Chapter 16: My Hardworking Son

All eyes save for Liu Bubai were on Fang Lang.

Mentor Wen rubbed his nose awkwardly.

It was just one step but for a man of his status and ranking, the retreat was embarrassing.

Jiang Linglong's eyes were fixated on Fang Lang. She had thought the Sword Draw Technique was the ace up his sleeves but she was wrong. That last strike he delivered was the difficult-to-master Spirit Step.

Fang Lang had used the Spirit Step to get close and opened up an avenue of attack.

Training for the Spirit Step was rigorous and dangerous if one was not careful.

Yet, the boy had mastered the skill.

How much had he suffered to learn the ways of the sword?

The gentle breeze moved the veil on Jiang Linglong's face. She watched Fang Lang, her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration. Some people were not born gifted but through unnatural determination and dedication, they achieved greatness—that, itself, was a talent.

Liu Bubai was still chuckling to himself. He was victorious! He was the genius sword disciple!

He was Luojiang Academy's first sword!

Notwithstanding the course of events, if he had not delivered that final blow, they would have lost the match.

Liu Bubai was surprised by Jiang Linglong's swordsmanship. As for Fang Lang, the boy showed some promise. Regardless, Liu Bubai was the one who seized the opportunity and made the decisive strike.

Ultimately, Liu Bubai was the main driving force!

Fang Lang's performance was impressive nonetheless.

Liu Bubai walked up to Fang Lang and leaned on his wooden sword. Liu Bubai extended one hand to help Fang Lang up.

"You did well. Keep it up for the Gathering of Swords. Lady Jiang Pei and I will carry the team to victory," Liu Bubai reiterated his earlier words. His chin was lifted in an arrogant tilt.

He was satisfied with Fang Lang's abilities.

The veiled Jiang Linglong raised an eyebrow in response.

Unwilling to suffer through the awkwardness, she collected her wooden sword and walked away.

Zhao Wuji took a final drag of his tobacco pipe before catching up with his charge. They left the practice grounds.

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Mentor Wen gave the haughty Liu Bubai an odd look.

"In the next three days, you're to come to the practice grounds before and after class. I'll be personally teaching you the skills and techniques. On the third day, I'll bring you to the Gathering of Swords after classes end."

Mentor Wen dismissed them with a wave.

The Scholarly Sword Master—whose sword techniques were the epitome of the discipline—was forced back by a group of 15-year-olds.

Every breath he took was filled with embarrassment.

Fang Lang stood with a broad smile on his face as he switched back to his own cultivation state. This practice fight had been incredibly beneficial.

With his nose to the air, Liu Bubai turned and left handsomely in his training attire.

Fang Lang could not help but admire the boy.

Liu Bubai had an unwavering confidence.

However, his talent and core was nowhere near that of the mysterious lady. Even Ni Wen had a better core than him.

Otherwise, Fang Lang would have bound Liu Bubai.

Fang Lang stretched his muscles and left the practice grounds. He headed straight for the Fang Manor.

The 3X Amplification Card was in effect for six hours and the match had taken half an hour at most.

Fang Lang could not afford to waste the remaining hours.

Fang Lang made a beeline for his room and began cultivating. Dinner was less important at this point.

The absence of Fang Lang surprised his father and the old man went to check on him. He cracked open a slit in the door and saw Fang Lang clutching a spirit crystal. Tears welled in Old Fang's eyes when he witnessed his son skip meals for his cultivation.

Old Fang had learnt of his son's participation in the Gathering of Swords—it was a sign that his son's hard work paid off.

"My son's efforts have brought him today's success…"

The moon crept slowly while the stars illuminated the sky.

Old Fang rubbed away the tears of joy and left the Fang Manor. He had clients to meet at the entertainment house.

…

With the help of the 3X Amplification Card, Fang Lang absorbed the spirit crystals at a rate 1.5 times faster than Ni Wen. He did not use the ten spirit crystals provided by Old Fang.

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After all, using the System's resources to improve his cultivation would lead to the System leveling up. There was no need to use the family's spirit crystals.

When the fourth spirit crystal was drained, Fang Lang felt a wisp of smoke at the top of his head. He followed Ni Wen's instructions and controlled the flow of spiritual energy. There was less green smoke indicating lower resistance in the meridians as the spiritual energy traveled through his body.

Whoosh!

Fang Lang opened his eyes—there was a flash of light.

The spiritual energy coursed through him like a wave, threatening to break through his skin.

Sixth grade!

He exhaled the stale air.

Within three days, he had elevated himself from the third grade to the sixth grade. It was something unimaginable prior to the System's interference.

Feeling the power of the spiritual energy in his body, Fang Lang got up and assumed a sword-drawing position. He held no sword but he went through the motions of drawing one.

An invisible force sliced through the air. His blade energy extended three feet.

Tiny explosions sounded in the air.

Fang Lang was ecstatic. He felt more confident joining the Gathering of Swords.

With the sixth grade unlocked, his physical abilities were also enhanced, allowing a better execution of sword techniques and skills.

"As a sixth-grade sword disciple, I should be able to rank among Luojiang Academy's geniuses… I wouldn't mind being last among the talented."

Fang Lang took a deep breath.

The average grade of the top 200 students in Luojiang Academy was the sixth grade—Fang Lang had achieved the minimum requirement. Combined with his stellar theory scores, he should be able to rank well in the upcoming Imperial Examination.

The components like poetry were nothing to Fang Lang. He had knowledge from his past life aiding him.

"A sixth grader is not enough. To stand out in the Imperial Examination, I must ascend to the ninth grade!"

Fang Lang curbed his excitement and resumed his cross-legged position on the bed. He held the spirit crystal and resumed the absorption process.

…

The next day, Fang Lang arrived at the academy earlier than usual.

The veiled Jiang Linglong was already there.

"Morning!" Fang Lang greeted with a smile after devouring the meat bun he brought along.

Jiang Linglong recalled the Spirit Step performed by Fang Lang and hesitantly gave the boy a nod. It was a sign of acknowledgment.

Fang Lang was happy with the slight change in treatment.

He was not in a rush—there would be time to get to know each other.

The atmosphere turned slightly awkward as they stood on the practice grounds in silence.

Minutes passed before Liu Bubai showed up. He was dressed in training clothes again, carrying the fancy sword on his back. The tassel swished in the wind as he walked toward them like a merry knight.

Liu Bubai had no common topic with Jiang Linglong so he struck up a conversation with Fang Lang.

The majority of the conversation was Liu Bubai telling Fang Lang to stay calm and not panic when he carried the team to victory.

Liu Bubai was remarkably confident in his abilities.

Mentor Wen showed up soon enough.

He started their training with the same exercise they did the day before. This time, Mentor Wen did not fool around. The same trick by Fang Lang did not work as the mentor easily countered his Spirit Step.

"Your Spirit Step is a rare technique. Very few in the sword discipline have mastered the Spirit Step. However, once you reveal it, your opponent will be anticipating it. You'll have to find the opportunity or make an opening!" Mentor Wen said to Fang Lang as he showed them the various sword techniques.

Fang Lang had switched to Ni Wen's cultivation mode but forgone the 3X Amplification Card. There was only one card left and he was reluctant to use it. Even without the 3X Amplification Card, Fang Lang gained a lot through the morning training.

More students were arriving at the academy so Mentor Wen ended the training session. Jiang Linglong disappeared without a trace, leaving the sweat-drenched Fang Lang and Liu Bubai. They walked back to their respective study blocks and waited for class to start.

The three days were spent on one intensive training after another. The group met up with Mentor Wen before and after class.

The busy schedule meant Fang Lang only had break time to approach Ni Wen for modest cultivation-related interactions. He was rewarded with two Grade-Rush Card Fragments for his effort. He needed two more to complete the card.

At night, Fang Lang dragged his tired body back to the Fang Manor. After a hasty dinner, he went into his room and began the absorption process with the spirit crystals.

Although he had to prepare for the Gathering of Swords, he could not neglect his cultivation. The Imperial Examination was more important than the competition.

In the three days, Fang Lang was stretched taut like a rubber band as he pushed himself to his limits.

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