Surrounded by three thousand practice methods!
What kind of affinity was this?
Ten times of Wen Ting!
Outside the tower, Wen Ting continued to sip on his tasteless wolfberry tea.
The scar on Elder Ji's face moved as he bellowed in laughter. He was right—Fang Lang was indeed a top-tier monster as he managed to draw the Blooming Lotus Sword.
However, to be able to attract 3,000 practice methods was just mind-blowing.
Ten Wen Tings! Elder Ji calmed his excitement and let out a deep breath slowly.
"The other methods will retreat after he chooses one, but will he get an earth-level mid-grade practice method?" Elder Ji muttered.
…
In the Hidden Sword Tower, Fang Lang was surprised by the overly enthusiastic practice methods. His eyes were strained just by looking through 3,000 practice methods.
However, he already owned the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture, Part One, which was an earth-level high-grade sword mastery practice method.
Fang Lang was looking forward to having the second part of the scripture. With both parts in hand, the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture might be a heaven-level practice method!
His cultivation speed would definitely reach an insane level!
Therefore, Fang Lang would not give up easily on the scripture.
'Hmm? Wait a minute…'
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Fang Lang's eyes brightened as he stared at the scrolls of practice methods. He had an epiphany.
'The Ten Thousand Blade Scripture is a practice method specialized for sword mastery. It doesn't help with spell mastery and martial arts mastery. That means… I still have a chance to choose another two practice methods for two other cultivation disciplines! No… Three of them! Even though I've only dabbled a little in Ruism, it's an independent framework by itself!'
At that moment, Fang Lang was enlightened and he looked at the practice methods excitedly.
Fang Lang's cultivation in sword mastery had improved by leaps and bounds but his spell mastery and martial arts mastery stalled.
With the help of practice methods, his spell mastery and martial arts mastery would reach the maximum capacity of the second class very soon and he could attempt to advance into the third class!
Fang Lang kept scanning through the books in search of practice methods that focused on spells and martial arts.
Even though the majority of practice methods stored in the Hidden Sword Tower were about sword mastery, the Sword Guild's history dated back to the millennia. They also owned a collection of practice methods on spell mastery and martial arts mastery.
The collection might not be as extensive as those in renowned spell mastery sects such as the Karma Society and Main Path Guild or martial arts mastery sects like the Immortal Martial Association, but the practice methods that made it into the Hidden Sword Tower were not too shabby.
Fang Lang sent waves of spiritual sense and activated his Spirit Eyes ability. His spiritual sense rippled through the practice methods.
Shortly after, a practice method scroll glowed brightly and started charging toward Fang Lang like a meteor, dispersing the other scrolls with its residual force.
Fang Lang reached out and grabbed it.
"Earth-level mid-grade spell mastery practice method—Tears of God."
The practice method transformed into a beam of light and faded into Fang Lang's mind. The channeling methods and formulas instantly appeared in his mind.
Before Fang Lang could explore further, his entire body shuddered violently as his vital energy filled him!
"One more!"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})His martial arts cultivation erupted. Fang Lang felt his blood boiling and could not help but let out a martial arts master's roar.
He scanned through the other scrolls and saw a blazing practice method charging toward him.
Fang Lang raised his hand and punched the practice method, the light instantly dissipated.
"Earth-level mid-grade martial arts mastery practice method—Ferocious Dragon Scripture."
Another earth-level practice method!
Fang Lang was exhilarated. Was it because of his luck?
No, it was most likely because of the Sword Intent Seed in his body and the affinity from the Quadruple Binding Mode…
He accepted the two practice methods but the other short blades had yet to disperse. Fang Lang focused and released a burst of righteous energy…
The blades trembled for a while before leaving him like a falling tide.
Fang Lang was slightly disappointed when he noticed the Hidden Sword Tower did not have any practice methods regarding Ruism. He felt bad that Ximen Xianxian's Ruism was belittled.
3,000 practice methods slowly retreated and the long hallway appeared once more. With the two earth-level practice methods in hand, Fang Lang walked along the hallway to exit the tower contentedly.
…
Outside the Hidden Sword Tower, the newcomers emerged from the tower one after another. Some of them were ecstatic, some were disappointed as they moped.
Jiang Linglong walked out without selecting any practice methods. She did not need one as the Martial Arts King Manor had prepared an earth-level practice method for her.
She just joined this session as a formality and to test her affinity for the practice methods.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})One by one, the new disciples exited the tower.
Ni Wen received a dark-level high-grade practice method. Her excitement was evident on her face.
If she was not a spell master, she might have even obtained an earth-level practice method.
Liu Bubai also walked out with a dark-level practice method. He was content with what he got, grinning from ear to ear.
Finally, most of the newcomers had returned.
However, the Hidden Sword Tower had yet to seal its entrance. Elder Ji and Wen Ting stared into the tower with hopeful eyes.
About 15 minutes later, Fang Lang finally appeared.
The old man on the roof glanced at Fang Lang, his cloudy eyes filled with astonishment. However, he quickly shook his head in regret. "You chose two earth-level mid-grade practice methods but none of them are about sword mastery. What a waste."
The old man was saddened but Fang Lang was not bothered by it at all.
Elder Ji reverted to his cold demeanor. He glanced at the new disciples who were still immersed in the joy or dejection from their practice methods and said, "After receiving the practice methods, you guys should head back and focus on your cultivation. With the help of the practice method, you will find that it's much easier to convert the blade energy into blade waves. You will be categorized into teams upon completion of the basics of the practice methods."
After that, Elder Ji put his hands together and bowed at the old man above the tower.
Then, the blade energy started to rise from the ground and carried the disciples away. They flew away from the Hidden Sword Tower, marking the end of the practice method selection.
Other than the old man, Elder Ji and Wen Ting who witnessed the proceedings in the tower, no one else knew what happened.
Everyone returned to the practice grounds.
The sun started to set in the west—the sea of clouds was ablaze with its bright orange hue.
Elder Ji and Wen Ting understood the feeling of the new disciples. They could not wait to explore the newly acquired practice methods. Therefore, they quickly released the disciples without further ado.
The new disciples returned to their quarters and dived straight into cultivation with their burgeoning enthusiasm.
Fang Lang also went back to his own courtyard after bidding farewell to Old Jiang.
The sky had turned dark by the time he returned. He raised his head and saw the starry night sky through the window.
The peak of Mount Shu pierced through the sea of clouds and faced the night sky as if it was reaching for the stars.
Fang Lang kept his emotions and switched into the Quadruple Binding Mode. Then, he started cultivating with the method he researched previously.
Cultivation of all three disciplines at once.
His mind settled down after the calming rune was activated.
He placed spirit crystals around him. The crystals glimmered in the night sky.
Fang Lang started with the spell mastery practice method, Tears of God. This method required him to form a crystal with his spiritual sense in his consciousness and used the channeling method in the scripture to enhance the spiritual sense crystal through meditation.
The final crystal would take form in a teardrop shape, hence the name, Tears of God.
Spell mastery cultivation would greatly improve Fang Lang's minor forbidden spell.
Fang Lang was inspired to work harder!
"System! Activate the Meditation Card!" Fang Lang ordered.
After the Meditation Card was activated, Fang Lang started channeling the practice method with Ni Wen's binding mode for cultivation.
With the assistance of the Meditation Card, the operation of Tears of God increased significantly. His spiritual sense grew at an incredible speed!
The spiritual energy of spell mastery was transforming into mana!
The low-grade spirit crystals were used up one after another.
On the other side, Fang Lang was controlling his binding partner, Wei Sheng, to cultivate the martial arts mastery practice method, Ferocious Dragon Scripture. It was also an earth-level practice method. The practitioner could cultivate the strength of a dragon and gain a special effect, Dragon Fury.
This effect could stun the opponent's soul.
Fang Lang activated the 3X Physical Buff Card for cultivation, exhausting the spirit crystals at an extreme rate.
He finally managed to engage in a focused cultivation session after such a long time.
Under the luscious moonlight, Fang Lang's elongated shadow fell on the courtyard.
Even though he was the grand champion, he knew the cultivation journey ahead would not be a bed of roses.
The third prince and perhaps, the first prince would be haunting him every step of the way.
He had to work much harder!
"System, activate 5X Amplification Card!"
…
Time slipped past him and ten days went by in the blink of an eye.
The ruckus raised by the group of newcomers had died down over the days, restoring the peaceful atmosphere. They proceeded with their rightful tasks such as cultivation and carrying out missions.
Their arrival was not a big deal for the Sword Guild, just an addition of several new faces.
The infamous new disciple, Fang Lang, had gone under the radar. He was cultivating in the Light Pavilion without a break. As days and nights passed, other disciples who passed by his courtyard felt pity for Fang Lang.
For the calming rune to operate the entire night, it would consume three low-grade spirit crystals. Fang Lang had it on for three days nonstop, which meant he had spent at least a dozen of spirit crystals.
Only the champion could spend so extravagantly!
Fang Lang's name faded from the spotlight but Jiang Linglong's was starting to gain fame.
She began challenging other Light Pavilion disciples with higher rankings.
Jiang Linglong, a first-grade sword wave realm cultivator, was challenging other disciples. She managed to climb from the 800th spot to the 600th spot when she defeated a disciple in the third-grade sword wave realm.
She did not continue challenging others as she was at her limits.
Inside the pavilion, all the disciples below 600th place moved one spot lower.
Fang Lang was the 800th disciple. However, since all of them were already disciples of the Light Pavilion, they did not need to switch courtyards.
Jiang Linglong's brilliance spread throughout the entire Light Pavilion and even gained the attention of the top ten disciples.
Besides that, there was another worrisome news spreading in the inner and outer sects of the Sword Guild.
"The pureblood elite foreigners from the borders are joining the Sword Guild!"
"This is the first time the Tang Dynasty has allowed foreigners to join a sect for cultivation."
"These foreigners shouldn't be underestimated. The competition within the sect is getting more ruthless. I miss those carefree days in the academy!"
Without any restrictions from the higher-level authority in the sect, the rumors and news spread like wildfire in the Sword Guild.
All the disciples were feeling the growing tension.
…
On the eleventh day after the welcoming of the new disciples, it started snowing at the Sword Guild. The mountain roads were covered with a thick layer of snow.
The lush green grasslands were covered in white coats.
On the peak of Mount Shu, Chao Xiaojian stood silently. His white hair and beard fluttered in the air. The elders of the Sword Guild were also standing beside him in silence as they overlooked the mountains.
They were solemn.
The sea of clouds split open and the falling snow seemed to have frozen in mid-air. At the horizon, several carriages were approaching in an orderly formation. The flying horses were covered in armor with a residual scent of blood. A thick nauseating stench of blood filled the air, thickening the atmosphere around them.
"They're here," an elder beside Chao Xiaojian announced sternly.
Chao Xiaojian narrowed his eyes—his loose white locks continued to sway in the air.
What a fierce horse cavalry!
Soon, the carriages landed on the plain on Mount Shu. Some of the disciples who were spectating felt as if the entire Mount Shu shuddered upon their arrival.
There were three carriages in total. Three coachmen alighted, their bodies covered in bloodied armor.
"I am Commander Asi Yuan, serving under General Luoshan. Greetings, vice sect leader," the leader of the other three held his fist together and greeted. A sword hung at the waist of his bloody armor.
His overwhelming presence seemed to dye the mountaintops red—the lethal intent was directed to Chao Xiaojian.
Chao Xiaojian smiled calmly and changed his aura to suppress the strong presence.
"Enough, there's no need for gimmicks. Since the Emperor has ordered each foreign tribe to send their elites to join the sects, I won't make life difficult for these disciples even if I don't agree with the decision," Chao Xiaojian said with a huge grin.
Asi Yuan's eyes under his blood-red armor narrowed and his hands shifted to the handle of his sword.
"Forget about that. Unless Asi Luoshan came here personally, none of you are my equal." Chao Xiaojian scoffed after seeing Asi Yuan's actions.
Then, he reached out to pick a snowflake and glanced at the other foreign elites who came down from the carriage. "I, Chao Xiaojian, welcome you all to the Sword Guild. After all, you guys will make good practice for my disciples, pressure is a great source of motivation. However, do remember that you have to obey the rules of the Sword Guild. Otherwise… even Asi Luoshan can't help you. This is my territory!" Chao Xiaojian said.
The expressions of Asi Yuan and the other foreign elites changed slightly. After a long pause, they put their hands together and bowed. "Yes, Vice Leader Chao. We will respect the Sword Guild's rules."
…
In the Sword Guild, they had emptied out several courtyards to accommodate the foreign elites.
A few guards who were responsible for the elites' safety looked towards Asi Yuan.
"Commander, Chao Xiaojian… is savage!" A foreigner exclaimed.
Asi Yuan glanced at him, "Put those thoughts away. After Xuanyuan Taihua's disappearance, Chao Xiaojian carried the Sword Guild on his own and maintained it as one of the top ten great sects. He's definitely not weak. Chao Xiaojian is one of the top cultivators in the Tang Dynasty.
"We're here on a military order directly from General Luoshan to protect the elites. This is our mission, don't think of doing anything else! Not even a single thought!"
The foreign guards nodded seriously. "Understood."
"However, our elites have been to the frontlines. They have bathed in the fresh blood of their enemies and fought in demon portals. They have taken down the impure blood rebels. They are so much more than the Sword Guild disciples who spent their entire existence cultivating in a safe and tranquil environment.
"The current grand champion of the Imperial Examination of the Tang Dynasty is also in the Sword Guild. This is the guy who wrote the policy that planted the seed of suspicion in the Emperor."
"I heard that the champion entered the Light Pavilion in the Sword Guild?"
"Right, we'll send our elites to challenge the Tang Dynasty's grand champion tomorrow! We'll chase him out of the pavilion like a stray! What a despicable guy!"
…
The disciples in the inner and outer sects of the Sword Guild were shocked by the foreign elites' arrival.
The next day, on the Grooming Peak, the expressions on the inner sect disciples who were practicing sword fighting on the plaza darkened when they saw the group of foreign elites.
The tension in the air thickened.
One of the foreigners who wore a fur coat and a mink hat snickered as he yelled across the sea of clouds impatiently to challenge Fang Lang from the Light Pavilion. Fang Lang's name echoed through the sky.
"Grand champion, Fang Lang, have you warmed your seat in the pavilion? We're here now. It's time for a change. I challenge you!"
