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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nSmoke and dust billowed as the wind roared. Fine debris was blown into the air.

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nIn the aftermath of the tunnel’s destruction, Fang Lang stood in the center of the passageway with a sword in hand. Dressed in his pristine green robe, he looked like an erect bamboo standing with pride.

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nTime seemed to stop at that moment.

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nOutside the tunnel, the students could not tear their eyes away from Fang Lang.

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nThe wind stirred up plumes of smoke and Fang Lang’s fringe swayed in the breeze.

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nThere was an inexplicable charm to the boy holding the sword.

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nThe sword in Fang Lang’s hand was razor-sharp. The metal body reflected the light—fine, inscrutable carvings were etched into the blade.

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nThe sword hilt was wrapped in a material similar to crocodile leather while the guard was a black lotus flower design.

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nAs the three-foot sword wavered, the surrounding air buffeted.

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nWhoosh!

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nThe ground of the tunnel was cleaved in half like a tofu.

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nA clean cut!

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nSharp!

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nFang Lang did not wish to part with the sword. He had only ever wielded the academy-issued swords.

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nThose swords were no match to the one he currently held.

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nSwoosh!

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nTwo silhouettes entered in the tunnel.

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nThe old scarred sword master and Chao Xiaojian appeared at the same moment.

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nChao Xiaojian flicked his sleeves and a gale scattered the smoke.

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nThe old scarred sword master greeted Chao Xiaojian with his cupped fist. Chao Xiaojian nodded then turned to Fang Lang and the sword.

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n“You managed to retrieve the sword!” Chao Xiaojian exclaimed.

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nFang Lang was surprised by the voice. He replied blankly, “Is it supposed to be hard? The Sword Guild has an abundance of talented people. You’re telling me no one has ever touched this sword?”

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nChao Xiaojian was speechless.

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nThe silence made Fang Lang shiver.

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nNone?

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nNo wonder Chao Xiaojian made the earlier promise.

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n“Vice Leader Chao’s promise still stands, right? The sword belongs to whoever that holds it?” Fang Lang asked tremulously as he gripped the sword.

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nChao Xiaojian angled his head sideways and said, “Did I say that? This sword belongs to Sect Leader Taihua. I have no say over its ownership.”

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nFang Lang’s expression darkened.

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n‘You useless piece of trash.

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n‘Don’t be shameless.

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n‘That wasn’t what you said just now!’

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nChao Xiaojian was mildly embarrassed by his behavior. His lips twitched. “Fine. I’m not an unreasonable person. Join the Sword Guild and you can have the sword.”

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n“The inner sect?” Fang Lang angled the sword.

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nChao Xiaojian replied lightly, “You’ll spend three…no, two years in the outer sect. Then, you’ll be exempted from the test and accepted into the inner sect. The Tang Dynasty has strict laws that are enforced by the Emperor. We aren’t allowed to bring you into the inner sect due to such laws.”

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nChao Xiaojian was intrigued—although Fang Lang’s core was average at best, his sword skills and techniques were unmatchable. It was as if the boy was possessed!

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nFang Lang had managed to budge Sect Leader Taihua’s sword, what else could Chao Xiaojian say?

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nPerhaps this was fate’s intention.

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nThrough sword intent appreciation, Fang Lang took hold of the Blooming Lotus Sword and conquered the demonic blood mist, validating himself before the sword.

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nIn a sense, he was already half a disciple of Sect Leader Taihua.

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nHence, Chao Xiaojian could not let Fang Lang slip through his fingers.

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nFang Lang took a deep breath and said in a serious tone, “If that’s the case, I’ll take my chances with the Imperial Examination. I’ll pick the Sword Guild and enter the inner sect through the traditional way.”

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nChao Xiaojian rolled his eyes. A white core had little sway in the Imperial Examination.

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nFang Lang would lag behind others from the start due to his white core. The Imperial Examination took into account all aspects of cultivation, not only sword mastery—the spell mastery, martial arts mastery and theory subjects. There were too many uncertainties.

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nThe boy might not get the chance to stand out.

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nNevertheless, Chao Xiaojian decided he would let the boy have his way. He would keep an eye on Fang Lang and when he failed to score well in the Imperial Examination, the Sword Guild would be his only option.

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n“Fine. You can stop repeating your catchphrase. Since you managed to retrieve the sword, you can have a go at the Imperial Examination. When you fail, obediently return to the Sword Guild,” Chao Xiaojian said impatiently.

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n“The legendary sword has a spirit. Fate brought it to you but don’t flaunt it. Take this sword box and care for it.”

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nChao Xiaojian raised his hand. The space ring was activated and a rosewood sword box flew at Fang Lang’s direction.

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nFang Lang grabbed the sword box and deposited the Blooming Lotus Sword—the sword’s energy flickered out.

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nThe smile on Fang Lang’s face widened.

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n“Thank you for the sword, Vice Leader Chao! I wish you a century of blessings!” Fang Lang said giddily.

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nChao Xiaojian brushed the fallen hair aside and side-eyed Fang Lang. “Is that a curse?”

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nThe question surprised Fang Lang.

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nChatter in the tunnel rose to an audible volume.

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nFang Lang had gotten his hands on Sect Leader Taihua’s legendary sword—the turn of events was beyond anyone’s expectations.

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nComplex emotions flashed past Jiang Linglong’s eyes. Fang Lang had accomplished something she struggled to do.

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nFor once, she seemed actually shocked and stunned.

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nLu Ze was also speechless. Who was Fang Lang?

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nThe students who had gone into the tunnel knew how intense the Blooming Lotus Sword was—the pressure it exerted was terrifying.

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nTo traverse 1,000 meters and retrieve the Blooming Lotus Sword was as onerous as reaching the heavens.

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nYet, Fang Lang had succeeded.

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nLin Yun’s eyes widened. He had joined the Gathering of Swords under his mentor’s insistence to win the Blooming Lotus Sword. Unfortunately, the mission was a failure.

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nThe noise and commotion in the tunnel grew louder.

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nThe sixth and final batch of students were at a loss. Liu Bubai was one of them—he wanted to cry but no tears came.

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nWould they be disqualified for doing nothing?

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nWhat a tragedy.

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nMost students knew they would not be able to make it past the 800-meter qualification line.

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nHowever, to be ejected from the competition without even trying was an affront.

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nThe old scarred sword master brought up the issue to Chao Xiaojian.

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nChao Xiaojian’s gaze swept past the gathering of students. He intended to replace the legendary sword with his own but changed his mind at the last second.

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n“Due to unforeseen circumstances, participants of the sixth batch will receive three extra points in the Imperial Examination. Rest assured, I will personally speak to the Minister of Rites about this issue,” Chao Xiaojian said.

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nThree extra points in the Imperial Examination was a blessing for the sixth batch of students.

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nA quick scan by Chao Xiaojian revealed no promising sword disciples. If they had set foot into the tunnel and not reached the qualification line, they would not gain even a single point.

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nChao Xiaojian’s words made the students in the tunnel gasp.

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nThe sixth batch of students were elated at the announcement.

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nTruly, those who ask will be rewarded.

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nLiu Bubai was in a daze. ‘I’m being rewarded for doing nothing?’

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nHis initial plan was to lose the individual event but he ended up winning without lifting a finger.

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nHe could not escape the phenomenon.

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nTurn after turn… He felt a bit dizzy.

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nHowever, he was glad to learn another form of easy win.

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n…

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nThe Gathering of Sword ended with Fang Lang’s retrieval of the Blooming Lotus Sword and the partial collapse of the tunnel.

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nThe Sword Guild used the messenger rune to transmit the final results of the competition to Imperial City.

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nTwo Sword Guild disciples rode to Luojiang Academy to deliver the results—one for the team combat, the other for the individual event. Luojiang Academy had the honor of receiving both victories.

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nAs for the participants who managed to pass the 400-meter mark in the individual event, the Sword Guild extended a welcoming invitation.

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nMany students decided to join the Sword Guild then and there.

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nOf course, there were students who rejected the offer as they wished to challenge themselves in the Imperial Examination. The Sword Guild did not force the issue.

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nThe sixth batch of students who received the additional marks were not offered an invitation.

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nLiu Bubai was dejected as he felt he could make it through 400 meters had the tunnel survived.

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nHis performance in the team combat and the individual event was subpar so his only choice was to go through with the Imperial Examination.

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nThe competition ended and the students were not allowed to stay at the Great Barrier.

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nThe Great Barrier was the Sword Guild’s demon portal. It was a dangerous place as the demon world laid on the other end of the portal. Encounters with demons were frequent here.

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nChao Xiaojian pulled out the giant flight sword and ferried the 600 students away from the Great Barrier. The group landed on the plaza atop Mount Shu.

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nAfter a moment of rest, the awards ceremony for the Gathering of Swords began.

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nLuojiang Academy won first place in team combat and was awarded five spots in the outer sect of the Sword Guild.

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nFang Lang received 30 extra points that would benefit him greatly in the upcoming Imperial Examination.

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nLiu Bubai was pleased that he obtained 13 extra points without contributing much.

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nJiang Linglong had no need for points or material things, therefore she could not comprehend Fang Lang and Liu Bubai’s joy.

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