The snow fell continuously for three days.
Changan City was completely covered with snow. However, the chilly winter still could not dampen the joy of the Emperor's birthday celebration. The jubilation of the folks for this annual event.
Fang Lang waited for the remaining team from the Sword Guild that participated in the Qianlong Resource Battle. Chao Xiaojian had escorted them out of the Youzhou Demon Portal. All of them qualified for the final battle after the interference from the first prince.
As expected, the last battle would be worth the most resources. Therefore, even Fang Lang and the others who had returned to Changan to wait for the final battle continued to train and prepare for the battle without letting their guard down.
The rain was still pouring in the Youzhou Demon Portal. The disciples from the other sects were still battling for resources.
At the Resource Station six thousand miles away, the disciples fought bravely through the first round. In the second round, the disciples needed to hunt and fight for resource tokens.
This year's resource battle was as competitive as the former years.
Especially the disciples from the ten great sects that had demonstrated outstanding strength and performance. The other disciples from the first-class and second-class sects were no match for them. They threw out their resource tokens and gave up.
The Main Path Guild's disciples were unbeatable under the leadership of An Fan, most likely motivated by the fact that they were unjustly punished.
They attacked ruthlessly without reservations.
Everyone knew that the Main Path Guild's disciples were furious.
The disciples from the other sects knew that if the Main Path Guild advanced into the final resource battle, there would be a tremendous fight with the Sword Guild disciples.
The other disciples were fine with the Sword Guild getting into the finals as they witnessed how Fang Lang caused a rain of the dragon beasts' hearts in the sky at the first resource battle.The scene had a great impact in their minds.
They knew that the Sword Guild earned the resources from taking on the demon swarm.
They killed countless demon beasts!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})All of them were still alive because they gripped onto the only slim chance of survival.
At the very least, if the disciples from the first-class and second-class sects were met with the beast swarm, they would be dead or severely injured.
Therefore, no one objected to the judgment, even though most of them knew that Fang Lang was able to do that because of the Blooming Lotus Sword and Xuanyuan Taihua's consciousness.
After three days of vigorous battle in the Youzhou Demon Portal, the first two rounds of the resource battle came to an end.
There were ten teams that advanced to the third round. Other than the Sword Guild, the other ten great sects were included, as well as Nanhai Sword Association which totaled up to ten teams.
Initially, the Donglu's Sword League would certainly have a spot but after Lin Muzhe's death and Nan Yehuo's rebellion, their disciples were disqualified from the battle.
On the fourth day, an enormous ring was set up in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate in Changan City.
The ring was square-shaped, measuring a thousand meters in length and width.
This was the battleground for the third round of the resource battle.
The ten teams would be having a group battle in the ring. By defeating a group, the team would receive one portion of resources that included several high-grade spirit crystals, a few dozen mid-grade spirit crystals and thousands of low-grade spirit crystals, not to mention that there would be pills, spells and talismans.
Every portion of resources was priceless.
Of course, the most anticipated event would be the group battle among the disciples.
Before the Vermilion Bird Gate, the folks on the Vermilion Street were in a frenzy. They cramped around the ring and stared at the battle excitedly.
In the eyes of the ordinary folks who could not cultivate yet yearned to be a cultivator, this was a fiesta!
With the Emperor's birthday around the corner, Changan was filled with a celebratory atmosphere.
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In the far corner of the Martial Arts King Manor's guest courtyard, Fang Lang slowly opened his eyes after a day of cultivation. His eyes were deep. Something was sparkling inside.
Since the day he withstood the stronger Tang Code's red arrow, Fang Lang's consciousness had accumulated an extensive amount of spiritual sense. He was able to reach fifth-grade spell advisor, surpassing his cultivation in sword mastery.
The Tears of God crystal in his mind grew into the size of a human fist.
Fang Lang was speechless. Suddenly, he lost the motivation to train, he just wanted to open his arms and let the Code shoot him every three days.
His master told Fang Lang to experience the difference between shooting others and being shot at. He thought that it was definitely more enjoyable to be shot at.
After all, his strength would improve immensely after being shot!
Nonetheless, Fang Lang did not stop cultivating throughout these four days. While he was stabilizing his spell mastery cultivation, he did not neglect his sword mastery and martial arts mastery. He also consumed a lot of cultivation resources from the System to stabilize his cultivation and replenished the depleted spiritual energy that was spent on his advancements.
Inside the courtyard of the Martial Arts King Manor, Fang Lang walked out and stood in the middle of the courtyard. Standing opposite of him was Jiang Linglong with the White Frost Blade in her hand.
Jiang Linglong's face was hidden under the veil, her eyes focused as if she was facing her rival.
Fang Lang tossed the Obsidian Sword gently and tapped his fingers in the air. Suddenly, a ferocious blade energy rose, surrounding them with hundreds of eternal cycles!
The Obsidian Sword shot out and a brilliant lotus flower blade energy that exploded around Jiang Linglong!
Jiang Linglong released her sword wave unreservedly, accompanied with the Four Seasons, and formed a massive net over Fang Lang's lotus flower blade energy!
A strong wind of wave energy erupted in the courtyard.
The impact was so strong that cracks were formed intertwined with each other on the ground.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})After the dust settled, Jiang Linglong took several steps back as she watched in disbelief, slightly disgruntled.
She was defeated.
Somehow, Fang Lang had caught up with her footsteps and even surpassed her in terms of cultivation.
Her pride suffered a slight blow.
'Ding! Deep cultivation exchange accomplished with binding partner, Jiang Linglong. Meditation Card awarded.'
The System notified him.
He got a Meditation Card just by practicing with Old Jiang.
This was something.
Fang Lang was thrilled because the Instant Lotus Blade was the sword spell that he siphoned from his master.
It was not a special technique, but a powerful sword spell.
Fang Lang discussed the principle of this craft with Ni Wen for a whole day and they finally found that this skill utilizes the eternal cycle to compress the energy. The higher the number of cycles, the greater the energy that would be compressed, giving rise to a more powerful attack!
According to Fang Lang, if the person's cultivation was strong enough, this skill would have the power equivalent to a small missile. It's power would be nothing less than a forbidden spell casted at maximum capacity by a high-grade spell master.
Fang Lang could only manage to muster the power of a small grenade.
Fang Lang was marveled by the divinity of this skill. No wonder Xuanyuan Taihua was named as the Tang Dynasty's First Sword!
After they finished practicing, something came to Jiang Linglong's mind and she said, "Oh right, my father asked you to pay a visit to his courtyard."
Fang Lang shuddered, the image of a disheveled Martial Arts King entering the palace to control the foreigners kept surfacing in his mind.
Fang Lang did not reject her request. After packing up briefly, he went to the Martial Arts King Jiangs courtyard.
The door of the courtyard was closed.
However, just as he arrived, he could sense a pair of eyes slowly opening inside the courtyard. It was radiating an overwhelming spiritual sense that made Fang Lang's breath hitch.
Fang Lang could better understand how terrifying these powerful beings were as his cultivation grew.
When he stepped inside the courtyard, it was completely silent as if all noise had been cut off.
Inside the courtyard, Martial Arts King Jiang was sitting in the pavilion. The muscular figure was in a sitting position, his facial expression was serious and his breathing was controlled.
Fang Lang bowed at him when they met.
"You are Jiang Linglong's friend. No need for formalities," said Martial Arts King Jiang.
Fang Lang chuckled and stood up. He then activated the Stats Scanner.
…
Age: 218
Cultivation: ???
Core: 91 (Starry)
Introduction: This is also a man that is out of your league
…
Fang Lang took a deep breath when he read the introduction.
He could not read his cultivation, but this core was much more impressive than Chao Xiaojian!
Most importantly, Martial Arts King Jiang had lived more than two centuries!
Fang Lang was stunned. After all, Old Jiang was just fifteen years old.
Martial Arts King Jiang stared into Fang Lang with his brooding eyes. At that moment, Fang Lang felt his heart clenched and all his thoughts were cleared from his mind.
The pressure Martial Arts King Jiang exuded was much stronger than Chao Xiaojian!
"Kid... You're something. Xuanyuan Taihua rarely takes in disciples. Let me see the Blooming Lotus Sword," he said.
Fang Lang took out the chipped and cracked Blooming Lotus Sword and passed it to him.
"The sword is broken... This marks the beginning of a storm. Sigh..." Martial Arts King Jiang sighed and returned the sword to Fang Lang.
"You promised Xuanyuan Taihua that you'll retrieve the remaining three swords, but it would not be an easy task. There are lots of people trying to stop you from getting to the swords." He continued.
"However, it is important that you find those three swords, the Withering Lotus, Circling Lotus and Reincarnating Lotus," Martial Arts King Jiang looked at Fang Lang with a glimpse of hope.
Fang Lang had no choice but to agree.
After returning the Blooming Lotus Sword to Fang Lang, Martial Arts King Jiang sat in the pavilion as he watched him leave.
After a long while, his eyes shifted to the sky above Changan City.
"Birth, death and rebirth; the Code... It would not be easy to change one's fate."
…
Fang Lang walked out of the courtyard and met with Huang Ying, Liu Bubai, and Geshu Yuehua.
The three of them looked extremely serious.
Their expression darkened when they saw Fang Lang.
Liu Bubai took a deep breath and said, "Lang'zi, our opponent in the final resource battle had been announced..."
Fang Lang raised his eyebrow and asked curiously, "Who is it?"
"The Main Path Guild."
Liu Bubai continued, "They are just too strong! They are well-trained in all aspects, from their leader An Fan to the other new disciples!"
"Wei Sheng's team from the Immortal Martial Association was already very strong, but they were completely destroyed by them! Their leader, An Fan, is very powerful. He was the champion of the Imperial examination two years ago. With the abundant resources offered by the Main Path Guild, he was able to reach the peak of the ninth-grade phantasm realm. He even defeated the disciples from the Meridian Guild, Karma Society and the All-Seeing Buddha Sect!"
Liu Bubai and Geshu Yuehua were in awe.
Huang Ying was slightly dazed. An Fan was inarguably skillful. In the battle between the Sword Guild and the Main Path Guild, she would be the one fighting against An Fan. the Sword Guild would not stand a chance if she can't hold him off.
Huang Ying knew that she could not defeat An Fan, perhaps if Wen Ting was here, there might still be a chance.
Not her.
Huang Ying had confidence in the fight between the new disciples, but she did not want to cause them to lose the battle.
Wen Ting arrived. His expression was serious as he called everyone to gather.
Soon, all of the team gathered at Fang Lang's courtyard.
Wen Ting sipped on his wolfberry tea, his face was pale as he analyzed the strategy for the final battle.
Fang Lang laughed, "We slaughtered the demon swarm. I even made it rain demon beast hearts at the Resource Station. Aren't they at least intimidated by us?"
Wen Ting glanced at Fang Lang, "I can see that you're confident. You do have the right to be. However, they think that it was Taihua Blade Lord's consciousness in the Blooming Lotus Sword that defeated the demon swarm. They are fearful of the Blooming Lotus. They are wary of you, but not to the extent of being afraid."
Fang Lang raised his eyebrow.
Wen Ting looked at Fang Lang seriously, "Do not underestimate the Main Path Guild's team. Strictly speaking, they are no less than the demon swarm. If An Fan defeats Huang Ying and gets involved in the fight between the new disciples, it will be over for you guys."
Jiang Linglong frowned slightly, "We'll defeat the new disciples as soon as we can and help senior Huang Ying then?"
Fang Lang raised his thumb at Old Jiang and said, "As your young fellow master, I think that's a great idea, Little Jiang."
"Little Jiang?" Jiang Linglong stared at Fang Lang coldly, her voice slightly raised.
The temperature around them dropped a few degrees.
Fang Lang smacked his lips awkwardly.
How evil could a young fellow master be? "Little Jiang" was merely a term of endearment.
In the courtyard, everybody burst out in laughter. They continued to discuss the strategy for tomorrow's battle.
As the night deepened, all of them returned to their own quarters to cultivate after the discussion. They had to prepare for tomorrow's final resource battle.
The moon was hanging high above the sky, showering cold luscious rays on the earth.
Huang Ying was sitting alone in the pavilion,quietly sharpening her sword. The body of the blade reflected the silvery moonlight.
Her mind started to wander. She was very stressed about having to fight the previous champion of the Imperial Examination, An Fan.
Even though she was talented, her skills were far from An Fan's.
Wen Ting walked over slowly with his fresh wolfberry tea. He seemed to have sensed Huang Ying's fears and doubts.
Wen Ting reached out and gently caressed Huang Ying's head.
"You're still so easily affected after so many years. This is not good. You're a sword master, you need to believe that the sword in your hand can cut through everything. Also, you need to have more confidence in those kids."
Wen Ting chuckled under the moon.
Huang Ying raised her head and stared at Wen Ting in a daze. This familiar scene soothed her restless heart.
Huang Ying pouted her lips as she looked up at Wen Ting as if they had travelled back in time.
…
The next day, it was snowing heavily.
The snow on Changan's Vermilion street was shovelled to the side to clear the path. Princess Pei Shi ordered a coach for Fang Lang and the others. Once everybody was on board, the horses started prancing towards the Vermilion Bird gate.
The giant ring was placed before the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Both sides of the street were filled with excited folks. The crowd was exhilarated after witnessing two days of incredible battles in the ring. They were all hoping to join the path of cultivation in their next life.
Snow whirled down from the sky like goose feathers.
The Main Path Guild disciples that were led by An Fan were standing in the ring.
An Fan stared at the approaching coach on Vermilion Street. He could see the faint outline of the Sword Guild disciples inside.
A smile grew on An Fan's charming face, his smile was slightly cold.
Li Yuanzhen's had a complicated expression. There was a vengeful rage burning in his eyes, an obsession that was enough to melt the snow away.
The coach stopped. Under the gaze of the crowd, the hundreds of officials and the fifth princess on the Vermilion Tower, the curtains of the coach were unveiled.
Fang Lang walked out, he was dressed in a white robe with a warm smile on his face.
He shone as bright as when he received his title as the grand champion.
