World’s Best Martial Artist

The first two rounds had ended.

News about the Championship flooded the Internet.

“The Martial Arts University Alliance and The Eight School Alliance Loses in First Round!”

“CCMAU and MCMAU Both Win, Defending the Honor of Both Renowned Institutions!”

“Han Xu From CCMAU, Rank-1 Martial Artist, Wins Against A Rank-2 Opponent In Battle Transcending Ranks!”

“Fang Ping from MCMAU Exits the Arena Unscathed After Four Wins.”

“Five Heavily Injured After First Round, All Injured Sans Fang Ping and Fang Wenxiang. Is the Championship Way Too Bloody for Its Own Good?”

“Rank-2 Martial Artist Sun Mingyu Defeated in First Battle, Hand Shattered.”

“Rank-2 Martial Artist Chen Jiasheng Holds the Fort Alone with No Hope of Victory…”

“Eight School Alliance 0 Wins with 5 Defeats, Is MCMAU Too Strong or is Eight School Alliance Too Weak?”

“…”

The Internet was heated with arguments and discourse.

Several video websites had procured the rights to broadcast the championship.

Countless spectators watched it from the Internet.

Out of the 17 contestants who had competed in the first two rounds, 5 of them were gravely injured while 10 more suffered minor injuries. Needless to say, no one had expected something like this to happen.

The fact that the Martial Arts University Alliance, who had two Rank-2 martial artists under their wing, had lost by a huge margin made the headlines.

Many more lamented the effortless victory of MCMAU against the Eight School Alliance.

The Eight School Alliance had quite a reputation, but then the Alliance, a joint effort of the other eight universities in the national top ten, was bulldozed by two students of MCMAU; and that was because leader Fang Ping had exited the stage of his own volition!

At the same time, the coming schedule was posted on the Internet.

January 12, the Martial Arts University Alliance vs. the Eight School Alliance!

January 13, Capital City Martial Arts University vs Magic City Martial Arts University!

It was speculated that the battle on the 12th would be between the reserves mostly – the starters were all in bad shape.

The match on the 13th held more interest. Fang Ping had performed extremely well, but CCMAU was not bad either.

The other team had won against the Martial Arts University Alliance, who had two Rank-2 martial artists in their Ranks. Their more hard-won victory did not denote their lesser strength – it could only be said that the Martial Arts University Alliance was strong enough to make them fight to the end.

The Championship was once again at the center of attention.

The young people did not pay any attention to the reports that stated the bloodiness of the championship.

This was what a martial artist should be like!

Who had not dreamt of being a martial artist before?

A martial artist should be straightforward and audacious, free and without restraint. What was the meaning of life as a martial artist if it was without blood?

Most people proclaimed their satisfaction at the way the battles unfolded!

They had watched as celebrities posed and faked their moves on screen. They had watched as politicians waxed poetic about trivial topics, as businessmen accumulated wealth in relative peacefulness…

Now, as martial arts university students fought for their honor with their lives on the line, they had the epiphany that that was how martial artists should be like!

…

MCMAU.

Fang Yuan’s grin stretched her face wider. She simpered while clutching tight on Fang Ping’s arm, “Brother, you did amazing!”

“Of course! I said that they’ll be easy opponents. I was only letting them off easy; I could’ve defeated five of them in a row!”

“Brother, on the day after tomorrow, can you win against your next opponents without getting hurt?”

“I’ll be going last.” Fang Ping laughed before continuing, “Rest assured that today’s showing is not a demonstration of my full arsenal of powers.

“If CCMAU treats me as to how I am as of today, you just watch! I’ll split them to pieces with one slash!”

Fang Ping said that flippantly, so Wu Zhihao and the others did not take his words seriously.

Of course, even without that, Fang Ping’s strength was already unparalleled in their eyes.

Wu Zhihao sighed. “I know you’re skilled, but this is way too OP! None of us were ready for that! and we were worried about you, too!”

They had been quite worried for Fang Ping during the afternoon, indeed, but then they spent the day watching as Fang Ping thrashed people.

Fang Ping shook his head despite his self-confidence. “We’re all Rank-1 martial artists. Yes, there are two at Rank-2, but we’re still all at the lowest rung of the hierarchy.

“So what if I’m unbeatable among Rank-1 and 2 martial artists?

“How about those at Rank-3?

“When I can beat all at Rank-3, there are still those at Ranks 4 and 5.

“The path of martial artistry is too long. You all think that I’m strong, but I don’t think I am that powerful. A random Rank-3 martial artist can beat me to a pulp right now.

“Of course, if he is a martial artist who has nothing but Vitality, I can give it a go…”

Tan Zhenping felt the familiar sense of desolation again!

Fang Ping looked down at Rank-1 and 2 martial artists. If he had to kill someone, he would choose a Rank-3 Vitality martial artist. What even was that?

Old Tan kept silent while Fang Ping continued, “Plus, if we from Sun City have to idolize someone and view them as a goal, it should be Wang Jinyang rather than me!”

“Brother Wang’s at Rank-3…”

Fang Ping interrupted him, “Rank-3? He’s already at Rank-4! Brother Wang ranked at 27th place in the list of Top Martial Artists in the three lower ranks! Don’t assume that 27th place is worthless. He had swept Capital City so thoroughly that all Rank-3 martial artists in CCMAU feared him.

“How about all of us set a smaller goal. We have to catch up to him first before we become Grandmasters!

“This is what a martial artist should strive to achieve!”

Everyone was stupefied. No one knew about that!

Tan Zhenping was surprised, too. He stammered, “He… he’s already at Rank-4?”

“Mm.’

“This… this is already at a level comparable to that of the Commander of Auspicious Sun City!”

“The Commander might not measure up to him, even.”

Fang Ping curled his lip. How long had it been since the commanders in the inland provinces had utilized their skills?

They must be decent – they would not be crowned commanders, or else.

Without entrances to the Catacombs in their territories, there were few opportunities for them to fight in battle. After years of not using their expertise, it was hard to say how much of it was left in them.

The group fell silent completely. This trip to Magic City was disheartening, in a lot of ways.

Fang Ping was already at peak Rank-1 and would advance to Rank-2 in no time. He was extremely strong, too, so skilled that Rank-2 martial artists might also be felled by his hand.

Wang Jinyang had advanced to Rank-4, too!

Out of these two persons, one of them was their senior by one year; the other was their classmate.

They were far more inferior compared to the two of them!

Liu Ruoqi seemed to suddenly remember something. She asked, “Fang Ping, you had halved someone else’s weapon with your saber. Your saber…”

“Forged out of D-grade alloy.”

Liu Ruoqi had nothing more to ask. Wu Zhihao said with a tone of surprise, “Did you buy it yourself?”

“Mm. I saved so long for it, I nearly went bankrupt.”

“F*ck!”

What else could Wu Zhihao say?

The guy in question was ruffling Fang Yuan’s hair, saying indignantly, “Brat, you’re still thinking of selling my autographs for money, aren’t you? You’re sabotaging your brother, you know!

“If you can swindle that saber from me, you won’t even need to form that Yuan Ping Club!

“Your brother ate pills worth 1.8 million during this match alone, and my saber cost something above ten million!”

Fang Yuan was dazed.

Wu Zhihao stood there looking bitter beyond words. The other guy wielded a large saber forged from D-grade alloy!

He could not even afford an F-grade dagger!

Fang Ping took Rank-1 Vitality pills like they were jelly beans, while he could not even take the normal ones he wanted.

Comparing himself against him was indeed the shortcut to self-combustion!

Fang Ping slapped his head, saying exasperatedly, “Don’t lead my sister astray!”

“Does she even need me to? You pair of siblings both have more potential to turn to the dark side, one more than the other… You devote all your life to exploit honest men like us!”

Wu Zhihao was bitter and dejected. This was far too big a disappointment.

Fang Yuan looked confused at the accusation. ‘You’re more like the villain!’

Fang Yuan did not give Wu Zhihao any trouble, turning to Fang Ping and saying sweetly, “Brother, does… Does your dadao cost that much?’

More than ten million!

The girl’s pupils almost turned into￥signs.

Her hands wandered toward the wooden box Fang Ping carried on his back.

How much was ten million, again?

Fang Ping knuckled her head with exasperation. “What are you scheming?”

“Nothing!”

Fang Yuan hastened to deny. She said immediately, “My brother is the coolest! Next match, he’s gonna beat the sh*t out of them!”

“Cut the flattery!”

Fang Ping laughed despite himself. He exhaled lightly, “Let’s all work hard. The future is still far ahead, but not for us martial artists or those aspiring to be one. Life is short for us.

“We don’t have much time. We have to cultivate more so that we can improve faster.

“Zhihao, all of you have to give yourselves more pressure after you return.

“Become martial artists as soon as you can.”

Fang Ping did not bring up the idea of him sponsoring them, although he was not short of normal Vitality pills and all.

The path of martial artists was one they had to walk on their own.

Fang Ping had not understood that before, but now he knew – better to depend on oneself than on others.

If one lacked the means to become a martial artist, he was better off as a civilian.

If one was already a martial artist but did not seize every chance to become stronger, that would not bode well for him either.

Also, the pills functioned best as fuel for himself, strengthening himself. Only after he was stronger could he earn more for himself.

On the 11th, Fang Ping did not spend his time to cultivate. He accompanied Fang Yuan and the others on a leisurely tour of the area.

Fang Ping was already a minor celebrity by that time.

When they were out, someone recognized Fang Ping and yelled his moniker “Captain of the MCMAU Team” out loud, causing quite a lot of people to chase them around.

Fang Ping was actually quite drunk on it.

Fame and money… Ah, that was why most people pursued them like a moth to a flame.

The popularity of the championship prompted some youngsters to strive for martial artistry and some Vitality martial artists to hone their combat skills more.

…

On the 12th, Fang Ping did not sit on the 2nd floor, as befitting of his status as a participant.

He sat with Fang Yuan downstage.

The battle that day was the Martial Arts University Alliance vs. the Eight School Alliance.

From the Martial Arts University Alliance, there were two from the main team – Bai Yin and Chen Jiasheng – and three other reserves, including Wang Huaijin from the Dongwu Martial Arts University.

Meanwhile, at the Eight School Alliance’s side…

Only one from the main team, Cai Qinghai, represented them this time.

The few Grandmasters from the Eight School Alliance glared viciously at Fang Ping from their seats on the second floor, their intent to kill clear as day.

Several members who looked like they had not suffered from anything serious the past day, including Wei Bin, were suffering from internal bleeding and thus were not physically able to fight.

Cai Qinghai was the only exception. Although his legs were hurt, he recovered marginally after a day’s treatment.

Fang Ping had almost decimated their starter team!

The announcer Liu Huarong announced with regret, “Yesterday, several from the starter team of the Eight School Alliance suffered serious injury and internal bleeding, and thus were unable to represent their team today. The only one from the starter team is Cai Qinghai.

“Even if the others are from the reserve team, I believe that these extremely talented geniuses can bring to us a wonderful and mind-blowing match!

“…”

Fang Ping did not even dare to look toward the second floor. The glares were as scary as hell!

Fang Ping did not understand. ‘How is this my fault?’

‘The people from your side didn’t want to admit defeat and took a few of my signature moves to the chest at that! They can be considered as quite strong when they didn’t even die!’ Currently, he was so powerful that he had no problems killing a Rank-2 martial artist with three strokes of his saber.

…

Some assumed that the match on the 12th would be boring.

Maybe it was not as incredibly exciting as the match on the day before, but it was more merciless.

Truly, really merciless.

Whoever lost this match would have to say goodbye to the championship forever and end up getting fourth place. The Martial Arts University Alliance’s resources would not be cut, but the Eight School Alliance would lose a portion of their resources if they did not remain in third place!

The first one in the arena from the Eight School Alliance was Cai Qinghai!

Cai Qinghai completely disregarded his life. He shattered the ribs of a reserve from the Martial Arts University Alliance with three moves, causing him to slump on the ground, unconscious.

The second contestant from the Martial Arts University Alliance, Bai Yin, was fired up.

Bai Yin was quite good. He traded moves with Cai Qinghai, putting both their lives on the line. At last, both of them ended up in terrible shape.

Bai Yin was kicked in the leg by Cai Qinghai, breaking it, but his saber also sliced Cai Qinghai’s abdomen open!

…

Fang Ping covered Fang Yuan’s eyes.

The venue went silent.

The powerhouses on the second floor said nothing. Some female spectators cried.

Some did not understand. Why were they risking their lives? Was there a difference between third and fourth place?

Chen Xueyan’s words sounded cold. “The resources in Sino Nation that fund the martial arts are limited. Martial arts universities spend more to train and nurture martial artists!

“All universities are short on resources and funds!

“How can we deal with this?

“We fight for them!

“On our own!

“The championship is also a battle for resources. They battle for themselves, for their schools, for their juniors in the future…

“Maybe this is unforgiving. But this is a choice they made.

“Everyone has done the best they can, and so they won’t regret it!

“Being a martial artist isn’t fun and games. Everything they have, they and their forefathers strove for! The previous generation of those second-generation martial artists, as you call them, are also in the midst of battle and bloodshed!

“They are battling with their lives on the line!

“Cai Qinghai’s father is a Rank-5 martial artist, but no one will show him mercy just because of that.

“Bai Yin also has a Rank-4 uncle who’s fighting for his future too…

“Some work less and lack resolve, yet they attribute their misfortune to their background. How laughable!

“Are civilians just not fated to be extraordinary?

“Fang Ping from MCMAU comes from a normal family. His parents are all normal factory workers. Even then, Fang Ping has reached where he is now with his hard work. He is now leading the MCMAU team, exhibiting just what MCMAU is capable of!”

…

Chen Xueyan’s words silenced the crowd once again.

The following matches were not affected by her words, though.

The Eight School Alliance employed the “Duizi” Tactic¹ resulting in Chen Jiasheng’s Vitality being drained at the cost of seriously injuring three higher-stage Rank-1 martial artists.

At last, the last higher-stage Rank-1 martial artist in the Eight School Alliance defeated his opponent, who was incidentally fourth in line from the Martial Arts University Alliance but broke one arm in the process.

The victory would be determined by the fifth contestant from both teams once again.

The martial artist from the Eight School Alliance had only one arm left, but he was still formidable. The injury did not deter him from performing well at all.

The last martial artist from the Martial Arts University Alliance viewed the battle between them as one of dire importance as well. Upon walking onstage, they risked their own lives for the victory.

Whoever lost would be eliminated!

Fang Yuan opened her eyes sometime before. She lay at Fang Ping’s chest, asking softly, “Brother, must all martial artists do this?”

“It was not like this in the past, maybe… But everything will be like this in the future.”

Fang Ping muttered softly. Powerhouses held the sky up for the world in the past.

What about the future?

No one could pinpoint it.

…

At last, the Eight School Alliance lost. The one-armed martial artist wept uncontrollably while blood streamed from his body.

They had lost!

He did not cry when he had been injured. His loss meant a loss of 30% of the Eight School Alliance’s resources for the following year. Resources that could be enough to nurture 30 Rank-3 martial artists!

Resources that would be enough for 2 to 3 Rank-4 martial artists!

On many occasions, a middle-Ranked martial artist was enough to turn the tide in a small-scale battle!

One of the Grandmasters from the Eight School Alliance walked down and embraced the young man lying on the floor, smiling. “It’s enough. All of you have done well! Excellent!

“You have fought befitting the reputation of a martial arts university! Your valor is befitting of that of a martial artist!

“This is what a martial artist should be like!

“We martial artists from universities are not scared of battle. We do not fear bloodshed! We fight every battle with the resolve to give our lives if need be!”

The old Grandmaster’s words were said with determination!

His words were those of a battle-hardened veteran. That moment, Fang Ping felt something akin to the strong determination as if a metal-clad army had just advanced!

No matter if some did not know!

No matter if some did not understand!

There was no way to retreat when they were against the creatures in the Catacombs!

The young generation had demonstrated their skills. They had been daring. They had fought to their death. That was enough!

So what if they had lost some resources? The old men could rob and kill. What mattered most was the resolve of a martial artist!

They could venture down to the depths of the Catacombs! Who would not dare to!

“Martial artists…”

That moment, the 5000 spectators present felt something too. They looked pensive once again.

It was not said explicitly, but they heard the message. Was this the way a martial artist should be like?

Countless young men and women in front of their computers were alight with enthusiasm!

The old Grandmaster’s voice seemed to reverberate in their ears.

“Martial artists from universities are not scared of battle. We do not fear bloodshed!”