Wen Ting looked forward to Fang Lang's performance.

The man placed his once-shattered dreams onto Fang Lang.

In the year of Wen Ting's Imperial Examination, he encountered an exceptionally strong opponent in the final section and was defeated, losing his right to become the grand champion.

Every cultivator only had one shot at the Imperial Examination. There were no repeats for those who missed their shot.

Thus, Wen Ting carried the regret with him.

Although Wen Ting was part of The Great Four and was known to all as the Scholarly Sword Master with prodigious talent, it still could not quell his anger and discontent at losing the grand champion title.

Holding his cup of wolfberry tea, Wen Ting gazed sternly at the three students.

"Getting on the honor roll is truly an achievement worth celebrating. However, if you think that's a high enough honor for you, I suggest you leave immediately. Go relax and enjoy yourself. Maybe go to the entertainment house

"Because from tomorrow onward, I will personally train you.

"The final section is not as simple as you think. You will be competing beneath the feet of the Emperor himself. Be it the theory champion or the combat champion, no achievement can trump the honor of having the Emperor grant you the title of grand champion!"

Wen Ting said in a serious tone as the autumn sun fell below the horizon.

Fang Lang, Ni Wen and Liu Bubai stared silently at Wen Ting.

Chao Xiaojiang stood lazily at a spot far away from them. He did not interrupt Wen Ting's little speech. After all, the things he said made sense.

Wen Ting took a sip of his wolfberry tea. "I must remind you all

"The test begins the moment you set foot in Changan.

"As long as you're in Changan City, any person whose name is on the honor roll can challenge you. They'll probe you to reveal your abilities and trump card! Remember, these actions are all allowed under the Tang Code!

"The day you enter Changan City will be the start of an endless."

Wen Ting's gaze fell on Fang Lang. "Especially for some of you who had made a name for himself. You'll have to suffer the consequences.

"Those who aren't strong enough will be chewed up and spat out. You'll be left on the floor like nothing but a rotting flower."

When Fang Lang, Ni Wen and Liu Bubai heard those words, they were instantly staggered.

They just had the chance to breathe a sigh of relief as the assessments concluded. However, Wen Ting's words redoubled pressure on them.

Chao Xiaojian smiled from afar. "He may have exaggerated it a little, but otherwise, everything is on point. During the final section, all sect leaders of the top ten sects in Tang Dynasty will gather in Changan to witness the exam alongside the Emperor.

"That is also when the sect leaders can take their pick at the names that appear on the honor roll.

"Although students on the honor roll are allowed to pick their sects, if their performance falls short during the final section, the sects will have reason to deny their entrance."

The setting sun was crimson red, filling the sky with a beautiful twilight.

The atmosphere was extremely solemn.

On the practice grounds, the setting sun stretched out the shadows of the three students into impressive lengths.

'Ding!

'Challenge mission unlocked.

'Challenge mission: Cultivating is like climbing mountains. Only by ascending higher and higher peaks will one witness the breathtaking views from above. The host aspires to become the grand champion of the Imperial Examination. You will be rewarded with Supreme Cultivation Method, Volume One."

The sun had vanished from the sky. Fang Lang returned to Fang Manor and heard the System's notification ringing in his head.

He had a new missionto become the grand champion.

Fang Lang remained unperturbed. He was not surprised by the appearance of the mission at all.

Cultivating was like trying to conquer the highest peak and there were innumerable mountains in the world. Every time one ascended a peak, they would realize a distance away, there laid another peak higher than the one they stood on.

Even so, Fang Lang did not fear this journey. In fact, he was exhilarated.

Fang Manor was overflowing with the elements of a celebration. Red ribbons and lanterns hung all over the manor.

Countless businessmen of Luojiang City had come to congratulate the family with gifts and smiles.

Old Fang's face was glowing red. He did not turn away a single guest. Instead, he invited all into the main hall to join the celebration banquet.

When Fang Lang arrived home to the celebration party, he did not ignore the guests and selfishly return to his room like he did last time when he was the top scorer in the final internal examination. He knew doing so would put Old Fang in an awkward position.

He should not act so arrogant.

Thus, Fang Lang stayed at the party, greeted all the guests and drank a cup of wine. Once everyone's faces were flushed red, Fang Lang used the final section of the Imperial Examination as a reason to politely excuse himself from the party of indulgent people. He retreated to his own little courtyard.

Fang Lang was going to deal with the rewards he just earned.

'Ding! Innate Sword Intent Seed is ready to be used. Would you like to plant it?'

"Yes."

Fang Lang did not hesitate for a second.

The moment he agreed, Fang Lang could feel a tiny golden blade forming in the whirlpool of energy in his energy center.

Fang Lang was already a third-grade sword master. The blade energy in his energy center began to collect at the tip of the tiny blade. The blade energy that was previously scattered all over had converged in one concentrated center!

The golden blade emitted a peculiar intimation.

Fang Lang lifted his head up abruptly. His hair stood up and his robe fluttered.

He felt a unique energy surging through every inch of his body. Deep within his eyes, the tiny blade was trembling.

The sound of a blade's ring shattered the silence in the room.

The Blooming Lotus Sword unsheathed itself and floated beside Fang Lang.

A peculiar intimation oozed out the Sword Intent Seed in Fang Lang's energy center and merged with the Blooming Lotus Sword.

At that moment, Fang Lang felt as if the Blooming Lotus Sword was alive! It was no longer a sword, but a human!

A short while later, the Sword Intent Seed went quiet.

The strange energy vanished.

Fang Lang spat out a mouthful of stale air.

According to the System's notification, Fang Lang only needed to continue condensing his blade energy and showering the seed with it. Then, one day, the Sword Intent Seed would blossom.

On that day, a supreme sword intent would awake.

Even before the sword intent was awakened, the seed had already brought many benefits for Fang Lang. He could feel the massive improvement in the dense collection of blade energy that resided within his energy center.

Moreover, there was a tremendous increase in the conversion rate of spiritual energy to blade energy. That, alone, was enough of an advantage to satisfy Fang Lang.

"System, smash reward egg!"

Fang Lang commanded.

A glimmering silver egg instantly appeared in front of his eyes!

Fang Lang swung the hammer at the egg.

Crack!

Beams of colorful light shot out!

'Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained two 5X Amplification Card, one Enlightenment Card, one Double Cultivation Card and one Experience Card (will be automatically activated).'

The light faded away and so did the shell fragments of the silver reward egg.

Fang Lang was completely dazzled by the five action cards that burst out of the reward egg. Finally, a reward egg that was thrilling!

'Ding! Automatically activating Experience Card. System experience bar will be filled until the next level is reached.

'Ding! System experience bar is full. System upgraded!'

Host: Fang Lang

Cultivation Discipline: Third-Grade Sword Master (Second Class)

Level: LV6

Experience: 0/200000

Core: 36 (White)

Altered Core: 66 (Purple)

Cultivation Resource: 50,000 gold coins, 500 low-grade spirit crystals, 10 mid-grade spirit crystals (usage limited to cultivation)

Items: Grade-Rush Card (1), Grade-Rush Card Fragment (4), 5X Physical Buff Card (1), Physical Buff Card (3), 5X Amplification Card (1), Enlightenment Card (1), Double Cultivation Card (1)

Equipment: Instant Casting Staff

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

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

Fang Lang grinned from ear to ear when he saw his overflowing inventory.

Another empty slot appeared under the binding partner section.

Coincidentally, Fang Lang had just found out who Wei Sheng was. He was not hesitant about binding to him.

The final section of the Imperial Examination was drawing near. Fang Lang was aiming to become the grand champion so naturally, he had to utilize all the resources at hand. At that moment, Wei Sheng was the best choice for Fang Lang's next binding partner.

He had met him, fought him and knew his name. Moreover, Wei Sheng was a genius in martial arts mastery!

'What am I waiting for?

'I'll bind to him now!'

"System, lock in binding partner, Wei Sheng!"

'Ding! Locking in target

'Targeted binding partner is a second-class, ninth-grade martial arts master. Estimated binding time is three days.'

The System's notification appeared.

Fang Lang had long prepared for this.

"Exchange three Grade-Rush Card Fragments to reduce binding time."

'Ding! Exchange complete. Binding complete. Binding partner: Wei Sheng.'

Binding Partner: Wei Sheng

Age: 15

Cultivation Discipline: Ninth-Grade Martial Arts Master (Second Class)

Core: 45 (Gold)

Cultivation Speed: 14 low-grade spirit crystals / two hours

Bloodline Ability: Rampage

'Oh?'

Fang Lang took a glance at Wei Sheng's introduction. His core was slightly weaker than Jiang Linglong's, but one particular section of his stats stood outthe bloodline ability.

Even Old Jiang did not possess anything like that!

'Ding! When binding mode is activated, you will obtain 60 percent of your binding partner's bloodline ability.'

Fang Lang's eyes twinkled with excitement.

'I can steal this ability too?

'Awesome!'

Fang Lang had uncovered another benefit of partner binding!

It was a hazy autumn night.

Dim rays of moonlight shone from above.

Fang Lang stacked three Physical Buff Cards together and used them all at one go. Every inch of his skin turned crimson red as the blood boiled within his body. An agonizing pain overwhelmed his spiritual sense.

He took a long hour to complete thirty breaths worth of training.

Even so, its effect was amazing. Fang Lang felt his body tremble as the energy surged through his meridians. He had finally become a second-grade martial arts master!

After resting for a short moment, Fang Lang sat cross-legged and began to absorb spirit crystals.

Suddenly, he was reminded of an unusual card he obtained from the Silver Reward Egg.

Fang Lang rubbed his hands together excitedly.

'Double Cultivation Card: One-time use. After activation, a clone of one selected binding partner will form. The clone has identical cultivation inspiration and cultivation speed to the selected binding partner. All products of the clone's cultivation will all be transferred to the host when the clone dissolves. Effect of the card lasts for six hours.'

Fang Lang's hands froze.

He found the card's effect to be dull and unimpressive.

"Switch to Quadruple Binding Mode!

"Activate Double Cultivation Card with the binding partner, Jiang Linglong."

Fang Lang commanded in a composed tone.

The System's notification sounded.

Following that, a clone of Old Jiang gradually took shape beside Fang Lang. The clone had a veil over her face. Like a holographic image, the clone was blurry and can only be seen but not touched.

Fang Lang prepared a pile of spirit crystals for her. Then, he activated the 5X Amplification Card and started cultivating at five times the speed!

Boom!

The lightning-fast cultivation speed bombarded him with spiritual energy.

A night of double cultivation brought clarity to his mind.

Whoosh!

After days of stagnant progress, Fang Lang finally rose to become a fourth-grade sword master.

The next day.

Autumn rain continued to pour. The air grew more frigid by the day.

After a whole night of double cultivation, Fang Lang packed up his clothes and valuables.

He would soon head to the Imperial City of Changan along with Wen Ting to undergo special training. Thus, Old Fang wanted to see him off personally.

Old Fang held an oil-paper umbrella in his hand as the father and son headed to Luojiang Academy together.

Old Fang nagged Fang Lang all the way there. He even prepared tens of thousands worth of cash and stuffed it into Fang Lang's arms.

The journey to Changan was a long one. Any father would surely be worried about his child who would be a thousand miles away.

Thus, it was only natural for him to nag Fang Lang.

Even so, he knew his son was not a child anymore and would eventually soar into the boundless skies.

Old Fang would not stand in his way. He would merely stand at the foot of the mountain and watch as his child reached higher and higher peaks, silently applauding his achievements. If there came a day when his child was too tired to continue, he would be there to provide a cozy place for him to rest.

Fang Lang held his umbrella and slowly stepped into the academy. He looked back.

The autumn rain was like a veil that obscured Chang Street.

It cast a blur over the scene of Old Fang waving in the rain.