A Duel of Swords or Words?

'What the hell is this reward? A spell talisman?

'Isn't Jiang Linglong a sword mastery practitioner?

'Why am I rewarded with a spell mastery item after interacting with her? This doesn't make sense…'

Spell Talisman: Flight Sword Crossover Turbo Charge—even the name was confusing to an ordinary person. Fang Lang scoured every corner of his mind but none of his spell mastery lessons were useful in deciphering the reward.

Fang Lang had passed his Flying Sword Examination and was equipped with the Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill. He was able to piece something together.

He knew that the spell talisman was to be used on a flight sword.

However, he did not know its function.

After all, his main discipline was sword mastery—he rarely dabbled in spell mastery.

'Ni Wen is a spell mastery disciple, yet when I interacted with her, I received rewards related to sword mastery. Jiang Linglong is a sword master, yet she provides spell mastery rewards. I wonder what would be given if I interacted with a martial arts mastery disciple…'

Fang Lang scratched his chin as he pondered. It seemed like he had discovered something.

Just then, Mentor Wen and Liu Bubai returned.

The meaningful interaction was over and Fang Lang switched out of the binding partner's cultivation mode. His spiritual sense relaxed.

Both Mentor Wen and Liu Bubai looked unhappy.

"Our opponent in the third stage is Changan Academy. Our only chance at first place is to defeat Changan Academy," Mentor Wen announced.

He thought the team would only have to deal with Changan Academy at the very end. Unexpectedly, they were matched up in the semi-final.

Changan Academy was incredibly strong!

Mentor Wen had faith in Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong. However, pitted against the Changan Academy team, his confidence in the duo wavered.

Changan Academy was situated near the Imperial Palace. It was located in the heart of the Tang Dynasty's politics and economy—Changan City, also known as Imperial City.

It was an exceptional place filled with exceptional people. The geniuses they bred were the best of the best in the Tang Dynasty. 

During the Imperial Examination, four fifths of Changan Academy students would pass and be recruited by different sects. The top scorer of the Imperial Examination almost always hailed from Changan Academy.

The revelation turned Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong's expressions solemn.

"Oh well, getting into the third stage is already beyond my expectations. This is the furthest Luojiang Academy has ever gotten in the Gathering of Swords. Don't feel too pressured to win," Mentor Wen said with a hearty laugh.

"Now, let me fill you in about your opponents."

Before he began, Mentor Wen turned to Liu Bubai. After a moment's hesitation, he called out, "Come and listen. It's probably of no use to you, but perhaps you'll feel more included."

Liu Bubai was speechless.

Mentor Wen ignored Liu Bubai's misery and began to expound about their formidable opponents from Changan Academy.

"Changan Academy is a well-established academy known throughout the Tang Dynasty. Initially, I never expected us to encounter them in this competition. Their representatives are incredibly skilled, on par with a sword master and each has their own speciality. Changan Academy's ace is also here, Lu Ze.

"The boy is like Fang Lang, speed and agility are his greatest skills. His sword moves with great dexterity. Lu Ze is the great grandson of Lu Taixuan, the grand chancellor of the Tang Dynasty," Mentor Wen informed.

Fang Lang was stunned by the news. Lu Taixuan was a grand chancellor but he was also an infamous sword master. Their textbooks even contained excerpts about Lu Taixuan, also known as the Drunken Blade Lord. Long ago, when demons infested these lands, the man slaughtered countless demons while chugging alcohol. The tale was known as The Drunken Demon Slayer.

The team's next opponent was the great grandson of a legend!

Even Jiang Linglong frowned when she heard the name.

Damn!

Changan Academy truly lived up to its reputation.

"Lu Ze aside, the other two students are not weaklings either. However, there's still a gap between them and Lu Ze. If my predictions are correct, Changan Academy will send out their ace in the first round.

"Thus, the first round is crucial. Fang Lang must defeat Lu Ze. Even if he uses up all his energy, we have Jiang Pei to deal with the other two. That way, we might still stand a chance.

"However, if Fang Lang loses easily, Lu Ze will get a chance to fight Jiang Pei. She'll be completely drained and we'll lose regardless."

Mentor Wen explained in a serious tone.

Although Luojiang Academy still had Liu Bubai, his strength did not compare to even the two weaker students of Changan Academy.

His participation would not affect the overall result.

Mentor Wen was busy discussing strategies with Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong.

Meanwhile, battles of the third stage had begun in the battle ring.

The semi-final began with Bailu Academy and Beijiang Academy.

The sound of blades clashing filled the ring.

The battle was intense. The participants fought with the intention to kill.

In the match, the less determined would lose.

The gruesome battle between Fang Lang and Lin Yun had stirred the students. Each fought with a fiery intensity!

There was a change in the Sword Guild umpire. The new umpire was an elderly man with an immensely powerful cultivation. The aura he emitted made the environment uncomfortable. He was undoubtedly a cultivator of the forth class or higher.

The fierce battle between Bailu Academy and Beijiang Academy came to a quick end.

A pyrrhic victory.

Fang Lang's next-door neighbour, Song Qingyun, had also finished his fight. With great perseverance, he won a round for Beijiang Academy but sustained a severe injury. Thanks to him, the battle proceeded to the final round involving the aces of each academy. 

In the end, the ace of Beijiang Academy defeated Bailu Academy. Towards the end of the battle, both participants were drenched in red. Even so, they swung their blades with style and confidence.

The spectators around the ring were engrossed in the battle.

There was a short break after the great battle before Changan Academy and Luojiang Academy dueled.

The former was a well-established academy while the latter was the dark horse in the Gathering of Swords.

Unsurprisingly, their battle attracted the attention of everyone present. 

When pitted against Changan Academy, few rooted for Luojiang Academy.

Changan Academy was simply too strong—the academy was the reigning champion for many consecutive years.

The outcome would probably be the same as previous years. Changan Academy had Lu Ze—the grandson of the infamous Drunken Blade Lord.

A man's ancestor was a great indication of his abilities.

Lu Ze was taught by the Drunken Blade Lord since young—how could his sword mastery be weak?

"Fang Lang, take the first round."

Mentor Wen was serious, which was a rare occurrence. 

Having Fang Lang go up against Lu Ze was a good strategy. If Lu Ze aimed to win, he would have to consume a great deal of energy. Even if Fang Lang lost, it would be an opportunity for Jiang Pei.

Fang Lang nodded. He grabbed his steel sword and headed toward the ring but Liu Bubai grabbed his arm. Liu Bubai presented his extravagant sword to Fang Lang.

"Take this, but you owe me drinks if you win," Liu Bubai said.

"It's alright if you lose too. After all, you have me, the hidden ace, to back you up." 

That was the phrase Fang Lang used to trick Liu Bubai. However, when Liu Bubai said it, it sounded like a true, self-deprecating joke. 

Fang Lang's lips curled upward. He took Liu Bubai's sword and swung the two swords in his hands.

When Fang Lang passed by Jiang Linglong, she unexpectedly presented her saber to him.

"If you fight Lu Ze with an ordinary steel blade, the blade will become your weakness. Liu Bubai's longsword is usable, but the other one…

"Take mine instead," she offered in a cold, monotonous voice.

Jiang Linglong did not know what came over her. That odd feeling of familiarity was the root cause. Otherwise, with that ice-cold personality of hers, Jiang Linglong would never have lent him her saber.

Throughout the entire Gathering of Swords, Jiang Linglong had not unsheathed her precious saber that followed her everywhere.

Fang Lang took the saber. Even through the scabbard, he could feel the ringing of her blade.

The blade shone brightly when he unsheathed it. An ice-cold feeling radiated from her blade.

'Amazing!'

Fang Lang's eyes glimmered.

He thanked Old Jiang and entered the ring with a sword in each hand.

His opponent waited patiently for him.

In the ring stood a teenage boy with a large bottle gourd tied around his waist. His hair was tied up with a thin rope and his robe exposed his chest. A strange smile was on his face.

Standing face-to-face with Fang Lang, the boy unexpectedly took the bottle gourd and gulped a mouthful of wine. He wiped his mouth and said, "Did you know if you enter the Imperial City with that White Frost Blade in your hand, you'll be dead in less than two hours."

Fang Lang staggered.

Seeing his reaction, the boy's lips curled up into a smirk.

"I'll admit that defeating Lin Yun was an impressive feat, but luck was on your side. Lin Yun underestimated you and fell into your trap. Otherwise, you stood no chance of winning.

"I, for one, will never underestimate my opponents. You'll lose this round.

"You know, I was initially quite fond of you. After all, you did defeat Lin Yun…

"But that White Frost Blade… Mmm… It vexes me."

Lu Ze gulped another mouthful of wine. His tone was cold when he spoke. Wine spilled from his bottle as he unsheathed his sword.

"Do you think you're worthy of that blade?"

Before Lu Ze could finish his words, Fang Lang was already making his move.

He held both blades in a reverse grip and activated his Spirit Step. He closed in on Lu Ze with such speed that his afterimage flickered. 

"You talk too much. Are you gonna fight with your blade or your mouth?"