Dang! Dang!

The bell signaled the end of classes in Luojiang Academy. The sound carried across the academy grounds.

The silence of the academy ended as chatter erupted from the study blocks. The students filed out of the study halls, eager to begin their after-school activities.

Some headed for the entertainment houses while some went drinking.

The setting sun lit the academy and gave it a fiery appearance.

Ni Wen packed her things and stood from her seat. A swift glance at Fang Lang's vacant seat made her purse her lips. Then, she followed the flow of students out of the study block.

"Ni Wen!" Yang Zhengyi called out from a distance. He flipped his fringe and smiled at her.

The greeting made Ni Wen retreat into her oversized green robe. Her head lowered, she turned and shuffled away in the opposite direction.

Without Fang Lang present, Ni Wen did not wish to associate herself with the Yang family's idealistic young master.

Her mother said the rich boys always meant trouble.

Fang Lang was an exemption, Ni Wen believed.

He was absent for the third day and she missed

No, it made no sense!

Yang Zhengyi watched the wandering Ni Wen. He took no offense at her avoidance.

If not for Fang Lang, Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen would have never interacted.

Moreover, he had little interest in a scrawny girl like Ni Wen.

There were prettier flowers in the entertainment house.

Yang Zhengyi smiled and brushed back his hair. He gave Liu Haowho was a few feet behind Ni Wena glare.

Liu Hao's expression darkened.

When Liu Hao heard of Fang Lang's departure for the Gathering of Swords, he had planned to make a move on Ni Wen and improve her impression of him.

However, he was constantly sabotaged by Yang Zhengyi.

Fist clenched, Liu Hao turned and left with anger in his chest.

'Just you wait, you bunch of rich bastards!

'Every dog has his day. Do not bully'

Huh?

An oppressive aura descended over the academy.

Every student froze on the spot.

Heads turned to the sky. Two streaks of multicolored light shot out from the sunset and rushed toward the academy.

Whoosh!

The air blast disturbed the atmosphere.

Two white-robed figures stepped down from the sophisticated flight swords. The spinning runes around the flight sword caught the attention of many.

The students of Luojiang Academy were shocked.

Who were they?

The intense aura washed over the academy grounds.

Mentors stepped out of the study blocks in response.

From above, the old, hunchbacked Headmaster Cui took small steps down an imaginary staircase.

The impressive scene made the students gasp in wonderment.

Headmaster Cui's heavy-woven sleeves fluttered in the air as he came to greet the two Sword Guild disciples.

"We are members of the Sword Guild's inner sect, here to pass on news about the Gathering of Swords."

Headmaster Cui was surprised, then happiness shone in his eyes. He folded his hands and said, "I am the headmaster of Luojiang Academy."

"Greetings." The two disciples quickly returned the bow. Although they were part of an elite sect, they remained humble.

The Tang Dynasty had 3,000 academies and it was best to treat every headmaster with respect. Some headmasters were retired top-class cultivators.

The personal visit by the Sword Guild disciples hinted at Luojiang Academy's stellar performance in the Gathering of Swords.

Having two disciples meant good news for both the team combat and the individual event.

Headmaster Cui's mood was instantly brightened.

"Hahaha! Welcome, welcome!" the headmaster said with a chuckle. Anticipating the good news, he treated the guests with utmost hospitality.

One of the disciples smiled and lifted his hand.

With a snap of his fingers, blade energy bloomed like a lotus flower from his hand. The energy spun and lights shimmered captivatingly.

"Congratulations, Luojiang Academy for winning first place in the team combat. According to the Ministry of Rites, the stellar performance has earned the academy five secure spots in the Sword Guild's outer sect."

The disciple had utilized his spiritual energy to broadcast the announcement throughout the academy. Echos of the announcement could even be heard in Luojiang City.

The flashes of light died down, then a golden scroll appeared in the disciple's hand.

The scroll hovered in the air and unravelled.

Academy names shone on the scroll.

Luojiang Academy was at the top of the list.

Below Luojiang Academy was Beijiang Academy, then Changan Academy

An uproar of cheers erupted.

The commotion shook the sky.

Seeing their academy's name at the top of the golden scroll excited the students.

The result was a surprise even to Headmaster Cui.

First...place?

First place in team combat?

"The Jiang family's daughter won the team combat with two average sword disciples? The gold cores are not a joke!"

Headmaster Cui was all smiles.

On the ground, discussions and gossip broke out among the crowd.

"We placed first in the Sword Guild's Gathering of Swords?"

"The team consists of Liu Bubai from the first block and Fang Lang from the seventh block. There's another unknown individual. Man, Liu Bubai is amazing! He brought the team to victory with a fifth-grade sword disciple in tow!"

"Liu Bubai is truly Luojiang Academy's sword genius! Ranked seven in the academy! Powerful!"

There was a never-ending discourse among the students.

Ni Wen and Yang Zhengyi were surprised by Luojiang Academy's performance in the Gathering of Swords. Fang Lang would receive an extra ten points which was great news!

Liu Hao's lips were downturned. He believed the team would have achieved the same results if he took Fang Lang's place. What use was a fifth-grade sword disciple? Fang Lang probably just hung back and let the other two students handle the competition.

At the horizon, the setting sun rays lit the sky.

The second Sword Guild disciple took a step forward. Light shot out from his hand. His voice was loud and clear.

"Congratulations Fang Lang of Luojiang Academy! Among the sword geniuses of 200 academies, Fang Lang successfully ranked first in the individual event."

Then, a deadly silence filled the academy.

Liu Hao was stone-faced, unwilling to believe the news.

The other students were equally dumbfounded.

What the hell?

What about Luojiang's Young Blade God, Liu Bubai?

The Gathering of Swords ended.

The participants departed with their respective mentors.

Few lingeredthe Imperial Examination was upcoming and those who had not secure a spot in the Sword Guild were eager to resume their studies.

Mentor Wen started up his sophisticated flight sword. He kept his word.

Although Liu Bubai contributed little in the competition, Luojiang Academy still won. Mentor Wen did not go back on his word.

Liu Bubai happily took hold of Mentor Wen's Trident flight sword and flew into the sky. He flew laps around the area and once he was satisfied, he landed with ruddy cheeks.

Fang Land and Jiang Linglong said nothing. Jiang Linglong had not spoken to Fang Lang since he obtained the Blooming Lotus Sword.

The awkwardness made it difficult for Fang Lang to engage in any form of interactions with Jiang Linglong.

He knew the lady wanted the Blooming Lotus Sword.

There was a chance Fang Lang might not give it up even if she asked.

Therefore, a part of him was happy that she did not speak to him.

The three students sat atop the flight sword. A silver rune spun at the sword guard.

Liu Bubai was red-faced and filled with happiness. His legs still shook in excitement from his individual flight moments ago.

Fang Lang and Old Jiang were deep in thought.

'Ding! The effect of the Enlightenment Card has ended. The host embraced the Blooming Lotus Sword's intent and experienced a beneficial cultivation enlightenment. The enlightenment has granted you the Secret Technique: Lotus Blade (Sword Mastery Specialty).

'The Secret Technique: Lotus Blade will be incorporated through mental memory and muscle memory. The ins and outs of the technique will be revealed to the host. Happy cultivating!'

Fang Lang's eyes widened. A secret technique?

The reward was beyond his expectations. Secret techniques were rare and most academies did not even teach them.

Secret techniques were often tightly guarded.

Just as Fang Lang was about to investigate this newly-acquired skill, Jiang Linglong spoke up.

Jiang Linglong's eyes held galaxies. "Fang Lang, I know if I asked, you might relinquish the sword But, I won't do that. Instead, I have a request," she said in a sincere tone.

Fang Lang nodded attentively and said, "Go on."

"After the Imperial Examination, I hope you can pay a visit to Imperial City. There's someone I would like you to meet."

Fang Lang met the eyes of the earnest Old Jiang and nodded.

It was just a meeting, what was there to be afraid of?

"Will the person steal my sword?" he questioned.

Jiang Linglong stared at him for a moment before replying, "No. Don't worry. This is the Sect Leader Taihua's legendary sword. Few in the Tang Dynasty would dare to steal it."

Fang Lang chuckled. "That's good to hear. Old Jiang, your words reassure me."

"Old Old Jiang?" Jiang Linglong was surprised. Her long eyelashes fluttered and she blinked.

Fang Lang's lips twitched. He was too fond of the nickname.

"I'll have to travel to Imperial City for the final section of the Imperial Examination. We can meet up then. I'm not familiar with the area so Lady Jiang can take me around."

Fang Lang quickly switched the conversation topic.

Jiang Linglong fixed Fang Lang with a stare. Then, she gave him a faint smile.

"Sure. The Imperial Examination I'll wait for you then."

As Jiang Linglong finished her sentence, a notification chimed in Fang Lang's mind.

'Ding! Achievement mission unlocked!

'Achievement Mission: Cultivation goes beyond triple cultivation. A cultivator needs to strive for breakthroughs and accomplishments! Work hard for the upcoming Imperial Examination. Have your name listed in the honor roll for the Imperial Examination and you'll be rewarded with an Innate Sword Intent Seed (the sword intent quality is based on the host's ranking in the honor roll) and a Silver Reward Egg.'

Surprise registered on his face after he read the message.

Innate Sword Intent Seed?

The sword intent was a specialty of the fourth-class sword master.

His breathing picked up.

Regardless, he had to get into the honor rollthe reward would just be a bonus.