Snow was falling heavily from the sky.

The outcome of the match was self-evident when a mink hat hit the ground.

There were no fancy moves, no rivalry, only a thunderbolt sword that came swooping down from the sky and putting an end to the battle.

The entire mountain range was silent. The results of the battle were too surprising.

Qu He was not that weakhe had the upper hand in the battle against Zhao Dagang.

Furthermore, Qu He's attack was vicious and lethal. The disciples on the Grooming Peak were worried for Fang Lang's safety, no one expected him to win the battle effortlessly.

Knockout!

Similar to the battle against Zhao Yu, Fang Lang ended the battle with the Sword Thunder.

However, the others noticed a difference in Fang Lang.

On the Grooming Peak, Zhao Yu was astonished by the velocity, strength and power!

This was not the blade he fought!

The grand champion had become stronger.

If Zhao Yu was on the receiving end of this attack, he would not survive. He might share a similar fate as Qu He.

After a long pause of silence on the Grooming Peak, the crowd started cheering.

The uproar grew louder and louder until it shook the falling snow.

The foreign elites' expressions were dark and heavy. Qu He was a strong fighter. Even though he was only in the first-grade sword wave realm, he was very experienced in battles.

Nevertheless, he had lost the battle completely.

"That blade seems like a swordcraft method the Sword Guild has been secretly researching," the handsome Song Zhongcheng said.

He inherited Song Xianzhi's great qualitiescharm and elegance.

The gregarious girl looked at Song Zhongcheng. "He's just a first-grade sword wave realm. Brother Zhongcheng, you should go next. You'll destroy him easily!"

Song Zhongcheng turned to Geyue Shuhua and shook his head. "The Sword Guild has a rule that prohibits disciples with a four-grade difference or more to battle each other. I'm in the eighth-grade sword wave realm. We'll get in trouble if Chao Xiaojian picks on this. Asi Zhui and I are already eighteen years old. Our main goal of joining the Sword Guild is to get into the top hundred of the Light Pavilion."

On the other side, Asi Zhui who had been quiet said calmly, "A first-grade sword world realm is not worth my time."

Geshu Yuehua smiled eagerly, exposing her canine teeth. "What about me?"

Asi Zhui said casually, "We got news back from the Imperial Examination that the new grand champion is a cultivator of all three disciplines. His strongest suit is sword mastery and he has a moderate understanding of martial arts and spells. Yuehua, if you can physically approach him, you could easily squash him with your innate power and General Geshu's infamous Dragon Lock. Foreigners are not allowed to participate in the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Examination, otherwise, these guys won't stand a chance against us."

Song Zhongcheng hesitated before saying, "I still think you should be careful. Yuehua, don't underestimate him."

They witnessed Fang Lang's sword mastery. His martial arts mastery could not be better than his sword mastery, could it?

Fang Lang glanced at Qu He who was vomiting blood in the snow. He summoned the Champion's Blade back.

Blood was still dripping from the blade.

Qu He could not move from the severe injuries he sufferedblood kept flowing out of his wounds.

Fang Lang's sword caught him by surprise. Although they were in the sword wave realm, Fang Lang's sword was just too fast, too strong!

Fang Lang glanced at Qu He. He did not even bother to use the Stats Scanner on him.

Fang Lang was equally as shocked by the speed of the battle.

Did he grow stronger or was this guy weak?

This was a question worth pondering. Fang Lang thought it must be due to his advancement into the third-class sword wave realm which enhanced the power of his Sword Thunder.

Fang Lang turned his gaze away from Qu He who was struggling to stand up. He raised his head to look at the scenic sky above Mount Shu.

The veil of snow was ripped apart and a charming young man walked over.

"I'm the third son of General Song Xianzhi from Beijiang, Song Zhongcheng. Nice to meet you." The handsome man put his hands together and bowed slightly.

He looked different from the foreigners. Instead, he had the resemblance of a Tang Dynasty scholar.

Fang Lang bowed in return and started scanning him.

Age: 18

Cultivation: Eighth-Grade Sword Wave

Core: 15 (Gold)

Introduction: Some elegance, a little wild.

"I read the champion's policy essay. I understand your concerns. It makes sense from your perspective but unfortunately, we share opposing views"

Song Zhongcheng said with a laugh before helping Qu He up from the ground. He took out a pill and placed it in Qu He's mouth.

"I hope we'll be able to have a fair fight one day, champion."

Then, Song Zhongcheng carried Qu He and left the floating island.

As Fang Lang watched them leave, a girl with bronze-colored skin flew onto the floating island.

"Geshu Yuehua, first-grade sword wave. I'm here to challenge the new champion. Do you need to take a break?" The girl grinned widely.

Fang Lang held onto the Champion's Blade and flicked away a drop of blood on his fingers. "Fang Lang, first-grade sword wave."

Then, he activated the Stats Scanner to check the girl.

Age: 16

Cultivation: First-Grade Sword Wave, Sixth-Grade Martial Arts Master

Core: 11 (Gold)

Introduction: She's wild, especially when she's mad.

Her core was impressive but it was below the standard Fang Lang set for his next binding partner.

Fang Lang was speechless after reading the background. Did it imply the girl was all brawn and no brain?

Fang Lang ended the inspection.

Geshu Yuehua started moving at a speed faster than Qu He. The way she slithered to Fang Lang left a snake-like trail on the snow.

She wanted to ensure Fang Lang would not be able to use the Sword Thunder on her.

As Asi Zhui mentioned, once she got closer to Fang Lang, she would definitely win the battle with her innate superhuman strength and the Dragon Lock technique.

Fang Lang had a sword in each hand but he was not planning to cast the Sword Thunder.

In actual fact, Fang Lang had been focusing his spiritual sense the moment he left the courtyard. That was why he could attack Qu He and end the battle in a single strike.

However, at the speed the girl was approaching him, there was insufficient time to cast the killing shot.

At the speed she was traveling, did she plan to engage in close-quarters combat?

This girl must take pride in her sixth-grade martial arts mastery.

Fang Lang's eyes sparkled brightly. After eleven days of cultivation with unlimited consumption of spirit crystals, activation of Physical Buff Card, use of the practice methods and spiritual sense fatigue, Fang Lang managed to upgrade his martial arts cultivation to the eighth grade.

Although it was still far from the third-class martial arts master, blood-bending realm, Fang Lang was not afraid of close combat.

Since this was what she wished for, he would play along!

Fang Lang kicked off the ground with his toes. Slush splattered around him. He flew backward gracefully, trying to put some distance between him and Geshu Yuehua.

He had a serious expression on his face.

"Don't come any further!"

Fang Lang's retreat led Geshu Yuehua to believe he was acting out of fear and that he was not adept at martial arts.

Unlike her, who had the cultivation of a sixth-grade martial arts master, born with supernatural strength and equipped with her father's Dragon Lock!

She locked her aim on the new champion!

With one kick, Geshu Yuehua closed in on Fang Lang and drew a giant sword from her space ring.

She wielded the giant sword and created a whirlwind of snow.

Suddenly, she hurled the sword forward.

Fang Lang's Obsidian Sword shot out and collided with the giant sword.

Fang Lang staggered backward from the force of the impact. The girl burst out laughing, her eyes shined brightly when she got closer to him!

It was her time to shine!

The heavy sword crashed onto the ground, sending slush flying in the air. The girl's flexible body circled the heavy sword and came just inches away from Fang Lang's body. Her vital energy was fully charged as she performed the Dragon Lock!

Instantly, countless shadows of hands were about to hit Fang Lang.

They restrained Fang Lang from moving, preventing him from attacking.

Fang Lang watched the unsuspecting girl charge against him as he cast the Spirit Awl he prepared, along with the special effect of the earth-level martial arts mastery practice methods, Dragon Fury!

At that moment, vital energy erupted from Fang Lang's body like a tremendous wave.

Geshu Yuehua was stunned as her spiritual sense was perforated by the Spirit Awl and her soul was impacted by the Dragon Fury!

She froze in place with the double attack. By the time she regained her senses, Fang Lang's Splitting Punch came crashing into her shoulder blades like a giant rock.

Geshu Yuehua's body shook violently as though her collarbone had shattered upon the collision. She yelped in pain and blood spewed from her mouth.

Fang Lang took a step back and grabbed the girl's ankles. Then, he spun her around like a windmill.

The girl was tossed into the sky. She stared at Fang Lang below her feet blankly.

'You You have no respect for martial arts!'

Bang!

The girl flew 20 meters and crashed into the snow, stirring up a huge cloud of snow dust when she landed.

"I told you not to come closer," Fang Lang said helplessly as he shook his head and kept the sword back into his sword box.

The girl stumbled a few times before falling onto the snow dejectedly.

There were a few gasps around them.

Fang Lang had defeated another foreigner.

General Geshu Taixing's daughter, Geshu Yuehua, was naturally gifted and excelled in both sword mastery and martial arts mastery.

Yet, she had lost in a ridiculous manner.

"All warfare is based on deception..." Song Zhongcheng flew over to take Geshu Yuehua away.

The other foreign elites did not continue to challenge Fang Langthey were wary after experiencing two defeats.

They decided to stop challenging Fang Lang. They would come back when they were fully confident they could defeat him.

On the peak of Mount Shu, Chao Xiaojian roared in laughter. "That's my boy, ostentatious as usual."

He was glad Fang Lang defeated the foreign challengers. At least he restored the dignity of the Sword Guild disciples and gave a warning to those foreigners who wanted to scare them.

The other elders of the Sword Guild chuckled lightly, satisfied with the outcome of the battles.

"The champion has attained third-class sword wave realm just after eleven days since he joined the sect. Looks like the Sword Guild can get into the top ten in this year's Qianlong Resource Battle."

"Right, he's the grand champion of the Imperial Examination after all."

"Elder Ji should prepare the disciples for the resource battle. This will be the most hopeful year for the Sword Guild. Hopefully we can get some resources so the disciples won't need to risk their lives in the demon portal."

The elders discussed enthusiastically in the conference hall.

When there is joy, there is also sorrow.

Inside the courtyards of the foreign elites, Asi Yuan had a serious expression. The other foreign guards around him were unhappy as well.

Qu He and Geshu Yuehua lost to Fang Lang.

They had not expected things to turn out this way. Qu He and Geshu Yuehua were defeated by Fang Lang before they could showcase their battle experience after years on the frontlines.

All of them sat in silence.

The air was thick with tension.

The foreign elites did not pursue further and left the Grooming Peak.

On the floating island, Fang Lang let out a breath of stale air.

Wen Ting had warned him about the arrival of the foreign elites. Therefore, Fang Lang was expecting them.

However, it seemed like these foreign elites were rather principledthey did not come after him all at once.

As an eighth-grade sword wave, Song Zhongcheng respected the rules and did not challenge him. If he did, Fang Lang was not confident he could defeat the handsome boy.

Nevertheless, Fang Lang had no choice but to answer the challenge in order to intimidate them. Otherwise, the other foreign elites would continue to harass and challenge him.

After this, Fang Lang would not need to worry any more. He was confident he would advance much faster than the foreign elites. By then, they would not be able to challenge him anymore.

The issue with the foreign elites was temporarily solved.

He stretched his back in the snow.

Fang Lang turned around to look at the Light Pavilion disciples who were hovering in the air. Their swords spun around them.

He should consider finding a new binding partner.

Fang Lang ended his isolation and left the courtyard not to fight with the foreign elites.

His main goal was to select a new binding partner.

Initially, Fang Lang wanted to bind to Mentor Wen but with so many geniuses in the Sword Guild, he thought he should weigh his options first.

This was not a decision to be made lightly.

Fang Lang grinned from ear to ear. The Light Pavilion disciples looked like fresh chives swaying in the wind, waiting to be harvest.

He did not even get their names. Fang Lang planned to look for Xiao Lingjian, the socialite of the Sword Guild to help him come up with a name list.

From afar, Jiang Linglong flew over to the Grooming Peak on her sword.

Ni Wen and Liu Bubai also rushed over after hearing the news. They let out a sigh of relief when they saw Fang Lang in one piece.

The snow kept gathering on the tiles. After it reached a certain thickness, it would fall off from the roof.

In the outer sect of the Sword Guild.

A two-story tavern stood in the village.

The decoration was not too elaborate but it had a warm ambiance. The fragrance of alcohol permeated the air as it boiled on the flaming stove. The tavern was filled with the voices of busy servers greeting and serving the Sword Guild disciples.

At the window seat of the second floor, Fang Lang drank from the warm cup. Xiao Lingjian entered the tavern, removed his winter coat and bamboo hat before walking toward Fang Lang.

He took a gulp of the warm alcohol and frowned when he heard Fang Lang's favor.

"You want a name list of all the disciples in all four pavilions according to their ranks?"

Fang Lang's request baffled Xiao Lingjian.

Fang Lang was also surprised the Sword Guild did not have a complete name list for the disciples of all four pavilions.

"This is slightly tricky because everyone is continuously improving. If the news got out, some of them might get offended" Xiao Lingjian hesitated since it was not a small matter.

Fang Lang sipped on his tea and focused his mind to retrieve a spirit crystal but he got cash instead.

Did the System consider this as cultivation-related expenditure?

This was good news. Fang Lang generously took out a cash slip worth 10,000 gold coins and placed them on a table.

Xiao Lingjian's frown loosened slightly when he saw the cash.

Even though spirit crystals were vital to cultivators, money was rather important to improve their quality of life.

They could be used to purchase pills and spirit crystals. 10,000 gold coins could buy a mid-grade spirit crystal.

"Brother Fang, I can get you the list of Light Pavilion and Dark Pavilion disciples, but the Earth and Heaven" Xiao Lingjian said with reservations.

Fang Lang took another sip of tea and took out another 10,000 gold coins worth of cash.

Xiao Lingjian's eyes narrowed. "Brother Fang, this is more than enough"

Fang Lang did not stop there and took our three cash slips consecutively.

The total was 50,000 in cash. Xiao Lingjian let out a shaky breath and sipped on his alcohol with his trembling hand.

Then, he put down the cup and took two slips.

Although he would not say no to money, he had his principles.

"Twenty is enough. Anything beyond that is too much."

Xiao Lingjian said seriously, "Brother Fang, give me three days. I'll guarantee that it would be at least eighty percent accurate."

Fang Lang chuckled. The accuracy of the ranking was the least of his concerns. All he needed was their names.

"Regarding the remaining thirty thousand gold coins, you must have a way to buy spirit crystals and pills, Brother Xiao," Fang Lang said with a laugh. Then, he chugged the remaining alcohol and put on his bamboo hat before standing up to leave the tavern.

Xiao Lingjian remained seated as he watched Fang Lang's shadow disappear into the snow. He was puzzled why Fang Lang wanted to buy the name list.

He had a hard time reading this new guy.