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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nEntering the palace and meeting the Emperor!

nThis was the honor of being the top three candidates in the Imperial Examination.

nOnly those who fought against one genius after another in the final section and braved through fierce currents could have the right to ascend the royal stairway to meet the Emperor!

nThis was the ultimate glory one could ever achieve!

nIn the Tang Dynasty, one would be incredibly honored to meet the mysterious, almighty Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!

nEven though Fang Lang was still holding a grudge against the third prince, he was overwhelmed by the magnificent royal aura the moment he set foot on the White Jade Court.

nThe presence of someone who built the Tang Dynasty, the land of prosperity and splendor, the hub of the world’s cultivation left Fang Lang in awe!

nEven his presence alone filled Fang Lang with deep respect.

nFang Lang was exuberant on the inside. He had been cultivating quietly for three whole years since his rebirth. He had dreamt of becoming the grand champion, but he never once thought he would be able to realize his dream and meet the greatest person in the Tang Dynasty.

nOnly a handful of people had seen the true appearance of the Emperor. Even during court discussions, the officials could only see a great shadow. Even if they tried to look up, they could only see an enormous silhouette with a blurry face—an endless mysterious abyss.

nThud! Thud!

nImmense energy erupted when they stepped onto the White Jade Court like the brilliance of auspicious clouds penetrating the dark sky.

nIt was warm and refreshing.

nThe wounds on their body and the fatigue and emptiness after activating their bloodline abilities disappeared at once.

nIt even washed away all the negative emotions!

n“The White Jade Court has an enhancement rune. Only the Emperor’s allowed to walk on it, the others will take the stairs beside it,” the old eunuch said smilingly.

nThere was no need to be stone-faced in front of the top three winners of the Imperial Examination. After all, they might be the next great leaders of the empire.

n“Take your time, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Perhaps, you may receive unexpected opportunities,” the old eunuch said in a profound manner.

n“Thank you, Gao Gongong.” Jiang Linglong bowed.

nOld Man Gao? The most valued person around the Emperor, the infamous head eunuch!

nFang Lang thought for a moment before bowing slightly. “Thank you, Old Man Gao.”

nThe whole world was quiet as snow fell from the gray sky. However, golden rays seemed to shine through the slits between the clouds, showering them with auspicious brilliance as they traversed the White Jade Court.

nIt illuminated the trio who were walking up the stairs toward the magnificent palace that oversaw the entire world.

nThe dragon sculptures on the White Jade Court looked like they would come to live and charge into the sky.

nSuddenly, droplets of water fell from the sky—Spirit Rain!

nThe Spirit Rain was the product of the condensation of spiritual energy. Every drop was more precious than spirit crystals.

nThe rainfall put a veil over the Taiji Palace.

nFang Lang focused and immediately switched into binding partner mode. He started absorbing the Spirit Rain like a ferocious dragon.

nJiang Linglong and Wei Sheng beside him were relishing themselves with spiritual energy.

nThis was the reward for the top three winners!

nFang Lang would definitely not let this bonus go to waste.

nWhy throw away the benevolence of His Majesty?

n‘Activate 5X Amplification Card!’ Fang Lang thought.

n‘Ding! 5X Amplification Card activated. Cultivation inspiration and cultivation rate increased to 300% of binding partner, Ni Wen’s equivalent. All the best in cultivating!’

nFang Lang stomped his feed and used Ni Wen as his main binding partner. The absorption rate of the spiritual energy amplified significantly.

nIn the Quadruple Binding Mode, he gained four times Little Wen’s absorption rate!

nInstantly, Fang Lang transformed into a black hole and sucked in half of the Spirit Rain!

nJiang Linglong and Wei Sheng gaped at Fang Lang.

nThey were much slower than Fang Lang despite their gold cores!

n“The purple core is so… terrifying!” Jiang Linglong muttered under her breath.

nThe core mutation that happened once in a thousand years was truly splendid. She could never compare with it.

nCore mutation would only be triggered during bloodline awakening, but it was not her time yet.

nBelow the White Jade Court, Ximen Xianxian, Luo Yang and the others watched in envy. This reward was a great gift, the main highlight of the Imperial Examination.

nThe imperial court of the Tang Dynasty was much more generous than Luojiang Academy!

nLi Yuanzhen was fixated on the three figures on the White Jade Court, especially Fang Lang in his green robes. He clenched his fists. He should be the one standing there!

nEven though he managed to be in the top ten, his defeat in the first battle had cost him the chance to compete for the grand champion title.

n…

nMyriads of spiritual energy moved along Fang Lang’s skin and entered his energy center!

nAfter activating the 5X Amplification Card, Fang Lang felt as if he was no longer climbing the stairs, he was flying in the air!

nHe was elated!

nJiang Linglong and Wei Sheng ignored Fang Lang’s abnormality and focused entirely on absorbing the Spirit Rain.

nGao Gongong beside them stood smilingly—he wore his silver locks loose. ‘This is just the beginning.’

n“The Spirit Rain is not the only reward for the top three candidates of this exam.” Old Man Gao waved his horsetail whisk and laughed mysteriously.

nHe enjoyed watching these proud geniuses gaped in astonishment. Their expressions whenever they set foot on the White Jade Court seemed so… adorable.

nFang Lang continued walking. A rune appeared in the middle of the White Jade Court, radiating auspicious rays.

nFang Lang felt an inspiration rising from the bottom of his heart!

nHis head was swarmed by images of cultivation.

nSword fighting in the heavy snow, Spirit Steps on running waters, Dual Sword Technique in the bamboo forests, holding the frost bow in a chilly storm, practicing Splitting Punch on a wooden stake…

nThe images flashed past his mind.

nFang Lang was instantly actualizing these sword techniques, spells and martial art forms.

nFang Lang’s eyes lit up. He used up the remaining Physical Buff Cards to train at that moment!

nThe immense pain in his body made each step extra difficult but the effect was superb.

nThe spiritual energy absorption was just the beginning.

nWith the help of the rune, Fang Lang could feel the spiritual energy inside him transforming into blade energy, mana and vital energy.

nWith the influence of three energy transformations, Fang Lang’s cultivation improved immensely!

nBoom! Boom! Boom!

nBy the time they reached the end of the White Jade Court, Fang Lang’s energy was at its peak.

nHe advanced three grades in sword mastery and attained ninth-grade sword master.

nHe also skipped two grades in martial arts mastery and became a fifth-grade martial arts master.

nHis spell mastery also advanced by two grades into a fifth-grade spell master.

nFang Lang opened his eyes and a brilliant light shone from his eyes and lit up the night sky.

nHe let out a breath that had been stuck in his chest.

nFang Lang’s respect deepened.

nHe stared at the majestic Taiji Palace in awe.

nBehind Fang Lang, Jiang Linglong’s dress was billowing in the air. A sharp wave appeared and shredded the air.

nThe blade energy had turned into a wave!

nThird-class sword mastery, sword wave realm!

nOld Jiang had achieved realization before the Taiji Palace and advanced into the third class!

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nOn the other side, Wei Sheng’s vital energy roared thunderously as if all the blood in his body was bent into a roaring tidal current.

nThird-class martial arts master, blood-bending realm!

nThis was the true reward for the top three winners, leveling up the geniuses.

nBefore the Taiji Palace, countless pairs of eyes were on the trio, some with admiration and respect, some with scrutiny…

nNevertheless, no one said a word for fear they would disrupt the process of realization and advancement. These were their hard-earned rewards, gifted by the Emperor. No one had the right to take it away from them.

nAfter a long while, the atmosphere in front of the Taiji Palace calmed down gradually.

nOld Man Gao stood in front of the open wooden carved doors. As he studied them, the smile faded and he put on a serious expression.

n“His Majesty, the Emperor has announced the top three winners who were selected from three thousand students from each of the three thousand academies in the Tang Dynasty. They have outshone everyone after three years of hard work. Congratulations!” Old Man Gao shouted.

nHis voice echoed throughout the White Jade Square.

n…

nThe overbearing energy from the Taiji Palace seemed to freeze the atmosphere.

nFang Lang entered the palace and walked in at an excruciatingly slow pace. There was a pair of eyes that transcended time and space. He could feel the weight of the gaze like mountains on his back, making him lower his head.

nFang Lang experienced a deja vu, this was the same gaze that overlooked him in the Spirit Pagoda.

nFang Lang sensed a human figure seated on the magnificent throne, overlooking the world, including him.

nHe took a step forward, two steps, three steps…

nHe stopped at his hundredth step.

nThe royal members and hundreds of officials entered the court with their heads lowered.

nAuspicious rays were shining on the red carpet of the Taiji Palace. The reflection made the floor seem as though they were brilliant clouds. Fang Lang felt like he was walking on clouds.

n“Your Majesty!”

nHundreds of officials in the Taiji Palace greeted the Emperor collectively, the thunderous voice almost blew the roof away.

nThen, every one of them kneeled down.

nFang Lang, Jiang Linglong and Wei Sheng stood helplessly in the middle of the court, panicking internally.

nHigh above the throne, the pressure from the great figure slowly receded.

nOld Man Gao walked past the nine four-legged cauldrons that separated the hundreds of officials and the throne and reached the side of the Emperor. He bowed before the Emperor and turned around to face the officials. He waved his horsetail whisk and opened the royal decree and announced loudly, “The top three candidates of the Imperial Examination do not need to kneel.”

nThis was the given privilege to all winners, as well as a token of appreciation from the Emperor.

nThe officials were not surprised by the announcement.

nFang Lang and the other two stood silently in the center of the court.

nOld Man Gao continued with the public announcement. “Third place, Wei Sheng, martial arts major, rewarded with three drops of Bone Lubricant, a Black Dragon Armor, and a Demon Slaying Sword. Hopefully, you will not forget your original intentions and attain the peak of martial arts mastery.”

nWei Sheng bowed with his hands cupped. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

nOld Man Gao continued. “Second place, Jiang Linglong from the house of warriors. Stayed true to yourself after years of sword cultivation, rewarded with three Blade Energy Accumulation Herb, a Silver Dragon Armor, a Phoenix Feather Sword. Keep up with your good work and bring honor to the Jiang Family.”

nJiang Linglong bent slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

nFinally, Old Man Gao’s gaze fell on Fang Lang.

nHowever, he did not speak a word.

nInstead, he kept the decree and stood aside quietly.

nFang Lang was stunned. What happened? He was ready to receive his rewards. Why did the eunuch stop?

nSoon, there was a thunderous voice resonating through each corner of the Taiji Palace, filling the room with immense pressure.

n“Grand champion Fang Lang, the third prince, Li Liancheng, has insulted you at the Quiling Demon Portal. Are you still holding a grudge?”

nThe calm voice traveled from the throne high above.

nGoosebumps raised when they heard this question.

nThe first prince narrowed his eyes. Lu Taixuan sobered up and folded his hands with a beguiling expression. Li Puyi squeezed his palm tightly without showing any expressions.

nThe Taiji Palace was dead silent, even the breathing sounds were kept to a minimum.

nFang Lang shuddered. He was not expecting this question from the Emperor. He thought for a moment, unable to decipher the Emperor’s thoughts.

nAt this moment, Fang Lang had a deeper understanding of the saying, ‘To be the Emperor’s companion was tantamount to accompanying a tiger’ as the mind of a ruler was unpredictable. What was the Emperor’s intention behind this question?

nSilence prolonged. Jiang Linglong who stood behind Fang Lang frowned slightly and glanced at him worriedly.

nAfter a while, Fang Lang let out a breath and made a deep bow. “A prince should receive the same punishment as a commoner who violated the law. Therefore, I do.”

nThere was no need to hide his ill feelings—they were a normal reaction.

nThe noble third prince came to bully a candidate, why?

nA policy essay?

nHe would be a hypocrite if he said otherwise.

nWhy should he hide his emotions?

nFurthermore, Fang Lang knew he would not be able to hide anything from the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

nIf the Emperor blamed him for it, he would rather leave this empire.

nThe crowd around them gasped in shock, all the officials had their eyes on Fang Lang.

nA prince should receive the same punishment as a commoner who violated the law…

nWhat a daring answer!

nFang Lang’s words impacted the stubborn principles of the imperial officials.

nInside the Taiji Palace, there was an underlying current caused by the drumming of heartbeats.

nAfter a long pause, the Emperor changed into a gentler and unpredictable tone. “You’re against the individual border regiment policy that I’m about to implement, to employ foreign generals.”

nHe did not continue asking about the third prince.

nInstead, the Emperor asked the individual border regiment policy that the third prince’s party had been advocating.

nLi Puyi widened his eyes instantly, showing rare emotions on his usual nonchalant face.

nLu Taixuan smacked his mouth and thought a cup of wine would be perfect for the situation.

nThe first prince’s expression remained ambiguous.

nThe Emperor’s question still echoed throughout the court.

nAfter some thought, Fang Lang made a deep bow and answered, “Yes.”

n“Reason.”

nFang Lang shuddered and broke into a cold sweat. The Emperor was demanding an explanation from him!

nThe Emperor had waited for Fang Lang to receive the grand champion title before inquiring further on the issue. It was intentional.

nHe began by bringing up the grudge between the third prince and Fang Lang.

nIf Fang Lang showed any resentment towards the third prince, the Emperor would deem his opinions as bias.

nThe Emperor wanted him to discuss the issue in public even though Fang Lang had already explained it in the theory exam.

nHowever, answering the questions before the imperial court was still very stressful for Fang Lang.

nFang Lang was not well-versed in politics, but he had his own analysis.

nHis essay in the theory exam had nothing to do with the third prince’s influence.

nTherefore, Fang Lang raised his head and chest. He endured the daunting royal gaze from the majestic presence on the throne whose features remained unreadable.

nFang Lang slowly reasoned without fear. In fact, his actions stemmed from ignorance of the unknown. He stated the pros and cons of the individual border regiment policy in an orderly manner.

nThere would always be two sides to a coin.

nThe Tang Dynasty was the greatest empire in the world, ruled by the most powerful man in the dynasty who conquered all the foreign lands around the nation.

nHowever, appointing foreign generals to guard the borders against the demon portals was a problem. Combined with the individual border regiment policy, the problem would grow over time like a tumbling snowball.

nThe foreigners would willingly serve the Tang Dynasty when the nation was still at its peak. However, when the empire begins to show any signs of weakness, they would rebel. The foreigners would rush to grab a piece of land and plunge the empire into chaos.

nFang Lang slowly dictated the events that unfolded in the Tang Dynasty of his previous lifetime. No one uttered a word in the Taiji Palace as he spoke—his words reverberated in the air.

nFinally, Fang Lang let out a breath and bowed. “The individual border regiment policy should be strict on the foreigners. Using foreign generals to guard the borders may achieve peace temporarily, but Your Majesty, gains for the moment, sins for millennia.”

nFang Lang risked his all and delivered those words.

nThe three words, ‘sins for millennia’, echoed in the imperial court like a clap of thunder that struck the officials!

nLi Puyi was furious, every inch of his body was shaking!

nAbsurd!

nAbsolutely ridiculous!

nThe Tang Dynasty was in its prime. It was impossible to have what Fang Lang described happen in the presence of the Emperor!

n“This man is spewing nonsense! Nonsense!”

n…

nAs Fang Lang was in the middle of the discussion, the snowing sky outside Changan City was ripped to pieces.

nOne space rune after another appeared in the sky like blooming flowers. These were special portals used to teleport flight swords carrying memorials to the throne.

nThe flight swords ferried memorials bound in blood. A blurry image started to form!

nThere was a phantom forming on top of the flight sword, wearing a blood armor and a knife around its waist.

nThere was a blonde-haired phantom with a red-tasseled spear on another flight sword.

nOne had eyes like lightning, roaring waves of vital energy with a double ax on its back.

nThe guards of Changan’s gate shuddered in fear.

nThe foreign generals from the borders used their Blood Essence to send memorials to Changan?

nThe expression of the guards darkened. Did the third prince’s flight sword trigger this?

nThe grand champion’s essay in the theory assessment had rustled many feathers.

nThere was a storm brewing in Changan.

nThe flight swords entered Changan. The show of power was evident as the phantoms flew along Vermillion Street and congregated outside the Vermillion Bird Gate.

nDong! Dong! Dong!

nThe phantoms of the foreign generals kneeled before the Vermillion Bird Gate. They raised the memorials in their hand.

nA thunderous voice erupted, “We seek audience with the Emperor!”

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