Chapter 155: The First Battle
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“I can a.s.sure you that, in the next ten to twenty years, among the 40 young martial artists in front of everyone, some would become amazingly powerful figures active in every field and area in the Sino Nation!”
No one could disagree with this a.s.sessment by Liu Huarong.
Within a year, certain students were bound to be stand out even among all the elites of the martial arts universities. That was a fact.
“Next, let’s invite the 4 team leaders out of their formations!”
Fang Ping, Han Xu, Wei Bin and Sun Mingyu walked out.
“Tomorrow will be the first round of the compet.i.tion. There will be two rounds in total for the day! In the end, the teams will be separated into the winning team and the losing team.
“Another important part of today’s opening ceremony is to draw lots to determine your opponents!”
As he spoke, Liu Huarong said loudly, “Now, let us welcome the Education Ministry’s deputy minister, Minister Zhang Beihao to host the drawing of lots!”
Having a Grandmaster as a host showed how important the compet.i.tion was.
It was also to convince everyone that no underhanded tricks were at play. No one could hoodwink the eyes of a Grandmaster powerhouse, not even another Grandmaster!
Additionally, all martial arts universities were under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry. None of the martial arts universities would protest to having this Grandmaster-ranked deputy minister be the host.
…
“Hope it’s not CCMAU.”
Tang Feng mumbled on the second floor.
Even if the Martial Arts University Alliance was chosen, Tang Feng was not very worried.
MCMAU and CCMAU stood tall for years, maintaining their positions as first and second seed. Naturally, they had confidence.
The students were all exceptional geniuses. Even if normal martial arts universities had resources like they did, geniuses would still be geniuses.
If none of you wasted any time, then was it possible that the geniuses from MCMAU and CCMAU would put in any less effort?
From the start, they were on top of you. In half a year, they would still be ahead of you, unless a martial artist of extremely rare talent was discovered.
The two Rank-2s from the Martial Arts University Alliance had spent a lot of time to cultivate to Rank-2!
Did they have time to cultivate their combat techniques?
Did they have time to carry out missions?
With the huge number of prodigies in CCMAU and MCMAU, it was not that no one there had the ability to reach Rank-2. In fact, there were plenty of them, but how many of them chose to breakthrough early?
In Tang Feng’s opinion, Martial Arts University Alliance’s action of tossing out two Rank-2 martial artists was just a show of false bravado. Now, he was just worried that Fang Ping would happen to choose CCMAU.
…
Besides Tang Feng, some of the other schools’ instructors-in-charge were also praying.
Their draw for the first round would have a large impact on the later matches.
If two strong teams fought, it was likely that both parties would suffer damages, making it easier for others later on.
On the stage.
Zhang Beihao held up a transparent box, smiling as he said, “Inside, there are 4 small b.a.l.l.s. Each ball has a name within it. You all can just choose them yourselves.”
Fang Ping released a breath as he stepped forward to choose a ball.
The other three people did not hesitate either, each of them choosing a ball as well.
The arena was plunged into silence as everyone eagerly awaited the first round’s battle layout.
…
At this point, Fang Yuan had already snapped out of her daze. She prayed softly, “Don’t let it be the Martial Arts University Alliance, don’t let it be the Martial Arts University Alliance…”
In many people’s eyes, the Martial Arts University Alliance was too dangerous.
Two Rank-2 martial artists!
The other three parties only had Rank-1 martial artists… the difference was too large.
The team to first go up against the Martial Arts University Alliance had a large chance of losing.
The Martial Arts University Alliance was first, CCMAU was second, MCMAU was third, and the Eight School Alliance was fourth. Those were the rankings that were in everyone’s mind.
Yet Fang Yuan did not know that at that moment, Fang Ping was murmuring repeatedly, “Martial Arts University Alliance, Martial Arts University Alliance!”
Standing beside him, Sun Mingyu’s expression was frighteningly dark!
What was the meaning of this?
Was he looking down on them?
On the other side, Han Xu laughed unexpectedly. “Sorry, but the Martial Arts University Alliance is ours. You guys will be going up against the Eight School Alliance.”
“F*ck!”
Fang Ping cursed, feeling a little unhappy. His lips curled as he said, “Count yourself lucky!”
“There’s no need to contend over this. Sooner or later, we’ll meet in battle.”
“That’s true.”
The two spoke as if there was no one else around. On one side, Wei Bin smiled innocently as he said, “Aren’t the two of you just a little bit overconfident?”
Sun Mingyu was choking on his anger!
Fang Ping’s comments implied that CCMAU could make quick work of them.
It could also be interpreted that CCMAU was given the opportunity to s.h.i.+ne in the spotlight.
To them, it was not completely unusual for a Rank-1 martial artist to beat a Rank-2, but in the eyes of those in the outside world, it was an inter-rank battle. That was too cool!
Fang Ping did not look at Sun Mingyu. Instead, he looked at Wei Bin and smiled lightly. “It’s good to have a little confidence. Our instructor in charge said that if we fought impressively in the first match and won easily, then they’d hand out our credits freely. If we lost, then we’re screwed.”
He did not keep his voice down, so although the audience in front might not have heard it, the powerhouses in the second floor definitely had.
Huang Jing shot a glance at Tang Feng. The corner of Tang Feng’s lips twisted as he thought, ‘What the f*ck! When did I say I would give credits out freely!
‘Fang Ping, this little brat, creating rumors in front of so many people!’
Wei Bin was not mad, smiling as he said, “Our instructor had similar intentions.”
After they exchanged a few words, Zhang Beihao opened his mouth and spoke with a volume loud enough to reverberate throughout the entire gym.
“In the first battle, CCMAU will face off against the Martial Art University Alliance!
“MCMAU will face off against the Eight School Alliance!
“Tomorrow, at 8am on the 11th of January, CCMAU and the Martial Arts University Alliance will kick off the opening battle!”
It did not matter whether the matches were in the morning or in the afternoon.
As to why they chose to let CCMAU and the Martial Arts University Alliance start the first match, it was a ploy to draw people’s attention.
One party was the strongest martial arts university, while the other was an alliance between 89 schools with two Rank-2 martial artists.
These two sides facing off would start the event off with a bang.
As expected, once they heard the announcement of the first battle in the morning, the audience below was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation.
The ceremony took almost up to two hours, from the introduction of all 40 team members on stage one by one, to the drawing of lots for the compet.i.tion.
Finally, Zhang Beihao gave a closing speech before stepping down the stage, after which the opening ceremony came to an end.
…
Before Fang Ping and the others had even come off the stage, the news was already spreading through the Internet!
“Tomorrow’s first match, CCMAU faces off against the 89 School Alliance!”
“MCMAU is up against the Eight School Alliance!”
“Two Rank-2 martial artists show up among the 89 School Alliance, while the main forces in the other schools are all at Peak Rank-1!”
“The team leader of CCMAU, Han Xu, living up to his name as the nation’s top student, continues to lead Capital City Martial Arts University on the road to victory!”
“The team leader of MCMAU, Fang Ping, is the only one among the MCMAU team who was just an aspiring martial artist in the Gaokao!”
“The only two Rank-2 martial artists, Sun Mingyu and Chen Jiasheng, shocked the crowd!”
“Twelve Grandmaster powerhouses were invited to help out for the opening ceremony of the National Martial Arts Universities’ Champions.h.i.+p!”
“…”
The news was spreading like wildfire on the Internet, especially that of the next day’s match between CCMAU and the Martial Arts University Alliance. Countless people were bursting with excitement!
There were also a few articles about Fang Ping.
This guy, who was an extraordinary genius in the eyes of normal people, had the weakest Gaokao record among the 40 partic.i.p.ating members of this champions.h.i.+p.
Even those from the Martial Arts University Alliance had Gaokao test results that were not worse than Fang Ping’s.
People like Sun Mingyu and Chen Jiasheng were mostly martial artist exam candidates. It was just that they were recruited by local martial arts universities later on.
The champions.h.i.+p was suggested by the Martial Arts University Alliance, so it was possible that they had already made preparations from the start, and recruited many martial artist exam candidates before the Gaokao at exorbitant costs.
…
The outside world was in a flurry of excitement. As Fang Ping arrived backstage, his teammates were also filled with delight.
Yang Xiaoman grinned widely as she said, “Eight School Alliance is only so-so. Wei Bin’s strength is unclear, but we’ve already got Chen Hongwei and Zhang Guanglin’s number.
“One is from East Sino Nation Normal University, and one is from South Sino University of Science and Technology.
“Both of their strengths are about the same as Tang Songting’s at best…”
“Oi, can you stop using me as an example!”
Tang Songting was a little unsatisfied as he thought, ‘Why must I be the benchmark for measuring everyone’s strength.’
As the few of them spoke, Tang Feng walked over to them and growled in a low voice, “Don’t be careless!”
As he spoke, he looked toward Fang Ping. “Fang Ping, tomorrow you’ll go out in the first battle!”
“Me?”
Fang Ping was surprised. “That… Wouldn’t that be showing everyone our strongest card?”
“You are quite self-confident, aren’t you? Do you really think you are MCMAU’s strongest?”
Tang Feng gave a mocking laugh. “Don’t look down on anyone. The first match must be a flawless win. If you really have the ability, then defeat all five yourself in the first battle. Let me see if you really qualify for free credits!”
The moment Fang Ping heard these words, he knew immediately that Tang Feng’s pettiness had once again reared its ugly head.
Tang Feng did not care how he felt either way and continued. “Fang Ping first, Fu Changding second, Yang Xiaoman third, Zhao Xuemei fourth, and Zhao Lei as the final defense!”
Zhao Lei wanted to say something, but he could not get the words out.
He was worried that he would not even get the chance to go on stage.
Fang Ping sighed softly. “If I go on stage, then the others wouldn’t even get a chance to showcase their talents. Sir, this is a little unfair for them…”
Tang Feng’s face darkened as he thought, ‘Little brat, there are no limits to your arrogance!’
Not wanting to entertain him anymore, Tang Feng turned to leave, saying as he walked away, “It’s alright if you win, but if you lose because of your carelessness, Fang Ping, the responsibility you will bear is one you wouldn’t be able to carry!”
This sentence was said rather heavily because if Fang Ping really was to lose due to negligence and cause MCMAU to lose the advantage in the first match, the loss that MCMAU would suffer was in the tens of billions. Fang Ping was truly unable to carry such a burden.
“Understood!”
“Alright, you all go ahead with your businesses. In these few days, if there’s nothing you need then try your best not to leave the school.”
Tang Feng had already left as his words dropped.
The instant he left, Fu Changding pleaded frantically, “Fang Ping, please don’t defeat all of them. Leave me two at least.”
“And me…”
“Do you all really take them to be mere cabbages?”
Fang Ping rolled his eyes and thought for a moment before continuing. “Wei Bin’s strength is probably not weak. If he’s the last defense, then I’ll leave him to you guys. If not, I’ll have to show a little strength.
“It wouldn’t be good if others figured out our hand so early.
“CCMAU is our true opponent. I need to be wary of Han Xu.”
“Fang Ping, it’s impossible to not submit to your level of self-confidence…” Zhao Xuemei could not hold back a laugh. It seemed as if Fang Ping truly believed he could wipe out all five opponents just by revealing a bit of his strength.
“Think what you want. Anyway, I’ll do what I can to leave some sc.r.a.ps for you.”
Fang Ping let out a laugh, and his phone vibrated at that moment.
Glancing at the number displayed, Fang Ping said hurriedly, “I still have matters to attend to
I’ll be leaving first.”
“Go on then.”
…
A few minutes later.
The western restaurant at the main gate of MCMAU.
Fang Yuan sized up Fang Ping with a face full of curiosity, pausing for a moment before she said, “Brother, how did you become the team leader?”
Wu Zhihao was also very confused, rus.h.i.+ng to add on, “Exactly. Didn’t you just become a martial artist not long ago? How are you suddenly at Peak Rank-1, and even became MCMAU’s team leader?”
“I’ve been a martial artist for about four or five months now, is being Peak Rank-1 really that strange?”
Fang Ping laughed lightly. “No matter what, I’m still a thrice-honed martial artist. It’s not too strange that my progress is a little above average. Recently, MCMAU’s rewards have been pretty generous, so since I’ve obtained some resources, naturally I rose to Peak Rank-1.”
“Then why are you captain…”
“Duh, I’m the best, so obviously I’d be the team leader. Alright, that’s enough. Stop the useless questions.”
Fang Yuan suddenly thought of something, asking a little anxiously, “Brother, will it be dangerous?”
“It’s fine, it’s just a champions.h.i.+p. It’s not like it’s a death match. Also, your brother is very strong. None of the partic.i.p.ants this time round are a match for me, so don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll give a call to Dad and Mom…”
“Don’t. We’ll talk after the compet.i.tion. After all, Dad and Mom don’t use the Internet, so don’t inform them of it now.”
Fang Yuan nodded clumsily, not thinking too much about it.
In a lot of people’s eyes, there was not much danger in this martial arts compet.i.tion.
What was the danger in the students having friendly matches and mixing around?
Since Fang Ping told her to keep it a secret, it never crossed her mind to tattle to her parents behind his back. She felt that she could always tell Dad and Mom when she got back.
At that moment, everyone was still struggling to accept the reality that Fang Ping had become the most powerful new student of MCMAU.
During the meal, everyone’s thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
Initially, when they heard the news that Fang Ping became a martial artist, they all thought it was the effects of the premium environment at MCMAU and the treatment of their students.
Yet, Fang Ping was now also representing MCMAU in the champions.h.i.+p. This could not be explained purely by good treatment.
After all, there were so many other martial artists at MCMAU who did not qualify to compete in the champions.h.i.+p.
…
This time, Fang Ping did not accompany his sister and her friend again in a leisurely stroll.
After lunch, Fang Ping went back to school early to make preparations for tomorrow’s first battle.
…
January 11th.
Morning.
In MCMAU’s gym.
Fang Ping and the others arrived early. They had made an exception for the partic.i.p.ants in the compet.i.tion to sit with the Grandmasters on the second floor.
The audience who bought tickets gradually started to fill the arena. The ticketing system allowed spectators to watch everything from the start till the end with just one ticket.
The martial arts universities did not have profit in mind when they sold the tickets, as allowing 5000 people to watch the battle was already the maximum limit.
If they had to sell the tickets based on the matches, not only was it bothersome, it was also easy to cause a ruckus.
First floor,
Liu Huarong’s host stand had been moved to a corner, far away from the Central Battle Stage, so the situation on the stage could be seen clearly and the action undisturbed.
On the second floor, Fang Ping saw Fang Yuan and the others. The girl looked around for him everywhere, but was a little disappointed as she could not find her brother.
CCMAU’s team and the Martial Arts University Alliance were not there at the moment, as they were backstage on level one.
Wei Bin and the others were sitting on the other side of Fang Ping.
Before the fight even started on the stage, the second floor was already getting lively.
At first, Fang Ping had thought that Grandmasters were all inscrutable and silent types.
Very quickly, Fang Ping was proven wrong.
“CCMAU up against the Martial Arts University Alliance. Haha, there’ll be a good show. I don’t know if CCMAU will send Han Xu to battle, but if he finishes them off in one go, then, Old Wei, you guys should not make a fuss about unfairness or whatever in the future.”
The one who spoke was none other than MCMAU’s Huang Jing.
At his words, someone from the Martial Arts University Alliance retorted, “Just worry about yourselves. MCMAU has a reputation of second place, but you lack this type of strength. All these years and you’ve still been relying on the old news. Who was it who lost face when NMAU’s w.a.n.g Jinyang defeated all the Rank-1 martial artists!”
“Ahem ahem…”
The leaders of a few martial arts universities in Magic City coughed lightly. His words landed a pretty hefty blow.
It was not just MCMAU who had been completely defeated by him.
However, MCMAU was the strongest, so they bore the most shame. They pretended not to hear it, so as to spare their embarra.s.sment.
Huang Jing smiled blandly. “Don’t keep using anomalies for arguments. When you open your mouth, it’s always w.a.n.g Jinyang; when you close your mouths, it’s still w.a.n.g Jinyang. Aren’t you all clear on that kid’s situation?
“Plus, it’s not like there’s no one who could beat him at MCMAU, it’s just that there’s no need.”
“He he, so if you lose it’s because there’s no need, but if you won it would have been just natural?”
At this time, someone from CCMAU called out suddenly, “MCMAU is MCMAU, CCMAU is CCMAU. w.a.n.g Jinyang had not gotten anything out of CCMAU. When he heard that Zhang Xu was back, the kid scrammed immediately. He’s pretty shrewd, you know.”
“Since when did CCMAU learn the art of insults?”
“CCMAU had better not dig up the past either. MCMAU has been striving to improve these few years. If you really are capable, then prove it with your actions.”
“…”
The Grandmasters showed no sign of whose side they were on. Instead, they were each fighting their own battles, each one representing their own power. One moment, it was both of you resenting me, then it was both of us resenting you.
Fang Ping enjoyed listening to the juicy exchange between these esteemed people, nearly forgetting that there was a fight about to happen below.
Luckily, the referee’s whistle blew, interrupting their words.
Below the stage, the fight had begun!
The big screen showed the battle lineup that both parties had submitted.
CCMAU: Han Xu, Li Ran, Zhang Zhenguang…
Martial Arts University Alliance: Sun Mingyu, Bai Yin… Chen Jiasheng.
Both parties had put their leaders in the first round. Evidently, everyone was hoping for stability in the first battle.
At this point, no one had grasped their opponent’s strength yet. Losing in the first match also lowered morale, so naturally, sending in their most powerful member was ideal.
The team leader of the Martial Arts University Alliance went first, and Chen Jiasheng, a Rank-2 martial artist, was the last in defense. It may have been a strategy to prevent all five of them being defeated in one go and embarra.s.sing their name.
Fang Ping and the others quickly s.h.i.+fted their attention on the stage, no longer interested in the Grandmaster powerhouses exchanging slanders.