What Fang Lang said was true—Jiang Linglong was different from Liu Bubai.
Fang Lang's Enhancement Card had allowed him to fight with Jiang Linglong's techniques. In the battle ring, it was as if Jiang Linglong was fighting beside him.
Therefore, he did not consider Jiang Linglong to be carried to victory. She merely fought in an unconventional way.
Liu Bubai was the only one who contributed nothing.
Of course, Fang Lang did not explain his reasoning. He only made a simple comment.
The Enchantment Card would last for a while longer. Fang Lang wondered if he should fight Beijiang Academy immediately.
Otherwise, he would be wasting the remainder of this Enchantment Card.
So far, this was the only combat-related card Fang Lang had.
…
After a momentary silence, the crowd burst into cheers!
Luojiang Academy was the ultimate dark horse! They defeated a well-established academy and advanced into the final round!
However, the suspense was over.
After Fang Lang's solo victory over Changan Academy, everyone knew the outcome of the final round. The champion would be none other than Luojiang Academy!
Their opponent, Beijiang Academy, had suffered immensely in their qualifying battle against Bailu Academy.
All three students carried injuries that affected their performance.
If Luojiang Academy had advanced to the final round with debilitating injuries, Beijiang Academy might stand a chance.
However, Luojiang Academy sent out this boy, Fang Lang, who single-handedly defeated the three geniuses of Changan Academy—Lu Ze, the great grandson of the Drunken Blade Lord, included.
Even if Fang Lang was not at his peak, Luojiang Academy still had another ace up their sleeves.
In this situation, how would Beijiang Academy win?
What could they sacrifice to win?
Their lives?
There was no need for that. Even if they fought with the willingness to sacrifice their lives, there was no hope of winning. In fact, even if they were in perfect condition to fight, there was still no guarantee that Beijiang Academy would win against Luojiang Academy.
A distance away, the mentor of Beijiang Academy let out a long frustrated sigh. There was only one option.
Luojiang Academy was going to win—there was no stopping them.
As the students' mentor and leader, he had to consider the individual event.
He had also heard the rumors—there was a high chance that the Sword Guild would announce a reform of the individual event. Thus, their mentor made a firm decision—since they had no chance of winning this match, they would surrender with dignity. This way, the students could conserve their energy for the upcoming individual event.
…
In the designated area for Luojiang Academy, Fang Lang was still waiting for the final battle of the team event.
Hurt by Fang Lang's words, Liu Bubai turned his head away and ignored Fang Lang.
Meanwhile, Jiang Linglong kept up her cold and reserved persona—if Fang Lang did not approach her, she was not going to approach him either.
Fang Lang tried to initiate a conversation about cultivation with Jiang Linglong but she responded coldly and showed no interest. His passive ability was not triggered.
Their interaction could not even be considered a modest interaction.
Fang Lang was a little discouraged. 'Sigh, Little Wen is so much better. With just a little effort, I could always squeeze out some kind of reward.'
Meanwhile, Mentor Wen had been summoned by the umpire. It seemed the competition had taken an unexpected turn.
Not long after, Mentor Wen returned with a gleeful expression.
His eyes glimmered with excitement!
"Bubai!"
Mentor Wen's eyes shone. "You can take the last match!"
"Fang Lang, focus on recovering your energy. The individual event is coming up soon. This time… There are some changes."
Mentor Wen instructed Fang Lang. His tone was serious.
As he said that, his gaze shifted to Jiang Linglong for a second. Jiang Linglong had heard the news long before Mentor Wen—it was why she participated in the Gathering of Swords as part of Luojiang Academy.
Liu Bubai was caught completely off guard. "Huh? You're putting me in the ring?"
'Did Master Wen lose his mind?
'Is he trying to ridicule Beijiang Academy? Is he trying to play some mind games with them?
'Or is he using me to wear down our opponents?'
A million questions went through Liu Bubai's mind at once. However, he quickly settled on the idea that Mentor Wen was using him to tire out their opponents, softening them for Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong.
'Ah, can't he just let me enjoy being carried to victory?
'Oh, well.'
Liu Bubai stood up and lifted his head up high. He took his sword from Fang Lang.
"Worry not, my teammates. Leave this to me," said Liu Bubai.
He turned to Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong as if he was some tragic hero. His expression said, 'I will give my all to wear down the students of Beijiang Academy!'
Fang Lang found the situation extremely odd. Jiang Linglong, on the other hand, revealed no emotions.
She watched as Liu Bubai marched away like he was making a great sacrifice for the team. Then, she turned to Fang Lang and whispered in his ears.
Instantly, Fang Lang understood the situation.
…
Liu Bubai entered the battle ring.
He gripped his sword tightly in his hand. He was anxious, but determined.
Song Qingyun of Beijiang Academy entered the ring. A perplexed expression appeared on his face when he saw Liu Bubai. Song Qingyun shot a glance at Fang Lang, who was sitting in the designated area for Luojiang Academy.
Song Qingyun sighed.
"You have two incredible teammates," Song Qingyun said.
"I surrender."
Having said that, Song Qingyun cupped his fist with his hand and bowed reluctantly. He turned around and exited the ring.
Liu Bubai was stunned.
Whispers and murmurs echoed in the crowd.
Many students were eagerly waiting for the battle between Beijiang Academy and Luojiang Academy. The sudden turn of events baffled the students.
They had not expected this.
On the other hand, many mentors from other academies concurred with the strategy.
Luojiang Academy had two aces—Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong. After the bloody battle between Beijiang Academy and Bailu Academy, Beijiang Academy stood no chance in winning. Thus, it was wiser to forfeit this match and preserve their energy for the upcoming individual event.
In the battle ring.
As Liu Bubai watched Song Qingyun leave the ring, the urge to draw his sword and force his opponent to fight burned in him.
He finally got the chance to fight, yet his opponent chose to surrender—how was that any different from being carried to victory?
After Song Qingyun exited the ring, the second student from Beijiang Academy entered the ring.
"I envy you. You only had to fight once. And even though you lost… you'll still become a champion.
"I surrender."
Having said his piece, the student left.
Liu Bubai placed his hand on his chest. His pride was wounded.
The third student entered the ring—he was the ace of Beijiang Academy.
"Huh? You're from Luojiang Academy? I've never met you before. It's an honour.
"Please convey my message to Fang Lang: I eagerly await a chance to cross swords with him."
Having said that, the student surrendered with proper etiquette. Then, he turned around and exited the ring.
Liu Bubai pressed his hand against his lips, trying his best to hold back tears.
He felt like his heart had a thousand holes.
He was forced to win without any effort.
This time, he actually had no choice.
He had even polished his blade, and yet there was no one for him to fight.
The spectators were silent.
Just like that, the champion of the Gathering of Swords was decided.
Everyone's gaze fell on Liu Bubai, who was sobbing quietly with his hand over his mouth. The crowd assumed the boy was crying tears of joy.
After all, their victory had not come easy.
"The champion of the Gathering of Swords, Luojiang Academy!"
The umpire announced at the top of his lungs.
Cheers and applause sounded from the crowd beneath.
As the students cheered, Liu Bubai was escorted out of the battle ring by Mentor Wen, his hand still over his mouth.
In the designated area for Luojiang Academy.
When the umpire announced the champion of the Gathering of Swords, the System's notification tone sounded in Fang Lang's head.
'Ding! You have worked together with your binding partner, Jiang Linglong, to win the Gathering of Swords and thus, completing a meaningful interaction. You will be rewarded with a Green Reward Egg.'
'Huh?' Fang Lang thought.
'This is a meaningful interaction?
'Old Jiang is much more useful than I gave her credit for!'
Fang Lang's eyes twinkled with joy. His reward was a Green Reward Egg!
'Break the egg!' Fang Lang instructed the System.
Since Fang Lang had nothing much to do at the moment, he figured he might as well check out the reward.
Smash!
The hammer landed on the egg!
The Green Reward Egg cracked. Countless beams of light shot out from the egg!
'What incredible visuals!' Fang Lang thought.
A second later, the cracked egg shells disappeared.
'Congratulations! You have obtained Finger Flick Energy Wave (Sword Mastery Specialty - Master Class).
'The Finger Flick Energy Wave will be incorporated through mental memory and muscle memory. The ins and outs of the technique will be revealed to the host. Happy cultivating!'
'Huh. A sword mastery reward?'
Fang Lang was surprised that he was rewarded with a master-class ability!
Memories flooded his mind. Scenes of his training played one after the other.
…
In a dense bamboo forest, a gentle breeze blew, causing a cacophony of rustling leaves.
Bamboo leaves danced in the air.
The teen stood with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, the teen opened his eyes. A strong wind blew through the forest, sending a cascade of leaves into the air. The leaves fell like rain.
The teen raised his hand. He pressed his middle finger to his thumb and flicked.
The spiritual energy in his body shot out from his finger. Waves of blade energy burst out like a river.
The falling leaves were blown away by the waves of blade energy.
Day after day, year after year.
Time passed and the teen practised the move tens of thousands of times.
Until one day…
The teen flicked his finger and sent out waves of blade energy, like the ripples created by a stone breaking water. This time, the falling leaves were completely obliterated, leaving only a fine mist of green powder.
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