Fang Lang had no idea about the foreign elites' challenge.
The calming rune in the courtyard blocked all the sounds from his surroundings. Unless Fang Lang disabled it, he would not know even if a war broke out.
The Sword Guild had a rule that no one could disrupt a pavilion disciple who has a calming rune activated for cultivation.
To the Light Pavilion disciples, the activation of the calming rune meant the disciple was deep in cultivation and not to be disturbed.
The rule was set because it would be damaging If they were disrupted at a crucial point during cultivation.
Therefore, Fang Lang who was in the 799th courtyard did not respond to the foreign elite's challenge from the Grooming Peak.
Fang Lang had been cultivating for 11 days without break.
With all three practice methods for spell mastery, martial arts mastery and sword mastery, Fang Lang was like a perpetual motion machine that did not know fatigue.
The sensation he felt was interesting.
When his spiritual sense was exhausted, he replenished it with meditation. When his physical body grew weak, he rejuvenated himself by channeling vital energy.
After 11 days, Fang Lang was surrounded by empty husks of spirit crystals he had absorbed.
Furthermore, the System also stated the spirit crystals consumed by the calming rune would be included in the System's experience points—another good news for Fang Lang.
Even though the consumption rate of the spirit crystals was rather low—only three crystals in a night—it was better than nothing.
The Quadruple Binding Mode Fang Lang activated put a large burden on his spiritual sense. However, with the newly acquired practice methods, Fang Lang's spiritual sense became much stronger. He continued to gather blade energy without any reservations.
Finally, at the crack of dawn on the eleventh day, it was snowing outside.
Fang Lang's energy center shuddered violently. Then, the blade energy in him started flowing through his veins and merged into one, finally transforming into a substantial ray of light.
Inside the courtyard, Fang Lang's energy center was shining brilliantly!
His blade energy had transformed into wave energy!
Fang Lang's tightly shut eyes shot wide open!
Like a meteor shooting through the night sky, he was enlightened. A stale breath was released into the air.
Third-class sword wave, achieved!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})The first-class sword disciple would cultivate spirit energy, second-class sword master required the blade energy, whereas the third-class sword wave would have hidden wave energy in their orifices.
This was the summary of the first three classes of sword mastery.
The third-grade sword wave was a crucial phase as the foundation in the sword wave realm was very distinct from the others. It mainly reflected on the practice methods.
The light-level practice method had a limit of seventy-two orifices for hidden wave energy, the dark-level practice method would allow up to a hundred and eight orifices, while the earth-level practice method allowed two hundred and seventy orifices.
For the highest and rarest heaven-level practice method, a cultivator in the sword wave realm could have hidden wave energy in three hundred and sixty orifices!
The more wave energy was stored, the longer a sword master's attack could be sustained.
When Fang Lang fought with Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu had hidden wave energy in thirty-six orifices. His blade wave energy was neverending. If Fang Lang continued with the fight, his blade energy would deplete first.
Therefore, Fang Lang used the minor forbidden spell and finished the battle quickly.
In a battle of endurance, Fang Lang could not beat Zhao Yu since he was just a sword master.
Boom!
Within Fang Lang's energy center, the blade wave completed its form.
The three swords started vibrating and darted out from the sword box.
They swirled around Fang Lang and absorbed the blade wave exuding from him.
Fang Lang started channeling the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture and activated all four binding partners for sword mastery cultivation.
Four phantoms sat around Fang Lang. There was an underlying energy current stimulating his senses.
With the practice method operating at the maximum rate, a spot on Fang Lang's body began shining.
Then, it slowly covered Fang Lang's entire body.
If counted carefully, there were three hundred and sixty of them!
The blade wave was opening three hundred and sixty orifices!
Soon, the light spots faded gradually. A wisp of blade wave energy left Fang Lang's energy center and buried itself into one of the orifices and filled it. Fang Lang's breath deepened as the blade wave stored itself in the orifice.
The Sword Intent Seed in his core shuddered as a weird feeling spread across his body.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})It was as if the Sword Intent Seed was about to bloom but something stopped.
Fang Lang felt his blade wave energy had an unclear intent.
As his enlightenment in sword mastery deepened, he felt as though every part of his body could transform into a sharp blade.
It was just a fleeting moment—it felt so near yet so far at the same time.
Fang Lang knew it would be beneficial to hold onto this feeling.
He had to try to grab it! He must!
"System, activate Enlightenment Card!" Fang Lang clenched his jaws.
'Ding! Enlightenment Card activated, effective for two hours. Happy cultivating!'
The System notified him.
Suddenly, Fang Lang felt as if he had fallen into a sea of stars. That blurry intent suddenly became crystal clear, as if the mysterious veil was ripped away.
Under the enhancement of the Enlightenment Card, Fang Lang realized this was the first phase of the ten thousand sword intent, the basics of the physical blade.
He had just reached the tip of the iceberg of the physical blade. He was still far from attaining the sword intent of the physical blade.
When Fang Lang opened his eyes slowly, the energy around him calmed down.
He finally achieved something after eleven days of cultivation.
…
Snowfall was dense on the Grooming Peak.
The entire plaza was covered in a thick layer of snow. After a roar, the echo shook off the snowflakes that rested on the trees.
The inner sect disciples in white robes stood on the Grooming Peak. They were staring at the snobbish, overbearing and viscous foreign elites with a deep frown.
"Hmm? Why isn't he responding? Is the grand champion afraid? Is he a coward?" The guy in a fur coat and a mink hat snickered.
The other foreign elites around him also started sniggering—their laughter was laced with scorn and sarcasm.
Every foreigner knew about Fang Lang.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})His policy shook the entire Tang Dynasty, both inside and outside of the imperial courts. The news even reached the borders and infuriated countless foreign generals.
The fathers of the foreign elites were furious about the issue. Many wanted to fly miles and miles over to end the life of this ridiculous new champion.
The relations between the purebloods and the Tang people had always been tense.
The purebloods only succumbed to the mighty Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
They would not bow down to the grand champion who only knew how to play with his words!
That was the sole reason why the foreign elites chose to join the Sword Guild. They wanted to teach the new champion a lesson!
They would at least make his cultivation journey in the Sword Guild a living hell!
Asi Zhui, Song Zhongcheng, Geshu Yuehua…
All the descendents of the infamous foreign generals in the Tang Dynasty chose the Sword Guild!
Of course, they did not fight Fang Lang immediately. They only sent one person to test the waters.
Scornful laughter filled the Grooming Peak.
Zhao Dagang, Xue Ying and Liu Longlong stepped forward.
"You want to challenge Brother Fang? He has activated the calming rune in the courtyard and can't hear your challenge. Do you think you're worthy enough to challenge him?" Zhao Dagang said coldly with his heavy sword in hand.
Zhao Dagang fully accepted he had lost to Fang Lang.
Xue Ying was holding her sheath while LIu Longlong watched from the side.
"You need to go through us. Otherwise, don't bother embarrassing yourself," Liu Longlong said.
They came forward even though they had lost to Fang Lang. As Sword Guild disciples, they could not stand the arrogance of the foreign elites.
Even though they had yet to gain a seat in the pavilion, they were not cowards!
…
Chao Xiaojian and many other elders were hovering above the Sword Guild. They were frowning as they watched the challenge that was about to happen on the Grooming Peak.
They had predicted there would be a conflict between the foreign elites and their disciples but they did not expect it to happen so soon.
"Son of Asi Luoshan, son of Song Xianzhi, daughter of Geshu Taixing…"
"All of them are well-trained killers at the borders. "
"When they were only in the second-class realm, they were thrown into the demon portal to fight for survival. They endured the immense pressure from the rift. They aren't a problem for dark-level disciples, but the Light Pavilion disciples haven't been to the demon portal. They might be at a disadvantage."
The elders looked very worried.
Chao Xiaojian crossed his arms and observed quietly.
These foreign elites were all after Fang Lang.
"Pressure sometimes can be turned into motivation…" Chao Xiaojian muttered. Fang Lang was definitely not an ordinary boy—he managed to wield the sect leader's sword. He might inherit her sword intent, then the future of the Sword Guild would be in his hands.
…
In the sky above the foreign elites' quarters hovered Asi Yuan and the foreign guards. They were waiting for the battle on the Grooming Peak.
Their strong breath shattered the snow around them.
"Hit it! With all your strength! Show them our true power!"
"Even after joining the sect, we will still be the superior race!"
"Our children learn horseback archery when they're five, fight against beasts at the age of seven and join the army at ten… They're much stronger than the Sword Guild disciples who were raised under sheltered roofs!"
"Let those weaklings face their worst nightmares!"
The foreign guards were cheering excitedly.
They were proud to see their own kind fight those Tang Dynasty cultivators. They were natural warriors who lived to fight.
Even the commander, Asi Yuan, who had always been level-headed, was slightly thrilled.
Fight, our little beasts!
…
The calming rune in the courtyard was finally deactivated.
Fang Lang walked out of the courtyard and stretched his back.
There was a gentle knock on the door.
Fang Lang opened the door and saw Old Jiang standing outside, her face remained veiled.
"You're finally done cultivating," Jiang Linglong said.
She pointed outside and said, "The foreign elites joined the sect and specifically requested a duel with you. Are you confident?"
In response, Fang Lang frowned and looked toward the Grooming Peak across the sea of clouds.
He did not mention anything further and closed the doors. He glanced at Old Jiang briefly.
"Confidence?"
The Obsidian Sword charged out from the sword box as Fang Lang held a blade wave energy in his chest. Then, he rode on the Obsidian Sword and flew off into the snowing sky.
This was his confidence.
Jiang Linglong's veil fluttered in the resulting wind. Her eyes lit up brightly.
Her eyes turned into crescents as she watched Fang Lang fly with the blade wave energy.
That was… Third-class sword mastery.
…
The snow fell heavily on the Grooming Peak.
The fallen snow on the ground was dyed red from the freshly spilled blood, melting the snow.
Zhao Dagang laid in a pool of blood—a spear pierced through his shoulder and impaled him to the snowy ground.
Liu Longlong was thrown to the ground. She stabbed her sword into the ground and tried very hard to get back up.
Xue Ying's face was very pale—blood flowed from her nose and mouth.
The foreign guy in a fur coat was strangling her. Her box of small blades scattered all over the ground.
"You guys are too weak. You would've already died seven to eight times if you were in the military. Losers."
The guy shrugged his shoulders and sent Xue Ying flying across the ground, dragging a long trail through the snow-covered land. His snicker echoed through the mountain peaks.
The other disciples were looking at them with their jaws clenched, suppressing the urge to draw their swords even though they knew they were no match for them.
The foreign elites fought seamlessly together.
Their military discipline and fighting prowess were too much for Zhao Dagang, Xue Ying and Liu Longlong. The trio was completely obliterated!
Zhao Yu flew over with his sword in hand. He had an icy look on his charming face.
Even though he was defeated by Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong, he was rather blasé about it. He was even feeling a little fortunate.
He was glad he was once a Light Pavilion disciple.
Zhao Yu knew he might be receiving another round of beating.
However, he was not afraid!
He was the only one who could stand up to them!
Even Zhao Dagang and his team dared to fight the vicious foreign elites!
"Guys, you've gone overboard," Zhao Yu raised his chin and said calmly against the white backdrop. As he pointed his sword to the snowy ground, wave energy exuded from the tip of the blade.
The guy in the fur coat and mink hat curved his lips. "Finally, someone decent."
The battle was on the verge of starting.
The blizzard suddenly froze.
A loud voice traveled from the Light Pavilion.
"Brother Zhao, this is my fight."
Fang Lang flew over the sea of clouds with the Obsidian Sword circling him. His green robe fluttered in the wind like a deity descending from heaven.
"They're looking for me.
"I'm Fang Lang, 800th disciple of the Light Pavilion. Let's begin."
Fang Lang's thunderous voice shattered countless snowflakes.
His expression darkened when he saw Zhao Dagang impaled on the snowy ground in his peripheral vision. Liu Longlong and Xue Ying were severely injured.
On the Grooming Peak, Zhao Yu and the other disciples turned around to look at Fang Lang with joy and worry.
A gorgeous-looking man from the group of foreign elites raised his eyebrow. He was the son of Song Xianzhi, Song Zhongcheng.
"You've just reached the third-class sword wave. Your wave energy is still unstable. This is the new grand champion? Qu He, go."
The young man in a fur coat and mink hat grinned from ear to ear as he abandoned Zhao Yu. He ran across the Grooming Peak, stirring up the snow from the ground.
Boom!
A ferocious surge of vital energy exploded and melted the falling snow. The young man whipped out a saber from his leather sheath and formed a bloor-red dragon in the white snow.
He leaped up and exuded sword wave energy with a lethal presence!
"The new champion? I get to fight the new champion!"
His energy and murderous intent were rampant.
The faces of the inner sect disciples on the Grooming Peak fell.
In the Light Pavilion, the other disciples who were observing the battle on their swords had worrisome looks.
This guy was fierce!
Jiang Linglong had the White Frost Blade in hand as she watched calmly, her veil fluttering in the breeze.
The sea of clouds was torn apart as Qu He landed on the floating island, stepping on countless snowflakes along the way.
He raised the saber in his hand as he walked on the snow, mixing the mud and snow beneath his feet.
He charged forward and the blade wave energy rushed out of his saber. The blade was blood-red!
Fang Lang flew over the clouds and landed on the floating island.
He raised his hand against Qu He who seemed ready to die in this fight.
Fang Lang's green robe and hair billowed in the breeze.
The next moment, blade wave energy was coursing through Fang Lang's body fiercely.
Then, he pushed his palm forward suddenly.
He attacked without holding back. There was an intent to kill!
He switched to Quadruple Binding Mode!
Spiritual sense rippled!
Snowflakes shattered from the impact of the force. The Champion's Blade in Fang Lang's sword box shuddered violently before it darted out with a crisp, ringing sound.
The blade shot up into the clouds.
Qu He kept charging toward him with a wide grin on his face. He would be the first one to rip the new grand champion's lips apart!
Swoosh!
Slush, blood, killer's intent!
All merged into one.
Qu He was approaching Fang Lang, 20 meters, 15 meters, and finally, 10 meters!
He lunged forward, kicking up snow as he propelled his body forward.
He transformed into a blood-red dragon with a saber and charged at Fang Lang.
Fang Lang kept a calm eye on Qu He.
He pressed two fingers together, forming a finger blade and gently drew a line.
The gesture was effortless as if he was painting.
In the next second, the expressions of the foreign elites on the Grooming Peak changed!
They saw a thunderbolt strike from the snow-covered sky.
It was coming down at lightning speed.
Quadruple Binding Mode!
Minor Forbidden Spell!
Everything was happening too fast!
Qu He did not have the time to react to the speed of the attack!
Boom!
When the foreign teen was just two inches from Fang Lang, he was suddenly impaled by the Sword Thunder. Qu He was nailed to the snowy ground by the Champion's Blade which was sparking with jolts of electricity.
Bolts of thunder obliterated specks of snow in the air.
At that moment, the Light Pavilion and the Grooming Peak were filled with deafening silence, leaving only the sounds of snowfall and the roaring sea clouds.
