First Encounter with Fang Ping

Lu Hao looked around the room, taking it all in; after all, this was where he would be living for the next several years.

The room was equipped with a bed, a wardrobe, and a sofa, but he would still need to purchase some personal items to make it feel like home.

Lu Hao picked up the schedule Qin Fengqing had left behind and scanned it.

The morning was for new student registration, with some time allotted to buy daily necessities and say goodbye to parents.

At 3:00 PM, everyone was to gather at the No. 1 Training Ground.

Tomorrow at 8:00 AM, everyone was to assemble at the Practical Training Building, where college assignments would be made, followed by more specific arrangements.

For Lu Hao, the college assignment was a trivial matter; after all, none of his peers had even reached Rank-2 yet, so he just needed to go buy some daily supplies.

After placing his Big Ring Blade and backpack in the dormitory, Lu Hao prepared to head out to purchase his necessities.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Who would be looking for him? Could there have been a change in plans regarding Qin Fengqing?

Thinking this, Lu Hao opened the door.

He found two students standing outside: one looked plain and unremarkable, while the other was a sunny, handsome boy at first glance.

"Hello, fellow student. I live on this floor too. My name is Fu Changding, and this is Fang Ping. We aren't bothering you, are we?"

The handsome young man at the door said, introducing the plain-looking student to Lu Hao as well.

Lu Hao hadn't expected to see Fang Ping right in front of him; he looked quite different from what he had imagined, appearing completely ordinary.

"I'm Lu Hao. Come on in and let's talk," Lu Hao said, not paying too much attention to Fang Ping, as there would be plenty of opportunities for contact later.

"Then we'll intrude," Fu Changding said, and Fang Ping echoed the sentiment.

After inviting them to sit on the sofa, Lu Hao still didn't know why they had come. If he remembered correctly, these two were the ones who would steal the spotlight and attract the attention of many instructors.

"Where are you from, Lu Hao? I'm from the Capital City, and Fang Ping is from Nanjiang."

Fu Changding took the initiative to ask.

"I'm from Magic City."

"Magic City? That's a great place. I only chose to come to Magic City because I felt too stifled in the Capital City. The atmosphere there is too serious; it's much more relaxed here at Magic Martial University," Fu Changding remarked.

"Is there something you need from me?" Lu Hao asked directly. He was curious, as most people didn't know his true strength, so he wondered what Fu Changding's motive was for coming here.

Fu Changding and Fang Ping exchanged a glance. They had already reached a consensus to make a splash at the afternoon assembly, but they didn't know the strength of the student in Room 1, so they had come to probe.

"Since you asked, Lu, we won't beat around the bush. We all know that martial artists must compete. We have an assembly this afternoon, which serves as both an orientation and a display of strength."

"Tomorrow we enter the Practical Training Building to be assigned to colleges, so this afternoon is the best time to gauge each other's strength. My room number is 15, and Fang Ping's is 86."

"These numbers represent our vitality rankings from the martial arts entrance exam, but our strength has changed since then. Fang Ping looks quite dangerous to me now, so we discussed it and decided to make a name for ourselves this afternoon."

"After all, with so many instructors present, you only get noticed by a Grandmaster instructor if you show you're extraordinary. It's not just this afternoon; tomorrow, Fang Ping and I plan to do something big. We intend to challenge the rest of the students in a gauntlet."

"Even if we lose, we'll surely catch the eye of many instructors, perhaps even a Grandmaster. Grandmaster instructors are different from those Rank-5 or Rank-6 teachers."

Fu Changding quickly laid out their plan. Ever since they stood at the door, he had been observing Lu Hao, but he couldn't discern anything.

This was precisely what made it terrifying. He could more or less gauge the foundation of other students on the floor, but he couldn't read Lu Hao at all. This suggested that Lu Hao was incredibly strong, and if he didn't agree to the plan, their success tomorrow might be in jeopardy.

Fang Ping, standing to the side, also felt the pressure. He had always thought his triple-honed bones made him a prodigy among his peers, but what was the deal with this Lu Hao? He looked like an ordinary person, but that was exactly what made him the most terrifying.

So, since entering, Fang Ping hadn't spoken, letting Fu Changding do the talking while he took the opportunity to observe Lu Hao's expressions.

"You're just going to tell me your plan like that? Aren't you afraid I'll tell the other students?"

Lu Hao said with a smile. He hadn't expected Fu Changding to target him, but given his own strength, he decided to pass. He would leave the spotlight to Fu Changding and Fang Ping; he had to prepare to head into the Earth Cave with Qin Fengqing.

"Not afraid. When I walked in, I realized your strength is terrifying, Lu. We probably aren't your match, so if we didn't tell you, we'd just end up failing anyway," Fu Changding said, watching Lu Hao nervously.

After all, if Lu Hao opposed them, they likely wouldn't be able to achieve their goal.

"I don't intend to participate... but I won't stop you if you want to do it," Lu Hao said. After all, why waste a chance to watch a good show?

When Fu Changding first heard Lu Hao say he wouldn't participate, he felt his plans had gone to waste, but hearing that he wouldn't oppose them put his mind at ease. He had already assessed the others, and he and Fang Ping could handle them just fine.

"Then many thanks, Lu. I see you're heading out to buy supplies too; why don't we go together?" Fu Changding suggested.

"Sure, that works for me."

With that, the three of them headed out. On the way, Fu Changding kept talking.

"My strength is a double-honed bone breakthrough to Rank-1, and I've finished honing my right leg. I used to think I was a prodigy, but there's always someone better. What realms are you two at?"

"I've just completed triple-honed bones, haven't broken through to Rank-1 yet," Fang Ping said, revealing his strength. It would be exposed tomorrow anyway, so it didn't matter now. He also wanted to know the situation with Lu Hao from Room 1.

Seeing both Fu Changding and Fang Ping looking at him, Lu Hao didn't play coy and spoke casually.

"Same as Fang Ping, triple-honed bones. Just broke through a few days ago."

"Ah? I didn't expect you to be at triple-honed bones too, Lu, and you've already broken through! A Rank-1 martial artist with triple-honed bones—no wonder I couldn't sense your strength."

Fang Ping looked at Lu Hao in shock. He knew how difficult triple-honed bones were; he had only just finished his, while Lu Hao had already reached Rank-1.

Rank-1?

Lu Hao hadn't said he was a Rank-1 martial artist; he was telling the truth—he had indeed just broken through. Breaking through to Rank-3 was still a breakthrough, right?

Lu Hao smiled to himself, wondering what would happen if they knew his true strength.