Chapter 266: Non-human
Boom!
A ma.s.sive boom filled the air again and again. The martial arts school students standing outside the circle stepped back hurriedly, their faces pale.
This was their first time watching a fight between Rank-3 martial artists.
Although Fang Ping’s Vajra Punch was not completely accomplished, with his collective punch and rich Vitality, the power unleashed in his strikes was immensely powerful too.
He did not dive too deep into cultivating Combat Techniques. Nevertheless, his Mentality was strong, his speed of reaction quicker than the average person too.
Although Zhang Zhenhua had mighty strength, yet when compared to Fang Ping, he did not hold the upper hand.
Fang Ping avoided Zhang Zhenhua’s attacks a few times, using speed to his advantage, attacking his vital points with ferocity. Zhang Zhenhua was busier with defending attacks than he was!
“Do you think that I am the same as I was before!”
Fang Ping let out a light humph in his heart. After achieving Peak Rank-3, his physique and Vitality were considerably stronger than the typical Peak Rank-3 martial artist; bone marrow honing had enhanced his bone toughness significantly. The Combat Techniques power that was released by his Vitality outbursts were much more powerful than those of the same rank.
For others, Zhang Zhenhua’s inherent mighty strength might seem like a huge advantage, yet it was pointless to Fang Ping.
Right now, Fang Ping’s only shortcoming was that he did not spend enough time to cultivate his Combat Techniques, so his competency was slightly lacking. The power he unleashed in a big move outburst was lower than it could have been.
As for everything else, none of the same-ranked martial artists could measure up to him.
When fighting against Zhang Zhenhua, Fang Ping still focused largely on the Combat Techniques that he was skilled at!
Zhang Zhenhua’s speed was slightly slower than Fang Ping’s. He grew more irritated and unwilling as he fought.
Just as Fang Ping threw another punch, Zhang Zhenhua let out a deafening roar. The double mace released an ear-piercing whistle, swinging straight at Fang Ping’s shoulders.
Fang Ping’s expression changed. He tried to retreat, yet he sensed an immense power pressing and constraining him!
“Do you think I’ve never killed anyone before!”
Threads of Vitality were seeping out of Fang Ping’s body too. His Mentality released an outburst abruptly, pinning his opponent down!
At this window of opportunity, Fang Ping strained to condense his entire body’s Vitality to a spot, achieving outburst in an instant!
Outsiders only saw Fang Ping stepping on the tip of his feet, smas.h.i.+ng the stone surface underneath his feet in a heartbeat. Without warning, Fang Ping shot forward from the ground, soaring out ferociously!
Zhang Zhenhua who was opposite him growled fiercely as well, yanking his double mace down forcefully, cras.h.i.+ng it down in no time.
Just when everyone thought they were about to collide, Fang Ping leaped suddenly with the Midair Step, pulling himself up abruptly. With that, he avoided Zhang Zhenhua’s double mace.
…
Outside the circle.
The scrawny old man frowned. He croaked, “What’s wrong with Zhenhua!”
Even if Zhang Zhenhua was slower than Fang Ping, he would not go so far as to continue releasing a big move outburst, failing to react even after Fang Ping had performed the Midair Step. Did he have a death wish?
At this time, a white-haired old man floated toward him with the Midair Step, chuckling, “Mentality interference!”
“Hmm?”
The scrawny old man was confused. The white-haired old man repeated, “Mentality!”
“Him?”
“Exactly.”
The scrawny old man’s jaw dropped!
Even as a Peak Rank-5, he was still far from achieving that level.
On the contrary, the white-haired old man was Eternal Sun Village’s strongest powerhouse. It might truly be the case since he said that himself.
…
Just as both of them were talking.
Fang Ping took a Midair Step, straightened his form, and avoided the other party’s big move outburst straightaway. This move Zhang Zhenhua had released carried an immense Vitality outburst with it.
The double mace had not crashed to the ground, yet the crushed stones on the ground had already started shooting out in all directions. One after another, the martial artists outside the circle raised their hands to block them, preventing the crushed stones from injuring others.
In that intermittent period when Zhang Zhenhua exhausted everything in a move and his Vitality struggled to recover, Fang Ping who was stepping midair took full advantage. With his fists closed tightly together, he attacked from above, smas.h.i.+ng downward in one fell swoop!
Boom!
A m.u.f.fled boom. Like a dull beat of a drum.
Fang Ping’s punch crashed on Zhang Zhenhua’s back. Zhang Zhenhua let out an infuriated cry, the muscles and bones on his back let off a cracking sound, his feet sunk deep into the ground. His entire body was nearly smashed into the ground by Fang Ping.
After the first punch, Fang Ping showed no signs of stopping. Another boom went off, another fist crashed down!
Pu!
The crimson blood in Zhang Zhenhua’s mouth shot straight out. He fell to his knees, unable to stand up. A heart-wrenching, beastly howl poured out from his mouth!
When martial artists fight, one move could easily decide life or death.
With the intention to finish him off in one move, Zhang Zhenhua released a great outburst. As a result, a sudden inspiration dawned on Fang Ping. By combining Mentality and power, he suppressed and constrained his opponent, interfering with his mind at the same time. In that short timeframe, Fang Ping discovered an opening, smas.h.i.+ng him with two punches until he was no longer capable of standing.
“Zhenhua!”
“b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
“…”
A few middle-aged martial artists outside the circle were infuriated!
No one expected that during the fight, just as Zhang Zhenhua was releasing a big outburst, Fang Ping would grab the opportunity instead, pounding his back until he was forced to his knees.
“Silence!”
The white-haired old man snapped coldly. He said, “The fight ends here. Our young friend can stop now!”
At this moment, Fang Ping was acc.u.mulating power to prepare for the third blow. He was aiming for Zhang Zhenhua’s brain.
Upon hearing those words, Fang Ping stopped. Taking a step back midair, he landed back on the ground, looking remarkably natural and unfazed. He smiled, “It’s just luck. Please don’t find it strange, everyone.”
At this moment, Fang Ping was still in a slightly electrified frame of mind.
He had learned another move!
The employment of Mentality was something that only Grandmasters knew. Even Lu Fengrou knew only a smattering of it.
Fang Ping did not foresee that his thriving power earlier could suppress Zhang Zhenhua after pairing it with Mentality, causing Zhang Zhenhua’s thoughts to experience a sudden stagnation. When Fang Ping saw him freezing momentarily, he knew he could not pa.s.s up an opportunity like this. If it was not because he did not want to kill anyone, he could blow up Zhang Zhenhua’s brain in one punch.
Despite that, Zhang Zhenhua was currently suffering from serious injuries too. A few youths rushed to his side to check on him.
Zhang Zhenguang stared at Fang Ping with mixed emotions, carefully hauling out Zhang Zhenhua, whose legs had sunk into a pothole. He darted Fang Ping a look and was about to speak but stopped on second thought.
Fang Ping’s victory over Zhang Zhenhua looked like it was done in a breeze.
Even so, Zhang Zhenguang knew that his brother was not so weak. Had Fang Ping become this powerful now?
Zhang Zhenguang was about to say something when the white-haired old man who had just rushed to the scene smiled lightly. “It’s relatively easier for universities like MCMAU and CCMAU to scout for geniuses compared to us. Though, our young friend here has truly exceeded my expectations.”
A Rank-3 martial artist had executed Mentality intimidation in a fight, though not a really powerful one, it was already considered a Grandmaster-level trick.
Of course, Fang Ping could only perform slight interferences right now.
Unlike the Jiao who had suppressed Rank-4 and 5 martial artists into minced meat straight away.
That was the true suppression with Mentality intimidation.
Even so, Fang Ping was already very satisfied. Mentality was something that only he had. It was not a purely external force like unlimited Vitality.
Employing Mentality as a Rank-3 to suppress the opponent was also an embodiment of his abilities.
As for the reason why his Mentality was stronger than others… Fang Ping would never admit that this was all thanks to the system. He did not use the system much to enhance his Mentality forcefully.
He could only say that it was all gifted talent!
Even if he did not have Wealth, Fang Ping could still employ his Mentality. All he needed to do was to wait for Mentality to recover naturally.
“Master, you flatter me. It is also luck.” Fang Ping said humbly. He had to be humble. The other party had sensed his Mentality, a Peak Rank-6 most likely. It was best not to anger a martial artist like this.
He had just bashed up Zhang Zhenhua and had no intention of getting bashed up himself.
“Luck?” The white-haired old man shook his head.
If it was luck that a Rank-3 could employ Mentality, then it was a miracle. There might not be another person in the world who could do the same. This was not something that could be explained.
Even so, the white-haired old man still gave a kind reminder. “Mentality consumption. Consuming too much will cause Mentality exhaustion, even to the point that you will not wake up once you fall asleep. Our young friend has to be slightly cautious…”
Fang Ping nodded hurriedly!
No wonder Lu Fengrou always looked like she could never get enough sleep. She might be forging her Mentality.
As for Fang Ping… he did not need to be told twice.
If worst comes to worst, he could just spend some Wealth to replenish it.
“Thank you for the reminder, master…”
Fang Ping had just finished thanking him when the old man who was amiable just minutes ago barked all of a sudden, “Young friend, you can leave now!”
Fang Ping’s expression froze. What an unceremonious dismissal!
However, he had bashed up the apple of the old man’s eye. It was already pretty fortunate that he was not infuriated.
Fang Ping did not dare to stay too long. He pulled out the glaive beside him and departed like the wind.
…
A while after Fang Ping had left, the white-haired old man suddenly unleashed a mighty force, humphing softly, and said, “Get lost. If you come to my Eternal Sun Village ever again, I’ll kill you!”
“Tch, do you think I’m afraid of you?”
Midair, a figure flashed from time to time. Someone was heard sneering vaguely, “Don’t die so early. I’ll compete with you sooner or later!”
“Get lost!”
The white-haired old man’s force was unleas.h.i.+ng violently. A few martial artists nearby stepped back one after another, palpitating with fear.
“Boring. Mean old man. He has. .h.i.t your grandson, not you…”
“Are you leaving or not!”
The white-haired old man was fuming. He shot straight up the sky all of a sudden. Immediately after that, everyone heard a thunderous boom. After a while, the white-haired old man landed, stepping hard on the ground, splitting the surface apart. Cracks stretched all over the square.
The scrawny old man standing beside him fixed his gaze at him and asked, “Who was that?”
“MCMAU Changsheng Sword!”
The white-haired old man let out a light huff, saying in a m.u.f.fled voice, “A supercilious as*hole. He employed the Flight Step and peeped without permission. If it’s not because I don’t want to make a big fuss over it, I’ll show him h.e.l.l!”
“Longevity Sword—Li Changsheng!”
The scrawny old man inhaled a mouthful of cool air. “Why has this old fellow came out from MCMAU?”
“MCMAU Vice-chancellor Zhang died in battle, three High Grandmasters are not around, and everyone else is guarding in the Catacombs. MCMAU genius comes out to steel himself, no one else can hold the fort other than him.”
“Longevity Sword… such a pity.”
The scrawny old man shook his head all of a sudden, sighing softly.
Today, among the MCMAU Peak Rank-6 powerhouses, Lu Fengrou had called herself “Unconquerable Wu”, and was known as an invincible opponent who had fought all ranks below the Grandmaster rank.
“Mad Lion” Tang Feng had a striking reputation too, known as top three below the Grandmaster rank.
Of course, there were plenty of self-flattering elements in them.
However, before both of them rose up the ranks abruptly, only MCMAU “Longevity Sword” was the top-notch powerhouse who stood a high chance at becoming a Grandmaster. With a longevity sword, he killed a Rank-6 as a Rank-5, stepping into Rank-6. Everyone thought that he would become a Grandmaster very soon.
That year, however, after a trip to the Catacombs, the reputation of Longevity Sword was completely wiped out from the martial arts world.
The white-haired old man let out a light scoff and said, “What’s so pitiful about that? In the last few years, who has not lost anyone to battle? More than one person has died in the Grandmaster fight!”
“Li Changsheng has only sustained serious injuries to his Mentality. He’s lucky he did not die!”
Still, the scrawny old man said sympathetically, “One Grandmaster less… No, probably two.
“After that battle, MCMAU Lu Fengrou had almost gone crazy, while Longevity Sword was unable to recover after the setback. Otherwise, MCMAU would have had six High Grandmasters today, securing the position as the first elite university. Things would not have turned out this way, where Grandmaster Zhang was forced to take part in battle again and again. He had sustained serious injuries, his golden body completely wiped out in the end.”
The white-haired old man said no more. No matter how strong Longevity Sword was, it was all in the past.
Li Changsheng today was only an ordinary Peak Rank-6. His Mentality sustained heavy injuries and was unable to recover. There was no more hope of becoming a Grandmaster. Sooner or later, he would make a trip into the Catacombs. Longevity Sword no longer existed in the world.
…
Needless to say, Fang Ping who had left hurriedly did not know what had happened.
After defeating Zhang Zhenhua, Fang Ping was on cloud nine.
Without lingering in Eternal Sun Village, Fang Ping drove overnight, headed for Wanshan Temple. This was also the toughest opponent since he started his journey.
Seventh place on the Rank-3 ranking!
Rumor had it that there were Grandmasters keeping watch at Wanshan Temple. Fang Ping did not know whether it was true or not.
One of the reasons was because Wanshan Temple’s Grandmasters had not been listed in the Grandmaster ranking yet.
Fang Ping had heard about it from Old Man Li earlier. Old Man Li explained that Wanshan Temple’s old monk had been in Chungchou’s Catacombs 6 years now and had not returned. The probability of him being dead was very high!
However, High Grandmaster Zhao Xingwu who was keeping watch over Chungchou would have sensed it when Grandmasters launched a war or had fallen in the Chungchou Catacombs.
There was still no news about fallen Grandmasters now. The Wanshan Temple’s old monk might not be dead yet, but had gone into the depths of the Catacombs.
Despite that, he had not returned in 6 years. The chances of him being alive were really slim. The old monk’s name was no longer listed in the Grandmaster ranking.
Whether he was still alive or not was something that they could only tell in the future.
…
At night on the 13th, Fang Ping arrived at Yuntai Mountain where Wanshan Temple was situated.
On the 14th, Fang had just entered the mountain. At the entrance of the mountain, a bald, young monk, who was wearing a monk robe, bowed with his hands clasped together, smiling like a buddha.
“Mr. Fang, I have been expecting you for a long time now!”
“Flowery monk 1?”
The young monk’s face froze. Smiling vaguely, he said, “Mr. Fang appears to have misunderstood me?”
Fang Ping was holding his glaive, scoffed and said, “I’m not the one who said it. When the Rank-3 ranking list was out, you were the only one with a nickname. Flowery Monk Jiese. You’re the first martial artist from the ranking list who has been exposed and gossiped. Rumor has it that you used to frequent brothels…”
Monk Jiese’s pale, fine face was gradually flus.h.i.+ng red. He smiled faintly and said, “You have got the wrong idea. These rumors must not be taken seriously. Besides, rumor has it that Mr. Fang particularly likes. .h.i.tting women’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Should I take this seriously?”
Fang Ping laughed, “I’ve done it before. Hence, the rumors are technically true.”
Monk Jiese’s face was stiff. After a while, he said, “It’s a waste of breath to say any more. I’ve prepared to challenge you even if you don’t come. Since you’re here, then let’s get into it!”
“Here?”
Fang Ping looked around him. There were many tourists around.
“Here it is. The crisis that befalls our nation concerns everybody. Everyone should respect martial arts!”
“You shouldn’t be a monk!”
“Whereas you should be a monk!”
Monk Jiese had just finished speaking when his monk robe was ripped apart in a flash, completely torn asunder, exposing a rugged upper body. He guffawed, “It gets in the way. Zhang Zhenhua was defeated by you. None of the Rank-3 in Chungchou can defeat me. You came just in time!”
“A flowery monk does have a pretty good physique!”
This time, Fang Ping did not lose his glaive. There were many tourists around. He must look impressive, winning in a straightforward way!
Both of them had just finished speaking when they had already leaped midair. The monk staff and the glaive collided in a swift motion, the booming sound echoing throughout the valley.
…
Halfway up the mountain.
Old Man Li curled his lips. Beside him, an old monk wearing a kasaya was also smiling. He grinned and said, “It’s nice to be young…”
“These two brats, are they fighting a performance match?” Old Man Li growled.
Two Rank-3 martial artists. Instead of fighting on the ground, they fought midair. They must be out of their minds!
Despite that, fighting midair… did look very impressive.
“Young people…”
A gentle smile bloomed across the old monk’s face. It was unclear what sparked his joy.
…
At the foot of the mountain.
Midair.
Fang Ping’s glaive was waving impenetrably, hacking about occasionally, sending blasts and explosions into the air.
Monk Jiese put on a dignified expression. Nevertheless, he was listed 7th out of all Rank-3. This was a reputation that he had earned.
As for the monk staff, it was used for putting up a front.
Monk Jiese tossed it aside effortlessly, the monk staff burying itself straight into a stone wall. In the next moment, Monk Jiese’s muscles bulged up. His light-colored skin was instantly golden-yellow!
Amidst the distant exclamation of outsiders, the monk of abstinence opened up his palms, putting on a show of wrestling bare blades with empty hands.
Fang Ping’s B-cla.s.s glaive unleashed five consecutive slash outbursts, a jaw-dropping force, yet Monk Jiese put his palms together, clasping the blade directly.
Midair, Fang Ping was bristling with anger. His arms bulged up, ripping his coat straightaway. Wielding his saber, he shoved the young monk all the way into a stone wall nearby.
“I’m not playing this game anymore!”
Monk Jiese let out a boisterous laugh. He released the glaive, diving straight down unexpectedly.
Fang Ping was not surprised. Fighting midair was indeed impressive, though it was straining; the Vitality consumption was ma.s.sive. If the monk did not go down, he would have to.
Looking down from above, Fang Ping wielded the glaive with both hands, a blood-tinted light flashed across the blade as he hacked downward in no time!
Monk Jiese stepped on the tip of his toes, his shadow flashed at great speed, disappearing in front of the stone wall.
The force of Fang Ping’s saber did not diminish as he continued hacking toward the stone wall.
Boom!
With a ma.s.sive boom, a saber mark that was several meters long and dozens of centimeters deep defaced the stone wall.
Fang Ping showed no signs of stopping. He clenched his weapon and turned to face the oncoming Monk Jiese and hacked again.
…
Halfway up the mountain.
Someone let out a low roar of rage. “Are they demolis.h.i.+ng the mountain? These two as*holes. If I meet both of you again next time, I’ll slap you to death!”
As he spoke, he suddenly looked fearfully at Li Changsheng and the other man who were smiling without saying a word. He let out a humph and left with the Midair Step.
A ma.s.sive mountain like this did not belong to Wanshan Temple alone.
…
At the foot of the mountain.
The combat site where Fang Ping and Monk Jiese were fighting at was already a complete mess.
Fang Ping had seen the combat site remnants of two Rank-8 High Grandmasters in those days.
At that time, Fang Ping thought that Rank-8 Grandmasters were mighty, non-humans.
Until today, Fang Ping had already understood that human Rank-8 powerhouses’ combats were only a means to test the limits of the opponent’s ability.
Most of them were still Mentality combats instead of physical combats.
The combat site remnants on that day might be collateral destruction caused by Mentality dispersion alone.
It was hard to say whether Brother Ma and Grandmaster Tem had fought each other with their golden bodies before.
At this moment, Fang Ping and the young monk stopped at nothing, fighting to create their own combat site remnants. They might not be too far off compared to what the Rank-8 had left behind at that time.
They were considered as non-humans right now!
Crus.h.i.+ng steel at the snap of the fingers. If this was not considered non-human, then what was?
Peak Rank-3 martial artists fighting at full force without reservation. The destruction was beyond imagination!
…
There were plenty of onlookers who were watching this fight.
Many ordinary people could not be more shocked!
Walking midair, splitting mountains, and hewing rocks. So, these were martial artists?
What were their ranks?
Grandmasters?
They dared not underestimate their ranks. However, was it possible for them to be Grandmasters?
The two were so young!
Both of them were fighting right now, yet no one dared to go any closer. Nevertheless, many people had witnessed the monk waiting at the foot of the mountain and Fang Ping going up the mountain wielding a saber earlier.
Two young people. Very young!
“Martial artist… this is a martial artist…”
Nothing could be more shocking than to see it personally, not even if it had been mentioned ten thousand times.
Amidst the crowd, a man with a smug smile was holding a video camera with one hand as he danced with joy, spit flying all over the place. “Are you seeing this?
“This is only a fight between Rank-3 martial artists!
“I’m a Rank-3 too. Didn’t you all doubt me, Liu Dali, for my ability to snap steel bars with my bare hands?
“Are you still having doubts now?
“I, Liu Dali, just think that it’s a waste of time to explain!”
Although Liu Dali said it like that, he was feeling really wistful inside. He was only a Middle-stage Rank-3, not of the same league as them. ‘Please don’t ask me to prove myself again. I would never be able to pull off that kind of destructive force.’