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

"Could it be that he has some powerful backer?"

"I don't know about the others."

Xu Sanqi said meaningfully.

"But have you ever noticed the coachman in the camp?"

Xin Rutie's expression froze.

"What coachman?"

"That's the one."

Xu Sanqi said slowly and deliberately.

"The old groom whose attitude couldn't even be swayed by the will of the empire."

Xin Rutie's pupils suddenly contracted, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"You mean that guy from the Obsidian Sanctuary?"

Xu Sanqi shrugged noncommittally.

"I didn't say anything. Envoy Xin, have a safe journey."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xin Rutie's forehead. He glared fiercely at Xu Sanqi, then turned and strode quickly onto the warship. Even as the hatch closed, his angry curses could still be heard.

The Falcon warship roared and took off.

Xu Sanqi stood still, watching the warship turn into a black dot on the horizon until it disappeared completely.

The dawn's light illuminated the world, bathing the Bloodthirsty Camp in a golden glow. On a distant high platform, Jiang Xuan silently withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

His silhouette stretched long in the morning light, like a drawn sword.

Xiaoman stood at the edge of the training field, watching Jiang Xuan's departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Hatred, like fate, once sown, will take root and sprout.

She didn't know what this seed would grow into in Jiang Xuan's heart, but one thing she was certain of was that from today onwards, the Jiang Xuan who loved to talk and laugh was no longer there.

After Lao Mo left, Jiang Xuan became more silent than ever before.

After completing his basic training each day, he would return alone to the warehouse that was once filled with laughter and joy, and drink a pot of wine by himself.

"Jiang Xuan, what have you been up to lately?"

Xiaoman tried to speak for the tenth time, but didn't know where to begin.

Jiang Xuan sat cross-legged at his workbench, with Lao Mo's notes spread out in front of him. He didn't even look up when he heard Xiao Man's voice.

"I am fine."

"But you..."

"Grain Buds (Xiaoman)."

Jiang Xuan finally raised his head, his eyes eerily calm.

"I need to become stronger."

Xiaoman watched as Jiang Xuan closed his notebook and walked to the open space in the center of the warehouse to begin his cultivation.

Every movement he made wasted no effort.

This almost self-torture-like training method horrified Xiaoman.

"You're overdrawing your energy!"

Xiaoman finally couldn't help but shout.

Jiang Xuan did not stop moving.

"Not enough."

Xiaoman bit her lower lip, suddenly realizing that any attempt to comfort her was futile.

Some things you have to face alone in order to grow faster.

She silently left the warehouse and closed the door behind her.

Thirteen days later, at dawn, 237 trainees from the eight camps of the Bloodthirsty Camp stood in neat formation on the take-off and landing pad.

Three medium-sized transport warships are ready and will soon carry them to Demon Cloud Ridge in the northern border of the empire to participate in battlefield assessments.

Xiaoman found Jiang Xuan in the crowd; he was checking his equipment bag.

"Jiang Xuan."

Xiaoman walked to his side, trying to make her voice sound more relaxed.

"Don't worry about Chiu Chiu, I'll take good care of it."

Jiang Xuan nodded and stuffed the last piece of equipment into his bag.

"Thanks."

"you"

Xiaoman hesitated for a moment.

"Make sure you return safely with excellent test results."

Jiang Xuan paused for a moment, then finally turned to look at Xiao Man.

"I will."

After a brief conversation, Jiang Xuan turned and walked towards the assembly point at Camp 39.

Xiaoman stood there, watching his tall and handsome figure gradually disappear into the distance.

In just thirteen days, Jiang Xuan's temperament underwent a dramatic transformation. His restrained yet sharp demeanor felt both familiar and strange.

On the highest watchtower of the Blood Killing Camp, several instructors stood side by side, watching as eight small, Imperial-standard Purple Elite warships soared into the sky, carrying the trainees northward.

The warship was dark purple all over, and its surface was covered with fine runes.

"No more than fifty trainees from this cohort will return alive."

"A scarred instructor said in a deep voice. His left eye was covered by a black cloth, and his only remaining right eye shone with a cold light."

A female instructor beside him gently stroked the long whip at her waist.

"The trials of life and death at Demon Cloud Ridge are brutal, but only those who survive can truly grow."

Her voice was filled with regret.

"What a waste of those promising talents."

"What I'm more worried about is the power behind them."

The third instructor frowned.

"The Xiao family, the Ning family, the Shi family—none of them are easy to mess with. What if their direct descendants die in Demon Cloud Ridge?"

"snort."

The one-eyed instructor sneered.

"Do you think the competition within those large clans is more merciful than our Bloodthirsty Camp? They understand the meaning of survival of the fittest better than we do."

Eight Ziying warships streaked across the sky, quickly becoming tiny black dots on the horizon. The instructors watched in silence until the warships completely disappeared from sight.

Inside the cabin of the Ziying warship where the students of Camp 39 were located, Jiang Xuan leaned against the metal wall, examining the storage ring in his hand.

The ring is dark silver in color, with intricate patterns engraved on its surface, and it gleams coldly under the light.

"Is this the only magical artifact we can bring?"

Shi Yu leaned closer, his eyes beneath his thick eyebrows gleaming with suspicion.

"The Bloodthirsty Camp is too stingy."

Jiang Xuan put the ring on the index finger of his left hand.

"Storage rings are used to collect military merits, and military merits are the lives of enemies."

His voice was calm, yet it made the students around him unconsciously quiet down.

"I heard that after arriving at Demon Cloud Ridge, we will enter the battlefield as ordinary soldiers."

Ning Meng crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall, his handsome face showing disdain.

"Those who fail to achieve sufficient military merit within three months will be directly eliminated or die on the battlefield."

The name "Demon Cloud Ridge" weighs heavily on everyone's mind like a boulder.

"The terrain of Demon Cloud Ridge is complex, and it is shrouded in gloom year-round."

A thin student said in a low voice.

Located on the northern border of the Empire, it serves as a buffer zone between the Empire and the Dark Court.

"For centuries, the two sides have fought there continuously, but neither has been able to completely occupy the area."

Another student chimed in, his voice trembling slightly.

"Now that place has become a training ground for both sides, where young powerhouses hone their skills through bloody battles."

Shi Yu suddenly slammed his fist into the metal wall, making a dull thud.

"I've heard we might encounter some powerful young warriors from the Dark Court this time; their fighting strength shouldn't be underestimated."

"snort."

Ning Meng sneered.

"I grew up on the northern frontier battlefield; I've seen more dead people than you've eaten meals. Those scum from the Dark Court, I'll kill them one by one."

Shi Yu was somewhat displeased.

"Young Master Ning, are you questioning my abilities?"

As the tension between the two grew increasingly palpable, Jiang Xuan suddenly spoke up.

"How about we use the assessment at Demon Cloud Ridge as a starting point for a contest?"

All eyes in the cabin turned to him.

Jiang Xuan remained leaning against the wall, his eyes calm as still water.

"Ranks are determined by military merit, and even betting is possible."

Shi Yu and Ning Meng were both stunned for a moment, then their eyes ignited with fighting spirit.

"interesting."

Shi Yu grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

"What to bet on?"

"One thousand gold coins."

Ning Meng said, looking at Shi Yu defiantly.

"With one additional condition, the loser must apologize to the winner."

A collective gasp filled the cabin.

A thousand gold coins is an astronomical figure for most students.

Jiang Xuan tapped the surface of the ring with his fingertips.

"I don't have that many gold coins right now." "Scared?"

Ning Meng raised an eyebrow.

“But I accept.”

Jiang Xuan looked directly into Ning Meng's eyes, his voice not loud but exceptionally clear.

"I believe in my abilities."

Shi Yu burst into laughter and patted Jiang Xuan on the shoulder.

"Alright! It's settled then! I want to see how Young Master Ning will bow his head and apologize to me!"

Ning Meng snorted coldly, but did not refute.

The atmosphere inside the cabin became lively because of the bet, and the trainees began to discuss the upcoming assessment in small groups.

Just then, a chilling voice came from the corner.

"Jiang Xuan, what else can you do besides gambling?"

The entire cabin fell silent instantly.

Hu Long emerged from the shadows. He was tall and thin with narrow eyes and a mocking smile on his lips.

"I heard your victory over Xiao Kun wasn't exactly honorable."

Hu Long spoke slowly, deliberately raising his voice so everyone could hear.

"Now you're stirring up trouble again, acting like the victors? You're a disgrace to Camp 39."

A few whispers rippled through the cabin. Indeed, rumors circulated within the Bloodthirsty Camp that there was something fishy about the battle between Jiang Xuan and Xiao Kun, but most knew that the truth was far from it.

Shi Yu and Ning Meng frowned at the same time, about to speak in rebuttal, but Jiang Xuan raised his hand to stop them.

"Hu Long."

Jiang Xuan's voice was unusually calm.

Do you know why dogs always bark at the moon?

Hu Long was taken aback.

"What?"

"Because it's out of reach."

Jiang Xuan said calmly, his expression sharp.

"Just like you are now."

A burst of laughter erupted in the cabin.

Hu Long's face flushed red instantly, and anger flared in his narrow eyes.

"You called me a dog?"

Jiang Xuan shook his head.

"No, I'm just stating a fact. If you insist on taking it personally..."

He shrugged, not finishing his sentence.

"you!"

Hu Long was so angry that he was trembling all over, and he pointed at Jiang Xuan's nose.

"You're not even as good as a dog! At least a dog knows loyalty!"

Jiang Xuan suddenly laughed, a laugh that made Hu Long unconsciously take a half step back.

"Thank you for the compliment. But since I'm even less than a dog, why did you try to gamble like me just now? Wasn't that lowering yourself?"

Hu Long was speechless for a moment, his face turning from red to pale. The laughter in the cabin grew louder, with several trainees even slapping their thighs with laughter.

"I...I'm not."

Hu Long stammered, suddenly realizing that he had fallen into Jiang Xuan's linguistic trap.

"Not what?"

Jiang Xuan pressed closer and closer.

"Not a dog? Or is someone even less than a dog?"

Hu Long completely lost his composure and retreated to a corner in a sorry state amidst the laughter of the crowd, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Jiang Xuan!"

Hu Long suddenly roared, his voice sharp and piercing.

"Go ahead and hit me if you dare! Come on!"

The entire cabin fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on the two of them.

Jiang Xuan stood up, his dark eyes gleaming coldly.

"you sure?"

Jiang Xuan's voice was very soft, but it sent a chill down Hu Long's spine.

Hu Long braced himself and straightened his chest.

"What? You're scared? Trash is trash."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xuan's fist had already slammed into Hu Long's face.

That punch was as fast as lightning, accompanied by the sound of air being torn apart, and it struck Hu Long's nose with precision.

With a sharp crack, Hu Long was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the metal bulkhead before slid to the ground like a rag doll. Blood gushed from his contorted nose, instantly staining his shirt crimson.

The cabin was deathly silent; everyone watched in shock. No one had expected Jiang Xuan to actually make a move, let alone that the punch would be so ruthless.

Jiang Xuan shook his hand and calmly looked at Hu Long, who was curled up on the ground groaning.

"You told me to hit him."

"You...you."

Hu Long covered his nose, tears mixed with blood streaming down his face, his voice muffled.

How dare you!

"enough!"

A dignified voice came from the hatch. Instructor Donglu's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his sharp gaze sweeping across the cabin.

"what happened?"

The trainees immediately made way. Instructor Dong Lu walked to Hu Long's side, frowned as he looked at the trainee whose face was covered in blood, and then looked up at Jiang Xuan.

"Did you do this?"

Jiang Xuan nodded calmly.

"Yes."

"Why did you take action?"

Instructor Dong Lu's voice was as cold as ice.

Hu Long struggled to his feet and shouted first.

"He hit me for no reason! Instructor, you must stand up for me!"

Instructor Dong Lu ignored Hu Long's cries and kept his gaze fixed on Jiang Xuan.

"explain."

Jiang Xuan's lips curled up slightly.

"Hu Long insisted that I hit him, and I was just fulfilling his wish."

"nonsense!"

Hu Long screamed.

"He's lying!"

Instructor Dong Lu looked around.

Did anyone witness what happened?

The cabin was completely silent.

Neither Shi Yu nor Ning Meng spoke.

The other trainees also avoided looking at Hu Long who was pleading for help.

"It seems no one can testify for you."

Instructor Dong Lu said coldly to Hu Long.

"Remember, the Bloodthirsty Camp does not welcome troublemakers. A second offense will result in immediate elimination."

Hu Long's face was deathly pale, his lips trembling but he couldn't utter a word. Instructor Dong Lu then turned to Jiang Xuan.

"You too, you're not allowed to fight anymore."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Yes, instructor."

Instructor Donglu snorted coldly and turned to leave.

The oppressive atmosphere eased slightly the moment the hatch closed.

Hu Long staggered to his feet, glared viciously at Jiang Xuan, covered his nose, and fled the main cabin as if running away.

"happy!"

Shi Yu was the first to break the silence, giving Jiang Xuan a hard pat on the shoulder.

That guy should have been taught a lesson long ago!

Ning Meng also showed a rare expression of approval.

"He was ruthless; he doesn't seem like a new recruit."

Jiang Xuan sat back down in the corner and closed his eyes.

"He brought it on himself."

The trainees in the cabin began to whisper among themselves, occasionally stealing glances at Jiang Xuan.

That punch not only knocked Hu Long down, but also left a deep impression on everyone. This seemingly calm young man had a chilling ruthlessness hidden in his bones.

Seven days later, the Ziying warship fleet finally arrived at the Black Wind military stronghold in the northern border of the empire.

From the air, the entire military base resembles a giant beast crouching among the mountains, with black walls stretching for miles, arrow towers standing tall, and banners waving in the wind.

The warship landed on the central square, and as soon as the hatch opened, a biting cold wind rushed in.

The trainees marched out in formation and were met by a squad of fully armed soldiers in black armor, led by a stern-faced middle-aged officer. (End of Chapter)