Chapter 1

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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nIt was the year 276 of the Tang Dynasty.

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nIn Luojiang Academy of Luojiang City…

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n…

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nName: Fang Lang

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nCombat Score

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nSword Mastery: 63

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nSpell Mastery: 26

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nMartial Arts Mastery: 30

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nTheory Score

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nPoetry: 32

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nPolicy: 41

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nDemon Tongue: 40

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nTotal Score: 232

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nLuojiang Academy Rank: 736th

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n…

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nA boy dressed in a green robe was seated on a prayer mat as he stared dispiritedly at the red paper on the table. The scent of paper and books permeated the study halls of Luojiang Academy.

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nThe piece of paper held his academy examination scores.

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nThe main cultivation discipline—in his case, sword mastery—was scored over 100 while the others were scored over 50. The numbers were totaled and ranked—that was how the Tang Dynasty’s Imperial Examination worked.

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nHe was ranked in the 700s within Luojiang Academy. By extrapolation, he would not even make it into the top 10,000 in the Tang Dynasty.

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nIf he sat for the cruel Imperial Examination in this state, he would result in a huge disgrace.

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nFang Lang was upset. He was a disappointment to every dimensional traveler.

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nTo be fair, he never slacked in the 15 years spent in this foreign world but hard work could not make up for the lack of talent and core1.

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n“Whatever. If I can’t succeed as a cultivator, I’ll just inherit my father’s farmland, five inns, and three market streets. Spending the rest of my life as a rich landlord with no prospects doesn’t sound too bad.”

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nFang Lang sighed a long sigh in frustration.

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nSince the unification under the Tang Dynasty, they prioritized cultivation of strength by the first emperor to fend off attacks by other species. The practice was encouraged among the people to prepare for a potential war with the demons.

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nThe empire spent a significant amount of money and manpower to build elementary academies throughout the realm in hopes to kick start a generation of cultivators.

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nThe Imperial Examination was set up so cultivators could choose or be chosen by the cultivation sects that would provide further training.

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nThe Imperial Examination was one’s chance to change their fate.

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nIt allowed commoners who had no access to cultivation resources to climb the ranks, and only cultivators deserved the respect as leaders of the upper ranks.

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nAfter all, a strong cultivator could travel to the ends of the Earth, chase the stars and moon, flatten mountains, and end rivers.

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nA popular saying in the Tang Dynasty went as such, ‘Respect all cultivators, alive or in spirit.’

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nTherefore, the triennial Imperial Examination attracted students from every part of the Tang Dynasty. It was their chance to prove themselves and grasp at a glorious future.

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nThe study hall was buzzing after the release of the academy examination results.

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nSome students were elated, some were sullen, some wore prideful expressions—a wide range of emotions were found in the study hall.

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nThe mentors were all smiles when they congratulated the top students. In contrast, the bottom-ranking students got an earful. They did not spare the average Fang Lang a glance.

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nThe academy examination was not an accurate simulation of the Imperial Examination—the real deal was only a month away. There was no miracle that could save Fang Lang’s grades.

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nAfter another round of compliments to the high scorers, the mentors packed up their stuff and left.

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nOnce they were gone, the study hall exploded with activity like a fish pond after a handful of bait was scattered.

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nA bunch of students crowded the top scorers, eager to curry favor.

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nFang Lang got up and lazily rolled his head as he glanced at the crowd. He felt no admiration nor envy—they were geniuses after all and deserved the glory. If this was the Imperial Examination, the people surrounding them would be the various sects of the Tang Dynasty, not mere peers.

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nThere was a pointed difference between choosing and being chosen by a sect.

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nThis world was realistic.

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nMuch like the college entrance exam from his previous life, but…

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nIt was crueler here.

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nFang Lang crumpled the red result paper into a ball and kept it in his sleeve.

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nAt the same time, a ringing sound echoed in his mind.

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n‘Gene analysis in progress… Hematological analysis… Neurological analysis… 90% compatibility. Criteria met, System binding initiated…

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n‘System binding successful. The System aims to aid the host in cultivation.

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n‘Please open the System display.’

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nThe System notification popped up.

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nFang Lang felt his heart jump.

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n…

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nHost: Fang Lang

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nCultivation Discipline: Third-Grade Sword Disciple

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nLevel: LV1

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nExperience: 0

/1000

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nCore: 36 (White)

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nCultivation Resource: 500 gold coins, 5 low-grade spirit crystals (usage limited to cultivation)

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nItems: None

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nBinding Partner: None (binding to a partner will grant the host 50% of the partner’s cultivation inspiration and cultivation speed)

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nSole Passive Ability: Additional rewards may be granted when the host bonds with the binding partner over cultivation.

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n…

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nFang Lang’s breathing picked up.

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nHe calmed down and scanned through the System messages.

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nThe layout was simple with a notification board. Fang Lang skipped past the explanation about resources. He did not lack resources.

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nHe was interested in the core.

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nThis was the first time Fang Lang was presented with a stark assessment of his innate talent and core.

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nDuring his enrollment into the academy, Fang Lang had undergone the standard core test. The instrument had shone a faint white light—Fang Lang’s core was white and no bonus marks would be granted to him.

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nA person’s core for cultivation was classified by colors in the Tang Dynasty. Black, white, red, yellow, and gold were the five grades that could be professionally measured by the instrument. It was rumored that there were grades above gold but those were beyond the instrument’s range.

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nIf one had a red core, an extra 10 marks would be added to the scores.

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nWas it fair?

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nYes. A person’s core was innate and it benefited a talented student’s scores.

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nFang Lang returned his attention to the System.

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nThe System’s emphasis was on partner-binding. A successful bind would grant the host 50% of the binding partner’s cultivation inspiration and speed.

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nFang Lang’s eyes brightened—that was the key!

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nBinding to a genius with a gold core would improve his cultivation speed by leaps and bounds, the vague cultivation inspiration was an added bonus.

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nIt was what Fang Lang always wanted.

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nHe clenched his fist as realization struck him. Perhaps the System’s existence was to teach him about the benefits of striking up a relationship with the talented. It was a way to make something out of himself.

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nThe System was made for double cultivation.

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nFang Lang kept his excitement in check and hid the System display. He looked around the room and smiled at the crowd of green-robed students.

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nHe would benefit more from a partner who was naturally gifted, and he was in the right place to find one.

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nThe academy had many talents.

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nLuojiang Academy had ten study halls that housed 3,000 students. The Tang Dynasty mandated every cultivation academy to have the exact number of students.

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nEach building held 300 students who were split into three floors, 100 students on each floor. Students of the same floor would know each other as classmates.

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nThe establishment of elementary academies and the Imperial Examination was aimed to identify the cream of the crop.

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nThe academies attracted talents from all over the realm.

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nThere were things to learn from every single student attending the academy.

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nHowever, Fang Lang did not want an average genius for his binding partner.

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n‘What is the criteria for the binding partner?’ Fang Lang posed the question in his mind.

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nThe System replied, ‘The partner’s core grade must be higher than the host.’

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nFang Lang was speechless.

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nWas the criteria over the top? No.

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nHe was slightly offended.

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nFang Lang rose from the prayer mat and headed toward the red paper that was pinned onto the wall—names were written in gold.

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nIt was Luojiang Academy’s honor roll.

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nThose who made it onto the list were the top 50 scorers in the latest examination.

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nA few of Fang Lang’s classmates were looking at the honor roll in awe and longing.

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nFang Lang caught sight of the red paper.

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nHe focused on the top three names.

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nAmong the three names, Fang Lang recognized one—Ni Wen. She was a fellow classmate and the genius of their floor. Her name was in the third spot.

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nAnother thing to note, Ni Wen hailed from a commoner family.

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nThe Tang Dynasty encouraged cultivation and built many academies but the reality was those who could afford to attend the classes and pursue cultivation were mostly the sons and daughters of the rich.

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nIn order to include the common people, the imperial courts had set aside 300 positions in every academy for the poor. The Imperial Examination was a way for them to change their fates.

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nNevertheless, it was difficult for the common folk to make it into the honor roll due to insufficient cultivation resources.

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nThe first two names on the honor roll were the sons of Luojiang City’s elite families. They had resources in spades—unlimited access to spirit crystals and medicinal pills.

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nFor a poor student to be able to climb the honor roll in spite of the fierce competition, she had to be blessed with innate talent and aptitude. Her cultivation speed must be terrifying!

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nThere was no doubt.

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nFang Lang would bind her.

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n‘How does one bind to a partner?’ he asked. He was still standing before the wall of honor.

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n‘Ding! The current System is at LV1 so only one partner can be bound. The binding time is dependent on the chosen partner’s natural talent and core. The stronger the partner, the longer the binding time. Please select your partner.’

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nThe System message appeared.

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nFang Lang thought for a moment and asked, ‘Will there be any negative effects for the binding partner?’ If the binding would negatively impact the person’s abilities, then he would have to reconsider his options.

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nThe System answered instantly, ‘After the binding, the partner will develop a familiarity with the host. This will increase the probability of communication between the host and the binding partner. The binding will have no effect on the partner’s talents and core.’

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nThe explanation was reassuring. Fang Lang raised an eyebrow. The choice was clear and he proceeded without hesitation.

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n‘I choose Ni Wen as my binding partner.’

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nThe System announced, ‘Ding! The chosen partner, Ni Wen, is a ninth-grade spell disciple1. The estimated binding time is a full day and night.

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n‘Ding! The binding is in progress.’

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