In the end, when they heard that there were already enough people, these powerhouses regretted slightly instead.
It was not so easy to obtain enormous amounts of pills and weapons actually.
More often than not, one might not even get the chance to purchase them on a large scale after becoming wealthy.
Sino Nation was considered fairly prosperous. There were many Catacombs entrances, hence a lot of production.
Certain countries might only have 1 Catacombs entrance. Hence, their production was limited, pills and weapons were extremely scarce. It was said that someone in the Sino Nation wanted to hire people like them. They need not fight but only to spend some imperishable substance. Some of the Rank-8s in the small countries wished they could fly over that instant.
However, there were requirements as well as verifications needed for overseas powerhouses who wished to enter Sino Nation.
Moreover, Fang Ping’s matter was one that had to be settled immediately. Some of the Rank-8 powerhouses still had missions that they needed to complete. Wu Kuishan had no time to wait.
In the end, he invited 5 Rank-8 powerhouses from their home country and 3 Rank-8s from the neighboring countries. Once he had gathered enough people, the mission was canceled.
Upon hearing ’12 billion’, the ones standing near him were dumbfounded.
Zhao Lei was in a daze. He asked, “12 billion?”
Fang Ping darted him a look. Suddenly, he was no longer in anguish. He said lazily, “It’s nothing. I’m slightly injured, aren’t I? I’m afraid that there may be adverse effects, hence I invited 8 Rank-8 powerhouses to heal me with their imperishable substances, paying them 12 billion as compensation.”
Zhao Lei froze; Yang Xiaoman’s jaw dropped. Even Fu Changding who had just walked in stared with his mouth agape.
On one side, Song Yingji, who pretended to not see Fang Ping, gulped involuntarily.
‘You’re not toying with us, are you?
‘In order to heal your injuries, you’ve hired 8 golden body powerhouses to do so using their imperishable substances?
’12 billion!
‘What sort of concept is this!’
Song Yingji made some calculations. Every time he entered the Catacombs, he planned to return fully loaded. 100 million each time.
Over the course of a year, he would enter once every two months. After all, every time he went in, it would take time. Returning for self-cultivation required some time as well.
6 times a year would amount to 600 million. For Rank-6 martial artists, this might be a substantial gain for them.
After calculating so, it would take 20 years of not eating, drinking, and cultivation, killing nonstop every year before he could accumulate 12 billion worth of wealth.
In fact, this was the best-case scenario. Putting aside other factors, in entering the Catacombs 120 times, the purchase of pills was necessary for healing in the case of injuries, or else one would have kicked the bucket a long time ago.
Fang Ping, this kid, on the other hand, had casually spent over ten billion to hire Rank-8s to heal his injuries just like that.
Comparisons were indeed odious!
Song Yingji was even a Rank-6 powerhouse. Other people had weaker abilities; their gains were lesser. Based on their ability, they might never earn this much all their life.
There was a blank look on their faces. Chen Yunxi, on the other hand, was deeply worried. “That’s some really serious injuries. Didn’t grandpa say that nothing major has happened?”
Grandpa lied to her again!
How could a stingy person like Fang Ping spend so much money to hire others to heal his injuries for no reason at all?
If it was light injuries, MCMAU would not even need to seek outsiders’ help.
MCMAU had Rank-8s too. Furthermore, it also had its own production line and plenty of healing pills.
Fang Ping cleared his throat and laughed. “It has nothing to do with the injuries. I plan to construct half a golden body and achieve Peak Rank-5 in advance. After this, I’ll become a Peak Rank-5 martial artist.
“It’s worth spending a teeny bit of money to speed up cultivation.
“Otherwise, it will take me a period of time to achieve Peak Rank-5.
“After today, I’ll achieve Rank-6 in no time. It will not be difficult for Rank-7, 8, and 9 to follow.
“Say, don’t you think it’s worth it to spend some money to become a Grandmaster powerhouse a little earlier?”
“Really?”
Chen Yunxi went from being delighted to looking hesitant.
A Peak Rank-5 already?
She was only at Peak Rank-3. She would still need a period of time before she could achieve Rank-4. Even if she was a Rank-4 now, she was still too slow.
Not only Chen Yunxi, even Song Yingji was currently staring at the ceiling.
Peak Rank-5!
Holy sh*t!
He could not stand living like this anymore.
He had gone through a lot of troubles and cultivated for more than ten years, stepping into Rank-6 at 50 years old. Even though he had just entered Rank-6 not long ago, he, Song Yingji, was also considered a genius amongst those of the same generation.
Among the older generation Grandmaster powerhouses today, there were only a few who achieved Grandmaster at 50 years old in recent years.
In the past, one would be considered lucky if one could achieve Grandmaster at seventy to eighty years old.
MCMAU old vice-chancellor, an 80 years old Rank-8, was called a young chap by many of the older generations…
How old was Fang Ping now?
20 years old!
A Peak Rank-5 at 20 years old. Perhaps he could achieve Rank-6 at that same age too.
How long would it take for him to become a Grandmaster?
Even if he delayed some time in Rank-6, the probability for Fang Ping to achieve Grandmaster before the age of 25 was extremely high.
In another five years, could he, Song Yingji, achieve Upper-stage Rank-6?
As soon as he thought about it, he was full of bitterness.
“A Peak Rank-5 already…”
Everyone wore a complex look on their faces. Could he just slow down?
It was truly torture for them to become Fang Ping’s peers.
At this moment, could these geniuses and prodigies even call themselves prodigies? If they compared themselves to Fang Ping, they would be classified as trash.
Seeing that these guys had been dealt with a severe blow, Fang Ping grinned yet did not utter a word. Huang Jing comforted them instead. “Martial arts cultivation is all about endurance. Practicing martial arts isn’t something that can happen overnight…”
With hidden bitterness, Song Yingji muttered, “Vice-chancellor, come and comfort us only after he has surpassed your rank…”
The look on Huang Jing’s face froze. He darted a look at him. After a long time, he said, “The sanitation management office has not had a manager for a long time now. Little Song, go and report yourself there in a few days’ time. It’s time to change to a new environment.”
Song Yingji’s expression changed again and again. He had said something that he should not!
He did not utter a word nor did he respond. Old Huang would forget about this matter very soon.
Even if he did not forget, he would not go. Even if he was bashed to death, he would still not go.
Huang Jing cast a quick glance at him. He humphed in his heart. ‘Think I can’t handle you?’
Fang Ping gave Song Yingji a pitying look. ‘I’m not the one asking you to go to the sanitation management office this time. The Grandmasters in the university are all very sinister. Just you wait, they will sort you out later.’
After chatting for a while, the look on Huang Jing’s face became solemn. He said under his breath, “They’ve arrived!”
As he said that, Huang Jing walked out. Fang Ping and the crowd followed suit immediately.
Even for Fang Ping, this was his first time meeting so many Rank-8 powerhouses together. This could widen their knowledge.
…
Outside the Energy Room.
Wu Kuishan and the powerhouses were chatting cheerfully. One of the elders with a rather suntanned skin walked to the entrance of the Energy Room. With a slightly off-key Mandarin, he said, “The Sino Nation martial arts world is indeed something that we can’t compare to. This Energy Cultivation Room… is bigger than the ones we use for the royal family!”
A look of admiration was written all over the elder’s face!
This was only a martial arts university in Sino Nation!
However, this massive Energy Cultivation Room was at a much larger scale than their Royal Cultivation Room.
Not just about any country would have a cultivation room that could accommodate hundreds of people.
Some small countries, apart from whether or not they could build one, even if they could, their energy stones were still insufficient. It was pointless for them to build it.
After the suntanned elder was done speaking, another middle-aged man who was smaller in size let out a sigh, saying, “The Siam Royal Family has built an Energy Cultivation Room. Our Khmer Royal Family only has one cultivation room to share between a few princes and princesses for cultivation…”
The way he said those words made it sound beyond miserable.
However, this was also a fact.
In their home country, both Rank-8 golden body powerhouses were a bunch of top-notched powerhouses.
Siam Nation only had one Rank-9, three Rank-8s, and more than ten Rank-7s.
On the other hand, the Catacombs which they were required to guard were also very few. There was only one entrance.
It was worse in Khmer. There were no Rank-9s at all.
Of course, the size of their country was small as well. More than ten million population, there was no Catacombs entrance in the country. Instead, they joined hands with two other neighboring countries to guard one Catacombs entrance. With three countries guarding together, the pressure was not as high, but it also meant that their production was low.
With the production from one Catacombs entrance, they could not even satisfy the basic needs for pills, let alone high-end energy stones.
MCMAU was the most advanced martial arts university in Sino Nation, assembling numerous prodigies in Sino Nation. Naturally, these cultivation facilities were nothing they could compare to.
Even the Sino Nation powerhouses who came along this time were green with envy, let alone these small countries’ powerhouses.
One of the middle-aged female powerhouse chuckled, asking, “Vice-chancellor Wu, I heard that MCMAU has also built a Celestiality Cultivation Room?”
Wu Kuishan chuckled, saying, “Indeed, we have. But, it’s not enough to satisfy the cultivation needs of all the Rank-6 martial artists. It’s better than nothing.”
They felt worse hearing these words.
Having one was not bad already. You still wanted to satisfy everyone’s cultivation needs. What was the meaning of this?
The well-fed has no idea of the bitterness of the misfortunate!
They were still talking when Huang Jing and the rest walked out.
Huang Jing was probably acquainted with these powerhouses. He smiled and greeted them. Fang Ping and the rest, on the other hand, bowed and showed their respect hurriedly.
At this moment, there were altogether 9 Rank-8s on the spot, including Wu Kuishan, and one Rank-7.
Not far away, Old Man Li sauntered and swayed toward them. If a faux Rank-8 like him was counted in, there would be 10 Rank-8s then. With the assemblage of such ability, it would be enough to wipe out a typical Rank-9.
The Rank-9 powerhouses first exchanged conventional greetings with Huang Jing for a moment before turning their attention toward Fang Ping!
Sino Nation’s number one prodigy of the present era!
A powerhouse who was the first in Rank-5!
Especially after the Rank-8 powerhouses sensed a similar aura from Fang Ping, all of their pupils contracted.
A golden body powerhouse’s aura!
Everyone’s attention landed on him. Then, they turned to Wu Kuishan for answers.
At this moment, Wu Kuishan did not intend to conceal anything. He chuckled. “Fang Ping has constructed his golden bones in advance. However, his physique isn’t enough to tolerate it, causing his flesh to crumble. I have no choice but to invite all of you to help out. With the imperishable substance combined with the Energy Essence, help him to construct flesh that can tolerate his golden bones.”
Earlier, the Rank-8s thought that they were only here to heal injuries. It was only until now did they realize that this was not about healing injuries but constructing a golden body for Fang Ping.
Their expressions were changing unpredictably. Constructing golden bones in advance was something that the majority of people were still uninformed about.
The suntanned elder from Siam Nation could not help but ask, “Vice-chancellor Wu, how can a Rank-5 construct golden bones?”
Wu Kuishan laughed. “I’m not quite sure myself. Don’t worry, guys. Just supply according to the amount that we have agreed on. We won’t harm your constitutions.”
All of them grimaced faintly. None of them questioned further.
However, the way they looked at Fang Ping seemed more peculiar now.
A Rank-5 martial artist who had constructed golden bones. An individual like this should not be treated as a typical Rank-5.
The other party was even one of the most talented people in the Sino Nation. The more reason for them to take him seriously.
They made calculations in their hearts for a moment and nodded. Wu Kuishan clearly had no intention to go into the details, hence there was no need for them to question further. When Fang Ping would construct his flesh later, they could observe certain things from there too.
At this moment, Fang Ping did not care how others looked at him.
All he could think of was that these guys were really poor.
He had overheard the Rank-8s’ conversation earlier.
The power of one country was actually only just sufficient enough to build one cultivation room to accommodate the cultivation of princes and princesses. How dreadful.
If he had known this earlier, could he have hired them even if it was only for 500 million?
Also, since these guys were so poor, if he wished to kill Rank-8 or 9 martial artists in the future, he could spend some money and hire them for that too, right?
However, after mulling it over, Fang Ping thought it was best to forget about it.
These guys were so poor. If they saw how he would benefit, they would surely be jealous of him. They might even kill him while they were at it.
Moreover, they were only supplying imperishable substances this time. Although it was harmful to the body, it posed no threat to their lives.
Hiring others to fight on the other hand, was something that would put their lives at stake.
…
As they chatted, they entered the Energy Room.
Fang Ping wasted no time. He took off his coat in a second.
The moment his coat was taken off, everyone’s expression changed.
“That’s really serious!”
Song Yingji put on a solemn expression. He had learned about Fang Ping’s injuries earlier. However, he did not expect that his injuries were actually so severe.
Apart from his head, there was practically no flesh on Fang Ping’s entire body that was still intact. At this moment, his internal organs could be clearly seen.
Song Yingji had a heavy heart; the ladies on the scene were blushing.
Chen Yunxi bit her lips firmly, not saying a word.
Fang Ping’s injuries were more serious than expected.
If this was someone else, that person might have died a long time ago.
Old Man Li who followed behind did not find this odd. He said casually, “Fang Ping, take off your underpants. You’re nearly turning into a skeleton now. That plaything only stands in the way.”
Fang Ping’s expression turned dark. He ignored him, heading straight for the cultivation room.
The look on the Rank-8 powerhouses’ faces was all solemn. Someone said in a soft voice, “His flesh has completely disintegrated. If he wants to regenerate his flesh, it will be much tougher than if it was to be constructed normally.”
Wu Kuishan nodded, answering, “Indeed. But, please don’t worry. We’ve also prepared huge amounts of Energy Essence. Those should be enough for him to mend his flesh. All you need to do is to help him finish off his flesh regeneration and maintain it for a period of time.
“During this period of time, he will finish the molding of his flesh himself.”
“Energy Essence… is pure Energy Essence or the kind that has been altered by a Rank-9 monster plant?”
“Energy Essence that has been altered.” As Wu Kuishan answered, he continued, “We’ve also prepared many energy stones. We don’t lack energy.”
“What a big spender!”
The few of them could not stop exclaiming. A true big spender.
At this moment, the crowd saw enormous amounts of energy starting to release from within the cultivation room. Those were not Life Essence. Instead, it was the energy stones burning.
For this, Wu Kuishan did not mention anything about paying money.
The university sponsored it.
MCMAU had gained a substantial amount this time. It had a lot to do with Fang Ping. If Fang Ping was not attacked, Zhao Yu not captured, the two major companies would never have compromised so easily.
Fang Ping was critically injured; MCMAU would not be stingy about it. Enormous amounts of high-ranked energy stones were burning and releasing energy like it did not cost a cent.
…
Fang Ping did not care about this, though. He had lent the university tens of billions worth of energy stones.
For this, he had no plans of taking them back.
Right now, the university had gained a whopping amount. It was fine for them to spend some money.
At this moment, Fang Ping was adjusting his own condition.
Wealth: 18 billion (convert)
Vitality:5500: 5500cal (5500cal)
Mentality: 879Hz (879Hz)
Bones Honed: 177bones (100%), 29 bones (90%)
Storage Space: 4 cubic meters (+)
Energy Shield: 10 thousand Wealth/minute
Although money had been spent this time and everything was gone, his Wealth did increase. An increase of up to more than 10 billion!
Compared to a few days earlier, though it did not seem like there was a ten billion increase, Fang Ping did consume enormous amounts of Wealth during the last few days. There was at least one billion or so.
A share of 5 billion certainly would not amount to 5 billion alone. It would be more than double.
“I’ve spent more than 10 billion, I must construct it!”
Fang Ping took a deep breath. He must not fail this time. Otherwise, apart from the money spent, if he could not reconstruct his flesh, that would spell trouble.
18 billion Wealth might not be enough to stop his current condition from worsening.
If he had finished consuming his Wealth and other parts of his body continued to disintegrate, even with his golden bodies, could he really survive?
“I’m ready. I’ll leave it to you, Grandmasters!”
Fang Ping bowed slightly facing outside the room. The upcoming development would determine whether this could succeed or not.
Outside the room, the Rank-8 powerhouses nodded gently as well. Then, four of them pressed their hands on the funnel, a golden radiance emerged from their hands.
Wu Kuishan let out a deep-throated roar, “Be prepared to regenerate your flesh!”
“I know!”
Fang Ping responded. Without further ado, he began to absorb the golden radiance that poured into the cultivation room immediately.
A split second later, his arms and chest that were initially bare… began letting out sizzling sounds.
From Fang Ping’s own body, enormous amounts of Vitality Force were pouring out ceaselessly. The energies around him were being absorbed quickly into his body, assisting the imperishable substance in restoring his flesh.
Outside the room, the tension was evident in Chen Yunxi and the rest’s faces.
Old Man Li looked serious as well. Amid his seriousness, there was also a hint of regret. If he did not deplete the Life Essence in the Catacombs that day, Fang Ping would not end up this way.
With an enormous amount of Life Essence, its quantitative change could produce qualitative change. Its effect was better than the imperishable substance.
Judging from Fang Ping’s condition, in order to construct half a golden body, even tens of catties of it was considered doing him a great favor. He could most certainly recover his flesh.
However now, there was no use regretting.
What was more, it was a tense situation then. There was no way they could save those Energy Essences.
“I hope he can recover.”
Old Man Li sighed in his heart. If it did not succeed, he could only think of ways to seize some Life Essence from the Catacombs.
Although the government had some, to cater to such massive consumption, the government might not want to pay such a big price to save a Rank-8 like him, let alone a Rank-5 prodigy like Fang Ping.
Among the anxiety-ridden onlookers, in the room, Fang Ping’s body was covered with a layer of crimson red flesh at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The sizzling sound went on ceaselessly. Other than the golden radiance, there was also an extremely rich Vitality Force in the mix, rolling on the surface of his body.
This scene also had the Rank-8 powerhouses casting sidelong glances.
This MCMAU prodigy had performed better than they had expected. His Vitality Force went on unceasingly. This point alone had set him apart from others.
