The booming voice gradually faded away.
Silence filled Luojiang City, leaving only the remnant of the echoes.
Under the brilliant hue of the sunset, a student stuck his head out of the study block in astonishment.
Who was behind the voice that reverberated through the entire academy and Luojiang City?
More importantly, what was with the public announcement and celebration for leaving a name on the seventh level? The announcement baffled many students.
The students knew about the Spirit Pagoda, but they had never witnessed anything like this before.
Was Fang Lang getting special treatment?
Autumn leaves decorated the practice grounds.
Both officials from the Ministry of Rites were in awe. It was also their first time hearing the congratulatory message.
Mentor Wen and Headmaster Cui were smiling.
Only two people had achieved this in two centuries.
This was an impressive feat! Not to mention, the commendation came from the most dignified person in the Tang Dynasty.
Xuanyuan Taihua had done it two centuries ago.
Fang Lang from Luojuang Academy did it moments ago.
Even though both arrived at the seventh floor, their backgrounds were vastly different.
Xuanyuan Taihua had the cultivation of a fifth-grade sword master and above when she accomplished this.
What was Fang Lang's cultivation?
Beneath the untrimmed mess of hair, Mentor Wen's eyes sparkled brightly.
Initially, he believed Fang Lang had a chance to be on the Imperial Examination honor roll. At that moment, the boy stood a chance to be the champion!
Fang Lang had completed an impossible challenge!
…
In Luojiang City, the murmurs on the market street near the Fang Manor grew louder. Fang Beihe who was doing the accounts in his office lifted his head when he heard the chatter. He was surprised to hear mentions of his son's name.
'Is he showing off again? What's with the public announcement?'
There were hurried footsteps approaching.
Several business owners from the neighboring market streets rushed over to congratulate Fang Beihe.
"Mr. Fang, you're blessed to have such a great son."
"Let's head over to the entertainment house tonight, I have a few business proposals for our collaboration."
"Old Fang, I reserved the entire Chunmei Courtyard tonight. Let's have a drink to celebrate your son's achievements!"
The overweight businessmen said with huge smiles on their faces.
They were all opportunists. The entire city was celebrating the Fang genius's accomplishments. Coupled with the events that happened several days ago, the business owners could foresee the potential of the Fang family!
The probability of Fang Lang being on the Imperial Examination honor roll was incredibly high. By then, a meal at the entertainment house would be insufficient to gain brownie points.
Old Fang was grinning from ear to ear. The joy he felt was much more than when he earned his first 10,000 gold coins.
He entertained everyone who came to congratulate him, immersing himself in the merry atmosphere.
…
At the end of the quiet Chang Street, sparks were flying everywhere in the blacksmith's store.
A young man was covered in a thin layer of sweat. He was listening closely to the announcement that echoed through the streets.
The rocking chair halted and the old man opened his droopy eyes.
"Wei Sheng, which floor of the Spirit Pagoda did you reach before?" the old man asked after a long pause.
Wei Sheng combed through the inch-long hair with his fingers and smiled. "I got to the eighth floor, Master."
"Oh? Eighth floor? Was there an announcement like this?" the old man raised his eyebrow and asked with interest.
"No, there were a few others from the Imperial City who were on the eighth floor together with me. However, there was no announcement like this. Even when some of the royals reached the ninth floor, an applause of this scale was unheard of," Wei Sheng answered in a serious tone.
The old man stood up and walked to the door. He stared at the color gradient in the sky and laughed. "That's interesting. The only two within two centuries. Fate works in mysterious ways. Wei Sheng, set out for Changan tomorrow and begin your preparations for the Imperial Examination. It'll be a competitive fight for the title of grand champion. The other candidates in Changan will be facing a strong opponent. How interesting," the old man said smilingly as he resumed rocking his chair.
Wei Sheng narrowed his eyes and bowed slightly. "Yes, Master."
…
Fang Lang came down from the sixth floor energetically. The staircase brought him to the fifth level.
Even though the climb was an uphill battle, the journey down was a breeze.
When he left his name on the seventh level's honor roll, Fang Lang had absorbed an enormous amount of spiritual energy. Not only was it enough to fill his cultivation to the maximum of a second-grade sword master, it also washed away the exhaustion of his spiritual sense!
It was rejuvenating!
He felt like he had won the lottery. How he wished he could sign his name on every floor of the Spirit Pagoda. He wanted to camp here for decades. That way, he would be undefeatable when he resurfaced into the world!
Of course, this was just his imagination running wild. Life had to go on.
'Ding! Mission accomplished. Do you want to sum up the rewards?'
The System notified him.
Fang Lang thought for a moment and decided not to total up the rewards then. He planned to do that after he got back to the Fang Manor.
On the fifth floor, Liu Bubai and Ni Wen were delighted to see Fang Lang. Ni Wen's worries disappeared right away.
Both of them were surprised when the Spirit Pagoda announced a public congratulatory message for Fang Lang.
What on earth was that!
The other students stared at Fang Lang with envy. They were jealous to see Fang Lang basking in spiritual energy. How much did he benefit from the Spirit Pagoda?
The habit of comparing with others would just lead one down the rabbit hole.
The majority of students did not linger in the Spirit Pagoda after the officials called out to them.
Fifty students walked out of the Spirit Pagoda. They had gained much confidence to face the Imperial Examination after improving much within these two days.
The expressions of the two officials were rather complicated, especially the one that was constantly losing wagers.
"It's impressive that you were able to trigger the Emperor's spiritual sense. I hope to see you on the roll of honor. Do not bring disgrace to the glory you earned today," the official said in an indecipherable tone.
He looked at Fang Lang with admiration as his eyes filled with hope.
If Fang Lang performed badly during the examination, the Spirit Pagoda's praise would be a joke.
If so, it would be an embarrassment to the Emperor!
Both officials did not say anything further. In fact, they were actually honored to witness the phenomenon that had happened only once two centuries ago!
The officials retrieved the Spirit Pagoda and flew back to Changan on their sword.
Headmaster Cui stared at Fang Lang smilingly, eyes filled with wonderment.
"Now that you guys have completed the Spirit Pagoda quest, your next goal will be… the Imperial Examination! Waste no time slacking, continue with your cultivation. Get your name on the roll of honor, do not let the advancement you gained from the Spirit Pagoda go to waste!" Headmaster Cui gave the students a motivational speech after they resurfaced from the tower.
After that, he told everybody to head home to process the spiritual energy and benefits from the tower.
No one gave Fang Lang special treatment, but their expectations for him were higher.
…
Fang Lang bade farewell to Ni Wen and Liu Bubai before rushing back to the Fang Manor.
The Fang Manor was livelier and more crowded than usual. People were going in and out of the brightly lit manor.
Old Fang was chatting happily with guests in the living room.
Upon Fang Lang's return, the guests instantly surrounded him, introducing themselves enthusiastically. Old Fang quickly hurried over to block them.
"Everyone, the Imperial Examination is just around the corner. Lang'er will need to continue his training. Please head over to the entertainment house. I'll be paying tonight, we'll drink till our hearts' content!" Old Fang said gleefully.
After that, he escorted Fang Lang back to his room.
"Go ahead and focus on your cultivation. Let your dad deal with guests." Old Fang tapped on Fang Lang's shoulders.
Fang Lang felt a warmth spread inside his heart. He put on a wide smile before entering his room. He was quite excited to check on the System's rewards.
Old Fang closed the door and left the courtyard quietly. He slapped his face gently and put on a smile before walking out to the main hall to entertain the guests.
…
Fang Lang sat cross-legged on the bed and exhaled slowly.
"System, tally the rewards."
'Ding! Calculating…
Your total spiritual energy absorbed: 2000 (low-grade spirit crystals), equivalent to 20,000 experience points. Conversion in progress.
Ding! System leveled up!'
Fang Lang was thrilled when he heard the System notification rang in his head.
The sound of the System upgrading was the most melodious sound ever!
'Ding! Friendly reminder, this upgrade will not provide a binding slot for the host's ability.'
…
Host: Fang Lang
Cultivation Discipline: Second-Grade Sword Master (Second Class)
Level: LV5
Experience: 0/150000
Core: 36 (White)
Cultivation Resource: 50,000 gold coins, 500 low-grade spirit crystals, 5 mid-grade spirit crystals (usage limited to cultivation)
Items: Power Loan Card (1)
Equipment: None
Binding Partners: Ni Wen (60%); Jiang Linglong (60%); Liu Bubai (60%); Empty slot (60%)
Sole Passive Ability: Additional rewards may be granted when the host bonds with the binding partner over cultivation.
…
Fang Lang was stunned.
There were a few changes after the System's upgrade. There was an equipment category under the items… What was the difference between these two?
Fang Lang asked the System and was given a direct answer.
'Equipments can be equipped by the host for permanent effects.'
Fang Lang's eyes lit up instantly!
The cards and reward eggs that were drawn in the item category were mostly single-use with short-lived effects.
However, the effects of the equipment were permanent.
'Ding! Detected 20,000 System experience points gained the host. 10,000 points was used to level up the System. For the remaining 10,000 points, the host can choose to draw a random piece of equipment. Do you wish to continue?'
"Proceed!" Fang Lang squinted and said.
Experience points could be accumulated by cultivating spirit crystals whereas lucky draws were few and far between. Fang Lang did not know what triggered these lucky draws.
'Ding! Congratulations for drawing an ancient spell mastery's Instant Casting Staff.
Instant Casting Staff effects:
The host can cast any runes and spells with instant effects (effects will be lost upon equipment removal).
Spiritual sense protection—an ultimate defense from spiritual sense's attack (three-day cooldown time).
This equipment…
Fang Lang was confused.
The System… was the System crazy?
Why was he given a spell mastery equipment?
Was the System planning to let him master all three disciplines?
If he got into a fight in the future…
On the surface, he would appear as a sword master with the hidden physique of a martial arts master, but his true identity would be a… spell master?
Tsk!
'How cool am I!'
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