Chapter 144: I Am Falling Behind for Being Penniless

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　After all of them had surrendered, Tang Feng saved the nonsense and announced, “Fang Ping will continue to be your class monitor.”

　　After he announced that, Tang Feng looked at Fang Ping and said, “If you want to continue living a bold life like this, I will suggest that you learn a set of Stepping Techniques and a set of explosively speedy Saber Techniques. It does not need to be garish.

　　“Learning Stepping Techniques can prevent the enemy from escaping. You can adjust your distance to stay near or far at any time.

　　“For Saber Techniques, emphasize on explosiveness and speediness!

　　“With enhanced explosiveness and great hacking speed, the enemy will find it impossible to change their moves. If you can hack hundreds of times in a breath while maintaining the peak performance of each hack, even Rank-2 martial artists will be hacked dead as easy as shooting fish in a barrel!”

　　Tang Feng seemed to have observed something. Fang Ping had strong endurance in maintaining Vitality outburst.

　　As long as he did not provide an opportunity for the enemy to change moves, trap them with his Stepping Techniques and continue to hack, after hundreds of hacks later, not many Rank-2 martial artists could stop him.

　　Of course, Fang Ping had to maintain the standard.

　　When Fang Ping’s Vitality increase once again, paired with his already honed upper limbs, Fang Ping could use this advantage to hack people of the same rank to death in an outburst.

　　Fang Ping nodded his head and thanked him.

　　Tang Feng did not continue with the topic. Soon, he spoke again, “Zhao Lei… you possess great courage… but…”

　　Tang Feng paused for a moment before saying, “It is absolutely useless for this foolhardiness! This is only a duel in class, that is why you have the option to surrender.

　　“Knowing that you cannot defeat him, yet you went on with your foolhardiness. Other than killing yourself, I don’t see that there can be other possibilities.”

　　He was already in a terrible state after the bashing, completely suppressed by Fang Ping. Insisting to hold on at this moment had only landed him with more punches by Fang Ping without making much difference to his current situation.

　　It would be meaningful if he had learned the lethal move, then he would be able to kill with one blow and turn the situation around. Then it would be more meaningful for him to keep holding on.

　　However, it was obvious that Zhao Lei did not have any.

　　In this situation, he didn’t have to be stubborn instead and give up.

　　With swollen eyes, Zhao Lei heard what was said but did not respond. No one could observe the change in his expression because it was impossible to tell!

　　“Yang Xiaoman, Fu Changding and the rest of you. Your abilities to make careful judgments were commendable. However, why didn’t you give it a go?

　　“Fang Ping can’t kill you. You will not die. Do you not have the courage to at least try?”

　　Yang Xiaoman felt wronged. Would I dare?

　　If I was bashed to the point that I was unrecognizable, how would I go out with this face?

　　Fu Changding gave a hollow laugh without saying anything. He had always thought that Fang Ping was looking for opportunities to bash him. He knew he would never stand a chance thus he had no intention to fight him anymore.

　　After giving them their comments, Tang Feng continued, “Fang Ping, Zhao Lei, Yang Xiaoman, and Fu Changding will be in the starters team.”

　　They were not surprised. Yang Xiaoman could not stop herself from looking at Chen Yunxi who was beside them and asked immediately, “Instructor, what about Chen Yunxi?”

　　Chen Yunxi bit her lips, lowered her head and remained silent.

　　Tang Feng spoke nonchalantly, “Chen Yunxi, I would suggest that you transfer to the School of Social Sciences and work behind the scenes in the future.

　　“Regarding the championship, I would not recommend that you continue to participate as well.

　　“Of course, this is only my two cents.”

　　“Instructor…”

　　Chen Yunxi’s tears threatened to fall, and she bit her lips hard. After a moment, she spoke, “I… I want to try!”

　　“It’s up to you. Your Vitality and number of bones honed are the top in class. I can let you join the starters team but joining it does not necessarily mean that you will enter the championship.

　　“If the reserves team members think that they can defeat you, then you must accept their challenge. If you lose, then you will join the reserves team!”

　　As one of the very few learners in class who had honed more than 50 bones, Chen Yunxi had ample qualifications and resources.

　　She had a rather good grasp in the cultivation of other aspects, including the cultivation of combat techniques.

　　The only thing that she lacked was guts.

　　In the eyes of Huang Jing and the lot, Fang Ping lacked guts too, but he did not lack that, it was just that he was extremely cunning. When it was not the right time for him to go all out, he would not go all out.

　　When it was the right time, Fang Ping would not hesitate to unleash it.

　　On the contrary, this attribute was missing in Chen Yunxi.

　　It would seem fitting for a martial artist like this to become a Vitality martial artist.

　　Chen Yunxi’s head stayed low as she remained silent. Yang Xiaoman tugged her arm and comforted her softly but it did not seem to help much.

　　“The rest, Tang Songting, Zhao Xuemei, Xu Yikai, Li Zhaoxu, and Jin Lei, the 5 of you will also join the starters team.

　　“The remaining ones will join the reserves team.

　　“I have mentioned this before that this is not final. Starters team does not ensure your participation in the championship; the reserves team does not mean you will remain in the reserves team indefinitely.”

　　Once the team had been allocated, Tang Feng continued, “Fang Ping will take on the role of the starters team leader. Does anyone have any opinion on this?”

　　Everyone turned their attention to Zhao Lei.

　　Although still unable to read his complexion, Zhao Lei had already started cursing in his heart with his bashed-up face. Why were you staring at me?

　　I was bashed up just now. Why were you still staring at me!

　　“If there is none, then Fang Ping will be the team leader. Also, this month, completing missions is not your utmost priority.

　　“Most of you must have plenty of credits with you now. During this period, just focus on enhancing your abilities.

　　“Bone-honing and the necessary cultivation for combat techniques should be cultivated. Strive to breed a few more peak Rank-1 martial artists before the championship.

　　“Fang Ping is not too far from achieving peak Rank-1 now. It will not be a problem to achieve peak Rank-1 before the championship.

　　“Zhao Lei and the rest of you may stand a chance as well. Most of you have honed more than 50 bones. Zhao Lei has honed 55 bones currently. Once the honing of both limbs is completed, both your Vitality and abilities will grow.

　　“Then there’s Combat Techniques and pole-standing.

　　“Rank-1 martial artists are not much different. Vitality is one of the reasons why Fang Ping has the upper hand. Secondly, his firm stance in pole-standing has achieved a peak state.

　　“To be able to fight, retreat, and entangle is also an advantage.

　　“In December, everyone can just focus on cultivating peacefully. The university will supply some resources for everyone. Members of the starters team will receive an additional 30 credits.”

　　“30 credits!”

　　Those from the reserves team could not stop themselves from being envious. They could earn credits even without completing missions – how great!

　　Fang Ping thought for a while and said, “Instructor, can I claim my mid-month and early next month’s class monitor credits in advance?”

　　Cough, cough, cough…

　　Tang Feng could not stop himself from coughing. Everyone else turned their attention towards Fang Ping as well.

　　Was there such a thing?

　　Claim in advance!

　　What would this mean?

　　Fang Ping thought nothing of it. He scanned the rest and said, “How about we continue to fight. Don’t worry, I promise not to aim for the face!”

　　“You!”

　　A few people from the starters team were slightly unsatisfied. Yang Xiaoman was fuming terribly.

　　After seeing what happened, Tang Feng smiled instead and said, “Of course!”

　　“Instructor!”

　　Yang Xiaoman cried. Tang Feng was nonchalant about it and said, “The day when you win, Fang Ping will give them to you then. Of course, I don’t think you stand a chance.”

　　This was obviously an attempt to provoke them. Tang Feng did not even intend to cover it up.

　　The rest of them held in their anger and could not release it.

　　Could Fang Ping be defeated?

　　Fang Ping’s eyes sparkled in delight. 30 credits for being class monitor this time. 20 credits a month in advance. 30 credits given by the university. 80 credits in his hands in the blink of an eye.

　　At this moment, Fang Ping realized that credits were very easy to obtain.

　　If he spoke his thoughts out loud, Yang Xiaoman and the rest would kill him!

　　Easy to obtain?

　　Since the start of the semester, Yang Xiaoman and the rest had accumulated less than 200 credits.

　　Other members of the special training classes received even lesser.

　　Other new students were even cultivating with their meager 50 credits given at the start of the semester until now. How could it possibly be easy to obtain!

　　…

　　The class at night was only for a simple allocation of groups. After allocating the respective groups, the ones from the reserves team left early.

　　The remaining 10 people were asked to stay.

　　Tang Feng said, “The details for the championship are out.

　　“The location is in Magic City!

　　“10th of January. MCMAU, CCMAU, Martial Arts University Alliance, and Eight University Alliance, four of them will gather in Magic City.”

　　“Martial Arts University Alliance is an alliance gathered together by normal martial arts universities, while Eight University Alliance is a group formed by the second-level martial arts universities.

　　“These second-level martial arts universities are centralized in both Magic City and Capital City.

　　“They include Sino Nation Martial Arts University, South Capital Martial Arts University, East Sino Normal University, South Sino University of Science and Technology, Capital University,…

　　“The 10th will be the opening ceremony of the championship. The opponent in the first round will be decided by drawing lots on that day.

　　“On the 11th, opening ceremony match. One in the morning and another in the afternoon. The winning team will be decided.

　　“On the 12th. The losing teams will have a duel with each other. The losing team will take fourth place.

　　“The winner, however, will wait for the winning teams match on the 13th. They will have a duel with the losing team. The losing team will take third place.

　　“On the 15th, the winner will fight with the consecutive winner to decide the first and first runner-up.”

　　Fang Ping responded immediately, “Does this mean that we need to fight against all three parties?”

　　“That’s right!”

　　Tang Feng nodded and said, “The team that is defeated in the first round will fight an additional round if they would like to qualify in the finals!”

　　Losing in the first match does not mean that one has lost. The other party could fight against another losing team, then fight the losing team that has lost to the winning team. Finally, they will fight with the team that wins consecutively. If they win, then they will claim victory.

　　Of course, this does not seem likely to happen. After all, losing the first time does not mean that one will win the second.

　　“The first place comes after three wins in three matches!”

　　Tang Feng exhaled softly before continuing, “By common agreement, once MCMAU and CCMAU lose the first and first runner-up position, the allocation of resources will decrease by 30% starting September next year.

　　“You must all understand that this means a huge loss for us!

　　“Every year, MCMAU invests 30 billion resources on the students!”

　　Yes, 30 billion!

　　It was just a university with 6000 students. MCMAU invested 30 billion worth of subsidiaries!

　　After it had been spread out evenly, every MCMAU students would receive 5 million worth of resources subsidiaries.

　　For new students, 50 credits as their welcome gift would amount to more than millions worth plus the usual subsidiaries. On average, the new students would receive benefits no less than 2 million every year.

　　The seniors received even more.

　　They needed more pills and other resources. Moreover, MCMAU sold them to the students for the cost price, sometimes even lower than the cost price.

　　The difference in price here was shockingly high as well.

　　A 30% deduction would mean losing roughly tens of billions of subsidiaries!

　　“Therefore, for the championship this time, our target is to remain second and strive for the first! If we win first runner-up, our resources will remain the same; first place, then CCMAU’s investment will be deducted by 10%, and these will be transferred to the winning university!”

　　Everyone’s complexion changed slightly. Tang Feng continued, “In December. All of you will continue cultivating, including the cultivation of various combat techniques.

　　“In January, the university will bring all of you to participate in two friendly matches.”

　　“Friendly match?”

　　“Yes. We will go to other universities to have a look. Mainly universities in Magic City.”

　　“Is it useful?”

　　“It will be slightly useful. You can roughly understand certain things. It will be good preparation for everyone.”

　　After saying those words, Tang Feng said once more, “The university has high hopes and expectations for the championship this time. In January, once the final name list has been confirmed, everyone can receive at least 50 credits as a reward!

　　“Securing first runner-up, the rewards from the university will not be any less.

　　“If you can secure the first place, then it’s all set. Each of you will receive at least 300 credits or more as a reward!”

　　Everyone’s eyes turned green. 300 credits or more!

　　The university’s investment in the students who participated in the championship this year was abnormally huge.

　　After the ins and outs, if they managed to secure first place in the end, each of them would receive at least 500 credits.

　　500 credits. It would be sufficient for everyone to cultivate smoothly and successfully up to peak Rank-2. If they were not competing with time and use it sparingly, even Rank-3 would be no problem at all.

　　…

　　Upon leaving the training room, Fu Changding lamented, “If would be great if we could secure the first runner-up. If we can’t, the school may not punish us, but everyone else will chastise us!”

　　The pressure was not small.

　　If they lose, the seniors who were about to graduate might not say anything.

　　However, the new students in the upcoming years would chastise these seniors enough for them to spit blood.

　　Not only the new students, but they would also have their problems as well. In the next few years, it would be extremely difficult to obtain cultivation resources.

　　“Fang Ping, are you confident?”

　　Fang Ping was speechless, he rebuked, “I am not even sure about the things going on in other schools, how would I be confident!”

　　He did not think that he was weak. However, did normal martial arts universities not have any geniuses?

　　Other things aside, last time Old Wang achieved peak Rank-1 by the end of the semester.

　　There were slightly more martial artists like this in normal universities. Who knew if more evildoers would appear.

　　“Strive to cultivate and achieve peak Rank-1 this month. If we can breed 10 peak Rank-1 martial artists, I think that we will stand a chance. Geniuses are not common, there are not that many of them.”

　　The few of them discussed for a moment before going their separate ways.

　　…

　　The next day. Noon.

　　Fang Ping and Zhao Xuemei were summoned to the training room.

　　Lu Fengrou did not have time for nonsense and said directly, “Fang Ping, are you interested to learn advanced combat techniques?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“Advanced combat techniques are typically designed to cater for Rank-3 martial artists.

　　“Rank-3 martial artists would have had completed honing their four limbs. At this time, the advancement of their bone-honing speed will slow down. That’s when they will focus on cultivating more advanced combat techniques.

　　“However, things are different now…”

　　Lu Fengrou thought for a moment before saying, “Combat techniques are dependent on the user. Initially, there was no stratification. Even with basic combat techniques, powerhouses can display equally high martial prowess!

　　“However, not anyone is a powerhouse. Just like firearms, they too, are differentiated by their strengths and weaknesses. There are superior and inferior weapons. In the end, things have evolved to the point that there were even superior and inferior combat techniques.

　　“Currently, besides basic combat techniques, techniques slightly powerful than basic combat techniques were employed by the martial artists of the three lower ranks. For example, the Puncture Kick that I had taught you last time is considered under the amateur-rank combat techniques.

　　Fang Ping butted in, “here are nine ranks like martial artists?”

　　“That is not the case.”

　　Lu Fengrou shook her head and explained, “There are currently only three ranks in combat techniques. Low rank, middle rank, and high rank.

　　“Puncture Kick is a low-ranked combat technique. To train Puncture Kick holistically while ensuring that it is not weak at the same will be very challenging.

　　“Middle-ranked combat techniques are designed to cater for martial artists who have completed honing four limbs. There are certain limitations sometimes, mainly Vitality limitations like massive Vitality spending.

　　“High-ranked combat techniques, however, are designed for middle-ranked martial artists.”

　　“What about Grandmaster powerhouses?”

　　“Grandmaster powerhouses do not deliberately pursue the ranking of the combat techniques. Grandmasters have specialties of their own. Let’s put it this way, what Grandmasters are after is the outburst of all-rounded mentality instead of purely achieving Vitality outbursts like the three lower and three middle ranks.”

　　“Mentality?”

　　Fang Ping could understand slightly. He asked immediately, “It has something to do with the mental state?”

　　Lu Fengrou darted a look at him and spoke nonchalantly, “You are still far from it. There’s no need to find out about these.

　　“Long story short, you guys are still very weak presently.

　　“In your case, if you would like to advance further, what you need to learn is middle-ranked combat techniques. These combat techniques require high levels of Vitality.

　　“One of the reasons is as you cultivate, it will use up a lot of Vitality. Another reason is that there are a few middle-ranked combat techniques that involve great outbursts of the ultimate move.

　　“Moves like this require a massive amount of Vitality to achieve outbursts.

　　“You have 300cal Vitality currently, right?”

　　“Yes, I do.”

　　Lu Fengrou tapped her fingers, thought for a moment before saying, “You want to learn Stepping Techniques and Saber Techniques?”

　　“I am interested to learn Stepping Techniques. It doesn’t matter whether I learn Saber Techniques or not. Strong outbursts and lightning speed will do. Nothing too garish.”

　　“I can teach you Stepping Techniques. Regarding Saber Techniques, how about this, look for me tomorrow and I’ll teach you.”

　　After they had finished discussing what Fang Ping could learn, Lu Fengrou looked at Zhao Xuemei and said, “You have not achieved peak Rank-1 and have only honed 47 bones. You may not be slow, but when compared to others, you are not fast either.

　　“Do you dare to give it a try?”

　　Zhao Xuemei was perplexed. Lu Fengrou spoke calmly, “Try cultivating using Rank-2 Vitality Pills. Make use of the outburst and hone your bones quickly!”

　　“Rank-2!”

　　“Exactly. This is one of the ways to quicken up your bone-honing speed. However, I’m afraid you may not be able to stand it, plus it involves a huge amount of spending as well.”

　　Rank-2 Vitality Pills typically cost no less than 700 thousand per pill!

　　In the university, it would require 20 credits to exchange for a pill. The price was incredibly expensive.

　　When using a Rank-2 Vitality Pill to hone a Rank-1 martial artist’s bones, one’s Vitality would be sufficient and bones could be honed without any worry.

　　“You are still 15 bones away from peak Rank-1. If you cultivate like you usually do, you will not achieve it within a month.

　　“However, if you consume a Rank-2 Vitality Pill every two days, within a month, it will not be entirely hopeless.”

　　“A pill every two days?”

　　The colors drained from Zhao Xuemei’s face. It will be 15 pills a month. She did not have that many credits. If she was to pay them with money, she would need around 10 million.

　　Would it be worth it?

　　There were even risks that she had to take as well!

　　After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Xuemei gritted her teeth and said, “Instructor, I choose to hone my bones with Rank-2 Vitality Pills!”

　　“Come to my place and cultivate every night then.”

　　As Fang Ping listened, he grew slightly impressed with Zhao Xuemei’s bravery…

　　However, he was more green with envy!

　　What a rich lady!

　　To achieve Rank-1 speedily, she would not even bat an eyelid to spend tens of millions. How rich was your family exactly?

　　It was possible to cheat in bone-honing…

　　Fang Ping thought for a moment and figured that it was normal. Rank-2 Vitality Pills were quick to replenish Vitality. After replenishing huge amounts of Vitality, a martial artist could employ Vitality continuously, hence picking up speed was entirely normal.

　　However, could the meridians stand it?

　　There might even be a need to use Viscera-shielding Pill of those sorts. After everything had been calculated, it would be even scarier to think how much was spent.

　　It was extremely rare for martial artists to do this. It was not that they could not cultivate to achieve Rank-1, but there was no need to be so wasteful. Cultivation was a long process, not something that could be achieved in a day.

　　“Did Old Wang do the same thing?”

　　Fang Ping was extremely doubtful. However, Old Wang that penniless pauper might not have the money to do this, right?