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nIn Luojiang Academy.

nThe moon was shining brightly like a silver plate high up in the night sky.

nWen Ting was standing on the rooftop of the Mentors’ Office. His sleeves swayed gently in the night breeze.

nA sword wrapped in rough cloth hung across his body. The sword was enclosed in a leather sheath, its sword intent restrained.

nHe was unshaven. His eyes were fixated on a dark alley in Luojiang City.

nSuddenly, Wen Ting heard footsteps from behind. A hunched elderly appeared beside him. The old man’s hair and beard had turned fully white. The smile on his face was warm and kind.

n“Headmaster,” Wen Ting greeted.

n“You introduced Fang Lang to that old grouch for his new sword?” Headmaster Cui asked laughingly.

n“Aren’t you worried he’ll be killed by that temperamental man?”

nWen Ting took the sword and wrapped both his hands around it—the hilt was pointed directly at the moon. The corners of his mouth raised slightly. “Fang Lang will be fine. That old man will not kill him as long as he has the Blooming Lotus Sword. Ah, that old grouch’s like me…”

nHeadmaster Cui squinted. “That old man is a wanted person by the military. Are you on the run too?”

nWen Ting let out a deep sigh and said, “Headmaster, this isn’t funny.

n“The old man’s forging skill is in the top ten of the entire Tang Dynasty. Fang Lang can only find a sword that complements the Blooming Lotus Sword in his store. Otherwise, he will never fully master the Dual Sword Technique. It’s for his own good,” Wen Ting said.

nHeadmaster Cui tilted his head and side-eyed Wen Ting, “Are you sure you didn’t send him there so the old man can catch a glimpse of the Blooming Lotus Sword as repayment for the cost of your sword?”

nThe corner of Wen Ting’s mouth twitched.

nWith the sword in his hands, he stared at the moon with sunken, deep-set eyes.

n“Headmaster, let’s end the conversation here.”

n…

nBoom!

nThe wooden door exploded into pieces!

nFang Lang had his heel against the doorsill. He leaned backward. The falchion sliced through the air, the blast of energy spanned several feet, kicking up the dust on the ground.

nFang Lang used the doorsill as a launchpad and charged forward with his sword. He attacked the young man with his blade energy.

nThe young man supported the back of the falchion’s blade and shattered Fang Lang’s blade energy. Instantly, a surge of vital energy coursed through the falchion, it roared ferociously like a fierce dragon. It came down like a thunderous clap.

nIt made Fang Lang’s hair stand on end!

nHe tried to use the Spirit Step to distance himself.

nEven though the young man only used the cultivation of a ninth-grade martial arts disciple, Fang Lang felt utterly oppressed!

n‘He’s amazing! No wonder he’s the martial arts genius in Changan Academy!’

nPang!

nFang Lang turned around abruptly, fluttering the green fabric of his clothing. The falchion landed on the doorsill, just centimeters away from his waist!

nFang Lang raised his leg and swung down against the young man.

nWith the Blooming Lotus Sword pressed against the ground, the blade curved and shot out a burst of energy.

nLiu Bubai had demonstrated this sword skill before and Fang Lang secretly learned it by himself!

nThe young man smiled widely. “You’re a sword master, yet you’ve chosen to engage in direct combat with a martial arts master. You’re not that wise after all.”

nThe young man’s palm transformed into a claw. He did not shy away from Fang Lang’s kick. His fingers clamped down tightly on Fang Lang’s leg like hooks.

nHe planned to raise his other hand with the black falchion. He would slice Fang Lang into half if the boy failed to escape.

nA grin spread across Fang Lang’s face.

nFang Lang’s physique was not that weak after using the Physical Buff Card.

nHe channeled his entire body’s vital strength and collected it in his legs. The accumulated energy was ready to burst out like the current of a roaring river.

nThe young man was surprised—a flash of fear appeared in his eyes.

nFang Lang slammed his foot down, pushing the young man’s palm. Fang Lang pressed down on his shoulder.

nThe young man’s knees buckled slightly. The debris within several feet around him froze in the air as if time had stopped.

nSuddenly, a storm loomed above them!

nBoom!

nFang Lang struck the young man’s chest heavily with his leg.

nThe young man stumbled back. The debris was stirred up along an invisible curvature.

nFang Lang’s Blooming Lotus Sword collided with the young man’s falchion, generating sparks.

nRight after, Fang Lang landed gracefully and summoned his Spirit Step. He successfully pulled away from the young man.

nFang Lang had a serious expression on his face. The Blooming Lotus Sword was in a position, gathering its energy, ready to be drawn!

nIt was as if time had stopped—dust and wood filings could be seen floating in the dark sky under the moonlight.

nIn the corner of the workshop, the old man watched the fight calmly while sipping his tea.

nFang Lang and the young man were toe to toe throughout the entire duel, like a vigorous chess match.

nThe black and white chess pieces rippled through the peaceful chessboard.

n…

n“Not bad, your swordsmanship is much better than Lu Ze. You’re a sword master, yet you minor in martial arts,” said the young man.

nFang Lang sensed the young man’s energy intensifying, no longer probing as before. He rose slowly, like a tiger entering predatory mode for a hunt!

n‘Switch to binding partner mode.’ Fang Lang took up Old Jiang’s cultivation mode. His eyes lit up as if he could see in the dark. His energy kept growing until it matched the young man’s.

nThe smile on the young man’s face broadened—his body trembled slightly.

nHe could feel his body heating up, ready to charge!

nFang Lang raised his hand slightly and said, “Old man, borrow me a sword.”

nThe old man moved his finger and a steel sword flew towards Fang Lang.

nFang Lang grabbed the sword and with both swords in hand, his body disappeared instantly. The wonders of the Spirit Step!

nThe young man tilted his head in confusion.

nA tearing sound.

nThe sound exploded in the silent night!

nThe next moment, the young man’s body began to expand—the outlines of his muscles shone brightly under the moon.

nHe whipped out his black falchion and slashed at the general area beside him!

nClang!

nA piercing sound was heard.

nFang Lang felt the monstrous strength land on his sword, almost splitting his palm open. If he had not undergone physical training, this strike would have damaged his hand permanently.

n‘Such strength! How?’

nFang Lang landed on the ground. He tapped his toes continuously to lift himself up. He whirled both swords and attacked rapidly.

nSword Mastery Specialty, Dual Sword Technique!

nFang Lang’s swords were so fast they were almost invisible. His body moved continuously as he attacked with both swords, leaving only a faint shadow in the dark.

nThe young man shielded himself with the falchion, barely keeping up with Fang Lang’s pace. Sparks flew around them.

nAfter the young man received more than a dozen strikes, he narrowed his eyes and swung his falchion with immense strength!

nThe falchion ripped through the air with an energy that was as intense as an earthquake or tsunami!

nFang Lang crossed his swords together to block his strike.

nA loud sound echoed in the air. Fang Lang was almost buried by the strike. What a terrifying force!

nThe young man kept closing in, but instead of using his falchion, he balled up his fist and aimed at Fang Lang’s head. His vital energy was so powerful even the dust defied gravity and gathered above his fist!

nBang!

nThe gravel on the ground split apart, creating a dent in the surface!

nFang Lang managed to slip past the young man’s fist with the help of Spirit Step. The young man raised his fist once more and the shattered gravel shot at Fang Lang like bullets!

nFang Lang whirled his sword frantically in defense!

nThe debris was smashed into dust as Fang Lang found the path of light in total darkness!

nAmazing!

nFang Lang’s eyes lit up. ‘Is this guy joining the Imperial Examination too?’

nThe Imperial Examination of the Tang Dynasty should not be taken lightly.

nThe cream of the crop would be gathering in this examination, each candidate deadlier than another!

nThis was like the rehearsals of the real examination!

nA peaked disciple’s sword mastery, a clash of the swords and martial arts!

nBoth of them were very much engrossed in the fight.

nThe young man did not chase after Fang Lang.

nInstead, he gripped his falchion with both hands and shut his eyes. Then, he stabbed the black falchion deep into the earth.

n“Secret Technique: Earth Shatter!”

nThe vital energy of the young man blasted out like a burning ball of flame in the night!

nHe spun the black falchion!

nBoom! Boom! Boom!

nFang Lang felt the earth move beneath his feet. In the next second, the ground cracked and a web-shaped pattern emerged, stirring up dust and steam into the air.

nThere was imminent danger!

nThere! A black shadow moved at extreme speed amidst the blast of steam from the cracked ground.

nFang Lang shielded himself with both of his swords, defending against attacks from all directions.

nThe young man had claimed the perimeter, boxing Fang Lang in a 3-meter radius.

nFang Lang clenched his jaw and charged all of his spiritual energy into the Blooming Lotus Sword.

nHe struck at the dark shadow charging toward him!

nThe blade energy collected in his blade. The silhouette of a lotus bud wrapped around the dark shadow fist.

nThe battle between secret techniques!

nThere was an enormous lotus joining the sky and earth.

nBlooming Lotus Sword!

nBoom!

nBlood splattered as the young man blocked the Blooming Lotus Blade with his black falchion. He used his fist to defend the blade energy which caused blood to spill instantly.

nFang Lang whipped out the steel sword in his left hand and clashed against the young man’s fist. The sword broke into pieces.

nIn the eye of the dust storm, Fang Lang’s face appeared from the whirlwind of sand.

nThe young man narrowed his eyes while Fang Lang grinned.

nFang Lang released the steel sword and placed his hand against the young man’s skull, his fingers met in a flicking position.

nFinger Flick Energy Wave!

nThe young man renewed his energy and hurled another fist at him!

nThe energy wave crashed against his fist. Spiritual energy exploded and the shock waves knocked away the young man’s fist. Dust billowed out.

nBehind the veil of dust, Fang Lang’s eyes shone brightly. After a thunderous sound of rattling bones, he bit his lips and gathered his fingers once more for another flick. Fresh blood seeped through the seams between his fingers.

nThe second flick of energy wave!

nSince he did not win on the first strike… a second strike will do!

nPang!

nEnergy coursed through the dust, the young man’s head angled backward as he flew several meters away. His body tumbled across the ground as blood rained down.

n…

nSilence was restored in the streets and the store.

nIn the corner of the store, the old man was still in a trance, his eyes half-lidded.

nHe stroked the brim of the tea cup with the lid unconsciously before taking a sip.

nThe tea had turned cold.

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