The two flight swords plummeted parallel to the waterfall-like two shooting stars.
The roars of the waterfall were deafening.
Fang Lang’s heart raced even with his Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill.
At the bottom of the waterfall was the river. Huge waves rose from the river and the air currents nearing the water surface were tumultuous, making it difficult to steer the flight sword.
Fang Lang rode on the Meteor and descended at a high speed. As he was falling, he quickly switched out the exhausted spirit crystal for a new one. Then, fingers on the rune’s core, he drove the flight sword upward.
The sword tip was angled upward like a huge dragon rearing its head!
The air currents above the river were disoriented by the Meteor’s rise.
The flight sword went from a freefall to a flying stance parallel to the river surface as it flew across the river.
Whoosh!
The propelling flight sword sounded like a dragon’s angry roar!
The river water was agitated by the strong air currents and it looked as if numerous fish were struggling underwater.
Liu Bubai’s high-pitched scream followed. He sounded far and near at the same time as his voice cracked.
Fang Lang showed no signs of slowing down and Liu Bubai felt his heart thump fearfully.
The two boys flew close to the roiling river surface, traveling in parallel and zooming across the water.
They were ahead of many teams who had slowed down for the scene change. They had advanced from the last place and made it into the top ten!
At the rushing waterfall, the other riders were stunned.
Fang Lang’s flight sword maneuver was the epitome of textbook teachings. He was like a beacon that tore through the endless darkness—his light blinded them all.
“Is he a professional flight sword rider?”
“He must be! That ultimate Dragon Awakening[1] was incredible to watch!”
“Thought he was a newbie, turns out he’s a professional rider!”
Chatter exploded among the participants.
Liu Bubai watched the wind-breaking newbie’s silhouette. The newbie was able to expertly steer the basic Meteor model.
The newbie was a professional flight sword rider?
A professional flight sword rider was an occupation in the Tang Dynasty. Those who showed exceptional skill in piloting a flight sword could receive the title.
One had to apply to the Tang Dynasty Flying Sword Examination Board for the accolade and the Professional Flying Examination was well-known for its difficulty.
The daring drift over the waterfall, the ultimate Dragon Awakening performed near the river surface and the quick exchange of spirit crystals all required the proficiency of a professional flight sword rider.
A complex expression crossed Liu Bubai’s face. He thought about the Gathering of Swords, then the Flight Rally…
He seemed to keep winning unexpectedly without contribution.
This was not the life he wanted!
Liu Bubai had ambitions and goals—he wanted to succeed through his own efforts!
“Whatever. This is the last time I’m letting others win for me.”
Determination glowed in Liu Bubai’s eyes as he made his oath.
Despite that, he could not deny that it was fun teaming up with a professional rider.
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!
The deafening sound echoed.
In the dense forest, a silver flight sword moved like an agile fish, kicking up fallen leaves in its wake.
Changan’s Chao Xiaojian’s team had maintained first place ever since the rally started.
At that moment, Changan’s Chao Xiaojian said to the wind-breaker, all smiles, “Brother, you’re without a doubt almost at a professional rider’s skill level! With you here, the first place is easily ours!”
Changan’s Chao Xiaojian guffawed.
The rider on the flight sword ahead was called Luo Yang. “Luo Qiuqiu, you should stop with those bimbotic identification names. Chao Xiaojian is at a rank where he can easily squash you if he so pleases,” the silhouette said lazily with a hint of frustration.
“Change your name, it’s improper for a girl to have such a name. Also, stop playing with the flight swords and prepare for the Imperial Examination. If you fail the examination, you’re gonna cry non-stop. If you’re worried about losing the Flight Rally, I promise I’ll help you punish the participants in the newbie area. I don’t want your focus to be affected,” Luo Yang said.
“Brother, you talk too much.” Luo Qiuqiu rolled her eyes.
Just as she ended her sentence, Luo Yang felt a shiver in his chest.
He turned back in disbelief.
“Someone’s coming.
“Impossible! I shook off the Trident flight sword team who was in second place. We’re at least eight hundred and fifty miles apart, how did they catch up so quickly?”
He angled his body and squinted.
In the dim light of the forest, he saw a flash of the red, fiery flight sword slithering through the trees like a snake. The flight sword moved like lightning as it avoided the trees.
Surprise struck Luo Yang and he banished his relaxed demeanor.
“Second place is catching up.”
“Ah! It’s that arrogant Young Blade God! Brother, for my pride, you must fly faster!”
Changan’s Chao Xiaojian, also known as Luo Qiuqiu, was ruffled.
Luo Yang’s eyes narrowed and he touched the rune, making the flight sword speed up.
He controlled the flight sword as he flew through the dense forest, ducking away from the branches and trees.
The strong and sturdy trees past him swiftly, soon disappearing from his sight.
“Ahhh! Brother! Slow down! Slow down!” Luo Qiuqiu let out a high-pitched shriek that sounded exactly like Liu Bubai’s.
The flight sword became a silver light that zapped past the crowded forest.
However, the red, fiery flight sword was still closing the gap.
“Fast! That’s crazy! They’re not slowing down, instead they keep speeding up. How can they avoid the trees at such speed?”
Luo Yang took a deep breath.
Zoom!
The red, fiery flight sword pulled ahead of the silver flight sword, taking the lead.
Luo Yang frowned.
This speed and control.
It must be a professional rider!
He was certain!
Luo Yang’s eyes narrowed as if he had found prey. His body trembled in excitement.
“The opponent is using a basic Meteor model from the Jade Pavilion. I have the advantage in the final burst of speed. I have not lost! I just need to maintain a reasonable gap between us for now.”
Luo Yang analyzed the situation and ignored his shrieking sister at the back.
He honed his concentration and maintained his top speed without sacrificing control. He worked hard to stay on the trail of the Meteor.
Rustling.
The fallen leaves scattered as the air currents swept past the forest.
Fang Lang used the Specialized Flight Sword Maneuver Skill to fly through the dense forest. Goosebumps formed on his body as excitement filled him.
Amazing!
The unshackled freedom he felt in the air was truly amazing.
Behind him, the screaming Liu Bubai was long forgotten.
Carry on, there would be no damage to the throat even if he screamed forever.
They were in an illusion after all, death and injuries did not exist.
To be frank, Fang Lang was a bit tired from all the flying.
His spiritual intent and physical stamina were rapidly decreasing. It was almost time to try using the talisman.
His heart pounded.
A warm, squarish jade talisman appeared in Fang Lang’s hand. The carvings on the talisman was very intricate and complex.
Whoosh!
An all-consuming white light exploded from within the dense forest.
Fang Lang nearly collided with a giant tree as he picked up speed.
Leaning at a 90 degrees angle, he flew parallel to the giant tree with only centimeters between them.
Swoosh!
Countless fallen leaves took to the air.
Fang Lang rode the Meteor and broke out of the dense and dark forest. Finally, he was bathed in a resplendent light.
Everything was a blur to Liu Bubai.
Time seemed to have stopped and the red-faced Liu Bubai felt as if he was at the peak of his life.
He relaxed his thighs and felt a warmth spread to his lower body.
Liu Bubai was in a daze atop his own flight sword rune.
As for the last leg of the race, what was the point?
It had nothing to do with Liu Bubai.
He just had to lay low.
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!
Within the dense forest, a silver light moved swiftly.
The fourth scene for the Flight Rally was within sight.
The sky was hazy as the wild winds blew. The grass swayed to the breeze.
There was no obstacle amidst the grassy expanse, just an endless green.
“Now! Charge!”
Luo Yang’s eyes brightened as he saw the opportunity. He gathered all his strength and rushed forward on his flight sword.
He was betting on his superior quality flight sword to turn the tables.
Although his focus, spiritual intent and physical stamina were drained, he had no faith in the shaking and screaming Luo Qiuqiu. Judging from her current state, he was not confident she could perform the final charge.
Luo Yang did not want to lose, so he took charge.
The gap was closing.
The silver flight sword was giving it all to close in on the Meteor.
Fang Lang did not spare the opponent a glance.
He placed the talisman at the eye of the flight sword rune.
The rune enveloping the Meteor flight sword stopped spinning.
In the next moment, an abundance of spiritual energy flowed out of the blade. The energy coalesced and formed a new rune around the original rune.
Two runes—one enveloping the other—held the flight sword.
The two runes spun in opposing directions.
A stuttering sound was heard as the runes spun.
Flight Sword Crossover Turbo Charge!
However, before the flight sword launched forward, Fang Lang slowed down and shifted position. He moved to the back of Liu Bubai’s flight sword.
The Meteor sword tip touched Liu Bubai’s flight sword hilt.
The squinting Liu Bubai felt a shiver down his spine. He was surprised.
Luo Yang was shocked.
Fang Lang turned around and despite his blurred appearance, he gave Luo Yang a warm smile.
A brand new rune was under Fang Lang’s control.
He slammed his palm down.
He fed a new spirit crystal into the core of the rune. With the naked eye, one could see the speed at which the rune absorbed the spiritual energy. The spirit crystal was drained within moments.
The Meteor flight sword was powered by double runes in opposite spins!
It shot forward like a highly pressurized flame, roaring as it went.
The air behind the Meteor became thin as the powerful thrust was engaged.
Like two spiralling white dragones, Fang Lang and Liu Bubai tore through the sky high above the grassy plains. They crossed the scene like a breeze and shot past the endless greenery, carving two streaks of damaged foliage in their wake.
Their speed came out of nowhere.
The disparity was a shock to everyone.
Increase speed!
Again!
In a flash, Luo Yang was overtaken and promptly left in the dust. He was but a speck in Fang Lang’s rear vision.
Fang Lang’s flight sword flew like a fiery dragon, achieving speeds that were beyond its advertised capability. They crossed the finish line.
Luo Yang was stunned into speechlessness.
An entry-level model?
Was his eyes playing a trick on him?
[1] A skill where the diving flight sword is pulled up.