World’s Best Martial Artist

Field 1.

Fang Ping stood on the president’s dais, sighing. “I now know for myself how the deans and vice-chancellors feel.”

He had stood on the field previously—standing on the stage seemed a long distance away.

Now, the underdog had risen and he was finally bathed with good fortune. It was his time now.

The other people looked resigned. ‘Can you cut to the chase already? Everyone isn’t here just to look at you strut!’

…

Downstage.

The freshmen were talking among themselves in low voices.

“Is that Fang Ping?”

“Yes, it’s him, the top Rank-3 martial artist…”

“Nope, the ranking list refreshed this morning, and Fang Ping’s not on it. The Rank-4 list is out too, did you guys see it?”

“When?”

“8 in the morning.”

“Isn’t Fang Ping in first place? Who ousted him?”

“No, he’s no longer on the list. He should’ve entered Rank-4, but he’s not on that list either…”

The topic of the Rank-4 list came up. A freshman who had taken a look at the list said, “I don’t really know the people on the list. Three from MCMAU are on it, but all of them are instructors. There are no MCMAU students.

“As with other martial arts universities. Some of them don’t even have their instructors on the list.

“Except for CCMAU. A student from the school is on it…”

Students no longer were the majority in the ranking lists when it came to Rank-4.

Commanders, commanders-in-chief, martial arts university instructors… Those were the people who took up most of the list. A handful were from the sects.

There were only two students on it.

Li Hansong from CCMAU, and Wang Jinyang from NMAU.

Li Hansong’s cranial bones were honed since birth. The strong bones meant that he had few weaknesses, and that he was stronger physically and had a higher Vitality. That was why Li Hansong, Peak Rank-4 martial artist, was up there.

Wang Jinyang was on the list because of his jade marrow. That was also a massive advantage.

As for the other reason he had gotten on the list… Wang Jinyang had also revealed personally that he was at Peak Rank-4 in order to boost NMAU’s name.

Yao Chengjun was the only student from the Three Military Schools to have a place in the list.

There were 102 martial arts universities and military schools in the country, and only three of their students got in, proving the value of the ranking list.

The fact that no MCMAU students got in was pretty embarrassing, but luckily three of its instructors were on the list. It was a good number that served to maintain MCMAU’s reputation as a renowned academy.

Fang Ping heard some of the discussions from below.

He had seen the ranking list early on.

He could not get in temporarily, though, so he had only skimmed it briefly.

Although his Mentality was strong, he was no match against a Peak Rank-4 martial artist whose internal organs were already completely honed.

The deathly aura of some of those commanders-in-chief who had killed countless times could completely dissipate his Mentality attacks.

Of course, that was true before. Now, that may no longer be the case.

Fang Ping had improved. His physical strength and Vitality was comparable to a Peak Rank-4 martial artist’s, and his Mentality was stronger than ever.

He could possibly win against a Peak Rank-4 powerhouse—if his opponent was one of the ordinary ones. Those who had been at the rank for a long time and had cultivated their Combat Techniques to the zenith, though, were probably more than a match for Fang Ping.

…

“Silence!”

Fang Ping admonished, interrupting the students!

He was not on the Rank-4 ranking list, so there was no need to discuss it!

If he had been first place, he would have let them talk about it to their hearts’ content.

“Zhao Lei, roll call!”

Beside him, Zhao Lei’s face went dark. There were 1980 freshmen, almost 2000 of them. ‘And you only think of me when there are tedious tasks like this one?’

Despite his displeasure, Zhao Lei picked up the name list and started reciting loudly, “Tang Wen!”

“Here!”

A tiny girl in the front row answered.

Chen Yunxi whispered to Fang Ping from next to him, “She’s first place among the freshmen this year. Twice-honed, Upper-stage Rank-1.”

“Mm.”

Fang Ping nodded, and said nothing more.

Zhao Lei continued to call out names. “Gu Longfei!”

A young man, rebellious at first glance, answered lazily. As for why Fang Ping thought he was rebellious… Good looking people were all rebellious, Fang Ping thought. He was either a devious rat or a rich playboy.

“Luo Sheng!”

“Here!”

Third place looked decent. Fang Ping liked him quite a lot. The guy looked average and somewhat naive, a good sprout.

“…”

Zhao Lei called the names out one by one. The roll call alone went on for two hours.

Zhao Lei’s mouth was as dry as a desert. He was even panting when he was almost at the end.

He had no speaker and was bellowing with his raw voice. He would not believe it if Fang Ping told him that he had not intended to torture him.

The freshmen downstage were also getting antsy.

On the first day of school, they were forced to stand for two hours just for roll call, done not by the heads of the school, but by a group of students. Many of them showed dissatisfaction on their faces.

Fang Ping appeared to not care, but he asked the people beside him to jot down their names quickly.

All martial artists had a good memory. Everyone remembered the freshmen’s names after they were called; they would definitely not write down the wrong names.

The crowd rumbled.

The roll call ended when it was close to 12 in the afternoon.

Someone downstage lost their patience and called out, “Are the teachers not coming?”

“Yeah! School has just started, and I haven’t made my bed yet, but I had to stand here for a two-hour roll call! The people up there are crazy!”

“…”

Fang Ping laughed. He said, “Students, quiet down!”

The crowd was still making noise.

“Shut up! Discipline Inspection Department, maintain order. If someone talks, we’ll expel you, and you can scram!”

Fang Ping bellowed. From outside the venue, a group of Rank-2 and 3 martial artists rushed in, their deathly auras potent, alloy weapons gleaming coldly.

Everyone shut up at the sight of them.

Fang Ping curled his lip. ‘Ah, this is fun!’

That was why everyone wanted to be the boss! One could really do whatever he wanted when he was the boss.

“I’ll start this by telling you that all freshmen enjoy certain benefits. 50 credits will be given to you so that you can breakthrough to Rank-1.

“1 credit is almost 30000 yuan.

“Next, Director Ye, recite those names. Those who are called will have 10 credits deducted!”

Ye Qing picked up the namelist from before and called about 100 names.

The crowd downstage got heated up again.

“Go on, make noise, and stop when you feel like it! I’m not in a hurry. I can deduct credits until 50 credits become none and you owe the school 50 credits! I can deduct from your breakthrough benefit until you have nothing left!”

“What right do you have?”

Someone was indignant. He called loudly, “What right do you have to deduct our credits?”

Fang Ping said mildly, “What right do I have? What right do I have, when I’m the President of the Martial Arts Society? I forgot to tell you that here, in MCMAU, the instructors aren’t in charge. The Martial Arts Society manages everything in this school!

“You don’t like it? Go on! Yes, you, that’s 10 credits gone!

“Rebels, I like you all the most!

“I was one too in the past, but I had the skill to back it up. Now I’m at Middle-stage Rank-4. If you think you can win against me, you can be the one calling the shots!

“In MCMAU, the strongest commands the most respect!

“This is the first lesson I want to teach you!

“Remember this! When you don’t have the chops to back your bravado up, stand down!

“Only the strongest can do anything they want, regardless of the consequences!”

Fang Ping continued, “I believe that, for quite a lot of those present here, your fathers or other senior relatives have told you about MCMAU before you guys have stepped foot in here.

“What they have told you is of the olden times!

“From this year on, MCMAU is no longer the old MCMAU!

“All freshmen that have not entered Rank-1 before the academic year ends will be expelled!

“So, during the coming year… No, ten months, more like. If you cannot become a martial artist, sorry, go home. MCMAU doesn’t want you.

“This is the first thing I wanted to tell you guys.

“Secondly. As freshmen, you not only have to practice martial arts, attend social science classes, but you also have to contribute to the school.

“MCMAU no longer provides for lazy and useless people.

“How can you do that?

“Easy. Freshmen will be in charge of cleaning and errand-running from now on. The staff from before will be fired so as to save expenses.

“Thirdly, MCMAU will formally open an elite class from this year onward.

“These are not like the temporary special training classes from the past, but a real class for the elite. Students in the elite class will enjoy preferential treatment.

“They will also not be required to abide by the aforementioned second rule. They can obtain more credits and benefits.

“The class size will be fixed at 100 people!

“You can challenge your fellow students for a seat.

“MCMAU has set up a freshmen ranking list. The top 100 students will join the elite class. It’s that simple.

“There are 1986 freshmen in total this year. I don’t like this number. MCMAU will implement the Last Place Elimination rule. The ranking list will refresh once a month. Those who are ranked at the last ten places won’t need to wait till next year—you can leave for home this year.

“Close to 2000, this is the most we’ve recruited ever. I hope that we can eliminate some so as to save more resources.

“I hope you don’t disappoint me. A few of you go get yourselves eliminated asap. I think 1888 is a good number. Of course, maybe I’ll have to wait till next year for that.

“Fourthly. In the past, the mentor-mentee choosing process was mutual. You pick your mentors, and your mentors pick you.

“It’s different starting this year.

“From this year onward, no mentors will be assigned to you before you become a martial artist. You’ll have to attend lectures instead. It’s only after you become a martial artist that you have the right to pick your mentor!”

The crowd was stunned.

They could not even pick a mentor if they were not a martial artist yet?

 Fu Changding and the others frowned. Fang Ping had not mentioned anything about this to them, nor discussed this with the school.

Fang Ping did not care. He had no choice but to implement this rule.

Less than 300 of the instructors on campus were in the middle ranks.

They were all guiding mentees, seven or eight at the least, sometimes more than ten.

On the other hand, there were about 2000 freshmen. There were not enough instructors for the students to pick from.

“The school assignment will be held tomorrow. There would be a chance to pick mentors after the assignment in the past, but it’s not the case now. Of course, freshmen who are martial artists can pick their mentors. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.

“Lastly, I would like to remind you that time does not wait for you. Seize every opportunity and every moment. Don’t make yourself regret your choices in the future.”

“…”

Fang Ping made the most out of his leadership stint. He nagged for half an hour more before he announced the end of the assembly.

The freshmen left with heavy hearts.

On their first day of school, before the instructors had appeared, their seniors had already intimidated them.

…

It was after the freshmen had dispersed gradually that Fang Ping laughed. “That felt good!”

Everyone rolled their eyes.

Liu Mengyao chuckled. “President, have you talked to the school about the elite class and mentor assignment?”

“I mentioned it once. The school didn’t give me a reply, so I stopped giving a sh*t.”

Fang Ping shook his head. “There is no competitive pressure in MCMAU. I don’t want everyone to die in the Catacombs, but I have to give them stress. The Last Place Elimination must also be implemented thoroughly!

“When one beheads a chicken, the monkeys will be terrified as well. We must kick a few of those out so that the others can learn a lesson.

“The ranking list is to motivate them more.

“I’ll ask for some credits from the school. The credits deducted just now will also be used as rewards.

“If the club has some left, we can also use them here.

“Last year everyone saw it. Those in the special training class improved faster than the others, but the special training class then was fixed. No one else had a chance after the roster was fixed.

“For the elite class, I want to give everyone a chance.

“As long as you work hard and are talented, you can rise up in the rankings. If you want resources, earn them yourselves—I want to open the mission assignment system to all students.

“Be it simple or difficult missions, you can have your pick.

“I’ll open the credit loaning system too. I’m getting ready to apply for some more leeway from the school and give everyone the chance to become stronger.

“If they can’t seize the chance, it’s their fault.”

Everyone nodded. If they wanted to become stronger, they all had the chance regardless of their family’s financial situation. It all depended on themselves.

Fang Ping was obviously partial toward poor students, judging from his opening of simple missions and the credit loaning system.

Everyone had cultivated and succeeded in breaking through without those. Now they have even more opportunities to break through.

Fang Ping explained more about the topic before he turned his gaze toward the others. “All of you, don’t slack off. We’ve shown ourselves as leaders, but it doesn’t mean that we really are that much stronger compared to the freshmen.

“If you’re surpassed by the freshmen, that’s your own problem.

“Like me, for example. I was a freshman last year, and now I’m the president of the Martial Arts Club…”

Everyone had nothing to say, especially the couple of juniors and seniors, who looked resigned. ‘Can you not put everyone up on the same pedestal as yours?’

…

September 2th was the school assignment ceremony.

The ’09 batch was indeed stronger than the previous batch.

There were close to 100 martial artists!

Fang Ping’s batch had only 60 of them.

14 students, including martial artists and aspiring martial artists, were twice-honed, more than the previous year.

The few leading students were at Upper-stage Rank-1, while the best from the previous year were all at Middle-stage Rank-1.

“They’re getting better by the year. Those young people are becoming stronger and stronger!”

On the top floor of the Building of Practical Combat Training, Fang Ping exclaimed, not unlike an old man. Several instructors at the side, including the two Grandmasters, did not know if they should laugh or cry at the statement.

The brat really thought himself a member of the board.

‘How old are you?’

He was only in his second year, come to think about it. Some of the freshmen were older than him.

Now he was the one waxing poetic. The instructors did not know what to feel.

Tang Feng could not help but glare at Fang Ping. Fang Ping said, slowly, “I heard that the first place, Tang Wen, is the daughter of one of the instructors here. To ensure that the instructor doesn’t abuse his authority, I propose that Tang Wen enter another school that isn’t the School of Weaponry!”

“Fang Ping!”

Tang Feng’s expression was livid!

‘You brat, now you’re lording it over me!’

Fang Ping said with a smile, “Dean Tang, I’m not directing this at anyone in particular. To be honest, not entering the School of Weaponry is also good for Tang Wen. The School of Social Sciences is nice; the School of Weaponry is simply too dangerous.”

“F*ck off!”

Tang Feng cursed. F*ck, this kid was completely different from Zhang Yu.

The latter did not stick his nose in everything when he was president.

“Don’t you need to cultivate?”

Tang Feng glared at him. This kid was just loitering around school everyday, calm and collected. Anyone not in the know would think that he was at a standstill at Peak Rank-6.

“Dean Tang, don’t worry about me. At Rank-4, cultivation goes really quickly.”

Fang Ping was calm. He currently did not feel any urgency. He had not fully digested and stabilized his rapidly advancing strength, so there was no need to continue cultivating.

He could start thinking of how he should cultivate his heart a few days later, when he had fully acclimated to his strength.

After deliberately riling Tang Feng up, Fang Ping turned to look at the screen curiously. He said softly, “Instructor Tang, is Tang Wen really your daughter?”

Tang Feng’s gaze turned dangerously sharp!

Old Man Li kicked Fang Ping. This kid just had to stir sh*t up. Did he not fear that Tang Feng would beat him up?

Fang Ping said, faltering, “I don’t mean anything. Instructor Tang is tall and strong while Tang Wen is small and cute. She’s definitely got her mother’s genes. This is good. I’ll take care of her more in the future.”

“If you dare hurt my daughter, I’ll tear you to shreds!”

Tang Feng harrumphed. ‘You’re trying to beat up my daughter to get back at me?’

Everyone knew that Fang Ping beat girls up.

Fang Ping was embarrassed. ‘He really said that. When did I say that I wanted to?

‘The Big Lion’s slandering me over here!’