Chapter 104: A Youth Surrounded By Three Thousand Methods

A commotion began in the tranquil Sword Guild.

The day where newcomers joined the sect was bound to have conflict.

The new grand champion, Fang Lang, challenged the Light Pavilion disciple, Zhao Yu, on the first day of joining the sect. He defeated Zhao Yu with a thunderous strike, breaking past records by entering the Light Pavilion as a fresh disciple.

The news spread throughout the entire Sword Guild like wildfire—it was an amazing record after all.

All the disciples from the inner sect and outer sect were astonished by this news. However, just shortly after, they heard that Zhao Yu was being challenged once more.

Everybody was stunned. What did Zhao Yu do to deserve this?

However, most of them were still excited to see what happened next.

Many inner sect disciples flocked to the Grooming Peak to observe the battle.

However, by the time they arrived at the Grooming Peak, the battle on the floating island was over.

Zhao Yu was lying on the ground—his eyes filled with despair and seemed a little lost.

It was as if all the worldly emotions had left him.

The look in his eyes was branded into the memory of thousands of Sword Guild disciples.

After that, they realized the young lady who defeated Zhao Yu was the runner-up of the Imperial Examination—she had the cultivation of a third-class sword wave realm.

She completely obliterated Zhao Yu.

None of them took pleasure in his defeat. Instead, their stress level heightened significantly. With the newcomers’ level of mastery, they would be left behind very soon if they did not put more effort in cultivation.

No one wanted to be left out. Cultivation was a competitive journey and they all joined the Sword Guild with the dream of having a bright future ahead.

…

Jiang Linglong arrived at the 800th courtyard. There was nothing much inside.

However, the courtyard was not important, it was the status that mattered. Earning a spot in the pavilion allowed one to enter the demon portal tunnel and endure the pressure between the two worlds.

Therefore, most of the disciples in the pavilion would practice in the demon portal tunnel instead of staying in their courtyards.

It was rare to be challenged twice in a day like Zhao Yu. The fact that he lost both battles made others’ eyebrows raise.

When the previous 800th disciple returned, he was not too affected as he was not on the receiving end of the attacks.

There was nothing much to talk about.

If they won, they would retain their place. Otherwise, they would just continue to cultivate and take it back in the future. This was the common rule in the inner sect of the Sword Guild.

The door to Fang Lang’s courtyard was sealed shut. He was in the middle of cultivation. Jiang Linglong glanced at him from afar and went back to her own courtyard.

In the 799th courtyard of the Light Pavilion, Fang Lang had no idea that Old Jiang had chosen the Sword Guild and defeated Zhao Yu too.

He was totally immersed in his cultivation. He was practicing the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture to transform the spiritual energy in his energy center into blade energy. The existing blade energy would also be channeled into the direction specified by the scripture and change its malleability.

The practice method was crucial for a cultivator as it laid the foundation for their cultivation.

If the foundation was not strong enough, the building would not be able to go any higher from the base.

However, Fang Lang was still able to continue absorbing spiritual energy. As a ninth-grade sword master, his body should be transforming the spiritual energy into blade energy.

He was able to absorb and transform simultaneously because he was not solely a sword master, he was also a martial arts master, spell master and a casual practitioner of Ruism…

Martial arts mastery and spell mastery required the absorption of spiritual energy.

Not many attempted to cultivate all three disciplines because it demanded more effort and time than a single-disciplined cultivation.

Four phantoms appeared around Fang Lang after he switched to binding partner mode.

With the assistance of all four phantoms of Jiang Linglong, Ni Wen, Liu Bubai and Wei Sheng, Fang Lang’s cultivation sped up immensely.

Fang Lang opened his eyes—a gentle current circled him, making his sleeve float in the air.

He fell into deep thought as he stared at the four phantoms.

He was inspired by the Double Cultivation Card.

‘Sword master, spell master, martial arts master… Could I direct the phantoms individually to cultivate based on their discipline? Ni Wen’s a spell master, I should let her help me with the absorption of spiritual energy for spell mastery. Wei Sheng’s a martial arts master, he’ll be assisting me in the cultivation of martial arts,’ Fang Lang thought to himself.

He decided on it and cultivated all three disciplines at the same time!

This would definitely increase his rate of cultivation significantly!

After all, without a small leap of faith, Fang Lang would not be able to progress much in spell mastery and martial arts mastery.

As Fang Lang channeled his thoughts, the phantoms started moving.

Ni Wen and Wei Sheng’s phantoms started absorbing spiritual energy from the spirit crystals.

Jiang Linglong and Liu Bubai’s phantoms continued to practice the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture.

Fang Lang’s spiritual senses were operating at maximum capacity with all three cultivations going simultaneously. His burden increased greatly but it was extremely effective.

Fang Lang was thrilled and continued his cultivation in this manner!

The System’s experience points surged as the spirit crystals were gradually used up. Spiritual energy was transforming into blade energy and his cultivation speed accelerated slowly.

…

After 15 minutes, Fang Lang opened his eyes and breathed out. He exited the Quadruple Binding Mode and massaged his temples. Although he received help from all three disciplines, he was the main beneficiary. Hence, the training consumed his own spiritual sense.

“If only I had more Double Cultivation Cards,” Fang Lang muttered.

The Double Cultivation Card would spare him from exhausting his spiritual sense.

This was the first time he realized the benefits of the Double Cultivation Card.

He did not continue cultivating as Elder Ji had informed them to gather at the practice grounds before heading to the Hidden Sword Tower.

The newcomers would be choosing a practice method that suited them.

The practice method was crucial in every sect—the fundamental core of a sect. All students from the academies worked so hard to enter a sect of their choice because of this reason. One’s cultivation speed could only improve by grasping the practice methods.

When he walked out of the courtyard, Fang Lang saw Jiang Linglong emerging from the adjacent courtyard.

“Old Jiang?”

Fang Lang was surprised to see her. He was cut off from the surroundings when he activated the calming rune.

Jiang Linglong nodded her head in an aloof manner. Fang Lang instantly understood what happened and sympathized with Zhao Yu’s situation.

Fang Lang did not discuss with Old Jiang about cultivation. Both left the pavilion and headed to the practice grounds.

Liu Bubai and Ni Wen were already waiting at the practice grounds. They were not the only ones there. Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong saw several other figures, some were recruited by the Sword Guild. There were also outer sect disciples who passed the exam and entered the inner sect.

Fang Lang had met some of them once but the impression was rather faded.

Fang Lang started using the Stats Scanner excitedly but he was disappointed to find only ordinary cores in all of these newcomers.

The highest quality was a yellow core, but a yellow core was not helpful in Fang Lang’s current phase.

Wen Ting was wearing a blue robe with a sword hanging around his waist. He stood at the practice ground as he sipped on the wolfberry tea in his gourd canteen.

The scarred Elder Ji walked over fiercely and scanned through the crowd. Then, he nodded in satisfaction, “Everyone’s here? We’ll head over to the Hidden Sword Tower now.

“Some of you may have cultivated using other practice methods before this, but these methods may not necessarily be suitable for you. Once you enter the Hidden Sword Tower, the practice method will choose you, not the other way round. If you are paired with a suitable practice method, just go on with it,” Elder Ji said.

The next moment, Elder Ji raised his hand and pushed upwards gently.

Fang Lang felt a gush of blade energy appearing beneath his feet. The energy formed a moving cloud.

What an incredible skill.

They rode on the blade energy and flew over several mountaintops, finally landing on a building situated on one of the peaks.

It was an ancient building. There was an ancient bell on the roof. An old man was meditating beside the bell. His breath was undetectable.

Elder Ji brought the disciples to the tower and put his hands together to pay respects to the old man.

“Senior, these are this year’s new disciples. Ji Mo brought them here for the practice method selection, please open the tower.”

On top of the tower, the old man opened his cloudy eyes. There seemed to be energy crackling in his eyes.

He looked at Old Jiang, then Ni Wen. His eyes finally landed on Fang Lang.

A purple gleam flashed in his eyes.

‘Hmm? Mutated core!’ The old man was astonished.

“This cohort of newcomers is quite impressive,” the old man stated.

Then, with a wave of his sleeve, countless blade energy emerged from the ground and sky. The clouds were roaring above the tower, forming a mysterious rune between the thick layers of clouds.

Creak…

The wooden door of the tower creaked open.

“Remember, you don’t need to snatch or compete with each other for a practice method. Let it come to you. If you weren’t selected by a practice method, do not fret. You’ll receive a basic practice method as compensation before you exit the tower.” The old man’s hoarse voice sounded from the roof of the tower.

Then, the old man raised his hand. He held the horizontal wooden pole and gently pushed it forward.

The wooden pole struck the ancient bell.

Dong!

The deep chime of the ancient bell resonated to a far distance.

“Enter the tower!” The old man’s voice traveled over the sea of clouds, accompanied by the echoes of the bell.

Elder Ji looked at each newcomer standing in front of the ancient tower situated on the peak of the mountain with a serious expression.

“You may enter now. Remember, no violence is needed to pick a practice method. Let it be,” Elder Ji said calmly.

Then, the disciples climbed the ancient stairs that led into the Hidden Sword Tower in an orderly manner.

Fang Lang followed the convoy and entered the tower. He was very calm the entire time.

This was mainly because he already owned the Ten Thousand Blade Scripture. This practice method was awarded to him as the champion’s reward. It was an earth-level high-grade practice method, which was one of the higher level methods.

It was impossible for Fang Lang to change his practice method. Therefore, he regarded this trip into the tower as a mere formality.

…

The surroundings of the tower quieted down.

Elder Ji stood outside the tower and watched the group with brooding eyes. The last disciple disappeared into the building.

Wen Ting took a sip of the wolfberry tea and said with a chuckle, “The Hidden Sword Tower has been the foundation of the Sword Guild for thousands of years. The tower holds ten thousand practice methods, ten of them are earth-level, eight hundred dark-level practice methods… Elder Ji, do you think that anyone will get an earth-level practice method?”

Elder Ji glanced at Wen Ting with a cold expression. “How many practice methods approached you when you first stepped into the Hidden Sword Tower?”

“Three hundred,” Wen Ting laughed and said.

“Of course, the amount of practice methods differs among individuals.”

Elder Ji scoffed, “You remembered so clearly huh. I’m not sure about the others, but I think that Fang Lang will definitely get an earth-level practice method. I’m betting on him!”

Then, Elder Ji waved his hand and blade energy rose from the ground and formed a mirror that reflected the happenings inside the Hidden Sword Tower.

…

Fang Lang saw boundless darkness after he entered the Hidden Sword Tower. Beyond the dark abyss was a brilliant white light.

An endless wooden hallway appeared in front of him.

Both sides were covered with bookshelves that reached the ceiling. Fang Lang turned around and saw that the road behind him was blocked by more shelves.

The bookshelves held individual boxes. Each box had one volume of practice method. A short blade was beside the book. The book was glowing slightly, illuminating the dark interior of the Hidden Sword Tower.

The view was spectacular. Fang Lang felt as if he had entered into a world of libraries. Other than the path forward, he was surrounded by bookshelves.

Fang Lang took a step and the short blades on the shelves trembled.

‘This is the Hidden Sword Tower? It holds the swords, practice methods and the inheritance of the sect!’

Fang Lang kept his composure. The flickering light lit up the entire tower.

The ancient staircase creaked as Fang Lang stepped on it. He moved forward without hurry, his green robe flowing gently in the air.

After switching to Quadruple Binding Mode, Fang Lang felt the Sword Intent Seed in his energy center shudder.

Buzz…

Suddenly, the short blades on the shelves started vibrating, giving out a crisp buzzing sound.

Then, the vibrations transformed into thunderbolts and charged at Fang Lang!

Fang Lang was stunned but after the burst of speed, they suddenly stopped and hovered around him quietly as if they were waiting for his choice.

Fang Lang let out a breath. Then, multiple tiny explosions sounded around him.

The short blades flew out the bookshelves and flew towards him, stopping inches behind Fang Lang. They hovered silently.

They floated quietly in the air after the explosions.

Over time, Fang Lang was surrounded by more and more floating practice methods.

The level of the practice methods could be determined by the emitted light. The brighter the practice methods glowed, the higher the level.

Fang Lang saw a few practice methods that shone like high beams squeezed their way to him.

Fang Lang was gaping at the sea of lights that surrounded him.

He was totally surrounded by practice methods!

What?

‘I don’t need any more practice methods but looking at the situation, can I walk out of the tower if I don’t select one?’

…

Outside the Hidden Sword Tower, Elder Ji, Wen Ting and the old man on the roof were observing the blade mirror closely.

The mirror was showing what was happening to the disciples in the tower.

“He attracted forty-two practice methods. Not bad, next.”

Elder Ji glanced briefly and waved his hand to change to another disciple. The blade mirror dimmed instantly.

“Eighteen practice methods. He’ll only get a light-level practice method at most.”

Elder Ji continued to comment.

Then, the screen changed to Liu Bubai—his surroundings were extremely bright.

“Hmm? A hundred and nine practice methods? This kid only has an ordinary core, but he has an affinity for practice methods. He might be able to receive a dark-level practice method and probably reach to a third of Wen Ting’s level.”

Wen Ting was speechless. When did he become a measuring unit?

Then Ni Wen appeared in the blade mirror and it shone brightly. She managed to attract three hundred practice methods, most of them for spell mastery. It was impressive since spell mastery practice methods were scarce in the Hidden Sword Tower.

Elder Ji nodded proudly. “Good, at least one Wen Ting.”

The blade mirror switched to another scene and this time it was Jiang Linglong.

Dazzling light shone through the mirror, blinding their eyes with its brilliance.

Elder Ji and Wen Ting inhaled sharply.

“Six hundred practice methods!”

Elder Ji was genuinely impressed, “She’s definitely the daughter of Martial Arts King Jiang. She would get an earth-level practice method and be equivalent to two Wen Tings.”

Wen Ting was speechless.

What about Fang Lang?

Wen Ting and Elder Ji were curious about the grand champion who kept making miracles. How many practice methods would he get?

When the blade mirror switched to him, it was just pure blinding white light.

The intense light shocked Elder Ji and Wen Ting.

The expression of the old gentleman on the roof of the tower also changed. “Impossible! Three thousand practice methods! There’s something fishy about him!”

The scar on Elder Ji’s face was dancing as he rejoiced. “No wonder he managed to draw Sect Leader Taihua’s sword! There’s nothing wrong with him! He was hand-picked by Sect Leader Taihua? This kid’s going to beat ten Wen Tings!”

Wen Ting was left speechless once more.

Wen Ting was no longer surprised. Instead, the amazing feat was expected.

He popped open the cork of the gourd canteen and gulped a mouthful of wolfberry tea.