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

Jiang Xuan's gaze swept over the furnishings in the hall. Various spiritual materials were displayed on the sandalwood shelves, and several unfinished spiritual pattern diagrams hung on the wall. A half-cup of spiritual tea that had gone cold sat on a corner of the desk.

The most eye-catching thing was the pipe in Chu Feng's hand.

Jiang Xuan recognized it at a glance as a precious item made from the ribs of an earth dragon beast, with a thumb-sized piece of green jade inlaid in the mouthpiece, making it quite valuable.

"The wings of the Blue Lightning Bird."

Jiang Xuan murmured to himself, his gaze falling on the animal skin that Chu Feng was carving.

The surface of the indigo-blue animal hide faintly shimmered with electric light, making it the top-grade material for crafting superior-quality human-grade inner armor.

Chu Feng's spirit-patterned pen suddenly paused.

Jiang Xuan noticed the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and the crumpled sketches on the desk.

"Wind Shadow Lightning Spirit Array?"

Jiang Xuan suddenly spoke.

Chu Feng then raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise.

He sized up the boy in front of him, who looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. He was dressed in a simple blue robe and had an ancient jade pendant hanging from his waist. He didn't look like a spirit pattern master at all.

"Young friend, do you recognize this formation?"

Chu Feng's tone carried a hint of doubt.

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Wind-attribute acceleration and lightning-attribute attack are a classic combination for crafting speed-type combat inner armor."

"but."

"But what?"

Chu Feng seemed to be deep in thought.

Jiang Xuan did not answer directly, but asked a question instead.

"Master Chu, could you first certify my Spirit Pattern Master qualification? After certification, I might be able to help you."

Chu Feng chuckled upon hearing this.

"Young man, the Spirit Pattern Master certification is no joke. You can't rely on hearsay without real skill."

"I see."

Jiang Xuan spoke calmly.

"So I want to prove it with my actions."

Chu Feng stared at Jiang Xuan for a moment, then suddenly sighed.

"Alright, I'm in a good mood today. Xiao Cui, go and fetch the beginner spirit rune master test paper."

"No need."

Jiang Xuan suddenly strode toward the desk.

"Let's look at this directly."

Before Chu Feng could react, Jiang Xuan had already picked up a spirit-patterned pen from the desk.

Chu Feng's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply.

"Stop! That Blue Lightning Bird skin is worth a fortune; if it's destroyed..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xuan's pen had already fallen.

A beam of azure light burst forth from the tip of the pen, outlining mysterious patterns on the blank space of the animal skin.

"you!"

Chu Feng suddenly stood up, but dared not make a move rashly. The inner armor was already mostly engraved, and if he forcibly interrupted it, all his previous efforts might be wasted.

Jiang Xuan lightly turned his wrist, his brush moving like dragons and snakes, carving seal script as he spoke.

"There's a lack of a medium between the three spirit rune arrays; the wind and lightning attributes repel each other, which is why you haven't been able to make them work together."

Chu Feng was somewhat shocked; this was precisely the problem that had been troubling him for a long time!

"A Kanze Four Symbols Formation should be engraved as a medium."

Jiang Xuan continued writing, and spiritual patterns spread across the animal hide like flowing water.

"The water circulates, receiving wind from above and guiding lightning below; thus, these three formations can be compatible."

Chu Feng stared intently at Jiang Xuan's pen tip. The spiritual patterns on the pen were incredibly mysterious, with each stroke perfectly connecting the two existing spiritual arrays.

What shocked him even more was that the boy's technique was incredibly skillful, as if he had engraved it hundreds or thousands of times.

"here."

Chu Feng suddenly pointed to a node.

"Excessive water pressure will suppress lightning attributes."

Jiang Xuan's lips curled up slightly.

"Therefore, we need to use swirling patterns to dredge the water."

As he spoke, he turned his pen and drew several spiral patterns, which indeed guided the excess water-attribute spiritual power to the edge.

As the final stroke was made, the entire animal hide suddenly burst forth with dazzling light. The sounds of wind and thunder could be faintly heard as the three spirit arrays merged perfectly, forming a naturally formed spirit pattern.

"Mid-grade Human Rank, Xun-Zhen Spirit Armor."

Jiang Xuan put down the spirit-patterned pen and said softly.

Chu Feng stood frozen in place, staring incredulously at the finished product on the desk.

This inner armor was originally designed to be only of the lower grade of the human rank, but under Jiang Xuan's adjustments, it was actually upgraded by a whole grade!
"This is impossible!"

Chu Feng's voice trembled.

"I have studied spirit runes for thirty years and have never seen anything like it."

Jiang Xuan calmly interrupted him.

"Master Chu, can you certify my Spirit Pattern Master qualification now?"

Chu Feng then seemed to wake from a dream and hurriedly took out a bronze badge from his pocket.

"Of course! With your skill level, young master, you're directly qualified as a high-level spirit rune master."

"Beginner level is fine."

Jiang Xuan took the badge, ran his fingertip across it, and a faint ripple pattern immediately appeared on the surface of the badge.

Chu Feng gasped. This was the final step in the Spirit Pattern Master certification process; only a true Spirit Pattern Master could activate the certification spirit pattern in the badge.

Jiang Xuan's technique was more effortless than any spirit pattern master he had ever seen.

"Why does the young master only require the beginner level?"

Chu Feng couldn't help but ask.

"At your level"

Jiang Xuan put the badge into his pocket.

"The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. I'm still young and don't want to attract too much attention."

Chu Feng suddenly realized what was going on, and his admiration for this mysterious young man grew even stronger.

To have such skill at such a young age, if word were to get out, the entire spirit pattern world would probably be shaken.

Choosing the beginner badge was definitely a wise move.

"May I ask your honorable name, young master?"

Chu Feng asked respectfully.

"Jiang Xuan."

Two words, spoken lightly, yet stirred up a thousand waves in Chu Feng's heart.

He quickly searched his memory but couldn't find any record of a spirit rune master with that name. Such talent seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

"Young Master Jiang, please forgive my bluntness."

Chu Feng carefully considered the words.

"The spirit rune array you just inscribed is far beyond the capabilities of a novice spirit rune master. Why did you..."

Jiang Xuan raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Manager Chu, the success of that spirit pattern array is largely thanks to the spirit ink and talisman paper you provided. I was merely lent a hand; the real credit belongs to you."

Chu Feng was speechless.

The materials he provided were of excellent quality, but without superb skills, even the best materials would be useless.

This young man is not only incredibly talented, but also remarkably adept at interpersonal relationships.

"Young Master Jiang is too modest."

Chu Feng smiled bitterly.

"I, Chu Feng, have devoted over thirty years to the study of spirit runes, and I consider myself to have achieved some success. But witnessing your abilities today, I realize there are always higher levels to reach."

Jiang Xuan neither confirmed nor denied, but simply asked.

"Manager Chu, is my data entry complete?"

"Recording complete."

Chu Feng picked up a jade scroll from the table.

"As per your request, young master, only the beginner-level spirit rune master qualification was registered. However..."

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking anyway.

"Is the young master truly only fourteen years old?"

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"In three more months, I'll be fifteen."

Chu Feng gasped.

A fourteen-year-old spirit pattern master is one of the very few in the entire continent.

He suddenly remembered someone.

"Young master, have you ever heard of Feng Qingyou?"

"That genius girl from the Feng family?"

Jiang Xuan's eyes held a strange look.

"Exactly."

Chu Feng sighed.

"Feng Qingyou possessed the skills of a spirit pattern master at the age of nineteen, and was hailed as a genius rarely seen in a century. But after seeing you today, young master, I feel that even her brilliance pales in comparison."

Jiang Xuan shook his head.

"Manager Chu, you flatter me. Feng Qingyou's ability to reach the Master level at the age of nineteen speaks volumes about her exceptional abilities. I, on the other hand, only have a superficial understanding."

Chu Feng sighed inwardly. This young man was not only exceptionally talented, but also frighteningly calm and composed. If it were anyone else, such achievements would have been made known to the world long ago.

"Young Master Jiang."

Chu Feng suddenly became serious.

“I will keep your secret. But the higher-ups of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune will notice you sooner or later.” Jiang Xuan’s gaze sharpened.

"So I'd like to ask Manager Chu for a favor."

"Please speak, sir."

"Don't report my situation for now."

Jiang Xuan looked directly into Chu Feng's eyes.

"I need time to grow."

Chu Feng looked troubled.

"The commune has a rule that any discovery of exceptional talent must be reported."

Jiang Xuan took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Is this enough to exchange for a promise from Manager Chu?"

It was a crystal-clear jade pendant with faint spiritual patterns flowing across its surface.

Chu Feng was so shocked by just one glance that he stood up.

"This is... a secret order from the spirit runes?"

"Obtained by chance."

Jiang Xuan said it casually.

"It is said that whoever holds this token can make one request to the Spirit Pattern Master Commune."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Chu Feng's forehead. Spirit Rune Tokens are extremely rare, usually only obtained by those who have made significant contributions to the Spirit Rune Master Commune.

The boy had a piece in his hand, and its origin was definitely not simple.

"Young Master Jiang."

Chu Feng took a deep breath.

"This matter is of great importance, and I need more reliable assurances."

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of guarantee does Manager Chu want?"

Chu Feng took out an ancient bamboo scroll from his bosom, the surface of which was wrapped with wisps of black and white energy.

"The Divine and Demonic Tome Contract requires the essence of one's blood as a catalyst; those who violate it will have their souls annihilated."

Jiang Xuan looked surprised.

"Manager Chu actually possesses such a treasure?"

"Passed down from our ancestors."

Chu Feng smiled bitterly.

"We're making an exception for Young Master Jiang today."

Jiang Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, I'll sign."

Chu Feng breathed a sigh of relief and unfolded the bamboo slip.

The surface was covered with ancient runes, with two blank spaces in the center.

"The contract is very simple."

Chu Feng explained.

"I promise not to reveal Young Master Jiang's true skill in spirit runes to anyone without his permission. In exchange, you must promise not to do anything that harms the Spirit Rune Masters' Guild."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Reasonable."

The two bit their fingertips, and a drop of blood fell onto the bamboo slip.

In an instant, the runes on the bamboo slips came to life, transforming into black and white energy that wrapped around the two men's wrists before disappearing into their bodies.

Jiang Xuan felt a tremor deep within his soul, and a faint mark appeared.

The contract is made.

"Thank you very much, Supervisor Chu."

Jiang Xuan said sincerely.

Chu Feng put away the Book of Gods and Demons and smiled.

"Now, we can talk about practical matters. Now that Young Master Jiang has become a Spirit Inscription Master, he must need resources for cultivation. The commune has many ways to make money."

Jiang Xuan became interested.

“I’d like to hear more about it.”

"First, there's the mission area."

Chu Feng pointed downstairs.

"Spirit rune masters can accept various tasks, with rewards ranging from spirit stones to rare materials. Secondly, there's the spirit treasure area, where spirit rune masters can consign their crafted spirit artifacts."

Jiang Xuan seemed to be deep in thought.

"I do have a few trinkets I'd like to sell."

Chu Feng was somewhat excited.

"A magical artifact crafted by the young master? May I have a look?"

Jiang Xuan took out a long, snow-white sword from his storage bag. The blade was about three feet long, with fine patterns on the edge, resembling the flow of a waterfall.

"Snowfall Battle Blade, Human-grade, Mid-level."

Jiang Xuan gave a brief introduction.

"The blade is infused with icy spiritual patterns, and when drawn, an ice waterfall follows, capable of freezing the opponent's meridians."

Chu Feng took the longsword, his fingers lightly tracing the blade, sensing the spiritual energy contained within. A moment later, he looked up in shock.

"The structure of these spirit runes is exquisite, almost reaching the high-grade human level! Are you sure, young master, that it's only mid-grade human level?"

Jiang Xuan smiled.

"Due to limited materials, this is the only way."

Chu Feng's heart was once again filled with shock. To be able to refine a mid-grade human-level spiritual weapon to near-high-grade level, what level of understanding of spiritual runes would that require?
"What does the young master intend to do with this knife?"

Chu Feng asked cautiously.

"Let's do a consignment auction."

Jiang Xuan said calmly.

"The highest bidder wins."

Chu Feng nodded.

"A wise choice. If this knife were consigned in the Spirit Treasure District, it could fetch at least three thousand spirit stones."

"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Chu."

Jiang Xuan cupped his hands in greeting.

"It's my duty."

Chu Feng smiled.

"If you need to use any other magical artifacts in the future, please feel free to come to me, Chu."

Jiang Xuan nodded his thanks, then took his leave.

Chu Feng personally escorted him to the stairwell, watching the boy's departing figure with a complex expression in his eyes.

Once Jiang Xuan's figure disappeared, Chu Feng immediately turned around and walked downstairs with a solemn expression.

He first found Jia Zhen, a middle-aged man in gray, and then summoned the beautiful maid Yun Que. The three of them entered a secret room.

"How much of what happened today did you witness?"

Chu Feng asked in a deep voice.

Jia Zhen and Yun Que looked at each other, wondering why their supervisor was so serious.

"That young master... passed the beginner spirit pattern master assessment?"

Jia Zhen answered tentatively.

Chu Feng sneered.

"Beginner? You really think he's just a beginner spirit inscription master?"

The lark's pretty face turned slightly pale.

"The supervisor means..."

"Listen."

Chu Feng said, enunciating each word clearly.

"What happened today must not be mentioned to anyone. If I hear even a whisper of it..."

There was a cold light in his eyes.

"You know the consequences."

Cold sweat beaded on Jia Zhen's forehead as he nodded repeatedly.

"Understood! I didn't see anything!"

Lark hurriedly replied.

"This servant knows nothing."

Chu Feng's expression softened slightly.

"Skylark, from today onwards, your monthly allowance will be doubled. But there's one condition: when that young master comes again, you must personally receive him."

The lark was filled with mixed feelings of surprise and delight.

"Thank you, Master! I will certainly do my best!"

"Jia Town."

Chu Feng then looked at the middle-aged man in gray.

"You'll be transferred to the Spirit Treasure District, where you'll be in charge of registering consigned items. Remember, if you see any spiritual artifacts marked with the character 'Xuan,' hand them over to me immediately."

Jia Zhen was somewhat excited. Lingbao District was lucrative; this was like a windfall.

"Your subordinate obeys! I will certainly not fail in my duty!"

Chu Feng nodded in satisfaction.

"Remember, that young master's name is Xuan. Other than that, do not inquire further."

The two responded in unison, but their hearts were in turmoil. Just who was this young man who could command such attention from Manager Chu?
On the other side, behind the Yanxia Academy, a figure in cyan robes moved through the morning mist, his long sword drawing sharp trajectories, and the surrounding fallen leaves were shredded into pieces by the sword energy before they could even touch the ground.

"Still a little short."

Zhou Chen sheathed his sword and stood there, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He gazed at the ordinary iron sword in his hand, its blade already covered in fine cracks. Since breaking through to the Human Qi Realm last year, ordinary weapons could no longer withstand the infusion of his Qi. (End of Chapter)