Chapter 145: Middle-ranked Combat Techniques

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　Zhao Xuemei’s had decided to use Rank-2 Vitality Pills to cultivate. Fang Ping speculated that others would have the same idea.

　　The rich and influential were more than typical in MCMAU!

　　Fang Ping who initially thought that he was rich enough felt that he was not that rich now.

　　…

　　Once Fang Ping and the lot had learned about the details for the championship, there was suddenly news online discussing about the new students National Championship.

　　“99 universities. Peak new students duel!”

　　“Undeserved reputation of the elite universities?”

　　“Government’s excessive investment in the elite universities had sparked outrage across many universities!”

　　“Uncovering the mysterious veil of martial arts universities!”

　　“…”

　　In the eyes of many ordinary people, the martial arts university was just a pronoun, an illusory, and a far-fetched noun.

　　This was a place where many young people dreamt of going!

　　However, how did a martial arts university truly look like?

　　How strong exactly were the martial arts university students?

　　The martial artists that they normally meet, the leaders from different places, who were more superior or inferior were things that everyone did not know!

　　What kind of life was the martial arts university students living?

　　Like what the news published, they were extremely mysterious!

　　Mysterious martial arts university!

　　It was also at this moment, the mysterious and lofty martial arts university seemed to be drawing back a curtain for the world.

　　Online. All kinds of news continued to emerge.

　　“Exclusive news. The new students National Championship may be the first martial arts competition to ever open to the public in Sino Nation!”

　　“Will the elite universities take the lead and remain their title as elite universities?”

　　“Insider news. The National Champion this time may involve a dispute over tens of billions of policy grants!”

　　“Born under a lucky star–Yun Ji, a new student of Grade 08. Lucky or not lucky?”

　　For so many years, this was the first time that the new students National Championship was held on such an enormous scale.

　　Participants came from 99 different martial arts universities!

　　In the past, championships like this were only held on a very small scale.

　　There was a possibility for MCMAU and CCMAU to fight each other. However, it would be carried out internally, where the outside world was entirely uninformed.

　　There was also a possibility to share knowledge with a few other local martial arts universities and it was only limited to three to five universities.

　　This time, 99 martial arts universities participated throughout the country collectively, something that would be impossible to happen in the past.

　　99 martial arts universities. The new student representatives that they had sent would surely be the strongest amongst all Grade 08!

　　The outstanding students among them might soar to success after this or they might just carry an insurmountable burden!

　　If they lose, they lose miserably. If they expose themselves to similar events in the future, the losers would be cast aside by many.

　　They had wasted their university’s resources, hence posed more difficulties for their juniors. Even though they were not responsible for it, the new students who participated in the first championship would be remembered by many.

　　…

　　Nanjiang.

　　River City.

　　Wu Zhihao was shocked. “The National Championship!”

　　It was obvious that until this moment, he had just learned about the National Championship.

　　Tan Hao who was sitting beside him thought it was weird and asked, “Aren’t you in the special training classes? How can you not know about this?”

　　“What do I know!”

　　Wu Zhihao spoke despondently, “I am only a bystander. A few martial artists popped out from nowhere in the special training classes. These martial artists regrouped other special training classes with both Nanjiang Technological University and Nanjiang University, roughly more than ten martial artists.

　　“Usually we were just stroll to the special training classes and see if we can obtain any benefits. They would not announce any news to us even if there were any.”

　　Tan Hao pitied him and said, “I thought you were very impressive, but this is all you can do…”

　　“Better than you, at least I got into the special training classes!”

　　Wu Zhihao gave a humph crossly and said, “There are so many martial artists this year from Nanjiang. The ones participating in the championship this time must be all martial artists, right?”

　　“Of course!”

　　Tan Hao confirmed and said, “Among the 89 normal martial arts universities, 10 martial artists were selected. Think about it, I suspect that there may even be peak Rank-1 martial artists who are participating.

　　“An average of 9 martial arts universities, will there not be a single peak martial artist?”

　　“That sounds about right. Sigh. Before enrolling in martial arts university, I did not have too much experience. I have always thought that martial artists from martial arts universities are everywhere with Rank-2 and 3 running all over the place.

　　“After I have enrolled in the martial arts university only do I understand how difficult it is to become a martial artist.”

　　After Wu Zhihao sighed with regret, he spoke again, “Fang Ping that fellow, I wonder how he’s doing right now. Do you think he will participate in the championship?”

　　“I think his chances are quite slim.”

　　Tan Hao shook his head. “Fang Ping became a martial artist only after he enrolled. There were already many martial artists when the classes commence. Many of them are from well-off families. You saw it yourself. Those who are not well-off find it difficult to even become a martial artist.

　　“Fang Ping does not have much cultivation resources, how can he compare to those people.”

　　“That’s true.”

　　Wu Zhihao agreed. Even though Fang Ping had become a martial artist, he was still only a Rank-1 martial artist. Without sufficient resources, there was no hope to pace up his cultivation.

　　MCMAU had plenty of wealthy people. Many of them became martial artists once the classes commenced.

　　If Fang Ping was in Nanjiang he might still stand a chance to participate, but he was in MCMAU, therefore he would not stand a chance.

　　“Will the National Championship open to the public?

　　“Tan Hao, if it has become an open championship, should we go and have a look?”

　　“I would like to go, but I am not sure if I will be able to purchase the ticket. As someone from the special training classes, you should be able to join the cheerleading team?”

　　“Me in the cheerleading team?” Wu Zhihao was reluctant. “I will never do it. I would rather spend money and buy a ticket.”

　　“Fang Ping is in Magic City. Should we discuss with Yang Jian and the guys to go to Magic City and have a look during the winter break?”

　　“Fang Ping had become a martial artist, yet we still haven’t asked him to treat us to lunch. Once we have arrived in Magic City, we’ll ask him to bring us around!”

　　“…”

　　A few of them were deep in discussion. They concluded that if it was open to the public, they would go and join in the fun.

　　…

　　In the meantime.

　　Magic City.

　　Fang Ping held his phone and was slightly troubled. “Even you know about this?”

　　“Of course, it is all over the internet. Fang Ping, I would like to join in the fun, please!”

　　“There’s nothing fun for you to see. Besides, it’s still hard to say whether it will be opened to the public.”

　　Fang Ping was slightly concerned. What was this all about!

　　The championship might be opened to the public. Even tickets were sold to the public, allowing ordinary people to watch the matches. This had sparked outrage among many people.

　　Fang Ping included!

　　People like him, especially those who came from an ordinary family, did not wish for their parents to see them bleed and cry.

　　They just need to know that their son was happy and comfortable!

　　They just need to know that their son was not lacking in money, had a high status, and powerful martial abilities, that was enough!

　　Right now, everyone was talking about it that even ordinary people could watch the match, what would this mean?

　　Fang Ping had heard someone saying that this new student championship would be a suitable opening to the match as most of them were at Rank-1, a rank closer to ordinary people as well as less brutal.

　　Moreover, putting the new students in charge of the opening ceremony meant that the new students had the opportunity to be famous. It would also be beneficial for the government to promote upcoming programs.

　　Last time when they were in Sun City, Tan Zhenping had hoped that Fang Ping could become a spokesperson and influence many teens to participate in martial arts learning.

　　It was the perfect opportunity right now too!

　　Let plenty of teens know what kind of transformation they would experience once they had entered martial arts university!

　　These new students had all been in martial arts university for half a year now.

　　Others would not give it a thought. They were well-known figures out of tens of millions of students. They would only think that if they could do it, then I could do it too!

　　As long as the scene was not too bloody, even there were injuries, would it matter?

　　Fang Ping had concluded that if it was an extremely bloody scene, it would not be opened to the public.

　　On the contrary, matches that would be exposed to the public were carried out flawlessly, resulting in a straightforward win, and scenes of the spectators cheering.

　　Creating a bunch of celebrity students who could bring about a form of yearning of many people towards martial artists would most probably be the reason why the championship was the first to become open to the public.

　　Even when he was thinking about these in his heart, Fang Ping still said, “It is almost new year during the championship. How comfortable it will be to hibernate at home then…”

　　“No, Fang Ping. Isn’t it enough if I pay with my own money?”

　　“Stop flaunting your wealth to me!”

　　Fang Ping gave a humph crossly. He spoke after a moment, “We’ll talk about it when the time is near.”

　　“I don’t care. I want to go. I want to look around your university…”

　　“What’s there to see.”

　　“MCMAU will be my future university too. I will want to take a look at its surrounding…”

　　Fang Ping could not contain his laughter. “You are getting ahead of yourself. You are only in your third year. If you do not study hard now, don’t even think about admitting into MCMAU!”

　　Immediately after he had said those words, Fang Ping added, “I have things to do. I’m hanging up.”

　　“Remember to book my tickets!”

　　“We’ll talk about it later.”

　　Upon hanging up, Fang Ping had also spotted Lu Fengrou and asked her immediately, “Instructor, what is going on with the open championship?”

　　Lu Fengrou replied nonchalantly, “Nothing out of the ordinary. After all, the martial arts university is a martial artist group where ordinary people can easily get in contact with as well as know the most.

　　“The championship with the involvement of 99 martial arts universities this time is beneficial in creating a form of yearning towards martial artists among the ordinary people. It can also enhance their understanding towards martial artists.

　　“You are all Rank-1. Before this, you are all ordinary people, also the most suitable to be the first batch of martial artist to be exposed to the public.

　　“Next year, the number of students who are looking to register into martial arts university will definitely increase…”

　　“But…”

　　“Worried that your parents will find out and will be worried of you?”

　　“A little.”

　　“It’s nothing. It is actually better this way. If it was carried out in private…”

　　Lu Fengrou shook her head and said, “At least half of the casualties are to be expected!”

　　“Right now, however, the fight would be less brutal after opening up to the public. There will also be high-ranked powerhouses to assist anytime. It is a good thing for all of you as the number of casualties will decrease.”

　　In private, everyone could even bash each other to death without any problems

　　However, in an open match, unless when it was truly too late, plenty of middle and high-ranked powerhouses would be waiting to provide help.

　　This was indeed a good thing for Fang Ping and the rest.

　　The instructors would not turn a blind eye and watch them die anymore.

　　As for getting injured…

　　If one could not afford to see martial artists getting injured, then what use would it be for one to become a martial artist!

　　Perhaps they would fight in a few performance matches for ordinary people to watch?

　　Let them think that martial artists were all flowery of fist with fancy footwork, always fooling around?

　　Fang Ping heard her replies and did not speak anymore. Lu Fengrou said, “It is still unsure whether it will be opened to the public yet. However, the possibility is very high. Don’t think too much. This is a good thing for you. You can go ahead and fight. As long as you don’t get killed in a blow, then I will have reasons to save you.”

　　Cough, cough, cough…

　　Fang Ping smiled bitterly. “Am I that weak?”

　　“You think that you are very strong?”

　　Lu Fengrou scorned. “Having dominance amongst new students of MCMAU does not mean anything.

　　“In comparison, MCMAU is way softer. CCMAU is stronger than us. Other martial arts universities are weaker than us. However, this is a representation of the group as a whole instead of individuals!

　　“There were even martial arts universities in Northwest that threw new students into the Catacombs!”

　　“That cruel?”

　　“Cruel? Try and think about it. Once MCMAU and CCMAU resources are cut down by 30%, what they could get is not just 20 billion worth of appropriation!

　　“It includes the pill company and firearms manufacturing company’s profit division of the two elite universities!

　　“This will be a big thing in years to come!

　　“Involving hundreds of billions of wealth!

　　“After distributing evenly between every university, it will be more than a billion. Sacrificing the lives of a few new students to nurture a middle to high-ranked martial artist, do you think it is not worth it?”

　　Fang Ping was once again silent.

　　Lu Fengrou did not continue, instead she went back to the main subject and said, “Don’t get too caught up on these useless things. Today I will teach you Stepping Techniques and Saber Techniques!

　　“Look at the information on cultivation methods first…”

　　Lu Fengrou pointed to a big pile of books stacked aside.

　　Fang Ping was flabbergasted. “That many?”

　　“Middle-ranked Combat Techniques involve slightly more theories. It is also separated into more detailed aspects. Take an overall look at it. I will practice a few more times with you. Ask me again if you do not understand.”

　　“Alright.”

　　…

　　Fang Ping gave the books a quick scan.

　　A very simple name was used for Stepping Techniques—Cloud Steps

　　Saber Techniques on the other hand, used a comparably powerful name—Manic Explosion!

　　Of course, it was slightly vain as well.

　　Lu Fengrou saw him staring at the book title and spoke without thinking too much, “This is a Saber Technique developed by Nanjiang Governor-General Zhang. When he was young, he was slightly… Anyway, he was a foolish person. The names that he could think of were one of a kind.

　　“Manic Explosion was only one of it. He also had books like Royal Decapitation and Divine Annihilation…

　　“It sounds terrific. In reality, he is just a Rank-6… Oh, Rank-7 now.

　　“He used to get beaten up so badly by me… Sigh, a real man does not boast about his past achievements…”

　　Cough, cough, cough…

　　Fang Ping choked this time!

　　Was this true?

　　It was not his first time hearing the name of the famous Nanjiang Governor-General Zhang.

　　After his rebirth, Governor-General Zhang becoming a Grandmaster was a piece of big news where everyone in Nanjiang knew!

　　The other party also graduated from Nanjiang martial arts university. Wang Jinyang and the rest did not forget to mention that the other party was also responsible for the changes in Nanjiang martial arts university.

　　Right now, however, Lu Fengrou mentioned that when the other party was young, he used to get beaten up so badly by her. This must be an exaggeration, right?

　　Fang Ping had not expected that the Saber Techniques were developed by Governor-General Zhang.

　　“Instructor, you know Governor-General Zhang?”

　　“You don’t say, how else would this Saber Techniques be developed? Last time he used to court me. He should look at himself!

　　“I, your instructor, used to be a flower.

　　“My first time entering the Catacombs, out of ten people who went together, which guy was not entranced by me?

　　“He was at… there was no entrance to the Catacombs in Nanjiang, therefore Nanjiang martial arts university came to the Catacombs entrance in Magic City, and that was how we met.

　　“Cultivate at ease. I have asked him yesterday, that old little brat did not have any opinions. He’s extremely solicitous toward me. He even added that he will personally explain it to you if he is free. I ignored him…”

　　“She must be boasting, right?”

　　Fang Ping thought in his heart. The possibility was very high!

　　It was not the first time Lu Fengrou had boasted.

　　He could see it from the way she called herself “Unconquerable Wu!”

　　If she claimed that she knew Governor-General Zhang, Fang Ping would not doubt her. However, saying that the other party was entranced by her, to the point that he still thought about her now, was something that Fang Ping could not believe.

　　It was hard to say though, who could say what was true.

　　After knowing that the Saber Techniques were developed by Governor-General Zhang, Fang Ping had a different feeling. There seemed to be an inseparable fate between Nanjiang and him.

　　Fang Ping continued to go through the introduction to the cultivation methods with his head lowered. A name like Manic Explosion was rather self explanatory.

　　The continuous Vitality outbursts, the mad Saber Techniques, with not many styles to the Saber Techniques, altogether seven moves. The outburst grew more powerful after each move. It would be either life or death by the seventh move!

　　This is because after seven moves, regardless of the amount of Vitality you had, the final strike would drain all the Vitality from the outburst.

　　At this time, even if the enemy was not dead, you must die.

　　“What if I have unceasing Vitality?”

　　Fang Ping’s eyes sparkled. After seven moves in an outburst, and my Vitality had once again replenished, wouldn’t I be able to continue achieving outburst?

　　This time around, Fang Ping was getting more interested. He started flipping the pages seriously.

　　After reading it for a while, Fang Ping was lost in deep thoughts. When employing Manic Explosion, not only did it involve Vitality outburst, but there were limitations in other aspects as well.

　　Meridian, internal organs, bones, skin…

　　There was no problem with his Vitality. However, there were still limitations in these aspects.

　　“Too bad, I did not hone my upper limbs. Hopefully I can achieve Rank-2 before the championship. Hone a few bones in the upper limb. In doing so, in seven moves, I will cut whoever that is in the way…”

　　After reading the Saber Techniques for a moment, Fang Ping started reading the Stepping Techniques.

　　Achieving Cloud Steps was not complicated. Using other unique ways to unleash the power and achieve Vitality outburst would speed things up and it would be more sequenced…

　　After giving it an overall look, Fang Ping thought that it would not be too hard for him to learn.

　　He could achieve the listed requirements to achieve Vitality outburst and ensure that it would continue.

　　He had no problems with the cultivation requirements as well. Nothing but practice makes perfect. The focus was on Vitality strength. At this moment, Fang Ping realized that Vitality strength was more useful than he thought. It was no wonder the university admission tests surrounded Vitality.