Chapter 2
Fang Lang left the academy. He weaved through the busy streets of Luojiang City, heading in the direction of the Fang Manor.
The streets were flanked by two rows of shops. Vendors lined the walkway while the crowd shuffled along.
As the partner-binding was already in progress, Fang Lang did not bother to stay in the academy.
He investigated the resources granted by the System as he walked.
The monetary system in the Tang Dynasty was fairly simple—100 copper coins was equivalent to one silver coin and 100 silver coins made up one gold coin.
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In the modern world equivalent, one gold coin was approximately 1,000 bucks so 500 gold coins were equivalent to 500,000 bucks.
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As the spirit crystals were used in cultivation, it made them even more valuable.
Spirit crystals could be purchased, but they were rare. One had to pay a visit to the large trading companies for a glimpse. The items could not be bought by the common folk.
In Luojiang City, only the subordinates of the three largest trading companies were allowed to purchase the spirit crystals. If Fang Lang remembered correctly, a low-grade spirit crystal was priced around 100 gold coins.
The spirit crystals were consumables. The spiritual energy within the crystal was important to the cultivator. A large supply of spirit crystals could greatly increase a person’s cultivation speed. However, the rate at which the cultivator absorbs the spiritual energy was dependent on their core.
‘Where are these resources?’ Fang Lang asked gingerly as he squinted his eyes.
He was empty-handed. There was no way the gold coins and spirit crystals would just appear out of thin air.
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The System message popped out when the ludicrous thought crossed his mind.
‘The host has no space accessories, therefore the items have been deposited into the host’s coin purse.’
Fang Lang was surprised but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. When he read the first half of the System’s message, he was hoping the System would give him a space ring.
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A space ring was not that uncommon but Fang Lang did not own one because there was a limited supply in the market.
Under the decree of the Tang Dynasty Emperor, cultivation became popular with the masses. Gradually, cultivation-related items were brought to light and sold in conventional markets.
The Tang Dynasty’s cultivation system was categorized into sword mastery, spell mastery, and martial arts mastery—these were the three main occupations or disciplines. Each occupation was then split into nine classes with nine grades, each class had a unique name. These three masteries were the ones acknowledged in the Imperial Examination. There were other lesser-known occupations but the Imperial Examination did not recognize them.
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The space ring was an item developed by the spell masters who specialized in space manipulation. The teachers in the academy had given them a lecture about the theory of space manipulation once.
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Fang Lang felt a heavyweight settle in his sleeve. He retrieved his coin purse and opened it—500 gold coins and five spirit crystals filled the purse to the brim.
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Happiness filled his chest. He felt like a child who received candy.
He secured the drawstrings of the purse and lightly tossed it into the air to feel the weight. Then, he returned the purse into his sleeve and skipped home.
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At the end of Chang Street, he made a left turn. A hundred steps away was an average-looking manor.
It was the Fang Manor, Fang Lang’s residence.
Fang Lang’s father, Fang Beihe, was a wealthy landlord in Luojiang City. He owned several plots of farmlands, five taverns, and three workshops. Money was not an issue and Fang Lang considered himself lucky to be born in this family. Even if he fell off the path of cultivation due to his average core, he could still live a comfortable life.
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As he approached the red double doors, his father walked out of the manor with a portly middle-aged man.
“Lang’er, right on time. This is Uncle Zhao. He came from Imperial City and will be in the city for a few days. Feel free to ask him questions about cultivation,” Old Fang said with a cheery smile.
Uncle Zhao gave Fang Lang a kind smile and patted the young man’s back. Small talk was made.
“Old Zhao, the journey from Imperial City must’ve been tiring. It’s rare to have you here in Luojiang City. Come, let me take you to the local entertainment house. Luojiang’s ladies are worth a try!”
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“Hahaha! Old Fang, I’m not that type of man. Let’s drink and catch up, some music and maybe a few lady companions will suffice.”
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The two men walked out of the manor with their arms linked on each other’s sohulder like brothers. Their voices could still be heard from a distance away.
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Fang Lang rolled his eyes.
He did not envy the romanticism of the two old men.
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Fang Lang headed straight for his room and took out the heavy coin purse. He emptied the contents.
A clattering sound was heard as gold coins and spirit crystals fell out. The valuables shone and sparkled.
He stared at the resources granted by the System and thought about the partner-binding that was in progress.
His hopes of becoming a strong cultivator were rekindled.
…
The next morning was a bright and sunny day.
Fang Lang woke up with bleary eyes.
Quickly, he entered his cultivation state. The air was thickest with spiritual energy in the morning, hence it was the best time to cultivate.
He retrieved an azure spirit crystal the size of his thumb nail from his coin purse and placed it on his palm. He rubbed the crystal and a chill emanated from his abdomen.
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He held the crystal between his two hands and sat cross-legged. He utilized the spiritual energy channeling method taught by the academy based on the Tang Dynasty’s Sword Scripture—the fundamental reading of sword mastery. The pathways in his body opened and his spiritual senses tingled as he drew in the spiritual energy from the spirit crystals.
2
Two hours later, Fang Lang ended the absorption process.
He had only managed to absorb 10% of the spiritual energy contained within the crystal. It would take the whole day if he wanted to drain the crystal dry.
His core scored 36, classified as a white core. With his average talent, spiritual energy absorption was a laborious process.
Even if he had a pile of crystals, his cultivation speed would still lag behind those cultivation geniuses.
Rumors had it that cultivators with gold cores had an intimate relationship with spiritual energy. They could drain ten low-grade spirit crystals within two hours!
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The staggering difference in spiritual energy absorption showcased the disparity between the talented and the untalented.
Fang Lang sighed.
Suddenly, the System message popped up.
‘Ding! Partner-binding successful. Binding partner: Ni Wen.’
The notification surprised Fang Lang but soon, joy overcame him. After a day and night, the System had finally completed the partner-binding process.
…
Binding Partner: Ni Wen
Age: 15
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Cultivation Discipline: Ninth-Grade Spell Disciple (First-Class Spell Mastery)
Core: 80 (Yellow)
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Cultivation Speed: 5 low-grade spirit crystals/two hours
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…
Details about Fang Lang’s binding partner appeared before his eyes. He ingested the information and gasped.
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The gap between them was huge.
Previously, it had been difficult to compare but with the System’s analytics, the truth hit like a dagger to Fang Lang’s heart.
Ni Wen’s skills were at the peak of a first-class spell disciple.
In contrast, Fang Lang was just a third-grade sword disciple. He was so far beneath Ni Wen.
Fang Lang wanted to cry. All the days he spent cultivating… Was it all in vain?
However, his sadness did not linger.
Another System message popped up.
‘Ding! A reward for the host’s first successful partner-binding, 3 pieces of 3X Amplification Card!
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‘Ding! Please confirm the switching of cultivation state.’
The consecutive notification surprised Fang Lang.
His eyes swept across the inventory section of the System display.
‘3X Amplification Card: Single-use. Recommended to use with a binding partner. Effects last six hours.’
Fang Lang’s breathing picked up.
‘Confirm!’
‘Switching confirmed. Activation complete. You currently have 50% of the binding partner’s cultivation inspiration and cultivation speed. With the 3X Amplification Card activated, you have 150% of the binding partner’s cultivation inspiration and cultivation speed. Happy cultivating!’
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