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

Just as the water was about to touch a bright purple flower, it quickly withdrew its hand upon hearing this.

The flower suddenly opened, revealing countless sharp thorns inside, and sprayed out a foul-smelling liquid that splattered on the ground with a hissing, corrosive sound.

"Damn it."

Shui Ze's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

The three continued forward, each step fraught with danger. From the bushes came rustling sounds—the flicking tongues of venomous snakes, the croaking of toads—the entire jungle seemed to emanate hostility towards them.

"and many more."

The water suddenly stopped, and the nose twitched.

"The smell is getting stronger, it's just ahead!"

Lek gestured for the two to tread lightly, and the three of them approached a bush in a fan shape. Through the gaps in the bushes, they could vaguely see a dark shadow on the ground.

"It's that thief!"

Woody low channel.

Lek's expression suddenly changed drastically.

"wrong!"

He abruptly pulled the two apart, and almost simultaneously, an arrow shot from the opposite direction, embedding itself in the spot where Mu Qu had just stood! The dark shadow on the ground was nothing more than a blood-stained rag.

“We’ve fallen into a trap!”

Lek roared.

In an instant, arrows rained down from all directions! Shui Ze screamed as an arrow pierced his right eye and exited through the back of his head! His massive body crashed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then lay still.

"Watery area!"

Mu Qu cried out in grief and anger, about to rush over, but his legs suddenly gave way.

“Don’t move!”

Lek shouted hurriedly, but it was too late.

Mu Qu's legs had sunk into what appeared to be solid ground, but it was actually a well-camouflaged swamp! The more he struggled, the faster he sank.

"Lek! Help me!"

Mu Qu reached out his hand in terror.

Lek hurriedly untied his belt and threw it over, but just as Mu Qu was about to grab it, another arrow shot out, accurately embedding itself in the center of the belt and driving it into the mud!

"No."

The wooden zither howled in despair, but was swallowed up by the swamp in the blink of an eye, with only a few bubbles rising to the surface.

Within a minute, his two companions died one after another. Lek leaned against a large tree, his back soaked with cold sweat.

He had never encountered such a cunning opponent, who was not only familiar with the jungle but also an expert in psychological tactics.

"Come out! You despicable scoundrel!"

Lek roared, but his voice trembled.

"Let's fight head-on!"

The only response he received was the sound of the wind in the jungle and the chirping of poisonous insects.

The mysterious enemy seemed to blend into the environment, omnipresent yet elusive.

Lek's hand holding the axe trembled.

He realized that continuing the pursuit would only lead to his death. He had to return to report to Priest Wildfeather and request more reinforcements.

"You wait."

Lek gritted his teeth and began to cautiously back away.

"The barbarians won't let you get away with this!"

When he emerged from the poisonous miasma, he found himself drenched in cold sweat. Looking back at the deadly jungle, Lek felt an unprecedented fear rise within him.

……

Jiang Xuan's blade was only inches away from Lek's nape when suddenly the hairs on his body stood on end.

The feeling was like a frog being targeted by a venomous snake, the shadow of death instantly looming over its entire body.

"not good!"

Jiang Xuan abruptly stopped his sword strike, then kicked off the tree trunk with his toes, his body shooting out in the opposite direction like an arrow.

Almost at the same instant, a light blue blade flashed across the spot where he had just stood, neatly severing the branch as thick as a bowl.

It crashed to the ground with a "crack".

Jiang Xuan ran wildly through the mist without looking back, the wind whistling in his ears.

He could feel that murderous aura following him like a shadow, far stronger than that of people like Lek.

"A young powerhouse from the Wuman clan?"

Jiang Xuan recalled Shi Yu's previous analysis.

"An opponent of this caliber shouldn't be appearing on the outskirts of Demon Cloud Ridge."

A sharp pain shot through the wound on his left arm, and he had only half of his internal energy left.

Jiang Xuan gritted his teeth and sped up, his figure leaving a trail of afterimages in the dense forest.

Now is not the time for a direct confrontation; we must shake off this pursuer!
Three zhang away, a blue figure silently swept past the treetops.

The pheasant had a cold smile on its lips and a mocking look in its eyes.

He was tall and slender, with an eerie aquamarine complexion, and each step he took was completely silent.

"You run fast."

"Jikyo," the water pheasant said softly, a water droplet appearing in the palm of his right hand, which he flicked.

Water droplets pierced through the mist and landed precisely on a tree branch in front of Jiang Xuan.

The seemingly harmless water droplets suddenly burst open, corroding and breaking the entire tree branch!

Jiang Xuan braked suddenly and was forced to turn.

This delay allowed the murderous aura behind them to draw even closer.

"Damn water-based secret techniques!"

Jiang Xuan cursed inwardly, then suddenly turned towards a ditch overgrown with bushes.

"boom!"

The blood-horned python's enormous body crashed to the ground, its thick body still twitching.

Jiang Xuan pulled the dagger out of the snake's eye and shook off the blood.

Just as he bent down to collect the snake gallbladders, a crisp applause suddenly came from behind him.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

The water pheasant stood on a rock five zhang away, looking down at Jiang Xuan from its elevated position.

"No wonder he's a Bloodthirsty Camp cadet who killed three of my clansmen."

Jiang Xuan straightened up and quietly tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword with his right hand.

At this distance, it's too late to escape.

"The Water Barbarian lineage?"

Jiang Xuan sized up the other person's light blue skin and the bronze dagger hanging at his waist.

Mizukichi chuckled, took out two metal nameplates from his pocket, and casually tossed them to Jiang Xuan.

Do you recognize these two?

The nameplate landed with a crisp sound, and the words "Bloodthirsty Slayer" were clearly engraved on it. The back of the nameplate had the student's number and name.

Jiang Xuan's pupils contracted slightly.

He had heard of these two men; they were both skilled fighters from the B-class battalion.

"I've come to Demon Cloud Ridge this time for only one thing."

The pheasant-tailed jacana holds up one finger.

"Kill all the Bloodthirsty Camp students you encounter."

Jiang Xuan suddenly laughed.

“Just you?”

"What, you think I'm not qualified?"

Instead of getting angry, the pheasant laughed and placed its right hand on the hilt of its sword.

"You were running so fast just now, why are you stopping now?"

"Because I want to see."

Jiang Xuan drew his Breaking Army Blade.

"What color is the blood of the Water Barbarian bastards?"

A cold glint flashed in the pheasant's eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.

"A clumsy attempt at reverse psychology. But it doesn't matter, you're going to die soon anyway."

Jiang Xuan noticed that despite his insults, Mizukiji's breathing rhythm remained normal.

This is a formidable opponent, not only formidable in strength but also extremely composed in temperament.

"Enough with the nonsense."

Jiang Xuan pointed the tip of his knife at the water pheasant.

"If you're going to fight, then fight!"

The pheasant-tailed jacana suddenly moved!

In the blink of an eye, the bronze short sword covered a distance of five zhang, leaving a streak of light blue as it aimed straight for Jiang Xuan's throat!
The sound of metal clanging echoed through the forest.

Jiang Xuan barely managed to withstand the sudden attack, feeling a numbness in his hand, and had to take three steps back to regain his balance.

"Not bad speed," Mizukichi chuckled.

"It's a pity the power is a bit lacking."

Jiang Xuan didn't answer, but suddenly changed his move. His Breaking Army Blade transformed into a black lightning bolt, piercing straight for the Water Pheasant's heart! This strike was devoid of any fancy moves, yet it was incredibly fast.

The pheasant was somewhat surprised and quickly dodged to the side. The blade grazed his clothes, leaving a tear in his blue robe.

"You've got some skills."

The pheasant looked down at its tattered robes, and its tone finally became serious.

Jiang Xuan gave his opponent no chance to breathe, unleashing a torrent of sword energy like a storm.

Every strike is aimed at vital points; it's a fight where you risk your life.

At first, the pheasant could handle the situation with ease, but as Jiang Xuan's blade attacks became increasingly faster, he had to concentrate fully on parrying. The bronze dagger and the Broken Army Battle Blade clashed repeatedly, sparks flying everywhere.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

After thirteen consecutive slashes, Mizukichi finally seized an opening and thrust her short sword at Jiang Xuan's left shoulder like a venomous snake!

The sound of the blade piercing flesh was exceptionally clear.

Jiang Xuan groaned, and blood gushed from his left shoulder.

Instead of retreating, he advanced, using the momentum of his charge to slash the Water Pheasant's chest with his Breaking Army Blade!

The pheasant's blue robe was torn, and a bloodstain appeared on his fair chest, the blood quickly staining his clothes red.

The two retreated simultaneously to check their injuries.

"That's ruthless."

The pheasant licked its lips, its fighting spirit growing even stronger.

"But that's what makes it interesting."

Jiang Xuan's left shoulder wound was burning with pain, but a ferocious smile appeared on his face.

"It seems the blood of the Water Barbarians is also red."

Without further ado, the pheasant gripped the bronze dagger with both hands, and the blade suddenly emitted a light blue glow.

Moisture in the surrounding air began to gather towards him, forming a flowing film of water on the blade.

"Water Blade - Thousand Streams Slash!"

With a low shout, the water pheasant's figure suddenly blurred, transforming into dozens of blue afterimages that attacked Jiang Xuan from different angles! Each afterimage carried a sharp blade aura, making it difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake.

Jiang Xuan's pupils contracted sharply, and all the muscles in his body tensed up.

This move blocks all dodge angles, leaving you with no choice but to take it head-on!

"Breaking Army - Wolf Charge!"

Instead of retreating, Jiang Xuan advanced, his Breaking Army Blade transforming into a black line that pierced straight towards the Water Pheasant's true form in front of him! This was a mutually destructive fighting style; even if he was struck, he would deliver a fatal blow.

"puff!"

"laugh!"

Two voices sounded almost at the same time.

Mizukichi's short sword pierced Jiang Xuan's right abdomen, while Jiang Xuan's battle sword pierced through Mizukichi's left shoulder!
The two stood face to face, their blades deeply embedded in each other's bodies, blood dripping down the blades.

"You're more difficult than I imagined."

"It is a water pheasant," the pheasant said, panting, blood trickling from the corner of its mouth.

Jiang Xuan grinned, revealing his bloodstained teeth.

"You are weaker than I thought."

The pheasant's eyes flashed with anger, but it quickly regained its composure.

"Stubborn."

The two exerted force simultaneously, pulling the blade out of each other's bodies, sending up a spray of blood.

They quickly clashed again, and amidst the flashing blades and splattering blood, a fierce battle ensued.

This close-quarters combat was extremely brutal.

Jiang Xuan has seven wounds on his body, the most serious being the bloody hole in his right abdomen, which brings excruciating pain with every movement.

The pheasant was also having a hard time; the penetrating wound in his left shoulder severely affected the movement of his left hand, and the knife wound in his chest was constantly bleeding.

"boom!"

The two swords clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

Jiang Xuan used the momentum to leap backward, but his right leg buckled when he landed, and he knelt on one knee.

The pheasant also staggered backward, only managing to steady itself by leaning against a large tree.

The two men were panting heavily, sweat mixed with blood dripping from their chins, creating small craters in the dirt.

"interesting."

Jiang Xuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"You're the first person to have pushed me to this point."

The pheasant did not answer, but simply adjusted its breathing, its hand holding the knife as steady as a rock.

His eyes still held a murderous intent, clearly indicating he had no intention of letting the matter rest.

Jiang Xuan suddenly sprang into action, his longsword transforming into a streak of silver lightning.

The pheasant raised its sword to meet the attack, and the two swords clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang.

Jiang Xuan changed his move extremely quickly, turning his blade to slice straight at the pheasant's wrist.

With a flick of her wrist, Mizuki narrowly avoided the attack and stabbed Jiang Xuan in the ribs with a backhand strike.

"laugh."

The sound of a blade piercing flesh is enough to make your teeth ache.

Jiang Xuan grunted, but disregarding his injuries, he suddenly reached out with his left hand and grabbed the wrist of the pheasant holding the knife, while his right hand slashed straight at the opponent's face with the long sword.

The pheasant was forced to discard his sword and lean back, the blade grazing his nose.

He suddenly kicked upwards with his right leg, striking Jiang Xuan squarely in the wound on his right abdomen.

"Ugh!"

Jiang Xuan cried out in pain, and the pressure on his hand loosened.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the pheasant broke free, rolled over to pick up the fallen knife, and quickly created distance.

The two faced off again, both at their last gasp, yet neither was willing to give in first.

This battle was not only a contest of strength and skill, but also a test of will and courage. Both sides displayed extremely high combat skills and unwavering fighting spirit, showing no intention of backing down even when seriously injured.

The brutal nature of the battle sent chills down the spines of onlookers, but Jiang Xuan and Mizukichi seemed to be in their own world, completely oblivious to their own injuries.

"Come again!"

Jiang Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Without a word, the pheasant-tailed jacana brandished its blade and pounced again.

The blade flashed like snow, and blood splattered like rain.

The two figures moved through the forest, breaking the vegetation and leaving bloody footprints on the ground.

After a quarter of an hour of fierce fighting, both men were exhausted and covered in wounds, but their fighting spirit remained undiminished.

They stared at each other, their eyes filled with intense killing intent and fighting spirit. They both clearly realized that the other was a formidable opponent, and that they had to go all out to achieve victory.

Just as they were about to clash again, a rapid whooshing sound came from the distant jungle, clearly indicating that someone was rapidly approaching.

Jiang Xuan and Mizuki both sheathed their swords and looked warily in the direction from which the sound came.

"Your people?"

Jiang Xuan seemed to be deep in thought.

The pheasant-tailed jacana shook its head.

"no."

They both read the same thought in each other's eyes: continuing to fight now might lead to even greater danger.

"We'll see who lives and dies next time."

Jiang Xuan sneered, turned around and left, disappearing into the depths of the dense forest in a few leaps.

The water pheasant did not give chase. It took a deep look in the direction Jiang Xuan had left, clutched its chest wound, and sped off in the opposite direction.

A moment later, Priest Wild Feather arrived at the scene with more than ten powerful water barbarians, including Lek. Seeing the chaotic battle scene and the still-wet bloodstains, their expressions changed drastically.

"It's Lord Mizukiji's sword mark!"

Lek crouched down, his fingers tracing a knife mark on the tree trunk, his voice strained.

The Wild Feather Priest looked around solemnly.

"Both sides suffered heavy losses. Lord Mizukichi is likely also seriously injured."

What do we do?

"A water barbarian warrior said anxiously."

"Should we go after the culprit, or find Lord Mizukiji?"

The Wild Feather Priest is caught in a dilemma. The murderer possesses the Heavenly Water Sacred Pearl, a sacred artifact of the Water Barbarian tribe, but if the Water Pheasant were to be harmed, it would be a huge loss to the Water Barbarian tribe.

Just as everyone hesitated, the bushes not far away suddenly swayed.

"who!"

Lek immediately drew his sword, and everyone else became alert.

The bushes parted, and a blood-covered figure staggered out.

"Lord Pheasant!"

The crowd gasped in surprise. (End of Chapter)