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

"She interrupted my fight first. As for the bet or challenge, I, Jiang Xuan, will accept it."

Both Ning Meng and Shi Yu saw shock in each other's eyes.

They knew Jiang Xuan was arrogant, but they didn't expect him to disregard even Bai Lingxi's feelings.

"You!"

Ning Meng shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"But speaking of which, your swordsmanship is indeed impressive. Where did you learn it?"

Jiang Xuan smiled but did not answer, only saying...

"Let's go."

After the three left the training ground, the discussion about the battle intensified.

"Have you heard? Jiang Xuan almost defeated Xiao Kun!"

"Senior Sister Bai personally intervened to mediate and even issued a challenge to him!"

"Who is this kid? I've never heard of him before?"

Jiang Xuan's name was being talked about everywhere in the Bloodthirsty Camp.

Some were jealous, some admired, and some secretly plotted how to suppress this suddenly rising star.

Jiang Xuan ignored these discussions. At this moment, he was standing outside Camp 39, following Xu Sanqi to the Blood Killing Camp's most mysterious treasure vault.

"Kid, you really stole the show this time."

Xu Sanqi walked ahead, his voice hoarse.

"But don't be too happy yet, Bai Lingxi's challenge is not a good thing."

Jiang Xuan's lips curled up slightly.

"Is Instructor Xu worried about me?"

"snort!"

Xu Sanqi snorted coldly.

"I'm afraid you'll die too quickly, wasting the time I spent training you."

After passing through numerous restrictions, the two arrived at a hidden underground entrance.

Xu Sanqi took out a bronze token and pressed it against the stone wall. With a muffled rumble, a hidden door opened.

"Go inside. As the top performer in the quarterly evaluation, you have the right to choose one reward."

Xu Sanqi stepped aside.

"Remember, there's only one."

Jiang Xuan stepped into the treasure vault, and a breathtaking view unfolded before him. The vast underground space was brightly lit by luminous pearls, and rows of sandalwood shelves displayed all sorts of treasures: ancient books, elixirs, magical artifacts, and rare and exotic items, a dazzling array.

"The Profound Yin Sword Manual, the Grade Three Spiritual Weapon Frost Blade, and a 500-year-old Blood Spirit Mushroom."

Jiang Xuan's gaze swept over the treasures, but he did not rush to make a choice.

Xu Sanqi leaned against the door, squinting as he observed Jiang Xuan's reaction.

This young man is so calm in the face of so many treasures; his temperament is truly extraordinary.

Jiang Xuan stopped and turned around to ask.

"Instructor Xu, if I don't want any of the treasures here, may I ask for something else?"

Xu Sanqi frowned.

"What are the requirements?"

"I noticed that Instructor Xu's battle armor with the wolf fang and moon spirit pattern at his waist seems to be severely damaged."

Jiang Xuan's gaze fell on the dim crescent-shaped jade pendant at Xu Sanqi's waist.

“I can try to fix it.”

Xu Sanqi's pupils suddenly contracted, and his right hand subconsciously pressed against the jade pendant at his waist.

"Can you see the damage to Wolf Fang Moon?"

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Not only can I see it, but I also know that repairing it requires three kinds of spiritual materials: meteorite iron essence, thousand-year-old cold marrow, and profound yin true water."

These three materials are the very treasures that Xu Sanqi has been searching for for many years without success!

"You...you really can fix it?"

Xu Sanqi's voice trembled slightly.

This spirit-patterned battle armor is his greatest asset; if it can truly be repaired...
Jiang Xuan smiled calmly.

"As long as all the materials are complete, I'm 70% confident."

Xu Sanqi forcibly suppressed his excitement.

"Kid, if you dare to play me..."

"Instructor Xu, you can rest assured."

Jiang Xuan interrupted.

"But before that, let me choose a reward first."

He turned and walked towards the medicine section, taking out a purplish-blue pill, the Purple Jade Cloud Pill.

A look of surprise flashed across Xu Sanqi's eyes.

"You chose this one? Although this pill can help people break through their cultivation level, its medicinal properties are too potent for most people to withstand."

"That suits me perfectly."

Jiang Xuan put the elixir into his robes.

After leaving the treasure vault, Xu Sanqi said in a deep voice.

"I'll have the three materials you mentioned ready within three days. Kid, don't let me down."

"Let's wait and see."

Jiang Xuan bowed and took his leave.

That evening, Jiang Xuan's residence received an uninvited guest: a steward from the Blood Slaughter Camp delivered a jade box containing two thousand Cold-Resistant Pills, neatly arranged inside.

"This is."

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

The steward said respectfully.

"Senior Sister Bai specifically instructed that the bet between Young Master Jiang and Xiao Kun be sent over as soon as possible."

Jiang Xuan chuckled. Was Bai Lingxi trying to curry favor with him? Or did she have ulterior motives?
After the steward left, Jiang Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed, took out the Purple Jade Cloud Pill and the Cold Cooling Pill, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"Two thousand Cold-Resistant Pills plus the Purple-Azure Jade Cloud Pill should be enough for me to break through to the ninth level of the True Martial Realm."

He swallowed ten Cold-Resistant Pills, then closed his eyes and concentrated, the map of the palace route of the "Dongxuan Tunhuang Scripture" appearing in his mind.

This was the first time he had formally practiced this cultivation technique originating from the Tongtian Secret Realm!
The pill entered the stomach and immediately transformed into a surging heat.

Jiang Xuan felt the spiritual energy within his body surge along the unique trajectory of the "Dongxuan Devouring Wilderness Scripture".

Even more remarkably, the muscles, blood, and tendons throughout the body resonate, as if being repeatedly tempered by an invisible hand.

"What a powerful and domineering technique!"

Jiang Xuan was secretly alarmed.

"It can actually refine both body and qi at the same time!"

However, this cultivation method is extremely energy-consuming. In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, one's spiritual energy is completely depleted.

Without hesitation, Jiang Xuan swallowed another ten Cold Cooling Pills.

This process was repeated three times, and the thirty Cold Condensation Pills were quickly used up.

Jiang Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze gleaming with sharp light.

He could clearly feel that the quality of his spiritual energy had improved, becoming purer and more refined.

"The results are indeed amazing, but the cost is enormous."

Jiang Xuan smiled bitterly.

"Even 30 pills a day, 2,000 pills wouldn't last more than a few days."

Only then did he understand why the "Dongxuan Devouring Wilderness Scripture" was considered one of the most domineering cultivation techniques; without massive resources, it was simply impossible to practice!
In the days that followed, the Bloodthirsty Camp appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath.

The discussions about Jiang Xuan gradually subsided, but everyone knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

"Have you heard? We're going to Demon Cloud Ridge in two weeks!"

"Demon Cloud Ridge? Isn't that the battlefield on the empire's northern frontier?"

"It's said that this is real battlefield training, and military merits will be calculated."

The news spread quickly, and the students of the Bloodthirsty Camp were both nervous and expectant. Demon Cloud Ridge was the front line of the war between the Empire and the northern barbarians, extremely dangerous, but also a good place to make a name for themselves.

Jiang Xuan didn't care about this and continued to diligently cultivate the "Dongxuan Tunhuang Scripture" every day.

His cultivation level steadily improved, and the consumption of Cold Condensation Pills also increased day by day.

Late that night, Jiang Xuan had just finished cultivating when there was a sudden knock on his door.

"who?"

He asked warily.

"it's me."

Xiao Ke's clear voice came from outside the door.

"Instructor Xu wants to see you, immediately." Jiang Xuan wondered why Xu Sanqi wanted to see him so late. Could it be that the three materials were ready?
Following Xiao Ke through numerous camps, the two arrived at a stone chamber in the central camp.

Upon entering, Xu Sanqi and the mysterious old Mo were both present.

"You're here?"

Xu Sanqi looked up at Jiang Xuan and pointed to a black ring on the table.

"Is this your stuff?"

Jiang Xuan's gaze sharpened; it was the storage ring he had brought into the Blood Slaughtering Camp! But now, a faint black mist swirled around the surface of the ring, making it appear extremely eerie.

"be mine."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"But it was taken away when we entered the camp, so why is it here now?"

Old Mo spoke in a hoarse voice.

"That's the problem. This ring has always been stored in the warehouse, but tonight it suddenly started acting strangely, emitting an eerie power. After examining it, we found your aura on it."

Jiang Xuan clearly remembered the items in the ring: several bottles of pills, some clothes, and the bronze box he had obtained from Liu Yukun.

But those things shouldn't have such bizarre power.

"May I open it and take a look?"

Jiang Xuan asked.

Xu Sanqi crossed his arms, his cold and stern face revealing no emotion.

"Please proceed. But I must warn you, if any dangerous items are found, the Bloodthirsty Camp will not be held responsible for the consequences."

Jiang Xuan put the ring back on his finger.

As spiritual energy was injected, the storage space unfolded in his consciousness.

The familiar items were all there, except for the bronze box, which was surrounded by a dark and violent power, and the originally intact spirit runes and restrictions were now broken.

“How could that be?”

Jiang Xuan was startled.

This bronze box was what he obtained when he killed Liu Yukun. He tried to open it but gave up because the spiritual rune restriction was too strong, and then he just left it in the corner of his ring.

“What did you find?”

Xiao Ke's clear voice came from behind; she had somehow ended up standing behind Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan hesitated for a moment, but still decided to take out the bronze box.

When the box covered with ancient patterns appeared before everyone, the temperature in the entire room suddenly rose.

"This is."

Old Mo's cloudy eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

Before Jiang Xuan could explain, a sudden change occurred! The bronze box shook violently, the spiritual patterns on its surface twisted, and then it exploded with a deafening bang!
"careful!"

Xu Sanqi roared and retreated rapidly.

Jiang Xuan felt a blinding flash of fire rushing towards him. Before he could react, he was struck hard in the chest and sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall.

A sharp pain instantly spread throughout his body, his vision went black, and he almost fainted.

"Chirp chirp."

In a daze, Jiang Xuan heard a strange sound.

He forced his eyes open despite the pain, and there was a round, golden little thing lying on his chest, tilting its head curiously, if the protruding part on that round body could be called a head.

"What's this?"

Jiang Xuan struggled to sit up and finally saw the thing in its entirety.

It was entirely golden, like an inflated little ball, with no neck or limbs, only a pair of big, round eyes and a mouth so small it was almost invisible.

At this moment, it was staring intently at Jiang Xuan with its big eyes, chirping softly.

"It has the aura of the Golden Flame Beast, but it's not exactly the same."

Old Mo had somehow gotten close, his gaunt face full of surprise and doubt.

Xu Sanqi's gaze was sharp as a knife.

"It's not the Golden Flame Beast, but its power fluctuations are even more violent; it might be the juvenile form of some unknown alien beast."

Xiao Ke squatted down and reached out to touch the little thing, but it nimbly rolled away and instead clung even closer to Jiang Xuan, seemingly very affectionate towards him.

"It seems it likes you."

Xiao Ke pouted, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of sourness.

Jiang Xuan carefully poked the little monster with his finger. It was surprisingly soft and elastic, like a warm ball of cotton.

The little monster made a comfortable "gurgling" sound, and its round body trembled.

"Where did the bronze box come from?"

Xu Sanqi suddenly asked, his voice cold and stern.

Jiang Xuan answered while stroking the little monster.

"Wait there, from a Golden Flame Beast!"

He suddenly realized he had let something slip and quickly shut up.

Xiao Ke was a little excited.

"Did you receive it while you were alive?"

Jiang Xuan didn't answer, but his silence spoke volumes. The Bloodthirsty Camp's rules stipulated that all spoils of war must come from enemies killed personally, and a ferocious beast of the Golden Flame Beast's caliber was simply beyond Jiang Xuan's capabilities at the time—he simply couldn't have killed it alone.

Old Mo smiled sinisterly.

"Interesting. But the more important thing now is this little thing."

He extended his withered, twig-like fingers.

"I recommend immediate testing: skinning to examine muscle tissue, taking bone samples for structural analysis, and drawing blood for research."

"You dare!"

Jiang Xuan suddenly pulled the little monster into his arms, his eyes flashing with fierceness.

Xiao Ke was even faster; she kicked Lao Mo away, sending the old man's body crashing against the wall with a dull thud.

"You old pervert!"

Xiao Ke rebuked angrily.

"Such a cute little thing, and you actually want to perform a live dissection?"

Old Mo scrambled to his feet, but instead of being angry, he chuckled strangely.

"Cute? Wait until it goes berserk and burns the entire camp to ashes, then you'll know how cute it is! This unknown beast must be investigated thoroughly!"

“That’s enough.”

Xu Sanqi interrupted coldly.

"Jiang Xuan, since it's become friendly with you, you'll be responsible for looking after it. But remember this."

His gaze suddenly turned sharp.

“If it poses any threat to the camp, I will personally eliminate it, along with you.”

Jiang Xuan felt the little monster in his arms tremble, as if it understood Xu Sanqi's threat.

He nodded solemnly.

"I will take responsibility."

As night deepened, Jiang Xuan was temporarily arranged to stay in Lao Mo's warehouse. This was Xu Sanqi's compromise, which both prevented the little monster from approaching the center of the camp and made it convenient for surveillance.

The warehouse was filled with all sorts of strange materials and equipment, and the air was filled with a peculiar smell of herbs and metal.

Jiang Xuan sat on a pile of soft cushions, with the little monster rolling around on his lap, making cheerful "cheep cheep" sounds.

"What exactly are you?"

Jiang Xuan asked softly, poking it with his finger.

The little monster immediately wrapped its round body around his fingers, as if it were playing.

In the distance, Xiao Ke leaned against a pillar, the moonlight streaming in through the window, casting a silvery glow on her delicate profile.

As she watched this scene, a rare gentleness appeared on her usually icy face.

"It seems to like you a lot."

Xiao Ke suddenly spoke, her voice much softer than usual.

Jiang Xuan looked up at her, somewhat surprised that she would take the initiative to start a conversation.

"I also find it strange. I was the one who let it out, yet it's so affectionate towards me."

"Perhaps it's because of your scent."

Xiao Ke took a few steps closer.

"Mythical beasts are very sensitive to spiritual energy; your fluctuations in spiritual energy may have made it feel comfortable."

Jiang Xuan nodded thoughtfully and continued teasing the little monster. The little monster sprang off his lap, spun around in the air, and...
"puff!"

A ball of golden flame spewed from its almost invisible little mouth, instantly turning an anvil three meters away red-hot!

Jiang Xuan and Xiao Ke both widened their eyes at the same time.

"This power"

Xiao Ke quickly stepped forward to inspect the anvil and found that its surface had already shown signs of melting. (End of Chapter)