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

He turned around and looked at Lin Zhong, his gaze clear and sharp.

"If I do it, I might lose, I might die. But if I don't do it, I'll definitely regret it. Uncle Lin, are you... willing to take this gamble with me?"

Looking into the young man's eyes, which seemed to burn with flames, and listening to his calm yet resounding words, Lin Zhong felt the passion that had been dormant in his chest for more than a decade reignite! His aged body trembled slightly with excitement.

He suddenly stood up, his back hunched, but he tried his best to straighten it. He bowed deeply to Jiang Xuan, his voice hoarse but extremely firm.

"Young Master! This old servant should have died with the master more than ten years ago! It is already a blessing from God that I have survived to this day and seen you return! Since you have lofty ambitions, even though I am old and useless, I am willing to risk my remaining life to fight alongside you! I will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, even if it means dying ten thousand times!"

"it is good!"

Jiang Xuan stepped forward and helped Lin Zhong up.

“Then let’s start from Xinxin Peak! Uncle Lin, what you said earlier is all right, we are lacking in too much. But we have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. What do you think is the most important thing we should do as our first step?”

Lin Zhong calmed his agitated emotions, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"Young master, this old servant believes that the most urgent task is to 'pacify the internal situation' first."

"Anne?"

Jiang Xuan gestured for him to continue.

"Correct."

Lin Zhong nodded.

"The young master has established his authority today, and the news will soon reach the ears of those four collateral branches. They will definitely react, either by testing the waters, by trying to win them over, or by directly opposing them."

We must first understand the current situation of these four collateral branches, who is in charge of each branch, their strength, the size of their businesses, their attitudes, and even what roles they played when the family business was divided up.

Only by understanding and stabilizing the internal situation, and at least having a clear picture, can we discuss the next step. Otherwise, if internal chaos precedes external attacks, then there is truly no hope.

"in addition."

Lin Zhong added.

"We also need to thoroughly investigate Xixin Peak itself."

In the chaos of those days, many things were either looted, destroyed, or buried. We need to know what usable resources remain on this mountain besides the empty houses and the array formations. And… the Scripture Pavilion.”

Lin Zhong's expression darkened slightly when the Sutra Repository was mentioned.

"The Library Pavilion?"

Jiang Xuan's heart stirred.

"That is the foundation of the Lin family's heritage for thousands of years, containing countless cultivation methods, secret techniques, and classic texts accumulated by the family."

Lin Zhong's voice was filled with sorrow.

"However... during that chaos back then, the Library Pavilion... probably didn't escape unscathed either. But in any case, we should go and take a look, even if... only ruins remain."

Jiang Xuan nodded; Lin Zhong's suggestion was very pertinent. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. First, understand our strengths and weaknesses, then plan accordingly.

"Come on, Uncle Lin, take me to see the Sutra Repository."

Jiang Xuan made a decisive decision.

"Yes, young master, please follow this old servant."

Lin Zhong led the way, and the two left the still messy Xixin Hall, walking along a quieter bluestone path on the back mountain towards the depths of Xixin Peak.

The moonlight was cool and clear, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently. After walking for about fifteen minutes, a seven-story tower-shaped building appeared ahead.

It is entirely constructed of a dark blue-green stone, with a simple and dignified design, upturned eaves, and a solemn and majestic appearance under the moonlight, yet it also exudes an indescribable sense of desolation and decay. (The text abruptly ends here.)

The three ancient characters "藏经阁" (Zangjingge, meaning "Scripture Repository") are still faintly discernible.

This place was once one of the core forbidden areas of the Lin family, symbolizing the family's thousands of years of accumulated knowledge and heritage.

The foundation of a superior clan, besides its strong members and resources, lies even more importantly in the cultivation methods and combat techniques accumulated, improved, and innovated over generations. Losing the Scripture Pavilion is like having one's marrow and wisdom ripped out.

Lin Zhong stepped forward, took out a uniquely shaped bronze key, inserted it into a hidden hole beside the tower door, and injected a weak amount of spiritual energy. The tower door creaked open with a dull sound, and a musty smell mixed with dust, mildew, and a faint stench of blood wafted out.

Jiang Xuan stepped inside.

The sight on the first floor made his heart sink.

The spacious area should have been filled with countless tall bookshelves, neatly categorized and storing a vast collection of books. But now, all that can be seen are the haphazardly placed, broken, and crumbling remains of bookshelves scattered haphazardly on the ground.

The ground, bookshelves, and walls were covered with a thick layer of dust and cobwebs, and many places showed obvious signs of burning, chopping, and looting.

Scattered on the ground were some torn, yellowed pieces of paper, long since rotten.

It was completely empty and in complete disarray. Forget about books; you couldn't even find a single intact bookshelf.

Lin Zhong looked at the scene before him, his old eyes instantly reddened, and his voice trembled.

"Young Master... this first floor originally contained over 3,700 basic and Yellow-rank cultivation manuals, and over 1,900 Yellow-rank combat techniques... it was the foundation for the family to cultivate future generations... all... all gone..."

Jiang Xuan remained silent and continued walking upwards.

The second, third, and fourth floors... the scenes were identical, even more horrific. The higher the floor, the higher the level and value of the original texts, and the more frenzied the destruction and looting seemed to become.

Some walls still bear dried and blackened bloodstains, and in some places, deep palm prints or sword marks can be seen, telling the story of the fierce struggle and killing that took place here in the past.

The fifth floor, the sixth floor... apart from emptiness and ruin, there was only deathly silence.

Finally, they arrived at the highest level, the seventh floor.

The space here is relatively smaller, but the building is more sturdy, and the protection should have been the most thorough. Yet, it too has not escaped destruction. The rows of bookshelves made of special materials that should have housed the Lin family's most core and precious heritage have mostly collapsed and crumbled. Only in the far corner do a few rows of bookshelves still stand crookedly, empty and covered in dust.

Lin Zhong walked to the rows of bookshelves, his hands trembling as he stroked the cold shelves. Tears finally streamed down his face, and his voice choked with sobs, he could barely speak.

"Young Master... this seventh floor... is the most forbidden area within the forbidden area of ​​the Scripture Pavilion... only the patriarch, the young master, and the core elders are allowed to enter... This place originally... contained the seven Earth-rank inheritance manuals that were the foundation of our Lin family's existence... as well as fifty-four volumes of cultivation insights and forbidden secret records left by our ancestors... "

Inside... are records of our ancestors' insights into breaking through bottlenecks, their unique and powerful spiritual techniques, and even... some records about the origins of the family and certain ancient secrets... It is the Lin family's... true... root! He suddenly knelt down, banged his head on the ground, and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Gone...all gone...all stolen by those robbers...those beasts! It would have been better if they had burned it all...but they didn't even leave us ashes!"

Jiang Xuan stood there quietly, looking at the empty, dilapidated seven-story pagoda that looked like it had been gnawed by locusts, and listening to Lin Zhong's mournful weeping.

The imagined scene unfolds—greedy figures swarm in, fighting fiercely to seize the scriptures, disregarding kinship and the legacy of their ancestors, plundering thousands of years of accumulated wisdom and heritage like trash…

That was the true foundation upon which the Lin family had established itself in the Forbidden City and continued its legacy! Now, it has been destroyed so thoroughly!

An indescribable rage, like a dormant volcano, surged and simmered within him! He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, causing sharp pain, but doing nothing to alleviate the violence within him. His knuckles cracked from the force of his grip, and the veins on his arms bulged.

In the depths of those dark eyes, it seemed as if black flames were silently churning and burning, trying to incinerate all the ruin and shame before them!
He gritted his teeth and used immense willpower to forcefully suppress the rage that was about to burst forth from his body.

He feared that if he stayed any longer, he would lose control and completely destroy the dilapidated library!
After a long while, Jiang Xuan slowly turned around, his back to Lin Zhong, who was still kneeling and crying. His voice was hoarse and cold, like a wind blowing from the deepest ice.

"Uncle Lin... who were the people who participated in the looting of the scriptures from the library back then? You should know something about those forces, right?"

Lin Zhong's crying suddenly stopped.

He raised his head, his aged face still wet with tears, but his eyes flashed with a deep-seated hatred and determination.

He nodded heavily, his voice sharp with excitement and hatred.

"I know! Although this old servant is insignificant and lives in a corner, I will never forget those faces... those insignia of power... even if I die, I will never forget them! Not a single one will be missed!"

"it is good."

Jiang Xuan's voice remained cold, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Write them all down.

Don't miss a single one.

He paused, then suddenly asked again, his tone calm, yet carrying a chilling undertone.

"Among these people... are there... any members of our Lin family? I mean, members of the other four collateral branches?"

Lin Zhong's body stiffened abruptly, the color draining from his face instantly. His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but it was as if his throat was being choked, and he couldn't make a sound.

He simply looked at Jiang Xuan with eyes filled with pain, guilt, and endless hatred.

Jiang Xuan understood without needing a reply.

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Lin Zhong's aged and pained face. Then, he gently tugged at the corner of his mouth.

It was a smile.

But the moment Lin Zhong saw that smile, he felt his blood freeze! There was no warmth in that smile, only a killing intent colder than the Arctic ice, a disappointment darker than the abyss, and a kind of... soul-chilling calm.

"Oh…"

A barely audible chuckle escaped Jiang Xuan's lips, echoing in the empty, deathly silent seventh floor of the Scripture Pavilion, yet it chilled people to the bone more than any roar.

Leaving the chilling scripture pavilion, Lin Zhong looked at Jiang Xuan's cold and silent back, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice.

"Young Master... there's another place... perhaps... we should go and take a look."

Jiang Xuan stopped walking without turning around.

"where?"

"The Spirit Treasure Vault".

Lin Zhong's voice was bitter.

"That was where the Lin family stored their accumulated weapons, armor, magical artifacts, and some large-scale war spirit weapons. Originally... it was protected by five layers of restrictions, and its collection was among the best in the Forbidden City back then. But now..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

"lead the way."

Jiang Xuan's voice was devoid of emotion.

The Spirit Treasure Vault is located halfway up the mountain on the other side of Cleansing Heart Peak. Built against the mountain, its entrance is a massive, heavy gate made of black iron, covered with spiritual patterns. Now, the gate is damaged and stands crookedly open. The spiritual patterns on the gate are dull and even broken in many places.

Upon entering, a stronger aura of rust, dust, and some kind of residual energy assaulted the senses. The interior was vast, divided into several interconnected, massive stone chambers resembling plazas.

Originally, this place should have been filled with rows of tall weapon racks, armor racks, magic weapon platforms, and even platforms for parking large magical war chariots.

But now, as far as the eye can see, there is nothing but emptiness and deathly silence.

On the ground, there were only scattered fragments of rusty, long-broken ordinary iron, or some low-value magical artifact components abandoned after being violently dismantled. On the walls, the grooves and bases left to hold the valuable magical artifacts could still be vaguely seen, but now they were all empty.

In some places, there are still drag marks left by moving heavy objects, as well as traces of damage caused by fierce fighting.

The five layers of restrictions were rendered useless. There were tens of thousands of spiritual artifacts, ranging from the lowest-grade standard weapons to Earth-rank and even a few top-tier Heaven-rank spiritual treasures that the Lin family had once possessed.

All sorts of weapons, including swords, spears, halberds, armor, boots, crossbows, array plates, and even supposedly two small "Qingfu" class warships that could be used for family protection... everything was looted cleanly, leaving not a single decent piece of trash.

Jiang Xuan walked slowly through the vast Spirit Treasure Vault, where his own echo could be heard, his steps very light.

His expression remained unchanged, but Lin Zhong, who was following behind him, could clearly feel an indescribable, chilling killing intent slowly emanating from Jiang Xuan.

The killing intent wasn't violent, but rather like ancient ice, deep and heavy, making the air in the entire treasure vault seem to freeze.

A once powerful and prestigious aristocratic family, with its vast military resources accumulated over thousands of years—enough to arm an elite army of cultivators—was now utterly devastated!
If Jiang Xuan's temperament hadn't been tempered into an iron will through countless life-and-death trials, he would probably have been so angry that he would have vomited blood by now! This wasn't just being robbed; it was a complete trampling and humiliation of a family's dignity and history!

One can imagine how those intruders, like locusts, scavenged everything of value here, leaving not a single thing behind!
If the ancestors of the Lin family, especially Lin Daochen who made unparalleled contributions to the empire and obtained this decree to protect Xixin Peak, were alive, they would probably die with their eyes wide open in disgrace if they saw that the family they protected with their lives had been ruined and plundered by its unworthy descendants!

Jiang Xuan walked around the Spirit Treasure Vault without saying a word, then silently turned around and walked out.

Lin Zhong followed closely behind, his heart filled with worry and guilt, as if it were his fault for letting the young master see all this. (End of Chapter)