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

Chirp didn't care about anything else. Its little mouth expanded into that incredible black hole again, and it swallowed the top-grade Azure Spirit Crystal, which was not much smaller than its body, in one gulp!
Gulu!

The moment it swallowed, Chiu Chiu's round body stiffened abruptly, instantly swelling into a bulging little blue ball!
The gray scales on its body no longer shredded into thin strands, but suddenly burst forth with dazzling golden light!

boom!
A terrifyingly high temperature, far hotter and more domineering than when the human-grade spirit sword was forged before, suddenly erupted! The golden "Shattered Star Golden Fire," like flowing molten gold, almost completely enveloped Qiuqiu, forming a golden fireball about a foot high! The temperature in the courtyard soared wildly, and the stone tables and benches emitted faint crackling sounds as they struggled to bear the weight. The air distorted, and even the light seemed to be swallowed up by the golden fire!
"I rely on!"

Xue Jin let out a strange cry and subconsciously took a step back, his beard almost burning from the heat, his eyes filled with horror.

"What domineering fire! What powerful refining ability!"

Jiang Xuan also held his breath, staring nervously at the leaping golden flame.

He could sense that at the core of the flame, the terrifying energy contained in the top-grade Azure Spirit Crystal was being frantically torn apart, melted, and purified by an even more domineering force!
Golden flames burned and churned fiercely, and the tiny chirping body appeared and disappeared in the flames, enduring unimaginable energy impacts and high-temperature burning.

This process is far longer and more dangerous than the previous smelting of spiritual materials!
Time passed little by little.

Finally, the raging golden flames began to recede like a tide, disappearing back into Qiuqiu's body.

Its body, which had been stretched into a ball, slowly returned to its original shape, and even... seemed to be rounder and its scales shone brighter than before?
"puff!"

A soft, burp-like sound rang out.

Chirp opened its little mouth and spat out a small pinch of... pale blue crystal powder!
These crystal powders are extremely fine, shimmering with a faint yet incredibly pure cyan-gold light, emanating a rich spiritual aura of plants and trees. However, the terrifying energy fluctuations they contained have completely disappeared, seemingly... leaving only the purest primordial aura? More like the "waste" left over after some top-grade spiritual material has been melted and purified, containing a trace of its primordial essence?
"It...it was a success?!"

Xue Jin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He stared incredulously at the clump of crystal powder on the stone table, then at Qiu Qiu, who was full of energy and licking her little mouth as if she had just finished a delicious meal and was still not satisfied. He felt that his understanding had been completely overturned!
"It...it really refined a top-grade Azure Spirit Crystal?! And judging from the looks of it...it absorbed quite a bit of its essence?!"

Xue Jin's voice even changed slightly, filled with shock.

"What the hell... what kind of monstrous combination is this little thing's belly and those shattered star flames?! It can even chew on top-grade spirit crystals like candy?!"

He suddenly looked at Jiang Xuan, his eyes becoming incredibly complex, filled with amazement and envy, but even more so with the burning desire of seeing an unparalleled treasure.

"Kid! Now I believe you! You little devil, it's a bottomless pit! And a treasure trove!"
Its talent... is invaluable!

Xue Jin excitedly rubbed his large, fan-like hands together, walked around the stone table twice, and his thick beard trembled as he did so.

"But! Raising it... is fucking expensive! Top-grade Azure Spirit Crystals! It hurts me to even look at it! You're just a kid preparing for the provincial exam, how are you going to feed it? You can't just let it go hungry, can you? It would be such a waste to let such talent go to waste due to insufficient energy!"

He stopped and stared intently at Jiang Xuan, his tone becoming more serious than ever before.

"Kid, I'll make a deal with you!"

Jiang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the real topic was about to be discussed.

"Senior, please speak."

"I'll take care of feeding this little guy!"

Xue Jin pointed at Qiu Qiu with unwavering certainty.

"Whether it's top-grade spirit crystals or other rare and precious materials containing pure energy, as long as I have them and it can consume them, I'll provide plenty!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan was initially delighted, but then became wary.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially not to an old hand like Xue Jin.

he asked in a deep voice.

"What about the conditions?"

Xue Jin grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his eyes gleaming with the cunning of an old fox.

"The condition is... when you're capable enough in the future, you have to tailor-make a set of 'spirit rune battle armor' for me!"

"Spirit Rune Battle Armor?!"

Jiang Xuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and he cried out in surprise.

These four words carry immense weight!

Spirit-patterned battle armor—that's a legendary masterpiece that combines the pinnacle of weapon crafting, spirit patterns, and formations! It's a true treasure for protecting the Dao!
It not only requires top-tier materials for the battle armor itself, but also necessitates the inscription of a complex system of spirit runes that perfectly complements the user's cultivation techniques, attributes, and combat style, ensuring seamless coordination! A complete and powerful set of spirit rune battle armor can dramatically enhance a user's combat strength, even granting them the ability to challenge opponents of higher levels! The difficulty of its crafting, the immense resources required, and the extremely low success rate are all utterly disheartening! Typically, it requires the combined efforts of several, or even a dozen, top-tier spirit rune masters and weapon-refining masters, expending years and countless top-tier resources, to possibly succeed in crafting just one set!
"Senior...you think too highly of me."

Jiang Xuan shook his head with a wry smile, feeling immense pressure.

"I'm currently just a novice spirit rune master who has barely scratched the surface; I haven't even independently forged a single complete spirit weapon. Spirit rune battle armor... that's simply a pipe dream!"

"I know you're not up to it right now!"

Xue Jin waved his hand dismissively, completely unconcerned.

"But I'm optimistic about your future! Kid, from the first time you carved knife patterns in my shop, I knew you were different! Your spiritual talent, your understanding of the essence of power, and that... how should I put it, that relentless, ruthless drive and comprehension—you're all born to be a spirit pattern master! Not to mention you've now obtained the heaven-defying technique, the [Dongxuan Devouring Wilderness Scripture]!"

He walked up to Jiang Xuan, patted Jiang Xuan's shoulder heavily with his large, fan-like hand, and looked at him with a burning gaze full of unquestionable trust.

"I believe that as long as you have time, resources, and enough pressure, you will definitely stand at the pinnacle of the spirit pattern path in the future! Refining spirit pattern battle armor? It may not be impossible for you!"

"I can wait!"

Xue Jin's voice was resolute.

"As long as you promise this, you'll be able to forge a set for me as soon as you have the ability! As for the spiritual materials? Don't worry! I'll sell everything I own and go bankrupt to gather them for you! I guarantee they'll be the best materials! Feeding this little thing is just my investment in advance!"

Jiang Xuan fell silent.

He looked at the undisguised expectation and trust in Xuejin's eyes, then looked down at Qiuqiu on his lap, who was full and grooming her fur with her little paws, looking extremely content.

This little guy's appetite is truly bottomless. It's impossible to satisfy it on my own in the short term.

Xue Jin's proposal, though a huge promise, was indeed the only way to solve the current predicament.

Spirit-patterned battle armor... The road ahead is long and arduous.

But... more debts don't bother you, more lice don't itch! For this little darling, and for his promise... Jiang Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes hardening, and met Xue Jin's gaze, speaking in a deep voice.

"Alright! Senior, I accept this deal!"
If I, Jiang Xuan, ever have the ability to forge spirit-patterned battle armor in the future, I will definitely craft a set specifically for you, senior! I will never break my promise!

"Hahaha! Good! That's great!"

Xue Jin burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the courtyard, clearly delighted. "It's a deal! Little guy, from now on, you'll follow me, and I'll make sure you live the high life!"

With the problem of feeding Qiuqiu, the "money-devouring beast," solved, Jiang Xuan felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

Xue Jin sat back down on the stone bench, took a sip of wine, and looked at Jiang Xuan, asking a question.

"Kid, your worries are gone for now. What are your plans? The provincial exam is just around the corner."

Jiang Xuan's gaze turned to the outside of the courtyard wall, as if piercing through the distance and seeing the impending upheaval in Yanxia City.

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable sharpness.

"Making money, cultivating skills. The provincial examination is approaching, and I need more resources and stronger abilities."

"Provincial examination..." Xue Jin put down the wine jar, his smile unusually suppressed, and his eyes became somewhat profound.

"Kid, don't blame me for not warning you."

This world is vast, full of hidden talents and powerful figures.

Yanxia City is but a corner of the empire. The provincial examinations gather the top geniuses from across the province, many of whom possess powerful backgrounds and extraordinary talent. In fact… some truly prodigies may have foundations and strength far exceeding your imagination. Never underestimate anyone in this world.

Jiang Xuan's lips curled slightly, revealing a cold and confident arc, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"Don't worry, senior. I, Jiang Xuan, never look down on anyone. But..."

He paused, and an invisible sharpness quietly rose from his body.

"If anyone dares to look down on me... that is their greatest misfortune!"

After saying this, Jiang Xuan said no more and bowed to Xue Jin with clasped hands.

"I have troubled you for many days, senior. I will take my leave now. I will come again before the provincial examination."

After saying that, he carefully tucked the still-licking-paws-of-the-chicken into his arms, turned around, and strode out of the courtyard.

Watching Jiang Xuan's tall and resolute figure disappear at the courtyard gate, Xue Jin's heroic smile gradually faded, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and deep contemplation.

He sat alone on the stone bench, remaining silent for a long time.

Only the occasional soft chirping of chirping remained in the courtyard.

Finally, a resolute glint flashed in Xue Jin's eyes.

He stretched out his rough fingers, and a wisp of deep purple flame spontaneously ignited at the tip of his finger. This flame did not have a terrifyingly high temperature, but instead exuded a deep, eerie, and seemingly devouring darkness that could devour light and soul.

He carefully took out a black card from his pocket. It was neither gold nor jade, and its edges were imprinted with intricate dark gold thorn patterns.

The post itself exudes an ancient and mysterious aura.

The deep purple flame at Xuejin's fingertips gently touched the black post.

laugh…!
Without any intense burning, the post, upon contact with the purple flame, silently transformed into a wisp of extremely fine black smoke, almost merging into the air, as if melting away like ice and snow. It rose gently and then completely dissipated, as if it had never existed.

At the very same moment that the mysterious black post was burned to ashes.

The distant heart of the empire: the Forbidden City.

Deep within the palace, in a shadowy place shrouded by powerful restrictions and ancient vines, stands an ancient castle built entirely of massive, jet-black stones that seem to absorb all light.

The castle had no windows, only a few narrow slits through which dim light shone, filling it with mystery, solitude, and a chilling majesty.

This is one of the forbidden areas of the Forbidden City, and is revered by the world as the "Fortress of the Night".

The deepest part of the castle is a domed hall, an exceptionally vast and high space, but extremely dimly lit.

Ancient crystals, emitting a faint blue light, are embedded in the walls, like stars in the night sky.

The massive obsidian floor was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the blurry starlight from the dome.

The air was cold and stagnant, filled with the vicissitudes of time and a silent, suffocating pressure.

At the far end of the hall, atop nine cold, black stone steps, stood a colossal throne carved from a single piece of Shadowwood. The throne's design was both ancient and menacing, its armrests adorned with two outstretched, predatory shadow bats.

At this moment, a flowing, seemingly alive, deep purple halo enveloped the throne, obscuring the throne and the figure upon it, leaving only a vaguely discernible silhouette that was both incredibly elegant, incredibly noble, and incredibly mysterious.

An elderly man dressed in an exquisitely tailored, pure black court dress that seemed to blend into the dark surroundings appeared silently in the center of the obsidian floor.

His hair and beard were all white, meticulously combed, his face was stern and serious, and his eyes were deep like an ancient well.

He faced the throne shrouded in purple light, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed an ancient and standard courtly salute, his movements meticulous and revealing a deep-seated respect.

“Your Majesty the Queen,” the old man’s voice was deep and clear, like the sound of ancient bells, echoing in the silent hall.

"The initial information regarding the boy named 'Jiang Xuan' has been compiled."

The purple aura rippled slightly, and the mysterious figure behind the curtain seemed to adjust to a more comfortable sitting posture.

A languid, cool, and seemingly echoing voice of endless years, yet imbued with supreme majesty, rose from behind the curtain like drops of icy spring water falling onto a jade plate.

"Oh? Tell me."

The voice was very soft, yet it seemed to contain an all-encompassing will, making the air in the entire dark hall even more stagnant.

The old butler's withered eyelids drooped slightly, and he began to state his thoughts clearly and concisely in a calm tone.

Information about Yanxia City, the Lin family's past, Jiang Xuan's alias Jiang Xuan, and the various anomalies he exhibited... flowed like a trickle into this dark, deep sea.

On the throne, the deep purple halo seemed to flow more slowly and profoundly as information flowed in.

The figure behind the curtain seemed to be listening quietly, or perhaps seeing more hidden behind the fog through this simple information.

The entire Dark Castle was shrouded in a silent, immense gaze.

Leaving Xue Jin's tranquil courtyard, Jiang Xuan walked along the bustling streets of Yanxia City. (End of Chapter)