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

"Good means."

Jiang Xuan sneered inwardly, but felt little fear; instead, a strong fighting spirit rose within him.

At this moment, a maidservant quickly walked out of the Spirit Pattern Master's Commune and respectfully bowed to Jiang Xuan.

"Young Master Jiang, President Chu Feng invites you upstairs for a chat."

Jiang Xuan nodded and followed the maid into the commune, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

Inside the quiet room on the second floor, Chu Feng was already waiting. His expression was solemn, and when he saw Jiang Xuan enter, he immediately spoke urgently.

"Brother Jiang Xuan! You've finally arrived! Xie Yutang's actions are clearly ill-intentioned; he's trying to flatter you to your death!"

Jiang Xuan sat down in the chair, poured himself a cup of tea, and remained calm.

"I know.

He made this matter public simply because he believed Huang Jianchen was bound to win and wanted to use the tens of thousands of spectators in the arena to ruin my reputation and completely suppress me.

"exactly!"

Chu Feng said angrily.

"These scions of powerful families are truly ruthless! Now you have no way out! This battle can only be won, not lost!"

"We can only win, we cannot lose."

Jiang Xuan took a sip of tea, his eyes sharp.

"Brother Chu Feng, I would like to trouble you to use your connections to find out about Huang Jianchen as soon as possible. I have already met Huang Jianxiong; his strength is not bad among those in the Human Gang Realm, but it is not enough."

Huang Jianchen, who was sent by the Huang family and whom Xie Yutang so confident in, is no ordinary person. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.

Chu Feng nodded quickly.

"Don't worry, brother, I'll get on it right away! I'll get this person's information to you as soon as possible!"

……

As expected, the news that Little Sword Master Xie Yutang publicly challenged the mysterious youth Jiang Xuan to a duel with Huang Jianchen of the Huang family in the arena three days later spread like wildfire throughout the entire Yanxia City in a very short time, causing a huge uproar!
Xie Yutang himself is a direct descendant of the Xie family, one of the seven great aristocratic families of the empire, and a top figure among the younger generation in the Forbidden City.

The name "Little Swordsman" is extremely attractive in itself.

His high-profile actions, including personally delivering the challenge, were noteworthy enough in themselves.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xuan's identity was quickly revealed. He was a mysterious young man from a poor family who possessed provincial examination qualifications, had defeated Qi Yunxiao and Yuan Shu in the Yanxia Academy's grand competition, and had even killed multiple cultivators in the shocking rainy night chase that stunned the entire city. He was ultimately suspected of being protected by some powerful figure!

Furthermore, his opponent was Huang Jianchen, a descendant of the Huang clan from the Forbidden City!
These three factors combined to instantly push the attention surrounding this duel to an unimaginable level! Countless cultivators and factions were discussing the matter heatedly.

Tickets for the central arena in Yanxia City sold out within hours of the news breaking! On the black market, prices were driven to an astonishingly high level, yet tickets remained extremely difficult to obtain!
……

Inside the elegant interior of a luxuriously decorated restaurant on a high floor.

Wen Mingxiu, Qi Yunxiao, Yuan Shu, and other scions of wealthy families from Yanxia City gathered here, each with an irrepressible excitement and anticipation on their faces.

"Haha! This is truly a stroke of luck! I never expected Xie Yutang to pull such a stunt!"

Qi Yunxiao drank the wine in his cup with gusto, his face full of joy.

"Jiang Xuan is doomed this time! Defeated by the Huang family in front of tens of thousands of people, let's see how he can still have the face to stay in Yanxia City!"

Yuan Shu also smiled sinisterly.

"Excellent! After this battle, he will be utterly disgraced! Let's see how long he can remain arrogant!"

The families behind them had all suffered underhanded losses at Jiang Xuan's hands, but dared not retaliate openly due to various concerns. Now that they could witness Jiang Xuan being publicly humiliated, they were naturally happy to see it happen.

Only Wen Mingxiu remained somewhat calm. She gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and spoke.

Don't be too happy yet.

Jiang Xuan... is by no means an easy person.

He survived the ambush that night and forced us all to submit; it wasn't just luck. Xie Yutang's actions, though seemingly a form of flattery, could have been detrimental, but what if... what if Jiang Xuan had actually won?

"win?"

Qi Yunxiao seemed to have heard a joke.

“Mingxiu, you’re overestimating that kid! I don’t know much about Huang Jianchen, but to be sent by the Huang family and to inspire such confidence in Xie Yutang, his strength must far surpass that of his brother Huang Jianxiong! Even if Jiang Xuan has some skill, can he really turn the world upside down?”

Another disciple echoed this sentiment.

"Exactly! And I heard that even the Grand Commander Liu Wujun of the City Lord's Mansion, Senior Yao Tuohai of the Yao family, Dean Wei Lingzhen of Yanxia Academy, and even General Du Dongtu of the Purple Feather Army have all expressed their interest in this battle! Tickets on the black market are being sold at exorbitant prices! With such a scene, Jiang Xuan is probably scared out of his wits. How much of his strength can he still muster?"

Wen Mingxiu gently shook her head.

"That's why we need to be even more cautious."

This duel has attracted too much attention. If Jiang Xuan really does win in a stunning upset... then where will Xie Yutang put his face?

Everyone was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

They were only thinking about seeing Jiang Xuan make a fool of himself, but they hadn't considered this aspect. If Jiang Xuan really won, wouldn't Xie Yutang's attempt to flatter him backfire? Although the possibility was extremely small, the thought of Jiang Xuan's endless tricks and ruthless nature made everyone feel a little uncertain.

"No matter what, we must be there in person for this battle."

Qi Yunxiao composed himself and said.

"In addition, we also need to find out Huang Jianchen's background. Huang Jianxiong was originally considered a first-class expert in the Human Gang Realm. Since Huang Jianchen is his cousin, he must have extraordinary abilities to be sent here. We should not underestimate him."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Similar discussions were taking place in every corner of Yanxia City.

Jiang Xuan's name became a household name in just one day.

Everyone knew that the arena at noon three days later would determine the fate of this mysterious young man—whether he would soar to great heights or perish completely.

What Xie Yutang used was a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard scheme.

Even if Jiang Xuan saw through it, he couldn't break the defense and could only take it head-on. Victory meant survival, defeat meant...utter disgrace!
……

Cui Ming Xuan, a quiet and secluded courtyard.

Granny Feng reported the widely circulated news to Liu Qingyan, who was playing the zither.

Liu Qingyan's slender fingers pressed on the strings, and the music stopped abruptly.

She furrowed her brows slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her clear eyes. She gently bit her cherry lips, her tone carrying a subtle anger that even she herself was unaware of.

"Xie Yutang... his actions are a bit... bullying."

Granny Feng stood to the side, nodding slightly upon hearing this. She knew why her young mistress was displeased. It wasn't just because Jiang Xuan was the key to restoring the Ancient Law Spirit Ocarina, but also because her young mistress was kind-hearted and disliked such methods of using power to oppress others and deliberately flattering them to death.

"Miss seems to know something about Huang Jianchen?"

"Grandma Wind asked."

Liu Qingyan nodded gently, her eyes filled with reminiscence. "I saw him once last year at a banquet for the sons of powerful families in the Forbidden City."

During the gathering, someone suggested a friendly sparring match for entertainment, but Huang Jianchen seemed quite impatient and immediately got up to leave. As he was leaving, he was stopped by Lu Guanxing of the Lu family, who spoke with a hint of accusation, complaining that he had spoiled everyone's fun.

She paused, her tone tinged with seriousness.

"Lu Guanxing is quite strong; he's considered a formidable opponent even among those in the Human Gang Realm."

However, Huang Jianchen only needed one move to severely injure him, sending him flying backward, coughing up blood. I remember he merely coldly remarked, "Fancy moves," before leaving. This incident was later suppressed by the Lu family because Lu Guanxing lost face, and few people knew about it.

Recalling the scene, what impressed Liu Qingyan the most was the terrifying aura that Huang Jianchen, seemingly ordinary, unleashed in the instant of battle, like a bloodthirsty beast, which was chilling.

"Now that Xie Yutang has invited him here and made this matter a hot topic throughout the city, his intention is self-evident: to use Huang Jianchen to completely defeat Jiang Xuan and make him lose face in front of everyone."

Liu Qingyan's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

"This move was indeed a bit excessive."

Grandma Wind snorted coldly.

"It's more than just over."

Huang Jianchen is aloof and difficult to persuade; ordinary people can't get him to come. If Xie Yutang hadn't personally intervened, Huang Jianxiong wouldn't have been able to persuade him at all, given his limited influence.

Liu Qingyan pondered for a moment, then sighed softly.

"There's no point in saying more now. I just hope that Huang Jianchen... won't go too far."

Grandma Wind assured her.

"Don't worry, Miss. With me here, I will never let that boy lose his life. As for other things... a little hardship and setbacks may not be a bad thing for him."

……

In the courtyard, Jiang Xuan returned and went straight to Xue Jin.

"Senior Xue Jin, have you ever heard of a person named Huang Jianchen?"

Jiang Xuan cut to the chase and asked.

Xue Jin was playing with Qiu Qiu when she heard this, she paused and looked at Jiang Xuan with some surprise.

"Huang Jianchen? Why are you suddenly asking about him?"

Jiang Xuan briefly recounted the challenge Xie Yutang had sent, and the fact that he would be dueling Huang Jianchen in the arena three days later.

Upon hearing this, Xue Jin frowned, put down the wine jar, and looked unusually serious.

"Huang Jianchen... Xie Yutang has really picked a tough nut for you this time. He's determined to make you suffer a big fall."

He looked at Jiang Xuan and said in a deep voice.

"This Huang Jianchen is a member of a collateral branch of the Huang family, but his talent is extremely amazing. Three years ago, when he was only thirteen years old, he successfully broke through to the Human Gang Realm."

That's not all. What he condensed wasn't an ordinary pool of spiritual energy, but an extremely rare, second-grade mutated pool of spiritual energy—'Chains of the Black Prison'!

"The Chains of the Black Prison?"

Jiang Xuan's gaze sharpened; this was the first time he had ever heard of such a spiritual energy pool.

"good."

Xuejin explained.

"It is said that this spiritual energy pool is not in the form of a sea of ​​qi, but rather resembles nine strange stone pillars piercing through the void and wrapped with pitch-black chains. It can grant its owner extremely strange and powerful binding and suppressing power, and can also be used to cultivate some special combat techniques that are matched with it, with tremendous power."

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion.

"This child also has an exceptionally strong will."

Years ago, the Obsidian Sanctuary sent someone to contact him, trying to recruit him, but he refused. Guess what he said? He said, "I want to rely on my own strength to forge a path different from those of my predecessors." Heh heh, such arrogance is rare among scions of powerful families.

Jiang Xuan's expression also became more serious after hearing this. A second-grade mutated spiritual energy pool, "Chain of the Black Prison," refusing the Obsidian Sanctuary's offer of recruitment—his will was unwavering… This Huang Jianchen was indeed an extremely formidable opponent! Far superior to his brother, Huang Jianxiong.

"How about it, kid? Scared now that you know your opponent's strength?"

Seeing Jiang Xuan's solemn expression, Xue Jin raised an eyebrow and asked.

Jiang Xuan did not answer, but a slow smile appeared on his lips, a smile that carried a hint of coldness and a fighting spirit that grew stronger when facing stronger opponents.

Without saying a word, he turned and went back to his room to prepare for the duel three days later.

Xue Jin watched his retreating figure, shook her head, and muttered a curse under her breath.

"You little rascal, you're as cunning as a hornet's nest, but... I like it!"

Although he verbally praised Huang Jianchen's prowess, deep down he harbored a strange confidence in Jiang Xuan.

This kid has an endless stream of hidden cards, an iron will, and combat skills far surpassing his peers. He might not necessarily lose to Huang Jianchen. However… the power unleashed by the "Black Prison Chains" combined with the Huang family's secret techniques is truly unpredictable.

"Do your best, kid."

Even if we lose, it will be a valuable lesson.

Xue Jin thought to himself.

……

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard somewhere in Yanxia City, the stone door to a secret room filled with a strong stench of blood slowly opened.

A shirtless figure walked out from inside.

He wasn't particularly tall, but his muscles were as defined as if cast in steel. His bronze skin was stained with dark red blood that hadn't yet dried. He exuded a fierce and murderous aura as if he had just crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood. His eyes were so cold that they lacked any human emotion, like a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey.

The two guards standing outside the door felt this aura and involuntarily shivered. They quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet its gaze, their hearts filled with fear.

This person was none other than Huang Jianchen.

He casually picked up a clean cloth from the shelf beside him and slowly and methodically wiped the bloodstains from his body and hands, his movements calm and unhurried, as if he had just been doing something insignificant. After cleaning himself, he put on an ordinary gray cloth robe, slightly concealing the terrifying murderous aura and bloodshed emanating from him.

When he stepped out of the secret room and into the sunlight, his ordinary, even somewhat wooden face made it hard to connect him with the figure that had just been like a god of death.

In the main hall of the villa, Xie Yutang sat quietly, sipping tea, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Huang Jianchen come out, Xie Yutang put down his teacup and said calmly.

"Three days later, at noon, in the Yanxia City arena. Your opponent is Jiang Xuan."

Huang Jianchen didn't stop walking; he walked straight out, his voice hoarse but calm.

"Killing them is the most effective method."

Xie Yutang frowned almost imperceptibly.

“He cannot be killed. Miss Liu Qingyan needs her master to repair an important musical instrument; he cannot die until he completes it.” (End of Chapter)