Chapter 153: Before The Competition

Train Station.

Fu Changding exclaimed, “Fang Ping and his sister are so close!”

“Yeah, look at him all emotional. His sister’s not very thin though, is she?”

…

The crowd around them was admiring the brotherly feelings that Fang Ping displayed.

Meanwhile, Fang Ping was pinching Fang Yuan’s face as he sighed endlessly. “You’ve really become a little thinner. I told you to eat more rice, why didn’t you listen!”

“Back then, when I pulled out your face, it used to reach this length…”

Fang Ping stuck out a hand and gestured a pretty large distance.

Then, he carried out an experiment and pulled on Fang Yuan’s cheeks, and said deploringly, “You see! Now it only reaches this far!”

Fang Yuan pouted as she glared at him without making a sound.

‘I knew it!’

On one side, Xiaoling squealed enviously, “Yuanyuan, your brother treats you so well!”

“Hehe!”

Fang Yuan rolled her eyes. If Fang Ping was not currently pinching her cheeks, she may have believed it, but since they met until now, this jerk had been pinching her for ten minutes!

Luckily, there were still others around. Fang Ping gave his sister a bit more “care” before leading the crowd toward the parking lot.

Not in a rush to make small talk with Wu Zhihao and the others, Fang Ping turned to Tan Zhenping, smiling as he said, “Sorry for bothering you this time around, Uncle Tan.”

“Don’t worry about it. I just happened to be on the way over here as well.”

After saying that, Tan Zhenping took the initiative to ask, “And these two are…”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce them.”

Fang Ping immediately piped up, “This is Fu Changding, and this is Zhao Xuemei. They’re both my classmates from MCMAU.”

“Well, if it isn’t the elites of MCMAU. How rude of me!”

Tan Zhenping put on a polite face, though his heart was beating erratically in fear and suspicion. The two of them gave off a very dangerous vibe.

Were all the students of MCMAU so powerful?

In terms of their Vitality, he could not get a decent sense of it. Even though he was also of Peak Rank-1, one Peak Rank-1 and another were different.

Fu Changding and the others were stronger than him. Tan Zhenping could not feel anything with them intentionally suppressing.

If he could not feel anything, then there was no way the others, who were not martial artists, could have felt anything either.

Fang Ping then introduced everyone to Fu Changding and Zhao Xuemei.

Everyone became familiar with each other very quickly. As they walked, Fu Changding asked, “Are you all here to watch the championship?”

Wu Zhihao nodded. “Yeah. According to our instructor, the students who entered the competition this time round are all elites of Sino Nation Martial Arts University. Each and every one of them is outstanding…

“Even though there’s a large gap between them and us, just being able to watch their form is enough to motivate us to improve.”

“Ahem ahem…”

Fu Changding laughed drily as he thought, ‘How bout you don’t flatter us so much right in front of our faces?’

Wu Zhihao did not notice the strange atmosphere. Instead, he asked curiously, “Brother Fu, you guys are also MCMAU’s students. You all probably know the students from MCMAU who entered the competition this year, right?”

“We know, we know…”

Fu Changding shot a glance at Fang Ping. It was a clear inquiry, how should he respond?

To tell, or not to tell?

He really wanted to tell!

If he told them, would these people immediately start worshipping him?

Fang Ping rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Currently, Fang Ping had no intention to inform them. If they knew, he would be asked so many questions his head would explode.

Just wait for tomorrow. When the opening ceremony started, then naturally, everyone would know.

He would not be beside them at the time, and he would be spared the storm of questions.

Establish the reality, then simply explain a few sentences. That would be much easier.

Reading the situation, Fu Changding could only roughly brush it off with a few sentences. Next, Wu Zhihao asked about the rumors on the internet about the planted contestants. For instance, Zhao Lei…

There was an extremely complicated look in Fu Changding’s eyes as he said drily, “Indeed, Zhao Lei is very good…”

At this point, even Liu Ruoqi was interested. She questioned in a soft voice, “Zhao Lei… In person, does he look like the pictures that are circulating on the internet?”

It was normal for girls to idolize a few powerful people of similar age.

Of course, Liu Ruoqi was not at the point of idolizing him, but naturally, there was some degree of intrigue.

“About that… Maybe a bit different?” Fu struggled internally, and paused for a moment before continuing. “His face… It might be a little fatter. He can change his face. Sometimes, his face could become extra fat!”

“Ah?”

Liu Ruoqi was dumbstruck. Even this was possible?

Zhao Xuemei was about to laugh to death. She suppressed the urge as much as she could as she said, “Don’t listen to his bullshit. We don’t know Zhao Lei very well. Fang Ping is close to him, you all can just ask Fang Ping.”

Wu Zhihao had a surprised look on his face. “Fang Ping, you’re even close to Zhao Lei? Wow, you’re really amazing. We haven’t even seen much of NMAU’s few martial artists, yet you’ve mixed with them pretty well!”

“It’s just alright, he and I are actually not that close. When I have nothing to do, I like to help him change his face!”

“Huh?”

The few of them were becoming a little confused. Fang Ping did not elaborate further, smiling as he changed the topic. “Did you guys book a hotel yet?”

“It’s been booked. We were afraid we wouldn’t be able to get a spot at the last minute.”

“Brother, Xiaoling and I haven’t booked one!” Fang Yuan said frantically. She came intending to rely completely on Fang Ping. She had not even thought about booking a hotel in advance.

“Nobody asked you!”

Fang Ping rolled his eyes at her as he thought, ‘How could I not know about this?’

The others had booked a hotel near MCMAU. After all, the championship was to be held at MCMAU.

…

Driving from the station to MCMAU took much less time.

Not 40 minutes later, the car arrived at the entrance of the hotel booked by Wu Zhihao and the others.

After everyone got off the car, Fang Ping said, “Uncle Tan, you guys can settle in for a while. I’ll send my sister and her friend to the Magic Martial Hotel.”

Fang Ping chose a room there not because he was low on funds, but because the Magic Martial Hotel was safer, and it was also near to this area.

Naturally, Tan Zhenping did not have any objections. He thanked Fu Changding and Zhao Xuemei, and after promising to have dinner together, he walked with the others into the hotel.

Once they left, Fang Ping turned to Fu Changding and Zhao Xuemei and said, “Sorry for bothering you two for this. You can go ahead with your business and head back, I’ll just make some arrangements for my sister first.”

“That’s fine. If there’s anything you need, just give me a call. Still, Old Miser Fang, it’s about time you bought a car.” Fu Changding teased.

Fang Ping replied blandly, “I’ve been so busy recently that I haven’t even had the time to think about it.”

“That’s true. Well, in that case, we’ll leave first.”

Fu Changding and Zhao Xuemei left very quickly. In reality, they were even busier than Fang Ping.

Especially Zhao Xuemei. She had only just finished honing the last bone of her lower limbs the night before. This morning before he left, Fang Ping had not even intended to involve her, but Zhao Xuemei had volunteered to help.

After everyone left, Fang Yuan said with a little disappointment, “Brother, can’t we stay at your dorm?”

Previously she had heard Fang Ping say that he stayed in a single-person dormitory.

“It’s forbidden for outsiders to stay overnight in the dormitory. It’s fine to just take a look, but staying is not allowed.”

Fang Ping shook his head. This was not something he made up, MCMAU’s dormitory area did not allow outsiders to remain.

Students and instructors of MCMAU considered the dormitory area as the last pure land.

It would still be alright for instructors to bring their family members over, but Fang Ping was just a new student. Bringing family members over was a no-go.

As he talked, Fang Ping lifted the girls’ luggage and together they walked into Magic Martial Hotel.

The Magic Martial Hotel currently had more people than usual. However, the front desk receptionist at the lobby still recognized Fang Ping immediately and rushed to greet him. “Mr. Fang, good to see you!”

“Hello, please help me with the check-in procedures for my two little sisters.”

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“Alright, please wait a moment.”

The front desk did not ask for any identification from Fang Ping as they had records of their own. Very quickly, the procedure was completed for the two girls.

Fang Yuan had been watching the whole thing from the sides. Once they entered the elevator, she could not help but say, “Brother, you didn’t pay!”

“It’s free.”

“Free?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Accommodation and food here at the Magic Martial Hotel are all free. Of course, one person can only get one room…”

“Really?”

“Little brat, I knew you had money stuffed in your eyes!”

Fang Ping scolded her jokingly as he brought the two of them up to the 6th floor. Even though it was not the room he stayed at last time, the layout was the same. Fang Yuan cheered as soon as she stepped in. Clearly, she had not expected that the room would be so spacious.

“It’s so nice. Fang Ping, I also want to go to MCMAU in the future!” Fang Yuan hugged a couch cushion, her face full of excitement.

“Just because there’s free accommodation?”

Fang Ping said helplessly, “Your standards are so low…”

“Later, we’ll all go down for lunch. After lunch, I’ll take you both to have a look around MCMAU in the afternoon. Also, don’t run around on your own, and always have your phone with you.

“I won’t be staying here overnight, so if you two have any issues, give me a call or find someone here at the hotel.”

“Okay, okay. You’re such a nag.”

Fang Yuan waved him away impatiently, but very soon she was all smiles as she asked, “Brother, do you know the MCMAU students participating in the competition?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then can you help me get their autographs?”

Fang Ping’s face darkened. Frantically, Fang Yuan explained, “I’m not selling them. I want to keep them as a collection!”

Xiaoling seemed visibly confused and said uncertainly, “Yuanyuan, we can use these to open a market…”

No one knew where the two brats learned these things. From the moment they opened their mouths to when they shut them it was all “open a market” and “celebrity effect”.

Fang Ping did not know whether to laugh or cry. Fang Yuan promptly covered Xiaoling’s mouth, a look of accusation on her face. What an idiot!

…

After the small commotion, Fang Ping accompanied the girls downstairs for lunch.

While they were eating, Wu Zhihao and the others called and they agreed to have dinner together. They were now preparing to walk around and explore Magic City, as it was bustling with activity these few days.

Fang Ping did not say much. They were not little children anymore; they would not simply get lost.

…

At 2pm, Fang Ping brought Fang Yuan and Xiaoling to Magic City Martial Arts University.

The moment they saw the main gate of MCMAU, the two girls were as astonished as Fang Ping was the first time he saw it.

This time, Fang Yuan had prepared in advance and brought a camera. She made Fang Ping take their picture in front of the main gate so that she could print it out and share it with her classmates when she got back.

When they entered the school and heard Fang Ping’s briefing of MCMAU’s circumstances, the two young girls were once again dumbfounded.

Such a big school, and so few students?

“Fang Ping, in the future I definitely have to get into MCMAU!”

Fang Yuan had declared this countless times already. Xiaoling, too, had a look of temptation on her face. In their eyes, a school that was this large was a good school.

Also, MCMAU was very famous.

After a short walk around the school, Fang Yuan started pestering. “Quick, let’s go take a look at your dorm. Mom even asked me to take some pictures for her, so she could see if you were living well. She also told me to see if you had a good relationship with your dormmates. It seems like you don’t even have any.”

…

Once Fang Ping brought them to the dorms, there was another flurry of exclamations.

Similarly, there were more squeals of surprise when they entered Fang Ping’s dorm.

Fang Ping did not know where the two brats got so much energy. They were not the least bit tired.

…

The entire afternoon, Fang Ping acted as their escort. The two girls lingered in the dorm for a while before they started to get restless and dragged Fang Ping off with them to walk around the school gardens.

Along the way, Fang Ping saw a few of his classmates also strolling around the gardens with their family members.

Usually, MCMAU was not open to the public. Even if parents came over, they were not permitted to stroll around in the school.

However, this time was different. The opening ceremony of the championship was tomorrow. Even though the general public was still not allowed entry, the restrictions were loosened to let students bring their close relatives and friends to the school.

Most of the parents had a similar reaction to Fang Yuan and Xiaoling.

A lot of the relatives had prideful looks on their faces. Clearly, they were proud that their children had managed to enter a university like MCMAU.

…

After exploring more than half of the university, Fang Yuan and her friend were finally exhausted.

Fang Yuan was not in a rush to see everything in a day as they would be staying for a few days this time.

As they left, the only disappointment that Fang Yuan had was that she had been unable to meet any of the students taking part in the competition.

“Brother, when can I see the students participating in the competition?”

“Didn’t you see them?”

“See them? No…”

The girl had a look of confusion on her face. Fang Ping said amusedly, “You already saw them. In fact, you saw quite a few.”

“Really? Did we bump into them when I wasn’t paying attention? Why didn’t you tell me?” Fang Ping pouted unhappily.

‘If you told me, I could have asked for an autograph.’

There were fewer people now. It would be crowded tomorrow.

“Stop thinking about autographs. Was the amount I signed for you not enough? After dinner tonight, you and Xiaoling should just stay at the hotel. Don’t run around. I won’t have time tomorrow morning, but I’ll get someone to pick you two up. Then, you two can just come to MCMAU with him.”

Fang Ping had to participate in the opening ceremony tomorrow, so naturally he was too busy to go fetching others. However, Li Chengze could handle the job.

“It’s alright, tomorrow we’ll just come over with Sister Ruoqi and the others.”

“We’ll see. Anyway, behave, you little brat. Don’t make me worry.”

“I’m not a little kid anymore. Who wants your worry…”

After the siblings exchanged a few more words, Fang Ping did not bring them back to their hotel. Instead, they went to the hotel that Wu Zhihao and the others were at.

…

At night.

Everyone had dinner together, but because Fang Ping still had to return to the school, he ate rather hurriedly. Seeing that he had some business, Wu Zhihao and the others gave up on their plans of having a nice long chat. After all, everyone would be staying here for a few days.

After the meal, Fang Ping sent Fang Yuan and Xiaoling back to their hotel. After that, he did not go back to the dorm, and instead went to his usual training room.

When he arrived, the members of the main team and the reserves team were already there.

Other than these people, a few of the Rank-6 instructors were also there.

The moment Fang Ping arrived, Tang Feng said in a deep voice, “Everyone’s here. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. There will be no challenges, but everyone will be drawing lots to determine the first round’s opponents!

“In our first round, it’s best not to meet with the people from CCMAU!

“Although there are many schools and many talents in the Martial Arts University Alliance and the Eight School Alliance, in our eyes, CCMAU is our greatest opponent!

“If we meet those of CCMAU in the first round, then we may have to adjust our strategy. The main team should do their best to avoid injury in order to prevent affecting us for the rest of the competition.”

No one said anything. The actual meaning of Tang Feng’s words was that if they drew against CCMAU in the first round, he might employ a strategic avoidance tactic.

If so, the person who would be sent for the match could be someone from the reserves team.

However, it was clear that the students did not think this way.

Everyone was elite. Nobody thought that they were worse than anyone else. Moreover, avoiding the first match would mean the later matches would be tougher. There were both pros and cons to this.

Tang Feng did not elaborate; he would explain if they really did match up against CCMAU.

Tang Feng continued, “For the match this time, the school has also prepared a little something for everyone.

“Each one of you gets 10 Normal Vitality Pills, 5 Rank-1 Vitality Pills, and 2 Rank-2 Vitality Pills.

“Other than that, Healing Water, Metal-inflicted Wound Medication, and Healing Pills have been prepared for all of you.

“Also, those who lack alloy weapons can temporarily borrow some from the school. Alloy weapons must be returned.

“However, if you have no need for it then don’t borrow it. A weapon you’re not used to may not be an asset…”

MCMAU was not being stingy this time around, giving out plenty of Vitality-replenishing and healing medications.

Though the alloy weapons could only be borrowed, having them was better than nothing.

After making his arrangements, Fang Ping dropped by the logistics department and borrowed a machete, a pair of fighting gloves, a dagger…

Fang Ping actually also wanted to borrow a set of full-body armor, but Old Man Li said there were none!

Fang Ping was sceptical, but since Old Man Li refused to lend it, it was evident that the school had no intention to let everyone head for battle while hiding behind armor. Fang Ping could only give up on his thoughts.

After all the preparations were complete, everyone headed back to their dorms early. That night, New Students Area One was exceptionally quiet.