Villa No.8.

When Fang Ping arrived, it was the first time he had felt out of place at the villa.

There were quite a few people present. Zhao Xuemei and Chen Yunxi were there, as well as a few other youngstersthree boys and a girl. Fang Ping did not know them.

Lu Fengrou was resting on the sofa; she seemed to be taking a nap.

The moment Fang Ping came in, Lu Fengrou said lightly without opening her eyes, Youre here.

Yes.

Get to know each other.

After Lu Fengrou said this, the three boys and the girl all turned to look at Fang Ping.

Ye Qing, School of Weaponry junior student, Upper-stage Rank-3.

Liang Fenghua, School of Weaponry junior student, Peak Rank-3.

Liang Huabao, School of Weaponry sophomore student. Liang Fenghua is my older brother. Im Upper-stage Rank-3.

Liu Mengyao, School of Production junior student, Upper-stage Rank-3.

The three boys and the girl introduced themselves one by one.

Ye Qing looked grave and stern, with punk hair that stood straight up. He did not look as if he would be an easy person to go up against. Fang Pings impression was that people with this sort of hairstyle were usually rather prickly and rebellious.

The two Liang brothers seemed more straightforward. Both brothers had managed to get into MCMAU; one was Peak Rank-3, and the other was Upper-stage Rank-3. Their abilities were not weak either.

Liu Mengyao looked much gentler. Perhaps it was because she came from the School of Production and was not as fierce as the girls in the School of Weaponry.

Fang Ping said hurriedly, Fang Ping, freshman student, Upper-stage Rank-3.

Upon hearing this, everybody stared at him quite a while longer, including Zhao Xuemei and Chen Yunxi.

Fang Ping had actually achieved Upper-stage Rank-3!

Junior, you truly are incredible

Before Liang Fenghua could finish complimenting Fang Ping, Lu Fengrou interrupted and said, Its enough that youre acquainted with one another. You are all students Ive accepted in the last few years. Including Fang Ping, Xuemei and Yunxi, Ive accepted 15 students in recent years.

Fang Ping was aware of this; Lu Fengrou had mentioned it before.

However, Fang Ping had never seen his own seniors as he was younger than them by a year.

Lu Fengrou continued speaking, Out of 15 students, 6 have died.

Fang Pings eyes narrowed slightly. When he first entered as a freshman, if he recalled correctly, Lu Fengrou had said 4 died. One was Rank-4, and the other three were Rank-3.

Not even a year had passed and two more had died?

Lu Fengrous tone was calm as she said, Another two have been crippled and have gone home to take care of their families. Of my students, only the 7 of you are left.

Instructor

Liu Mengyaos eyes reddened all of a sudden. Choking slightly, she faltered, Senior Zhang and the others

Lu Fengrou said with some weariness, I said from the very beginning, if youve been injured, dont go to the Catacombs anymore. They didnt listen, and now seventy percent of their bones are broken. Now theyre in wheelchairs and can look forward to growing old in the comfort of their homes.

Today Ive brought you all together to tell you that enough have died.

In these four years, Ive accepted 15 students, and not even half are left.

Next semester, I wont be accepting any more students; I might not accept any more even in the foreseeable future.

In the span of a short four years, one student after another had died. Among all the instructors, she had lost the most students.

Lu Fengrou lifted a hand and rubbed her temple. She looked at Ye Qing and said, You and Zhang Longshan went out to do a mission together. Did you sense anything fishy?

Ye Qing knitted his brows slightly at this and shook his head after a pause. I dont think so. Our luck was quite bad. We met a small team of scouts led by an Upper-stage Rank-4 martial artist. Senior Chen was killed in action, Senior Zhang was heavily injured, myself and two others got lost as well. In the end, Senior Zhang managed to escape, but he couldnt cultivate anymore

Lu Fengrou said tiredly, Are you all too extreme or is somebody sabotaging me?

Theyre dying one after another!

Everyone could find nothing to say.

Lu Fengrou sighed, then suddenly turned toward Fang Ping, Zhao Xuemei and Chen Yunxi. The three of you will be going to the Catacombs for the first time this round. It will be highly dangerous.

Fang Ping, keep your wits about you and stay vigilant. Dont die.

Also, keep an eye out and see if what happens is truly an accident, or if someone is specifically targeting me

Fang Pings heart gave a quick jump. He blurted out hastily, Instructor, that cant be, right?

Lu Fengrou said wryly, Who knows? In the last few years, Ive offended many people.

The year something unfortunate happened, I did many things. On the surface, nobody minded, but who knows what they really are thinking.

Also, some people are worried about me achieving a breakthrough to Grandmaster level and causing a lot of trouble that might involve mankinda great offense indeed!

Perhaps letting my students die is a way of hurting me so I cant breakthrough and become a Grandmaster. Naturally, this means I wont be able to drag humanity into any danger.

Bartering a few Rank-3 martial artists lives in exchange for the future of mankindI ask you, is this sort of high moral integrity high enough?

So, stay clear-headed, all of you. They might not go so far as to kill you in broad daylight, but underground in the dark, who knows what could happen?

Moreover, could evil sect martial artists actually be middlemen for evil sects? Do they exist in other realms?

Weve been at war with the Catacombs for so many years. Although neither party can communicate well, research in the last few years has enabled us to pretty much figure out what everybody wants to convey. Its not impossible for someone to be a spy for the Catacombs.

There are many prodigies among my students. One prodigys death is even more worthwhile than the deaths of ten mediocre people.

At any rate, there are all sorts of possibilities.

Each of you had better grow some brains and think very carefully before you do anything. There are only 7 of you. How many more have to die?

Lu Fengrou sighed and continued, saying, Remember. When you enter the Catacombs, dont simply trust anyone!

That is a lawless worldto us humans at least. Other than the strongholds, other places there have no laws.

Humanity has no way of withstanding a powerful enemy like the Catacombs. However, this might only be limited to the overall situation. Martial artists have died one after another in the Catacombs. Who knows how they died?

I dont like to think ill of other people, but I have to now. In these few years, too many people have died.

Especially on my side; the number of people dying is increasing.

Fang Ping and the others fell silent.

Im just reminding you all of one thing. Dont let anyone else die. Fenghua, dont go to the Catacombs for now. Get ready to breakthrough to Rank-4. When you graduate, go take a position in the government, and dont go to the Military Department.

Huabao, Mengyao, the two of you prepare to breakthrough to Upper-stage Rank-3.

Ye Qing, youre close to Peak Rank-3. Recently the situation has been unstable, so dont go to the Catacombs.

As for Fang Ping and the girls, you three have never been to the Catacombs so you must go, butremember one thing. You only have a future when youre still alive!

Lu Fengrou said very seriously, In university, other instructors will tell you that you must be willing to fight, that you must not be afraid of battle, and that you must not run from it!

When you go to the Catacombs, the Military Department will tell you that its better to die standing than to live kneeling.

However, remember what I said. People who set themselves up to die are idiots. If you already know you cant go up against them, you must not be foolhardy in the name of so-called courage.

Im not worried about Fang Ping. Xuemei and Yunxi, both of you must rememberafter you enter the Catacombs, you must follow Fang Ping. Dont give me any rubbish about all this death before retreating in battle nonsense!

If Fang Ping runs, you two must run faster than him

Fang Ping was speechless when he heard that. Is Old Lu praising me or being sarcastic?

When have I ever run away?

Back then I was the Upper-stage Rank-3 who battled a Peak martial artist; I was so recklessly brave I made an absolute mess of things. When did I become this Runaway Fang youre talking about?

Zhao Xuemei and Chen Yunxi exchanged glances. Lu Fengrou ignored this and looked at Fang Ping, saying curtly, I dont care about other people. Humans are selfish. If they die, its their loss, but remember to bring your comrades back unhurt!

If you abandon even your comrades, then youre not wise, youre despicable!

Remember what I said. Of course, if you do encounter dangers in which youll face certain death, escape however you can and forget about it. Play it by ear.

Fang Ping nodded, his expression serious. Instructor, I havent reached that stage yet.

Lu Fengrou continued rubbing her forehead. After a while, she said, The rest of you, go back now and work hard in cultivating. Fang Ping, stay behind for a while.

The other students did not linger. They bid her goodbye and left.

The moment they left, Lu Fengrou leaned back on the sofa. She contemplated in silence for a while before saying, The date for entering the Catacombs has been decided. Youll officially go in on June 20th. Tang Feng will be in charge!

At this, Fang Ping asked at once, Instructor Lu, isnt Instructor Tang your rival?

Lu Fengrou rolled her eyes and said impatiently, Lion Tanghow do I put ithe might not have the highest IQ, but his character is still alright. With him in charge, he wont purposely target anyone or get anyone killed. Do you understand?

Yes, I understand!

Fang Ping heaved a sigh of relief. By saying this, Lu Fengrou meant Big Lion was still quite reliable.

Lu Fengrou continued, With Lion Tang in charge, youll be safe as he has the strength of a Peak Rank-6. Still, unless its absolutely a last resort, dont get separated from him.

Alright.

If you do run into extreme danger, find a way to contact my father in the Catacombsof course, the probability of finding him is very low. The Catacombs are huge. I dont know where he is either; furthermore, the Catacombs are so dangerous. Is he still alive or not

Lu Fengrou gave her head a slight shake. She had not received any news of her father for a year now since he had entered the Catacombs.

At the beginning of last year, she had seen him once. After that, she had heard nothing more about him. Lu Fengrou really did not know if he was dead or alive.

Even though she was uncertain of her fathers whereabouts or if he was even alive, Lu Fengrou still tossed a pocket watch to Fang Ping. My father left me this. It has his picture in it. If you meet him, you can ask him for help. If you dont meet him, then let it be.

Fang Ping solemnly took the pocket watch. This was a Peak Rank-7 Grandmasters token. If it was in the cards that they met, there might be some benefits to be gained.

Alsoremember, you can carry on protecting Xuemei a little. As for Chen Yunxi, if you run into any trouble, you can run with her.

Ah?

Shes the only girl in the Chen familys third generation. Old Man Chen has six or seven grandsons but only one granddaughter. He most probably would have arranged something. If you run with her, youll be safer than if you follow other people. Previously when I asked you to protect her, I was actually telling you that her chances of survival are higher than yours.

Understood! Fang Ping answered happily. If he really ran into trouble, there was a way out now.

Lu Fengrou thought for a moment, then said, Try to avoid the MCMAU Grandmasters. Aside from the old vice-chancellor, stay away from the others.

Fang Ping was completely befuddled.

What did that mean?

Lu Fengrou said wryly, Our MCMAU Grandmasters, including Wu Kuishan, insist on putting country and mankind first, and others second. Do you get what I mean?

Not really.

Idiot!

Lu Fengrou scolded him, furrowed her brows and said, It means that for the greater good, theyd be willing to sacrifice the lesser portion, and you are part of whats considered the lesser portion.

Its still unclear whats going on with you. Who knows what theyre thinking?

Of course, this probability is not very high. After all, youre an MCMAU student, your Mentalitys not weak, and you have hopes of becoming a Grandmaster. In the overall scheme of things, they would probably choose to protect you too.

But what Im worried about isnt this, its

Fang Ping hastily asked, What are you worried about, Instructor?

Lu Fengrous eyes brightened, then darkened. A moment passed before she said, For humanity, for the greater good, its best that I, Lu Fengrou, dont become a Grandmaster.

To become a Grandmaster, your essence, spirit, and soul must be as one.

Many of my students died. Perhaps I was damaged by this so my essence, spirit, and soul are not completely whole. Naturally, this means I cant talk about achieving a breakthrough.

These are just my own conjectures, but its not impossible.

Anyway, just be more careful. Even if they wanted to block my way to a breakthrough for their so-called greater good, they wont attack anyone on purpose. But theres still a chance they wont save you if youre dying, or they might just give you a more difficult mission.

Fang Ping was dumbfounded. What did this mean?

To prevent Lu Fengrou from achieving her breakthrough, these Grandmasters might purposely sit on their hands and watch her students die? It would not come to that, would it?

From Fang Pings point of view, it did not matter if it was Huang Jing or Wu Kuishanof course, he was not actually familiar with these people.

Fang Ping felt only that these Grandmasters were fighting hard for mankind, standing on the frontlines of battle to protect their country and getting heavily wounded in the process.

Could these people really do something as cruel as what Lu Fengrou said?

Lu Fengrou said somewhat wearily, As long as youre cautious, its fine. Its hard to say. After all, if I do achieve breakthrough, Id definitely have to go to the Catacombs. If I dont die, others would.

If I die, its no great loss, but what if others die?

If a Rank-9 powerhouse or a lord of a city dies, Im afraid a massive war wont be far away.

Would it plunge people into misery and suffering?

Maybe!

But there are some things that Id want to do even if I knew the consequences. Im not as virtuous as them. Im not capable of caring about what mankind does. I only know that I have revenge to take!

Anyway, thats the situation. If you meet these old bastards in the Catacombs, dont get close to them if theres no reason to.

Grandmasters arent human. Who knows if they still have humanity left in them?

That includes my father. Who knows what hes thinking?

Perhaps Ill only be able to understand when I become a Grandmaster. As for you, remember, your life is your own. Ive given you so much advice now. If you still die, dont blame me.

Fang Ping said sorrowfully, I wasnt too scared at first. After what youve said though, Instructor, Ive become a little scared now. It feels like there are enemies everywhere, and everybody wants my life.

Thats right.

Teacher, in that case, do you have anything that could protect me? For example, a scroll that seals the strength of one blow, or a single-use weapon that could grant you one outburst as powerful as that of a Grandmaster, or

Lu Fengrou merely stared at Fang Ping while as he spouted his nonsense. A long moment passed before she said, I would like that too. If something like that truly exists, you give me some alright?

Instructor, dont you have pills? Could you give me some? Let me have some three to five hundred Resurrection Pills

Lu Fengrou gave a mocking laugh and said lazily, I dont have Resurrection Pills, but I do have something good to give you.

After saying this, Lu Fengrou produced a medicine bottle from the drawer and tossed it to Fang Ping, saying, Ill give you these Vitality Outburst Pills!

Vitality Outburst Pills?

This was the first time Fang Ping had seen Vitality Outburst Pills.

They arent good for much. Their only use is that after taking them, your Vitality will boil No, itll blaze!

With blazing Vitality, your outburst will be much stronger!

I think Ive seen the effect of this pill on television before

Television is also based on reality. After you use the Vitality Outburst Pill though, all your Vitality will be burned up and exhausted. If you cant kill your enemy by then, you might as well wait to die.

Of course, that might not necessarily happen to you, so Im giving them to you.

If you meet a Rank-4 or -5 martial artist, you can try them. Even if all your Vitality is used up, you wont die. You can replenish your Vitality, cant you?

As she said this, Lu Fengrou seemed to remember something and added, The Vitality Outburst Pill burns up all the Vitality in your entire body at once. If you dont manage to replenish enough of your Vitality to keep you alive, youll die. Do you still want it?

A pill of certain death? Fang Ping muttered. The meaning behind these words was very clear. The pills would burn up all of his Vitality at once. Even if the enemy did not die, he would become a dry corpse.

Its not necessarily certain death. If youve killed the enemy, stopped your Vitality outburst and taken a lot of Vitality Pills, you might not die, but your vigor will be seriously damaged.

Lu Fengrou carelessly delivered this phrase, then said, There are three pills in that bottle. If youve taken them and not died, you can prepare some more for yourself in future.

Fang Ping smiled and said, Instructor, please give me a few more. After all, if others took it, theyd die

These pills were good!

After Lu Fengrou had given him three pills, his Wealth points instantly shot up by 4.5 million. What did that imply?

It meant that these Vitality Outburst Pills might not sell for lower than 2 million a pill.

Lu Fengrou snorted and ignored Fang Ping. These were not mainstream pills. They were a limited item from the start. Of course there would not be many of them.

Ordinary people could not buy them at all. Pill companies did not specially manufacture them either. The Military Department had created some, and she had obtained these three pills from them.

Stop talking nonsense. Starting from tomorrow, cultivate your Combat Techniques. Leave now.

Instructor

Leave!

Fang Ping was helpless; all he could do was to leave. Still, he now had 4.5 million wealth points. He could manage for a little while.