Chapter 331: The Road to Defending Champion

　　Southern Area, next to the beach.

　　Two hours had passed!

　　Fang Ping had completed the honing of his 6 ossicles.

　　At this moment, Fang Ping seemed to have undergone some minor changes.

　　His ears seemed to be clearer and some blood vessels in the auricle were clearly visible.

　　The sound of the blood pumping inside could even be heard if he listened closely.

　　Wealth: 956 million

　　Vitality: 2300 cal (2700 cal+)

　　Mentality: 672 Hz (699 Hz)

　　Bone honing: 177 pieces (100%), 6 pieces (90%), 23 pieces (30%+)

　　Storage space: 1 cubic meter

　　Energy barrier: 10,000 wealth value/minute

　　“My Vitality limit has increased by 300 Cal!”

　　Fang Ping’s eyes lit up—this increase was too great!

　　“This was after honing only the ossicles, if the same were to be done to the other bones…”

　　Even though Fang Ping was thinking of this, he dared not continue.

　　When the honing of the six ossicles had been completed, Fang Ping had felt a trace of danger. If he were to continue, it would likely cause some unexpected conditions in the brain.

　　“Then I should continue increasing my Vitality limit. I want to see how much it can be increased!”

　　Wasting no time, Fang Ping continued to sit cross-legged and began to increase his Vitality limit.

　　…

　　After another half an hour.

　　The data changed again:

　　Fortune: 950.31 million

　　Vitality: 2300 cal (2999 cal)

　　Mentality: 672 Hz (699 Hz)

　　Bone honing: 177 pieces (100%), 6 pieces (90%), 23 pieces (30% +)

　　Storage space: 1 cubic meter

　　Energy barrier: 10,000 Wealth / minute

　　Fang Ping did not hesitate too much. The 10,000 fractions looked annoying. Soon, he added 10 Hz to his Mentality.

　　Standing up, Fang Ping took a step forward and the boulder which he had just sat on was instantly cracked!

　　“I’m gonna have to control this…

　　“It will take two days to get used to it, but the result is much better than last time. The last time was mainly because my Mentality surged, which caused me some problems. This time, the surge in my Vitality was followed by the increase in my physique, so it won’t be too problematic.

　　“Reaching nearly 3,000 cal of Vitality together with a Mentality of 700 Hz means that my physique is the strongest there is and no one in the whole of Rank-4 can defeat me.

　　“Vitality, Mentality, physique, bones … I have reached the limit.

　　“Even some Rank-5 martial artists are not as good as me.

　　“If there is progress in terms of battle strategy, which Rank-4 would be able to beat me?

　　“A young prodigy?

　　“I, Fang Ping, am now the strongest prodigy!”

　　“My main cultivation will be Royal Decapitation, and Maha Punch on the side. Also, I need to continue cultivating my Flight Step.”

　　Fang Ping had set a plan for himself. Royal Decapitation used together with the Chaos-vanquishing Saber could bring out his latent strength.

　　However, the saber could not be used rashly. If he was fighting an ordinary martial artist, he would beat him without the saber leaving its sheath.

　　If he was fighting some young prodigies, if he was not under pressure, the saber should not need to leave its sheath either.

　　If he encountered an unbeatable opponent, only then would he use the saber to beat him to tears.

　　Rubbing his ears felt really loud. Fang Ping hoped to adapt as soon as possible—he did not want to start hearing sounds that should not be heard.

　　…

　　On November 14th, the Rank-1 martial arts competition confirmed its top three.

　　Tang Wen was among them and was also the only martial artist from MCMAU to enter the top three.

　　Gu Longfei stopped at the eighth position and Zhou Yaozu was halted at the sixth position.

　　Only Tang Wen, fighting more and more ferociously every match, managed to break into the top three.

　　Fang Ping did not show up, but he conveyed a message through the Martial Arts Society. If the MCMAU martial artists could not enter the Rank-1 top three, there would be consequences to bear.

　　Even without mentioning what the consequences were, this message alone was enough to put tremendous pressure on everyone.

　　Gu Longfei and Zhou Yaozu were defeated one after another. Only Tang Wen was left. The whole school was watching her. At this time, Tang Wen knew that if she lost, there would be hell to pay.

　　Her dad had also told her that she could not lose!

　　If she was defeated, not only would she be in trouble, but the whole school’s Rank-1 martial artists would be in trouble too.

　　In fact, it might not only be the Rank-1 martial artists. Now that Fang Ping was trying his best to build up momentum for MCMAU, he would not accept defeat. Not only this Rank-1 martial arts competition, but future championships as well. Fang Ping would always strive to be undefeated.

　　Fang Ping himself had been working hard in his closed-door training recently to prepare for the championship. It was obvious that he was feeling some pressure.

　　If Tang Wen was defeated, Fang Ping might not necessarily be affected, but the pressure on MCMAU would be even greater.

　　Ever since the old chancellor died in battle, MCMAU showed no signs of declining, but instead had become stronger and stronger. All of this was related to Fang Ping’s initiatives.

　　He was trying hard to create an illusion that not only was the MCMAU’s strength increasing, but the death of the old chancellor in battle did not affect them in the slightest.

　　MCMAU had gained more resources than ever, and the students’ strength was increasing day by day.

　　At this time, a failure would be a major blow. Then, the consequences of the deaths of the old chancellor and the numerous instructors would be shown in broad daylight. With pressure and motivation, Tang Wen fought more and more bravely, and gradually carved her own reputation as a little lion.

　　…

　　On November 15th, Nanjiang University fought for the second time. This time, its opponent was Beihe University of Science and Technology.

　　Beihe University of Science and Technology was just a comprehensive university, which had both social and martial sciences. The university had less than 1,000 students in martial science.

　　The strongest of them had just entered Upper-stage Rank-3.

　　Facing such an opponent, Nanjiang University cold-heartedly dispatched their reserve team consisting of four middle-stage Rank-3 martial artists and one official team member to hold their ground.

　　Even so, the battle was easily won without much difficulty.

　　At the same time, other universities had gradually revealed their strength.

　　Donglin Martial Arts University had won both of the battles they took part in, without even the main team appearing. Most likely, they also had weak opponents.

　　Beijiang Martial Arts University also secured two wins from the two battles they took part in. From the beginning till the end, only one player went to battle, a Peak Rank-3. Both times he took down all of the opponents by himself.

　　Xishan Martial Arts University also won both their battles with their reserve team, without even one player from the main team.

　　Magic City Women’s University only recruited girls. This time, they went from being unknown to suddenly displaying a powerful strength with three major Rank-4 female martial artists appearing from nowhere. They did not hide their strength and instantly overwhelmed their opponents.

　　Tiannan Martial Arts University had risen from the ashes. The previous president of the Martial Arts Society had died in battle, but his successor had broken through middle-stage Rank-4 and had defeated two Rank-4 powerhouses from Northwest Martial Arts University.

　　Each university showing its strength had gradually attracted the attention of countless people.

　　Although this was an ordinary competition between the universities and was held internally and not opened to the public, media reporters were not forbidden to watch.

　　The top seven places were gradually filled.

　　Nanjiang University, Beijiang University, Donglin University… These universities were all expected to be among the top seven positions.

　　…

　　At the same time.

　　Chungchou.

　　Li Hansong and Yao Chengjun did not meet each other. Yao Chengjun challenged Zhao Chuanwu and won, becoming the ninth strongest amongst the Rank-4.

　　Li Hansong challenged 11th position’s head of Clear Water Monastery and won.

　　After the two had finished their respective challenges, they left by themselves and did not fight in Chungchou as everyone had expected.

　　Li Hansong continued south, bypassing Nanjiang, and entered Xishan Province, preparing to challenge the Monk Puguang of Guangsheng Temple.

　　Yao Chengjun continued north, entering Beijiang to challenge the Beijiang powerhouses.

　　Some of the previous videos of these two Rank-4 powerhouses fighting had been released. After some of the hotshots of the martial arts world had watched them, many of the older people sighed. Time was merciless: the new generation had beaten the old.

　　In the eyes of many older martial artists, it would not be difficult for these two Rank-4s to beat other Rank-5s.

　　Li Hansong was 22 years old, and so was Yao Chengjun.

　　Wang Jinyang of Nanjiang University, who was avoided by the two, was only 20 years old!

　　MCMAU’s Fang Ping, although he had not appeared recently, was only 19 years old!

　　For a while, not only the ordinary people but also some martial arts powerhouses were focused on the competitions.

　　This was no longer fun and games like the Rank-1s last year. No matter how strong a Rank-1 martial artist was, there were still limitations.

　　The young powerhouses who had stepped into Peak Rank-4 were not weaker than the average Rank-5 powerhouses who were considered overlords in their respective areas.

　　For some weak provinces, the governors were only Rank-5 or Rank-6.

　　Compared to this new generation of powerhouses, the older generation was getting a little sloppy.

　　…

　　“As the second National Championship starts, there are as many powerhouses as there are clouds. May the young prodigies collide!”

　　“Li Hansong of CCMAU and Yao Chengjun of the First Military School, are invincible from north to south!”

　　“Where is Nanjiang University’s Wang Jinyang, who is the youngest student in the Top 100 list now?”

　　“Who will carry the torch for MCMAU?”

　　“Where is the champion from the last championship today? MCMAU is weak, and there is no one in Rank-4 who can carry their name!”

　　“According to insider information, Fang Ping may be leading the MCMAU team. Let’s wait and see if Fang Ping, who had only just entered Rank-4, can turn around the situation!”

　　“There is no one else in MCMAU? In January, Fang Ping led the team of Rank-1s. Now, MCMAU puts their hopes on Fang Ping to turn around the situation. The battle to defend the title will be very difficult!”

　　…

　　Outside, all major media have begun scrambling for reports.

　　What attracted the most attention was not CCMAU or the First Military School, but MCMAU.

　　They had only been the champion team for the previous championship which was less than a year ago. Fang Ping, the leader of the previous Rank-1 team, was leading the team again. Was there really any hope?

　　Even if Fang Ping was the first among the Rank-3 and had entered Rank-4, the time was still too short!

　　In August, Fang Ping was still a Rank-3 martial artist.

　　Only in September did his name disappear from the Rank-3 list.

　　This meant that from the time Fang Ping broke through to Rank-4 till now, it was only about 3 months.

　　Was it reasonable to count on Fang Ping to pull off a miracle?

　　Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong had entered the top ten rankings of the Rank-4. The day before yesterday, Liu Shijie of Sino Nation Martial Arts University, had beaten the 87th position’s Rank-4 powerhouse and entered the top 100.

　　Wang Jinyang had never participated but was also on the top 100 list.

　　These past few days, the powerhouses of the Eight School Alliance, including some from the other Big Two military schools, had also appeared and started to challenge the Top 100.

　　Only MCMAU’s students were absent from the top 100 list.

　　As one of the Big Two Universities who was the defending champion, at this moment they were under a lot of pressure.

　　…

　　November 18th.

　　MCMAU’s Chen Wenlong stepped out of the Military Department and challenged an instructor from South Sino University of Science and Technology. He was a powerhouse who was placed 68th in the Rank-4 ranking list, but was defeated from only three punches!

　　At this moment, the voices of doubt toward MCMAU gradually extinguished.

　　MCMAU also had strong powerhouses!

　　Chen Wenlong had stepped out and entered the top 100. For a time, Chen Wenlong’s reputation quickly overtook Fang Ping and he became the person who would carry the torch for MCMAU.

　　…

　　November 19th.

　　Nanjiang University encountered a strong opponent in Nanhu University.

　　The president from Nanhu University, stepping into Middle-stage Rank-4, was also a young prodigy that was rarely seen in any ordinary universities.

　　Wang Jinyang appeared for the first time and dispatched his opponent in one slash, shocking everyone!

　　…

　　On November 20th, Yao Chengjun defeated Gu Chengdong, deputy director of the Capital City Department of Investigation Services, who was a super powerhouse ranking third in the Rank-4!

　　He was also the only Rank-4 deputy director in Capital City!

　　Capital City Department of Investigation Services was powerful with its director who was a Grandmaster!

　　There were also Rank-5 and Rank-6 deputies.

　　Among the 7 deputy directors, Gu Chengdong was the only one who was Rank-4. As he was 3rd in the Rank-4 rankings, even if some of the Rank-5 deputy directors wanted to fight, they might not necessarily be up to his level.

　　However, up against Yao Chengjun, Gu Chengdong was still defeated.

　　Yao Chengjun moved up in the rankings to become 3rd in the Rank-4, creating another storm!

　　At this moment, Li Hansong ranked 7th after defeating Monk Puguang of Guangsheng Temple.

　　One was ranked 3rd, the other 7th. Finally, the two chose to not continue with the challenges.

　　This was because the powerhouse ranked 1st was not present on the ground.

　　Ranked 2nd was an instructor from CCMAU.

　　Li Hansong was unwilling to put up a challenge. Yao Chengjun did not want to go to CCMAU now, so he chose to give up.

　　Nevertheless, because of their winning streak, their reputation had reached the extreme!

　　The outside world speculated that the strength of the two would not be weaker than that of the martial artist of the Military Department in the first rank.

　　Some older martial artists were of the opinion that both of them were better than the average Middle-stage Rank-5 martial artists. However, it was still difficult to determine who would win if they were up against Upper-stage Rank-5s.

　　Even so, for students who were still in school to be this strong was already beyond the expectations of many people.

　　The battle for the Number 1 University had probably fallen on CCMAU and the First Military School.

　　As for MCMAU, although Chen Wenlong was strong, he was ranked more than sixty at this moment, which was not even as good as the previous rankings of Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong before their challenges.

　　…

　　MCMAU.

　　As Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong returned to their respective schools respectively. Fang Ping was holding an award ceremony for the Rank-1 martial arts competition.

　　“Congratulations, be persistent, and I hope to see you next year at the Rank-2 martial arts competition!”

　　Fang Ping gave the man pills, weapons, and fighting techniques books, offering his congratulatory words. The martial artist who had won first place was not Tang Wen, but a casual martial artist. He was a coach at a martial arts dojo and was not young anymore, about forty years old.

　　Although he was not young, when he saw Fang Ping face to face, the middle-aged martial artist was still a little excited and nervous.

　　“President Fang, rest assured that I will be here again next year!”

　　Fang Ping smiled, nodded slightly, and looked at Tang Wen next to him. This time, Tang Wen had lost and only managed to get second place.

　　Truthfully, this result was very good, but Tang Wen was still frustrated.

　　These days, the outside world was talking about MCMAU very enthusiastically. The battle to defend the title was difficult and full of obstacles.

　　Chen Wenlong was at the forefront, but instead of reversing the situation, it had led many people to believe that they had seen all there was to see of MCMAU. At this moment, even the people within MCMAU were a little frustrated.

　　Yao Chengjun and Li Hansong were just too strong. Looking at MCMAU, Fang Ping had only made a few appearances recently.

　　After all, Fang Ping had only just broken through. Chen Wenlong was currently MCMAU’s strongest powerhouse, but he was only ranked 60 or so, which dispirited the students at MCMAU.

　　Tang Wen really wanted to win, to give everybody a boost in confidence.

　　Alas, with the defeat in the finals, she only managed to get the second position, which made Tang Wen feel very miserable. First and second place were two different worlds.

　　“President …”

　　Tang Wen hung her head and was afraid to look at Fang Ping.

　　Fang Ping said flatly, “If you lost, then you just have to win next time. If you can’t win at Rank-1, then win at Rank-2. If MCMAU can shoulder the loss, you must too. If you are not as good as the others, you must continue to work hard!”

　　“I understand.” Tang Wen bowed her head and answered softly.

　　Fang Ping dismissed her and continued to give a prize to the third position.

　　After awarding the prizes, Fang Ping returned to the center of the stage and said loudly, “The National Rank-1 Martial Arts Competition is now officially over! The top 100 Rank-1 has also been officially decided!

　　“I hope that everybody will continue to make persistent efforts to climb up toward the pinnacle of martial arts!

　　“MCMAU failed to win the number one position this time. Although there are some regrets, there will always be someone better than us. As long as you do not give up, nothing is impossible!

　　“The National Martial Arts Championship has officially started, and MCMAU will also start the battle to defend its title!

　　“The champion should only belong to MCMAU!

　　“I believe that you will all see this happen!

　　“MCMAU must win!”

　　“MCMAU must win!”

　　On and off the stage, the students of MCMAU roared loudly.

　　Fang Ping, who they had not heard from for many days, had finally spoken out.

　　These days, everybody felt miserable, anxious, worried…

　　At this moment, everyone released their mixed emotions.

　　Before it had even happened, who said that MCMAU would lose!

　　Fang Ping did not say much, stepped off the stage quickly and left the gym.

　　The winner would be the one who had the last laugh!

　　Li Hansong and all those people who had shown off their maximum power, who had accumulated their momentum to the peak, would only be playing second fiddle to Fang Ping then!