The Ugly Duckling and the Saber's Advancement

Through hardships... to the stars? A proverb-like incantation. What did it mean? Hum... As if resonating with the small silver knight's sword, the other black envelope in his hand began vibrating at the same time. A profound, dark glow swirled over Bai Zhou's fingers. It was the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation. As complex streams of knowledge flowed through his mind, Bai Zhou raised a brow slightly. He seemed to finally understand what this so-called Proof of Knighthood and Invitation truly were... At that moment, aside from high-ranking figures like the Law Envoy, the elites of the Special Control Bureau had no idea what was happening. Yet the Western Federation side had already erupted into a frenzy. From the male and female representatives on the dais down to the youths watching around the plaza, every face was painted with an uncanny, delicate disbelief. "The Proof of Knighthood? The Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation?" The male representative's sinister expression gave way to shock, his deep, wary gaze locked onto Bai Zhou's palm. "Her Highness actually..." The dark-haired youth's pupils quivered. "Her Highness actually gave this man both the Proof of Knighthood and the Ancient Ruins Invitation!" The youths burst into animated chatter, exchanging glances full of indignation and barely veiled jealousy. "None of us have earned an Ancient Ruins Invitation yet. Why does Her Highness value him so highly?" "He isn't even from the Fog Capital, not even from the Western Federation—he's an Easterner!" "Will the lords ever allow Her Highness to do this?" The Proof of Knighthood originated a millennium ago from Fog Capital Extraordinaries imitating the legendary tales of King Arthur. It was a special token forged and distributed by the Fog Capital's official institution, the Round Table Club. As a megacity firmly ranked among the Blue Star's top ten and constantly vying for the top five, the Fog Capital was notoriously xenophobic. Aside from native-born locals, it was extraordinarily difficult for outsiders to set foot in the metropolis. Even within the Fog Capital itself, the city was divided into two distinct zones: the Upper City and the Lower City. The Lower City was perpetually blanketed by dark industrial smog, plagued by staggering mortality and terminal illness rates. The Upper City, by contrast, enjoyed crisp skies and clear air, serving as the sanctuary for high society and elite talent. The divide between the Upper and Lower Cities was an insurmountable chasm for those born beneath the smog. Put simply, entering the Fog Capital and reaching the Upper City presented two formidable barriers that every outsider was bound to encounter. Yet a talent holding a Proof of Knighthood was officially certified as an invited dignitary by the Fog Capital. Such individuals could bypass both barriers entirely, enter the Upper City directly, and enjoy all the perks granted to the city's foremost prodigies. However, the criteria for issuing a Proof of Knighthood were exceedingly strict; no more than ten were ever released into the wider world in a single year. Ten! In other words, if Bai Zhou wished, he could board the transoceanic trains and liners right now alongside the young princess, heading across the sea to the Fog Capital to begin an entirely new adventure— Even though Bai Zhou had zero interest in doing so for the time being. Obviously, all his current plans and circumstances pointed toward his upcoming journey to the Genius Training Camp in Tianjing. Still, this demonstrated how immensely that princess valued him, going so far as to blatantly poach talent right under Tinghai's nose. And yet. If it were merely that, the Law Envoy would not have been so shaken, nor would the Western Federation youths be seething with envy. The true secret of the Round Table Club's Proof of Knighthood lay in how it interacted with the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation. This synergy not only multiplied its value many times over, but also gave it an irresistible pull for the world's premier Extraordinaries, leaving even the most blessed scions of the Fog Capital green with envy. The crux lay in those two words: "Ancient Ruins"! Ever since the day he first learned about the Reflected Ruin Realm, Bai Zhou had known that ancient ruins would occasionally overflow, rising from unfathomable historical depths to breach the surface of the realm. It might be the shattered halls of a palace, the remains of a colosseum, or the fragments of an ancient altar... It could be a thousand-year-old historical echo, or the resurfaced ruin of a previous civilization recorded by the Blue Star... Sealed within them were often the wicked desires left behind by fallen ancients, lost secret techniques, and perilous, terrifying ancient contraptions that might still be functioning to this day. At times, explorers could even uncover advanced knowledge left by prior civilizations, triggering massive technological leaps for the current civilization back on the Blue Star. It was fraught with peril, but offered even greater opportunities! Every time a ruin overflowed and breached the Reflected Ruin Realm, it stirred up immense turmoil. Inevitably, these ruins were strictly blockaded and placed under the firm control of the major factions for sustainable, gradual exploitation. Crow had long suspected that Bai Zhou was one of those uniquely lucky individuals who, upon first entering the Reflected Ruin Realm, had accidentally teleported directly into a ruin tightly guarded by the great powers. Moreover, with Bai Zhou's increasingly staggering growth, her suspicion had only deepened day by day. "The Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation..." Bai Zhou blinked, carefully opening the envelope shimmering with dark light, and drew out the letter inside. As a top-ten megacity on the Blue Star, the Reflected Ruin Realm backing the Fog Capital was unimaginably vast, holding suppressed ruins beyond anything Tinghai could comprehend. This invitation granted its bearer a single, exclusive opportunity to select and enter one ordinary, small-scale ruin managed by the authorities. However, by pairing the invitation with a Proof of Knighthood issued by the Round Table Club, the bearer could directly choose a large-scale ruin locked down by the club itself, gaining a one-time entry. With both tokens in hand, the bearer could challenge the ancient wicked desires dwelling deep within the ruins and seek out the hidden pathway legacies, extraordinary equipment, or wondrous relics beyond an ordinary Extraordinary's wildest dreams. Even though it was only a single chance, it remained the coveted dream of countless prodigies. The phrasing on the invitation appeared humble on the surface, yet never truly concealed its inherent arrogance and sense of superiority. In essence— In the Fog Capital, having both tokens was the ultimate express pass to the upper echelons of the city and the entire Blue Star. Virtually no one could resist such temptation. By leveraging this method, the Fog Capital embraced top-tier talents from across the globe, uniting them to build upon the city's glory and elevate its supremacy. "So this invitation is basically..." Bai Zhou had a sudden flash of insight. "A downgraded version of the Zhuluoji Pass?" Except... they were visiting ruins in the Reflected Ruin Realm. And they only got a single chance. Whereas Bai Zhou could step directly into that bygone era. And without any limit on visits. "Tsk..." A bizarre, subtle sensation welled up in Bai Zhou's chest. The rare opportunity that the world's foremost prodigies fought tooth and nail for had actually been in his hands all along. The ruin realms that everyone scrambled to explore were, to Bai Zhou, an exclusive world that only he could reach. It sounded a bit lonely, but honestly... It felt damn good! With that in mind, Bai Zhou looked up, only to catch the anxious gaze of the Law Envoy up on the dais. With a blink, Bai Zhou instantly understood what the old man was fretting over. Rustle... Smiling at the Law Envoy, he gently waved the invitation's envelope in his hand. That simple gesture sent the sexagenarian's blood pressure spiking. The old man looked ready to vault off the dais and sprint a hundred meters just to tackle Bai Zhou to the ground. "Don't worry, relax!" Bai Zhou waved a hand dismissively from afar. He had no intention of packing his bags, crossing continents and oceans, and heading all the way to the Western Federation's Fog Capital. At least, not for now. To be fair, no one would turn down good benefits, and no adventurer could refuse an exhilarating expedition to hunt monsters in a ruin of the Reflected Ruin Realm. Especially for a cheater like Bai Zhou, who could read last words—going to a place like that would be like dropping a mouse into a granary! Bai Zhou had no sentimental attachment to his birthplace; he felt no special loyalty to Tinghai. Ever since Wancheng had been reduced to rubble, everywhere felt about the same to him. Yet, as luck would have it, he had just begun forging a few bonds in this place. Gem Witch, Fang Xiaoxia, and the many mysteries surrounding Crow... These were ties Bai Zhou could not easily cast aside. Besides, there was another very practical matter... The invitation clearly stated in the Western Federation's script: [We are pleased to inform you that, following the collective deliberation of the twenty-eight councilors of the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Management Committee, upon your advancement to Fate-Forger, you will be officially enrolled in the Fog Capital's Special Registry of Invited Foreign Talents. This is no ordinary invitation. This credential grants you the right to select one ruin within the Reflected Ruin Realm for a single expedition. Additionally, you may present this credential to obtain a permanent resident identification card for the Fog Capital, apply for a permanent residence in the Upper City, relocate up to three dependents with you, and receive specialized extraordinary stipends provided by official institutions. Should you accept this invitation, please bring this letter to the Fog Capital's consulate in your city before next September to process the necessary entry formalities and complete the advance preparations. At that time, a dedicated guide will be assigned to welcome you. We look forward to meeting you amid the morning mists of the Fog Capital next September. —Respectfully, the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Management Committee!] On the reverse side of the parchment, a shimmering, subtly swaying image of Big Ben had been drawn in mystical ink. Below it, more text in the Western script read: [The specific functions of this invitation and the requirements for entry are detailed below...] Activating Celestial Pivot and relying on a micro-ritual for translation, Bai Zhou quickly scanned the full contents. Though titled an "Ancient Ruins Invitation," for an Extraordinary, it was practically a permanent residency card for the Fog Capital. In short, a Fog Capital Green Card. So, the key points: [Advancement to Fate-Forger] [Before next September] In other words, the Fog Capital would not throw open its gates to the world's talents until September 1 of next year. It felt mysteriously like an academy of the extraordinary opening its doors after summer break. On top of that, Bai Zhou had to become a Fate-Forger first. Until then, even if Bai Zhou wanted to go to the Fog Capital, there was no way in. In the immediate future, he could smoothly use Tinghai's channels to join the selection for Tianjing's Genius Training Camp. To Bai Zhou, this wasn't an either-or choice; he could simply take them one at a time. He would go to Tianjing, but that didn't mean he couldn't visit the Fog Capital later. After all, visiting the Fog Capital didn't mean he was trapped there forever. Even if just for that single ruin exploration, the city held a certain appeal. It was just that... Bai Zhou blinked thoughtfully. The Fog Capital had already laid out such generous terms. The Law Envoy was in such a panic, terrified that he would foolishly dash off to the Fog Capital... So, what conditions would the old man offer to make him stay? Could the official authorities of Tinghai truly possess zero ruins in the Reflected Ruin Realm behind their city? Bai Zhou's eyes narrowed slightly, a sly glint flashing across them. Everything was negotiable! You need achievements, Tinghai needs development, and that aligns perfectly with my own wishes. As long as the price is right, I can be thoroughly devoted to Tinghai too. "Next September..." Bai Zhou mused, eyes flickering. Today was September 10, 2030, marking Bai Zhou's twenty-fifth day in this city. He had already stirred up a storm across the city as a Level 5 Heavenly Mandate Adventurer preparing to advance to Level 6. A full year was far too distant for Bai Zhou to worry about. He had no idea where he would be or what he would be doing by then. He might be a world-renowned figure. Or he might lie dead in an obscure corner of the Zhuluoji era, trampled into the mud by a passing dragonrider of the Imperial Guard and buried in a shallow, unmarked grave. Who could predict the future? Bai Zhou focused only on the present. "It seems you already understand the significance of the Proof of Knighthood and the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation." The rhythmic tap of footsteps sounded as armor clanked and a cape fluttered. The purple-haired maiden walked toward him. The furious red tin can appeared to have been soothed by her, trudging away sulkily. With every step, it deliberately stomped with loud clangs, like an aggrieved child trying to get an adult's attention. "If you come to the Fog Capital next year, I will be delighted." "That is a stage vast enough for any genius to find worthy rivals and the true meaning of life." "A cramped place will only stifle your growth, Bai Zhou. In this small city, you may never find your purpose, and you will only feel lonely and empty in the future." "So, come to the Fog Capital." The purple-haired girl extended her invitation. Yet, as she closely observed the silent youth, her brows arched slightly: "However, I see no excitement on your face... Among the prodigies who have received this invitation, you are one of the rare few." "It seems this land still holds reasons for you to stay, or perhaps you already have a better destination in mind... like Tianjing?" Tilting her head with an impassive expression, the girl asked softly. "Tianjing is indeed a fine place, and in certain respects the Fog Capital cannot match it." She continued, "Yet the Fog Capital can offer a level of sincerity that Tianjing cannot rival..." "Actually, the Fog Capital does interest me," Bai Zhou said after a moment of thought, before shaking his head. "But there is one thing I think you got wrong." "What would that be?" Bai Zhou answered earnestly, "I don't believe the meaning of life can only be found on a larger stage." "Wherever you are, as long as you wish it, that place is your stage. As long as you can find a sense of belonging, your life there has meaning... At least, that's what I think." Pondering further, he added: "Just like here in Tinghai." "A meaningful life doesn't require witnessing grand, magnificent spectacles. I know people I deeply respect who may never have left this city their entire lives, who never stepped foot in any ancient ruins... yet that doesn't mean they never inadvertently saved someone." "When they fall, standing behind them are the people who survived because of them." "Those people will always remember their names, and will even risk everything to avenge them." Though his expression remained detached, making it sound as if he were recounting someone else's story, he was speaking of himself—the adventurer Bai Zhou, who had been kept warm along the way by Crow, Big Brother Liu Zhen, Old Qiao from South City, and others. He said: "At least to me, that is the meaning of life." Hearing this, the purple-haired girl lowered her head and fell silent for a few seconds. Then she nodded. A strand of deep violet hair drifted beside her cheek, and she tucked it behind her ear with a serene grace. "...Bai Zhou, you truly are interesting." "I will remember you." She said: "Whether you come to the Fog Capital or not is entirely up to you." "Even if you don't intend to stay, do not waste that invitation. Once you advance to Fate-Forger—next September, I will be waiting for you there." Her red-and-gold armor gleamed beneath the overhead lights as she spoke: "I believe the threshold of Fate-Forger will not hold you back, and I believe that whether you come to the Fog Capital or not, we will meet again in the future." "The world is vast, yet also very small; the higher you climb, the narrower the footing becomes." "For people like us, who strive to reach the pinnacle of the world, we are bound to cross paths at some height." "When that time comes, we may meet on a narrow road, facing each other in an all-out battle of life and death." Her gaze sharpened, her voice firm and resolute: "Young savior of Tinghai, I look forward to that day." Striving to reach the pinnacle...? Bai Zhou blinked, somewhat at a loss. Since when did I have such lofty ambitions...? he muttered inwardly. Soon, however, he caught a faint, delicate floral scent. He couldn't place the fragrance, only finding it pleasant without being overpowering, elegant yet mysterious. Looking up, he realized the girl had unconsciously stepped very close to him, her voice dropping lower as she spoke. "Aside from the uses you already know, the Proof of Knighthood and the Fog Capital Ancient Ruins Invitation allow you to seek assistance from the Fog Capital consulate before you give your final answer." "As for the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone, you need only infuse it with spirituality to understand its function." "Furthermore—" She said, "I still hope to see you in the Fog Capital, but it has nothing to do with the size of the stage." "Because... have you ever considered..." The purple-haired girl gazed into his eyes, her dark pupils deep and evocative: "That in the Fog Capital, there is someone who needs you as well? "...Mr. Adventurer?" Those final words reached his ears, yet the girl's lips had not moved at all. Her voice transmitted directly from beside his ear into the depths of his mind, completely unheard by anyone else. ...! Though they stood intimately close in an almost ambiguous posture, the hair on Bai Zhou's neck stood on end. His mind felt ready to burst, driving away any trace of romantic sentiment. What did she mean by that? Before Bai Zhou could dwell on it, a sudden chill crept up his spine. He whipped his head around and spotted the red tin can squatting in the shadows near the edge of the plaza. Poking its round head past the corner, its two lightbulb eyes peered stealthily at Bai Zhou. "Hooligan hooligan hooligan... Die die die die!" "[O.`A'·O]" Subtitles, emoticons, and flashing bulb-like eyes rolled across its face in a chaotic loop. He had been marked by the tin can. Wait... Was it because he had stood too close to the princess that the machine thought he was acting like a rogue again? Understanding dawned on Bai Zhou, and he quickly backed away several paces. When he looked back, the purple-haired maiden's figure was already walking away. The youths of the Western Federation followed behind her, each throwing increasingly complicated glances over their shoulders at Bai Zhou. "Farewell, Bai Zhou." The girl's voice rang clearly beside his ears. Her cape fluttered as she waved back at him without turning around. "I will visit you tonight." "As promised, I will help you complete that set of secret techniques." Does it have to be tonight? Why not right now? Bai Zhou grumbled inwardly, caution and confusion churning wildly in his mind. He had long prepared himself for the possibility of his Adventurer identity being exposed. Having been pursued across Tinghai for so long, he had employed the Adventurer pathway's secret techniques countless times. Even though these techniques were unfamiliar to the locals of Tinghai and most witnesses had perished, sharp observers could still piece together clues from his past actions. Yet that wasn't catastrophic on its own. The complete Adventurer pathway was widely acknowledged to be lost, with only fragmented techniques circulating in the world. With abundant resources, skilled mentors, and cobbling pieces together, reaching Level 5 was not impossible. But what about the road ahead? If people discovered that Bai Zhou possessed the Chen Fate Principle paired with the Adventurer pathway, they might actually let their guard down, assuming he could never progress very far. Yet this princess was different! Rome was intimately tied to the Adventurer pathway. The princess, who regarded herself as the legitimate heir to Rome, was not an Extraordinary of the Adventurer pathway herself, likely because her Fate Principle was not the compatible Chen. Due to the legacy of Rome, she might harbor ulterior motives toward an Adventurer like Bai Zhou... "What a hassle!" Bai Zhou couldn't help but shiver, feeling as though he had caught the eye of another formidable figure. "Well... come what may." Exhausted, Bai Zhou let out a soft sigh and looked up at the bright ceiling overhead. The futuristic silver-white metal gleamed brightly against the artificial sky. A breeze drifted from afar, tugging at the cuffs of his pajama pants. He wasn't wearing socks; it felt a little chilly. "Bai Zhou!" At first, a few scattered shouts snapped Bai Zhou out of his daze. Then, like kindling catching flame, the cries converged. As the Western Federation delegation departed, everyone turned their burning gazes back toward the lone youth standing amidst the ruins of the plaza. "Bai Zhou... Bai Zhou..." "The hero of Tinghai!" "Our hero!" Voices roared, one after another, until the fragmented calls merged into a deafening tidal wave. Sincere cheers rose like a tsunami, stripping the elites of the Special Control Bureau of their usual restraint. Perhaps it was because this was their first time witnessing the hero who saved their city make an open appearance, or perhaps because Bai Zhou had reclaimed the bureau's pride after it had been trampled into the dirt. Or perhaps it was both. In a strictly militarized environment, there was no shortage of proud elites or arrogant prodigies, yet earning everyone's respect and even veneration was surprisingly simple. All it took was a single opportunity to prove oneself before their very eyes. Just once was enough. And now, the man who had achieved that was Bai Zhou. A mountain-toppling roar of cheers swept toward Bai Zhou alongside the rushing wind, rustling his hair and making him squint instinctively. Truth be told, he had only stepped forward because he had been singled out, and had only fought on for the sake of the Thousand-Blade Vortex Slash. The Westerners claimed he was standing up for the Special Control Bureau, but he had honestly harbored no such grand intentions. Yet now... He suddenly felt that those reasons didn't matter as much anymore. How could the former fugitive ever have imagined that he would one day be surrounded by the cheers of the entire bureau's elite, welcomed as their exclusive hero? And yet, he truly was a hero. A hero of the Special Control Bureau, and a hero of Tinghai. Everything unfolding before the youth recorded in Tinghai's history was merely the belated praise he rightfully deserved. When hundreds, even thousands of people across an entire plaza chant your name, you realize that your past efforts were not in vain. At this moment, Bai Zhou felt an inexplicable stirring in his chest, his heart beating a fraction faster. Fighting with everything he had, choosing a life path entirely different from before—what had it all been for? Bai Zhou had once pondered that question deeply. Could this very moment... Be one of the answers? As Bai Zhou was finally escorted out of the plaza by the crowd, someone called out loudly to him. "What must we do to become like you?" The person who asked blushed crimson. For a normally proud youth to ask such a question showed how deeply the Western Federation's humiliation had stung him. Glancing across the surrounding faces of the Special Control Bureau's elites—people who dedicated their youth behind the scenes to protect Tinghai—Bai Zhou saw the embers of indignation still burning in their eyes, along with a desperate hunger to prove themselves. After thinking it over carefully, Bai Zhou spoke: "Is life really full of so many examinations?" "I heard a saying just yesterday—in the examination hall of life, you are the only one who grades your paper." "What I mean is..." Bai Zhou said earnestly: "You don't need to be like me." "You might not be able to do what I do, but I can't do what you do either, right?" "On your own stage, everyone is the protagonist of their own story." With that, Bai Zhou scratched his head. "Speaking of which, back where I come from, there's a story—the tale of the ugly duckling." He continued, "The story goes that on a snowy day, an ugly duckling turned into a white swan. But right after, the duck farmer noticed it, caught it, and threw it into an iron pot to stew with potatoes." Under the increasingly bewildered and silent stares of the crowd, Bai Zhou continued with complete seriousness: "I imagine that if that swan had a soul after death, it would surely miss the days when it was an ugly duckling." "At least back then, it could have lived a few days longer, instead of standing out like a swan among ducks." Bai Zhou paused briefly. "What I mean is—" "Every story has its own ending, but that ending might not be the right one for you... Your stories aren't finished yet, so what's the rush?" Having delivered what he felt was a satisfying bowl of wholesome chicken soup for the soul, Bai Zhou clapped his hands in contentment. Then, turning on his heel, he ambled away in an exceptionally breezy manner, pajamas rustling and slippers flapping against his heels. He left the crowd standing in place, blinking at one another. They felt something was off, but couldn't quite put their finger on what. After a long silence. Finally, someone whispered: "Wait a minute..." "Did he just call us ugly ducklings?" *** Upon returning to his dormitory, Bai Zhou immediately pulled out the Thousand-Blade Magic Stones to examine them. The two pitch-black stones appeared entirely unremarkable at first glance. "Thousand blades... thousand blades..." No matter how Bai Zhou scrutinized them, he couldn't sense how these stones had anything to do with "blades." Recalling the princess's words, Bai Zhou made several tentative attempts before finally infusing spirituality into one of the Thousand-Blade Magic Stones. The next instant— Hum! The black crust of the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone cracked instantly. Dark light laced with crimson radiance burst from the fissures, and ominous colors spread like a vortex, rippling mysterious waves through the air. Immediately after, as if sensing the light, something in Bai Zhou's coat emitted a long, resonant hum, conveying a sharp longing. "Is that...?" Bai Zhou's gaze froze. With a puzzled expression, he drew the purple-gold saber from his coat. Traces of time were etched across the blade, and near the distinct handprint, faint cracks were visible. Its resplendent luster could not hide the fact that it had weathered countless battles. In the end, it was merely a standard-issue military saber, a weapon General Ale had picked up at random from the fallen on the battlefield. It was old. Even so, it remained Bai Zhou's most reliable and familiar weapon, bound to him in shared intent. Together, they had cut their way through countless perilous encirclements. Hum, hum, hum! At this moment, even though Bai Zhou had not infused any spirituality into it, the saber blazed with a sharp, dazzling purple-gold brilliance. Raging blade aura spilled outward, hissing as it carved several terrifying gouges into the floor. A piercing hum resonated from the purple gemstone on the hilt, as though something within were awakening. It was... Longing for something. Following the purple-gold saber's desire, Bai Zhou instinctively released his grip. The purple-gold saber levitated into the air, slowly drifting toward the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone in his other hand. As if drawn by an invisible pull, the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone floated upward as well. The magic stone began to melt. Its black-and-crimson glow turned viscous, transforming into hundreds of luminous patterns that spread across the air like a terrifying web. Hum! The purple-gold saber let out a resonant cry. Whether it was his imagination or not, Bai Zhou seemed to hear the commanding presence of the Skeleton General, Ale, issuing military orders through that hum. Then— Those luminous patterns sprang to life, scrambling to drape themselves over the saber's blade. The magic stone and the saber began to merge. "This is...!" Bai Zhou's eyes widened. Streams of knowledge flowed into his mind along with the intertwined glow of crimson, black, purple, and gold. The saber was advancing. The purpose of the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone was to advance extraordinary weapons. Yet there was a restriction: the weapon had to be severely damaged. Because the trigger condition for the Thousand-Blade Magic Stone was renewal through destruction. Repair, and advancement. There was a risk of failure, and not a small one. Yet if it succeeded, the advanced weapon would gain an exceedingly rare and special property— Thousand-Blade Transmutation! "An advancement..." Bai Zhou frowned. Even in its current state, the saber was among the finest extraordinary weapons in the modern world; Bai Zhou had seen few extraordinary armaments that could rival it. Advancing further? "Could this saber actually have a chance to advance into..." In the dormitory, Bai Zhou's vision was engulfed by the purple-gold radiance and black-crimson glow, the four shifting hues illuminating his stunned face. "A Spirit-Name Secret Treasure?!"