Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Like a Dream, Yet Real

As Lou Yun’s blood seeped into the sword’s blade, a blinding crimson radiance suddenly erupted from it. Immediately afterward, the sword left Lou Yun’s palm, slowly rising to hang suspended in midair!

The red light gradually softened, transforming into expanding halos that radiated from the sword’s center. The halo color shifted from the initial red, slowly turning to orange, then yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, until finally seven distinct colored halos flickered alternately!

Simultaneously, white clouds drifted across the previously clear, blue sky, accompanied by clear cries of dragons and phoenixes. A seven-colored rainbow arched across the heavens.

It seemed synchronized with the sword’s seven-colored halos; every time a halo flashed upon the blade, the corresponding color on the rainbow would brighten, flashing in sequence—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple!

The entire spectacle was enchantingly beautiful. Everyone felt as though they were inside a dream, utterly mesmerized!

Lou Yun naturally saw this breathtaking scene too. Yet, unlike the others, his mind remained perfectly clear!

This interplay of rainbow and halos lasted nearly half the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Then, the auspicious clouds coalesced into a massive white mass. Without warning, a deafening BOOM echoed as a golden bolt of heavenly thunder straight from the clouds struck the floating sword!

The descent of the golden thunder instantly obliterated the seven-colored halos. Immediately after, a large, intricate spiderweb-like pattern flashed briefly upon the blade before vanishing!

A breeze blew, scattering the auspicious clouds in the sky. The rainbow vanished too!

The very next moment, several individuals simultaneously sensed an immense wave of energy emanating from the floating sword!

The crowd jolted awake, exchanging bewildered glances. Shock and confusion were mirrored on everyone’s face. Some even began murmuring to each other, questioning whether what just happened was real or just a dream!

But then, how could so many people share the same dream?

Yet, if real, why did such a phenomenon occur? Could it be solely because of that common weapon Lou Yun had forged?

Gathered here were all skilled weapon makers, or those aspiring to become one. Together, they had forged countless common weapons, yet not one had ever witnessed—or even heard of—such an event! What in the world was happening?

Instantly, all eyes turned to Lou Yun. This strange phenomenon was entirely caused by the sword… and Lou Yun was its creator!

Thus, the gazes fixed upon him now held not just their previous admiration, but an added layer of awe.

Who on earth could possibly forge a common weapon able to elicit such dreamlike celestial phenomena? Who was he, truly?

However, Beichen Ming watched Lou Yun with exceptional excitement. He had always believed he hadn’t misjudged him; Lou Yun was undoubtedly a unique forging genius. This spectacle only confirmed his insight!

Lou Yun himself was utterly baffled. While the phenomenon had left his mind clear, it did nothing to clarify its significance.

He briefly considered asking Chang Xiang, but couldn’t be bothered to speak aloud. Besides, even if he asked, it would be pointless—Chang Xiang wasn’t entirely certain either!

Chang Xiang, though, was deep in thought. Similar phenomena he had seen before—not caused by a weapon, but by a person.

Observing the sequence of changes on the sword, especially the final fleeting flash of the red spiderweb pattern, Chang Xiang was finally certain: forged within this blade was the legendary Weapon Contract!

The celestial phenomenon was naturally linked to the Weapon Contract. The exact reason, however, eluded Chang Xiang’s understanding.

Even now, witnessing it firsthand, Chang Xiang struggled to believe Lou Yun had genuinely forged a common weapon possessing a Weapon Contract!

Lou Yun stood rooted, staring intently at his creation. Consequently, everyone’s gaze shifted back toward the floating sword!

Now, regardless of their sensitivity to spiritual energy, everyone could perceive the potent energy radiating from the sword. Still, those with higher sensitivity swiftly assessed its rank.

"Mystery rank… five-star?"

"No, it must be higher than five-star… but then it should be human level…"

"Actually, the energy within is stronger than even a human-level common weapon. Yet, it lacks the Weapon Core required for human-level common weapons. Such a pity. It remains only a mystery rank weapon!"

A jumble of discussions arose. Meanwhile, Fan Ruobing and Short Winter Melon watched, their faces darkening with each passing comment!

They too could discern the sword’s rank—it far surpassed the one Short Winter Melon had forged. The outcome of this forging duel—challenged by Lou Yun to Short Winter Melon, a fifth-tier skilled weapon maker—was indisputable!

Though both Short Winter Melon and Fan Ruobing desperately wished to reject this outcome, the assembled crowd made deceit impossible. Thus, the contest ended decisively with Lou Yun’s victory!

Lou Yun retrieved his newly forged sword. Everyone, himself included, harbored intense curiosity about the blade. He needed to study it thoroughly later.

Through this forging duel, Lou Yun—a man without any official rank at all—had, in the eyes of most skilled weapon makers on Spirit Weapon Star, firmly established his authority and reputation!

Lou Yun approached Short Winter Melon. "Short Winter Melon," he said with a cold smile, "I assume you haven’t forgotten our agreed wager?"

Short Winter Melon truly wished he could forget. Yet under the collective stare, he could only grit his teeth in anguish and reluctantly hand over a dark, stone-like object to Lou Yun.

As Lou Yun took it, his hand instantly lurched downward from the unexpected weight of the unassuming object.

After a brief glance, Lou Yun regarded Short Winter Melon with mocking amusement. "Short Winter Melon, didn’t you promise to tell me what this thing actually does once I won the contest? Speak up, then."

Short Winter Melon paled, stammering, "Th-This… well, it’s valuable, naturally… its purpose…"

Lou Yun threw his head back and laughed. "Haha! Enough scrambling for excuses here! I know you haven’t a clue! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have wagered something so precious! Did you think I was as ignorant as you? Laughable!"

Lou Yun spoke these words purely to provoke Short Winter Melon—and they hit their mark perfectly. Short Winter Melon’s face colored with rage, his eyes burning with greed and regret, glued to the black stone in Lou Yun’s hand, practically yearning to snatch it back right then.

Wringing his hands vigorously, Short Winter Melon ingratiatingly ventured, "Young brother, truth be told… I really don’t know what it is. Since you clearly recognize its worth… surely you could enlighten me? Let me see what true treasure looks like!"

Fearful Lou Yun might refuse, Short Winter Melon hastily added, gesturing frantically, "Don’t worry! It’s yours now! I accept my loss! I swear I won’t demand it back!"

Lou Yun offered a faint smile, shaking his head slowly. "Knowing won’t help you. It’s far too valuable. If I told you, you’d covet it all your life. Your best bet is to just… forget it exists."

These very words ensured Short Winter Melon would never forget. Many in the crowd now saw Lou Yun merely toying with Short Winter Melon. Given his widespread unpopularity, nobody intervened; even Fan Ruobing merely stared thoughtfully at Lou Yun.

Ignoring Short Winter Melon’s desperate pleas, Lou Yun turned to face Fan Ruobing, meeting his gaze directly. "Master Fan," he stated firmly, "earlier, you boasted knowledge of all prominent forging methods across Spirit Weapon Star. Supposedly, you might discern my true origins merely by watching my style. So, enlighten me—what is my origin?"

Lou Yun’s forging process, apart from the time-consuming melting of the Nine-temperature Assimilation Stone, concluded almost instantaneously afterward. Fan Ruobing recalled no known forging schools capable of such speed. His previous suspicions about Lou Yun’s background were utterly wrong!

For Fan Ruobing, a dignified sixth-tier skilled weapon maker, to admit such a blunder publicly was unthinkable. His eyes flickered mischievously as he forced an oily, malicious smile. "The world abounds with countless forging schools! How could anyone claim knowledge of them all? That said… observing your technique leaves me certain—you are no novice. An old hand, beyond doubt. Thus… your origins are all the more suspicious!"

Such blatant dishonesty ignited anger within Lou Yun. His fists clenched instinctively, poised to strike, when suddenly, a familiar voice whispered near his ear:

"Tell Fan Ruobing that knowing your true origins would surely frighten him to death!"

Naturally, the voice was Beichen Ming’s. Watching from afar, Beichen Ming had exercised immense patience with Fan Ruobing’s arrogance. Seeing Lou Yun surpass expectations and earn widespread respect, he saw no need to wait until the formal Forging Conference’s conclusion. The time to bolster Lou Yun’s standing and shatter Fan Ruobing’s pompous bluster had arrived!