Chapter 405: Half A Golden Body Cultivation

　　The Celestiality Cultivation Room was also at the same location as the Energy Cultivation Room.

　　In fact, the difference between both of them was not too great. It was only a remodeling of a few existing cultivation rooms.

　　Celestiality was more potent than typical energy. The surrounding walls were slightly more reinforced.

　　When Fang Ping arrived, many Rank-6 martial artists were waiting.

　　The deans included!

　　When they saw Fang Ping, the School of Social Sciences Dean Chen Zhenghua asked hurriedly, “Fang Ping, can you really supply Celestiality? Didn’t you say earlier…”

　　Fang Ping said sternly, “Dean Chen, will a man say that he can’t?”

　　Chen Zhenghua was put in a daze at that, then, he almost wished that he could slap him to death!

　　‘I’m talking serious business!’

　　Fang Ping did not continue the subject. What did a bunch of old men know?

　　“Dean Chen, will a Peak Rank-6 like you consume a lot of Celestiality?”

　　Chen Zhenghua pondered, and said, “Actually, the main reason we consume Celestiality is to experience Celestiality’s composition, to elicit changes in us so we can attain Mentality-Vitality fusion.

　　“In terms of consumption, it’s not much at all, really. But, no matter how tightly sealed the cultivation room is, there will still be energy consumption.

　　“Actually, as long as we’re inside, there will be consumption. If it is supplied for me alone, in a day, I need to consume about 10C, at least.”

　　Beside him, Song Yingji continued, “Martial artists like us who have not achieved Peak Rank-6 will consume even more, actually.”

　　“Hmm?”

　　Fang Ping was slightly surprised. Song Yingji explained. “Actually, we’re all attempting to employ Celestiality to seal off the Sanjiao Gate. And if the Sanjiao Gate isn’t sealed off, energy will be consumed even quicker…”

　　As Song Yingji said that, he added, “Of course, as our body toughness isn’t comparable to a Peak Rank-6. After integration, we’ll stay for a slightly shorter time. But, we need to consume about 10C too.”

　　“This also means that in a day, everyone will consume 10C. Our university has about 30 Rank-6s, it’ll be 300C a day…”

　　Before Fang Ping could finish his sentence, Chen Zhenghua cut him off, saying, “That’s not the case. We can’t just stay inside the whole time. If we stay for too long, there won’t be any effects, actually. Moreover, our bodies won’t be able to tolerate it. Under normal circumstances, once every 5 days is sufficient, really.

　　“In a month, we only need to come five to six times.”

　　“That means that one person needs to consume about 50C…”

　　As Fang Ping said that, he mulled it over for a moment, saying, “I can only supply around 500C, which also means that I can help only 10 people cultivate…”

　　Chen Zhenghua didn’t wait for him to finish and said, “That’s plenty! Do you really think we can take this as daily cultivation? We’ll take turns and come twice a month so we can all cultivate… Fang Ping, can you really do it?”

　　500C Celestiality might not sound like much.

　　However, when 500C Celestiality was unleashed, it would be comparable to a Peak Rank-8 powerhouse unleashing at full-force, putting everything behind him to launch a strike.

　　That day, Old Man Li’s slashing a Rank-8 with a sword move actually carried about the same intensity as unleashing 500C Celestiality, perhaps slightly higher.

　　When converting into Vitality Force outburst, that would be unleashing about 250 thousand cal to 300 thousand cal outburst.

　　Actually, it was impossible for a Rank-6 powerhouse to unleash such a mighty force.

　　A normal Peak Rank-6 powerhouse had a Vitality upper limit of ten thousand cal.

　　The force that Old Man Li unleashed had exceeded the limit over ten times!

　　Perhaps even more than that. Rank-6s could not achieve the perfect outburst of Vitality Force.

　　In Old Man Li’s case, he had nurtured his sword for many years. He managed to unleash the outburst with the consequence where the Longevity Sword and his half-golden body were shattered.

　　This form of intense outburst was something that he could not endure. Hence, shattering himself completely.

　　If this big move was not aimed at a person but a city, then the force of Old Man Li’s sword that day was enough to flatten a small area the size of a few hundred mu, wiping it off the map completely.

　　Naturally, it was no comparison to those high-yield nuclear weapon’s destructive force.

　　However, if he could achieve a sustained outburst, even for a short moment, he could flatten a city entirely.

　　Of course, the Old Man Li now could not do it. Even Wu Kuishan could not. A Rank-9 powerhouse could, though.

　　Hence, the existence of a Rank-9 was also extremely frightening.

　　If this level of powerhouse battled in the sky of a city, Mentality pressure aside, the residual wave from the battle would be enough to destroy the entire city.

　　As for a Rank-9 paragon who was even more powerful, Fang Ping was unable to judge whether the other party was strong or weak.

　　However, Fang Ping speculated that these paragon powerhouses could destroy an entire city easily. If a battle between multiple Rank-9 paragons broke out, even a major province might turn into a lake.

　　While Chen Zhenghua was in shock, Fang Ping was thinking about these things.

　　Whilst thinking, Fang Ping’s expression changed slightly. Lake…

　　The Forbidden Sea?

　　It’s impossible!

　　The Forbidden Sea was boundless!

　　Perhaps it was really created by humans?

　　If that was really the case, then it would be really terrifying!

　　Could a Rank-9 paragon do it?

　　Perhaps they could. After all, he did not know how powerful a Rank-9 paragon was. Even if they could, the massive Forbidden Sea existed in every Catacomb. This might not be something that only one or two Rank-9 paragons could do. Tens of them? Or hundreds of them?

　　Fang Ping dared not think further. After blowing out a mouthful of air, he said very quickly, “Once the free hours are used up, you will all need to pay 500 credits to cultivate each day!”

　　Everyone’s face changed slightly. However, none of them said anything.

　　500 credits were not considered low by any means. Perhaps, in other words, it was extremely expensive.

　　However, at Rank-6, everyone was actually working hard toward the Grandmaster level. If it was twice a month, 1000 credits… Whether this was really worth it or not would depend on whether they gained anything or not.

　　None of them uttered a word. Fang Ping felt that he was not asking for much.

　　10C consumption would cost 11 million in Wealth. He was only profiting slightly by collecting 500 credits. This did not even go into his own pocket. He was mainly concerned that the university would have to bear too much cost. Actually, these Rank-6s had plenty of gains whenever they entered the Catacombs.

　　The matter had thus been decided.

　　Fang Ping made no delays. He could not condense 500C Celestiality all at once either.

　　Besides, if he condensed too much at a time, it would disperse easily too, causing unnecessary waste.

　　Fang Ping condensed about 5C each time, channeling it into the funnel 10 times in a row. Right now, Fang Ping’s hands were already badly mangled, exposing his dazzling golden bones.

　　“We’ll do this. I’ll come here once every three days from now on.”

　　Fang Ping shook his hands. His flesh was healing at a speed that was noticeable to an onlooker.

　　Now, everyone looked on with envy. Even this kid’s recovery was beyond powerful.

　　Chen Zhenghua nodded, saying, “Once every three days is enough. If you really can’t bear it, then it’s fine even if you skip a few sessions.”

　　Fang Ping laughed. “Let’s see about that. Actually, I do wish that all of you instructors, especially Dean Chen and the rest, can gain something. If you can attain Mentality-Vitality fusion, then MCMAU will thrive for sure.

　　“Today at MCMAU, other than my instructor, Dean Li, Dean Tang, and 4 other Peak Rank-6s, if all of you became Grandmasters.

　　“Then the number of MCMAU’s Grandmasters will be 10!”

　　MCMAU’s ability was truly beyond powerful. A Peak Rank-6 also meant that one had sealed off the Sanjiao Gate.

　　This was not something everyone could achieve. Take NMAU for example, only two of them had sealed off their Sanjiao Gate. Both of them had not attained Mentality-Vitality fusion.

　　In other words, if Chen Zhenghua and the rest went to NMAU now, they could become vice-chancellors right off the bat.

　　Or perhaps, they could also become vice-chancellors of other non-professional martial arts universities.

　　These people were also a group of people whom Fang Ping thought stood the highest chance at becoming Grandmasters.

　　Chen Zhenghua and the School of Production’s dean were laughing bitterly at the same time. Grandmaster. How could it be so easy?

　　After they chatted for a moment, Fang Ping did not interrupt anyone’s cultivation. He was just about to leave when he realized Old Man Li was also striding toward the cultivation room. He could not help but ask, “Instructor Li, you’re not leaving?”

　　Old Man Li said with astonishment, “I’m cultivating!”

　　Beside them, Chen Zhenghua’s expression kept changing. He said suddenly, “Dean Li, Why don’t you just stay out. We consume 10C, but I’m afraid you’ll consume more than 30C. Can’t you condense your own Celestiality?”

　　Old Man Li’s expression sunk. I could not, alright!

　　I was still nearly expelling Mentality. Where was I supposed to condense any?

　　It was precisely because he could not, hence he came to mooch off and cultivate.

　　He was embarrassed to say all this. The Grandmasters knew that he had not achieved Rank-8, but others did not.

　　It was now inappropriate to correct his statement.

　　Old Man Li let out a dry cough, saying vaguely, “I’m afraid the Celestiality is too rich, you can’t tolerate it, hence I’m here to share your burden…”

　　Everyone stared at him. Were you not embarrassed at all for saying that?

　　Old Man Li was helpless. Forget it. I would not mooch then. I would cultivate on my own. Happy?

　　…

　　Leaving the cultivation room, Fang Ping looked all around, seeing many students walking toward the Energy Room. He said ruefully, “Full of youthful energy. The MCMAU today is getting better, unlike the time I just enrolled. I had to save up for one Normal Vitality Pill back then. Not to mention the cultivation room.”

　　“Are you bragging about your contributions?”

　　“How can I?”

　　Fang Ping chuckled. “I’m only stating the truth. Oh right, regarding the shares selling matter, how’s Deputy Vice-chancellor Huang handling it?”

　　Old Man Li frowned slightly, saying, “It’s a little difficult. The two major companies have clarified that these shares were a gift to MCMAU for free that year. If MCMAU wants to sell it, we can, but they will take all 5 billion back!”

　　Fang Ping’s expression turned cold, letting out a humph. “Dream on!”

　　Old Man Li nodded as well, and continued, “There’s no hurry. Wait for Elder Liu and Elder Wu to fully recuperate first. When the time comes, Lu Fengrou may also be close to breaking through.

　　“At that time, we’ll organize a Grandmaster banquet and also invite the two major companies.

　　“We’ll then invite a few more MCMAU alumni Grandmasters. There’s no need to make a mess. We’ll just display our ability!”

　　If Lu Fengrou broke through too, after including him, this dabbler, it would then be 5 Grandmasters.

　　Invite another seven or eight Grandmasters who graduated from MCMAU, it would be more than ten.

　　These guys all stood with MCMAU. The two major companies also needed to consider whether they would like to push on or not.

　　Right now, Huang Jing was only probing. Everyone was waiting.

　　Fang Ping did not say anything else. He did have the patience to wait for a few months.

　　Just wait then!

　　Whilst both of them were talking, Fang Ping and Old Man Li had made their way to the old section of MCMAU.

　　Some elders were chatting outside.

　　When they saw both of them, almost everyone broke out into a grin. The MCMAU today was doing better. These elders who dedicated their lives to MCMAU were also in a joyous mood. One after another, they greeted them.

　　Smiles plastered on their faces, Fang Ping chatted with the elders for a moment. Although these older generations of MCMAU members were sick and injured, some of them completely handicapped, these people were the reason MCMAU was still standing today.

　　Fang Ping had always shown his utmost respect, hiding his unscrupulous businessman behavior, toward these older generations of martial artists.

　　After chatting for some time, whilst walking toward Old Man Li’s tiny courtyard, Fang Ping asked in a quiet voice, “Instructor, some of these instructors were Rank-5 and 6 powerhouses in their day. They’re just held up by their sickness and injuries. Can Life Essence cure them?”

　　Old Man Li put on a solemn look. “It’s nice of you to have this thought, but don’t do anything reckless. It’s too dangerous! It was all luck last time. You won’t always be so lucky.

　　“If you’re a Rank-9 now, then I’ll definitely support you in acquiring more next time.

　　“But you’re not. So don’t overthink.

　　“It’s not always a bad thing that people like Old Zhou are all held up by sickness and injuries. If they’re healthy, who knew how many of them would be alive now!”

　　There were about thirty to forty martial artists from the older generation in the old section.

　　In those days before these people were injured, almost all of them were middle-ranked. Five or six of them were Rank-6s.

　　If they were cured, then MCMAU’s ability would be enhanced further.

　　Moreover, these older generations of martial artists had a profound relationship with MCMAU. They would not hesitate at dying in battle for MCMAU.

　　Actually, Fang Ping had the intention to heal them. However, after thinking about it… it was truly difficult to get his hands on Life Essence. If the gigantic willow tree did not open up the passageway that day, he would have never been able to obtain it.

　　Fang Ping’s eyes were sparkling. He whispered, “We’ll see about that. Maybe we can try disabling a few more Rank-7 and 8 Sky Gate City martial artists. At that time, Sky Gate City might open up the Fountain of Life. I’m just not sure if that enormous tree in Sky Gate City has this plaything or not…”

　　Old Man Li made no reply. Of course. They would definitely have it.

　　It was only a matter of how much.

　　Sky Gate City definitely did not have as much as Gigantic Willow City. That was for sure. Both parties had fought during the last few years. High-ranked ones getting injured was something that happened often. Sky Gate City’s consumption was high too.

　　…

　　After entering the building, Fang Ping gave a quick scan around. The house was really empty.

　　It was not dirty, though. However, there were almost no decorative items. A television was placed in the living room, an antique one at that. He had no idea how many years had it been since Old Man Li last bought a television.

　　His couch was not a leather one either. It was made of wood. Its red paint had faded.

　　Compared to Lu Fengrou’s villa, Old Man Li’s did have the style of an ascetic, though.

　　Old Man Li ignored him, making a beeline for the house. Whilst walking, he said, “My golden body cultivation method is actually just fumbling blindly, transforming my flesh and meridians into gold. That year, as my Mentality was critically injured. I had nothing to do after cultivating up to Peak Rank-6, so I have the time to think through about this…”

　　As he said that, Old Man Li took out a bunch of drafts… Yes, drafts.

　　He did not even arrange it systematically or make a cheat code.

　　He only recorded certain cultivation methods, insights, and the process. However, he was considered to have preserved it quite completely.

　　After asking Fang Ping to take a seat, Old Man Li explained, “When I cultivate, my flesh and meridians have already been reconstructed. The reconstructed meridians and flesh will be much tougher than what you have right now.

　　“In those few years… How to say this, I guess you can say that I’ve given up and stopped bothering.

　　“Sometimes, I felt it was especially unfair. Since I had free time anyway, I shook and crushed my own flesh and meridians a few more times…”

　　Fang Ping did not say anything. Old Man Li might have really given up on himself for doing that.

　　After an ordinary Rank-6 martial artist had completed the reconstruction, no one would have so much free time to shake and crush their own flesh and meridians again. That was more likely to be a sign of mental illness.

　　“After crushing it, I honed again. I didn’t place any hopes on attaining Mentality-Vitality fusion anyway. I don’t need to nurture Mentality. After a few times, can you guess what happened?”

　　Fang Ping chuckled. “What else could’ve happened? Break and establish, more and more tenacious, constructed half a golden body…”

　　Old Man Li shook his head, sighing. “How can that be possible! Do you really believe that breaking and establishing is real? After it shattered, I realized that my meridians and flesh are both really fragile. Hence, I noticed that this path is the path to my own destruction.”

　　Fang Ping’s expression froze!

　　You must be kidding me?

　　As Old Man Li spoke, he said contentedly, “Then, in order to toughen up my flesh like how it used to be, I wished to obtain something to nourish it. I went into the Catacombs, killed a lot of monsters, and consumed their flesh.

　　“You know what? After eating a lot of them, I noticed a distinguishing feature. Monsters’ flesh is much stronger than ours…”

　　Fang Ping became weak. Bullsh*t. Everyone knew this.

　　“But why are monsters stronger than us? You must know that we’re all cultivators. We’re also honing our bodies all the time. This doesn’t make sense.

　　“Then, I started thinking and thinking about it, killing a few more monsters to study them while I was at it, only then did I realize the difference.

　　“I discovered that… monsters don’t have meridians!”

　　Old Man Li’s eyes sparkled. “No, it’s not that they don’t have meridians, but their meridians have completely merged with their flesh. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

　　“Merge?”

　　“Yes. This means that their flesh has turned into meridians. Their Vitality and energy flow do not actually go through the meridians. Instead, they move by going through every cell.

　　“I was mulling it over. Will this allow the flesh to hone better?

　　“Hence, I gritted my teeth, snapping my meridians straightaway…”

　　Fang Ping’s jaw dropped. Old Man Li really did not want to live anymore. How bold of him to do something like this!

　　Old Man Li sighed once more, saying, “During that period of time after snapping my meridians, I felt I would rather be dead than alive. My ability dropped tremendously. Actually, I could still reconstruct my meridians at that time. But I didn’t. I persisted in relying on my cells to transmit my Vitality around.

　　“You will never guess what happened. One to two years went by just like that. Can you guess what happened?”

　　“You reconstructed your meridians again?”

　　Fang Ping was tricked earlier. Now, he began answering non-conventionally.

　　Old Man Li scorned. “That’s not possible. Then, I realized that my flesh and my cells have really been honed to the point that they were much stronger now. I started the procedure to turn my body golden. Much later, whatever it is, I became half a golden body without knowing what happened…”

　　“The reason why I didn’t tell you last time is that I didn’t see much use for it. For you, this will take too much time. Besides, I don’t know if this works for others either. If someone gets tormented to death because of this, then it’ll spell trouble.”

　　Old Man Li continued, “But, the chances of you ending up tormenting yourself to death aren’t high. If you really want to try it, you can try it.”

　　After hearing what he said, Fang Ping was slightly hesitant.

　　Snapping his own meridians and relying on cells to carry energy?

　　In the short run, his ability would definitely experience a steep fall.

　　Fang Ping pondered for a moment, saying, “I think it’s actually possible without snapping the meridians. Spend more Vitality and energy to conduct an in-depth honing again and again. Hone it to the point that the strength and tenacity of the cells hit the limit. Maybe this can also transform the flesh into gold?”

　　Old Man Li thought for a moment, saying, “Apparently, someone attempted this before. However, the effect wasn’t so good. Mainly because honing takes up too much time. Vitality Force mainly gathers in the meridians. If we wish to hone our flesh, the difficulty will be even higher.

　　“If you wish to hone to a limit, then the Vitality Force consumption will be beyond terrifying.

　　“Because I don’t have meridians, my Vitality scattered, moving through my flesh straightaway, it was only then that I could perform a thorough honing…”

　　“We’re not the same. Don’t compare me with others.”

　　Confidence was written all over Fang Ping’s face. He did not waste any time, picking up the drafts and said, “I’ll go back and take a look and try it out. If I succeed, a Rank-5 like me will have an even stronger flesh than a Rank-6. When the time comes, I can hack a Rank-6 all I want.”

　　“Do whatever you want, just don’t delay your own cultivation.”

　　As he said that, Old Man Li simply showed him the cultivation methods and process. Whether Fang Ping would adopt them was up to him.

　　The martial arts cultivation sequence was generally similar. As for how to cultivate it precisely, every martial artist had their own ways to do it.

　　Take Combat Techniques for example. Many people had invented numerous Combat Techniques today. It was because they were bold and imaginative in their ideas, hoping to find Combat Techniques that were most fitting for them, only then did new Combat Techniques appear.

　　…

　　Fang Ping walked out of the courtyard. The sky had turned dark.

　　Just as he had walked out from the courtyard and was prepared to return to his dormitory, he suddenly sensed plenty of intense energy waves!

　　Fang Ping turned his head to take a look, noticing a few intense energy sources flashing across Magic City’s sky, disappearing into the distance very quickly.

　　“Rank-8 or 9?”

　　Fang Ping frowned slightly. Was this the powerhouse who was keeping watch of Magic City?

　　They were leaving in a hurry now. Perhaps something had happened somewhere?