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

The two sat facing each other, drinking, neither mentioning the duel that had shaken the entire city, as if it were just a trivial matter.

Only the round and chubby chirp hopped onto the stone table, its big eyes gazing longingly at the wine bowl in front of Jiang Xuan. Jiang Xuan flicked it away with his finger without any politeness, and the chirp sadly went off to play by itself.

In this rare moment of tranquility, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open with a "bang," and Chu Feng rushed in excitedly. His voice preceded his arrival.

"Brother Jiang Xuan! My good brother! You were so impressive today! It was like a war god reborn! Hahaha!"

He rushed to the stone table, his face flushed with excitement. Seeing that there was still wine in Jiang Xuan's bowl, he didn't stand on ceremony, picked it up and drank it all in one gulp, breathing out his breath reeking of alcohol.

"Happy! Really happy!"

He put down his bowl, only to find that Jiang Xuan and Xue Jin both looked calm and composed, as if he had just said "the weather is nice today," which surprised him.

"You...why aren't you all reacting at all? You beat Huang Jianchen! He's a genius from the Huang family of the Forbidden City!"

Xue Jin picked at his ear and said casually.

"He just beat a little kid, is that really worth making such a fuss about?"

Jiang Xuan also looked at Chu Feng and asked in a calm tone.

"Brother Chu Feng, do you think... I should be very happy?"

Chu Feng was speechless at their attitude, his excited mood felt like it had been doused with cold water. He opened his mouth and tried to explain.

"No... Brother, you have no idea! The whole city is talking about you now! How many important figures did this duel attract? Even Master Liu came in person! You not only won, but you won in such a powerful comeback! This is a golden opportunity to make a name for yourself and intimidate everyone! After this battle, your name will surely become the hottest topic in Yanxia City, and even the entire Southwest Province!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, only to find that Jiang Xuan and Xue Jin remained unmoved, as if he were talking about hearsay, which made him feel extremely frustrated.

Jiang Xuan frowned slightly. He disliked being ostentatious and was even more wary of the troubles that fame would bring, which was why he had always used the identity of "Master Xun" as a cover.

As for Xue Jin, he simply felt that the battles at the Human Gang Realm level were like children playing house, so he naturally couldn't muster much interest in them.

However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind keeps on.

Jiang Xuan wanted to keep a low profile, but the impact of this duel was like a boulder thrown into a lake, the ripples spreading in all directions at an astonishing speed.

That very night, news of the battle in the arena swept through the entire city of Yanxia like a storm!
The name "Jiang Xuan" has truly become a household name! His feat of defeating Huang Jianchen, a genius from a powerful family in the Forbidden City, at the age of fourteen, is talked about by countless people.

Some praised him as the most dazzling genius in the Southwest Province in recent years, while others worried that his offending powerful families would likely lead to a difficult future.

Those young cultivators who were also preparing to participate in the provincial examination felt immense pressure and regarded Jiang Xuan as one of their strongest competitors.

The news did not stop in Yanxia City. Through the spirit transmission screen and various other channels, details of this duel, hailed as a "classic battle at the peak of the Human Gang Realm," were quickly spread throughout the empire.

Some large-scale spirit transmission screens even invited renowned experts and analysts to review and explain the battle, claiming that its tactical application and power control were textbook examples that countless young cultivators could learn from.

As the news of this duel spread, Jiang Xuan's reputation began to spread to a wider audience.

……

In the western border of the empire, amidst a desolate yet majestic and blood-soaked military camp.

A burly young man, with dark skin and an aura of fierceness, was watching a battle video playing on a small spirit-transmitting screen.

When he saw Jiang Xuan forcefully break through "Thousand Ghosts Prison" with a storm vortex, forcing Huang Jianchen to admit defeat, he couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and laugh loudly.

"Hahaha! Good! Well done! Jiang Xuan is still as cunning as ever, always waiting for the right moment to strike! This is how you deal with arrogant brats from powerful families!"

A military officer who appeared to be a guard reported in a low voice.

"Commander Ning, I heard that the cause of this duel was that Jiang Xuan crippled Huang Jianchen's younger brother Huang Jianxiong's cultivation."

This young man was none other than Ning Meng, who had once crossed paths with Jiang Xuan in the Bloodthirsty Camp! Upon hearing this, he glared and waved his hand dismissively.

"It must have been those bastards from the Huang family who provoked him first! I know Jiang Xuan; if you don't mess with him, he won't bother with you. But if you do, hehe..."

He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his smile carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Tell me my words: when I return to the Forbidden City next year to report for duty, I'm going to block the entrance of the Huang clan's ancestral home for a few days! If I don't beat that brat Huang Jianchen to tears, I'm not a member of the Ning family!"

The guard officer broke out in a cold sweat and inwardly groaned. This man was notoriously tyrannical and domineering; he was absolutely capable of doing what he said!
……

The Forbidden City, the capital of the empire.

Inside an extremely luxurious, palatial building lies the headquarters of Shidingzhai.

A handsome young man, dressed in a loose brocade robe, with a languid and profound gaze, lay half-reclined on a soft couch, surrounded by more than a dozen beautiful young women who served him with utmost care.

A water mirror floated in front of him, displaying the battle footage from the Yanxia City Arena.

This young man was none other than Shi Yu, the true owner of Shi Ding Zhai.

After watching the battle, he waved his hand lightly, and the water mirror disappeared.

He picked up a glass of amber-colored wine, swirled it gently, and a playful smile played on his lips.

"Huang Jianchen? Black Prison Chains? Mother-Child Yin Ghost Scripture? Ha, nothing special, not worth worrying about. It's Xie Yutang who's more troublesome. He's cunning and likes to use these underhanded methods."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the void, landing on the slender figure wielding a jet-black battle blade, his tone tinged with interest.

"However, the most interesting one is Jiang Xuan... his growth rate is truly astonishing."

And judging from her appearance, she seems to be... a virgin?

His words carried a hint of mockery, causing the young girls serving him to cover their mouths and giggle, their cheeks flushing.

Shi Yu smiled nonchalantly and asked casually.

"How are the preparations for the centennial celebration in Yanxia City going? When will it begin?"

A young woman with the most outstanding appearance and capable demeanor quickly bowed and answered.

"Reporting to the master, the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai in Yanxia City is scheduled to be held in one month."

Shi Yu nodded, tapping lightly on the armrest of the soft couch with his fingers. After a moment of contemplation, he gave his instructions.

"Send a message to Yanxia City. For the celebration a month from now, send an invitation to Jiang Xuan in my name, and treat him as... a VIP. He must not be neglected."

A hint of surprise flashed in the girl's eyes, but she immediately agreed respectfully.

"Yes, Master."

She understood that her master's attitude towards this person was clearly different from how he treated others.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated.

A standard-issue spirit-patterned shuttle was smoothly traveling along a fixed track within a designated passageway in the sky above Yanxia City. The carriage was slightly crowded, mostly with ordinary cultivators or mortal merchants struggling to make a living.

Jiang Xuan squeezed into a window seat, his gaze casually sweeping over the buildings rushing past outside, his ears filled with the cacophony of conversations in the carriage. More than ten days had passed since the arena duel that had shaken the entire city, but the heated discussions in Yanxia City had not subsided and remained as intense as ever.

"Have you heard? That day, Jiang Xuan broke Huang Jianchen's Thousand Ghosts Prison with a single strike!"

"That's not all! You didn't see it, Huang Jianchen was so scared that he immediately admitted defeat!"

"Tsk tsk, a fourteen-year-old at the peak of the Human Realm, and he can still defeat a genius from a powerful family in the Forbidden City. Jiang Xuan's future is limitless!"

"Who can argue with that! These days, even those arrogant rich kids in the city have to avoid him, right?"

Listening to these discussions, Jiang Xuan's face remained expressionless, and his heart was even calmer.

For the past ten days or so, his life has returned to normal.

Every day, besides his unwavering cultivation, he would go to the Spirit Pattern Master Commune to receive some crafting tasks, earn cultivation resources and Qiuqiu's expensive "rations," and occasionally have a few drinks with Xuejin in the courtyard.

Just as he had predicted, after this battle, the scions of the powerful families in Yanxia City did indeed restrain themselves considerably, at least no longer daring to openly cause him trouble.

This allowed him a rare period of peace before the provincial examination.

"Hmph! What's so great about Jiang Xuan! He's just lucky!"

A slightly shrill teenage voice rang out from the other end of the carriage, filled with resentment.

"Brother! How can you say that! Brother Jiang Xuan won with his own skills!"

A girl immediately retorted, her voice filled with defense.

"Real skill? I think he just got lucky! If it were me..."

The boy remained defiant.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan couldn't help but glance to the side, only to see a young boy and girl of similar age arguing.

The girl noticed Jiang Xuan's gaze, glared at him fiercely, and muttered something.

"What are you looking at! You spineless coward, you don't even dare to admit that Brother Jiang Xuan is amazing!"

Jiang Xuan was both amused and exasperated. He was watching his own mishap and was being looked down upon by the person in question? He touched his nose, turned away helplessly, and secretly found it funny.

The spirit-patterned shuttle arrived at its destination, and Jiang Xuan disembarked with the flow of people, heading straight for the Spirit Pattern Master Commune. Perhaps because he was riding in the most ordinary shuttle, and most of the passengers around him were ordinary people, no one connected this simply dressed young man with the "Jiang Xuan" who filled the entire city of Yanxia.

This made him secretly relieved, and he enjoyed this rare moment of peace and quiet.

Upon entering the second floor of the Spirit Pattern Master's Commune, they arrived at the familiar secret room. Chu Feng was already waiting there, and upon seeing Jiang Xuan, he immediately greeted him warmly, his face filled with excitement.

"Brother Jiang Xuan, you've come at the perfect time! I have some fantastic news!"

Chu Feng rubbed his hands together, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously.

"The Shidingzhai in Yanxia City is going to hold its centennial celebration in a month! I heard that even Master Liu Qingyan will be attending and performing on stage!"

Jiang Xuan sat down in the chair, poured himself a glass of water, and remained calm upon hearing this.

"Oh? The Shi Ding Zhai celebration, with Master Liu performing, what does that have to do with me?"

Seeing his reaction, Chu Feng said anxiously.

"Oh my! My good brother! How can you still not understand? Invitations to the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai are extremely rare! It's said that they're practically priceless on the black market! Those who can get an invitation are all important figures in Yanxia City and even the surrounding provinces! It's a symbol of status!"

Jiang Xuan took a sip of water, but still showed little interest.

"Not interested in."

"do not!"

Chu Feng moved closer and began to coax him gently.

"Brother, think about it. You're a 'friend' of Lady Liu, and you even helped her repair her family's ancient Xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument). It's only right and proper that you go and support her! Maybe you can even get an invitation through this opportunity?"

Jiang Xuan raised his eyes and looked at Chu Feng with a half-smile.

"Brother Chu Feng, I think... it's you who really wants to go, isn't it?"

Chu Feng's thoughts were exposed, and his old face flushed red. He chuckled.

"Brother, you have a discerning eye! To tell you the truth, I've been dreaming of hearing Master Liu's celestial music up close again! Please help me out and think of a way! Given your relationship with Master Liu..."

Jiang Xuan interrupted him.

"I have no close relationship with Master Liu; it's merely a business transaction. Besides, I need to focus on my preparations and have no time to be distracted by watching the spectacle."

The preparations he was referring to were, of course, the third level of the "Azure Cloud Avenue," the secret realm that was about to open, known as the "Hundred Battles."

Seeing Jiang Xuan's resolute attitude, Chu Feng knew he couldn't force the issue, and a look of disappointment appeared on his face, but he could only sigh.

"Alright, since you have important matters to attend to, I won't force you."

He chatted for a few more minutes, then left the secret room dejectedly.

After seeing Chu Feng off, Jiang Xuan walked to the mission light screen and began selecting today's crafting mission. Unlike usual, when he only accepted mid-grade human-level battle swords and longswords, this time his gaze fell on some relatively obscure and unique artifacts.

"A Thunderfire Ball must contain the power of explosive thunder and fire, and the spirit runes must balance stability and instantaneous activation..."

"Water-Splitting Spike, a powerful weapon for underwater combat, requires spirit runes that possess the effects of repelling water, increasing speed, and breaking through protective barriers..."

"The Nine-Bend Whip is a flexible weapon; its spirit runes must combine both strength and flexibility, allowing it to be used as naturally as one's own arm..."

"The Heart-Protecting Mirror is a defensive magical artifact, its core function being to resist penetrating attacks and soul impacts..."

"A concealment cloak requires spirit runes that can combine optical distortion, aura shielding, and even short-distance teleportation..."

"And... a spirit hoe? Used for cultivating spirit plants, requiring the gathering of spirit energy, loosening of the soil, and repelling of insects..."

"The array base? It requires extremely high spiritual energy conductivity and stability..."

"A beast-taming mark? Used to tame and communicate with low-level spirit beasts..."

The tasks he takes on are incredibly diverse, covering unusual weapons, special equipment, and even custom-made magical artifacts for support professions.

This was not a whim of his, but a deliberate act. Crafting these spiritual artifacts, each with different functions and structures, would greatly hone his ability to construct spiritual runes in different fields and for different needs, allowing him to draw inferences and accumulate valuable experience.

All of this is to lay a solid foundation for the future success of forging the legendary "Spirit Pattern Battle Armor." (End of Chapter)