Naked Sword Art

"So... how did I do?"

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The moment Xiao Fang stepped out of the cauldron, he was greeted with shocked faces.

Xiao Fang didn't light up all 3 of the lights, he didn't even light up 2 of them. Since the elder didn't make him go through the same 3 tests the girls did, it wasn't possible for him to make any of the lights light up around the spirit cauldron. However, Xiao Fang knew the only thing that mattered was class the mysterious elder had put on his arm, so he wasn't worried about the spirit cauldron at all.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Elder was having a hard time believing what she was seeing. Despite spending more than 10 hours in the spirit cauldron, Xiao Fang was beaming with more energy than before.

'Why does he look completely fine, was he just pretending to take the test?' the Supreme Elder wondered.

"Long Wang, you're finally out. We've been waiting for you this whole time," Li Xiang said with a friendly smile.

At the same time, Xiao Fang received a spirit transmission from Xiao Hei explained everything that happened while he was in the spirit cauldron.

Xiao Fang was a bit surprised.

'It seems Xiao Hei has been speaking up for me while I was away,' Xiao Fang thought.

The supreme elder suddenly walked towards Xiao Fang till she was just a few meters away from him

"Long Wang, did you cheat on the illusory clone test?" The supreme elder asked sternly.

"I didn't," Xiao Fang answered quickly as if he already knew what she was going to ask.

"Prove it. Make two clones for us right now."

Suddenly 2 illusory clones quickly formed next to Xiao Fang, he didn't want to waste time with this, so he did as she asked.

The elder was even more confused, it wasn't the fact that he was able to make them so quickly, but because his clones looked even more life-like than before.

"There. You see, he didn't cheat," Xiao Hei said.

The Supreme Elder didn't know how to react. Once again she was unable to distinguish his clones from the original, but anyone could see that he wasn't cheating. What kind of situation was this. If she were to tell anyone about this they certainly wouldn't believe her.

"Supreme elder, I believe you owe Xiao Fang an apology," Li Xiang finally spoke up.

It seemed that not even Li Xiang could tolerate the Supreme Elder anymore.

The Supreme Elder stared at Xiao Fang, but she was hesitant to say anything. Xiao Fang could tell how uncomfortable she was, and frankly it was getting a bit awkward for him too.

'What the hell was the point of all of this?' He thought.

Xiao Fang had never apologized to anyone, nor had anyone ever apologized to him. It was a form of weakness to the person apologizing and completely useless for the person recieving the apology. Apologizing was never popular in the Divine Sword sect. If there was ever a dispute then they would settle it with their swords. His feelings weren't hurt or anything, he was not that kind of guy, whatever was happening now just seemed childish to him.

Xiao Fang knew that even if she was in the wrong, she would still hold a grudge against him if she were to apologize to him.

'I just got into the inner court, it would be unwise for me to make a powerful enemy so soon," Xiao Fang thought.

"Just forget it," Xiao Fang broke the silence.

"Ah, but she-"

"I don't need an apology. Besides, it's unfitting for a supreme elder to apologize to a mere inner court disciple. All I ask is that the supreme elder treats me well in the future." Xiao Fang said with cupped hands.

The supreme elder was a bit surprised by this. She didn't expect him to be so understanding. Since Xiao Hei and Li Xiang were antagonizing her, she felt as if Xiao Fang was the only one that was on her side. Without realizing it, her impression of him started to change.

"Thank you, Long Wang," she said while cupping her hands back at him.

The gesture felt weird to her because she couldn't tell if he could see it or not, but it didn't really matter.

"The exam has now come to an end, please exit through back door and wait till it's your turn to reveal your class placements," the supreme elder said.

'Shameless,' Xiao Hei thought.

Xiao Fang had given the Supreme Elder a way out and she immediately took it. If she were true to her word then she would've still apologized to him. It was revealing to both Xiao Hei and Li Xiang the kind of person she was.

Xiao Hei was still upset, but since Xiao Fang told her to drop it, she eventually did.

"I would like to congratulate you girls one last time before you go. Study hard and train everyday, and maybe I'll see you again soon."

While Xiao Hei paid no attention to the Supreme Elder, Li Xiang was a bit inspired by it.

"I will do my best for the sect," Li Xiang bowed happily to the Supreme Elder.

The girls walked towards the door, but the supreme elder held Xiao Fang back to speak to him.

"That was very mature of you, Long Wang."

"Supreme Elder, was there something you wanted to speak to me about?"

'Straight to the point. He's an interesting kid,' the supreme elder thought.

"It's nothing really. I was curious about something Li Xiang told me. Are you really marrying into the Li Family clan?"

Xiao Fang paused.

No words were exchanged for a few seconds, but to the Supreme Elder it seemed like minutes had passed.

"I am seeing someone with the surname Li," Xiao Fang answered vaguely.

"Could that person be Li Lian?" the supreme elder asked a follow up question.

Xiao Fang wasn't sure how much Li Xiang had told the Supreme Elder, but it seems that she had told her everything. This was exactly what he was afraid of, and the reason why he didn't want Xiao Hei telling Li Xiang about Li Lian.

"You'll have to forgive me, my fiancée wishes to keep our relationship a secret. I cannot tell you who it is."

"I can't let you leave until you tell me," she immediately replied.

'Ah, so annoying,' Xiao Fang thought.

He thought about what to say then an idea came to mind.

"Clearly, this means a lot to you. If you want me to tell you the truth, then there's something I need you to do for me first."

Since he didn't make her apologize in front of the 2 girls, she felt that she already owed him a favor.

"Sure, what do you want?"

Xiao Fang smiled, then told her what he wanted.

"Is that it? You know, there are clubs for that in the inner court," she replied.

"Still, I would like it if you were the one to personally teach it to me. Are you unable to grant me this favor?"

The Supreme Elder thought about it for a moment, then said,

"Alright. I suppose it wouldn't be too much trouble."

"Good, then I expect to be seeing a lot more of you soon," Xiao Fang smiled.

Since she wanted to talk behind his back, he wasn't benevolent enough to spare her when revenge was within his reach. A noble man can even wait 10 years to take his revenge. Xiao Fang was going to enjoy his time with this supreme elder.

Xiao Fang then turned to leave, but the Supreme Elder stopped him again.

"Wait, aren't you going to tell me who your fiancée is? I already promised that I'd do as you asked."

"You also promised Fei Lin that you would apologize to me, so how could I trust your words. Fulfill your promise to me first, then I'll tell you the truth afterwards."

Hearing his words, the Supreme Elder didn't try to stop him from leaving this time, so she just watched him walk away.

When Xiao Fang turned the corner, Xiao Hei and Li Xiang saw him walking towards them, they assumed the Supreme Elder wanted to speak to him privately so they waited at the door for him.

"Did I keep you waiting for long?" Xiao Fang asked.

"No, it's alright. Li Xiang is fun to talk to. She also likes to play games like me," Xiao Hei said happily.

"We already waited for you for more than 10 hours, so 5 minutes felt like nothing to us," Li Xiang said.

Now that they were all here, Li Xiang finally pushed the exit doors open. With large strides and her chest puffed out, Li Xiang walked outside with a smug look on her face.

Xiao Fang and Xiao Hei followed. As soon as they stepped outside they immediately attracted the gaze of all of the disciples.

Out of the several thousands of disciples that had participated in the exam, only about a thousand had actually passed it. However, from the few disciples that passed, only Xiao Fang, Xiao Hei, and Li Xiang had completed the harder version of the exam, that was the reason why so many disciples were staring at them.

What Li Xiang was late to realize was that the crowd wasn't staring at 'them', they were just staring at her. She eventually turned around and discovered that Xiao Fang and Xiao Hei weren't behind her.

"Hm? Where'd they go?"