Now that he was not thinking of achieving Rank-2, he found himself with ample time to spare.

For the moment, he focused mainly on cultivating both combat and pole-standing techniques.

The horse-riding stance was a cultivation method that Fang Ping had practiced since he first started martial arts, and he had continued to progress since achieving the firm stance when he initially enrolled. Once he had achieved peak firm stance however, he had stopped cultivating pole-standing.

Fang Ping had sought Lu Fengrous advice. She had advised him a great deal, yet he still was unable to progress at all with his pole-standing

After some uncertainty and consideration, Fang Ping finally thought of Old Wang.

Old Wangs natural ability was not as strong as Lu Fengrous. Then again, Lu Fengrou was a peak Rank-6 adept, and adepts of this rank placed no importance on the cultivation of pole-standing. She had been at elevated stance for so long, she could hardly remember how it felt like to first achieve this feat.

Wang Jinyang, though, was different. He was only a sophomore after all.

Early in the morning at the Haven:

Fang Ping called Wang Jinyang.

Brother Wang

State your business, I still have things to do once youre finished!

Old Wang was very straightforward. Both he and Qin Fengqing had been in the Catacombs for two months now doing grueling extermination work, without asking for outside help. Slowly but surely, they had wiped out almost all the Catacomb creatures on the village outskirts.

For the past two days, both of them had been preparing for the grand showdown and were just about to enter the Catacombs.

It was lucky timing that Fang Ping called just then, otherwise, he would have never been able to get hold of him.

Brother Wang, I have stopped at the firm stance stage of pole-standing for quite some time now

Thats easily solved. Isnt there an artificial lake at your university? Have you watched how the Light Body Skills technique of running on water is done on television? Go and try stepping on the surface of the water. When you can do that to the point where the water doesnt go over your knees, control your center of gravity so you dont fall into the lake. When you can do this, youll have achieved the elevated stance stage.

Of course, it isnt as easy as it sounds. It depends on your understanding and insight. Once youve learned how to adjust your center of gravity, youll master things quickly. If you cant get it, youll just have to get used to falling into the water every day.

Fang Ping had now learned a new little trick, and he immediately continued, I have cultivated a Saber Technique recently, but my Vitality outburst doesnt surge quickly enough for me to attain the lethal move

Its not easy for a Rank-1 to achieve this step! Wang Jinyang did not look down on Fang Ping at all but praised him. He thought for a while before saying, You didnt hone your hand bones, so it will be difficult for you to attain the lethal move.

The strength of outbursts in combat technique has everything to do with the body. If your meridians arent tough enough and your bones arent strong enough, excessive outbursts will only hurt you. Im sure your instructor has told you this. However, its not like theres no other way

What? Fang Ping asked eagerly.

You thrice-hone your bones. Bones are not naturally weak, so you have the upper hand when it comes to physical fitness. Right now, if you strengthen yourself a little, youll have whats needed for the outburst.

It depends on if youre willing to spend a bit of money. Buy two Body-honing Pills. Dont consume them though, dilute them in water and hone both of your hands. After a few days, your hand bones will toughen up considerably

Body-honing Pills? Fang Ping was rendered speechless. Sure enough, it all came down to this inescapable truth: one must spend money to get stronger!

Body-honing Pills were used by all ranks to hone the body, and the effect was superior to Body-strengthening Elixirs. It was also more expensive.

In truth, not many people used Body-honing pills, because it was unnecessary. When bones were honed, the meridians and skin would be honed as well.

If Fang Ping were to achieve Rank-2 now and hone his hand bones, there would be no need to spend all this money.

Unfortunately, before achieving Rank-2, he would need additional assistance for both hands to release even stronger energy outbursts.

Two pills? Fang Ping asked, to make sure.

It depends on you, Wang Jingyang told him, Stop if you think its enough. Its slightly expensive though.

Slightly expensive? The university charged 30 credits per pillthat was not slightly expensive, it was very expensive indeed!

Nonetheless, Wang Jinyangs method was still an option. Fang Ping gave it some consideration, then answered, Ill try it out then.

Alright. Anything else? If no, Im hanging

up.

No, I

All Fang Ping heard was the dial tone. Old Wang had hung up immediately; he must really have had something urgent to attend to. Fang Ping had to laugh in spite of himself. He did not call again; he had found out what he needed to know.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Catacombs in Magic City:

Wang Jinyang growled through clenched teeth, Qin Fengqing, this round Ive wasted over two months of my time. If I cant catch a big one this time, Ill hack you to death in the Catacombs!

Qin Fengqing shivered and ventured hesitantly, At least weve had quite a few good things come out of it. I think the strongest guardian in the village might even be Rank-5 by now; we might just fail

Stop jinxing us! Wang Jinyang ordered, Remember, this time I will use Fist Fighting Techniques, two at most. If I cant kill him, help me escape! If I do kill him, get me out first as well. Your Stepping Techniques arent a problem, are they?

Qin Fengqing grumbled, Ive always walked the brave, courageous path, but these two months have almost turned me into Runner Qin[1]

Shut up! Im asking about your training! Wang Jinyang snapped.

I can run like the wind!

Great. Lets go!

The two of them mustered their courage and marched valiantly towards the Catacombs. A few martial artists who were guarding the entrance made fun of them, Should we prepare Healing Pills for both of you and summon the medical team first as well?

In the last two months or so, the pair had escaped and come back injured more than ten times.

Qin Fengqing did not even bother turning his head as he retorted, No need for that. When I come out again, Ill be a Rank-4 martial artist!

Well wait on your Rank-4 then! Hahaha

As the guards continued their teasing, the pair disappeared into the Catacombs and all sound from them gradually faded into silence.

Once they had left, another one of the guards piped up, Im afraid those two fellows must have found a good spot. Theyve been slaughtering creatures for more than two months. The bodies they brought back looked like they were least Rank-4! I worry theyll finally catch a big one this time!

Dont be jealous, this is a highly dangerous undertaking. Havent you seen how many times theyve been injured? Im amazed Qin Fengqing is still alive.

Youre right. But from what I can see, though, it looks like Qin Fengqing is almost done honing his torso

Wang Jinyang has improved a lot too. Im afraid hes going to achieve Middle-stage Rank-4 soon.

Sigh, the next generation always surpasses the previous one. Not a bad thing either, older ones like us can relax a little then. Im sure youve heard of the MCMAU championship recently?

Of course. MCMAU students are mostly just pretty faces though, making a lot of noise. In my opinion, the Military Department should get involved. Let the Departments genius martial artists teach those students how its done!

You dont say. There might not be anything worth watching though since the competitions just started this year. Anyway, the Military Department might not take part next round.

After some discussion, the group quickly fell silent.

MCMAU, in class:

Fang Ping listened to the lively discussion going on around him and felt half-inclined to kill someone.

Have you all noticed? Some lunatic has been doing winter swimming around our dormitory area dailywith clothes on!

Ive noticed. Doesnt look like winter swimming, more like falling into the water.

Ive noticed it too. I wonder if its the idiots from the School of Social Sciences. MCMAU students falling into the waterwhat an embarrassment!

Hey, the big thing is, it wasnt just once. I saw it happening a few times, from a distance.

You all saw it too? I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me!

The spirited discussion went on, with people laughing and poking fun at the incident from time to time.

Fu Changding gave Fang Ping a long, meaningful look. Quite a few people from Dormitory Area One gave him the same look as well.

It wasnt just once that Fang Ping had fallen into the water and returned to the dormitory, drenched to the skin.

Of course, the people from Area One did not really think that Fang Ping had simply just fallen like that. He could have been practicing some sort of combat technique.

However, nobody knew for sure!

The discussion had many people holding back laughter, but no one stepped in to explain or clarify. The atmosphere was lively and jocular, and quite amusing to watch.

Fang Ping huffed, and thought to himself, Just you wait until Ive attained elevated stance, then youll see!

There were three levels in pole-standing, but very few Rank-2 to 3 martial artists had attained the elevated stance.

By successfully achieving the elevated stance and combining it with Cloud Steps, Fang Ping would be able to do just about anything he wanted in a fight-he could retreat or attack whenever and however he chose.

No pain, no gain. He could only earn his reputation back if he was willing to accept humiliation!

Anyway, it was entertaining for everyone else, wasnt it?

Just you wait and see! he thought.

Fang Ping was broad-minded, but he took note of everyone who had discussed his escapades and those who had given him patronizing looks.

One of these days, he would teach them one by one what careless talk leads to trouble meant.

While Fang Ping was quietly plotting his revenge, Fu Changding changed the subject with a grin, Its Christmas tomorrow. Do you want to go hang out?

Christmas is a foreigners festival, what is there to celebrate? Fang Ping snorted.

Who cares whether its for foreigners or us? We should spend some time to relax. Weve been so stressed lately, Im about to snap from the tension.

Fang Ping gave this some consideration, then nodded abruptly. Sure. Lets go out tomorrow.

In reality, he was not going out for enjoyment, but because Li Chengze had recently called to warn him that someone had designs on his fast-food business.

Fast-food businesses were not complicated to run; there were always those who thought such enterprises had prospects. As long as everyone did their own thing, Fang Ping had no need to interfere.

Recently though, there seemed to be a martial artist causing trouble, and this was something that Fang Ping could not ignore.

Day two. 25th of December:

Fang Ping, Fu Changding, Tang Songting, Zhang Yue, and Xia Wenyou left the university together with a group of boys and girls.

Yang Xiaoman and the rest were in a hurry to achieve peak Rank-1, and could not spare the time to go out. Then again, Fu Changding did not invite them either, but he did invite a few other girls from the special training classes. These young ladies promptly accepted his invitationthey were still very far from achieving peak Rank-1 and not in any particular hurry to do so after all.

Fu Changding was speechless when he saw Fang Ping carrying a wooden box. What on earth are you doing? Its fairly safe in Magic City, why do you need to bring your weapons?.

Naturally, he knew what was in Fang Pings box.

I have something to do first, Fang Ping told Fu Changding, You guys go ahead and have fun, Ill come and find you later.

Where are you going?

Dont ask. Im going to teach someone a lesson. Ive been in a bad mood these past few days.

Fang Ping had a lot of anger bottled up inside him from the last couple of days. Not only was he falling into the water every day, he was ridiculed by everyone else.

This, however, was not the main reason for his mood it was that he had no means of income recently, and could only watch as his Wealth dropped steadily below the 10 million mark. Fang Ping felt as if he were suffocating.

Now, someone was trying to prevent him from making money. What else was that but a death wish?

After bidding farewell to Fu Changding and the rest, Fang Ping hurried away quickly.

Distance Ltd:

Li Chengze was waiting at the entrance to the building. He could not help but breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing Fang Ping, and immediately hurried forward, Mr. Fang

Who are we dealing with?

A martial artist from East Sino Nation Normal University. He has just graduated and is trying to start his own business. For some reason, he took an interest in ours. As Ive mentioned, hes a martial arts university graduate. Even though I took care to spread the news that our company owner is a martial arts studentit didnt seem to have any effect on him

What is his rank?

Rank-2.

A Rank-2 martial artist is trying to take over my business? Fang Ping cursed, Even that I can overlook. But just because I didnt bother to respond to his request for a fair competition, now hes trying to backstab me!

After his angry outburst, Fang Ping asked, Is he peak Rank-2, or has he just achieved Rank-2?

The East Sino Nation Normal University was considered more of a second-level martial arts university, rather than a normal one.

Their students abilities were not weak. There were quite a few Rank-3 graduates, but more of them were Rank-2, unlike a normal martial arts university where most students were Rank-1 graduates.

Students in this university were still not considered elites even after graduating from Rank-2. This signified that they were not strong enough yet as martial artists.

As long as Fang Pings challenger was not a Rank-3, things would be easier. Rank-3 martial artists in martial arts universities were all elites, and most of them were good in some form of combat technique or other.

A Rank-2, however, might not have such facility.

Li Chengze gave Fang Ping a cautious, if respectful look and thought for a moment before answering, I have asked around. He achieved his Rank-2 in the second half of his senior year, which was more than six months ago now

Only Rank-2 in his senior year, half a year now. Went all out to hone 20 bones, Fang Ping calculated. At this level of ability, if his rival did not have effective combat techniques, even Fang Ping could go up against him.

Perfect timing. I havent tried out Manic Explosion on anybody yet since cultivating it successfully. Hell be the one!

Upon reaching this decision, Fang Ping ordered immediately, Lets go to his place and look for him!

Go to his place directly? Li Chengze asked, startled.

Were martial artists, we dont fool around! Fang Ping declared.

Under normal circumstances, Fang Ping would not do this. The same went for other martial artists as well, except for those who had no sense of shame. In general, most martial artists were friendly towards everyone, and would rarely trouble people, unless their interests were violated, or there was some major benefit to be obtained from being around certain people.

In this case, however, since both parties were martial artists, there was no need for tact.

East Sino Nation Normal University Last time Old Wang defeated one of their Rank-2 martial artists when he was only peak Rank-1. Now its my turn!

During the drive in Li Chengzes car, Fang Ping was moody as he considered things.

He used to think that it was absolutely awesome for a Rank-1 to be able to defeat a Rank-2.

Right now, however, he recalled that he had done it once before by single-handedly defeating the cultist Yao Jincheng.

Yao Jincheng was a cult martial artist though, and weaker as a result. Martial arts students, on the other hand, were more Fang Pings level.

At my current skill, does it mean that Im ahead by a few months compared to Old Wang? He only reached this stage early this year

With thousands of thoughts like these running through his mind, Fang Ping suddenly grew brash!

Next year, he too could achieve Rank-4, and crush his fellow martial artists of the same rank to where they dared not lift their heads!

Then again, he did not even have to wait until next year. Next month, he would crush his fellow students and become invincible!

Very well, you will be my target, he vowed. Stealing my business is equivalent to cutting off my martial arts journey, and that is unforgivable!

Meanwhile, at the Rising East Company:

Wei Dongsheng frowned, That guy Li Chengze, what did he say?

Immediately someone reported, Li Chengze is very stubborn. He claimed he isnt the boss, and that they can only make a decision when his boss is there

Trying to scare me off with an MCMAU student? If he were someone in his junior or senior year, Id drop the whole thing. But scaring me off with a new student, thats way too reckless! Wei Dongsheng snorted.

Someone came in suddenly as he finished speaking, and reported, CEO Wei, Manager Li from Distance is here, and

And what?

And theres a young man with him, with a bad attitude. It seems like like hes here looking for trouble.

Looking for trouble?

Something flickered in Wei Dongshengs eyes. Suddenly he took off his suit jacket, picked up a long sword and said, Come on, lets go and take a look!

When Wei Dongsheng picked up the sword, his followers eyes lit up with fervor.

To most people, Wei Dongsheng was a paragon of perfection, having graduated at such a young age with a Rank-2 from East Sino Nation Normal University.

They had not yet had the chance to witness their CEOs ability. Now that he was leaving the room with a sword in hand, they knew that they were in for a good show!

[1] Originally called Runner Fan. Fan Meizhong was a Chinese teacher who happened to be teaching when the Sichuan earthquake happened. He ran away and later claimed that he was not brave enough to sacrifice for others, not even his mother. He was therefore called Runner Fan and dubbed Chinas biggest coward.