World's Best Martial Artist

Fang Ping was grateful and relieved to catch sight of Hope City. In reality, however, it was still extremely far away.

The Rank-6 powerhouse hot on his heels frowned slightly. Without warning, he canceled the Flight Step and landed on the ground. As he landed, he took a huge leap, advancing tens of meters.

Flight Step did look rather cool, though it was not necessarily quicker than running on the ground.

Pursuing midair with the Flight Step earlier was the pride of a powerhouse.

Now that they were closing in on Hope City, he decided to swallow his pride. In fact, he had not expected a Rank-3 martial artist to achieve continuous outbursts all this time.

The initial plan was to pursue ten or twenty li without getting his hands dirty. When his quarry’s Vitality had depleted on its own, he would then finish him off.

He had found himself in a bit of a sticky situation right now.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he started picking up pace. Like a phantom, his silhouette flashed across midair. Fang Ping, who was running ahead, felt a tingling in his scalp.

Seconds later, Fang Ping clenched his jaw, turned back without warning, and hacked with full force!

At this moment, Fang Ping could finally see the other party’s face clearly.

Shoulder-length hair, dazzling eyes, eyebrows that were… separated in the middle!

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

The other party was cold and distant. He cared nothing about Fang Ping’s outburst, striking a fist toward Fang Ping’s glaive!

There was an ear-piercing bang. Fang Ping was sent flying by the impact, blood flowing freely from his mouth.

Before Fang Ping could leap up and make a run for it, the man appeared in front of Fang Ping once again, striking another punch!

Fang Ping let out a deafening roar, his glaive hacking repeatedly at the other party’s fist. What he heard instead was the grinding and screeching sound of the glaive.

In the instant the man’s fist drew near, a blood arrow shot out of Fang Ping’s mouth without warning—aiming straight for the other’s eyes.

However, the chipped-brow guy was much stronger than Fang Ping imagined!

As the blood arrow shot out of Fang Ping’s mouth, the man raised his left hand, dispersing the blood arrow with a punch.

“I did not outrun a Rank-6…”

This was the only thought running through Fang Ping’s head. A few seconds later, a look of wild joy appeared on Fang Ping’s face. The chipped-brow guy’s expression stiffened.

As his complexion changed, Fang Ping took advantage of the moment of hesitation, running backward wildly before spinning forward without breaking the run.

The chipped-brow guy was dumbfounded, standing rooted to the spot.

A little while later, he seemed to have come to a realization, his eyes blazing with killing intent!

“@#¥%…”

After some dark muttering, he chased after Fang Ping at full speed once more.

Although Fang Ping had no idea what he was saying, he could sort of guess it.

Earlier, when the Catacombs martial artist was about to finish him off, Fang Ping employed a wave of Mentality to create a disruption before grinning wild with joy…the man must have thought that a Grandmaster had shown up.

Of course, a cheap trick like that would only work for a split second.

Fang Ping was well aware that his Mentality was too faint and weak. This was only used as a scare tactic. He did not really have the guts to hope for the other party to retreat in fear. When the man was startled, Fang Ping took the opportunity to run as far as he could.

Right now, his internal organs were wounded again. His right arm seemed to have been fractured.

Fang Ping was certain that he would have to pay a hefty bill of medical fees if he were to make it out alive.

On the other hand, the chipped-brow guy now had a clearer grasp of the situation. Right now, he had to kill him for sure.

Unlimited Vitality, Mentality perception… This was more than enough reason to make sure to kill him once and for all!

Fang Ping was spitting blood as he ran for dear life…

Nearly there at Hope City—nearly there!

The chipped-brow guy, who was in hot pursuit, sped up even more. Fang Ping could even feel the breeze. He clenched his teeth and hurled the fengzuidao backward abruptly, carrying a rich Vitality force with it.

Bang!

Without stopping, the chipped-brow guy laid a punch on the fengzuidao and sent it flying. The fengzuidao that had stuck with Fang Ping through thick and thin was gone within the next second.

Fang Ping gritted his teeth while bolting at full speed. He jerked the saber and sword from his left arm violently before flinging them backward.

As expected, the chipped-brow guy struck them with his fists as well.

Fang Ping paid no attention to the anguish in his heart, tossing the changdao and long spear that he had been wedging under his arms earlier. Who cared about the weapons when he was about to lose his life!

Bang! Bang!

After a few continuous bangs, all his weapons were gone. When he sensed the sound of a fist cutting through the air behind him, Fang Ping tumbled over without warning, a mouthful of crimson blood gushed out of his mouth, his head falling to one side…

The chipped-brow guy was taken aback. At this moment of bewilderment, Fang Ping, whose head was still leaned to a side, got up abruptly and continued dashing like a madman.

“Kagu!”

The chipped-brow guy was beside himself with fury. This fellow had actually played dead!

During combat, if the enemy collapsed to the ground suddenly, his first instinct was to stop and examine. Who knew that the other party actually played dead under his nose!

The chipped-brow guy was fuming with anger, accelerating once more. In just a second, he had closed in on Fang Ping.

This time, Fang Ping had no intention to play any more cheap tricks. He condensed his entire Vitality on his back. As expected, the man landed a punch squarely on Fang Ping’s back.

Fang Ping’s Vitality shield could barely block the impact. A mouthful of blood shot out of his mouth. Taking advantage of the momentum, he continued running.

He had gotten used to coughing blood.

He would just run since he had already suffered injuries to his internal organs.

A little while later, Fang Ping raised his head suddenly to the heavens, screaming at the top of his lungs, “Grandmasters, save me!”

The chipped-brow guy instinctively turned his attention to the sky. Even if he could not understand what Fang Ping was saying, he could read his body language. He was calling out for backup from someone in the sky.

As he was looking up to the sky, Fang Ping pulled their distance apart once more.

The chipped-brow guy had a strong desire to spit blood as well!

A Rank-6 hunting a Rank-3 down was something that should be settled with one simple punch. Right now, however, his prey still had the energy to run. How could this be?

“Someone help me!”

“Help me!”

“I’m dying. Big Lion. General Xu…”

Fang Ping yelled while he ran. He was really dying now. If he could not lose this tail behind his back, even if he still had the strength to fight and plenty Vitality to spare, his vital organs would shatter from the impact.

The only reason they were still intact was thanks to the Bodybuilding Pills he had consumed earlier to hone his body as well as his vital organs. Additionally, his adequate Vitality meant that he could constantly mend his injuries.

“Someone help me! Anyone!”

When Fang Ping sensed the sound of something cutting through the air behind him once more, he lost all hope.

If this continued, he could only take three more punches before reaching his limit. His death was imminent!

However, the heavens always came to his children’s aim at the most crucial of times.

Just as Fang Ping had lost all hopes, a shrill, whistling sound was heard out of nowhere!

“Die!”

In just a second, a thunderous roar sent waves that pulsated around Fang Ping’s ears!

Boom!

The deafening roar and the energy spilling out from the Vitality force blew up, sending Fang Ping tumbling a few steps forward.

Fang Ping did not turn to take a look, rolling on the ground before getting up to keep running. He only turned his head to look after he was some distance away.

Fang Ping finally saw what had happened.

Big Lion landed from the sky. His clothes from the waist-up were completely destroyed by the explosion. He was topless. His copper-colored skin glinting rich, blood-tinted light. Golden light flashing on his fists, he struck at the chipped-brow guy like lightning.

The chipped-brow guy roared in rage as he received the blows. The repeated impact sent him a few steps back. The confidence he displayed when he destroyed Fang Ping’s weapon with a punch earlier was nonexistent now. All of a sudden, his fist was badly bruised by Big Lion’s assault—his flesh and blood splashed across the place!

“Die!”

“Kagu!”

Fang Ping realized that they enjoyed saying this word. They would never forget to yell it out whenever they fight.

However, when compared to the Peak Rank-6 Big Lion, the chipped-brow guy was comparatively weaker. He was constantly pushed back from the assault, blood dripping incessantly from his mouth.

Just as Tang Feng’s hands were glowing a splendid golden light in releasing an outburst, the chipped-brow guy roared unexpectedly. The richness of the blood-tinted light on his fists was fading. Tang Feng wore a menacing look…

A split second later, the chipped-brow guy dashed off without looking back!

Fang Ping was startled. ‘F*ck. Did you learn that from me?’

‘Where’s my instructor’s fee?’

Tang Feng scowled. He was about to run after him but hesitated. In the end, he turned his head back to look at Fang Ping.

Nothing could compare to the wretched state Fang Ping was in right now. He was covered in blood all over and was almost unrecognizable. Even the clothes on his body were tattered.

When he saw Tang Feng looking at him with no emotions, Fang Ping said hotly, “How could you let that guy go? I thought you can kill Rank-6 like slaughtering dogs. Killing Rank-3 and 4 martial artists was a piece of cake for me. I’ve even killed a few Rank-5. A Rank-6 can’t kill me…”

“Can you still move?”

Tang Feng ignored his rambling to ask this question.

“Hehe!”

Fang Ping giggled but gave no reply. He stood rooted to the ground for some time before moving his feet suddenly, shuffling toward Tang Feng at a slow pace.

Fang Ping did not pause as he shuffled past Tang Feng.

Tang Feng frowned and said, “Return to the city to treat your injuries. You’re dying.”

“I won’t die!”

Fang Ping ignored him and walked a few hundred meters ahead with difficulty, then picked up the C-class changdao and long spear that he had tossed away earlier. Unfortunately, both weapons had suffered damage.

Fang Ping looked ahead, hesitating for a moment. He turned his head and said, “There are still plenty of weapons that I have tossed out on my way here…”

Tang Feng was annoyed. Speaking in a low, rough voice, he said, “They’re long gone. When you toss your weapons away, the other party will have picked it up long ago. They won’t even be there anymore!”

“I’ll get them back one day!”

Fang Ping wielded a saber with his right hand, intending to pick up the spear with his left. However, his left arm was completely immobilized at the moment. Fang Ping was in excruciating pain.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m passing by.”

“I’ve surpassed Rank-3s, and fought a Rank-6. Can you fight a Rank-9?”

Tang Feng did not utter a word.

“I’ve slaughtered Rank-4s like chickens. I’ve even killed a Peak Rank-5. You still claim that I don’t have the guts to take risks?”

Tang Feng frowned and said with a deep grunt, “Can you walk? Tell me if you need my help!”

“I don’t!”

Fang Ping let out a humph, then he thought for a while and said, “Carry me on your back and put me down 200 meters away from the city gate.”

Tang Feng paid him no attention, grabbed his shoulders and sped toward Hope City in the distance.

“Let me down!”

Seeing that they were nearly there at the city gate, Fang Ping screamed hurriedly.

Tang Feng frowned once more. He could only put him down.

When Fang Ping’s feet touched the ground, he staggered under his feet, bellowing all of a sudden, “So what if you’re a Rank-6? If I have the guts to fight you today as a Rank-3, I will kill you the day I become a Rank-4!”

He was full of vigor when he roared at full blast!

There were slight movements at the city gate.

Tang Feng frowned and asked, “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” Fang Ping said depressedly. He continued, “I have sustained serious injuries fighting a Rank-6, and you are the only witness. Are you willing to subsidize my medical fees? Everyone will know that I am fighting a Rank-6 after I scream like that. They will have to compensate me for my medical fees, right?”

“You…”

Tang Feng did not know how to respond to that. Fang Ping paid no attention to him, opening up the pack that he did not lose. He then proceeded to fasten all the Rank-4 and 5 martial artists’ medals on his pack, slinging his pack in front of his chest.

Tang Feng’s pupils contracted. They were really Rank-5 medals!

“Did you really kill Rank-5?”

“Absolutely. I’ve killed two of them. This changdao belongs to one of them. The other one used a pair of fighting gloves. It’s too bad I lost them. I’ve also lost a bunch of energy ores. If it was not for my encounter with a Rank-6 martial artist, I could definitely break through their defensive line this time!”

Fang Ping was now full of valiance and enthusiasm. Fang Ping fixed his tattered clothes and marched toward the city gate!

…

At the city gate. When they saw Fang Ping covered in blood, the badges sparkling on his pack in front of his chest, the soldiers on top and below the city wall were filled with deep respect and rendered the military salute! In that instant, people started rushing toward the city gate.

Someone saw Fang Ping and asked in great surprise, “Brother, the periphery has been blocked off, how did you…”

“I’ve broken through the enemy’s defense line. I came bearing news!”

Fang Ping spit out a mouthful of crimson blood, paying no attention to it. He beamed, and said, “Martial artists of my generation will never step back even if it means to die in battle!”

“Well said!”

Fang Ping grinned, striding forward, though at an extremely slow pace. He was waiting for someone.

In no time, Fang Ping’s eyes lit up. The one he was waiting for had arrived!

“Xuemei!”

“Fang Ping?”

Zhao Xuemei, who had run here in a hurry, could only recognize Fang Ping after he spoke.

Without waiting for her reply, Fang Ping chuckled and said, “With luck, I was able to complete the mission. I’ve hacked to death a Peak Rank-5, an Early-stage Rank-5, and plenty of Rank-4 martial artists. I can finally come back with pride!”

On the streets, some people were dazed.

Lu Fengrou, who had just arrived, was also stunned. She turned her head to look at Huang Jing, who had also just arrived. Her eyes were menacing. She asked threateningly, “Did you assign him a mission?”

Otherwise, why did he say that he had completed the mission with luck? No one asked him to kill a Rank-5.

Huang Jing was at a loss. There was no mission that he was aware of!

‘Why would I assign a Rank-5 mission to a Rank-3?’

Seconds later, Fang Ping crashed to the ground without warning!

“Fang Ping!”

He could hear a series of faint shouting around him.

…

“MCMAU Fang Ping. Upper-stage Rank-3. Killed a Peak Rank-5!”

“Broke through the blockade and a heavy siege. He escaped the hands of a Rank-6 powerhouse.”

“Is it true?”

“Of course it’s true. I’ve seen it then. Though, Fang Ping was also critically injured…”

“Rank-3 killed a Peak Rank-5. Are you sure this is not a joke?”

“This is really not a joke. He has obtained the enemy’s Rank-5 medal. You know this too. The Catacombs martial artists wear their medals as a symbol of identity and honor. Don’t even think of snatching it unless they’re dead. When we kill the other party, we’ll seize our fair share as well. Do you think he picked it up somewhere?”

“How is that possible? I might believe it if a Rank-3 killed a Rank-4. A Rank-3 killing a Rank-5—a Peak one too. This is… just unbelievable!”

“That’s what I think as well. But, when he returned, he was indeed critically injured. I heard that he was chased by a Rank-6 martial artist all the way, running hundreds of li before returning to Hope City.”

Today, in tiny Hope City, Fang Ping had become a celebrity.

Fang Ping, an Upper-stage Rank-3, had killed a Rank-5 martial artist and countless Rank-4.

A combat result like this was even more eye-catching than Yao Chengjun and the others a while ago. Very much so.

A Rank-3 killing a Rank-5 was something unheard of. Of course, a Rank-3 martial artist had killed a critically-injured Rank-5 martial artist before. Was it possible for Fang Ping to meet two critically-injured Rank-5 at once, though?

…

The military camp infirmary.

Lu Fengrou frowned and asked, “Did you really kill them?”

Fang Ping, with his face drained of color and his left arm hanging midair, explained weakly, “Who could it be if not me? Of course, I didn’t kill them head-on. I’ve set a trap for them. Even so, martial artists are not simple boors. As a Rank-3, I have killed Rank-5. It doesn’t matter if I killed them head-on or not. It’s still killing the enemy. Am I right?”

Lu Fengrou nodded slightly, saying suddenly, “Are you an idiot? I asked you to be vigilant and don’t fall into other people’s trap. Why did you leave the team and head out alone?”

Fang Ping was slightly surprised. He stuttered, “I can’t stand Big Lion’s slander against me, saying that I don’t have the guts to take risks. That’s why I left the team all alone, to prove that I’m not who he said I am. He’s defaming me!”

Lu Fengrou frowned and said, “That was just basic reverse psychology, and you took the bait?”

“Instructor, it had reached a point that I, as a man, could no longer stand it… I don’t mind, but what about you?

“Do you want others to call your student a coward?”

Lu Fengrou let out a humph and said, “I don’t mind. Other than that, they mentioned your lack of sense of direction. What’s going on?”

“Nothing like that.”

Fang Ping shook his head and said, “I was only joking with them. Otherwise, how would I have run hundreds of li and broke through the periphery just to return? Instructor, I have killed so many powerhouses this time, and even came bearing a piece of important information. For that, I lost plenty of energy ores and high-ranked weapons…”

“Information?”

Fang Ping responded immediately, “Yes, instructor. We should stop chatting. I have brought a piece of information concerning human survival. Ask everyone to come in quickly!”

Shortly after, a few people walked in without Lu Fengrou’s invitation. Wu Kuishan asked hurriedly, “What information?”

“East Sunflower City has deployed its troops. A huge military force is bearing down upon the border. They have arrived at Hope City from the eastern road… It was a narrow escape when I made my way across the Jiao’s forest, passing it twice, before obtaining this piece of information.”

He had not finished boasting about his contributions when everyone in the house, including Lu Fengrou, vanished in an instant. In a second, they all disappeared in unison.

“Don’t you think you should be giving me…”

Fang Ping was halfway through his sentence when his eyes turned dull and lifeless. Staring at the vacant room, he mumbled, “Shouldn’t someone be giving me a reward?”

“Where’d everybody go?”

“I’m not done speaking yet. They made their move yesterday. Right now they are probably still two hundred li away from us, right?”

“This… is how heroes are treated?”

Fang Ping was helpless, but could understand their urgency. Though with so many of them, was it too much to ask for at least one of them to stay?