Reversing the Milky Way

Xue Zhen: "It is this person. He has become quite famous recently. I also asked my cousin about it. He said that this person is extremely talented and only just tempered his body three years ago."

Upon hearing this, Xue Tianmu was stunned, his expression constantly changing, as if he were thinking about something.

Xue Tianmu: "From now on, keep a close eye on your subordinates and make sure they are strictly forbidden from setting foot in the Purple Bamboo Forest, especially from staying away from that old devil Jing Yezhou."

Xue Zhen: "Grandson understands."

Xue Tianmu: "Go down. News of the competition has already spread. Make preparations as soon as possible."

Xue Zhen: "Yes!"

The next morning, Bai Cheng gathered everyone together and asked them again about the recent events in the shop.

Cui Yuanfang: "Boss, the revenue hasn't been very good lately, but the tea and wine are selling quite well. Many people have inquired about spiritual tea and wine. Moreover, the five spirit storage pearls you left behind have all been bought. The buyer claims to be from Tianxing Pavilion and says he wants to go back to serve as the core of the spirit boat. He even came to see you a while ago."

Bai Cheng: "People from Tianxin Pavilion? I understand. What else?"

Cui Yuanfang: "Also, during this period, I asked the people who came to the store to buy items what they needed."

After saying that, Cui Yuanfang handed an account book to Bai Cheng.

After reading it, Bai Cheng felt a mix of emotions.

"Sure enough, selling only one type of product wouldn't satisfy these people's needs, and if it doesn't, the number of customers will dwindle. Most businesses here emphasize specialization, as it involves the business of these aristocratic families, so they strictly control sales in specific areas. Like when Bai Fengze handed the shop over to me, he mentioned it could only sell talismans. Any other items would be considered malicious competition. The shop hasn't attracted much attention yet because the miscellaneous items aren't related to cultivators. As Cui Yuanfang just mentioned, people occasionally inquire about spirit wine and spirit tea, goods specifically for cultivators. If I remember correctly, there's a shop selling spirit wine and spirit tea about two miles north of this street."

Thinking of this, Bai Chengmo set up the ledger.

"If I want to develop this industry, I must create something unique, like the Spirit Storage Pearl. Although people with lightning spirit physiques are rare, I'm the only one with a special lightning spirit. Plus, now that my cultivation level has improved, I can consider talismans."

Bai Cheng: "I've looked through the ledgers. As for your monthly wages, just deduct them from the accounts. I'll make up any shortfall."

After hearing this, the group exchanged glances.

In the following time, Bai Cheng discussed some matters with Cui Yuanfang, which involved having him look into selling everyday items. As the number of items in the shop increased, Shao Kaize and Lü Liang also took on the role of dedicated errand runners, mainly responsible for sourcing goods from various places.

Two days later, Bai Cheng went to the White Palace Academy, because he had now reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation and could enter the second floor of the academy's cultivation technique pavilion.

Upon arriving at the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion, the familiar figure was still lying in the outer pavilion; Zhuo Mian, the temporary elder, was still there. This time, Bai Cheng easily passed through the restrictions on the second level of the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion without any hindrance.

Over the next three days, he browsed through all the cultivation techniques on the second floor of the cultivation technique pavilion. Unlike the first floor, which had some classic texts and other supplementary books, the second floor had cultivation techniques of the highest quality, which could reach the upper-grade Yellow Rank.

Among them, Bai Cheng saw several lightning-attribute cultivation techniques, one of which was called "Treading on Thunder," which allowed one to release one's own spiritual power as a point in the air as a base, allowing one to step on it without falling. Similar cultivation techniques existed in all spiritual power attributes.

Another book, titled "The Art of Summoning Thunder," allows one to concentrate spiritual energy around oneself to form a thunder ring that does not dissipate. This thunder ring can help alleviate the burden of controlling weapons with spiritual energy, and can also be used to create a deadly offensive at any time.

There is also a book called "Thunder Spirit Technique," which is a collection of various moves condensed from one's own thunder spirit. It is roughly the same as the five basic spirit techniques. Bai Cheng has already gained some understanding of this aspect, especially after cultivating the Heavenly Evolution Thunder Heart Technique. Since comprehending the first level, he can clearly feel that his control over spiritual power has become more refined.

As for the cultivation techniques he was looking at, they had all been displayed on the spirit puppets in the Trial Tower. However, the technique he wanted most, which could unleash extreme speed in a very short time, was not found on the second floor.

Based on the techniques he observed on the second level, he deduced that the explosive techniques likely required a certain level of physical strength from the practitioner.

For the rest of the time, Bai Cheng stayed on the second floor of the cultivation technique pavilion. Since the cultivation techniques could not be taken out and could only be copied, Bai Cheng also studied how to carve words using his own spiritual power.

It's quite simple, because the method of engraving is similar to engraving talismans, but since it doesn't require thinking about spirit patterns, it's much faster and simpler.

After leaving the academy, Bai Cheng went to the Supervisory Office. Now that his cultivation level had improved, he should be able to rightfully take on the position of Inspector.

Inside the Censorate, Bai Cheng met Yang Hai, who confirmed Bai Cheng's identity as the Inspector and announced it on the internal list.

The inspector's duty is to be responsible for inspecting various regions, or to examine government affairs and matters related to people's livelihoods. Currently, Bai Cheng faces a commission: to investigate the ongoing disappearances in Kulin Ridge.

Bai Cheng had a vivid memory of this place; he remembered that he had carried out a mission here before as part of a commission from the academy.

Nie Jun: "Since last year, there have been constant reports of missing persons in Kulinling. This time, the request was issued by Yuelin Manor, and this isn't the first time they've sent out such a request. Just two months ago, a team from the White House Academy also received their request; however, the team involved in this request has yet to be found, and none of them have returned to the academy. Therefore, we've concluded that this request likely carries an extremely high risk..."

The man in front of me spoke eloquently. His name was Nie Jun, a member of the Nie family, one of the five great families in the imperial city. Since Si Nanqiu left, one of the two deputy positions in the Baifeng City Supervisory Office had been vacant. Therefore, Nie Chaosheng used his position to transfer his younger relative to Baifeng City to serve as the deputy.

Bai Cheng, however, was frowning, because the mere mention of Yue Lin Manor reminded him of the horrifying scene he had witnessed that night.

He knew that the beast was extremely dangerous, because even among the high-level beasts he had ever seen, the most they could understand human speech were not able to speak human words. But that night, the beast could not only speak human words, but upon closer inspection, it also used a method similar to transmitting sound into the ear.

Thinking about this, Bai Cheng couldn't help but shudder.

Nie Jun: "Currently, the government is paying close attention to this matter. The previous team from the White Palace Academy included many experts at the late stage of Qi Condensation Realm, but they have disappeared without a trace. Therefore, the team we are preparing this time must have at least two experts at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation Realm to lead the team. The mission is a Class A group mission, and each person will receive 20 cultivation points upon completion. However, this mission carries a high risk, so if you want to participate, you should carefully consider it and make thorough preparations."

After Nie Jun finished speaking, he left a group of people in the Censorate to discuss the matter.

A bystander remarked, "This commission looks extremely dangerous; I didn't expect even the newly arrived deputy envoy to come and explain it personally!"

Bystander 2: "Is that so? In my opinion, it's just alarmist talk. The deputy envoy must be new and doesn't know the current situation in Baifeng City."

Third bystander: "That's hard to say. You know, even the students of the White House Academy have fallen into this trap. I suspect things aren't that simple."

The people present were discussing it animatedly. After thinking for a while, Bai Cheng also decided to report what he had seen to the newly arrived deputy envoy, because all the circumstances indicated that the demon had reached the level of a first-level demon general, which was clearly not something that a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator could contend with.

After some time...

Nie Jun: "What? You mean you saw a monster back then, why didn't you report it earlier?"

Bai Cheng: "At that time, we were just scouting. Although the Blood Demon Bats appeared, we could still deal with them with our Body Refinement Realm cultivation. Besides, the people of Yue Lin Manor were already experts at the Meridian Opening Realm. They should have the strength to fight against such demons."

Nie Jun: "If he really had the strength to fight, he wouldn't come to request the commission every year. Anyway, since you participated in the commission from Yue Lin Manor before, you should go with us this time."

Bai Cheng: "What? I'm going too! You know those aren't ordinary monsters."

Nie Jun: "There's nothing we can do. You were the only one present who saw its features. Besides, our main purpose this time is to investigate, not to directly clash with the monster. If the situation is true, then come back and report. At that time, we will send high-level combatants."

Having said all that, Bai Cheng reluctantly agreed. In short, he could still see on Nie Jun's face that the other party didn't quite believe him. However, after thinking about it carefully, Bai Cheng understood the reason. After all, there weren't many experts above the Opening Meridian Realm in the Surveillance Bureau, and most of them held important positions and didn't have time to deal with such uncertain information.

Nie Jun: "What, do you seem unwilling? This matter has been classified as a Class A commission. As an inspector, it will be recorded as soon as it is completed. This is also an important merit that can promote you. You should know about the positions in the Supervisory Bureau. In addition to realm, the most important things are seniority and merit. You don't want to be a small inspector for the rest of your life, do you?"

Hearing this, Bai Cheng bid farewell to Nie Jun expressionlessly. In truth, he didn't have much desire for promotion at the moment. After all, the highest rank in the Surveillance Bureau was only six. If promotion were so easy, those veterans who had toiled for decades would have been promoted long ago; there would be no chance for him. It all depended on whether he had connections at higher levels. Otherwise, the garrison commander of Yu Family Village wouldn't have remained Xuan Taiming. He was content as long as he could cultivate at the Earth Spirit Tower.

That evening, Bai Cheng returned to the shop, his mind still replaying the scene he had witnessed at Yuelin Manor.

'No, we have to find someone and get to the bottom of this.'

Thinking of this, he took out his token and used telepathy to ask Gu Wanru about Yue Lin Manor. However, she did not reply immediately, but only after a long while.

{Jade Plaque: You mean Yue Lin Manor? Unfortunately, I don't know much about that place.}

Bai Cheng pounded his head in annoyance.

Bai Cheng: "In your past life dreams, was there no information about what happened in this place? For example, what kind of monsters appeared?"

There was a long silence on the other end.

{Jade Token: I had already left White Maple City by then, but I did hear later that demonic beasts had appeared in White Maple City again. I wonder if it was there.}

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng understood.

'It's confirmed, she has definitely been reborn. However, judging from her tone, my appearance has likely changed her perception of things. But can such a heaven-defying event truly exist? Or are there simply too many things in this world that I haven't yet encountered?'

Bai Cheng: "Could you tell me more specifically? What kind of monster is it?"

{Jade tablet: "I only know that it seems Bai Zhentian personally went to kill the demonic beast, but I don't know all the specific details."}

Bai Cheng: "Huh!?"

Bai Cheng was puzzled upon hearing this.

'How did this get involved with Lord Bai City again? Could it be something else entirely?'

{Jade tablet: "It is said to be a demonic beast extremely skilled in sonic attacks, at the level of a first-level demon general, about five meters tall, with two wings on its back that, when spread, reveal countless eyes."}

Upon hearing this description, Bai Cheng recalled the demonic beast he had seen that night and confirmed that Gu Wanru was referring to this kind of creature. However, he was still unsure whether it was the same one.

The next day, Bai Cheng asked Mi Hua again, because he was a member of the Spirit Beast Sect and had seen countless demonic and spirit beasts.

When he saw Mi Hua, he was squatting down, teasing a familiar mouse, the very same one Bai Cheng had seen in the prison.

Bai Cheng: "Holy crap! This guy actually found this place!?"

Mi Hua: "What do you know? This is called a bond. After all, he stayed with me in the Heavenly Prison for quite some time."

At this point, Mi Hua slowly stood up.

Mi Hua: "By the way, I promised you I would teach you the Beast Eye Spirit Technique. Don't you really want to learn it?"

Bai Cheng: "Isn't it just sharing the same view as wild beasts? Divine sense can do that too, why go to all this trouble?"

Mi Hua: "Of course it's not that simple. This is, after all, a superior technique of my sect. How far can one's divine sense detect? Your realm is only at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, so your divine sense can only reach a maximum of a thousand meters. But once my Beast Eye Spirit Technique resonates with a beast, the minimum range it can sense is at least ten times the range that divine sense can detect. Moreover, there are some peculiar techniques in the world that can detect fluctuations in divine sense and track down the person who is detecting. But this Beast Eye Spirit Technique is different. It can bear the vision of all spirits. Even if someone discovers you, they will absolutely not be able to track you down."

Upon hearing this introduction, Bai Cheng immediately became interested.

Bai Cheng: "Really? That's amazing!? Then does that mean the Spirit Beast Sect's technique is the pinnacle of the exploration world?!"

Mi Hua: "It's not that exaggerated. Divine sense has its own methods of detection, and spirit beasts have their own. It depends on the spirit beast you can connect with. If it's a bird, you can soar in the air, so your field of vision is naturally wide. But if it's a ground creature, you can only follow its field of vision on the ground. However, this also depends on the spirit beast's nature. Some spirit beasts can blend into their surroundings, even becoming invisible and transparent without emitting any spiritual energy fluctuations. Some can even break through some formations. However, it also depends on whether the spirit beast you are connecting with has the same spiritual energy and whether it has any resistance. It's best to choose spirit beasts that have been raised from a young age to perform this."

Bai Cheng: "I see. No wonder there were no requirements regarding spiritual energy or physical constitution. It turns out the requirement is the partner you're connecting with?!"

Mi Hua: "That's right."