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

"Jiang Xuan, I've long admired you."

Gong Ming's voice was deep, and he held a long staff horizontally in front of his chest.

"Today I will experience the power of your Thousand Illusions Water Sword."

Jiang Xuan did not answer. He turned his sword and three streaks of azure sword energy shot out in a triangular pattern.

The Gongming staff spun like a wheel, blocking all the sword energy and making three crisp "ding ding ding" sounds.

"It truly lives up to its reputation."

Jiang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine.

The Nine Netherworld Protective Staff is known as an "impregnable fortress," and seeing it today, it is indeed a formidable opponent.

On the other side, Shi Yu and Di Jun were already locked in battle.

Di Jun's double hooks are unpredictable and tricky, specializing in attacking the lower body, while Shi Yu's swordsmanship is expansive and powerful, with each strike carrying the force of thunder.

"The Shi family's Thunderclap Sword?"

Di Jun smiled sinisterly.

"Unfortunately, you're not skilled enough!"

The double hooks suddenly changed direction, one hook locking onto the longsword, while the other aimed straight for Shi Yu's throat.

Shi Yu snorted coldly, neither dodging nor avoiding, but instead forming a claw with his left hand and grabbing directly at the hook blade.

With a hiss, a deep cut was made in his palm, exposing the bone, but he also managed to grab Di Jun's wrist.

"you!"

Di Jun was shocked and tried to get away, but it was too late.

Shi Yu's right hand broke free of its restraints, and the long sword, crackling with lightning, pierced straight into Di Jun's heart.

The fiercest fighting took place on the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia side.

Four enemies surrounded him, and amidst the flashing blades, Ning Meng wielded his heavy halberd with ferocious skill.

"Come on, you scum!"

Ning Meng laughed wildly, swept his halberd across, forcing two people back, but was then ambushed from behind by two others.

His back was slashed open, and blood immediately soaked through his clothes.

"Jiang Xuan! How much longer the hell are you going to do this?"

Ning Meng roared, his heavy halberd slashing like a dragon, sending an enemy flying several feet.

Jiang Xuan's heart tightened when he heard Ning Meng's shout.

He had already exchanged blows with Gong Ming dozens of times, but he still couldn't break through the opponent's defense.

The Nine Netherworld Protective Staff provided impenetrable defense, but its occasional counterattacks were extremely fierce, forcing him to be cautious.

"Give up, Jiang Xuan."

Gong Ming said calmly.

"Your swordsmanship may have many variations, but it cannot break through my defense."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Jiang Xuan's forehead.

He must deal with Gong Ming as soon as possible, otherwise Ning Meng's side won't be able to hold out for long.

With this thought in mind, his eyes filled with determination.

"Then let's try this!"

Jiang Xuan suddenly changed his move, his swordplay shifting from agile to fierce, and he charged towards Gong Ming like an arrow released from a bow.

Gong Ming blocked with his long staff.

Jiang Xuan's sword tip touched the staff, using the force to leap into the air. He flipped in mid-air, and the sword blade went straight for Gong Ming's throat.

"court death!"

Gong Ming roared, thrusting his long staff upwards while simultaneously clawing at Jiang Xuan's chest with his left hand.

Jiang Xuan did not dodge, letting the claw tear open his chest flesh, the sword still aimed at Gong Ming's throat.

Gong Ming's expression finally changed, and he had no choice but to withdraw his staff and defend, barely managing to block the fatal blow.

"madman!"

Gong Ming cursed, but then he saw blood at the corner of Jiang Xuan's mouth, and his fighting spirit intensified.

Suddenly a scream was heard in the distance.

Jiang Xuan caught a glimpse of Shi Yu's longsword piercing Di Jun's chest, while Shi Yu himself was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply, clearly seriously injured.

"Ningxia and Inner Mongolia! Hold on!"

Shi Yu shouted and, disregarding his own injuries, charged toward the four men who were besieging Ning Meng with his sword.

Ning Meng was already at his limit, and the speed at which he swung his heavy halberd had obviously slowed down, with several more wounds appearing on his body.

Seeing Shi Yu come to his aid, he was greatly encouraged.

"Hahaha! You've come at the perfect time!"

Shi Yu joined the battle. Although he could not use his left arm, his right hand still wielded a very sharp longsword.

He and Ning Meng stood back to back, and for a moment they forced the four people to retreat.

"Damn it, these two guys are so troublesome!"

"One of the enemies cursed."

"Enough talk! Let's go!"

Another person roared, and the four of them pounced on them again.

A cold glint flashed in Shi Yu's eyes, and suddenly his swordplay changed, shifting from fierce to subtle. The sword tip, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, pierced an enemy's throat from an unpredictable angle.

"This is... the Spirit Serpent Sword of the Liu family?"

Ning Meng exclaimed in surprise.

Shi Yu did not answer, but turned his sword and slashed open the wrist of another enemy.

Ning Meng seized the opportunity, swept his heavy halberd across, and cut the man in half at the waist.

Seeing that things were not going well, the remaining two turned to flee.

The Ningmeng Heavy Halberd flew out of his hand and pinned a man to the ground.

Shi Yu then threw his longsword, piercing another man's back.

"Huff, huff."

Ning Meng slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

"Shi Yu, you've been hiding your true colors well."

Shi Yu did not answer; his gaze shifted to the battle between Jiang Xuan and Gong Ming.

Can it still move?

He asked Ning Meng.

Ning Meng gritted his teeth and stood up.

"Nonsense! Let's go help Jiang Xuan!"

The two dragged their battered bodies toward Jiang Xuan.

Gong Ming had already noticed the changes in the battle situation, and when he saw Shi Yu and Ning Meng rushing towards him, his expression finally changed.

"Jiang Xuan, you're lucky today."

He snorted coldly, swung his long staff, forced Jiang Xuan back, and then retreated rapidly.

Jiang Xuan wanted to give chase, but the exhaustion from days of fighting finally overwhelmed him.

His legs buckled, and he collapsed to his knees, barely managing to stay upright only by embedding his long sword in the ground.

"Stop chasing."

Jiang Xuan said, panting heavily, sweat mixed with blood sliding down his forehead.

He has already escaped.

Shi Yu and Ning Meng arrived at Jiang Xuan's side, and the three of them formed a defensive circle back to back, cautiously looking around.

How are you?

Shi Yu frowned as he looked at Jiang Xuan's pale face.

Jiang Xuan forced a tired smile.

"I won't die. What's a little injury compared to the honor of Camp 39?"

Shi Yu nodded, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Take a rest, we'll protect you."

Just then, footsteps were heard in the distance.

Ning Meng immediately gripped his longsword, his eyes blazing with renewed fighting spirit.

"Someone else is here!"

Four figures emerged from the woods, led by Qi Can, followed by Wen Mingxiu, Xin Wenbin, and Mu Lengxin.

They were neatly dressed, clearly having not been through any intense fighting.

"Hey, aren't these our heroes?"

Qi Can said sarcastically, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, lingering for a moment on the nameplate at Jiang Xuan's waist.

"It looks like you need help."

Anger burned in Ning Meng's eyes.

"Get out of our way! We don't need the help of cowards like you!"

Qi Can smiled nonchalantly.

"Don't say that, we're partners from the same camp."

He turned to the three people behind him and gave them instructions.

"Wen Mingxiu, Mu Lengxin, go help Ning Meng. Xin Wenbin, go check on Jiang Xuan's injuries."

Shi Yu immediately sensed Qi Can's intention and stood in front of Jiang Xuan.

"Halt! No one is allowed near Jiang Xuan!"

Qi Can spread his hands, making an innocent face.

"Don't misunderstand, we just want to help. Look how badly Jiang Xuan is injured; he'll be in danger if he doesn't get treatment soon." "Stop pretending!"

Ning Meng roared.

"You're just trying to take advantage of this to steal the nameplates!"

Wen Mingxiu and Mu Lengxin had already quietly approached Ning Meng, while Xin Wenbin, with a sinister look in his eyes, suddenly accelerated and rushed towards Jiang Xuan.

"Jiang Xuan, let me help you heal your injuries!"

Xin Wenbin said this, but he secretly held a dagger in his hand, his eyes filled with the pleasure of revenge.

Just at this critical moment, a sharp shriek pierced the sky!
"Whoosh."

A blood-red arrow pierced through the air and precisely struck Xin Wenbin's thigh.

"ah,!"

Xin Wenbin let out a pig-like scream, clutched his thigh, and rolled on the ground, his pants instantly soaked in blood.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden turn of events.

Shi Yu reacted the fastest and immediately pounced on Xin Wenbin.

"Watch out! Enemy attack!"

But he didn't actually go to protect Xin Wenbin.

In the instant he got close, Shi Yu delivered a precise chop to the back of Xin Wenbin's neck, knocking him unconscious, and at the same time quickly took the nameplate from his waist.

This series of actions was so smooth and fluid that by the time Qi Can reacted, Shi Yu had already retreated back to Jiang Xuan's side, a cold smile on his face.

"you!"

Qi Can was furious, but dared not make a move, because he was wary of the origin of that arrow.

Three figures emerged from the woods. The young man in the lead held a strangely shaped, blood-red crossbow; it was Ye Xiaoqi.

He was accompanied by Lei Xinyue and another unfamiliar teenager.

"Oh dear, it seems I've arrived just in time."

Ye Xiaoqi said with a smile, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Jiang Xuan.

"Jiang Xuan, I admire your swordsmanship, so I couldn't resist lending a hand."

Jiang Xuan barely managed to raise his head, looking warily at the uninvited guest.

"Ye Xiaoqi, what do you want to do?"

Ye Xiaoqi shrugged.

"It's nothing, I just can't stand people taking advantage of others in their time of need."

He glanced meaningfully at Qi Can.

"Especially those cowards who don't even dare to fight head-on."

Qi Can's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

"Ye Xiaoqi, this is none of your business!"

"oh?"

Ye Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow.

"Whose lackey did I just shoot?"

Lei Xinyue couldn't help but laugh out loud. After being glared at fiercely by Qi Can, she immediately covered her mouth, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Taking the opportunity, Shi Yu whispered to Jiang Xuan.

"Be careful, Ye Xiaoqi isn't someone to be trifled with."

Ning Meng gripped his long sword tightly; though exhausted, his fighting spirit remained undiminished.

"Whoever they are, if they dare to mess with us, we'll chop them all down!"

Ye Xiaoqi seemed to have heard their conversation and exaggeratedly took a step back.

"Don't be so nervous, I'm here to help."

He brandished the armor-piercing crossbow in his hand.

"If I wanted to harm you, that arrow wouldn't have only hit your thigh."

Jiang Xuan struggled to his feet, his body swaying precariously, but his momentum remained undiminished.

“State your true purpose.”

Ye Xiaoqi put away her joking expression and spoke seriously, which was unusual for her.

"I told you, I admire your swordsmanship. And..."

He looked around.

"The assessment is about to end; there's no need for further fighting."

As if to confirm his words, a long, drawn-out bell rang out in the distance, signaling the end of the assessment.

Ye Xiaoqi gave a bright smile.

"Looks like I timed it perfectly."

He waved to Lei Xinyue and another boy.

"Let's go, the show's over."

Qi Can glared at Ye Xiaoqi's back with resentment, then looked at the unconscious Xin Wenbin and the nameplate that Shi Yu had taken away, gritting his teeth but helpless.

The bell that signaled the end of the assessment rang throughout the Bloodthirsty Camp, and the trainees of Camp 39 finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The training ground was filled with the mixed smell of blood and sweat, and there were still traces of blood on the ground.

"it's over"

Shi Yu plopped down on the ground, ripped open his blood-soaked clothes, revealing a hideous wound on his chest.

Jiang Xuan leaned against a stone pillar, his right arm hanging unnaturally, clearly dislocated.

He gazed at Qi Can and the others being carried away on stretchers in the distance, his expression complex.

"They failed."

Ning Meng walked over, toying with a bloodstained badge in his hand; it was the insignia of the captain of Camp 40.

Camp 40 has been decided, and the rest will be incorporated into our forces.

Jiang Xuan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the training ground.

The Bloodthirsty Camp, which was bustling with activity a month ago, has now been reduced to half its original size.

Each camp maintains 30 participants, which means that more than half of them are eliminated.

"We survived."

Shi Yu grinned, which aggravated the wound on his face, causing him to wince in pain.

Ning Meng tossed his blood-stained hair and revealed a wild smile.

"I am number one."

Jiang Xuan did not respond.

His overall grades were average, not outstanding but enough to keep him.

Shi Yu's ranking was slightly lower due to bad luck, but he still barely made it through.

Only Ning Meng, this battle maniac, became the number one in Camp 39 with his almost abnormal performance.

Three days later, the recovered trainees regrouped at the training ground. The survivors of Camp 40 were merged into Camp 39, forming a new group.

Jiang Xuan moved his newly reattached arm, feeling the power surging through his muscles.

"I heard the training content is going to change."

Shi Yu leaned closer and whispered.

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"how do you know?"

"When I came out of the infirmary, I heard the instructors discussing something."

Shi Yu said mysteriously.

"It seems we're about to engage in combat with a true dark race."

As they were talking, the head instructor's booming voice resounded throughout the entire venue.

"From today onwards, combat training will be conducted against low-level dark race warriors! Your opponents will be warriors of the Witch-Barbarian race!"

There was an uproar in the audience.

"Quiet!"

The head instructor shouted sternly.

"The Witch Barbarians are the main enemies of my Purple Sun Empire, scattered beyond the empire's borders. Understanding your enemies is the key to defeating them!"

Jiang Xuan clenched his fists, his expression excited. The real battle was finally about to begin.

"In the Bloodslayer Camp, you will fight against the barbarian warriors known as Barbarian Slaves, who are equivalent to True Martial Realm cultivators."

The head instructor looked around at everyone.

"Remember, the Purple Obsidian Flower is invincible because of its bloodshed, and the Empire endures through conquest!"

Training began quickly.

Jiang Xuan was assigned to a separate arena, where his opponent was a level nine Fire Barbarian descendant.

Jiang Xuan's pupils contracted slightly when the figure emerged from behind the iron gate. The Fire Barbarian resembled a human in appearance, but had many unique features: its hair shimmered with a fiery sheen, its pupils were diamond-shaped, and it had a flame totem pattern in the center of its chest.

"Humans. Weak insects."

The fire-barbarian man grinned, revealing his sharp canine teeth.

Jiang Xuan didn't waste any words and immediately assumed a fighting stance.

He could sense that this Fire Barbarian's strength was equivalent to a True Martial Ninth Level expert, which was three whole minor realms higher than his.

"Roar!"

Huo Man suddenly sprang into action, his speed astonishing, and punched Jiang Xuan in the face.

Jiang Xuan dodged to the side, and at the same time, his right leg lashed out like a whip, kicking Huo Man hard in the side.

However, this attack seemed to have struck a brick wall; Huo Man remained unmoved, instead grinning maliciously as he grabbed Huo Man's ankle. (End of Chapter)