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nThe dark and deserted alley was lit by the cold and silvery moonlight.

nInside the smithy, the coal on the furnace was still burning brightly, sending sparks into the air.

nHeavy breathing echoed in the store.

nFang Lang supported himself with his sword. Blood dripped down his left palm. Even though he was gasping, there was a smile on his face.

nNot far away from him, the young man was lying on the ground, his face covered in open wounds. He stared at the starry sky blankly as he let his failure sink in.

nGentle footsteps sounded.

nThe old man walked out of the store with his back straightened. He was holding the Obsidian Sword with a surprised yet approving expression.

nHe flung his hand and threw two porcelain bottles in the direction of Fang Lang and the young man.

nThe young man got up from the ground and caught the bottle.

n“Medicine to heal your wounds, it’s very effective. Don’t worry, it won’t affect your performance in the Imperial Examination,” the old man said slowly.

nThe young man took out a pill and swallowed it. The open wounds on his head started to scab instantly.

n“I lost,” the young man admitted honestly. His expanded body slowly reduced in size.

nFang Lang smiled broadly. “It’s a good match. Do you mind telling me your name? We’re somewhat acquainted after this duel. It excites me to befriend a genius!”

nThe young man scratched the back of his head and laughed. “Forget it, I’m not worthy as a loser. We’ll get to know each other later in the Imperial City.”

nFang Lang was stunned. ‘What kind of logic was that? Why can’t losers leave their name?’

nAfter the brief exchange, the young man ignored Fang Lang and picked up his black falchion. He turned around and returned to the store. He continued to hammer the metal piece on the furnace.

nFang Lang had no choice but to give up. He swallowed the medicine given by the old man without worrying about being poisoned. After all, if the old man wanted him dead, he would not have to resort to tactics like this. He took several deep breaths after taking the pill. The wound on his hand started healing, showcasing the extraordinary effectiveness of the medicine.

nThe old man gave the Obsidian Sword to Fang Lang.

n“Not bad, you’re rather skilled at the sword techniques. It must’ve been a difficult training period?”

nAfter seeing Fang Lang’s callus-covered hand and the solid display of his swordsmanship, the old man was impressed. What an honest, hardworking kid.

nHe was so much better than that rascal Wen Ting who still owed him money.

nFang Lang retrieved the Obsidian Sword. It was heavy and black as ink. Even under the illumination of the moonlight, there was not a single reflection.

n“May I ask, how much does this sword cost?”

nThe old man waved his hand before entering the store. “It’s up to you. I only sell my swords to those who passed the test. Price doesn’t matter to me, as long as you’re not as stingy as that scrooge.”

nFang Lang’s cheek twitched, no wonder this old man was so furious when he heard Wen Ting’s name.

nHe did not expect Mentor Wen to be so miserly.

nFang Lang was rather generous with his money.

nHe walked towards an empty table and focused his mind on the space ring to retrieve the entire stash of 25,000 gold coins.

nClink! Clink! Clink!

nThe gold coins shimmered under the radiant moonlight, lighting up the entire street!

n“Mister, here’s 25,000 gold coins. The Obsidian Sword’s value is priceless. I’m truly grateful and honored by your offering,” Fang Lang said while extending both his hands to hold the sword.

nHe kept both swords into the sword box and turned around to leave. His shadow disappeared into the misty night sky.

nThe streets fell into a dead silence.

nInside the workshop, the young man halted his movements as he stared at the heaps of gold coins on the table. He gulped visibly. So… so many gold coins!

nThe old man turned around and waved his hand gently—the mountains of gold coins disappeared instantly.

n“Wei Sheng, he’s an honest man. I’ve heard that many people in Changan want him hurt? Do help him out when you’re in Changan,” the old man said.

n“I understand, Master,” the young man answered as he resumed hammering.

nThe old man returned to the squeaky rocking chair and hummed a merry tune.

nIt had been a while since he had met such a diligent kid.

n…

n‘Ding! Congratulations on your cultivation transaction! You’ve been awarded random rewards, you can find them in the inventory.’

nThe notification rang in Fang Lang’s mind while he strolled the quiet streets.

n‘Ding! Friendly reminder, your experience bar is filled. Leveling up.’

nEverything was as he expected.

nOn the System’s display:

nHost: Fang Lang

nCultivation Discipline: Ninth-Grade Sword Disciple

nLevel: LV4

nExperience: 0

/100000

nCore: 36 (White)

nCultivation Resource: 50,000 gold coins, 300 low-grade spirit crystals, 2 mid-grade spirit crystals (usage limited to cultivation)

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

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

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

n…

nThere was nothing special about this upgrade.

nFang Lang was slightly disappointed the binding capacity remained at 60%.

nNevertheless, Fang Lang was not too concerned about this. He was more focused on the cultivation in the Spirit Pagoda the following day.

nThe main focus would be the mission in the Spirit Pagoda… and the bonus challenge that converted the absorbed spiritual energy into experience points.

nHe needed to up his game tomorrow!

n“System, smash the egg!” Fang Lang said.

nThe Green Reward Egg in the inventory was smashed instantly. The rewards were on display, surrounded by golden rays.

n‘Ding! Congratulations on getting a 3X Amplification Card, Power Loan Card, and Core Card.’

nHmm?

nFang Lang frowned after seeing the rewards.

nThe rewards from the Green Reward Egg seemed rather ordinary. A 3X Amplification Card instead of a 5X one?

nHowever, there was a new addition—Core Card.

n‘Core Card: Permanent effect card (overwritable). Once activated, the host can change their core stats on the surface and karmic levels.’

nFang Lang’s eyes narrowed.

nA permanent effect card!

nFinally, something valuable!

nThis card was worth something!

nFang Lang did not stay on the streets to study the Core Card. Instead, he rushed back to the Fang Manor.

nWhen he got back, Old Fang was already out, likely at the entertainment house. Fang Lang headed straight for his room.

nHe was rather excited.

nHis natural core was a thorn in his flesh!

nGiven his current core, he would gain no additional points in the Imperial Examination, which made him less competitive.

nMore importantly, Fang Lang was worried others would be suspicious of his exemplary skills when he was just a white core.

nThe Core Card appeared just in time!

nHe tried to keep his composure. He took a deep breath before saying, “System, activate the Core Card.”

n‘Ding! The Core Care will change your core on the surface and karmic level. The effects will be permanent. If you want to change it again, you need to overwrite it with another Core Card. Do you wish to proceed?’

nThe System’s notification popped up.

nFang Lang calmed down and fell into deep thought.

nHe knew the Core Card would not alter his original core. He still needed to switch to his binding partner’s cultivation mode to enhance his core. However, a superficial change was sufficient to change others’ perceptions.

nAlthough his core was a lost cause, the appearance of the Core Card was a temporary solution to Fang Lang’s issue.

nThe System might provide a card that permanently alters the core abilities entirely in the future.

nFang Lang was still hopeful about it despite the fact he did not depend much on his core…

n“Activate.”

n‘Ding! Recalculation of core stats, loading time is around 48 hours. Appreciate the host’s patience.’

nThe System notification appeared briefly before fading.

nFang Lang closed his eyes and slowly let out a breath. He had nothing else to do but wait for the good news.

nFang Lang reopened his eyes. They looked rather calm in the dark. He retrieved a spirit crystal from the System and started absorbing it.

nHe had gathered all the cards, including the Grade-Rush Card, Physical Buff Card, and 3X Amplification Card.

nIf he wanted to achieve the highest distinction in the Imperial Examination, he would need to give his best tomorrow.

nThe night was calm, but fate had other plans.

nThe cultivation in Spirit Pagoda tomorrow would be the turning point for those ranked within the top fifty in Luojiang Academy.

nIt was bound to be a sleepless night.

nFang Lang had trouble falling asleep too.

nThe System pushed him to his limits, but Fang Lang knew that it was not just for the sake of completing the mission. He had to break his limits in order to be the champion!

nHis match with the young blacksmith revealed that he was still too weak compared to those geniuses who naturally had a chance at being the champion.

nHe did not even qualified to compete as he was not a sword master yet.

nThe importance of the Spirit Pagoda dawned on Fang Lang.

nFang Lang opened his eyes in the dark. He released his palm, scattering the spirit crystal fragments.

nHe stared at the first rays of sunlight rising from the horizon.

nThere was a spark in Fang Lang’s eyes, ready to set the prairie ablaze.

nEverything was set for tomorrow to come!

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