Fang Lang had spent time figuring out the identity of Zhao Wuji. The man appeared straightforward but he exuded a certain strength. Fang Lang could tell the man's cultivation was not weak.
The fact that Zhao Wuji praised the mysterious lady's cultivation prowess meant she must be exceptional.
Zhao Wuji was an honest man and Fang Lang's smile made him uneasy. He could sense something fishy about the boy.
He became cautious.
In the end, Fang Lang was not allowed into the chamber. The shop owner blocked his view, a charming smile on his face.
Fang Lang's sincerity did not grant him access to the mysterious Imperial City lady who sat in the Spring Cloud Chamber.
The door of the chamber blocked his view.
The physical barrier reminded Fang Lang of his place—he and the lady were of two different worlds.
The gap between them was like the sky and the ground.
Fang Lang knew he was not yet worthy to meet the lady.
The excitement in his heart quelled and his eagerness was toned down. He maintained a small upturn of the lips.
This arrangement was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing his System-driven cultivation ardour.
However, Fang Lang did not let this stumbling block affect him. He believed time was essential for growth and eventually, he would achieve greatness.
"My lady, thank you for your kindness today. I will always remember this good deed. My name is Fang Lang, Fang like a square, Lang like a wave."
Fang Lang faced the doorway of the Spring Cloud Chamber and folded his hands. He bowed respectfully.
He stood with his back straight, showing no weakness in his spine. His bow was neither obsequious nor supercilious.
Zhao Wuji and Owner Xiao said nothing but they sensed the boy's roiling vitality.
Inside the Spring Cloud Chamber, Jiang Linglong adjusted the jade ring on her finger. The accessory was in the 10,000 gold coins and above price bracket.
The boy's words of gratitude made her smile.
"It is a small matter. We'll meet again if fate has plans," Jiang Linglong said.
She did not reveal her name.
She admired the boy's dedication to his swordsmanship. A decade of training was something she might not be able to accomplish.
Outside the chamber, Fang Lang glanced at the door that was guarded by the portly Zhao Wuji. The stolen glance revealed a pair of deep, enchanting eyes.
Behind Fang Lang, Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen held their breaths, too afraid to disturb the air with their breathing.
The lady did not disclose her identity and he did not push.
He wore an easy smile as he turned to leave. Yang Zhengyi and Ni Wen caught up with him.
The sunset bled into the horizon, painting the sky a palette of colors.
When the trio exited the Jade Pavilion, Yang Zhengyi slapped his forehead and brushed his fringe back. He took in a big gulp of air.
"Lang'zi… That was intense! Who is inside the Spring Cloud Chamber? That was one solid wall, even the shop owner blocked our view."
As if a restriction was lifted, Yang Zhengyi's loquaciousness came back in full force. Questions about the mysterious lady were abound.
In contrast, Ni Wen kept her head down as she trailed behind the two boys.
Fang Lang walked on, a small smile gracing his lips.
They arrived at the end of Chang Street. This was where Ni Wen parted ways with the two boys. She extracted one hand from her sleeves and gave them a timid wave. Head lowered, she uttered a soft, "See you tomorrow." Then, she turned around and jogged away, disappearing into one of the alleys. The direction she headed was toward the darker side of Luojiang City.
The dimming rays of sunlight made the girl's blush redder than it was.
…
As the first lanterns of the night were lit, Fang Lang arrived at the Fang Manor.
The late hour meant Fang Lang had missed his father. Old Fang had already left for the entertainment house.
He ate the dinner prepared by the servant girl. Then, he strolled along the courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a pond and a pavilion. The star-filled sky was reflected in the water.
Fang Lang pulled his arms over his head, stretching his muscles. He was a bit disappointed.
The shopping trip with Ni Wen was not counted as a meaningful interaction.
It seemed the System left no loopholes for him to take advantage.
'The cultivation resources have been added to the host's space accessory. Please have a look.'
The System notification appeared.
Fang Lang squinted his eyes.
The space ring on his forefinger tingled as it reacted to his spiritual sense. A disembodied voice spoke, "Your space ring has received 5,000 gold coins and 50 low-grade spirit crystals."
The voice did not belong to the System—it came from the space ring.
Fang Lang rubbed the ring and smiled.
He phased into the five cubic meter space and saw the 5,000 gold coins and 50 low-grade spirit crystals.
Those were given to him by the System after leveling up.
Fang Lang exited the space. A black egg floated before his eyes.
It was the random reward from the guide mission—the Black Reward Egg.
The previous rewards were always clearly stated so this new reward system piqued his curiosity.
"An egg… What is it for?" Fang Lang asked.
'Ding! This is a Reward Egg. Reward Eggs come in six different variants: black, green, silver, gold, diamond and rainbow. Smash it to receive the prize within,' the System explained.
A light flickered in Fang Lang's eyes. Was this a game of luck?
It was reminiscent of lucky draws from his previous life.
He raised his hand and a gold hammer appeared. With an expectant smile, he brought the hammer down onto the Black Reward Egg.
Crack!
The shell cracked and light burst through the seams.
The black egg shell slowly disappeared.
'Congratulations! Your reward is the Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill and a Flying Sword Examination pass. The Flying Sword Examination pass is legally obtained. The host's name has been included in the Tang Dynasty's registration. Rest assured."
The reward made Fang Lang's eyes widen.
He received a token with a rune carving. The rune was used to activate the flight sword's spell and allow the wielder to use it as a means of transport.
The Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill was incorporated through mental memory and muscle memory.
Like the Sword Draw Technique, Fang Lang felt the transformations in his body and mind—he was turned into an old driver.
Memories of flying with a flight sword were embedded into his mind.
Through the new memories, Fang Lang learned that even a sword disciple had the right to fly as long as they passed the Flying Sword Examination.
As the art of cultivation progressed, cultivators discovered the use of runes. Carving runes into the sword turned it into a mode of transport. As long as the carving was not damaged, anyone with a Flying Sword Examination pass and sufficient spirit crystals could operate a flight sword and roam the sky.
The speed offered by the rune was quicker than any sword masters' sword flying technique. As the practice became widespread, a flight sword became an essential part of an established cultivator's arsenal.
From the knowledge he received, Fang Lang understood the flight sword was akin to a car of the modern world.
He smacked his lips in excitement but remembered his lacking resources.
He did not own a flight sword. At this point, the skill and pass were useless.
Moreover, this reward would not aid him in the upcoming Imperial Examination. Flight was not part of the examination metrics.
Realistically, additional Amplification Cards would have been a better reward.
He was slightly disappointed.
He abandoned his stroll in the courtyard and went to his room with plans to cultivate.
Although he had the System's help, Fang Lang knew he had to put in the effort to get stronger.
There was an empty slot for the partner-binding.
He could bind two geniuses at one time but in that moment, he had no target for the second binding.
The mysterious lady in the Spring Cloud Room appeared in his mind. Zhao Wuji's description had left a deep impression in Fang Lang and he wished to remember her by a name despite not knowing her identity.
Inside the room, there were ten low-grade spirit crystals set atop the table. Old Fang had given Fang Lang the requested resources.
A warmth filled his chest. He kept the spirit crystals aside.
"I should end the cultivation early today. I have to drop by the Mentors' Office tomorrow to get more info about the Gathering of Swords."
Fang Lang breathed out the stale air.
He emptied his thoughts and calmed his emotions.
"Switch to binding partner's cultivation state," Fang Lang said.
'Ding! Switching complete. Happy cultivating!"
The System notification popped up a moment later.
Fang Lang reached into the space ring and took the spirit crystals provided by the System. He began the absorption process.
Whoosh!
Fang Lang felt the spiritual energy flow into his meridians from the spirit crystal.
The night darkened.
The moon was curved like a fish hook.
Fang Beihe came back to the Fang Manor smelling like booze. When he passed the courtyard, he saw the candlelight in Fang Lang's room—the boy was cultivating.
Fang Beihe spent much of his time on his business and building connections.
All of it was to give his untalented son a backup plan. If his son failed the Imperial Examination, there was still a future waiting for him back home.
Every parent hoped for their child's success.
Under the moonlight, Fang Beihe leaned against the wall of the courtyard. The stench of alcohol wafted from his breath and clothes. There was a proud smile on his face.