Chapter 111: Low-profile Cultivation

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　Throughout mid to late September, Fang Ping kept an exceedingly low-profile.

　　The glorious times when he had first enrolled at the university were slowly forgotten as other people performed outstandingly.

　　Nobody called out his nickname, “Rookie King”, anymore.

　　By the time it was the end of September, the ones who truly excelled were a handful of students who were twice-honed martial artists.

　　Zhao Lei had finished honing 40 bones. He was not slowing down. Within a month, he had managed to hone 9 bones. Even Tang Feng could not stop praising him.

　　Fu Changding was not too bad himself as he finished honing 38 bones.

　　Amongst the females, Yang Xiaoman had also completed honing 38 bones; Chen Yunxi was slightly slower at 37 bones.

　　They had been prominent figures throughout the past month.

　　Moreover, they had joined MCMAU’s Martial Arts Society. It has to be said that Fang Ping did not even apply during the recruitment drive.

　　Three points and one line. Dormitory, classroom block, and training room.

　　It was extremely rare for anyone to meet Fang Ping except during cultural study classes. Even when class activities had been organized a few times, he was always nowhere to be seen.

　　In less than a month, even the new twice-honed students who had achieved breakthroughs slower than him had higher reputations.

　　Without a doubt, Fang Ping did not care about any of it. Martial artists, especially newcomers, should not strive for fame. With assignments from his instructors and credits in place, it was not necessary to put on a great performance.

　　…

　　The one who interacted slightly more with Fang Ping was Zhao Xuemei.

　　End of September.

　　Training room.

　　Whilst practicing her puncture kicks, Zhao Xuemei threw curious glances at Fang Ping.

　　At the start of the semester, she had viewed this guy as someone who liked to be in the limelight. She thought he was a show-off, a slightly boastful person.

　　However, during this period of time, she realized that Fang Ping was not who she had thought he was. Not only was he reserved, but his performance was always at a steady pace.

　　All of them were young teenagers. Even someone like Zhao Lei could not help himself from being boastful. He had an unsatisfiable desire to present himself.

　　The number of bones they had honed had been disclosed by themselves. If not that, how else would outsiders have found out?

　　Fang Ping had never disclosed such things. Lu Fengrou did not bother asking as well. In reality, she might have been able to tell by looking at him but chose to keep quiet about it.

　　After having interacted with Fang Ping for almost a month, Zhao Xuemei watched as he cultivated monotonously by himself as usual. She could not stop herself from asking, “Hey, how many bones have you honed?”

　　“I have a name.” Fang Ping smiled dryly. He asked her instead, “What about you?”

　　“35 bones.”

　　Zhao Xuemei had no intention of keeping it a secret. She said bitterly, “Everyone started the same back then. However, I’m only able to hone 4 bones in the timespan of a month now. My progress is nearly half of others.

　　“At first, I thought I was making quick progress. After all, I had honed 31 bones.

　　“Who knew I would only get slower as time passed.”

　　“Why didn’t you hone your bones twice then?”

　　Zhao Xuemei replied peevishly, “You think everyone can do it? I managed to accumulate 169cal Vitality but it plateaued there regardless of how hard I tried. It was useless even when I tried to replenish it with pills. What happened instead was that my Vitality experienced an outbreak, and I almost died.

　　“I had no other choice but to breakthrough.

　　“As a martial artist with 169cal in Vitality, my bone-honing speed was rapid. However, I did not pay much attention to it.

　　“After enrolling at MCMAU, I realized that my speed has been gradually falling behind others.

　　“Sigh, I’m really envious of people like you.

　　“You honed your bones thrice and managed to achieve a breakthrough as a martial artist despite it being only a month since you enrolled. Your bone-honing speed must be really fast. Zhao Lei managed to hone 9 bones within a month. I’m sure in your case it must be at least 10 bones!”

　　“Around there,” Fang Ping replied in a humorous way.

　　Zhao Xuemei was unimpressed. Around there was how many exactly?

　　During the bone-honing period, one bone could make all the difference!

　　Fang Ping had no interest to explain, and Zhao Xuemei did not enquire about the exact details. She only said, “Everyone’s really curious about you. You don’t show yourself often. Xiao Man and the rest have been asking me about your status.”

　　Fang Ping frowned slightly. However, he later smiled. “Why are they interested to know about me? Am I that good-looking?”

　　“Tsk. Stop being a narcissist. They’re definitely not interested in you. Unlike me, they’re capable and beautiful. We’ve just started our semester, and a few seniors are trying to court them.

　　“Many of them are Rank-3 seniors!”

　　Zhao Xuemei sounded envious. It did not matter whether those proposals had been accepted or not. As a female, being courted by someone seemed to be the embodiment of one’s vanity.

　　Especially when they were Rank-3 seniors!

　　Rank-3. Even in MCMAU, they were definitely not fools.

　　Zhao Lei and the lot had hopes of achieving Rank-2 in their freshman year. However, it was hard to say if they could achieve Rank-3 in their sophomore year. There would be a lot going on throughout junior year.

　　Before graduating after their final year, it was difficult to say if one could achieve Rank-4. It was more likely that one would graduate as a Rank-3.

　　6000 students in MCMAU. Even though there were not that few Rank-3 martial artists, there were not that many of them as well. Moreover, roughly one to two hundred people had died trying to breakthrough to Rank-3.

　　There were fewer than 10 people in Rank-4.

　　At present, what most people had heard was that only 2 people had achieved Rank-5.

　　The ones who had achieved Rank-4 and 5 were rarely in the university. Even though they were students, they spent most of their time away from the university. Even most of them who were still in the area spent their time somewhere else.

　　It was extremely rare to find Rank-4 students hanging around MCMAU. The president of the Martial Arts Society, Zhang Yu, was a Rank-4 student. He was considered a top figure within that group of people.

　　Otherwise, Zhang Yu would not have any apprehension toward Wang Jinyang, shutting himself off.

　　Fang Ping could hear the jealousy in her voice. He laughed. “Getting courted by a Rank-3 isn’t that big of a deal.

　　“When you yourself have reached Rank-3 or 4, then, you’ll think that there’s nothing special about it as well.

　　“Besides…”

　　Fang Ping paused for a while before continuing, “Rank-3s who still linger around the university courting girls are just that…”

　　“Huh?”

　　Zhao Xuemei had a look of confusion on her face. Fang Ping explained calmly, “There are an infinite amount of missions in MCMAU. How could one find the time to court girls?

　　“I know a person, Qin Fengqing. He’s the Vice President of the Martial Arts Society.

　　“It’s great that the fellow is able to find the time to come back to the university at least once a month. Most of the time, he’s busy completing missions away from the university. I’ve only met him once, back when I had just enrolled.

　　“I met him again yesterday. He had just come back, and his body reeked of blood.

　　“When I walked out this morning, I caught sight of him heading out whilst carrying his backpack. He’s the type of Rank-3 martial artist I think of!”

　　Qin Fengqing had gone from being a Peak Rank-1 at the start of the year to a Rank-3 martial artist. Fang Ping had thought that it was all luck previously. Now, he thought otherwise.

　　That person was a madman. Without a doubt, he had not yet finished honing his trunk bones. Even so, Fang Ping figured that he was not too far off from doing so.

　　After achieving Rank-3, not many of them would stay in the university. Even if they did return, it would only be for a quick recharge instead of a long-term stay.

　　Lu Fengrou’s students were mostly Rank-3. Fang Ping had not met any of them up until now.

　　In regard to the one who stayed in the university, Fang Ping had never attempted to contact him. It was unsure whether the other person was still in the university.

　　Such people confirmed Fang Ping’s perception — being at Rank-3 was dangerous!

　　As for Rank-3 students who had decided to stay in school, most of them were in the preliminary stage of Rank-3. Paired with a weak desire to improve, they did not envision themselves graduating as Rank-4s.

　　Zhao Xuemei thought about it for a while and agreed that it made sense. However, for her, it was more like self-consolation.

　　Changing the topic, Zhao Xuemei asked, “The rumors regarding your challenge with the seniors seem to have died down recently. Has it been canceled?”

　　“No. It’s been decided that it’ll be tomorrow.”

　　Fang Ping smiled and said, “I’m planning to go home. It’s a hassle to stall for time with those guys.”

　　In October, there was a holiday to celebrate Independence Day.

　　It had been two months since July since he had enrolled at MCMAU. Fang Ping was planning to go home.

　　“Tomorrow?” Zhao Xuemei was fairly surprised. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

　　“Say what?”

　　“To root for you! You’re my classmate no matter what. We’re even under the same instructor. In the eyes of others, we’re considered close.

　　“Lucky for you, you don’t seem excited at all.”

　　Zhao Xuemei sighed. “It makes sense. If it were Xiaoman or Yunxi, I bet you’d be more enthusiastic.”

　　Fang Ping could not help but laugh. “You’re overthinking, it has nothing to do with looks. Besides, you’re not considered ugly…”

　　“Still ugly!” Zhao Xuemei harrumphed.

　　“I don’t mean it that way.” Fang Ping laughed. “Honestly, you’re not ugly. Just ungroomed… Do you know what I mean?

　　“Female martial artists are still ladies. There are without a doubt certain areas you need a little grooming in.

　　“You dress like a man most of the time. Even though Yang Xiaoman has the features of a handsome lad, she applies makeup and dresses up.”

　　“Is that it?”

　　Zhao Xuemei threw a side glance at her own attire: cultivation clothes. Nothing special about them.

　　As for makeup, it was enough that she was drained from cultivating every day, she had no more energy to doll up. Plus, her sweat would wipe everything clean.

　　Regardless, Fang Ping’s words had consoled her.

　　Something ran across her mind as she asked again, “Regarding the thing about being your sideline supporter. Where’s the challenge going to take place tomorrow? I’ll bring Xiaoman and the rest…”

　　“It’s best if you don’t come!”

　　“Why?”

　　Fang Ping exhaled softly. He said after a while, “I’m not sure about the situation tomorrow.”

　　The challenge raised by the seniors had caused a storm. However, everything quieted down in the later stages. It was as if the challenge did not exist anymore.

　　The quieter it was, the more Fang Ping felt that something was not right.

　　If the news had spread like wildfire to the point where everyone in the university knew about it, it was more likely that the seniors would vent their anger. The most they would do was humiliate Fang Ping. At the same time, they would have a go at Wang Jinyang.

　　However, everything was quiet at the moment. Not many people knew about the challenge and that was a problem.

　　Being unable to publicly humiliate Fang Ping meant that it would not be worth it to defeat him. Moreover, Fang Ping had been keeping a low profile recently. No one shouted out his nickname, “Rookie King”, anymore.

　　If the seniors really wanted to display their strength and induce fear in the newcomers, selecting Zhao Lei and the rest would be more sensible.

　　If that was the case, what was the purpose of carrying on with the challenge?

　　Purely to defeat Fang Ping?

　　Fang Ping thought otherwise. Perhaps those guys had the intention of murdering him, if not, cripple him.

　　Too violent. Even if the rules allowed such a thing, it was not a good idea if many people were to know about it. That was why they kept it low-profile.

　　With fewer people informed, the claim of being unable to pull one’s punches in a challenge would be given after the event. In the case of an accident, one could beat around the bush and everything would be forgotten.

　　In any case, no one had seen it happen. Similar to Fang Ping, he had neither seen how Wang Jinyang cut off other people’s limbs nor beaten people to the point of causing them critical injuries. Although it was cruel when he thought about it, there was not much going on in his mind.

　　However, if he were to witness it happen at the scene itself, he was sure that his feelings would be different.

　　At least that was what he thought. Plus, Lu Fengrou had mentioned it before. Hence, Fang Ping was exceptionally cautious at the moment. He was far from composed.

　　Moreover, Zhao Xuemei thought that it was like playing with a playhouse — becoming a sideline supporter!

　　Did she think it was some sort of school allocation at the start of the semester?

　　During school allocation, it was just like playing with a playhouse; everyone joked around. Even when Fu Changding was assaulted, he only suffered minor injuries.

　　If the students had been serious about throwing dead punches, Fu Changding would have already been dead.

　　Fang Ping was still deep in thought when Lu Fengrou suddenly walked in.

　　She flashed a look at Fang Ping, nodded slightly and then said, “Not bad, puncture kick is considered a minor achievement. Is the tournament tomorrow?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“I’ll come tomorrow. Don’t let me down.”

　　After she had said that, she looked at Zhao Xuemei and added, “Come with me tomorrow. No need to invite the others, just come by yourself in the morning.”

　　“Thank you, instructor!”

　　Zhao Xuemei thanked her immediately. She looked at Fang Ping smugly, almost as if saying, “You don’t want me to be there? The instructor will bring me there!”

　　Fang Ping was too lazy to fight with her over such a trivial matter. Lu Fengrou did not look at Zhao Xuemei, but she instructed her, “Xuemei, go back. I’ve something to discuss with Fang Ping.”

　　Without further delay, Zhao Xuemei packed her things and left.

　　After she had left, Lu Fengrou said, “I’ve told you everything you should know.

　　“Be vigilant tomorrow. Don’t trouble yourself with other matters. Once you’re on the platform, it’s going to be life and death. No one can interfere.

　　“If you feel like you’re no match for them, you can surrender. Once you’ve surrendered, I can interfere.

　　“Regarding the student organization which challenged you, I’ve got a line on their leader. He’s Liu Yongwen, a Rank-3 who’s in his junior year.

　　“He has a younger brother who enrolled at MCMAU last year. That guy’s also a genius.

　　“He completed freshman year last semester and has already achieved peak Rank-1.

　　“After a challenge, he was left with a shattered sternum. Right now, he’s recuperating in the hospital. Even if he is discharged, he’ll need to rest for another year or two.

　　“This period of time is the most crucial for cultivation!

　　“He’s been delayed by a few years. Plus, he’s very much crippled already.

　　“That’s the situation. You can figure it out yourself. Before I forget…”

　　As she spoke, Lu Fengrou threw a pill bottle toward Fang Ping. With a nonchalant look, she said, “Rank-2 Vitality Pill. Try performing an outburst. Whether you die or not depends on your luck. I think you’ll make it.”

　　Fang Ping thanked her immediately. “Thank you, instructor!”

　　Rank-2 Vitality Pills were not cheap. Even in MCMAU, 20 credits were required to obtain one of them!

　　They were even more expensive outside the university. Once Fang Ping had gotten hold of the Rank-2 Vitality Pill, his wealth increased by half a million.

　　With a 70% discount applied in the system, if it was sold outside the university, it would amount to about 700 thousand.

　　Even Rank-2 and Rank-3 martial artists did not have the chance to consume them often. Most of them consumed a pill only after achieving a breakthrough.

　　In regard to what Lu Fengrou had said previously, Fang Ping kept her words in his heart. He understood what she was trying to tell him.

　　A shattered sternum while entering a challenge, it had to be Old Wang’s doing.

　　Lu Fengrou did not say anything more. She turned her back and was going to leave.

　　However, before she left, she thought for a while and finally asked, “Have you finished honing your foot bones?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“Are you a genius?”

　　Lu Fengrou smiled and shook her head, but she did not say anything else. Finally, she left.

　　Under a month, 26 bones honed!

　　If he was not considered a genius, then who was?

　　At such a rate, Fang Ping would be able to achieve Rank-2 by the end of the semester.

　　Achieving Rank-3 was just a matter of time.

　　Perhaps within a year?

　　After he had achieved Rank-3, he would be exposed to an even wider world. She was worried that Fang Ping would not stay put.

　　The number of students she had was not few. However, many of them had died. Sometimes, even Lu Fengrou hoped that they would take things slower.

　　When she taught her students, she would not pressure them too much.

　　For example, in the case of Zhao Xuemei, she had not honed her bones fast enough. However, Lu Fengrou neither displayed any anger nor criticized her.

　　Making progress step-by-step seemed to be the more sensible choice. Fang Ping’s progress was very fast, but that did not mean it was a good thing.

　　…

　　Fang Ping was unconcerned about Lu Fengrou’s attitude. He focused his attention as he read the stats of his body:

　　Wealth: 5410000

　　Vitality: 261cal (269cal)

　　Mentality: 231Hz (239Hz)

　　Throughout the past few days, with the progress he had made in honing his bones, his Vitality had started rising rapidly.

　　It had only been less than a month after he had achieved a breakthrough. His Vitality was 239cal at the time of his breakthrough, and it had now increased by 30cal!

　　Of course, his total expenditure was staggering. His Wealth included the Rank-2 Vitality Pill that had the value of half a million yuan. In reality, gaining 30cal in Vitality had cost Fang Ping 2.6million in Wealth!

　　Instead of spending most of his wealth to increase his Vitality, he spent in on honing his bones. Bone-honing required a colossal amount of Vitality. Fang Ping’s ability to progress at such a great speed was entirely dependent on the continuous replenishing of his Vitality.

　　“My remaining Wealth can only help me get through Rank-1 honing.”

　　62 bones in the lower limbs. He had completed honing 26 of his foot bones the day before. He only had 36 bones left to hone. They included big bones such as thigh bones.

　　Under such circumstances, once he had completed honing his bones, his Wealth that was about 5 million or more would be nearly empty.

　　Even if some of his Wealth were left, it would not be much.

　　“Roughly 100 thousand Wealth is needed to complete honing one bone piece. I’m afraid that I’ll need slightly more for Rank-2. Zhao Lei and the lot are progressing rapidly. Their resources will most probably become depleted sooner or later, and they’ll have to slow down as well.”

　　Everyone had credits in the beginning, so it was not hard to make progress. With all the spending, and without the support of one’s family, one had to start completing missions. Without doing so, one was forced to slow down.

　　With a steady flow of resources, those guys could achieve Rank-2 in their freshman year next semester. However, if their resources were suddenly cut off, it would be hard to tell. They might even have to wait until their sophomore year.

　　“I shouldn’t care about them, I need to watch out for myself.”

　　Fang Ping exhaled softly as he stopped cultivating. He packed his things and then stepped out of the training room.