Chapter 52 - Finishing the Poem Was Like Unsheathing a Blade
Ten breaths went by in a flash.
The house fell into pin drop silence.
After a long while, Fang Lang finally uncurled himself and clambered up from the bed. Droplets of sweat rolled down every inch of his body.
He leaned against the bed frame. Arm extended, he clenched his muscles lightly. He could hear the faint sound of vital energy coursing within.
One Physical Buff Card was equivalent to an entire year of a martial arts disciple’s training. The pain of a whole year’s training was condensed into ten breaths. The traumatic experience still lingered in Fang Lang’s mind.
Nonetheless, it was a fruitful process. A stronger body meant stronger meridians, stronger vital energy and increased physical strength.
Improvement in these aspects would be reflected directly in his cultivation abilities.
A smile appeared in Fang Lang’s face. The ‘training’ had brought him much enlightenment about physical training.
The knowledge would be a great help in boosting his martial arts mastery score.
Out of the three combat assessments, sword mastery was the main subject Fang Lang focused on. With his current level of sword mastery, there was no doubt he would do well.
When it came to spell mastery, he had gleaned some knowledge from the Flight Sword Crossover Turbo Charge Talisman. Additionally, his modest and meaningful interactions with Little Wen had brought him great insight regarding spell mastery.
Martial arts mastery was the only area he fell short in. However, with the Physical Buff Card, the gap was bridged.
The Physical Buff Card obtained through Liu Bubai’s interaction proved to be useful.
He looked out the window to see dawn gradually setting in.
Fang Lang did not continue cultivating. He lied on the bed and took a short nap, relieving the strain on his spiritual sense.
…
In the following three days, Fang Lang completely immersed himself in cultivation.
He spent the nights absorbing spirit crystals and the days drilling policies and demon tongue.
Fang Lang’s diligence in cultivating depleted the cultivation resources provided by the System. Only a few spirit crystals were left.
After the training, Fang Lang’s body had become stronger, and thus, had an increased capacity for spiritual energy. As a result, he could spend more time absorbing spirit crystals.
In the past, Fang Lang could only absorb spiritual energy for a maximum of four hours in the binding partner mode. That was the most load his body could endure.
After the training, he could last up to six hours; maybe even longer!
The benefits of his training were clear as day.
Even so, Fang Lang could not forget the grueling pain he had to endure while the Physical Buff Card was in effect. Nonetheless, the fruits he reaped from it were sweet and plump.
Thus, every day after class, Fang Lang would catch Liu Bubai and drag him into a state of sword mastery enlightenment in order to obtain more Physical Buff Cards.
Unfortunately, Liu Bubai did not show up at the academy on the third day. He stayed home to prepare himself for his breakthrough into a second-class sword master. Alas, Fang Lang had only gotten two Physical Buff Cards in the three days.
Fang Lang did not plan to use his two Grade-Rush Card Fragments yet. He wanted to use it in the Spirit Pagoda to maximize the amount of spiritual energy absorbed.
Fang Lang did not forget about Ni Wen either. Putting in just as much effort as he did with Liu Bubai, Fang Lang engaged in modest interactions with Ni Wen and managed to gain three Grade-Rush Card Fragments.
There was no such thing as too many Grade-Rush Card Fragments; after all, they could be used to shorten the time needed to bind to a new partner. They were very useful in that aspect!
The three days slipped through his fingers like sand.
The final examination of Luojiang Academy had begun.
…
Autumn had arrived at Luojiang City. The autumn rain poured continuously and the temperature began to exhibit a steep decrease. One could feel autumn in the air.
The blue skies were clear without a speck of dust.
Dull rays of sunlight fell on the academy’s lintel. One after another, students in green robes stepped over the elevated threshold of the academy’s doorway and gathered at the practice grounds.
Their green robes fluttered in the wind like leaves.
There were 3,000 students in the academy, each filled with vigor and enthusiasm for cultivation.
The students stood in formation on the practice grounds located between the multi-storey study blocks. The mentors stood on the main stage with their hands clasped behind their backs and solemn expressions on their faces.
Fang Lang stood in the square dedicated for the seventh study block students. His cheerful conversation with Ni Wen attracted the attention of many students around them. Ni Wen blushed, hunching her shoulders so that her face was hidden in her green robes. Even so, she was listening to Fang Lang’s words attentively, occasionally nodding and giving short replies.
On the main stage, Headmaster Cui stood with his back arched. His frosty white beard danced in the wind.
His expression was genial. He smiled as he gazed at the students eagerly waiting on the practice grounds.
Another three years had passed; another batch of students were standing before him.
In his eyes, every three years felt like the repeat of a cycle.
Once this batch left the academy, another group of freshmen would enter the academy and embark on the path of cultivation.
After all, that was the purpose of the academy.
Headmaster Cui cleared his throat. The students instantly quieted down.
He did not wish to waste too much of the students’ time, so he kept his speech short. The old man’s words were simple, yet they clearly conveyed enthusiasm for the students.
After all, the simplest and most effective way of motivating the students was to show off the Spirit Pagoda.
With a gentle tap of Headmaster Cui’s wrinkled and bony finger, the spiritual energy around them began to swirl. Under the eager gaze of the students, the sky above was covered by a gray veil. Then, a small corner opened up to reveal a nine-story pagoda shining brightly in the sky.
Even the aura emitted by the pagoda was full of spiritual energy.
Their application for the Spirit Pagoda was approved!
The student body was brimming with excitement and fighting spirit.
Even Fang Lang was staring at the pagoda with starry eyes. He, too, was eager to begin.
The headmaster’s speech ended.
The mentors went to their respective classes to hand out the examination handbooks to their students.
The handbook contained detailed information about each student’s exam venue.
Fang Lang received his exam handbook from Mentor Wen.
Mentor Wen glanced at Fang Lang with an expression that resembled a smile. He did not give him any words of encouragement.
In truth, Mentor Wen was more than eager to see Fang Lang’s performance. After all, Fang Lang managed to surprise him twice, once at the Gathering of Swords and once at the entertainment house, where the boy killed Lin Yun.
Mentor Wen wondered if Fang Lang would make it into the top ten during this final examination.
Mentor Wen’s greatest hope for Fang Lang was for him to get into the top ten honor roll.
Fang Lang flashed a friendly smile at Mentor Wen then proceeded to check his exam venue in the handbook.
Third study block, second floor, seat 18.
…
Dong!
The timekeeper rang the bell at the top of the academy’s bell tower.
The students on the practice grounds dispersed like a school of fish being split up by river currents. All of them headed to the respective exam venues stated in their handbooks.
Fang Lang arrived at the third study block. At the study block entrance stood Mentor Wen, who was checking the students’ exam handbooks. Out of pure coincidence, Mentor Wen was invigilating Fang Lang’s exam hall.
Fang Lang handed his exam handbook to Mentor Wen. Mentor Wen activated his spiritual senses and took a glance at Fang Lang’s handbook. He then said in a monotonous voice, “When you go in, find your seat and sit down. Don’t make noise, don’t look around. Just wait for the exam to begin.”
“Okay.”
Fang Lang nodded respectfully. He took his handbook and set foot into the study block.
The students in the hall were all sitting upright. Although it was just an internal exam, and not the Imperial Examination, the atmosphere in the hall was equally as tense.
15 minutes later.
Mentor Wen scanned the hall and announced, “The internal exam will go on for two days. Today’s assessment will be theoretical. Poetry, policies and demon tongue—those are the three subjects you will be tested on.
“The first test will be on poetry. Your task is to compose a poem. Your time limit is two hours.”
Mentor Wen revealed.
Having said that, he passed out the exam papers.
As he gave out the papers, some students were closing their eyes and taking deep breaths while others were frowning as they ground their ink sticks. Everyone had their own unique way of coping.
During those three years, the students had gone through a dozen internal exams—some were small tests, some were important assessments. Even so, there was no way they could remain nonchalant when faced with an exam that would potentially change the course of their lives.
Fang Lang was also a little unnerved. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
Just then, Mentor Wen came by with the musty scent of paper. He placed the exam paper in front of Fang Lang.
Fang Lang opened his eyes and immediately saw the exam paper. He began to read.
Theory had never been a problem for Fang Lang. After all, as a dimensional traveller, he had some background knowledge when it came to theory and literature despite his weak core.
Since he decided to reveal his true strengths, there was no point in holding back anymore.
He looked at the exam paper and read the question written on top.
‘Tang Dynasty, year 198. The Emperor led an army up Mount Tianyue of Xilu. They trampled over the demon world in Xilu, slaughtering countless demons. The emperor looked upon both worlds that laid at his feet. His heroic spirit could encapsulate the land and skies. Compose a poem on this topic.”
After reading the question, Fang Lang narrowed his eyes and pondered for a while. The smell of ink wafted to his mouth and nose as he gently ground his ink stick.
‘Mount Tianyue of Xilu… The emperor gazing down from the peak…”
After a long while, Fang Lang’s lips curled into a smirk.
He dipped his writing brush in ink, rolled his sleeves up and began to write.
He began:
‘What of the great mountains that hither stood? The green extended across once warring states.1‘
Fang Lang chose to write in an elegant font. Splotches of thick black ink appeared on the paper.
Eloquently, he wrote a few dozens more words.
Finally, he lifted his brush and ended his poem in an elegant manner.
‘May I one day surmount the highest of peaks, where I could gather a sight of all mountains there laid.'[1]
Fang Lang put down his brush after completing his poem. He glanced around to see the other students were still in deep thought, wondering how to go about writing this poem.
Meanwhile, Fang Lang stood up and handed up his exam paper.
Mentor Wen had just sat down. His cushion was not even warm yet. He raised his brows, thinking, ‘Done already? Was the boy even writing a poem?’
Mentor Wen took a sip of his wolfberry tea and rustled Fang Lang’s exam paper. He took a glance at the poem written on it.
A moment later, he choked and spat out the tea in his mouth.
‘Damn! You were holding back in poem writing too?
‘Just how much talent is this boy hiding?’
Mentor Wen silently recited the poem.
Finishing the poem was like unsheathing a blade. Its profound impact could shake the land and seas!
Mentor Wen held his head high, his eyes twinkling.
He gazed at the boy in green robe who shone like a splendid sword three inches out of its sheath.
That day…
Fang Lang’s true light was revealed.
His robe fluttered in the wind. Nothing could restrain him anymore.