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nThe snowfall grew denser at higher altitudes of the mountain ranges.

nOn the peak of Mount Shu, a thunderous clap tore through the clouds and snow above the four mountaintops that housed the pavilions.

nThe disciples in robes fairer than snow flew out the pavilions on flying swords like deities, stirring up a windstorm.

nFang Lang went back to his courtyard to change into the white disciple robe of the Sword Guild. He walked out of his courtyard and saw Jiang Linglong holding an oil paper umbrella, shielding her from the snow.

nShe was also dressed in all-white like a beautiful lotus.

nWhen both of them looked up, the sky above was filled with blade rays from the disciples who were flying to Mount Shu on their swords.

nFang Lang and Jiang Linglong smiled at each other before they held a breath of blade energy and flew out of the Light Pavilion with their swords.

nThey were like streams that merged into the tide of flying disciples.

nOn the great plaza of Mount Shu, the pesky snow was cleared away. There was a tower on the plaza and there stood Chao Xiaojian in white with his torso exposed. He looked rather outstanding and unrestrained against the snowy backdrop.

nElder Ji, Wen Ting and the other elders from the Sword Guild were standing beside him. They raised their heads and smiled at the disciples who were flying through the snow.

nAll the pavilion disciples and non-pavilion disciples gathered there. The Heaven Pavilion disciples spent all year cultivating in the demon portals were absent.

nThe gathering of thousands of white-robed disciples was quite a grand sight. Some disciples who had not met for some time greeted each other with a smile.

nSome of them were asking about their cultivation progress, some were making plans to team up to enter the demon portal. The warm atmosphere chased away the chill of the snowstorm.

nElder Ji and Mentor Wen waved to signal Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong to head over when they arrived.

nLiu Bubai and Ni Wen were already there.

n“Have you guys heard about the Qianlong Resource Battle?” Wen Ting asked the four of them smilingly.

nBefore Fang Lang could answer, the man continued to elaborate on the details and importance of the battle to the Sword Guild.

nIt was similar to what Xiao Lingjian had mentioned but with more details.

n“Isn’t the Qianlong Resource Battle six months away?” Jiang Linglong asked suddenly.

nElder Ji answered, “We received an edict from Changan that the Emperor has decided to have the Qianlong Resource Battle on his birthday celebration. Therefore, the battle will be in less than ten days’ time.”

nFang Lang raised his eyebrow. “What’s the hurry?”

n“Originally, only the new disciples were allowed to participate in the Qianlong Resource Battle because they had the least to benefit from the resources. Half a year would be just right for preparation, but the Emperor has called for an earlier date. Regardless, there’s nothing to worry about.

n“The Emperor ordered each team to include at least one foreign elite and be led by a senior disciple. Since it’s not a battle among new disciples only, the difficulty of this year’s battle would be significantly increased due to the unpredictability and underlying threats,” Elder Ji said in a low voice.

nFang Lang and the others fell into deep thought.

nBefore they could enquire any further, Chao Xiaojian who was standing above the tower started speaking. His speech was exactly the same as Elder Ji. He mentioned about the advanced Qianlong Resource Battle and that they would be choosing a fourth-class disciple to join the teams.

nNo wonder they gathered all the disciples on the Mount Shu plaza.

nThere was a murmuring of discussions about the candidates. After a while, the principal disciple of the Dark Pavilion was chosen.

nSince the disciples in the Earth Pavilion and Heaven Pavilion had surpassed the fourth class, only the principal disciple of the Dark Pavilion was qualified to enter the battle.

nFang Lang looked over.

nHe found the name of the principal disciple from the name list given by Xiao Lingjian. Her name was Huang Ying, fourth-class sword intent realm.

n…

nAge: 25

nCultivation: Ninth-Class Sword Intent Realm

nCore: 22 (Gold)

nIntroduction: She has a dream to travel around the world with her sword.

n…

nHer information was presented to Fang Lang. She had a decent gold core but was weaker than Mentor Wen’s level.

nShe was his senior.

nFang Lang had met her once in the Gathering of Swords—she was the one who helped them settle in.

nShe was familiar with Mentor Wen. It clicked in his mind that she might be there to welcome Mentor Wen.

nTsk, something’s fishy.

nFang Lang peeped at Mentor Wen but the man was just casually sipping on his wolfberry tea from the gourd canteen.

nThis gathering was not just to select the senior disciple for the Qianlong Resource Battle. With both hands on his back, Chao Xiaojian took a deep breath after glancing at the disciples below and said, “After the Qianlong Resource Battle, the competition for the ranking of sects would be next. This year, Donglu’s Sword League, Nanhai Sword Association and other sects are putting up a strong fight. We shouldn’t let our guard down. In the Tang Dynasty, the Sword Guild has always been the best in sword mastery! One day, we will take back our rightful place as the greatest sect in the Tang Dynasty!”

nChao Xiaojian’s voice shattered the falling snow.

nThe eyes of the Sword Guild disciples on the plaza were sparkling.

n“Take a seat, everyone.” Chao Xiaojian waved his hand after and a sword intent bloomed from the ground.

nThe disciples sat cross-legged on the plaza.

nFang Lang, Jiang Linglong and the other new disciples were confused. Elder Ji quickly explained, “Sit cross-legged, Vice Leader Chao’s about to deliver a lecture. Pay attention, you’ll benefit much from it. To listen to the teachings of a ninth-class cultivator is a treat and blessing.”

nElder Ji also sat cross-legged on the floor, followed by Fang Lang, Jiang Linglong, Ni Wen and Liu Bubai.

nThe snowfall stopped suddenly as the whole world fell silent.

nChao Xiaojian sat on the tower overlooking all the disciples and began his lecture.

nWith the enhancement of his spiritual sense, his voice had a unique nuance and frequency, bringing the disciples into a magnificent sword realm.

nChao Xiaojian shared his understanding of swords, which helped the disciples deepen their appreciation for sword mastery.

nBefore Fang Lang paid close attention to the speech, he chose to complete the binding with Mentor Wen.

n‘System, confirm binding partner… Wen Ting.’

n‘Ding! System checking…’

n‘Ding! Binding partner detected to be ninth-grade sword intent realm. The binding period is estimated to be seven day. Do you want to proceed?’

nThe System’s notified him.

nFang Lang raised his eyebrow and thought, ‘Only seven days?’

nThe binding time required was much lower than he expected.

nPreviously when he was a fifth-grade sword disciple, it took him three days to bind to Old Jiang who was a ninth-grade sword master. Hence, he predicted it would take him longer to bind to Mentor We.

nPerhaps it was due to Mentor Wen’s… weakness?

n‘Ding! Host detected with Grade-Rush Card (1) and Grade-Rush Card Fragments (2). Items can be used to overcome the binding time.’

nFang Lang thought for a moment and decided to use the cards.

n‘Ding! Binding successful. Happy cultivating!’

n…

nBinding Partner: Wen Ting

nAge: 28

nCultivation Discipline: Ninth-Grade Sword Intent

nCore: 89 (Gold)

nCultivation Speed: 18 low-grade crystals

/2 hours

n‘Binding partner is currently feeding his sword with his body…’

n…

nFang Lang glanced through Wen Ting’s basic information and did not see any bloodline ability.

nHowever, there was enlightening piece of information.

nFang Lang had always been curious. With Wen Ting’s core, he should not be stuck in the sword intent realm at the age of 28.

nThe System’s display told Fang Lang the stunted cultivation was due to Wen Ting’s sword-feeding state.

nOf course, thanks to that, it made it easier for Fang Lang to bind to him.

nHis core was already one in a million.

nIt did not take him long to bind to Wen Ting.

nFang Lang kept the other binding slot empty for the moment, hoping he would find a suitable binding partner in the Qianlong Resource Battle.

nFang Lang felt his perception ability improve significantly after switching to Quintuple Binding Mode.

nIt was as though the world had stopped moving when they listened to Chao Xiaojian. The teachings of sword mastery bloomed in every Sword Guild disciple’s mind like spring blossoms. His teachings answered their doubts in sword mastery and enlightened them.

n…

nThe snow stopped the next day.

nThe long-lost sunlight shone from the sky and the warmth encouraged laziness.

nThe white-robed disciples on the practice ground looked like blooming white lotuses in the sun.

nFang Lang, Jiang Linglong, Ni Wen and Liu Bubai had packed their bags. They were standing at the practice ground on the Grooming Peak, waiting to start their journey to Changan.

nThey would be joining the Qianlong Resource Battle and the Emperor’s birthday celebration in Changan.

nElder Ji, Wen Ting and Chao Xiaojian descended from the sky and landed on the practice ground.

nFrom afar, Huang Ying was approaching them with a sword box on her back. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail.

nBeside her was a wild-looking figure—the foreign elite who would be joining their team.

nFang Lang was stunned when he realized it was Geshu Yuehua, the one who had her collarbone ruthlessly shattered by him.

nShe looked more restrained after changing into the white robe of the Sword Guild disciples.

nShe had a wide grin that exposed her canine teeth. She was staring at Fang Lang with an unfriendly gaze.

nHer wounds had completely healed after taking a medicinal pill. However, the mental trauma she received would haunt her for days to come.

n“You guys will be representing the Sword Guild in the resource battle. I need you to work as a team and help each other,” Chao Xiaojian said.

nThen, Chao Xiaojian waved his sleeve and gathered a sword intent that swept the disciples off their feet. They flew into the clouds and rode across the sea of clouds, leaving a rainbow trail of blade energy.

n…

nThe resource battle is organized by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. Most sects were allowed to participate—including the ten great sects, first- and second-class sects—with the total exceeding over three hundred sects.

nThe ancient city, the great capital of the Tang Dynasty, gradually appeared in their vision.

nA familiar city, a familiar scent.

nFang Lang returned to Changan two weeks after the Imperial Examination.

nHuang Ying who had participated in the resource battle before was explaining the rules to the new disciples.

nShe had a warm and gentle personality and treated everyone as her younger siblings. She would only show a cold face when she faced Wen Ting.

n“Sister, will there be deaths in the resource battle?” Geshu Yuehua asked.

nHuang Ying glanced at her. She did not treat her differently just because she was a foreigner. She was still smiling as she answered seriously, “The resource battle is different from the Imperial Examination as it involves fighting for resources. It is a battle of profit and cultivation. No one will hold back during the battle, so it’s definitely a life and death situation. However, there will be guards from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review who’ll maintain order during the battle to reduce casualties.”

nEveryone fell silent after hearing that. The tension in the atmosphere thickened.

n“We cultivate to attain immortality but death is still the final destination,” Chao Xiaojian said calmly as he glanced at the team.

n“Don’t worry, I will give my all to protect you guys,” Huang Ying said with a warm smile and a determined expression.

nThe sky above Changan was filled with rays of light.

nThere were glamorous flight swords, handsome horses and carriages and a giant rune roulette in the sky.

nChangan’s sky was like an estuary with trails of light converging on the city.

nThe beams landed right before Changan City. This was because the city’s law banned anyone from flying into the city. Therefore, all the cultivators had to descend and enter through the gates.

nThe area in front of the entrance was cleared—snow was removed to reveal a great expanse.

nMore cultivators from various sects started gathering in front of the city gates.

nThe gates were still sealed shut. Armed guards were patrolling above the tower.

nFang Lang looked around and saw familiar faces.

nXimen Xianxian who joined the Karma Society, Li Yuanzhen whom he defeated with tricky moves and the honest Wei Sheng.

n“Brother Lang! Nice to see you again? Let’s meet at the entertainment house tonight?” Ximen Xianxian invited him enthusiastically as he opened his paper fan.

nFang Lang turned down his invite and Ximen Xianxian shook his head dejectedly.

nWei Sheng also noticed Fang Lang among the crowd and smiled at him. He was surrounded by his peers who had muscular builds. They looked over curiously.

nBoom!

nA splendid blade light dashed toward them, stirring up heaps of snow.

n“Donglu’s Sword League’s team is here,” Huang Ying said.

n“They are our biggest rival in this resource battle,” she said in all seriousness.

nChao Xiaojian glanced at them calmly.

nWhen the blade energy dissipated, Donglu’s God of Blades, Nan Yehuo, appeared with an icy demeanor and his signature unibrow.

nThe smile on Fang Lang’s face faltered as he glanced at Nan Yehuo. His gaze landed on the arm that was chopped off.

nNan Yehuo’s expression darkened.

nBeside him was the representative team of Donglu’s Sword League.

nHuang Ying was stunned when she saw the leader of their team.

n“It’s Lin Muzhe, the top disciple of Donglu’s Sword League! I heard she inherited the skills from one of the Donglu’s blade lords who passed away!”

nFang Lang was interested when he heard she was a genius. He immediately whipped out the Stats Scanner.

n…

nAge: 23

nCultivation: Ninth-Grade Sword Intent

nCore: 79 (Gold)

nIntroduction: Don’t think about it, she hates your guts.

n…

nHer core was decent but Fang Lang was shocked when he read her introduction.

nWen Ting said lazily, “Don’t bother, her little brother is Lin Yun. Are you surprised?”

nFang Lang was speechless. He understood why the System gave such an introduction.

nLin Muzhe picked up on Fang Lang’s gaze and glared at him through the falling snow.

nPsst!

nThe snowflakes within her path of vision were shredded.

nCreak…

nThe gates of Changan slowly opened as more and more teams from each sect arrived.

nA crowd walked out from the city to welcome them.

nPrincess Pei Shi hurried out excitedly in her red coat with Zhao Wuji and Pei Liao. They came to welcome the Sword Guild team.

nJiang Linglong smiled when she saw her mother.

nShe stepped forward to greet her mother.

n“Ya! Little Lang’s here! Do you have any new poems these days?” Princess Pei Shi blew warm breaths onto her hands and asked excitedly.

nPrincess Pei Shi walked past Jiang Linglong and headed straight for Fang Lang.

nJiang Linglong was frozen in place—the eyes above her veil turned icy cold.

nThe snowfall thickened.

nHuff.

n‘I don’t need a mother like you.’

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