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

Two days later, Jiang Xuan opened his eyes, his head throbbing with pain.

The candlelight flickered before his eyes, and he blinked until his vision gradually cleared.

"Is this...my room?"

He struggled to sit up and looked around.

The familiar wooden table, bookshelves, and the faded landscape painting on the wall.

Everything was just as he remembered, except for a candle that was half-burnt on the table, the wax solidified at the bottom of the candlestick into a strange shape, like a frozen tear.

How did I get here?

Jiang Xuan murmured to himself, the scene before he fell into a coma flashing through his mind: the white bone spear, the silver light as dazzling as stars, and Xia Zhi's resolute eyes.

Thinking of the summer solstice, Jiang Xuan suddenly turned his head to look at the bed.

It was empty, with even the bedding neatly folded, as if no one had ever used it.

"Where did she go so late?"

The night outside the window was deep, and starlight streamed in through the window frame, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Jiang Xuan struggled to his feet, his legs still feeling weak.

He walked to the desk, his fingers tracing the books Xia Zhi had once read. The faint herbal scent of her seemed to linger between the pages.

Who exactly are you?

Jiang Xuan murmured softly, picking up a copy of "A Comprehensive Explanation of Astrology," one of Xia Zhi's favorite books.

He casually flipped it open, and a slip of paper fluttered out from it.

The note was blank.

Jiang Xuan gave a wry smile and tucked the note back into the book.

He lit a new candle, pushed open the door, and stepped into the courtyard. A night breeze brushed his face, carrying the coolness of early autumn.

The branches and leaves of the old locust tree swayed in the moonlight, casting dappled shadows.

"woke up?"

The sudden sound made Jiang Xuan tremble.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure sitting under the old locust tree, dressed in a black court dress, with long silver hair and eyes that were still bright in the darkness.

"Did you bring me back?"

Jiang Xuan asked warily.

The old man didn't answer, but simply tossed a gourd of wine over.

Jiang Xuan caught it instinctively; it was heavy and filled with liquid.

"Have some drink, it'll be good for you."

The old man's voice was gentle yet firm.

Jiang Xuan hesitated for a moment, then pulled out the stopper and tilted his head back to take a swig.

The spicy liquid slid down my throat, like a fire burning from my chest to my stomach.

Strangely, although the liquor was strong, it didn't make me feel unwell. Instead, a warm current spread through my limbs and bones, dispelling the lingering weakness.

"Thanks."

Jiang Xuan wiped his mouth and handed the wine gourd back.

The old man waved his hand.

"Keep it; Miss prepared it especially for you."

Upon hearing the word "Miss," Jiang Xuan's fingers involuntarily tightened.

That noble and mysterious woman, the one who changed his and Xia Zhi's fate.
Should I hate her?

Jiang Xuan suddenly asked, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

The old man chuckled.

"You have to ask yourself that. What difference does it make whether you hate or not?"

Jiang Xuan remained silent. The shadow of the locust tree cast dappled shadows on his face, obscuring his complex expression. Yes, what did it matter if he hated? What did it matter if he didn't hate? Before absolute power, his emotions were nothing more than the struggle of an ant.

Why did she do that?

Jiang Xuan raised his head, his eyes reflecting the candlelight and starlight.

"Summer Solstice. Who exactly is that girl?"

The old man stood up, his black suit gleaming strangely in the moonlight.

"You'll understand these things when you're powerful enough. Now, Miss, let me give you a choice."

"What choice?"

"An opportunity to become stronger."

The old man took a step forward, the moonlight illuminating his wrinkled yet vigorous face.

"Accept it, and perhaps one day you'll see that little girl again; reject it, and continue being an ordinary student at East Coast Academy."

Jiang Xuan's heart skipped a beat. To see Xia Zhi again?

This thought was like a fire, instantly igniting the blood that had been dormant for many days.

But reason quickly extinguished this impulse; there's no such thing as a free lunch, especially not a gift from that woman.

"Why me?"

Jiang Xuan looked directly into the old man's eyes.

"I'm just an ordinary person; my spiritual veins aren't even fully awakened."

The old man smiled meaningfully.

"Miss doesn't judge people by appearances. You yourself may not even know your own worth."

The night breeze rustled the locust tree leaves.

Jiang Xuan gripped the wine gourd tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He recalled Xia Zhi wielding the bone spear, the weariness and resolve in her eyes that seemed beyond her years. If... if he too could possess that power.
What price do I need to pay?

Jiang Xuan finally asked.

"It's too early to ask that now."

The old man turned and walked towards the courtyard gate.

Give me your answer before dawn. If you agree, meet me outside Donglin City at this time tomorrow.

The old man's figure disappeared into the night, leaving Jiang Xuan alone in the courtyard, the wine gourd in his hand heavy, as if filled with unknown fate.

As dawn broke, Jiang Xuan had already packed his simple belongings.

He neatly stacked the books Xia Zhi had left behind on the desk, taking only the blank note with him. Looking around the room where he had lived for three years, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

"Bye now."

He spoke softly and blew out the last candle.

When Gu Yanping and his son pushed open the wooden door of courtyard number 49, they found only a cold and desolate room.

Gu Liang angrily kicked over the stool.

"That bastard! He just left without saying goodbye?"

Gu Yanping sighed and picked up a letter from the table. The letter contained only a few short sentences, the gist of which was that Jiang Xuan had left on business and his return date was uncertain.

"Father! We can't just let this go!"

Gu Liang clenched his fist.

"He must have been taken away by those people! We have to find him!"

Gu Yanping shook his head.

"Liang'er, everyone has their own path to walk."

Jiang Xuan made his own choice.

At the same moment, Mu Wansu stood outside the courtyard gate, holding a jade hairpin in her hand, which she had accidentally dropped when she came last time.

She gazed at the empty courtyard, her expression complex.

"Take care, Jiang Xuan."

She spoke softly, turned and left, her skirt sweeping across the threshold, stirring up a few fallen leaves.

Outside the city to the east, an unassuming treasure ship lay moored in the morning mist. The spiritual patterns on its hull appeared and disappeared. A middle-aged boatman with a thick beard leaned against the gunwale, sipping his wine intermittently.

"You're here?"

He asked without turning his head.

The old man in black nodded, followed by Jiang Xuan, who had a calm expression.

"Is it him?"

The boatman sized Jiang Xuan up and down a few times, then chuckled.

"It doesn't look very good."

The old man ignored the boatman's teasing and spoke to Jiang Xuan.

"Let's get on the ship. The journey is long, we need to hurry."

Jiang Xuan took one last look in the direction of Donglin City, where the academy where he had lived for three years was located, where his friends were, and where his ordinary yet peaceful past lay. He stepped onto the gangway.

The interior of the treasure ship was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside, but the decoration was extremely simple.

A few wooden stools, a square table, and nothing else.

As soon as Jiang Xuan stepped into the cabin, he heard a roar.

"It's you! You little liar!"

A dashing young man was glaring at him angrily.

Jiang Xuan was somewhat puzzled and carefully examined the other party.

The boy was about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a black outfit, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He was clenching his fists, and his eyes were almost bursting with anger.

"Ningmeng, you must not be rude."

The old man spoke calmly. "Old Lin, you don't know, this kid is a complete fraud!"

Ning Meng gritted his teeth.

"I personally witnessed him testing his spiritual power at the Eastern Martial Arts Hall; the spirit-testing stone showed a value of 4,900 jun!"

Jiang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.

He did go to the Martial Arts Hall that day, but he didn't expect to be noticed.

"Four thousand nine hundred jin?"

The old man was somewhat surprised and turned to look at Jiang Xuan.

"A sixth-level True Martial cultivator, yet his spiritual power is comparable to the peak of the eighth level?"

Jiang Xuan felt the old man's gaze was like a knife, as if he wanted to see right through him.

He said frankly.

"That is indeed true."

"Ha! You admit it!"

Ning Meng sneered.

"How could someone at the sixth level of True Martial Realm possess such abundant spiritual power? They must have used some underhanded methods!"

The old man raised his hand to stop Ning Meng, his gaze still fixed on Jiang Xuan.

"explain."

Jiang Xuan met the old man's gaze with neither servility nor arrogance.

“This junior possesses naturally abundant spiritual power, truly rare among those of the same cultivation level. But I have absolutely not cheated; the spirit-testing stone will not lie.”

"fart!"

Ning Meng roared angrily and suddenly sprang up, throwing a punch straight at Jiang Xuan's face.

The wind howled as the fist struck, and the spiritual energy fluctuations of the seventh level of True Martial Realm surged within the cramped cabin.

Jiang Xuan's pupils contracted, and he instinctively tried to dodge, but found that his body was bound by an invisible force—the old man's oppressive aura!

Just as the fist was about to strike his face, Jiang Xuan's spiritual energy surged wildly within his body, with 4,900 jin of spiritual energy coursing through his meridians.

At this critical moment, the old man snorted softly, and Ning Meng's fist stopped three inches in front of Jiang Xuan's nose, unable to advance any further.

"I said, you must not be rude."

The old man's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Cold sweat beaded on Ning Meng's forehead, his fists trembled, yet he couldn't pull them back.

He gritted his teeth.

"Old Lin, this kid..."

"The Spirit Testing Stone measures pure spiritual energy; it cannot be faked."

The old man interrupted him.

"If you don't believe me, you can test it again now."

As he spoke, the old man took out a palm-sized spirit-testing stone from his sleeve. It was crystal clear and its surface was covered with intricate patterns.

Without hesitation, Jiang Xuan reached out and placed his hand on the spirit-testing stone.

The spiritual energy within his body surged, and the spirit-testing stone immediately emitted a dazzling light. The numbers jumped rapidly and finally settled at "four thousand nine hundred jun".

Ning Meng's face was filled with disbelief.

“How is this possible?”

The old man put away the spirit-testing stone with an approving expression.

"The sheer volume of your spiritual energy far surpasses that of others of the same level, even approaching the peak of the eighth level of True Martial Realm. Jiang Xuan, you are truly extraordinary."

Ning Meng's expression changed, and he lowered his fist.

After a long while, he suddenly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply.

"I was rash and misunderstood Brother Jiang. Please forgive me."

Jiang Xuan was taken aback by the other party's quick change of attitude, and then returned the greeting.

"Brother Ning, you flatter me."

"My name is Ning Meng, and I come from the Ning family in the Northern Wilderness."

Ning Meng straightened up, his anger gone, replaced by a hearty smile.

"Since Elder Lin says you're fine, then I was mistaken. I have a quick temper, but I admit my mistakes, so please don't take it to heart, Brother Jiang."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Jiang Xuan, a student at the Donglin City Cultivation Academy."

"Ha! I knew it! How could anyone selected for the Bloodthirsty Camp be mediocre!"

Ning Meng laughed and patted Jiang Xuan on the shoulder, the force of which almost made Jiang Xuan lose his balance.

"The Bloodthirsty Camp?"

Jiang Xuan looked at the old man with a puzzled expression.

The old man nodded.

"Our destination. A year-long intensive training camp; those who survive will become the best among their peers."

Ning Meng excitedly interjected.

"Brother Jiang, don't you know? The Bloodthirsty Camp is a notorious devil's training camp! Last year, thirty people went in, and only nine came out alive! But as long as you can survive, your strength will increase by at least two minor realms!"

Jiang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.

He thought it was just ordinary cultivation, but he never expected it to be so cruel.

"Scared?"

Ning Meng grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"It's not too late to regret it now, just jump ship. But below is a bottomless pit, hahaha!"

Jiang Xuan shook his head.

"Now that we're here, we won't back down."

"Good! That's backbone!"

Ning Meng slammed his hand on the table.

"I like you just the way you are! Come, sit down and tell me about the Bloodthirsty Camp."

The treasure ship suddenly rocked violently, and Ning Meng stumbled and almost fell.

Jiang Xuan wasn't much better off; his stomach was churning and his face was pale.

"This wrecked ship!"

Ning Meng cursed and swore.

"Every time I sit in it, it feels like my body is about to fall apart!"

Jiang Xuan suppressed his discomfort and looked out the porthole at the middle-aged man with a thick beard who was steering the treasure ship, tilting his head back and chugging wine. He couldn't help but worry.

"That senior colleague... he's been drinking the whole time, is that alright?"

"Never mind him, he's just an old drunkard."

Ning Meng didn't take it seriously.

"This ship is powered by a spirit fire furnace. As long as there are spirit crystals, no matter how much you drink, it won't capsize."

"Spirit Crystals?"

This was the first time Jiang Xuan had heard this term.

Ning Meng's eyes widened.

"You don't even know what spirit crystals are?"

Seeing Jiang Xuan shake his head, he exaggeratedly slapped his forehead.

"My goodness, which mountain valley did you come from? Spirit crystals are concentrated crystals of spiritual energy; they're indispensable for cultivation, weapon crafting, and operating magical artifacts—they're incredibly precious!"

The old man provided timely explanation.

"Spirit crystals originate from spiritual veins and are rarely seen by ordinary cultivators. This treasure ship consumes one low-grade spirit crystal for every hour it travels."

Jiang Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

He suddenly thought of something, hesitated for a moment, and then asked.

"Senior, you said before that Miss sensed Xia Zhi's presence?"

The old man had a deep gaze.

“Indeed. We originally went deep into the Three Thousand Mountains to search for an old friend, but found the place in ruins, with no clues whatsoever. On the return journey, Miss suddenly sensed that the city of Donglin held the opportunity she had been searching for for many years.”

Three thousand mountains! Jiang Xuan's heart suddenly raced.

That was his hometown, Feiyun Village, and the mining prison were located deep in the Three Thousand Mountains!

What happened there?

Jiang Xuan's voice trembled slightly.

The old man shook his head.

"The entire mountain range was leveled, as if it had been struck by an unimaginable force."

"You seem quite interested in that place?"

Jiang Xuan forced himself to remain calm.

"I've only heard of that place."

The old man gave him a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he said...

“The young lady’s intuition is never wrong. Summer Solstice is of paramount importance to her, so we must take her away.”

Jiang Xuan clenched his fist.

Was the mine prison destroyed?
What about the people who imprisoned him?
Why did the summer solstice become that young lady's opportunity?
Countless questions swirled in my mind, but now was not the time to ask them. (End of Chapter)