Reversing the Milky Way

"This is actually a pseudo-spiritual artifact!"

Hearing Bai Fengze's words, Bai Cheng was also stunned for a moment when he looked at the long sword in Luo Xinghe's hand. He had seen this level of weapon before and could recognize it, but he still did not know how pseudo-spiritual energy was classified.

"A pseudo-spiritual artifact? What's the story behind this?"

"Hehe, Bai Cheng, you don't know this. There are many kinds of rare ores in this world, some of which have their own spiritual energy. Because these rare ores are produced in small quantities, they are extremely valuable. The level of these rare ores is at least mid-grade. Some mid-grade rare ores are even priceless. High-grade ores are even more rare and hard to come by. The best-quality treasures you see now only use low-grade rare ores. But if you were to reforge them at this level and add mid-grade ores, the weapon would undergo a qualitative change and move towards the level of a spirit weapon. However, this method can only make the weapon reach the level of a pseudo-spiritual weapon. Even so, the blacksmith still needs to use inscriptions to carve patterns to assist the pseudo-spiritual weapon level."

Bai Cheng was somewhat stunned after hearing these words, because he knew almost nothing about weapons of this level, especially the word "inscription".

"I've heard of inscriptions before, but what exactly do they mean?"

"The so-called inscriptions are special array patterns used by blacksmiths to make spiritual weapons function more smoothly. As I mentioned before, so-called pseudo-spiritual weapons are made from mid-grade ore. Any rare stone that reaches the specifications of mid-grade ore can convert the user's spiritual power attribute into the stone's own attribute. This conversion is not easy in itself, but after adding inscriptions to the weapon, the user's spiritual power attribute can be easily converted into the same attribute of the weapon through these inscriptions. Even some rare and special spiritual power can be used through the spiritual weapon. This can greatly increase the cultivator's combat power, and even allow the use of spiritual weapons to perform some extremely special techniques, such as the move that you saw your father make before."

Bai Cheng was completely stunned by what he heard.

"Huh? Which move?"

"Have you forgotten? You saw him in Yu Family Village."

After saying that, Bai Cheng suddenly recalled everything that happened in Yu Family Village. When he remembered Bai Zhentian's Dragon Roar move with his silver spear, his mind trembled.

"Could it be that spear?"

"That's right! These extremely special techniques have been passed down for thousands of years, and obtaining them is extremely difficult."

"Isn't it possible that no one has created this kind of technique?"

"This kind of technique was of course created by the ancients, but after the great war between humans and demons, no one has been able to create it again."

After hearing this, Bai Cheng pondered for a moment, but a sudden shout from the crowd quickly brought his thoughts back to the arena. There stood Xu Hongyu, holding a long sword radiating a scorching red light, in the center of the arena. The intense heat emanating from the sword instantly engulfed the entire area.

Bai Cheng's eyes widened when he saw the long sword; he could tell it was a standard spiritual weapon.

"This is!!"

Before Bai Cheng could recover from his shock, he heard Bai Fengze beside him slowly say, "This is the Thousand Flame Yang Blade, a weapon that Sect Master Xu used in his early years. It was indeed passed down to his eldest son, Xu Hongyu."

Bai Cheng stared intently at the longsword in Xu Hongyu's hand. Judging from the aura emanating from the blade, the pseudo-spiritual weapon in Luo Xinghe's hand was much weaker than the Thousand Flame Yang Blade in Xu Hongyu's hand.

When Luo Xinghe saw Xu Hongyu take out the Thousand Flame Yang Blade, his eyes widened in shock. This weapon had cost over five thousand silver coins from his family, a considerable sum even for a mid-sized family like theirs in Zhongbaifeng City.

After the signal to begin, Luo Xinghe pointed the shimmering blue water in his hand at Xu Hongyu.

"Hmph! What good are good tools? The most important thing is the people."

Xu Hongyu merely snorted in response to Luo Xinghe's provocation.

"Then I'll show you what a difference really is today!"

After speaking, Xu Hongyu raised the Thousand Flame Yang Blade high. With a loud explosion, the spiritual power in his body began to flow into the weapon in his hand. As the spiritual power boiled, Bai Cheng could clearly feel the temperature in the room gradually rising. Soon, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, as if he were sitting in a sauna.

Immediately afterwards, he saw that the Thousand Flame Yang Blade in Xu Hongyu's hand actually began to burn with pink flames, and with a loud shout, he slashed forward with force.

"Flaming Blade!"

As the sound rang out, the pink flames, enveloped in a hellish heatwave, formed a terrifying blade of energy that slashed towards Luo Xinghe.

Bai Cheng's eyes widened upon seeing this scene, because he had witnessed this technique called "Flaming Blade" before due to some connection. Recalling the Flaming Blade released by that person in the talisman, it was far inferior to the one he was seeing now. It was clearly not on the same level in terms of power and intensity.

The people watching from their seats were also making noises of discussion.

"This... Sect Master Xu, isn't this going too far? I think that Young Master Xu's Flaming Blade is something that ordinary cultivators of the same realm might not be able to withstand!"

"Sect Master Feng, what are you saying? This move is the standard technique of my Tyrant Blade Sect, a move that every disciple in the sect must know. How can you say it's an overstatement?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Wuhen sighed softly and continued looking towards the center of the arena. Luo Xinghe, meanwhile, was wielding his Azure Wave Flowing Water sword, knowing he had to go all out against Xu Hongyu's attack.

Immediately afterward, he unleashed a powerful sword technique. He swiftly swung his longsword, countless blue sword energies seemingly frozen in place around him. From a distance, these countless sword energies appeared to form a giant flower. Then, he forcefully swung his longsword, and the sword energies around him suddenly began to spread. Hundreds of visible sword energies collided with the fiery sword strike that was attacking him.

In an instant, within the isolation array in the center of the arena, pink flames and blue air currents intertwined, accompanied by a violent roar. Everything within the array was completely engulfed by these two air currents, and the energy collision caused by the spiritual power was so intense that even Bai Cheng, who was sitting in his seat, could feel the ground tremble slightly.

After a few breaths, the scorching heat in the arena gradually subsided, allowing everyone to see the situation clearly. Only Xu Hongyu, still standing with the Thousand Flame Yang Blade, remained upright, while Luo Xinghe lay on the ground, most of his clothes burned to ashes, his Azure Wave Flowing Water sword silently embedded in the ground. The crowd gasped in astonishment at this sight.

"This! He actually defeated Luo Xinghe, who was at the same level, with just one move. Xu Hongyu truly deserves to be called an outstanding person among his peers."

"Yes, although Luo Xinghe has reached this level at such a young age, he is still no match for a disciple from a prestigious family with high talent. It's a pity..."

At this moment, Bai Cheng was also staring intently at Luo Xinghe, who was lying on the ground.

"Is he dead?"

"No, it was just that the powerful clash of moves caused him to lose consciousness temporarily." Hearing Bai Fengze say this, Bai Cheng couldn't help but frown.

Immediately afterwards, he saw two Bai family guards rush forward to carry the unconscious Luo Xinghe out of the arena. At that moment, Luo Xinghe, who was lying unconscious on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes, then stood up in a disheveled state, panting heavily.

He shoved away the Bai family guards who came forward to help him and shouted, "Don't touch me! I can walk by myself."

After saying this, he staggered as he pulled the weapon stuck in the ground, then slowly walked out of the arena and left the main hall without looking back. Seeing this, Xu Hongyu also put away the Thousand Flame Yang Blade in his hand and turned to walk towards his seat.

Soon, Bai Muxuan's voice rang out again from the main seat in the hall.

"Next! Who else wants to take on the challenge?"

Upon hearing this, the rogue cultivators present immediately began to discuss among themselves. Having witnessed Bai Fengze's first match, they hadn't taken this competition seriously, seeing it as merely a simple exchange of blows, since even if they lost, they wouldn't suffer much loss.

However, seeing the intense battle between Luo Xinghe and Xu Hongyu, they were all shocked. Most people present would probably be unable to withstand Xu Hongyu's move; at best, they would be seriously injured and never recover, and at worst, they would die. This is why none of these rogue cultivators dared to step forward and challenge him.

"Is there anyone who wants to try again?"

Bai Muxuan's words rang out again, echoing throughout the entire hall. Apart from a few quiet discussions, no one else stepped forward to challenge him.

"In that case, this exchange competition will conclude here..."

"Wait!"

Just as Bai Muxuan was about to finish speaking, a loud voice came from among the rogue cultivators, followed by a man in a black robe slowly walking out of the crowd.

Upon seeing the person emerge, all the forces present focused their attention, and Bai Cheng immediately recognized the man as the black-clad figure who had sat beside him at the banquet earlier.

'Huh! It was him!?'

As the man in black slowly walked towards the center of the arena, each step he took seemed to exude boundless power.

"Young Master Xu! Please don't rush to take a seat."

The man in black's voice immediately reached Xu Hongyu's ears. He had just returned to his seat and was about to sit down when he heard the man's words. He slowly turned around, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

"Oh? I didn't expect that after what just happened, someone would still challenge me."

However, when he saw who was challenging him, his expression immediately became serious. Xu Yuanshan, standing to the side, was frowning, because based on his observation of the black-clad man's talent at the banquet, he was definitely no less than any of the scions of the noble families present. He speculated that the man was likely a disciple from a legitimate second-level sect.

Bai Muxuan looked at the man in black, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Are you also going to challenge Xu Hongyu?

Upon hearing this, the man in black calmly replied, "Challenging him is just a side benefit. My main objective is the prizes from this exchange competition; after all, I can't refuse something that's given away for free."

Upon hearing this, several disciples from the major families present immediately stood up from their seats.

"Outrageous! Who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense here!"

Upon hearing this, the man in black remained silent, but slowly walked into the area within the isolation array. He then abruptly stood the wooden box he was carrying on his back to one side of his body, and as the box touched the ground, an invisible ripple seemed to emanate from the area.

Upon seeing this, everyone present was taken aback, and Bai Muxuan, who was sitting in a high position, was also staring at the wooden box beside the man in black.

Just then, Xu Hongyu leaped into the arena.

"Hey friend, since you've come up on stage to take on the challenge, why not reveal your identity? Are you hiding something because you're afraid of being seen by others?"

Upon hearing this, the man in black snorted coldly.

"Hehe, Young Master Xu, you really have a bad memory. You can't even recognize my voice?"

After saying that, the man in black suddenly ripped off his cloak, and then smoothly put the cloak he was holding into the storage ring he was carrying.

Upon seeing this, Xu Hongyu was immediately taken aback.

"It was you?!"

At the same time, the various forces present also exclaimed in surprise, followed by whispers and murmurs.

Sitting in his seat, Bai Cheng was also staring at the true face of the man in black on the field. The man looked relatively young, with a tall and straight posture, and his brows revealed a heroic spirit that was no less than Bai Cheng's. His dark cultivation robe was covered with strange patterns.

"Who is this? Why are you all so surprised?"

"He is Luo Fan, the third son of the Luo family."

Bai Cheng turned to look at Bai Fengze and found that his expression was also extremely solemn, as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

"What's wrong with you?"

"You don't know this, but five years ago, for some unknown reason, Luo Fan's cultivation level regressed to the early stage of Qi Condensation. Even if he wanted to recover to the middle stage, it would be extremely difficult. But now he is..."

At this point, Bai Cheng also looked over and saw that Luo Fan in the arena was surrounded by solid spiritual energy, and his aura clearly showed that he had reached the late stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, and was even stronger than others of the same realm.

Immediately afterward, Bai Cheng heard Bai Fengze speak again beside him: "Although his current aura is at the late stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, he is only half a step away from reaching the Great Perfection Realm and beginning to comprehend the Heart Meridian."

Bai Cheng was also puzzled upon hearing this.

"What does this mean?"

"Do you know that I am twenty-eight years old this year and have been cultivating for ten years? Although I can't be considered a top genius, I am still considered to be exceptionally talented in the eyes of people of the same realm. However, this Luo Fan is only one year older than me. He has already experienced a drop in his realm, but so far his realm is still higher than mine."

After hearing these words, Bai Cheng couldn't help but ponder them for a long time.

Just then, a heat wave came from the center of the arena. It turned out that Xu Hongyu had taken out the Thousand Flame Yang Blade again.