The Heavens: Man Covers the Heavens, Refines Treasures to Become an Emperor

He stretched out a trembling finger, wanting to touch it, but fearing to desecrate this rare treasure, and in the end only murmured.

"A subtle, cool fragrance, leaf veins like Daoist patterns... There's no mistake... There's no mistake! It really is it!"

The four appraisers, who held prestigious positions at Shidingzhai and were accustomed to seeing rare and precious treasures, completely lost their composure in the face of two legendary artifacts in succession!
The look in their eyes when they looked at Jiang Xuan was no longer filled with the contempt and impatience they had shown before.

Instead, there was immense respect, curiosity, and even awe!

The person who can casually produce such a treasure is no ordinary person.

“Young Master Jiang…”

Old Qiu's attitude underwent a complete change, and his tone became extremely respectful.

"May I ask... are you... are you truly willing to sell these two treasures?"

Jiang Xuan remained calm, gently placing the Pure Void Spirit Flower on the jade table beside him, alongside the Nine-Bend Heart Iron, before looking at the four appraisers and speaking indifferently.

"Since it's brought to Shidingzhai, it's naturally going to be sold. Let's estimate the price based on the market value, as the masters mentioned earlier."

"this…"

Upon hearing this, the four appraisers exchanged glances, their faces showing embarrassment and difficulty.

Market price? A treasure of this caliber is practically priceless!

They occasionally appear, but only at the most prestigious auctions, where they are fiercely contested by major players.

The final transaction price is often an astronomical figure, far exceeding the so-called "market valuation"!
Moreover, they were arrogant towards Jiang Xuan just now, so how could they have the nerve to make a price offer so easily now?

Qiu Lao exchanged a glance with the other three and bowed to Jiang Xuan.

"Young Master Jiang, to be honest, these two treasures are far too precious for us to easily estimate. Moreover... we were rather slow-witted and negligent just now, please forgive us. Regarding the price... could you allow us a moment to discuss it and give you a fair answer?"

Jiang Xuan glanced at them and nodded.

"can."

The four appraisers, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly took their leave and went to a corner of the main hall to discuss the matter in hushed but intense voices, their faces showing both solemnity and excitement.

After they left, Shi Yu immediately went up to Jiang Xuan, patted him hard on the shoulder, his face full of excitement and admiration, and whispered.

"Good lad! You've really got it! You've really put those arrogant old fogies in their place! Let's see if they dare to look down on us again! Haha, that's satisfying!"

Jiang Xuan smiled slightly but did not reply. Instead, he quietly transmitted his voice to Shi Yu.

"Shi San, don't be too happy yet. I've changed my mind. I don't plan to sell these two items to them directly."

Shi Yu was taken aback and replied telepathically with a puzzled look.

"Not selling? Then why are you putting it out there? Are you just trying to whet their appetite?"

Jiang Xuan's eyes gleamed with shrewdness as he transmitted his voice.

“Selling it directly, even if the price is high, will be limited, and it will easily attract unnecessary attention and trouble. I plan to… auction it off!”

"auction?"

Shi Yu's eyes lit up.

"Correct."

Jiang Xuan continued to transmit his voice.

"Your Shidingzhai should organize a high-profile auction to auction these two treasures, as well as a few other items that I will bring out later!"
This way, I can maximize my profits and leverage the auction's influence to officially introduce my name and Xixin Peak to the major powers within the Forbidden City! This is my true purpose.

He looked at Shi Yu with sincere eyes.

"Shi San, I need your help with this matter. Having you oversee and organize this auction will be an excellent opportunity for you to prove your abilities and expand your influence within the Shi family. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yu was greatly shocked!
"Okay! Leave it to me! I'll make sure you get it done perfectly!"

Just then, the four appraisers seemed to have reached a conclusion, and Elder Qiu, as their representative, walked over with a solemn expression.

Before Elder Qiu could even offer a price, Jiang Xuan spoke first.

"Masters, there's no need to quote prices."

Old Qiu was taken aback.

"Young Master Jiang, what's wrong...?"

Jiang Xuan said calmly.

"I have decided that these two treasures, as well as the other items I will be presenting next, will not be sold directly. I have entrusted Young Master Shi Yu to hold a special auction through Shi Ding Zhai."

Upon hearing this, the four appraisers were initially taken aback, but then revealed expressions of understanding and admiration.

They immediately understood that this was the best way to maximize their profits! At the same time, they were amazed by Jiang Xuan's boldness and vision.

"Young Master Jiang's profound wisdom and foresight are truly admirable!"

"That's what Old Qiu said from the bottom of his heart."

"It is most appropriate for the Third Young Master to take charge of this matter! Our Shi Ding Zhai will certainly cooperate fully!"

Once the matter was settled, Jiang Xuan didn't delay.

He took out several more items from his storage ring.

A strange metal that is entirely purple and seems to have lightning flowing inside—Purple Elf Iron!
A snow-white ginseng shaped like an infant and exuding an aura of extreme cold—Snow Infant Jade Ginseng!
A strange fruit, fiery red with golden dragon patterns entwined on its surface—the True Yang Dragon Marrow Fruit!

There are also several other spiritual materials that exude a powerful spiritual energy and are clearly extraordinary!

Any one of these treasures would cause a sensation if taken out!

At this moment, they were placed quietly on the jade table, side by side with the Nine-Bend Heart Iron and the Pure Void Spirit Flower, complementing each other and illuminating the entire hall with spiritual energy and precious light!

Looking at this dazzling array of treasures, each one a rare gem, Shi Yu was completely stunned, his mouth agape, wide enough to fit an egg!
He pointed to the treasures on the table, then looked at Jiang Xuan, who had a calm expression, and stammered, "What do you mean?"

"Jiang...Jiang Xuan...you...you brat, did you rob some ancient ruin's treasure vault?! Where did you get all these things?!"

Jiang Xuan looked at Shi Yu's shocked and disoriented appearance, and simply smiled faintly without answering.

Jiang Xuan handed over several priceless treasures obtained from the Annihilation Sea ruins, including the Azure Fiend Dragon Wood and the Taibai Meteorite Iron, to Shi Yu.

He also explained in detail the relevant matters concerning the entrusted auction.

He then did not wait for the appraisers to reach a final agreement on the first batch of spoils.

Instead, they settled the payment directly according to the previously agreed price of 64,000 gold coins, and put a gold note containing a huge sum of money into their pocket.

"Shi San, I'm leaving the auction to you. I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Jiang Xuan said to Shi Yu, his tone urgent.

He needs to return to Xixin Peak as soon as possible to use the start-up funds to recruit personnel and repair facilities within the peak.

Shi Yu nodded in understanding.

"Don't worry, leave it to me. Just be careful."

Jiang Xuan said no more, turned around and hurriedly left the luxurious hall of Shidingzhai, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the bustling street.

After watching Jiang Xuan leave, Shi Yu calmed his emotions, which were still stirred by the treasures, and turned back into the palace.

The four appraisal experts immediately surrounded him, their faces still showing lingering excitement and curiosity.

"Third Young Master, Young Master Jiang, he..."

Old Qiu was the first to ask a question.

Shi Yu's face regained its usual slightly cynical smile.

But his eyes had become much sharper.

"Jiang Xuan has entrusted all those treasures to me, and our Shidingzhai will hold a public auction for them in the form of a special auction."

Upon hearing this, the four appraisers were taken aback at first, but then they all showed expressions of agreement and admiration.

"An auction? Brilliant! Only an auction can maximize the value of such a rare treasure!"

"Young Master Jiang is so young, yet he possesses such courage and vision; it is truly astonishing!"

"Third Young Master, your ability to facilitate this matter is a great achievement for Shi Ding Zhai!"

Shi Yu smiled, and then took out several other treasures left by Jiang Xuan from his storage ring.

The section of Azure Dragon Wood, entirely dark blue and faintly entwined with dragon-shaped malevolent energy, and the Taibai Meteorite Iron, silvery-white, incredibly heavy, and with specks of starlight shimmering inside, etc.

When these equally legendary treasures reappeared before our eyes.

The four appraisers, whose emotions had just begun to calm down, were reignited!
Everyone was so excited that their faces turned red, marveling at the treasures and full of praise.

"Azure Fiend Dragon Wood!"

This is a supreme treasure for refining top-tier wood-attribute spiritual artifacts, and even for nourishing one's wood-attribute natal spirit!

"Taibai Meteorite Iron! A rare treasure from outer space! An unparalleled material for forging flying swords and magical treasures!"
Its value is in no way inferior to the Nine-Bend Loyal Heart Iron!

"Third Young Master! You have truly done a great service this time!"
If these treasures are successfully auctioned, it will greatly enhance the reputation and status of Shidingzhai in the top-tier auction field!

Hearing the appraisers' heartfelt praise, Shi Yu smiled, but his heart was far from as relaxed as it appeared.

He understood Jiang Xuan's current predicament better than these appraisers.

Bearing a deep-seated blood feud and surrounded by powerful enemies, he single-handedly takes charge of the dilapidated Xixin Peak, a journey fraught with peril.

Jiang Xuan entrusted him with such an important treasure, which was both a sign of trust and a heavy responsibility.

He had to handle this matter well, and he also needed to find ways to provide Jiang Xuan with more support within his capabilities.

With this in mind, Shi Yu made a decision.

He suppressed his smile and addressed the four appraisers with a serious expression.

"Gentlemen, I'll leave the preparations for the auction to you. Please make sure everything goes smoothly! I have some matters to discuss with my father."

After leaving the main hall, Shi Yu did not return to his residence, but went straight to the depths of Shi Ding Zhai.

He walked toward "Zhiweizhai," a secluded courtyard where his father, Shi Caishen, often stayed.

Zhiweizhai is not a luxurious palace, but rather a huge kitchen and restaurant.

As soon as I reached the door, an enticing aroma of meat wafted towards me.

Shi Yu pushed open the door and entered. In the spacious hall, he saw an old man with a huge, obese body, wearing a loose brocade robe, with a kind face but shrewd eyes.

He was sitting at a specially made, huge dining table, holding a small knife, skillfully cutting a whole roasted spirit rhinoceros that was roasted to a golden brown and crispy state, with the fat sizzling.

They ate with gusto, their mouths glistening with oil.

This is Shi Yu's father, Shi Yuanshan, one of the contemporary leaders of Shi Dingzhai, known as "Shi Caishen" (God of Wealth).

Not far from the obese old man was a middle-aged man dressed in coarse linen clothes, thin, expressionless, with eyes as still as dead water.

He was sitting silently on a small stool, quietly sharpening a seemingly ordinary kitchen knife.

His sharpening motion was slow, yet exceptionally steady, each stroke carrying a peculiar rhythm.

This is Zhu Laosan, the personal bodyguard and cook of the Stone God of Wealth, an unfathomable and eccentric man.

"father."

Shi Yu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Without even looking up, the Stone God of Wealth mumbled something while gnawing on a beef leg.

"Hmm... it's Xiao Sanzi... you've come at the perfect time. This beef leg is roasted to perfection, come and have a taste!"

Shi Yu did not move, but directly stated his purpose.

"Father, I've come with important business. My good friend, Jiang Xuan, is currently in a very dangerous situation..."

He briefly recounted Jiang Xuan's background, his current predicament, and the matter of entrusting the auction of treasures, and concluded earnestly.

"...Father, Jiang Xuan is not only a good friend to me, but also a trustworthy partner. Now that he has just returned to the Forbidden City, he is alone and weak. I would like to ask you to step forward and use some of the family's resources to secretly provide him with some necessary help and support."

After listening, Shi Caishen put down the beef leg in his hand, wiped his mouth with his greasy sleeve, looked at Shi Yu, and said slowly.

"Little Sanzi, you know the rules of our Shi family. Business is business, and we don't easily get involved in the feuds and disputes between different families. That Jiang Xuan kid is indeed a talent."

But his enemy is the Chi family, and it might even involve far more powerful figures. If our Shi family openly helps him, the cost would be too high, and the losses would outweigh the gains.”

Shi Yu had long anticipated his father's response; his expression remained unchanged, but his tone was resolute.

“Father, if the family is unwilling to step in… then I can only help him in my own way, using my personal resources and strength. However… if it causes any trouble and implicates Shi Ding Zhai, please bear with me.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Caishen's small eyes widened suddenly. He stared at Shi Yu for a long time, and instead of showing any anger on his fat face, he suddenly burst into a loud laugh.

"Hahaha! Good! Good lad! You've got guts! You're worthy of being my son, Shi Yuanshan's son!"

After laughing, he picked up a napkin and wiped his hands, a sly smile like that of an old fox on his face.

"It's not that I can't help you. However, I think there's someone who might be more suitable to help you than the family."

As he spoke, he gestured with his fat chin toward the gaunt man next to him who had been silently sharpening his knife—Zhu Laosan.

"Zhu Laosan?"

Shi Yu followed his father's gaze, a look of confusion on his face.

Zhu Laosan remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard their conversation.

He was focused on sharpening the knife in his hand, and the hissing sound of the blade was particularly clear in the quiet kitchen.

Stone God of Wealth smiled meaningfully.

"You should know a little about the abilities of the third brother who has been with me for so many years. Having him secretly looking after your little friend might be more useful than sending a hundred guards."

Upon hearing his father Shi Caishen's words, Shi Yu was even more surprised and couldn't help but ask.

"Father, what is the connection between Uncle Zhu and Jiang Xuan? Why is he willing to help?"

After finishing the last bite of meat, the Stone God of Wealth let out a satisfied burp. (End of Chapter)