Chapter 272: Hurt Self-Esteem

　　“Bang!”

　　With one kick, Ling Yiyi was sent flying. Seeing that blood was dripping from her mouth, yet she was still trying to attack him, Fang Ping yelled, “Enough!”

　　Ling Yiyi still looked unsatisfied and unwilling!

　　However, her body was weaker than Fang Ping. If she had forced herself to continue fighting, she would not be able to defeat Fang Ping.

　　The seven consecutive slashes he had landed on her before had injured her greatly, her internal organs were hurt too. At this point, she was holding onto her last ounce of strength.

　　Yet she was unwilling to give in!

　　What a bullying bastard!

　　Since the first time they met, he had continuously made fun of her for having small breasts and a small physique. He even wanted to fight her…and now, he had landed a dozen punches on her chest too.

　　Ling Yiyi felt like she was about to explode.

　　“Yiyi, that’s enough!”

　　At that moment, Li Hansong walked out.

　　He glanced at Fang Ping and held back Ling Yiyi who was still desperately insistent on fighting. He smiled. “Junior Fang is very powerful, however, you still have a little bit to go before you can get to peak Rank-3. You still lack a bit of life-and-death experience…”

　　He intended to justify the reputation of CCMAU. In terms of fighting for life and death, Fang Ping did not stand on the same level as Ling Yiyi.

　　It was true. Compared to the people in the Military Department and Ling Yiyi, Fang Ping lacked the experience of fighting for life or death.

　　Fang Ping smiled and said, “If you want me to fight to the death, I think I can kill her ten times.”

　　As he said that, his Vitality had recovered instantly and his aura became extremely imposing. He said, “I just don’t want to take advantage of her, that doesn’t mean I cannot kill her!”

　　Li Hansong was speechless.

　　Ling Yiyi’s look of dissatisfaction slowly faded. If they were to fight to the death, and if Fang Ping could recover his Vitality that quickly, how could she even fight him?

　　Even if she were stronger, if she could not kill Fang Ping with her ultimate move, she would only be waiting to be killed by Fang Ping.

　　The only way to defeat Fang Ping would be to attack him aggressively, and not allow him any opportunities to recover his Vitality.

　　Fang Ping did not try to continue boasting. He smiled. “Senior Ling has given in!”

　　“Hmph!”

　　Ling Yiyi huffed, and muttered, “Just wait and see. Before I reach Rank-7, I won’t disturb you. But once I enter the Grandmaster stage, just you wait!”

　　Before the Rank-7 stage, Fang Ping’s ability to recover his Vitality was a nightmare to everyone else on the same level.

　　However, once they enter the Grandmaster stage, the role of Vitality would not be as important as it is now.

　　Fang Ping was unbothered and continued smiling. “Those who I have surpassed have yet to be able to catch up to me. If you think you can do it, then I’ll be waiting for you at the Grandmaster stage.”

　　“It’s only a matter of time!”

　　Ling Yiyi massaged her chest and threw up blood again.

　　Han Xu who was staring unknowingly, suddenly thought of something and quickly turned his head.

　　If he kept on looking, he would have to face her wrath!

　　Ling Yiyi was watching him, Han Xu, with a dangerous look in her eyes. When she saw him turn away, she snorted again and turned towards Fang Ping. “You have cultivated your combat tactics to the stage of the ultimate move. Your Manic Explosion’s seven consecutive slashes are not weak either, however, you have a huge weakness.

　　“If not for your Vitality’s advantage, you might not have defeated me!

　　“It might not be a problem for you to kill a Rank-4 martial artist now. But if you ever meet a Rank-4 powerhouse, your consecutive slashes might get interrupted.

　　“Once they are interrupted, it will be the death of you!

　　“It doesn’t even have to be a Rank-4. Chen Qiufeng and Guo Xuan are both Rank-3 powerhouses among the soldiers. They have gone through countless fights, once they find an opening, the chances of you being defeated will be very high!”

　　Fang Ping nodded slightly and said, “I know, Manic Explosion is a simplified form of the ultimate move and has its weaknesses, such as the time and the speed of the execution.

　　“But once I turn it into seven collective slashes, there won’t be a problem anymore.”

　　“Seven collective slashes?” Ling Yiyi furrowed her brows and asked, “Are you sure you can do it?”

　　Fang Ping laughed and said, “By the end of June, I had already mastered the five consecutive slashes. When I fought with Jiese, I had already mastered the six consecutive slashes. When I fought you, I learned seven consecutive slashes.

　　“Now, I’m a Peak Rank-3, and I have collective force. Truth be told, I already have an idea of how to achieve the seven collective slashes.

　　“Just wait a bit more, I think I can do it.

　　“I’m almost there, I’m faster than you, I have greater Vitality than you do, I’m stronger than you…

　　Senior Ling, when we meet again, do you think we’ll be able to fight until this point?”

　　“If you achieve it, then we’ll see!”

　　With that, Ling Yiyi hoisted up her big ax and walked out, scaring the surrounding crowd of onlookers and making them disperse promptly.

　　Before this, this female student looked dainty and cute. But after the fight, and after looking at the scene of the fight which looked as if it had been bombarded by explosives, no one dared to see this girl as a dainty girl anymore.

　　…

　　As the people of CCMAU left, Fang Ping picked up his changdao and started to walk away.

　　At that moment, Fu Changding and the others rushed up to him and surrounded him.

　　Tang Songting spoke in a perplexed tone, “I didn’t think you could defeat even Ling Yiyi.”

　　Fang Ping replied in a relaxed manner, “Can anyone on the same level as I can be my opponent? I just didn’t want to bully her. Otherwise, I would have unleashed my moves early on and beat her up already!”

　　Fu Changding muttered, “You beat her up pretty badly, even her bust size grew…”

　　“Cough cough!”

　　Fang Ping coughed. ‘How can he say that? Did I do it on purpose?’

　　As they were chatting, they did not notice that Chen Yunxi had appeared with an old man by his side.

　　When they saw them, Fang Ping bowed hurriedly as a sign of respect.

　　Fu Changding and the older man did the same, and so did a few CCMAU instructors who were standing a bit further away.

　　South Capital Martial Arts University’s vice-chancellor, Grandmaster Chen Yaoting, was no ordinary man. He was a Peak Rank-7 Grandmaster and was very close to reaching the Rank-8 stage.

　　Chen Yaoting smiled softly but said nothing.

　　Chen Yunxi, on the other hand, was smiling as he walked over, and said, “Fang Ping, congratulations.”

　　“Thank you, but there’s nothing worth congratulating over.” Fang Ping stole a glance at Chen Yaoting, he shook his head and said, “Just as Ling Yiyi had said, I still have some weaknesses. My Rank-3 stage is not complete.

　　“I’ll only be considered a real invincible Rank-3 when I achieve seven collective slashes.”

　　“Then, you want to continue your challenges?”

　　As Fang Ping walked, he groaned, “I won’t be getting ready to fight Guo Xuan anymore, but I want to fight Chen Qiufeng once.

　　“Truth be told, I have never fought the martial artists from the Military Department before, it might be a huge help to me.

　　“Combat techniques and combat experience have to be polished through combats. At…other places, other than killing the weak, I had to hide from the strong powerhouses. I rarely had the opportunity nor the time to figure things out and digest the information. To face a formidable opponent like him, it would help me greatly.”

　　At that moment. Old Man Li suddenly appeared out of nowhere and lifted Fang Ping with one arm.

　　Fang Ping was stunned at first, then his face turned red, and said in an embarrassed tone, “Teacher, this is a public scenic area!”

　　‘The people have not left yet!

　　‘They haven’t left yet!

　　‘I’m afraid there are tens of thousands of people here!

　　‘A lot of people are taking photos here!

　　‘Old Man Li has crossed the line!

　　‘This is too much!’

　　At that moment, Fang Ping hated that he was not a Rank-6 martial artist. Otherwise, he would beat up Old Man Li and give him panda eyes!

　　Old Man Li ignored him, and muttered, “You did hone your torso, you’ve gotten heavier again…”

　　“Teacher, put me down!”

　　Fang Ping was so angry he wanted to vomit blood. Liu Dali who was standing at the side rushed over, and quickly pointed his camera at Fang Ping and snapped a few shots!

　　‘This material is way too good!’

　　Fang Ping glared at Liu Dali dangerously, and said, “Liu Dali, next time don’t make random rumors on the Internet about who has a relationship with whom …”

　　As soon as he said that, before Liu Dali even had time to react, Chen Yaoting who had remained quiet and smiling the whole time suddenly made a move. In Liu Dali’s confusion, he had suddenly appeared beside Chen Yaoting.

　　Chan Yaoting smiled gently and patted his shoulders. He spoke gently, “Little friend, as a reporter, you should not simply report news that has not been verified. It’s unethical. Remember that next time.”

　　The old man did not lose his temper, nor did he say anything else. He merely patted him a few times.

　　Liu Dali however, was buried into the ground like a stake. When Chen Yaoting finished speaking, half of Liu Dali’s body had already been buried into the ground, and he could not be pulled out.

　　At that moment, Liu Dali was still in a state of shock.

　　‘What’s the situation?

　　‘What’s happening?

　　‘I was just taking videos and arranging my material. What happened?

　　‘Everyone around me is huge!

　　‘They’re so much taller than me!

　　‘Even the kids over there with a curious look on their face…seem taller than me!’

　　Liu Dali was stunned and had lost his ability to think properly.

　　…

　　Fang Ping had also managed to free himself from Old Man Li’s hold and glanced at Liu Dali. ‘This fella, serves him right.’

　　Originally, Fang Ping wanted to spare him. But he just had to squeeze his way to the front, and even wanted to take a close-up of his face. He deserved it.

　　Fang Ping saw that he had started to struggle but still could not free his legs, and whispered, “Yunxi, Vice-chancellor Chen…you don’t intend on keeping him stuck here forever do you?”

　　Chen Yaoting just smiled.

　　Old Man Li, on the other hand, did not pay him too much mind. “By the time it gets dark he should have almost freed himself. Now stop talking nonsense, come with me to the research institute!”

　　Fang Ping gulped and shook his head quickly. “I’m going to the Military Department to challenge Chen Qiufeng.”

　　“That fella is on a mission, he’s not here.”

　　“Then I’ll go challenge Guo Xuan!”

　　“He’s on a mission too.”

　　“Then I’ll…I’ll…”

　　“You have to digest your gains, seven collective slashes is not easy. You haven’t even completely mastered seven consecutive slashes yet. Once you have mastered it completely, then you can test out seven collective slashes in combat. That’s the real purpose of your challenges, and not to challenge just for the sake of fighting.”

　　“Then I want to go home!”

　　Fang Ping would rather die than go to the research institute. Old Man Li had malicious intent. ‘The moment he arrived, he weighed me, now he wants to bring me to the research institute.’

　　Fang Ping suspected that he wanted to use him as a lab rat.

　　Old Man Li smiled at him, eyes squinting. Chen Yaoting who was standing at the side, and rarely laughed, suddenly laughed and said, “Obtaining a sufficient understanding of yourself may be helpful to you. Student Fang Ping, don’t be deterred by medical attention…”

　　Fang Ping expression turned bitter. ‘It’s not like I’m sick!’

　　‘Would I not know my own body’s condition?’

　　Old Man Li pursed his lips and said, “Just go and get checked, at least that way you can explain to others. The only reason people haven’t started poking around you is that they don’t have the guts to. Once the old things like me pass away, who would care what you think?

　　“If you can get checked properly and find out what’s going on, at least you can shut them up and avoid further troubles in the future.”

　　Fang Ping sighed and whispered, “Does that mean you have to cut me up?”

　　“What on Earth are you thinking!”

　　Old Man Li said with a bad temper, “At most, we might cut a bit of your bone, extract some bone marrow. We just need a sample, that’s all. Did you think we were going to extract your cerebrospinal fluid?”

　　The corner of Fang Ping’s mouth twitched. ‘The more you say, the more scared I am, okay?

　　‘I had just defeated Ling Yiyi, and I’m so happy. Can’t you guys just let me bask in the joy?’

　　As if he knew what Fang Ping was thinking, Old Man Li snorted and said, “Try to keep a low profile, this is their territory. There’s a bunch of senior staff here, if it wasn’t for Old Chen being here, a few of the shameless ones might come picking a fight with an old man like me…”

　　Just as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed. The ground cracked open. The next moment, half of his body had been buried in the ground.

　　Fang Ping stared, stunned!

　　Chen Yaoting laughed, and said in a somewhat helpless manner, “Disaster emanates from careless talk. You asked for it.”

　　‘Knowing that there are people nearby, yet he still spoke so carelessly. Was this not asking for trouble?’

　　Old Man Li’s face reddened, and he groaned. After a moment, he leaped from the hole and snorted, muttering, “There comes a day when even the tiger can get bullied by the dogs[1]. Back in the old days…”

　　As he was muttering, he was once again pressed to the ground!

　　Chen Yaoting was having a headache. ‘Did everyone in MCMAU act like this?

　　‘Calling yourself a tiger and calling the other party a dog, right in front of several Grandmasters too. Not beating Li Changsheng to death is already considered an act of kindness.’

　　Thinking of his grandchildren, Chen Yaoting suddenly felt a pang of worry. ‘Was it the right choice to let them attend MCMAU?’

　　Fang Ping who was at the side did not dare to breathe, in fear of getting crushed too.

　　Fu Changding and a few others were glancing around too, pretending not to notice Old Man Li’s dilemma, who had almost been pushed into the ground.

　　A moment later, Old Man Li leaped up again. This time, he remained silent.

　　The tourists around them had yet to leave and were watching the scene with inexplicable looks on their faces.

　　‘What in the world are these martial artists doing?

　　‘The reporter in front had buried himself in the ground, and now refused to get out.

　　‘Now, the other one kept falling into big holes as he walked. He even stepped into a hole twice in a row. What was he doing?’

　　…

　　When they left Happy Valley, Old Man Li suddenly laughed at himself. “Grandmaster!”

　　Even though the Grandmaster of CCMAU did not do anything to him, he did say something infuriating.

　　‘If he were the Longevity Sword he used to be back then, it would not matter if he said those things!

　　‘As for the Grandmaster that pushed him down, he would have beat them like his grandchildren back in the old days. Now, they dared to fight back.’

　　“These scoundrels have gotten the upper hand. Fang Ping, once you reach Rank-7 in the future, avenge me and beat them bloody. Then strip them naked and throw them at the main gates of CCMAU!”

　　Old Man Li huffed. ‘I might be washed up, but there were still other people in MCMAU.’

　　Fang Ping stayed quiet.

　　Chen Yaoting laughed softly and said, “You’re already old, why are you being so fussy? Don’t go looking for conflict anymore. After so many years, your temper still hasn’t changed.”

　　Old Man Li replied airily, “Why should I be afraid of them? MCMAU’s status was improved by stepping on CCMAU. If I don’t step on them, how can I stay ahead?

　　“It’s not that I want to criticize you, Old Chen. South Capital Martial Arts University’s abilities are not weak either. Yet every year, good students get snatched up by CCMAU. If it were up to me, I would have knocked down CCMAU’S doors long ago. South Capital Martial Arts University can’t even hold onto the local talents, no wonder they keep getting weaker and weaker.”

　　Chen Yaoting laughed again but did not say anything else. Speaking of Chen Yunxi, he had vanished on the spot in the blink of an eye.

　　Midair, Chen Yunxi was still saying his goodbyes hurriedly. “Teacher, Fang Ping, I’ll be leaving first!”

　　Fu Changding who was on the ground as well pursed his lips. ‘Is he treating Chow Chow and I as invisible people?’

　　After waiting for the rest to leave, Fang Ping observed his surroundings cautiously, then whispered, “Rest assured, teacher. When I become a Grandmaster, I’ll beat up all the Grandmasters of CCMAU. Let them all go to school humiliated…”

　　“Pa!”

　　Old Man Li had slapped the back of Fang Ping’s head and made him dizzy. “You cowardly bastard, you still had to look around before you speak. Disgraceful!”

　　Fang Ping protested, “But Grandmaster, I’m just a Rank-3.”

　　Old Man Li laughed but said no more, he then started leaving. As he walked, he said, “Hurry up and return to MCMAU. Once you return, remember to get a check-up. I won’t be attending the fight at the Military Department. Nothing will go wrong there. But if something does happen, just forget about it. I’m leaving!”

　　Old Man Li walked away quickly. In a blink of an eye, he had disappeared.

　　Once Old Man Li left, Fang Ping only whispered, “Was his self-esteem hurt?”

　　Old Man Li was just pressed to the ground. While he may have acted like he was unbothered, Fang Ping felt that he might have been quite upset.

　　Fu Changding might have predicted that too and asked, “Old Man Li is a Rank-6 martial artist, right?”

　　“Peak Rank-6.”

　　Fu Changding became even more puzzled and whispered, “A peak Rank-6…when faced with a Grandmaster, it should not be…this weak…he could not even block a mental suppression…”

　　Fang Ping’s expression changed slightly. ‘That’s right. A peak Rank-6 powerhouse, when faced with a Grandmaster, wouldn’t it be rather unlikely that he did not even have the strength to fight back?

　　If that were the case, would that mean that if a Grandmaster ever met a powerhouse below the stage of Grandmaster, they could just crush them to death?’

　　He remembered the Rank-5 who he had used almost all his power to suppress. Even that Rank-5 almost broke free, though he had failed to do so in the end.

　　‘Old Man Li was a peak Rank-6, yet he was suppressed so easily?’

　　Although his mind swirled with questions, Fang Ping said, “Maybe they were just messing around, a bunch of old kids…”

　　Fu Changding did not say anything else. Regarding the issues among Grandmasters, there was nothing they could do.

　　Fang Ping did not say anything else either. The joy he had felt earlier had dissipated quite a bit. If he did not become a Grandmaster, there was nothing worth being happy over either.

　　As for the Grandmaster at CCMAU…even though he did not know who had used the mental suppression on Old Man Li, if he were given the chance, he would definitely beat them up to avenge Old Man Li.

　　[1] Meaning that when the strong leave their territory and is stuck in an unfamiliar place, even the weak dare to bully them