At the main entrance of the classroom block.

　　Fang Ping stood at the entrance alone, blocking it. He yelled, “Seniors Yu Xianghua, Zhang Ziwei, Chen Pengfei, how about coming out and getting acquainted?”

　　A slight buzz came from the crowd of people initially intending to disperse.

　　“What is this kid up to?”

　　“Duh, it’s obvious. He’s either challenging them to put himself higher on the list, or wants them to support him and vote in his favor.”

　　“Yu Xianghua’s in 3rd place, Zhang Ziwei’s in 5th, and Chen Pengfei’s in 8th. You sure he’s not committing suicide?”

　　“Not necessarily. He wouldn’t take them on if he didn’t have the chops. He’s in the top 20 after all. We still don’t know for sure who will win.”

　　The crowd debated the matter quietly amongst themselves.

　　Very quickly, a young man with an undercut pushed through the crowd. He looked stubborn and intractable.

　　Striding forward and glancing toward Fang Ping as he did so, the young man said coolly, “I’m Yu Xianghua!”

　　Just as Fang Ping was about to speak, someone appeared near him—a young woman. She had a typical almond-shaped face, her long hair tied up into a ponytail that made her look particularly capable.

　　The young woman gave Fang Ping a thin smile as she came forward. “Zhang Ziwei!”

　　“Chen Pengfei.”

　　The last one was a solidly built young man with a large head. Chen Pengfei strode out and said jovially, “What does Junior Fang want to impart to us, after putting on such a grand display?”

　　Fang Ping grinned when he saw that all three of them had appeared. “Seniors, don’t misunderstand my intentions. I read the list, and the three of you got 32 votes in total.

　　“Even without looking, I can tell that you aren’t ordinary just by that alone.

　　“But the three of you are all either sophomores or juniors. I think you probably don’t lack credits, so I hope that the three of you can support freshmen like us…

　　“The freshmen have it hard…”

　　Yu Xianghua interrupted him, “Cut the crap. You want credits, but so do we.

　　“We were discussing the possibility of us all having a good chat.

　　“But you showed up, so the solution is simple. Fight us. If we lose, my friends and I will vote for you.

　　“If I win, you freshmen vote for me. It’s that simple!”

　　After this statement, Yu Xianghua continued, “Do you speak for all of them?”

　　Fang Ping turned his head to look at Fu Changding and the others. Fu Changding smiled and offered, “I don’t mind. It’s the same for me whomever I vote for.”

　　The others nodded, following suit. Fang Ping was the strongest of all the freshmen. If he lost, the others would not have a ghost of a chance. It was the same either way.

　　Seeing that, Fang Ping smiled. “Alright, I agree.”

　　He then turned his head to look at the other two seniors. “What about both of you?”

　　Chen Pengfei crossed his arms, saying casually, “If you defeat Yu Xianghua, I’ll vote for you. It isn’t a big deal.

　　“If you lose, though, you’ll vote for Yu Xianghua, so I won’t get anything out of this. What if you give me 30 credits if you lose? How’s that?”

　　It was obvious that Chen Pengfei thought he had no need to make an appearance. If Fang Ping defeated Yu Xianghua, Chen Pengfei would not be able to beat Fang Ping either.

　　If Fang Ping lost to Yu Xianghua though, fighting him was meaningless since he had already lost his vote to someone else.

　　“30 credits?” Fang Ping laughed. “Sure, but just you alone isn’t enough, Senior Chen. How about this —if I win, you have to lobby for ten votes in my favor. Deal?”

　　“Sure.”

　　“You’ll have to do that from tomorrow onwards, until the end of the course. Both of us are martial artists, so don’t be small-minded, that’s not sporting.”

　　“Haha, Junior Fang has thought this through very thoroughly. I haven’t even thought of that problem,” Chen Pengfei sneered.

　　At the sidelines, Fu Changding was disappointed. Were the two of them not going to fight after all? What was the use of Fang Ping battling Yu Xianghua? He should fight Chen Pengfei instead!

　　After he had settled the issue with Chen Pengfei, Fang Ping turned toward Zhang Ziwei, the only female of the three.

　　She was also the only female in the top 20.

　　Zhang Ziwei said lightly, “You want me to vote for you? Simple. Defeat me, then we’ll talk. Other people’s affairs have nothing to do with me!”

　　Obviously, Zhang Ziwei did not feel Yu Xianghua could represent her.

　　Yu Xianghua did not take offense. He looked at Fang Ping and said, “I’m not Gu Xiong from NMAU. Junior Fang, think carefully. If you get injured and it hinders your cultivation progress, don’t blame the seniors for bullying you.”

　　“Why would I?” Fang Ping chuckled. “I did want to mention though, Senior, that I’ve just entered Rank-3. You won’t mind me fighting you, a Rank-2 martial artist, while I’m at Rank-3, will you, Senior Yu?”

　　“Rank-3?”

　　All the spectators’ expressions shifted, and there were some stirrings in the crowd.

　　Yu Xianghua and the other two were not particularly bothered by Fang Ping’s announcement. Zhang Ziwei said, unruffled, “A Rank-3 before the higher stage is not that much different from a Rank-2 martial artist. Also, your rank shows your skill. Martial artists are all judged on skill. Would we deny you the chance to advance even further?”

　　There was no hint of indignation or fear in her words.

　　Both parties were still students. Fang Ping’s breaking through into Rank-3 was a show of his own capabilities.

　　He was also their junior, after all.

　　For Rank-3 martial artists who had not yet achieved, higher stage Rank-3, the difference between that and Rank-2 was only a matter of higher Vitality and the number of bones honed. There was hardly any discernible difference.

　　The explosive power of Fang Ping’s combat techniques would be of a similar level to the three seniors.

　　There would be no scenario where he could back them into a corner with a single move.

　　Also, Fang Ping’s breakthrough to Rank-3 would mean that he had less time to hone his combat techniques. They would have been warier of him if he were still at Peak Rank-2.

　　It was exactly like how the two Rank-2 martial artists in the championship commanded less fear than Peak Rank-1 martial artists Han Xu and Fang Wenxiang.

　　“Senior, you have a generous heart.” Fang Ping praised Zhang Ziwei. He then asked, “Both of you, who will go first then?”

　　Someone in the crowd suggested teasingly, “Junior Fang’s already at Rank-3. What about the two of you go up against him together?”

　　Fang Ping’s expression changed slightly. Someone else needled, “When it’s Rank-3 against Rank-2, it’s normal that one goes against two. We won’t be willing to vote for young Junior over here, otherwise.”

　　This was a game-changer. Yu Xianghua and Zhang Ziwei were Peak Rank-2 martial artists. One of them was ranked third, while the other was ranked fifth. Either one of them would be on par with an average middle-stage Rank-3 martial artist.

　　If the two of them teamed up, a higher-stage Rank-3 martial artist might not be able to counter both of them at the same time.

　　Although Fang Ping had advanced into Rank-3, the concrete difference between ranks was not obvious yet. He might not be able to take on even one of them successfully, let alone both.

　　If his opponents were unranked Peak Rank-2 martial artists, Fang Ping could easily fight three at once. He might even be able to take on five of them fairly effortlessly.

　　The two in front of him now, though…

　　Zhang Ziwei and Yu Xianghua were silent. They looked at Fang Ping, amused.

　　Someone in the crowd laughed. “Junior Fang, didn’t you mention before that you wanted to challenge the president?

　　“The president is a Rank-4 martial artist! Don’t tell me all your big talk is nonsense—is that how much confidence you really have?

　　“You’re already having second thoughts when your opponents are mere Rank-2 martial artists. How about when your opponent’s at Rank-4? Hahaha!”

　　From early on, the Martial Arts Society members already disliked Fang Ping’s arrogance.

　　He was a mere freshman. Did he think MCMAU was an average martial arts university?

　　He had only entered university not long ago, and already he had been boastful, issuing a challenge to the president of the Martial Arts Society. What did he take the Society for?

　　They had no prior acquaintance with Fang Ping, so they merely shrugged his arrogance off. To find fault with someone whom they did not know was meaningless, in their opinion.

　　Now, however, Fang Ping had started this first. He was not so strong that everyone would be discouraged from fighting him, so there was no harm in provoking him a bit.

　　The Peak Rank-2 martial artists present were confident that they would not show to disadvantage if they were to go up against him.

　　Of the Rank-2 top 20 martial artists, 6 were from MCMAU. Aside from Fang Ping and the other three, the remaining two others were also present right now.

　　There were also quite a few other Rank-2 martial artists who were on the rankings list, and they did not fear Fang Ping.

　　“Fang Ping!” Yang Xiaoman shouted. She shook her head in his direction. Those seniors were obviously waiting to take the mickey out of Fang Ping, and show the freshmen who was boss.

　　After the previous national championship, the few select freshmen involved were more renowned than their seniors. Martial artists were not saints; of course they were jealous and irked by it.

　　Just what right did the freshmen have to receive more attention than the seniors?

　　…

　　Fang Ping had originally intended to fight someone just to show off his skills. Yu Xianghua’s No.3 rank was perfect for him to make his point.

　　Now however someone had seized the chance to exaggerate things out of proportion, giving the fight more significance than had initially been planned.

　　Yu Xianghua and Zhang Ziwei remained silent. They might not have wanted to team up against Fang Ping at first, but now they appeared to be happy with how this was unfolding, seeing as Fang Ping was backed into a corner.

　　At this point, Zhao Lei suddenly said, “Fang Ping, count me in. Two against two; I’m only lower-stage Rank-2 right now. It won’t be considered bullying anyone!”

　　Fang Ping glanced at him and shook his head. “No need. Since everyone wants to see if I, Fang Ping, am only a farce, I won’t hesitate.

　　“Senior Yu and Senior Zhang, what do you think?”

　　Zhang Ziwei chuckled and asked, “Junior Fang, are you sure you want this?”

　　“I won’t lose any dignity if I’m defeated. If I win…well, I’ll show everyone that I, Fang Ping, rarely boast without reason.”

　　“Yu Xianghua, how about you?” Zhang Ziwei looked enquiringly at the other senior.

　　Yu Xianghua’s brow furrowed but smoothed out in a moment. He said mildly, “Fine, then. Junior Fang has less experience, so let’s trade some blows with him.”

　　The two seniors reached an understanding.

　　Everyone else stepped back. Some were already starting to call their friends over to watch the drama unfold.

　　Freshmen nowadays were really naive.

　　Rank-3 sounded impressive, but a kid who had barely reached Rank-3 facing off against two of the top 10 Rank-2 martial artists nationwide? Did he really think they had not defeated Rank-3 martial artists before?

　　Yu Xianghua was stronger than the average middle-stage Rank-3 martial artist. Zhang Ziwei was no laggard either.

　　MCMAU was already a place where prodigies convened, and both these seniors were considered prodigies even among prodigies.

　　As everyone stepped back, Fang Ping exhaled lightly. He said, expression serious, “Freehand or with weapons?”

　　“Whichever. There’s no distinction in a real fight,” Yu Xianghua said as he took his Qimei Staff ¹from someone.

　　Zhang Ziwei drew out her sword, tossing her sheath to someone nearby.

　　Fang Ping waited no longer, quickly preparing his changdao.

　　…

　　“Fang Ping’s far too easy to rile up!” Yang Xiaomei said, brow furrowed.

　　Although Fang Ping’s advance to Rank-3 was astonishingly fast, he had not accumulated much experience during his time in Peak Rank-2. Now that he was up against two opponents, the few of them did not think well of his chances.

　　Fu Changding sighed as well. “He’s becoming arrogant. Really, this fellow…”

　　“He’s thrice-honed. It’s not entirely hopeless, right?” Chen Yunxi said uncertainly.

　　“His Vitality’s increased by a little, but combat isn’t all about Vitality, or else Vitality martial artists wouldn’t be looked down upon, right?”

　　…

　　While the group discussed the situation among themselves, the area surrounding the three combatants had already been cleared.

　　“The School of Weaponry, Year 1, Fang Ping. May the best man win!”

　　“The School of Weaponry, Year 3, Yu Xianghua!”

　　“The School of Weaponry, Year 2, Zhang Ziwei!”

　　The three of them introduced themselves and performed the ritual salute. The next moment, all three sprang into action!

　　Yu Xianghua’s staff made a whistling sweep through the air, aiming at Fang Ping’s lower body. In perfect coordination, Zhang Ziwei’s longsword jabbed toward Fang Ping’s throat!

　　Their moves, one aimed at the upper part of the body and the other at the lower, cut off Fang Ping’s advance.

　　Fang Ping was quick to counter. Pushing himself off the ground with his toes, he directed a slash straight at Zhang Ziwei!

　　Unfazed, Zhang Ziwei continued her attack. Yu Xianghua’s staff was not that easy to dodge.

　　As expected, as soon as Fang Ping leaped into the air, Yu Xianghua’s staff struck at Fang Ping’s waist with a mighty whoosh.

　　As the staff targeted his waist, Zhang Ziwei altered her aim thrust for Fang Ping’s heart, instead of at his throat.

　　Fang Ping kicked off the ground with his right foot, pulling his body upright. His left leg swept toward the staff while his changdao slashed down at the approaching longsword.

　　Clang!

　　With a loud clash, Zhang Ziwei’s sword was deflected to the side, slicing past Fang Ping’s body. Yu Xianghua, on the other hand, landed a sound hit on the sole of Fang Ping’s foot with his staff.

　　Using the momentum to propel himself backward in a somersault, Fang Ping landed on the ground and took a few steps back. The tiles below his feet had already been broken into shards by the impact.

　　Zhang Ziwei and Yu Xianghua did not stop. They moved, and in the blink of an eye, came at Fang Ping again directly.

　　…

　　“He’s at a disadvantage just after one move…”

　　Fu Changding sighed. Fang Ping was in a bad situation. With Zhang Ziwei and Yu Xianghua’s joint efforts, Fang Ping could only defend himself against one of them, not both. One was already more than a match for him. Now there were two opponents, he could not initiate any attacks and was reduced to passive defense.

　　The other spectators shook their heads. Someone chuckled. “One against two. Maybe our Junior Fang thought they were two Vitality martial artists.”

　　Even before the audience had finished speaking, Fang Ping, who had been backing away, suddenly dropped his left hand from his weapon and gripped Yu Xianghua’s staff. Changdao in his right hand, he slashed at Zhang Ziwei’s head, as quick as lightning

　　Zhang Ziwei’s expression changed, retreating a step with her longsword.

　　The next moment, her expression changed again. Quick as lightning, she aimed a thrust at Fang Ping’s face.

　　However, Fang Ping now had Yu Xianghua’s staff in a death grip. Feet firmly on the ground, he left a deep crater in the earth as he used momentum to drag Yu Xianghua with him as he retreated.

　　The changdao aimed at Zhang Ziwei’s head changed direction, becoming a horizontal slash aimed straight at Yu Xianghua’s left arm instead.

　　Yu Xianghua growled, and sent a surge of power through both arms, channeling it through his staff. The vibrations were so violent, Fang Ping’s left palm was reduced to a bloody mess. Fang Ping was completely unfazed. With a step, he dodged Zhang Ziwei’s attack, and in the next second, swiftly aimed his changdao at Yu Xianghua’s left arm!

　　Yu Xianghua’s face assumed a taunting expression. The muscles in his left arm swelled instantly and met Fang Ping’s weapon with a loud clang.

　　“How childish!” Yu Xianghua growled as he exhaled sharply.

　　His 3rd place ranking was no fluke. Did Fang Ping really think that he was an easy opponent?

　　Fang Ping’s left hand was severely hurt, and his attempt to injure Yu Xianghua had failed. Yu Xianghua could not think of a scenario where the other could turn the tide.

　　Zhang Ziwei had been forced to retreat but now she rejoined the fray swiftly, sword in hand. The point of her weapon was already stabbing towards Fang Ping’s chest.

　　Fang Ping was still wrestling Yu Xianghua with his left hand, changdao in his right. Seeing that he could not possibly put up a defense, Yu Xianghua put more power in his arm, pinning Fang Ping in place. If Fang Ping either retreated or his strength failed, Yu Xianghua could easily lash out with his staff and shatter his spine with one blow!

　　If Fang Ping did not retreat, Zhang Ziwei’s sword would puncture his sternum!

　　He was backed into a corner!

　　Chen Yunxi and the others watched, hearts in their mouths. This time Fang Ping was in huge trouble. Judging from Zhang Ziwei and Yu Xianghua’s moves, they did not intend to let him go unscathed. Even if they did not inflict serious damage, his injuries would not be light either.

　　They did not see Zhang Ziwei’s expression change as she charged towards Fang Ping!

　　Fang Ping ignored her!

　　Just as Zhang Ziwei launched her offensive, Fang Ping bared his sternum without reserve. His changdao, which he had failed to use effectively so far, suddenly sped up, the blade gleaming a dull red.

　　Yu Xianghua was focusing all his strength on his staff while he and Fang Ping pushed against each other. As Zhang Ziwei thrust a stab at Fang Ping, Fang Ping’s changdao flashed toward Yu Xianghua’s waist. A muted clang sounded as Yu Xianghua blocked the attack with his left arm again. This time, though, his entire body shook with the effort.

　　Before the shaking could stop, loud clangs sounded as huge amounts of power surged from the back of the changdao, beating against Yu Xianghua’s arm till it creaked.

　　The sudden pain caused Yu Xianghua’s grip to loosen. Fang Ping’s left hand pushed outward hard, power surging into the staff, and sending Yu Xianghua staggering backward.

　　Yu Xianghua had been pushed some distance away from Fang Ping when Zhang Ziwei resumed her attack, attempting another thrust.

　　The longsword had scored a hit on Fang Ping’s chest but had encountered massive resistance. Fang Ping had not been seriously hurt; he had channeled his Vitality into that area as a defense, and his sternum was fully honed.

　　Fang Ping had used that window of time to force Yu Xianghua back; by now it was evident that everything he did had a motive to it.

　　Amid the spectators’ confusion and Yu Xianghua still being forced backward, Fang Ping leaped into the air, his bloodied left hand leaving faint afterimages in the air.

　　Clang, clang, clang…

　　Rapid clashes sounded as Fang Ping beat Zhang Ziwei’s longsword aside with his left hand and loosened his grip on his weapon. As the longsword tumbled from Zhang Ziwei’s grasp, he punched her directly on the chest!

　　Zhang Ziwei retreated swiftly, but Fang Ping pursued her with lightning speed. He bellowed, the crimson glow from his fists almost visible to the naked eye.

　　In the blink of an eye, everyone saw that Fang Ping had caught up with Zhang Ziwei. Like a ferocious tiger barreling down a mountain, he landed a series of violent punches on her chest.

　　Zhang Ziwei crossed her arms and blocked his attacks, but her forearms were bleeding from withstanding his punches. She was pummeled backward constantly.

　　The people behind Zhang Ziwei hastily dispersed. Behind Fang Ping, Yu Xinghua howled with rage and chased after him in hot pursuit, staff in hand.

　　It was already too late though.

　　Fang Ping bellowed again, and his fists glowed even redder in the darkness of the night. In the blink of an eye, he landed seven or eight blows!

　　Crack!

　　The sound of bones shattering could be heard. Zhang Ziwei’s arms hung at her side, useless. Fang Ping growled again. Both his fists flashed out in a mighty punch, sending Zhang Ziwei flying backward until she collided with the walls behind and slumped onto the ground.

　　Everything happened so fast that by the time everyone registered what had transpired, Fang Ping had already turned around to confront Yu Xianghua.

　　Fang Ping was more agile without his changdao, his footsteps leaving afterimages in the air. He circled Yu Xianghua, punching him without stopping!

　　…

　　“This…”

　　Everyone was dumbfounded. The tables had turned way too fast; Fang Ping had been at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

　　What nobody realized, however, was that right from the start, Fang Ping’s target was not Yu Xianghua but Zhang Ziwei. He had kept an eagle eye on her constantly and had waited until Yu Xianghua was driven backward before seizing his chance. He had then channeled Manic Explosion through his fists and shattered Zhang Ziwei’s bones, injuring her seriously.

　　“How did he do it!” someone exclaimed softly. What they wanted to know was not how Fang Ping had defeated Zhang Ziwei, but how Fang Ping had the strength to defend himself from Zhang Ziwei’s sword while still wrestling with Yu Xianghua.

　　Yu Xianghua being forced back and Zhang Ziwei’s heavy injuries were all because of the seeming ineffectiveness of this one strategy.

　　The two of them would not be so easily fooled, otherwise.

　　“Vitality!” someone exclaimed under their breath.

　　“Unquenchable Vitality…” Vitality had flowed from Fang Ping’s left hand unperturbed, and it had blocked Yu Xianghua’s advances. Vitality collected in his chest, stopping the sword thrust from injuring him seriously. He also slashed at Yu Xianghua’s left hand with his changdao so powerfully that the senior’s arm had almost fractured from the force…

　　These were all moves that used up copious amounts of Vitality.

　　An average martial artist usually could only focus on one thing to the exclusion of others, and would not be able to take the above three aspects into account. Fang Ping, however, had managed it!

　　“How much is his Vitality?”

　　“Did he take pills in advance?”

　　“But he’s digesting them way too fast!”

　　“…”

　　In the crowd’s confusion, Fang Ping gave up on tactics as he battled Yu Xianghua. Relying on the tremendous power of Vitality, he delivered punch after punch!

　　Yu Xianghua could not block Fang Ping’s attacks at all. He had no way to stand against Fang Ping, and so he was pushed back further and further.

　　No one knew how many times Fang Ping had delivered punches. At last, Yu Xianghua’s staff fell from his trembling hands, and Fang Ping hit him squarely on the chest, sending him flying back!

　　Yu Xianghua fell onto the floor and vomited blood.

　　His hands were still trembling…

　　Across the way, a tottering Zhang Ziwei was being helped up. She looked toward Fang Ping, covering her chest, the corners of her mouth flecked with blood.

　　“Thank you for letting me win,” Fang Ping acknowledged Zhang Ziwei. Standing there in all his conquering glory, his chest and left hand were blood-spattered, but nobody paid any attention to his injuries.

　　This fellow had really defeated a 2-person team of ranked martial artists!