World’s Best Martial Artist

As they bantered, the school assignment was coming to an end.

Tang Wen, Luo Sheng, and Gu Longfei were incredibly skilled. The three of them were all at Upper-stage Rank-1. The school assignment was inconsequential in the big scheme of things, and no one dared to offend them.

Of course, it was less turbulent than the previous year’s.

Last year, Fang Ping and Fu Changding had put up a rather extravagant show.

Upper-stage Rank-1 was not strong enough for Fang Ping to care about. He watched for a while before he turned to Wu Kuishan and said, “Vice-chancellor, the school hasn’t replied to my application to renege your restraining of Lu Fengrou. She’s my mentor, and also one of the school’s best warriors below the Grandmaster level.

“On the grounds of her not having committed any crimes yet, I think that we can talk about giving back her the permission to enter the Pressure Room.”

Lu Fengrou said nothing, as if she had not heard them.

Wu Kuishan did not object to discussing the topic. He asked, “As everyone’s present, we’ll discuss this now.”

“Those who agree to relax the restrictions, raise up your hands to vote. Rank-6 and above martial artists and the president of the Martial Arts Society have voting rights.”

Fang Ping interjected with a smile, “Or we can vote by ballots. Vice-chancellor, I’ve already prepared the materials necessary. You can just tick one of the boxes.”

Fang Ping lifted a small cardboard box from the floor beside him and started distributing ballots to the Rank-6 martial artists.

“Instructors, thank you. You just have to tick on the ballot. Sorry for troubling you.”

Fang Ping was smiling. Wu Kuishan said nothing at the sight.

Huang Jing and the others looked on resignedly. Fang Ping had really come prepared.

There were three Grandmasters currently working in MCMAU. Two of them were on campus.

Six Peak Rank-6 martial artists. Six were on campus while the remaining one was watching over the Catacombs.

22 Rank-6 martial artists under Peak level. 14 of them were present.

Add in Fang Ping, and there were 23 votes in total.

Fang Ping and Lu Fengrou combined took up two of them. They only needed to get 10 more votes for the restrictions to be lifted.

Everyone present did not hesitate before filling up the ballots and stuffing them into the box. The process ended quickly.

After that, Fang Ping opened the box and checked the ballots. He smiled, “16 votes of agreement. Vice-chancellor, do you need to check?”

“No.”

Wu Kuishan was not surprised by the result. Many were probably hoping that MCMAU would produce a new Grandmaster at these trying times.

Would Lu Fengrou go mad? Most of them thought the probability was small.

If Sky Gate City and East Sunflower City merged, they would have to face two Rank-9 martial artists.

Lu Fengrou was manic, yes, but she was not stupid. If she, a Rank-7 martial artist, went up to the two Rank-9 martial artists for revenge, she would die, no doubt about it. There was no other alternative to her ending.

“The restriction will be lifted.”

Wu Kuishan said with finality. He suddenly turned his gaze toward Fang Ping. “On the second floor of the Combat Technique Library, there is some secret information MCMAU has acquired. These include a map marking the distribution of energy resources in the Catacombs. Fang Ping, as the president of the Martial Arts Society, you are allowed to read them, but do not leak the information to anyone else!

“You have to consider the consequences if you do otherwise. Can you stand against the might of three high-ranked martial artists?

“And, although the locations are marked, do not go there. If you go, you’ll end up dead!

“The mines are all guarded by higher-ranked creatures. Even a Peak Rank-6 martial artist will end up dead in there. Some of them didn’t care. They went, and then they died. Fang Ping, do you understand what I’m saying?”

Fang Ping knew what he was implying instantly. He said, cowed, “Vice-chancellor, no, I won’t do that. Even if I’ve read them, I’ll definitely not leak the information. I won’t dare do anything that betrays MCMAU—not when there are three Grandmasters.”

Lu Fengrou looked on darkly. She scanned the others for a while but did not speak.

“Also, the elite class and freshman ranking list can be implemented.”

Wu Kuishan also knew about those matters. Now he finally gave a proper answer. He said, after some thought, “About the Last Place Elimination rule… I think we don’t have to wait for three months to expel them. Expel the students in the last ten places every month!”

Huang Jing interjected immediately, “Three months is a chance we give to our students. We’re not expelling them just for the sake of it. Vice-chancellor, I think three months is just right.”

“I agree, Vice-chancellor. The implementation of this Last Place Elimination rule has already gone against the initial motive behind the school’s opening—to educate every student that arrives at its doorsteps! It’s too merciless if we don’t even give them a chance!”

“I think that we should expel them immediately. There are several hundred more freshmen this year compared to last year. Even if we’ve taken some resources from CCMAU, we still don’t have enough. Expelling some won’t affect the overall scheme too much.”

“…”

The instructors and deans all spoke up one by one.

Fang Ping did not interrupt but observed the scene carefully.

The situation was complicated right now in the school.

Although Wu Kuishan was a golden-body Rank-8 martial artist, he seemed to lack the authority the old Vice-chancellor held, from what Fang Ping had seen. Many of the staff supported Huang Jing.

Fang Ping watched the screen intently, as if the conversations around him were not any of his business.

After a while, Fang Ping suddenly picked up a microphone and shouted, “Students, listen up! Attack Tang Wen, Gu Longfei, and Luo Sheng. If the three of them are defeated, everyone who had a hand in bringing them down will be awarded 1 to 10 credits.

“The three of you, if you’re still standing after half an hour, you will be awarded 100 credits each!

“Those who have performed excellently, you can pick your mentor from our Rank-6 instructors! This applies to aspiring martial artists as well!

“Start, now!”

The Building of Practical Combat Training erupted in chaos after the announcement.

Tang Feng’s face was contorted with fury. He could not bother arguing with the two Vice-chancellors. He gritted his teeth. “Fang Ping, you’ve gone overboard!”

The vice-chancellors were both here. Did Fang Ping really fancy himself the leader of the bunch?

Fang Ping laughed. “Instructor, the school assignment this year is super boring, did you not realize?

“It was not this boring last year! Also, is peace between students that good?

“It’s good that we’re establishing some opponents and erecting some goals for them.

“Think, out of the batch last year, who didn’t want to defeat me?

“Without me, Zhao Lei and the others won’t be able to advance to Rank-3 within such a short time. Instructor Tang, you can’t deny this, can you?

“I’m helping Junior Tang and the others to fight for some benefits too. Instructor Tang might not care about a measly 100 credits, but you can’t deny that getting a reward feels better when you’ve earned it yourself. Do you want Junior Tang to rely on you to get by?”

Huang Jing spoke when he saw Tang Feng open his mouth. “We’ll go along with Fang Ping’s idea.”

Wu Kuishan did not call it off, so it was obvious that he too supported the activity.

Fang Ping made a face at Tang Feng gleefully. Tang Feng did not hesitate before clapping Fang Ping’s shoulder forcefully and saying with a fake smile, “Nice speech, but next time, I suggest that you discuss with the school before making a decision!

“Fang Ping, the ire of a Peak Rank-6 martial artist can be quite terrifying too, you know!”

Fang Ping’s expression betrayed his helplessness. He turned a pleading gaze toward Lu Fengrou and Li Changsheng, but both of them paid him no heed.

Luo Yichuan, the newly-minted Dean of the School of Tactics and Strategy, said with a laugh, “What Tang Feng said has its merits. Fang Ping, you have to discuss it with us next time…”

This kid. Did he not know that Luo Sheng was Luo Yichuan’s son?

In the past, MCMAU instructors preferred to send their kids to other schools.

Now that the situation had worsened, they might as well keep them here.

Fang Ping did not pay much attention to all of that. He had only known about Tang Wen after Zhao Lei, who was her acquaintance, had told him about her identity.

As for Luo Sheng, Fu Changding did not care about that, and had never met Luo Sheng before.

…

On the highest floor, Fang Ping felt like his body was crumbling after Tang Feng had slapped him on the shoulder.

On the lower floors, Tang Wen and the other two were being chased until they were at their wits’ end.

…

Fang Ping stopped sticking his hands into the school and mentor assignment at the later stages.

The first day was only him using his authority for fun; he did not have the time to devote himself to those tasks later on.

After the school assignment ended, Fang Ping delegated the task to the Martial Arts Society members and started his own cultivation.

One could only cultivate if he had money.

Fang Ping, on his part, had a fair amount of unclaimed resources.

The logistics department.

The distribution of spoils after the previous Catacombs war was finished. Fang Ping had killed many martial artists during the defense of the city. Some of his kills were Rank-4.

A few powerhouses in Hope City were in charge of calculating the distribution.

Fang Ping received 800 credits from the battle.

Old Man Li had returned to the logistics department. He did not pay much attention to the School of Weaponry’s affairs.

Fang Ping did not know what was going on in the old man’s mind. Maybe he wanted some peace and quiet; the current logistics department provided exactly that.

It was the old man that had helped Fang Ping through his redeeming of his 800 credits.

After redeeming the credits, Old Man Li thought for a while and decided to explain, “Actually, you should earn more than this, but there were a lot of casualties within the army, and the army has to send pensions to their families. That’s why we gave you less.”

Fang Ping nodded. “I can understand. It’s fine. I’m already happy that I have earned something.”

Old Man Li chuckled. “You still have a heroic heart in you, kid. Now that you have so many credits, do you want to redeem something?”

After redeeming 800 credits, Fang Ping had 3800 credits in total.

Fang Ping was in no rush. He said with a laugh, “I’m not in a hurry. There are still a lot of credits that I haven’t redeemed yet. I can redeem 500 credits from the Martial Arts Society. In addition, it has been 3 months since the credit loaning platform was opened. After the war losses are deducted, the platform should have already generated an interest of about 3000 credits in the course of these three months. I can receive a dividend of 300 credits.

“One season has passed. Instructor, I want to redeem those too.

“In total, I can redeem 800 credits.”

Old Man Li eyed him. This kid was truly wealthy in credits!

4600 credits!

No one in MCMAU, aside from some instructors, would find it easy to accumulate this amount of credits.

Fang Ping had been awarded 1000 credits after breaking through to Rank-4 and 2000 credits after he reported the information he had on East Sunflower City to the higher-ups. Those, plus the benefits he was eligible to receive as the president of the Martial Arts Society…

Few could match the speed by which the kid earned money.

Even the martial artists who went down to the Catacombs regularly earned less than him.

The school did not deny Fang Ping of the rights to redeem the credits belonging to the Martial Arts Society. They were stored in the logistics department as well.

Soon, the 500 credits were transferred to Fang Ping.

Old Man Li could access information on the Distance platform too. He asked, after some thought, “The interest generated by the platform comes from the students, and will be used on them. Fang Ping, have you thought of giving up your share of the interest?”

Fang Ping said, abashed, “Instructor, we need funds to support the operation of the platform too…”

Old Man Li sneered. He stopped trying to convince him, though. It was up to the individual whether he wanted to do that. Fang Ping wanted his share, and the school agreed to that. It would not renege on the promise it had made.

Old Man Li transferred 300 more credits to Fang Ping. They were the last of his earnings this season.

Fang Ping had earned 1600 credits this trip, which increased his Wealth by 32 million points.

Fang Ping glanced absently at his new stats. He was trying to acclimate himself to his newfound strength the past few days, and so he did not cultivate much, which also meant that his Wealth was not depleted by much.

His Wealth increased with lightning speed.

Wealth: 58 million

Vitality: 2000cal (2000cal)

Mentality: 699Hz (699Hz)

Bones honed: 177 bones (100%), 29 bones (30%+)

“I still have 4600 credits. This is the biggest amount of credits I’ve ever accumulated.

“I should redeem some stuff so that I can earn more Wealth points. I still haven’t honed my cranial bones yet, and I should really start on honing my heart soon.”

Fang Ping said to himself. If he redeemed pills with his 4600 credits and sold them, Old Man Li would probably pulverize him.

After some thought, Fang Ping whispered, “Instructor, the freshies are new to school. Some of them don’t have enough credits. They have to pay 30 thousand yuan to redeem one credit from the school. As their senior, I’ll show some concern to my juniors. I’ll give them a discount: 29 thousand yuan for a credit. How’s this sound to you?”

Old Man Li wrinkled his brow. “You’re not gonna use them yourself?”

“Not now. I’ll redeem some with cash when I need them.

“Instructor, this is me giving some benefits to my juniors. I won’t disrupt the market by doing this, too. Is there any problem in your opinion?

“The school doesn’t let students redeem credits just for the money, right?

“I can give them a cheaper price. These credits, I risked my life to earn. Now I can’t spend them all…”

“You risked your life?”

Old Man Li sized him up. Well, he really had risked his life, if one thought about it. Old Man Li knew all about Fang Ping being pursued by a Rank-6 martial artist.

It was just that the vibe that Fang Ping gave did not feel like one of a person that had risked his life.

Of course, that was the opinion of a person who knew Fang Ping well.

Fang Ping commanded respect from the freshmen.

After a while’s thought, Old Man Li said, “I can allow this, but the school doesn’t want students to exchange money for credits. They encourage students to do missions and earn credits themselves.

“It isn’t compulsory for freshmen to earn credits themselves, though. If you want to help your juniors, then give them a lower price! You can just take 24 or 25 thousand for one credit…”

Fang Ping’s face turned dark. ‘Do you think that I’m a philanthropist?

‘When I spend credits to buy something, I spend 30 thousand as an equivalent to one credit.

‘If not for Wealth points, I won’t be so stupid to sell credits for a cheaper price.’

One credit only added 20 thousand points to Fang Ping’s Wealth.

4600 credits were 92 million points.

He could really earn a big pot of dough if he sold them now.

“Instructor, I’m kind of really short on funds now. I need funds to expand my company, operate my platform, for my own cultivation, and to procure new equipment.

“I also want to go down to the Catacombs a couple days later.

“I have to spend money too at that time. I also have a sister to provide for, she’s starting to practice the martial arts now as well…”

Old Man Li smirked. He waved his hand. “Whatever. If you can sell it, then do it. Also, you want to go down to the Catacombs? Since when are you so proactive?”

“I’m under huge stress. I have no other alternative.”

Fang Ping sighed. “Wang Jinyang and the others are all at Peak Rank-4, while I’m only at middle-stage. I’m the Martial Arts Society’s president. I can’t embarrass myself, can I?

“Also, Qin Fengqing’s just called me. He says he found a good spot at the borders. I can make a good haul there.

“I’ll wait and see. When he’s back, I’ll give him a call. If there really are tons of profits waiting for me, I’ll go there for a look.”

“Qin Fengqing told you that?”

“Mm.”

“There are rich pickings and he doesn’t want them? He gave them to you instead?”

“He said it’s too much for one person…” Fang Ping whispered. “Qin Fengqing runs fast, but I’m faster. Instructor, rest assured that he’ll be dead before I am.”

Old Man Li did not know what to say. ‘I’m not talking about that!’

After some thought, Old Man Li asked, “The Nanjiang Catacomb is going to open within these few months. Will you go there when that happens?”

“Yes. It’s practically in front of my house. I’ll worry if I don’t go.”

“Take a few more trips to the Catacombs, then. Gain some experience. It’s good, in retrospect. Don’t lose your way this time.”

“I won’t!”

Fang Ping looked proud. ‘Now that I’ve mastered my Mentality, I can sense the distribution of energy particles perfectly. I won’t get lost again!’

“Don’t go too deep into the Magic City Catacombs. Qin Fengqing’s very audacious. Don’t learn from him.

“Right…”

Old Man Li continued after a moment’s thought, “The Department of Education will send someone here two days later. He’s said to be a linguistics expert. He’ll teach you guys some simple phrases in the Catacombs language. Go listen to the lecture and learn something.”

It was fine before Old Man Li brought the topic up. Now that he had, Fang Ping felt his blood boil.

“Nayagukali¹!” Fang Ping smiled sinisterly, gnashing his teeth. “Instructor, this phrase is really powerful!”

Old Man Li paid him no heed. He shooed the young man away, yawning all the while. “Okay, if there’s nothing else, don’t come here. I’m busy. Go be busy yourself. Don’t come and disturb my peace here everyday.”

“Wow, you really are busy!”

Fang Ping muttered. He did not stay for long; he went to sell his credits. After selling them, he would cultivate his Combat Techniques and learn the Catacombs language. There was much to do.