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nThe torrential rain gradually slowed down. The occasional stubborn droplets fell from the clouds and struck the wet ground.

nZhao Wuji returned with a dripping, mutilated corpse.

nHe did not speak much to Fang Lang. Instead, he inquired about Old Fang’s state and reassured him.

nZhao Wuji swore to Old Fang, as long as they lived in Luojiang City, no harm would come to them.

nThe reassurance settled Old Fang’s agitated heart.

nZhao Wuji collected Lin Yun’s mangled corpse and gave Fang Lang an intense stare.

n“Young one, keep training. The Jiang family can protect you but not forever. Get stronger, then Old Fang won’t have to worry about you, the lady too.”

nThe words put a bitter taste in Zhao Wuji’s mouth. The lady was a fine specimen and…

nLeaning on the Blooming Lotus Sword, Fang Lang nodded respectfully.

nWith a complex expression, Zhao Wuji sighed and reaffirmed his grip on the corpses. He leapt into the night sky and disappeared at the speed of light.

nThe falling rain washed away the blood on the floor. The redness flowed into the drains and vanished from sight.

nMentor Wen yawned again and waved them goodbye. He left, umbrella in hand.

nOutside the courtyard, the two Jade Pavilion martial arts masters who had no business there left swiftly. Manager Yu gave them permission to assist wherever they could but they knew better than to get involved in a fight with fourth-class sword masters. Hence, they laid low and observed.

nNoises started to fill the quiet night.

nOld Fang held the umbrella and guided the shaky Fang Lang away from the lively entertainment house.

nThe last traces of the boy who died in Chunmei Courtyard was washed away by the flowing rainwater, never to be seen again.

n…

nThe father and son returned to the Fang Manor.

nOld Fang went to the kitchen to personally prepare a bowl of hot porridge for Fang Lang.

nThe night’s event had shaken Old Fang to his core. However, he maintained his composure for his son’s sake.

nOld Fang knew what happened would have a larger impact on Fang Lang.

nFang Lang had killed someone—it was ridiculous to expect him to be calm.

nOutside, the rain continued. Water droplets struck the roof tiles, eliciting smattering sounds.

nInside the house, Fang Lang ate the porridge with a porcelain spoon. He blew over the spoon of porridge before ingesting it.

nNo one spoke.

nThe oil lamp flickered. Moments later, Old Fang met Fang Lang’s eyes and said, “Are the spirit crystals sufficient?”

nFang Lang nodded.

n“You and I are total opposites. I have a white core so cultivation was never the path for me. Who knew, my son would show promise… The show is not over for you!” Old Fang said with a laugh.

n“I wouldn’t blame you if you failed but since there’s some hope, you should strive for the best! If you run out of spirit crystals, let me know. I will sell the properties and farmlands to gather the required resource for your cultivation. It won’t be a problem! Your mother passed away young but I made her a promise to take care of you. I will do my very best!” Old Fang said solemnly. Words he had held close to his heart were uttered to his son that night.

nOld Fang knew his son was growing up.

nAs his son grew, Old Fang aged.

nFang Lang ate his porridge in silence but he nodded.

nUnder the illumination of the oil lamp, Old Fang saw Fang Lang smile. His son stood and patted his shoulder.

n“Don’t worry about my safety. I’ve spoken to Old Zhao, he has reassured me there won’t be a repeat of tonight’s incident. With him around, I feel much safer. Old Zhao is nothing like your dad. He’s incredibly strong, a fifth-class martial arts master I believe. He asks for seven to eight ladies at one go whenever he visits the entertainment house.” Old Fang carried on and the conversation took a detour.

nFang Lang had a subdued smile.

nSeeing that, Old Fang grinned and said, “Like what Master Wen said, the Imperial Examination is two weeks away, don’t hide your talents. Go and conquer the exams! You’re like the mountain peak, and father will support you from the base and be proud of you,” Old Fang said with a smile.

nThen, he collected Fang Lang’s bowl and quietly left the room. The door closed behind him.

nFang Lang walked to the window. In the haze of the rain, he saw Old Fang leave with an umbrella in hand. Fang Lang exhaled.

n“Like what Mentor Wen said, to ensure no problem arises, I have to become the top scorer in the Imperial Examination.”

nA flash of excitement gleamed in Fang Lang’s eyes.

nHe knew achieving the highest achievement in the Imperial Examination was no easy feat even with the System’s aid.

nPreviously, the System had given him an achievement mission that involved getting his name on the honor roll.

nThere was a stark difference between achieving the honor roll and the highest distinction.

nHe only had to get his name into the honor roll.

nObviously, the System was aware of the difficulty of achieving the highest distinction.

nFang Lang got into bed.

nAccording to Old Zhao, there were other factors in play with regards to Lin Yun’s appearance in Luojiang City. Beyond his personal vendetta, there were forces in the background supporting his visit—something about the third prince from the imperial palace in Changan.

nThe third prince, the Jiang family, Donglu’s God of Blades and the Sword Guild…

nFang Lang let out a breath. He was not a person of worth yet he was accidentally pulled into this frightening whirlpool.

nHis danger senses tingled.

nHowever, he did not regret his actions.

nThere were reasons for what had happened. Ever since he decided to bind Old Jiang, he already had one foot in the whirlpool. Then, he beat every genius sword disciple in the Sword Guild’s tunnel test and obtained the Blooming Lotus Sword—that cemented his involvement in whatever plot the elites had going.

nFang Lang sat cross-legged and expunged all the complicated thoughts from his mind.

nAs what Mentor Wen had suggested, he had to focus on the Imperial Examination. His aim was to outshine everyone and reach the highest rank.

nNo one would trouble him then. The haze that blocked his vision would be lifted.

nHe had to work hard!

n“System, switch to binding partner’s cultivation state!”

nFang Lang’s pupils constricted as he concentrated.

n‘Ding! Switching successful!’

nSuddenly, a thought crossed Fang Lang’s mind.

nHe had just leveled up the System. There was an empty binding slot.

nIf Fang Lang wanted to achieve the highest rank, he had to utilize every resource he had.

nHe could not wait for another exceptional genius to come into his life.

nIt would be a waste of time.

nMoreover, as long as he leveled up the System, more slots would open up. Therefore, for the sake of efficiency, Fang Lang decided he should fill up the slot as soon as possible.

nAs the saying went, ‘The earlier the better…’

n“I’ll bind to another genius and enter the Triple Binding Mode for cultivation. It will boost my cultivation speed significantly. Who should I choose as my third binding partner?”

nLu Ze? Wen Ting? Or Chao Xiaojian?

nFang Lang’s brows furrowed.

nThe last two were not an option. By the time the binding was complete, the Imperial Examination would have already ended.

nLu Ze’s core was dubious at best and triggering the passive ability to gain rewards was nigh impossible.

nFrankly, the subsequent bindings did not require cultivators with good cores as he had Old Jiang in his collection who remained as his main partner.

nFor the next binding, the person had to fulfill certain criteria: it must be someone Fang Lang knew, someone who required a short binding time and someone who Fang Lang could easily interact with to trigger the passive ability…

nHuh?

nThere was a suitable candidate.

nA lightbulb lit up in Fang Lang’s mind.

n“Hmm? Old Liu?”

nLight danced in Fang Lang’s eyes.

nLiu Bubai, 7th on the Luojiang Academy honor roll, ninth-grade sword disciple.

nThe boy who had wanted to carry him to victory but was slapped in the face by reality.

nAlthough Liu Bubai had contributed next to nothing in the competition, he had innate talent.

nThe boy had a better family background than Ni Wen but he poured his heart into the flight sword instead of cultivation.

nSomething occurred to Fang Lang, Old Liu’s penchant for flying might work to his favor.

nWith Fang Lang’s Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill, he could take Old Liu flying after the binding process. That would count as a meaningful interaction?

nRiding the flight sword required one to hone their spiritual sense, and thus was a form of cultivation.

nIf so, Fang Lang would not need to rack his brain for cultivation topics.

nTruly, men appreciated the simple pleasures in life as compared to women.

nThe light in Fang Lang’s eyes grew brighter, rivalling Venus that hung in eastern sky.

nNo need for hesitation, let the binding begin!

n“System, bind to Liu Bubai!”

nFang Lang said with determination.

n‘Ding! Partner-binding in progress…’

n‘Ding! Target partner is a ninth-grade sword disciple whose skill level is on par with the host. Estimated binding time, 15 minutes.’

nFang Lang was speechless. The only thought in his mind was, ‘Old Liu, you’re so short.’

nIn the 15-minute waiting time, Fang Lang used the Dual Binding Mode to absorb two low-grade spirit crystals.

nThe System notification popped up. ‘Ding! Partner-binding successfully completed.’

n…

nIt was a chilly night in the Liu Manor.

nLiu Bubai jolted awake as cold sweat rolled down his forehead. In his bed, his flight sword kept him company.

nHe turned to look out the window and saw that it was drizzling.

n‘What was that?’

nWhy did he feel a sudden emptiness in his chest?

nWas this the after-effect of letting others carry him for too long?

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