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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nTime flowed like sand through fingers.

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nIn the blink of an eye, it was the evening of the third day.

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nAs the last bell of the day rang, students rushed out of the study halls.

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nFang Lang, Ni Wen, and Yang Zhengyi left the study hall and headed for the practice grounds.

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nYang Zhengyi flipped his fringe and said, “Lang’zi, I’m rooting for you! I’m sitting out on the entertainment house today just to stay here and give you moral support. Do your best and get into the top three!”

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nNi Wen followed the two boys in silence like a soundless shadow. She was not the type who wanted attention.

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nShe was surprised when she heard Fang Lang was joining the Gathering of Swords.

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nAfter some hesitation, Ni Wen cheered, “Fang Lang… Good luck!”

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nThe encouragement surprised Fang Lang. He gave the girl a warm smile and patted her head before stepping onto the practice grounds.

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nAs the sun set, Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen watched Fang Lang walk away.

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nThe sunset was dazzling but the fire in Fang Lang burned brighter. They watched the boy grip his sword—he looked like he was ready to tear a hole through the night sky.

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n…

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nMentor Wen was early.

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nHe was dressed in an elegant white robe with a sword box on his back. His sword was secured within. The messy beard had been shaved off and he looked more alert than he ever did—his aura came to a boil.

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nThe Scholarly Sword Master was back.

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nFang Lang was taken aback by Mentor Wen’s appearance.

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nOn the other hand, Jiang Linglong barely lifted her eyebrows at the transformation. She was well aware of Mentor Wen Ting’s background and his past relationship with the Sword Guild.

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nThe Scholarly Sword Master was attending an event hosted by the Sword Guild. He would not want to appear weak in any way.

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nAll three students were set and ready to depart with Mentor Wen.

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nThe Gathering of Swords was held at the Sword Guild’s sanctum.

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nThis was Wen Ting’s first time leading the team. Previously, he only participated in the intensive training. However, this year, Headmaster Cui had personally ordered him to lead the team. It was not said but Wen Ting knew he was the protection detail for Jiang Pei.

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n“Let us not embarrass Luojiang Academy in the Gathering of Swords. This year, the Sword Guild has invited 200 academies. Luojiang Academy is in the top 50 academies so I expect you to survive at least until the second stage,” Mentor Wen said matter-of-factly.

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nThere was no leniency in his tone.

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nThis was his first return to the Sword Guild and he wanted to avoid embarrassment. Many from the Sword Guild knew him or knew of him.

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nBesides, after three days of intensive training, he had faith in the team’s ability to last till the second stage.

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nOnce the motivation speech was over, Mentor Wen raised his hand. The black space ring with a lotus flower carving glimmered on his finger. It was a premium space ring from the Jade Pavilion that likely cost a fortune.

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nA humming sound.

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nA bright flash.

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nSpace rippled and a flight sword appeared above the space ring. It floated in the air of the practice grounds.

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nFang Lang and Liu Bubai were mesmerized by the item.

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nA flight sword!

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nIt was the dream of every cultivator.

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n“That’s a Trident model made by the Sky Cloud Sect. It’s detailed with runes researched by fourth-class spell masters. At maximum power, the flight sword can travel 1,500 miles per hour. The flight sword consumes ten low-grade spirit crystals for two hours of operation,” Liu Bubai rambled on as he stared intently at the flight sword floating in the air. A shiver passed his body.

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nThe words were a load of gibberish to Fang Lang but it sounded impressive.

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nLiu Bubai’s enthusiasm for the flight sword reminded Fang Lang of the car enthusiasts from his past life.

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nMentor Wen glanced at Liu Bubai. “You know your stuff. You like flight swords? Do you have a Flying Sword Examination pass?”

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nLiu Bubai nodded. “I do! I went to the imperial courts and got mine last year.”

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nA smile graced Mentor Wen’s lips. “If you successfully rank in the top three for the Gathering of Swords, I will lend you my flight sword for two hours.”

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nLiu Bubai’s breathing picked up and the fire in his eyes burned like a star.

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nFang Lang covered his gaping mouth while Jiang Linglong remained expressionless.

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nMentor Wen smiled and produced his Flying Sword Examination pass. He stepped onto the flight sword and inserted the pass into the slot at the guard.

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nHum.

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nSpiritual energy emanated from the flight sword as it grew in size to accommodate four passengers.

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nLiu Bubai and Jiang Linglong stepped onto the flight sword with ease and sat down.

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nFang Lang gingerly took a seat on the odd transport. A circular rune appeared on his body—protection against the air pressure and piercing sounds.

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n“Sit tight, we’re departing.”

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nMentor Wen stood at sword grip.

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nAt the end of his sentence, a high-purity spirit crystal appeared in his hand. It was a mid-grade spirit crystal, equivalent to 100 low-grade spirit crystals.

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nThe mid-grade spirit crystal was fed into the opening at the sword guard. The fuel activated the runes on the flight sword.

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nThe humming was louder.

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nThe burst of energy disturbed the surrounding air.

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nA circular rune bloomed from the sword guard and began spinning at the sword tip.

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nThe flight sword stabbed through the rune.

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nThe rune continued to spin and the sound of spinning cogs could be heard.

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nThe flight sword made a cry and levitated.

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nSpiritual energy was expelled from the rune.

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nThe flight sword pierced through the sky.

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nThe departure was signaled by an ear-splitting roar as the sword took flight like a majestic bird, shooting across the sky.

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nA multicolored flash tore through the sunset in the horizon.

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n…

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nIn the realm of the Tang Dynasty, the Sword Guild sat within Mount Shu.

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nThe lofty mountain rose steeply above ground like an emerging sword, towering over the plains.

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nPalaces and towers glittered on the mountain peak, akin to a sword tip reflecting light. The heart of civilization was thrust into the clouds.

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nThe sophisticated flight sword hummed as the rune spun. Eardrums reverberated with the sword’s operation.

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nAtop the flight sword, Fang Lang, Liu Bubai and Jiang Linglong gazed upon the majestic and mystical city that sat among the heavens.

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nThis was where the Sword Guild laid—the venue of the Gathering of Swords.

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n“The Sword Guild is the largest sect in the Tang Dynasty that caters to sword mastery. They rank in the top ten sects and only take in ten talented disciples from each Imperial Examination,” Mentor Wen said.

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nHe guided the flight sword through the clouds and toward the plaza on Mount Shu’s peak.

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nThey were not the only ones riding in. Around them, a multitude of flight swords zoomed past. They landed on the plaza.

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nBlade energy rumbled as the flight swords descended. Gradually, the roaring of the runes simmered down. These were the participants gathered from academies all across the Tang Dynasty and everyone flew in on flight swords.

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nFang Lang’s body trembled with adrenaline as he sat on the flight sword.

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nThis was not the Imperial Examination but the opportunity to cross swords with talents from the realm excited Fang Lang.

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n“Get down,” Mentor Wen said with a smile.

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nThe trio hopped down and Mentor Wen put away the sophisticated flight sword.

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nAs they disembarked, a gallant woman with a sword box on her back strode over.

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n“Are you guys from Luojiang Academy? Come with me. You guys get to rest tonight, the competition starts tomorrow.”

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nThe woman spoke perfunctorily. When she noticed Mentor Wen, her expression hardened.

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nThe students felt the coldness of the woman’s gaze.

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n“What are you guys looking at? She’s just an old acquaintance. We made a pact to stay in the Sword Guild years ago. Unfortunately…” Mentor Wen said in a bittersweet tone as he took a trip down memory lane.

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nThe gallant woman who was leading the way turned around and gave Mentor Wen a death glare. “Wen Ting, you lied to me then and you dare speak of the past? I’ll stab you.”

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nMentor Wen gave the woman a sheepish smile. “Huang Ying, you wouldn’t.”

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nMentor Wen was right in his assessment.

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nThe Sword Guild member, Huang Ying, showed her displeasure. She almost drew her blade at Mentor Wen.

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nQuickly, she brought the group to the temporary residence. Although she radiated an unfriendly aura, she still helped with checking in.

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nFang Lang took the room token and searched for his accommodation. As he was opening the door, the next-door neighbor came out.

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nA tall, slender and handsome boy leaned against the doorframe. He studied Fang Lang silently.

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n“Which academy are you from?” the neighbor asked.

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nFang Lang smiled gently and said, “Luojiang Academy.”

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nThe boy raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Beijiang Academy, Song Qingyun, ninth-grade sword disciple.”

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n‘He’s revealing his grade?’

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nFang Lang spent a moment thinking, then said, “Luojiang Academy, Fang Lang, sixth-grade sword disciple.”

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n“Huh? Sixth grade?”

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nSong Qingyun frowned and the interest in his eyes dimmed.

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nHe figured the sixth-grade sword disciple was likely sent here as a filler.

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nOf course, Song Qingyun kept the thought to himself. With an impassive expression, he bid the other boy goodbye and went back into his room, all interest lost.

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