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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nFang Lang spent the whole night absorbing spirit crystals.

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nThe spirit crystals provided by the System were completely exhausted by Fang Lang. All that was left were the gold coins.

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nWhoosh!

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nSmoke rose from the crown of his head. The spiritual energy in his body came to a boil—they flowed through his meridians like a rushing river.

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nEighth grade!

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nIn the binding partner’s cultivation state, he used up more than a dozen spirit crystals to achieve the breakthrough from seventh grade to eighth grade.

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nThe System’s experience bar was filled halfway. He was 5000 points away from leveling up—he just had to spend the 5000 gold coins on cultivation resources.

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nThe morning sun lit the Earth.

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nFang Lang opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.

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nExcitement surged in his chest.

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nEighth-grade sword disciple.

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nHis diligence had paid off—he had successfully transformed from a third-grade sword disciple to an eighth-grade sword disciple.

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n“To go from the eighth grade to the ninth grade will take a significant number of spirit crystals.”

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nFang Lang did not let his happiness cloud reality.

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nThe advancement of cultivation grade necessitated an exponential increase in spiritual energy. The number of spirit crystals needed to ascend increased with one’s cultivation grade.

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nFang Lang managed to go from the fifth grade to eighth grade with 50 spirit crystals. The same would not apply for his next advancement.

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nFortunately, he did not have to worry about his access to cultivation resources. When he leveled up the System, he would be provided with sufficient resources.

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nIf that was not enough, Fang Lang had the spirit crystals given to him by Old Fang—ten low-grade spirit crystals and two mid-grade spirit crystals.

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nAchieving the eighth grade was simply not enough for Fang Lang. It was not time to be arrogant or complacent.

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nThe eighth grade would not cut it. To get into the honor roll, he had to be at least a ninth-grade cultivator.

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nAfter all, the Imperial Examination was taken by cultivation students from all parts of the Tang Dynasty.

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nFang Lang got up from bed and stretched his muscles. The first class of each discipline was akin to laying the foundation for cultivation. At this stage, every advancement was an evolution of the physical body and spiritual meridians.

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n“I should take some time to go shopping with the System’s money. Once that’s done, the System will level up. Not only will I get more cultivation resources, I’ll also gain an extra binding slot.”

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nFang Lang’s eyes crinkled as anticipation built up in his chest.

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nSpending money was easy, right?

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n…

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nFang Lang threw on a fresh set of green robe and tied the Blooming Lotus Sword to his back. After breakfast, he left the Fang Manor and headed for the academy.

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nIt had been a few days since he last saw Little Wen. Fang Lang missed…the cultivation-related meaningful interactions.

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nAs he stepped onto academy grounds, numerous pairs of eyes watched him. There were looks of surprise, admiration and confusion.

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nThe attention made Fang Lang feel awkward. He normally kept a low profile in the academy.

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nA hush fell over the study hall when Fang Lang entered the seventh block. The chatter among the students died down.

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nEven the geniuses on the honor roll studied Fang Lang.

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nWas this attention the side effect of becoming a genius?

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nWas this how it felt like to be above others?

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nWhat an odd feeling… Fang Lang could get used to it.

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nHe got to his desk and sat cross-legged. He rested his head on one hand while his fingers tapped the desk.

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nHis gaze went to Ni Wen’s desk—it was still empty.

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nGradually, the chatter in the room slowly picked up again.

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nThe announcement made by the two Sword Guild disciples was still the talk of the town. Fang Lang’s ranking in the individual event was the current hot topic.

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nHis popularity in the academy surpassed that of the top ten geniuses on the honor roll.

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n“It’s impressive that Fang Lang placed first in the individual event!”

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n“The Gathering of Swords doesn’t take into account the cultivation grade. It means Fang Lang’s sword techniques and skills are unparalleled!”

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n“He got first place so why is he still attending classes? Shouldn’t he be in the Sword Guild?”

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n“He wants to have a go at the Imperial Examination in hopes of a better offer? But what can he do besides sword fighting? His ego might be over-inflated if he thinks he can do better in the Imperial Examination.”

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n…

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nThe students continued gossiping while shooting glances at Fang Lang.

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nDespite Fang Lang’s stellar performance in the Gathering of Swords, the students had little confidence in his cultivation talents.

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nThey figured his Imperial Examination results might not even grant him a place in the Sword Guild.

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nEven with the additional 30 points, Fang Lang would struggle to obtain the minimum score to pass, given his core and cultivation grade. To get into the Sword Guild through the examination was a monumental task.

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nHe would be the butt of the joke if he scored terribly in the Imperial Examination. His grades might warrant a place in a second- or third-tier sect.

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nHis unchecked ego would have cost him an opportunity to join an elite sect.

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nFang Lang ignored the flurry of discussions surrounding him.

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nHis eyes lit up when he saw Ni Wen. She was dressed in the green academy robe, head lowered as usual. She shuffled quietly into the study hall.

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n“Little Wen!” Fang Lang called out.

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nNi Wen’s head shot up and the sight of an approaching Fang Lang made her heart race like a startled deer. It had been some time since she last saw the boy.

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nFang Lang sat across Ni Wen’s desk as usual, not the least affected by the gap in communication.

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nWithout much preamble, he started a discussion about cultivation.

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nNi Wen’s heart rate progressively improved throughout the conversation and a gentle expression graced her face.

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nShe had been worried Fang Lang would look down on her after winning the competition.

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nHowever, his attitude towards her remained unchanged. The weight in her chest disappeared as she merrily engaged in productive discussions with Fang Lang about cultivation.

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nFang Lang was speaking about the Tang Dynasty’s Spell Scripture. Before, he had engaged in a meaningful interaction with Old Jiang and received a spell talisman. A rune for the Flight Sword Crossover Turbo Charge?

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nAs a sword disciple, Fang Lang only understood some parts of the rune. His knowledge in spells and runes was lacking.

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nSpell mastery had a variety of specializations. Ni Wen was especially interested in the topic Fang Lang brought up—rune theory.

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nA slender finger peeked out from the green sleeve and doodled on the desk.

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nShe explained her thought process to Fang Lang.

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nFang Lang’s background in spell mastery was mediocre but with Ni Wen’s cultivation mode activated, he was able to gain insights and contribute a few ideas to the topic. In the end, he had a better understanding of the spell talisman.

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n‘Ding! The host has engaged in meaningful interactions with the binding partner, Ni Wen. Your reward is a Grade-Rush Card Fragment.’

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nThe System message popped up.

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nEvidently, Little Wen was the better choice for interactions.

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nThe familiar Grade-Rush Card Fragment was useful.

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nHe appreciated the ability to reduce the partner-binding time.

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nTheir enthusiastic discussion was cut short by Mentor Wen’s banging of the gavel atop the dais. Fang Lang reluctantly went back to his own desk.

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n…

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nOutside Luojiang City, two streaks of light entered the city perimeter.

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nThe flight swords shot through the sky, silver runes spinning around the sword guards.

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nProtection runes were stamped on the riders’ body.

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nTwo flight swords for two riders.

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nOne rider opened his eyes and turned to his partner who carried a rusty sword on his back. “The Sword Guild has announced Fang Lang’s retrieval of the Blooming Lotus Sword to the whole empire. The third prince said to not steal the sword.”

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nThe person with the rusty sword grinned.

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n“Steal the sword? No. I’m not stupid. Stealing the sword from Fang Lang would be equivalent to offending the Sword Guild and Xuanyuan Taihua. The sect allowed a sword disciple to remove the sword from Mount Shu. It wouldn’t be wise to offend Xuanyuan Taihua, even with the master and the third prince on my side.”

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nThe tall and sturdy figure nodded. “Glad you think so. The boy seems to be on familiar terms with the Jiang family’s prodigy. The girl has mastered the Four Season Form. The third prince wants to know if Fang Lang’s a chess piece under the Jiang family’s control.”

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nLin Yun rubbed his chest and clenched his fist. He remembered the bloody mess Fang Lang made of him. A grin was on his face as he looked over Luojiang City.

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n“Coincidentally, I have a personal vendetta against him.”

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n…

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nClasses ended when the final bell was rung.

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nTwo students rushed over to Fang Lang—it was Yang Zhengyi and Liu Bubai.

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n“Lang’zi, my friend, why didn’t you tell me you got first place? I’ve arranged the Queen of Flowers for your celebration at the entertainment house,” Yang Zhengyi said excitedly as he flipped his fringe.

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nLiu Bubai shot Yang Zhengyi a disapproving look.

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nVulgar!

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nThe blade was more interesting than feminine pleasures.

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n“Fang Lang, let’s practice! You’re aiming to get into the Sword Guild’s inner sect through the Imperial Examination, right? I’ll train with you! My father rewarded me with a flight sword. After practice, I’ll give you a ride around,” Liu Bubai said proudly.

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nDespite his minor contribution in the competition, he still received 13 bonus points.

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nLiu Bubai’s pride was untampered after the Gathering of Swords. He still retained the arrogance of Luojiang’s Young Blade God.

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nWith much pain and reluctance, Fang Lang declined Yang Zhengyi’s invite. As for Liu Bubai’s practice offer, he saw no point in them crossing swords when Old Jiang was absent.

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nLiu Bubai’s sword techniques were too weak for Fang Lang’s consideration.

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n“Old Liu, you go ahead. I have some important matters to attend to today.”

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nFang Lang’s rejection was curt.

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nLiu Bubai was crestfallen.

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n‘When I’m needed, you call me the ace. Now that I’m not needed, you call me Old Liu…’

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nFang Lang ignored the unhappy Liu Bubai. He bade Ni Wen goodbye and left for the Jade Pavilion.

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nAs he entered the establishment, the attractive and charming Manager Yu welcomed him with a smile. Her eyes twinkled as if an important customer just walked in.

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