Liu Bubai: Even If I Die Today

To absorb 15 low-grade spirit crystals in two hours… Fang Lang never imagined this cultivation speed was possible.

Ni Wen's cultivation speed was fast but Jiang Linglong's blew hers out of the water!

The moment Fang Lang entered Jiang Linglong's cultivation state, his absorption speed was instantly at its highest performance.

Even so, Fang Lang did not dismiss the insane idea that popped up in his head.

Doubling his cultivation abilities was no longer enough, he wanted to triple it!

"System, can I activate multiple binding partners' cultivation state at the same time?" he inquired.

Fang Lang felt the spiritual energy rushing through his veins.

The System's reply came in instantly. 'Binding can be activated with multiple partners at once. Once Multiple Binding Mode is activated, cultivation abilities from each partner will stack on accordingly. The host's cultivation inspiration and cultivation speed will increase by another ten percent. While in Multiple Binding Mode, the load on the host's spiritual sense and physical body will increase. Effective time of Amplification Cards will also be reduced.

'Would you like to activate Multiple Binding Mode?'

The System's reply made Fang Lang's heart skip a beat. Immediately, he fell into deep thought.

The stack-on cultivation mode was a surprise for him. However, there were cons to it—the burden on his spiritual sense and physical body would be exacerbated. Moreover, the Amplification Cards would be exhausted more quickly.

'Overall, the pros and cons seemed to balance each other out.

'But if I hold back on the Amplification Cards, the benefits outweigh the cons.

'Anyway, I only have two binding partners now. If I obtain more partners, their cultivation abilities will stack and the Multiple Binding Mode will surely come in handy.'

The realization made Fang Lang sigh with relief.

Fang Lang had activated a 2X Amplification Card and the effect would last two hours. Thus, he decided to try out Dual Binding Mode right away.

'Ding! Dual Binding Mode activated.

'Friendly reminder: Please take care of your physical body. Happy cultivating!'

The System's message was displayed.

A silhouette resembling Ni Wen appeared beside Fang Lang. A faint yellow glow surrounded the silhouette.

Instantly, he felt his mind clear. His cultivation speed increased significantly. As a result, his spirit crystal absorption speed improved too!

His cultivation speed went up by 10%!

At that moment, his cultivation speed was faster than the golden-cored Jiang Linglong!

Spiritual energy pulsed in his veins like a rushing river. Fang Lang felt his veins swell as a sharp pain shot through his body.

Green smoke billowed above his head as a result of his accelerated absorption speed!

In less than two hours, Fang Lang was through with 15 low-grade spirit crystals!

Fang Lang sat cross-legged on his bed. He looked haggard but a satisfied expression graced his face. The husks of drained spirit crystals piled up around him.

Fang Lang spat out a mouthful of stale air which sliced through the air like his blade energy.

Spiritual energy swelled inside him. Fang Lang was almost at the peak of the seventh-grade sword mastery.

Fang Lang's eyes sparkled. At this rate, it was possible he would achieve eighth-grade sword mastery the next day!

As fun as Dual Binding Mode was, it was very harmful to the body.

With enough spirit crystals and the Dual Binding Mode, perhaps in a month's time… Fang Lang could become a ninth-grade sword disciple!

Fang Lang stretched his body. With Old Jiang bound, he should approach her for some interactions about cultivation.

That was the highlight of binding.

…

The next day.

The blue sky was clear after the storm and the sun was out. The sky looked as if it had been cleansed of all impurities.

Fang Lang had left his room early in the morning and arrived at the great plaza of Mount Shu.

Jiang Linglong, too, was at the plaza early. The lady wore a veil over her face. Her long dress fluttered in the wind as she stared at the approaching Fang Lang.

A puzzled look appeared in her eyes.

For some reason, Fang Lang looked especially pleasing that morning. There was an odd sense of familiarity deep within her heart.

She felt as if Fang Lang was her close friend of many years.

'What the hell is this feeling?' she wondered.

She met Fang Lang for the first time when she came to Luojiang City—how could she have known him for years?

"It's probably just admiration for his performance in yesterday's match…"

She mumbled under her breath, trying to dismiss this odd feeling.

Despite her haughty nature, Jiang Linglong did not try to hide this feeling of familiarity. She smiled at Fang Lang—her bright eyes curved into little crescents.

A distance away, Liu Bubai made his way to the plaza with a bandage wrapped around his head. Thanks to the precious recovery pill, his injuries did not worsen. If it was possible, he wished to fight again that day. He was unsure if he could win, but he wanted a chance to prove himself.

Liu Bubai was slightly embarrassed for losing his maiden match…

He promised he would carry Fang Lang to victory, yet the inverse had happened.

"Yesterday was merely a slip up."

Liu Bubai tried to console himself.

When he saw Fang Lang approaching, he greeted him with a smile. Fang Lang smiled and nodded in response. Immediately after, Fang Lang turned away and headed toward Jiang Linglong.

Fang Lang smiled and chatted with Jiang Linglong as if they were best friends.

A gust of wind blew across the plaza. Liu Bubai found the atmosphere that day to be especially cold.

'Those two… when did they become close friends?

'While I was recovering, what happened behind my back?'

Liu Bubai felt as if the world had turned its back on him overnight.

At that moment, Fang Lang was not in the mood to care about Liu Bubai's feelings. Furthermore, Fang Lang was no expert in consoling others.

He would probably say something along the lines of, "Just sit tight. Sit however you want and get comfortable. We will carry you to victory."

An amiable smile spread across Fang Lang's face.

Above Jiang Linglong's smile, her brows were knitted together. Her smile seemed casual.

"Lady Jiang, some questions arose in my mind when I saw your Four Season Form yesterday. There are some things I don't understand when it comes to sword mastery. Can I clear my doubts with you?" Fang Lang inquired in a serious tone.

The smile on his face was hidden.

"Sure." Jiang Linglong raised her brows. She did not expect Fang Lang to come with cultivation-related questions.

Before, Jiang Linglong would have refused his questions. However, the odd feeling of familiarity she had prevented her from declining.

Fang Lang was overjoyed. As he expected, Jiang Linglong was a different breed from Little Wen.

Old Jiang's confidence radiated from inside out.

"Your sword techniques are inspired by the four seasons. In truth, my Dual Sword Technique is quite similar to your Summer Rain Style. My blades are faster. I saw that you incorporated your Summer Rain Style into your sword techniques. I've thought about doing that too, but I have some key points to address. Firstly, there's the technical aspect…" Fang Lang spoke.

Jiang Linglong was deep in thought. Solving Fang Lang's questions would be beneficial to her own sword mastery techniques too.

Instantly, the two engaged in a heated debate, bouncing ideas off each other. A deep connection was formed between them through cultivation.

From a distance, Liu Bubai watched with his jaw agape. He felt terribly out of place.

He was also perplexed as to why Fang Lang never turned to him for advice on sword mastery.

Liu Bubai wondered, 'Am I not good enough for you?'

Just then, Mentor Wen arrived.

Mentor Wen was taken aback when he saw the animated conversation between Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong. He never imagined those two would get along. 

Mentor Wen had some ideas about Jiang Linglong's identity, hence why he was so shocked.

Regardless, Mentor Wen had no intention of interrupting their conversation. He merely gazed at them with an intriguing look—he had once been in Fang Lang's shoes.

Then, his gaze fell on Liu Bubai who was standing alone, a perplexed expression on his face. Mentor Wen begrudgingly beckoned the boy over.

"Boy, you're injured. You're not in good shape to fight. There's a high chance you'll lose in the third stage. How about you come with me to draw the lots? That way, you'll feel more included. And it'll show that you're not just here to be carried to victory." Mentor Wen suggested.

'Master, how could you say that?' Liu Bubai whined internally.

He felt as if a sword was repeatedly stabbed through his chest.

'I, Liu Bubai, can't win a single fight? Who do you think I am?

'I am Liu Bubai, a sword mastery genius! I'd rather die in the battle ring than be carried to victory!'

Liu Bubai raged in his heart.

Without saying another word, Mentor Wen guided Liu Bubai away to draw the lots.

White clouds floated in the sky.

On the great plaza of Mount Shu, voices rose one after another.

The results for the lots were out.

In the third stage, Luojiang Academy was going against Changan Academy.

Mentor Wen's expression darkened and glanced at Liu Bubai with dissatisfaction. He regretted bringing that brat with him. The boy must have tainted his luck!

Liu Bubai grumbled in his head, 'It was your hand that drew the lot! I had nothing to do with it!'

A match with Changan Academy…

An odd expression crossed Liu Bubai's face.

'Maybe… Maybe it's not so bad, being the hidden ace of the team. Yes, this is an important role after all.'

…

Outside the battle ring, Fang Lang—oblivious to the match-up—was absorbed in his conversation with Jiang Linglong. He had switched to Jiang Linglong's cultivation mode!

He drew inspiration from her golden core and engaged in a productive discussion with Jiang Linglong.

Jiang Linglong's eyes widened. She never expected Fang Lang to have such similar views with her when it came to sword mastery. She felt as if she had found a confidant.

She felt as if their conversation could carry on forever. 

This feeling intrigued her.

'Ding! You have engaged in a meaningful interaction about cultivation with your binding partner, Jiang Linglong. You will receive a Spell Talisman: Flight Sword Crossover Turbo Charge as your reward.'

He paused the conversation.

'Huh? Can't you reward me with something normal?' Fang Lang thought.