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

"Something terrible has happened at the volcano! Jiang Xuan single-handedly killed over fifty barbarian witches and even wiped out five top geniuses with a single strike!"

Shi Yu nearly dropped the tortoise shell from his hand.

"How much? Fifty-something?"

"It's absolutely true! The news has spread throughout the entire Demon Cloud Ridge!"

"The round-faced student said excitedly."

"I heard that Senior Brother Jiang has broken through to the ninth level of True Martial Realm and unleashed a terrifying sword technique that I've never seen before!"

Shi Yu's expression shifted, and he finally gave a bitter smile.

"This guy is getting more and more outrageous."

He touched his chin.

"But that's fine too; the bigger the stakes, the bigger the rewards when you win."

"Senior brother, are you still thinking about the bet?"

The round-faced student was speechless.

"Everyone in the camp is saying that Senior Brother Jiang might be the best in this cohort."

Shi Yu seemed to be deep in thought.

"The Bloodthirsty Camp's assessments are never based on short-term battle results. Just wait and see; the one who laughs last may not be him."

Although he said that, Shi Yu's heart was in turmoil. Jiang Xuan's growth rate—breaking from the eighth to the ninth level of True Martial in such a short time and creating a new, incredibly powerful combat technique—was simply unbelievable!
"Hahaha! I knew that kid was no ordinary person!"

Ning Meng punched the tree, shaking off countless leaves.

He was so excited that his face turned bright red after hearing his companion's account of the battle at the volcano.

"Senior Brother Ning, you and Senior Brother Jiang are close, do you know when he mastered that move?"

"My companion asked curiously."

Ning Meng shook his head.

"That guy's cultivation is all very mysterious. But..."

He grinned.

"I'm not surprised at all by his record!"

"My companion said enviously."

"I heard that each of the six slain witch-barbarian geniuses possessed strength at least at the eighth level of the True Martial Realm."

"Nonsense! Would an opponent that Jiang Xuan takes a liking to be a coward?"

Ning Meng proudly puffed out his chest, as if those victories were his own.

He gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"When that kid gets back, we'll make him give us a proper explanation!"

Similar conversations are constantly taking place throughout Demon Cloud Ridge.

"Have you heard? Jiang Xuan wiped out half of the Witch Barbarian squad all by himself!"

"Are you bragging? How long has he been in the Bloodthirsty Camp?"

"Absolutely true! My cousin saw it with his own eyes. He said that when that knife struck, the sky and earth changed color!"

"Tch, it's just good luck."

"Luck? Why don't you give it a try? It's said that among those six murdered geniuses was the young master of the Water Barbarian lineage!"

Discussions rose and fell, some were amazed, some questioned, but without exception, Jiang Xuan's name was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every Bloodthirsty Camp student.

North of Demon Cloud Ridge lies the Water Barbarian camp.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

Shui Xingkong smashed the stone table in front of him with a single palm strike, his hair standing on end in fury.

"Our clan's sacred artifact was stolen, our heir was killed, and you still have the nerve to come back and report this?"

The water barbarian warriors kneeling below trembled.

"My lord, please forgive me! That human youth was far too strange; that single strike..."

"Shut up!"

Water flows through the air, drinking violently.

"How strong can a mere human brat be?"

An older Shui barbarian frowned.

"Lord Xingkong, that person was able to kill six geniuses above the eighth level of True Martial Realm with a single strike; his strength is probably..."

"The True Martial Realm is still just the True Martial Realm!"

Shui Xingkong sneered.

"Send a barbarian-level expert to crush him!"

"this"

Another high-ranking member of the Shui Man tribe hesitated.

"The Barbarian Warrior level is equivalent to the Spirit Realm in the human race. If we send out such a powerful expert, it might violate our tacit agreement with the Empire."

A fierce glint flashed in Shui Xingkong's eyes.

"Teamwork? Our clan's sacred artifact has been stolen, what teamwork are we talking about now!"

He looked around at everyone.

"The Celestial Pearl is related to our clan's destiny for a thousand years; it must be retrieved!"

"But what about the Empire?"

"If the Empire holds me accountable, I will take full responsibility!"

Water flows through the air with decisive, resolute force.

"Tonight, dispatch four elite barbarian warriors. They must retrieve the Sacred Pearl before dawn and slay that human brat!"

Seeing that everyone was still hesitant, Shui Xingkong said sternly.

"Do you expect me to take action myself?"

The tent fell silent instantly.

Four deep-set water barbarian warriors stepped forward to receive the order and quietly disappeared into the night.

Deep inside the cave, Jiang Xuan sat cross-legged, surrounded by azure spiritual energy.

The light was as pure as jade, yet it contained astonishing energy fluctuations, making it exceptionally dazzling in the darkness.

His breathing was long and even, and each exhale caused the surrounding spiritual energy to form tiny vortices.

"The realm of spiritual transformation is indeed profound."

Jiang Xuan focused his inner gaze on his dantian, feeling the new power flowing within his body.

Seven days ago at the bottom of the volcano, the power of the Heavenly Water Sacred Pearl helped him break through to the ninth level of the True Martial Realm, but then the Sacred Pearl fell into silence and he could not awaken it no matter how he tried.

Jiang Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly sparkling with starlight.

The matter of the Sacred Pearl can be put aside for now; the most urgent task is to stabilize one's cultivation level.

He formed hand seals, and his spiritual energy circulated along a specific route. With each complete cycle, his aura became more solid.

Outside the cave, a third-tier demonic beast sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy and greedily approached.

The moment it stepped into the ten-zhang range of the cave entrance, Jiang Xuan didn't even raise his head and casually waved his hand.

A beam of azure spiritual energy shot out like a sharp arrow, instantly piercing the monster's head.

"In the realm of spiritual transformation, spiritual power can be projected outwards with effortless ease."

Jiang Xuan nodded in satisfaction and continued to immerse himself in cultivation.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

When Jiang Xuan opened his eyes again, his entire demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.

Still as a majestic mountain, dynamic as a boundless ocean, every gesture carries a natural and profound Taoist charm.

He stood up, his bones cracking with a crisp sound, and spiritual energy surged through his meridians like a river.

"It's time to go."

Jiang Xuan spoke softly and stepped out of the cave.

A month ago, he was only at the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, but now he stands at the peak of the True Martial Realm.

Recalling the battle with Xin Wenbin and others at the bottom of the volcano, Jiang Xuan's lips curled up slightly. Back then, he was able to challenge opponents of higher levels, and now he was even more fearless.

The air in Demon Cloud Ridge was filled with an aura of blood and danger.

Jiang Xuan walked through the dense forest, his storage ring overflowing with spoils of war.

The 278 totem patterns represent 278 military merits, as well as various spiritual materials, weapons, and elixirs.

Unfortunately, space was limited, so many useless items had to be discarded.

"Heavenly Water Sacred Pearl."

Jiang Xuan stroked the ring, feeling the dormant treasure within.

This treasure has a mysterious origin; if it hadn't suddenly gone silent, my strength could have advanced even further.

Just as I was pondering this, I heard the sounds of fierce fighting in the distance.

Jiang Xuan darted toward the source of the sound.

On the banks of the Blackwater River, more than a dozen powerful witch warriors were besieging a human cultivator.

The man was covered in blood, his left arm was broken, but he still gritted his teeth and fought to the death. He was Hu Long, who had a grudge against Jiang Xuan.

"It was him."

Jiang Xuan's eyes held a complex expression.

Previously, Hu Long had publicly mocked him as a country bumpkin, and the two almost came to blows.

Now that our enemy is in trouble, we should stand idly by.

But Jiang Xuan hesitated for only a moment.

"Internal strife among humans is a minor matter; resisting external enemies is the major one."

He spoke softly, and his spiritual power suddenly erupted, propelling him forward.

In the center of the battlefield, Hu Long coughed up blood, his vision blurring. He never expected to fall to this group of barbarian witches, and even less did he expect that his dying thought would be of Jiang Xuan, the man he had humiliated.

"If that guy were here, maybe..."

Hu Long chuckled self-deprecatingly, then was struck in the back by a barbarian's heavy hammer, staggering and falling to his knees.

"Die, you human insectoids!"

The leader of the shamans raised his scimitar, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.

Just as the blade was about to fall, a sky-blue light streaked across the sky like a meteor, and the head of the barbarian shaman flew high into the air, his face still frozen in a ferocious expression.

"who?"

The other witches and barbarians were terrified and retreated in all directions.

As the smoke and dust cleared, Jiang Xuan stood holding his sword, his robes fluttering even without wind.

He didn't even glance at the shamans, but turned to Hu Long instead.

"Can we still fight?"

Hu Long was somewhat incredulous.

"Jiang Jiangxuan?"

"Looks like he won't die."

Jiang Xuan smiled slightly and turned to face the group of witches.

"Get out of my sight within ten breaths, or you may live."

"Arrogant!"

A shaman roared in anger.

"A mere human dares to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xuan appeared in front of him, the tip of his sword lightly touching his throat.

Before the shaman could even react, he collapsed, clutching his bleeding neck.

"Five breaths."

Jiang Xuan said coldly.

The remaining witches looked at each other, finally realizing that the person in front of them was no ordinary True Martial Realm cultivator.

The leader gritted his teeth and said.

"withdraw!"

Seeing the Wuman fleeing in panic, Jiang Xuan did not pursue them.

He sheathed his sword and turned to walk toward Hu Long, who was leaning against the rock.

Hu Long's chest wound had stopped bleeding, but his face was still as pale as paper.

"Can you still walk?"

Jiang Xuan crouched down to examine Hu Long's injuries.

Hu Long forced a smile.

"You won't die. But you, that Star Gathering Style move must have taken a toll on you, didn't it?"

Jiang Xuan did not answer, but instead took out a jade bottle from his robes, poured out two pills, put one into Hu Long's mouth, and swallowed the other himself. The pills, once swallowed, transformed into a warm current flowing through his limbs and bones.

Just as the two were catching their breath, Jiang Xuan suddenly tensed up, and an unprecedented sense of crisis surged through his spine like an electric current.

"careful!"

He shoved Hu Long away and rolled to the side.

A beam of eerie blue light pierced through the air and struck the spot where they had just been standing, instantly blasting a crater more than ten feet in diameter into the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.

"Barbarian level!"

Hu Long exclaimed in shock, his face turning even paler.

Jiang Xuan had already drawn his sword, his gaze fixed on the tall figure emerging from the darkness.

The shaman was enveloped in a ghostly blue light, and every step he took caused the ground to tremble, far surpassing the level one barbarians they had encountered in the Blood Killing Camp.

"You insignificant human insects, you killed my people and you think you can leave alive?"

The barbarian grinned maliciously, his voice grating.

Jiang Xuan's internal energy circulated wildly.

Facing a barbarian warrior comparable to the Spirit Realm expert, running away would only hasten your death.

"Hu Long, prepare to break out."

Jiang Xuan said in a low voice, and the long sword in his hand began to glow with a faint starlight.

Hu Long gritted his teeth and stood up, gripping the long knife in his hand tightly.

"Are you crazy? That's..."

Before he finished speaking, another figure emerged from the forest on the other side, also exuding the aura of a barbarian.

The two barbarians positioned themselves at an angle, completely blocking the two men's escape route.

"Looks like I'm going to be defeated here today."

Hu Long smiled wryly, but gripped the knife even tighter.

Jiang Xuan's eyes were filled with determination.

Stay close to me!

He suddenly lunged forward, his longsword drawing a dazzling galaxy as he charged straight at the first barbarian warrior.

With full force, the sword light cascaded like a silver river, illuminating the entire mountain forest.

The barbarian clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xuan to dare to attack first, and hastily crossed his arms to block. The sword light struck, and the barbarian groaned as a deep, bone-revealing wound appeared on both arms, from which dark blue blood gushed out.

"court death!"

Enraged, the wounded barbarian punched Jiang Xuan in the chest.

Jiang Xuan dodged to the side, only to see the second barbarian already pouncing on Hu Long.

His heart tightened, and he forcibly twisted his body, once again using the "Star Gathering Style".

"boom!"

The sword light collided with the barbarian's fist, unleashing a deafening roar.

Jiang Xuan felt as if he had been struck by lightning in the chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood and his body flew backward several feet, crashing heavily into an ancient tree.

"Jiang Xuan!"

Hu Long's eyes were bloodshot with rage, and he wanted to rush forward to help, but he was stopped by the second barbarian.

Jiang Xuan struggled to his feet, his internal organs feeling as if they had shifted and he was in excruciating pain.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and saw that two barbarians were rushing towards him at the same time.

"Looks like that's the only option."

Jiang Xuan's eyes were filled with determination.

All the remaining true energy in his body surged into the longsword in his hand. The sword began to tremble violently, emitting a piercing hum, and the starlight grew brighter and brighter, almost piercing the night sky.

"Star-gathering style, the Milky Way hangs upside down!"

Jiang Xuan roared and swung his longsword, unleashing a sword light even more dazzling than before. Wherever the sword light passed, the air distorted, and trees were silently severed in two.

The two barbarians' expressions changed drastically, and they hastily deployed all their strength to defend themselves. The sword light struck them, bursting forth with dazzling light. When the light dissipated, the two barbarians were covered in blood, and one of them had even lost an arm.

"puff."

Jiang Xuan coughed up another mouthful of blood, knelt on one knee, and could only barely support his body by inserting his long sword into the ground.

Having exhausted all his strength by continuously using the "Star Gathering Style," he no longer had the strength to even stand up.

"kill him!"

The one-armed barbarian roared, his eyes filled with resentment.

The other barbarian was seriously injured, but was still able to move.

He grinned maliciously as he approached Jiang Xuan, a ball of dark blue energy condensing in his hand.

"You have every reason to be proud that you could hurt both of us. Now, die!"

The energy ball hurtled towards him, and Jiang Xuan tried to dodge, but his body was unable to move.

He closed his eyes, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

"In the end, it still is."

"boom!"

The expected pain did not occur.

Jiang Xuan opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure standing in front of him, catching the ball of energy with one hand.

"Hu Long?"

Jiang Xuan stared at the person in front of him in disbelief.

At this moment, Hu Long was enveloped in a layer of pale golden light, and his aura was several times stronger than before.

He clenched his fist, and the ball of dark blue energy was crushed!

"Spirit Realm?!"

The two barbarians exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Without wasting words, Hu Long flashed and appeared in front of the one-armed barbarian, throwing a punch.

The barbarian didn't even have time to react before his chest was pierced, and an expression of disbelief remained in his eyes.

Seeing that things were not going well, the other barbarian turned and fled.

Hu Long snorted coldly and struck out with his palm from a distance. A golden palm print followed and sent the barbarian flying dozens of feet away, crashing into several ancient trees before his fate was unknown.

After defeating the enemy, the golden light on Hu Long's body gradually subsided.

He turned to look at Jiang Xuan, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"You broke through?"

Jiang Xuan asked with difficulty.

Hu Long nodded and smiled wryly. (End of Chapter)