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nDumbfounded!

nSilence.

nLuo Yang had a look of disbelief on his face.

n‘When did the Jade Pavilion’s entry-level Meteor model have such a frightening acceleration?’

nThe explosive acceleration was almost on par with a top-of-the-line flight sword.

nThe Meteor model only cost 5,000 gold coins… How did it reach such high speeds?

nLuo Yang felt his world shake with this new information.

n“Could it be…a new explosive acceleration rune researched by the Jade Pavilion?”

nThe thought made Luo Yang’s eyes flash.

n“Meteor 007… Did the Jade Pavilion invite a professional flight sword rider to test their new discovery?”

nLuo Yang’s breathing picked up and he clasped his hands together.

nHe believed he had grasped the truth.

nThe Jade Pavilion had something precious up their sleeves!

n…

nWhoosh!

nFlight swords continuously flew past the finish line.

nThe illusion area obeyed the laws of time.

nFang Lang and Liu Bubai crossed the finish line at two hours and 15 minutes.

nHum…

nThe room’s illusion spell faded.

nIn the Four Rings Tower, Liu Bubai collapsed onto the ground, eyes wide with shock. His face was flushed.

nWhat an adrenaline rush!

nIt was finally over.

nThe excitement and the speed… Was this the world of a professional flight sword rider?

nMoments later, Liu Bubai crawled up and carefully packed away his flight sword.

nThen, he checked the time.

n“What? Two hours fifteen minutes for a two-thousand-mile race?”

nLiu Bubai’s mind was blown.

nHis personal record was broken.

nExhilaration made Liu Bubai tremble as he studied the sword slate issued by the Flying Sword Examination Board.

n‘Sword slate ranking nine hundred and ninety-nine, Luojiang’s Young Blade God.’

nHis name was there!

nLiu Bubai could not hold in his laughter.

nHe was carried to victory but he did not care. There was no use pretending.

nIt was not his choice to be carried but the professional flight sword rider had joined his team.

nWhat was he supposed to do?

n…

nFang Lang exited the illusion spell and opened his eyes.

nThere was a smile on his face and he felt like he was walking on air.

nHe glanced at the published sword slate—179th.

nAlthough Liu Bubai was the first to cross the finish line, the sword slate ranking was based on the participant’s flight sword maneuvering, race time and race performance as a whole.

nLiu Bubai’s ranking was undeserved and he only achieved it through Fang Lang’s forceful push.

nEquipped with the Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill and the spell talisman, Fang Lang only managed to reach 179th on the sword slate. He was mildly taken aback by the results.

nHow skilled were the 178 participants above him?

nHe shook away the thoughts. He did not really care about the Flight Rally ranking.

nFang Lang was satisfied with the Meteor flight sword. When he exited the test room, Manager Yu was already waiting for him.

nShe was not aware of the ongoings within the illusion spell but judging from Fang Lang’s smile, she was confident the transaction was a done deal.

n“Miss Yu, it costs five thousand gold coins, right? I’ll take it,” Fang Lang said with a smile.

nWith a smile, Manager Yu lifted her hand that had the space ring.

nFang Lang activated his spiritual intent and brought his hand forward. The two space rings made contact.

n5,000 gold coins from his space ring were transferred into Manager Yu’s space ring.

nThis was the transaction function of the space rings.

n‘Ding! The host has completed a cultivation-related transaction and obtained a random reward. The reward is in your inventory.’

nThe System notification chimed as soon as Fang Lang transferred the 5,000 gold coins.

n‘Ding! Friendly reminder that your experience bar is full. Leveling up!’ the System announced.

nFang Lang wore an expectant smile.

nFinally…he advanced a level!

n…

nHost: Fang Lang

nCultivation Discipline: Eighth-Grade Sword Disciple

nLevel: LV3

nExperience: 0

/50000

nCore: 36 (White)

nCultivation Resource: 25,000 gold coins, 150 low-grade spirit crystals, 1 mid-grade spirit crystal (usage limited to cultivation)

nItems: Grade-Rush Card Fragment (1), Green Reward Egg (1)

nBinding Partner: Ni Wen (60%); Jiang Linglong (60%); Empty slot (60%)

nSole Passive Ability: Additional rewards may be granted when the host bonds with the binding partner over cultivation.

n…

nFang Lang studied the System display. His eyes froze and his breathing picked up.

nHe noticed the changes to the binding partner details.

nLeveling up the System not only gave him financial benefits.

nThe real benefit was the increase in binding partner slots.

nThe original partner-binding gave Fang Lang 50% of the partner’s abilities. At level 3, he received 60% of the partner’s abilities.

nAlthough it was only a 10% increment, it was significant to Fang Lang.

nIt represented growth!

nThis level up gave Fang Lang hope and ignited his drive to work harder.

nHe would pour his heart into cultivating!

nThings were going his way.

nWhen he came to, Manager Yu had a gentle smile on her face—she did not usher him once.

n“Young Master Fang, as gratitude for your patronage and support of the Jade Pavilion’s flight sword business, have this complimentary space ring with ten cubic meter of space. It’s predominantly used to store flight swords.

n“I hope the young master will choose the Jade Pavilion again for your next flight sword.”

nManager Yu handed Fang Lang a red space ring with a smile.

nFang Lang’s eyes sparkled. A space ring to go with the flight sword?

nWithout a doubt, the Jade Pavilion was one of the top three trading companies in the Tang Dynasty—they provided excellent services.

nThe cost of the space ring was minor to the Jade Pavilion and they could afford to give it away so as to keep the loyalty of a customer who purchased a flight sword. They wanted to secure their footing in the flight sword market, hence the sacrifice was minimal.

nFang Lang chuckled and did not refuse the gift.

nHe put on the fiery red space ring and kept the Meteor flight sword.

n…

nA light drizzle accompanied the night sky. The moisture gave the Earth a misty cover.

nLuojiang City, at the entertainment house along the riverbank.

nThe torches were brightly lit as boat after boat sailed along the river. The decorative vessels looked like blooming flowers against the backdrop of the dark sky.

nBlack clouds gathered and the drizzle became a downpour.

nThe entertainment house took up a sizable area by the riverbank. There were 12 standalone courtyards that belonged to the Queens of Flowers. Each courtyard housed one Queen whose reputation preceded her.

nIf one had the money, one could hire the flower boats to be lighted everyday in one’s name.

nChunmei Courtyard of the entertainment house.

nWithin the courtyard, music and flowing water could be heard. The pavilion and promenade painted an idyllic scene.

nAt the center of the courtyard was a pavilion equipped with a banquet table. Good wine and food were served on the table.

nRain battered the roof, splattering across the tiles. Rainwater joined into a stream and flowed down the clay tiles.

nInside the pavilion, lanterns hung high, bringing daylight to the interior. The silhouettes flickered.

nThe sounds of traditional musical instruments floated in the air. An embarrassed and shy female voice was heard. “Mean!”

nHer voice was alluring.

nAs goblets and gambling chips piled on the table, Old Fang and a few Luojiang lords discussed the collaboration deal among themselves.

nPitter-patter.

nThe footsteps kicked up the water on the ground. The sound was clear in the silence of the night.

nAt the entrance of Chunmei Courtyard, two silhouettes in bamboo hats and woven rush raincoats appeared. One had a rusty steel sword across his back—his arms laid across his chest.

nThe guards of Chunmei Courtyard stepped forward to interfere but the terrifying aura that emanated from the tall and sturdy cultivator halted them.

nBlood spilled from the guards’ mouths as they crumpled onto the muddy ground, unmoving.

nThe two silhouettes confidently stepped into the pavilion.

nThe banter and activity inside Chunmei Courtyard came to a stop.

nAt the banquet table, the Queen of Flowers had a shocked face. The other lords’ expressions darkened.

nEveryone remained silent.

nThe two silhouettes appeared with a frightening aura that was unique to cultivators. They entered the pavilion and removed their bamboo hats.

nCarrying his rusty sword, Lin Yun smiled and poured himself a cup of wine. He shot a look at Fang Beihe who was seated at the banquet table.

n“Boss Fang, an honor to meet you at last. I am Lin Yun. I had the chance to meet your son, Fang Lang. Come, drink with me while we wait for his arrival.”

n…

n‘It’s raining.’

nFang Lang stood at the Jade Pavilion entrance and looked up at the sky. Watching the beads of rain fall from the sky, he let out a misty breath.

nRiding the flight sword in the illusion spell made him lose track of time.

nHolding the oil paper umbrella borrowed from Manager Yu, Fang Lang stepped out into the rain.

nHe managed only one step.

nA distance away, a figure in the rain was running toward his direction. The person’s footsteps made splashes in the rain puddle.

n“Are you Young Master Fang?” a pale-faced man asked immediately.

nThe man was dressed in a bamboo hat and woven rush raincoat.

nFang Lang was surprised. He did not expect the rushing man to be looking for him.

nFang Lang nodded.

nThe man explained, “I am a guard stationed at Chunmei Courtyard of the entertainment house. Young Master Lin Yun asked me to deliver a message. He is inviting you to Chunmei Courtyard.”

nLin Yun?

nConcern crossed Fang Lang’s mind. He remembered the wild and unruly Donglu Academy student, Lin Yun, from the Gathering of Swords.

nFang Lang frowned. ‘Why is Lin Yun in Luojiang City?’

nHe was not fond of Lin Yun—the boy was an arrogant bully who had cruelty in his eyes.

n“I’m occupied, unfortunately,” Fang Lang replied indifferently.

n‘What’s wrong with Lin Yun?’

nFang Lang walked past the guard, umbrella in hand.

nThe guard took a deep breath and said, “Young Master Lin and Boss Fang Beihe are enjoying their talk. He wishes for the young master to join.”

nSplash!

nFang Lang’s foot struck the ground and rainwater splattered everywhere.

nThe fine raindrops that fell like a sheet from the sky froze as Fang Lang’s murderous aura flared.

nSlowly, he turned around to face the guard. With a somber expression, he said, “Take me there.”

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