Reversing the Milky Way

Hongyun was taken aback when he heard this.

'Could it be that this person, at such a high level, is still under a hundred years old? Even so, he doesn't have an academy's identity token.'

Hongyun fell silent and returned to the front of the Trial Tower with Lu Xuzi.

Lu Xuzi transmitted his voice: "Are we just going to let it go like this? This guy didn't forget to rip us off before he left."

Hongyun transmitted his voice: "Once we start fighting, all the students present will become the target of everyone's attacks. He hasn't broken ties with us yet, let's wait and see."

Bai Cheng withdrew his gaze at this moment, and then used the Spirit Control Technique to move a small ball in front of him. This time, at least no one tried to take it from him.

However, when he opened the ball, the numbers on it made him dizzy.

Bai Cheng: "Damn, 478th place, what's the difference between that and last place?"

Bai Cheng put away the small ball and glanced at the person beside him.

Yang Zhi: "Hey! I'm actually the first one to go on stage?!"

Yang Zhi took out the number plate from the small ball. Bai Cheng glanced at it; it read "Number One."

Bai Cheng: "It seems you're in luck. I just wonder how long the trial will take?"

Yang Zhi: "Huh? Why do you ask that?"

Bai Cheng took out the number plate from the small ball, and the others looked helpless after seeing it.

Yang Zhi: "This... there are less than four hundred people here, and you managed to catch someone so far back?"

Bai Cheng: "That's right, so if the trial lasts a long time, there's no point in staying here."

Yang Zhi's expression suddenly turned serious: "Bai Cheng, I advise you not to leave this place. The people here are noisy. Besides those two men in black, there are many seniors who entered the academy before. Their cultivation levels are not low, and they usually only return to the academy at this time of year. Who knows what they have been doing in private? If you leave at this time, you might run into some people with bad intentions, and you will probably have a lot of trouble."

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng first glanced at Shangguan Wenbo in the crowd, and then at the two men in black.

'Judging from the strength that person just displayed, it was definitely no less than that of a Qi Opening Realm expert. Moreover, even Hong Yun didn't forcibly drive them away. Therefore, it seems that the black-clad man's strength is probably on par with Hong Yun's.'

Just as Bai Cheng was thinking about this, Hong Yun finished explaining the rules.

Hongyun suddenly turned around and took out his vice dean identity token in front of the trial tower.

The token emitted light, and the entire trial tower was suddenly enveloped in a layer of golden spiritual light. Two seconds later, the entire trial tower returned to calm.

Immediately afterwards, a number appeared out of thin air in front of the Trial Tower.

Hongyun: "Next, those whose numbers are displayed above, please enter the Trial Tower in turn. Each person must not stay on each floor for more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; otherwise, they will be considered to have failed."

After saying that, Hongyun pointed towards the Trial Tower, and the gate of the Trial Tower slowly opened.

Hong Yun: "Please, first student, proceed with the trial."

Yang Zhi stretched his tense body.

Yang Zhi: "Everyone, wait for my good news."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Zhi dashed out of the crowd and entered the Trial Tower. The moment he stepped inside, the gates of the trial arena slowly closed, and at the same time, the outer area of ​​the first level of the Trial Tower lit up with spiritual light.

Soon, five minutes passed, and the spiritual light surrounding the first layer of the tower suddenly disappeared, while the spiritual light of the second layer began to shine. Upon seeing this, Bai Cheng understood that the spiritual light represented the floor number of the person in the Trial Tower.

After a long time, when half of the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed, the spiritual light of the second layer slowly went out, and the spiritual light of the third layer lit up.

Yang Jinxuan: "That's great! Brother actually made it through the second level!"

As soon as Yang Jinxuan finished speaking, Bai Cheng saw the spiritual light on the third floor suddenly disappear.

A short while later, the doors of the Trial Tower opened again, and Yang Zhi emerged from inside, looking disheveled. Upon seeing Yang Zhi, Yang Jinxuan quickly went forward.

Yang Jinxuan: "Brother, are you alright?"

Yang Zhi: "It's alright, it seems we won't be able to get past the third level anytime soon."

Bai Cheng then stepped forward and asked.

Bai Cheng: "What's the situation with the trials inside? Are they just puppets?"

Yang Zhi: "That's right, there are only spirit puppets, but in terms of realm, each level is one level higher than the last. The third level of spirit puppets can reach the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. With my current strength, I cannot break through them."

As he spoke, he turned his head toward Bai Cheng.

Yang Zhi: "Brother Bai Cheng, you'd better be careful."

Bai Cheng: "Huh? Why?!"

Yang Zhi: "The spirit puppets in the trial are activated based on the spiritual power they inject. You only have lightning-attribute spiritual power, and the spirit puppet's spiritual power attribute will also become lightning-attribute, which is very disadvantageous to you. Moreover, the spirit puppet's spiritual power is much more than ours, and it is almost impossible to exhaust all of our spiritual power. Not only that, the higher the level, the better the material of the spirit puppet, which also means that the spirit puppet itself is more difficult to break."

Bai Cheng nodded slightly after hearing this.

Bai Cheng: "That's alright, but I'm curious, what level of spirit puppet realm is there at each level?"

Yang Zhi: "The third level is the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, the fourth level is the late stage, and so on. If you want to pass through the lower levels of the tower, you have to defeat the spirit puppet at the Great Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm."

As the group was talking, the next person entered the trial tower, and he was none other than Shangguan Wenbo, who had previously snatched Bai Cheng's small ball.

As soon as Shangguan Wenbo entered the Trial Tower, people began to gather around him.

The Shangguan family disciple said, "Hehe, all of you students, open your eyes wide and take a look. Our young master Shangguan is not like you good-for-nothings."

As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual light on the first floor of the Trial Tower began to shine, but it only lasted for a moment before quickly going out.

Upon seeing this, Bai Cheng felt a sudden realization.

'Wow, so fast! You got through the first level in just one second?'

Immediately afterwards, the light from the second layer lasted only five seconds before extinguishing instantly, and the light from the third layer shone.

Bai Cheng frowned as he watched this scene.

Based on previous deductions, Shangguan Wenbo's cultivation level is at least at the late Qi Condensation stage, and he is also a Body Tempering cultivator, so he should be able to at least pass the fourth level.

Just as Bai Cheng was searching, the spiritual light on the third level quickly went out, while the spiritual light on the fourth level suddenly lit up. Some students, upon seeing this, began to discuss among themselves.

Student 1: "As expected of the young master of the Shangguan family, this kind of speed in clearing the levels is basically an act of crushing the opponent."

Student 2: "Not bad. Judging from this speed, the battle should be over in just one move."

Hearing the praise from everyone present, Shangguan Zhi spoke up proudly.

Shangguan Zhi: "Hehe, let me tell you, this time Cousin Wenbo's goal is to pass through the fifth level."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding students all praised him repeatedly.

Student 1: "Then his goal is to clear the lower levels of the Trial Tower?"

Student 2: "This is unbelievable! I remember his cultivation level was still in the late stage of Qi Condensation."

Student 1: "Yes, although he can fight across boundaries, the target of the trial is a spirit puppet, which is much faster than a human's reaction speed! Moreover, it has no emotional fluctuations, and its moves are fast, accurate, and ruthless!"

As everyone was discussing this, the light on the fourth floor suddenly went out, and then the light on the fifth floor began to shine.

Seeing this scene, Bai Cheng felt a sense of crisis.

'The fourth-level spirit puppet should theoretically be at the late Qi Condensation stage, yet Shangguan Wenbo defeated it in less than a minute? Thinking back, I was lucky I wasn't at the academy when he tore down my house; if we had met face-to-face, I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand a single blow.'

At this moment, Hong Yun and several elders were also watching Shangguan Wenbo, who was undergoing trials in the tower, through their divine senses.

Hong Yun: "His body tempering realm has reached the Breaking Army stage, so he might actually be able to defeat that Qi Condensation Great Perfection realm spirit puppet."

Lu Xuzi: "Alas, it's not easy to forge a spirit puppet at the Great Perfection realm. I didn't prepare too many this time, but I hope it will be enough."

Soon, time passed by, second by second.

Everyone's eyes were now fixed on the fifth level of the trial grounds with tension, and two-thirds of the time had already passed.

Just as everyone was tense, the spiritual light on the fifth floor of the Trial Tower suddenly went out, but it quickly lit up again. The light that lit up again was not golden, but a striking red.

A short while later, the doors of the Trial Tower opened, and Shangguan Wenbo slowly walked out. Judging from his clothes, the battle on the fifth floor was extremely fierce.

Bai Cheng: "What is this?"

Bai Cheng looked at the spiritual light that had illuminated the fifth floor with a puzzled expression.

Bai Fengze: "This red light is a sign that you have passed the lower level of the Trial Tower."

Bai Fengze's voice rang out from behind.

Bai Cheng turned his head and saw that, apart from Bai Fengze, all the other members of the Bai family had also arrived.

Bai Fengze: "Bai Cheng, it's been a while. How are your businesses doing?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng forced an awkward smile.

Bai Cheng: "Haha, it's nothing special."

Bai Tianhao scoffed when he heard this.

Bai Tianhao: "Hehe, who knows if they're using their own money to cover it?"

Bai Jiang also began to chime in.

Bai Jiang: "That's right. I don't even know if the junk you sell in your shop will be able to sell."

Bai Cheng forced a smile.

Bai Cheng: "There's no need to trouble Young Master Bai Jiang with your concern."

Bai Fengze: "Alright, stop arguing. After all, we're in a public place!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Tianhao snorted coldly and left the group with Bai Jiang.

Bai Fengze: "Bai Cheng, don't take it to heart. Bai Tianhao cares a lot about the Bai family. I think it will take him some time to accept you."

Bai Cheng's expression didn't change after hearing this, but he suddenly thought of something.

'I don't think these two will let me off the hook. What on earth did they do to hold such a grudge against me?'

Bai Cheng: "Don't worry, I won't take this to heart. But there's something I need to discuss with Brother Fengze."

Afterward, the two left the group and went into the woods not far away.

Bai Fengze: "What is it? You don't want others to know?"

Bai Cheng: "It's nothing, I just want to buy the whole shop."

Upon hearing this, Bai Fengze's expression turned troubled.

Bai Fengze: "I've heard about your difficulties from Bu Qian. If it really comes down to it, I'll have Bu Qian help you for a while longer, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng immediately shook his head.

Bai Cheng: "It's not a question of whether to help or not, but I feel that if we only sell talismans, we can't steadily support the shop. The flow of people there is far less than in other places. I want to try selling some miscellaneous goods, not just limited to talismans, but this idea may not be profitable in the short term. So I think I should just buy the shop directly, so I don't have to bear extra expenses every month."

Bai Fengze's brows remained furrowed even after hearing this.

Bai Fengze: "But properties in Baifeng City are very expensive, especially the one in your location. Although it has been affected, it is still quite valuable. Are you sure you want to buy it?"

Bai Cheng nodded firmly. He was determined to buy the property no matter what. If the price was outrageous, he would postpone it for a while and focus on raising the money.

Bai Fengze: "Alright, if I remember correctly, that property, including the backyard and the shop, is a total of two thousand square meters. Although the price is discounted now, the price per square meter is still at least eight to ten silver coins. Considering that you are a member of my Bai family, I will sell it to you for five silver coins, for a total of ten thousand silver coins. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng considered the matter for a moment. The price of 10,000 silver coins was still acceptable to him. After gritting his teeth, Bai Cheng finalized the deal.

Bai Cheng: "Okay, that's the price!"

Bai Fengze: "In that case, after the trial is over, you will come with me to the City Lord's Mansion, and I will give you the land deeds for the property."

Bai Cheng calculated his remaining wealth, which totaled about 13,000 silver coins and eight gold coins.

'So, I'm broke again so quickly. My bet with Shangguan Rongze made me a fortune, but since then, no one has challenged me to a duel. The rules must restrict it to the same cultivation level, or at most one level higher; otherwise, the academy wouldn't allow it. Looks like I need to get back to business at the shop.'

As the two returned to the location of the Trial Tower, time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was dark. However, the trial continued.

Mo Rui took out a large golden spirit storage pearl and threw it into the air. Under his control, the spirit storage pearl shone brightly, illuminating the surrounding area for miles as if it were daytime.

Bai Cheng looked around and found that many people were already sitting cross-legged, while those who had finished their trials left the trial tower directly.

A short while later, as a license plate lit up, a person slowly walked out from the crowd.

"Finally it's my turn."

Hearing the slightly aged voice, Bai Cheng looked up.

He discovered that it was the same expert in the Qi Opening Realm he had seen when he entered the academy.

Student 1: "Look, it's Wuyazi!"

Student 2: "I heard that he was a disciple who joined the academy in its early days."

Amid the commotion of the crowd, some scoffed, others mocked, but no one was optimistic.

Bai Cheng also asked the person beside him about Wu Yazi's background. He heard that Wu Yazi was ninety-four years old this year, but his cultivation level was still stuck at the early stage of the Meridian Opening Realm. This was not because he was not good at cultivation, but because his physique only had two spiritual power attributes and he had been stuck at the early stage of the Meridian Opening Realm for more than fifty years.

Previously, many people had advised him to leave the academy more than once, but Wu Yazi remained unmoved. He firmly believed that his efforts would eventually break through the limitations, but to no avail.

His cultivation has reached a bottleneck. It's like a bucket full of water; no matter how much he cultivates, the water will overflow unless he can increase the bucket's capacity. But to increase the bucket's capacity, he needs to break through to the next realm.

After listening to the introduction, Bai Cheng couldn't help but feel nervous again.

'I only have one spiritual attribute, does that mean I'll be stuck at the late Qi Condensation stage forever?' No, I haven't encountered a bottleneck yet, I can't be so pessimistic.

Wu Yazi's speed in clearing the level was also very fast. In the blink of an eye, he had already passed the fifth level. After passing the fifth level, the spiritual light of the sixth level suddenly lit up, which also attracted everyone's attention.

Bai Cheng: "The sixth level, if I remember correctly, should be a spirit puppet at the early stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, right? If it's just the Common Realm, I should be able to get through it, right?"