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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nWhat Fang Lang said was true—Jiang Linglong was different from Liu Bubai.

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nFang Lang’s Enhancement Card had allowed him to fight with Jiang Linglong’s techniques. In the battle ring, it was as if Jiang Linglong was fighting beside him.

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nTherefore, he did not consider Jiang Linglong to be carried to victory. She merely fought in an unconventional way.

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nLiu Bubai was the only one who contributed nothing.

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nOf course, Fang Lang did not explain his reasoning. He only made a simple comment.

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nThe Enchantment Card would last for a while longer. Fang Lang wondered if he should fight Beijiang Academy immediately.

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nOtherwise, he would be wasting the remainder of this Enchantment Card.

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nSo far, this was the only combat-related card Fang Lang had.

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n…

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nAfter a momentary silence, the crowd burst into cheers!

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nLuojiang Academy was the ultimate dark horse! They defeated a well-established academy and advanced into the final round!

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nHowever, the suspense was over.

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nAfter Fang Lang’s solo victory over Changan Academy, everyone knew the outcome of the final round. The champion would be none other than Luojiang Academy!

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nTheir opponent, Beijiang Academy, had suffered immensely in their qualifying battle against Bailu Academy.

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nAll three students carried injuries that affected their performance.

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nIf Luojiang Academy had advanced to the final round with debilitating injuries, Beijiang Academy might stand a chance.

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nHowever, Luojiang Academy sent out this boy, Fang Lang, who single-handedly defeated the three geniuses of Changan Academy—Lu Ze, the great grandson of the Drunken Blade Lord, included.

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nEven if Fang Lang was not at his peak, Luojiang Academy still had another ace up their sleeves.

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nIn this situation, how would Beijiang Academy win?

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nWhat could they sacrifice to win?

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nTheir lives?

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nThere was no need for that. Even if they fought with the willingness to sacrifice their lives, there was no hope of winning. In fact, even if they were in perfect condition to fight, there was still no guarantee that Beijiang Academy would win against Luojiang Academy.

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nA distance away, the mentor of Beijiang Academy let out a long frustrated sigh. There was only one option.

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nLuojiang Academy was going to win—there was no stopping them.

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nAs the students’ mentor and leader, he had to consider the individual event.

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nHe had also heard the rumors—there was a high chance that the Sword Guild would announce a reform of the individual event. Thus, their mentor made a firm decision—since they had no chance of winning this match, they would surrender with dignity. This way, the students could conserve their energy for the upcoming individual event.

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n…

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nIn the designated area for Luojiang Academy, Fang Lang was still waiting for the final battle of the team event.

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nHurt by Fang Lang’s words, Liu Bubai turned his head away and ignored Fang Lang.

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nMeanwhile, Jiang Linglong kept up her cold and reserved persona—if Fang Lang did not approach her, she was not going to approach him either.

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nFang Lang tried to initiate a conversation about cultivation with Jiang Linglong but she responded coldly and showed no interest. His passive ability was not triggered.

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nTheir interaction could not even be considered a modest interaction.

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nFang Lang was a little discouraged. ‘Sigh, Little Wen is so much better. With just a little effort, I could always squeeze out some kind of reward.’

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nMeanwhile, Mentor Wen had been summoned by the umpire. It seemed the competition had taken an unexpected turn.

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nNot long after, Mentor Wen returned with a gleeful expression.

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nHis eyes glimmered with excitement!

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n“Bubai!”

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nMentor Wen’s eyes shone. “You can take the last match!”

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n“Fang Lang, focus on recovering your energy. The individual event is coming up soon. This time… There are some changes.”

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nMentor Wen instructed Fang Lang. His tone was serious.

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nAs he said that, his gaze shifted to Jiang Linglong for a second. Jiang Linglong had heard the news long before Mentor Wen—it was why she participated in the Gathering of Swords as part of Luojiang Academy.

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nLiu Bubai was caught completely off guard. “Huh? You’re putting me in the ring?”

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n‘Did Master Wen lose his mind?

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n‘Is he trying to ridicule Beijiang Academy? Is he trying to play some mind games with them?

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n‘Or is he using me to wear down our opponents?’

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nA million questions went through Liu Bubai’s mind at once. However, he quickly settled on the idea that Mentor Wen was using him to tire out their opponents, softening them for Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong.

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n‘Ah, can’t he just let me enjoy being carried to victory?

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n‘Oh, well.’

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nLiu Bubai stood up and lifted his head up high. He took his sword from Fang Lang.

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n“Worry not, my teammates. Leave this to me,” said Liu Bubai.

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nHe turned to Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong as if he was some tragic hero. His expression said, ‘I will give my all to wear down the students of Beijiang Academy!’

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nFang Lang found the situation extremely odd. Jiang Linglong, on the other hand, revealed no emotions.

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nShe watched as Liu Bubai marched away like he was making a great sacrifice for the team. Then, she turned to Fang Lang and whispered in his ears.

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nInstantly, Fang Lang understood the situation.

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n…

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nLiu Bubai entered the battle ring.

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nHe gripped his sword tightly in his hand. He was anxious, but determined.

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nSong Qingyun of Beijiang Academy entered the ring. A perplexed expression appeared on his face when he saw Liu Bubai. Song Qingyun shot a glance at Fang Lang, who was sitting in the designated area for Luojiang Academy.

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nSong Qingyun sighed.

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n“You have two incredible teammates,” Song Qingyun said.

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n“I surrender.”

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nHaving said that, Song Qingyun cupped his fist with his hand and bowed reluctantly. He turned around and exited the ring.

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nLiu Bubai was stunned.

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nWhispers and murmurs echoed in the crowd.

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nMany students were eagerly waiting for the battle between Beijiang Academy and Luojiang Academy. The sudden turn of events baffled the students.

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nThey had not expected this.

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nOn the other hand, many mentors from other academies concurred with the strategy.

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nLuojiang Academy had two aces—Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong. After the bloody battle between Beijiang Academy and Bailu Academy, Beijiang Academy stood no chance in winning. Thus, it was wiser to forfeit this match and preserve their energy for the upcoming individual event.

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nIn the battle ring.

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nAs Liu Bubai watched Song Qingyun leave the ring, the urge to draw his sword and force his opponent to fight burned in him.

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nHe finally got the chance to fight, yet his opponent chose to surrender—how was that any different from being carried to victory?

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nAfter Song Qingyun exited the ring, the second student from Beijiang Academy entered the ring.

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n“I envy you. You only had to fight once. And even though you lost… you’ll still become a champion.

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n“I surrender.”

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nHaving said his piece, the student left.

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nLiu Bubai placed his hand on his chest. His pride was wounded.

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nThe third student entered the ring—he was the ace of Beijiang Academy.

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n“Huh? You’re from Luojiang Academy? I’ve never met you before. It’s an honour.

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n“Please convey my message to Fang Lang: I eagerly await a chance to cross swords with him.”

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nHaving said that, the student surrendered with proper etiquette. Then, he turned around and exited the ring.

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nLiu Bubai pressed his hand against his lips, trying his best to hold back tears.

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nHe felt like his heart had a thousand holes.

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nHe was forced to win without any effort.

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nThis time, he actually had no choice.

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nHe had even polished his blade, and yet there was no one for him to fight.

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nThe spectators were silent.

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nJust like that, the champion of the Gathering of Swords was decided.

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nEveryone’s gaze fell on Liu Bubai, who was sobbing quietly with his hand over his mouth. The crowd assumed the boy was crying tears of joy.

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nAfter all, their victory had not come easy.

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n“The champion of the Gathering of Swords, Luojiang Academy!”

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nThe umpire announced at the top of his lungs.

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nCheers and applause sounded from the crowd beneath.

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nAs the students cheered, Liu Bubai was escorted out of the battle ring by Mentor Wen, his hand still over his mouth.

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nIn the designated area for Luojiang Academy.

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nWhen the umpire announced the champion of the Gathering of Swords, the System’s notification tone sounded in Fang Lang’s head.

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n‘Ding! You have worked together with your binding partner, Jiang Linglong, to win the Gathering of Swords and thus, completing a meaningful interaction. You will be rewarded with a Green Reward Egg.’

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n‘Huh?’ Fang Lang thought.

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n‘This is a meaningful interaction?

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n‘Old Jiang is much more useful than I gave her credit for!’

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nFang Lang’s eyes twinkled with joy. His reward was a Green Reward Egg!

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n‘Break the egg!’ Fang Lang instructed the System.

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nSince Fang Lang had nothing much to do at the moment, he figured he might as well check out the reward.

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nSmash!

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nThe hammer landed on the egg!

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nThe Green Reward Egg cracked. Countless beams of light shot out from the egg!

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n‘What incredible visuals!’ Fang Lang thought.

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nA second later, the cracked egg shells disappeared.

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n‘Congratulations! You have obtained Finger Flick Energy Wave (Sword Mastery Specialty – Master Class).

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n‘The Finger Flick Energy Wave will be incorporated through mental memory and muscle memory. The ins and outs of the technique will be revealed to the host. Happy cultivating!’

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n‘Huh. A sword mastery reward?’

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nFang Lang was surprised that he was rewarded with a master-class ability!

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nMemories flooded his mind. Scenes of his training played one after the other.

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n…

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nIn a dense bamboo forest, a gentle breeze blew, causing a cacophony of rustling leaves.

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nBamboo leaves danced in the air.

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nThe teen stood with his eyes closed.

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nSuddenly, the teen opened his eyes. A strong wind blew through the forest, sending a cascade of leaves into the air. The leaves fell like rain.

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nThe teen raised his hand. He pressed his middle finger to his thumb and flicked.

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nThe spiritual energy in his body shot out from his finger. Waves of blade energy burst out like a river.

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nThe falling leaves were blown away by the waves of blade energy.

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nDay after day, year after year.

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nTime passed and the teen practised the move tens of thousands of times.

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nUntil one day…

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nThe teen flicked his finger and sent out waves of blade energy, like the ripples created by a stone breaking water. This time, the falling leaves were completely obliterated, leaving only a fine mist of green powder.

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