The last bell of the day rang.

The silence of the academy was replaced by a whirlwind of chatter. Young voices filled the study blocks like raindrops hitting the roof.

At the gates of Luojiang Academy, green-robed students were milling about and shooting the breeze.

Ni Wen stood at the entrance like an unblemished lotus flower. There was a hint of worry in her expression.

The occasional questioning glance from other students made the girl blush and she rounded her shoulders to make herself appear smallerit was a pitying sight.

At that moment, Liu Hao and a few common folk students walked out from the academy. He caught sight of Ni Wen and after some hesitation, decided to approach her. He was wondering if she wanted to walk home together.

He had only taken a step when Fang Lang came into the scene.

Beside Fang Lang was Yang Zhengyithe boy who was constantly flipping his hair.

Liu Hao arrested his forward movement. Fang Lang, who was already beside Ni Wen, lifted his head and met Liu Hao's eyes.

An inexplicable fear filled Liu Hao's heartlike an invisible force was pressing down on him. He thought of the duel they had hours ago and left with his tail between his legs. He retreated without even greeting Ni Wen.

"Lang'zi, you've outdone yourself. Your sword strike traumatized Liu Hao," Yang Zhengyi said with a chuckle as he flipped his hair.

"You've been holding back. A fifth-grader now, Uncle Fang must have spent a significant amount of spirit crystals on you."

Yang Zhengyi was not too surprised by Fang Lang's advancement in cultivation. As the Imperial Examination loomed, it made sense for the Fang family to provide Fang Lang spirit crystals for his cultivation.

Fang Lang did not deny the fact.

"Let's make a move. Follow me to the shops," Fang Lang gave Ni Wen a smile and said.

There was no objection from Yang Zhengyi. He brushed his fringe and prattled on.

Ni Wen stayed rooted to the spot.

Fang Lang's head swiveled and he cocked an eye at Ni Wen. "Little Wen, hurry up."

Ni Wen had no choice but to follow the two boys. Each step she took was hesitant and timid.

The trio left the academy and stepped onto the busy main street of Luojiang City.

As they traveled, Yang Zhengyi kept the chatter going.

Meanwhile, Fang Lang was focused on the guide mission.

A few steps behind the boys, Ni Wen was silent.

Moments later, Yang Zhengyi got tired of talking. He unfolded his fan and fanned himselfthe artificial breeze kept his fringe in the air.

"Lang'zi, what are you looking for? Where are we going?" Yang Zhengyi asked, curious.

Fang Lang stopped and raised a hand, pointing at an expensive-looking store. "That's the one."

Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen followed his finger and read the signboard of the shop he indicated. Their eyes widened.

"The Jade Pavilion?"

Yang Zhengyi was shocked.

Ni Wen was stunned.

The Jade Pavilion specialized in space rings. Yang Zhengyi did not expect Fang Lang to be looking for space rings.

As a common folk genius, Ni Wen had heard about the Jade Pavilion but she never imagined she would enter such an establishment with only three copper coins to her name.

Ni Wen was distraught.

Unfazed by the extravagance, Fang Lang stepped into the shop without hesitation.

A high-end shop was still a place of commercial interest. Fang Lang was here to purchase goods, why should he be scared?

All cultivators in the Tang Dynasty agreed on the basic cultivation inventory: medicinal pills, a flight sword and a space ring.

These items were essential to any respectable cultivator and symbolized a cultivator's identity.

Since the System wanted Fang Lang to make a cultivation-related transaction, it was wise to choose one of the above.

The first two items were not considered for practical reasons. Students were not allowed to take the performance-boosting medicinal pills before the Imperial Examination. If caught, a penalty would be imposed on the student's resultthe more severe cases would entail disqualification.

One was required to pass the Flying Sword Examinationequivalent to the driving test of the modern worldto wield a flight sword. Therefore, Fang Lang went with the third option, the space ring.

The Jade Pavilion in Luojiang City shared the shop lot with others but it stood out with its resplendent decor.

The floor was covered with a red velvet carpet that was incredibly soft to the touch. The shop smelled like sandalwood and the pleasant fragrance was calming.

An attractive woman dressed in a fitting qipao appeared just as the trio entered the Jade Pavilion. She walked over, red lips curled into a broad smile. She greeted them warmly with a touch of pride in her tone, "Welcome to the Jade Pavilion. I am the person in charge here. Do you have a pre-order slip?"

In his previous life, Fang Land had frequented luxury shops so he was not surprised by the treatment.

Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen were taken aback. The talkative Yang Zhengyi put on a brave face and said nothing.

On the other hand, Ni Wen let her fear show through her large eyes.

The woman saw the varied expressions but maintained her professionalism when serving them.

'Every person who enters the Jade Pavilion is to be treated with the utmost respect.' That was the Jade Pavilion's policy.

Fang Lang answered, "No, I don't. I'd like to browse your selection of space rings, if that's possible?"

The attractive woman gave him a polite smile and led him into the shop.

"Of course. However, without advanced booking, you can only purchase space rings of less than two cubic meters. You'll need a cultivator of at least second class to vouch for you to buy a space ring of two cubic meters and above. Follow me," Manager Yu said with a smile.

The trio followed the elegant woman in. Soon, they arrived at a rosewood display bench.

On the bench, rings were seated in red cushions, neatly packed into individual rosewood boxes. The gemstones embedded in the rings sparkled under the light.

Yang Zhengyi took a deep breath, tantalized by the shiny gems.

Ni Wen did not dare to breathe, utterly dumbstruck by the display.

These items were beyond her everyday life. A commoner like her would never think to enter the Jade Pavilion.

With a smile, Manager Yu brought out three boxes, each box held a space ring of unique design.

"This is the Mystic 3570, North Wind. It came from the Jade Pavilion in Imperial City. A masterpiece by the fourth-class spell master, Master An Nai. It holds one cubic meter of space"

The woman introduced the products with an unhurried tone.

From their mannerisms, she could tell Fang Lang was the leader.

After the introductions, Fang Lang nodded.

He asked, "How much is the most expensive model?"

The question caught Manager Yu off guard. A moment later, slender fingers plucked out a silver band with flower carvings. She showed it to Fang Lang. "This is the Mystic 3061, South Sky. It sells for 300 gold coins."

The numbers did not impress Fang Lang. He planned to spend all 500 gold coins at one go and max out the System's experience to level up.

The one-cubic-meter space ring did not meet his expectations, price-wise and feature-wise.

Fang Lang shook his head. "Do you have something pricier?"

That question rubbed Manager Yu the wrong way. Her eyes narrowed and her lips were pulled taut. She surmised Fang Lang was in the shop to stir up trouble.

Yang Zhengyi flipped his hair a tad too forcefully and nearly pulled a neck muscle.

Ni Wen hid behind Fang Lang, her face aghast when she heard the price tag. '300 gold coins was too cheap?'

'Who am I? And what am I doing here?'

At the second floor of the Jade Pavillion, the fragrant smell of tea permeated the air. Musical instruments played in the background.

The Spring Cloud Chamber was used to receive honored guests.

There were three figures seated within the Spring Cloud Chamber.

The owner of Luojiang City's Jade Pavilion was happily introducing a lavish space ring to Jiang Linglong. The ring had spell carvings that glowed like it was alive with spiritual energy.

Out of a sudden, Manager Yu entered the room respectfully. She bowed apologetically at Jiang Linglong and Zhao Wuji for her interruption.

The shop owner frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked calmly despite the annoyance he felt.

He trusted Manager Yu would only interrupt them if there was something important.

Manager Yu replied with her head lowered, "The young master from the Fang family is here. He wants a space ring of 500 gold coins in value."

The shop owner raised an eyebrow. "500 gold coins is not too steep a price. Just show him the higher value space ring models."

Was there a need for this interruption?

Manager Yu licked her lips and said, "The young master is a first-class sword disciple without a pre-order slip. He doesn't have a cultivator of at least second class to vouch for him. The most expensive one-cubic-meter space ring we have costs 300 gold coins."

The shop owner understood the predicament.

The Jade Pavilion did not look down on any patronsit was a rule the shop owner stood by.

He tried to think of a solution.

After a while, his gaze fell on Jiang Linglong and Zhao Wuji. He shook his head and told Manager Yu, "Tell him, without a cultivator of at least second class to vouch for him, he can't buy a space ring of more than one cubic meter. It is the Jade Pavilion's rule."

With that order, Manager Yu nodded and turned to leave.

However, before the manager could leave, Jiang Linglong spoke up, "The boy's name is Fang Lang?" Her fingers were busy fiddling with the space ring.

The image of the boy in the practice ring of Luojiang Academy came to her mind. It was the boy with the impressive sword technique.

Interesting.

He was an interesting fellow.

Beside her, Zhao Wuji was equally as puzzled. 'Why is Fang Lang here in the Jade Pavilion?'

"It must be fate. He helped me with something. Owner Xiao, grant Fang Lang a permit. Old Zhao here will vouch for him," Jiang Linglong said as she slipped the space ring onto her forefinger.

The Spring Cloud Chamber was silent for a moment.

Manager Yu turned around in surprise.

Zhao Wuji was equally as shocked. He did not expect Jiang Linglong to make such a request.

Owner Xiao gave the young lady an incredulous look. The trivial matter was beneath someone of her status, yet she decided to lend a helping hand.