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

Jiang Xuan weighed the valuable invitation in his hand and casually handed it back to Chu Feng.

"I have no interest in this celebration."

Here, take this. You can participate representing the Spirit Pattern Master Guild, or in your own name.

"Huh? For me?"

Chu Feng was startled and quickly waved his hand.

"This...this won't do! This was specifically for you! And it's a VIP letter! What would I do if I took it?"

"I said I'd give it to you, so I'll give it to you."

Without saying a word, Jiang Xuan shoved the invitation into Chu Feng's hand.

"It's a waste to just leave it there anyway. If you want to see it, then go ahead."

After saying that, he didn't give Chu Feng a chance to refuse and turned to leave the mission room.

Holding the heavy VIP letter that represented status and opportunity, Chu Feng stood there, feeling both excited and apprehensive. In the end, he let out a long sigh and carefully put it away.

He knew he probably couldn't refuse this hot potato of a gift.

Meanwhile, in a hall of the Shidingzhai branch in Yanxia City, which was elegantly decorated and full of commercial atmosphere.

Mu Wansu, dressed in a well-tailored brocade robe, sat upright in the main seat, her slender fingers gently tapping the armrest, her brows showing a hint of weariness and contemplation.

A servant stood respectfully below with his hands at his sides.

"Is the matter settled?"

As dusk fell, Su Qing's cold voice rang out.

"Reporting to the shopkeeper, the invitation has been personally delivered to Jiang Xuan of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune as you instructed."

The attendant answered respectfully.

Su nodded slightly and waved at dusk.

"Understood, let's go down."

The attendant bowed and withdrew.

Only Mu Wansu remained in the hall.

She picked up the cup of spiritual tea beside her, but had no heart to taste it. Her gaze was unfocused as she stared at the bustling street scene outside the window.

Just yesterday, she received a top-level urgent message from the headquarters of Shidingzhai in the Forbidden City.

The content of the message startled her so much that she almost dropped her teacup.

The message comes from Shi Yu, the third son of the Shi family!

The content is simple, yet it carries immense weight.

"Jiang Xuan must be invited to the centennial celebration of Yanxia City, and a VIP seat must be arranged for him. He must not be neglected."

Shi Yu!

The third young master of the Shi family! That famous young master Shi Yu in the capital, who only loves beauties and not the country, spends all his time in brothels, and is regarded as a "great playboy" by his family elders!
He actually sent such a solemn order personally for Jiang Xuan, a mere Human Realm cultivator in Yanxia City on the southwestern border? And he even specifically requested a "Chief VIP" seat?!

Mu Wansu knew perfectly well that Shi Yu and his elder brother Shi Xuan, who held real power in the family and was ruthless, had a terrible relationship; in fact, they were sworn enemies.

Shi Yu's actions could not possibly have been at Shi Xuan's behest.

So... how exactly did Jiang Xuan, this seemingly unremarkable young man, manage to get on Shi Yu's good side? And how did he manage to gain the favor of the arrogant Third Young Master, who looked down on even many powerful families in the capital, and even go so far as to use the headquarters' resources to personally take care of him?

As Mu Wansu thought about it, she found it increasingly unbelievable, her heart filled with immense doubt and curiosity.

Upon receiving the order, she dared not delay in the slightest. She immediately used her authority to produce this top-level VIP letter as quickly as possible and sent someone to deliver it to Jiang Xuan personally.

"Jiang Xuan... just how many secrets are you hiding?"

As dusk fell, Su put down her teacup, muttering to herself, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

This young man seemed to bring her new surprises and shocks every time he appeared.

Shi Yu's connection made her realize that her previous assessment of Jiang Xuan was probably far from sufficient.

Mu Wansu's mind was still immersed in the great confusion brought about by Shi Yu's incomprehensible order, and she felt that her thoughts were in complete disarray.

Jiang Xuan…the chief VIP…the third young master of Shi Yu…these words swirled in her mind, but she could never find a reasonable explanation.

Just then, the attendant who had delivered the message earlier, who was standing nearby, also seemed preoccupied, with a hesitant expression on his face as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

He glanced at Mu Wansu several times, and finally, as if he had made up his mind, he gritted his teeth, stepped forward, bowed, and whispered.

"Shopkeeper... I... I have something else to say, but I don't know if I should."

As evening fell, Su's thoughts were interrupted. She frowned slightly in annoyance, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

"explain."

The servant took a deep breath, as if to bolster his courage, before speaking cautiously.

"Shopkeeper, regarding that Young Master Jiang Xuan... the position of Chief VIP... I dare to say, given Young Master Jiang Xuan's current reputation and status in Yanxia City, it seems... it seems far from enough to qualify him for the position of Chief VIP, doesn't it? This... this might cause controversy!"

"Oh?"

Mu Wansu put down her teacup, glanced at him indifferently, and spoke in a tone that revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Why not? Explain your reasons."

Seeing that the shopkeeper did not immediately reprimand him, the servant became a little bolder and quickly explained.

"Shopkeeper, you are wise! Although Young Master Jiang Xuan became famous throughout Yanxia City after his battle in the arena, and his fame was unparalleled for a time, he is ultimately... ultimately just a cultivator at the Human Gang Realm. He does not have a distinguished family background and is not a descendant of a wealthy family in the capital or the local area."

The seat of the chief VIP has always been reserved for the most distinguished and important guests at the celebration, representing the highest honor bestowed by Shi Ding Zhai! In previous years, those who could be ranked as chief VIPs were all truly important figures who held power in a city, such as Grand Commander Liu Wujun, Dean Wei Lingzhen of Yanxia Academy, and General Du Dongtu of the Purple Feather Army. Their stomp of their feet would shake Yanxia City!
Their cultivation level, status, and influence are far beyond what Young Master Jiang Xuan can currently compare to…

He paused, stole a glance at Mu Wansu's face, and seeing that she remained calm, he continued.

"My concern is... if we place Young Master Jiang Xuan alongside these important figures as the head of the table, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among many invited guests, especially other wealthy families in the city, who will feel that our Shidingzhai has broken the rules and disordered the hierarchy. It might even... it might even affect the smooth running of the celebration and your prestige, Manager..."

The servant's words were indeed made out of consideration for protecting Shi Dingzhai's reputation, and his analysis was not entirely without merit.

At least according to the official rules of Yanxia City, Jiang Xuan's current status is indeed not high enough to be considered a "chief" on par with Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen, Du Dongtu, and others.

However, Mu Wansu's face remained completely expressionless after hearing this.

She simply picked up the teacup lid gently, stirred the floating tea leaves, her voice clear and cold like an icy spring, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Rules? Hierarchy? At my Shi Ding Zhai's celebration, my words are the rules!" She raised her eyes, her gaze sharp as a knife, and stared directly at the attendant.

“Remember this, Jiang Xuan is different from everyone else! The chief position must be his! This is an order from headquarters, and it is also my decision! Anyone who dares to neglect him in the slightest, or dares to gossip behind his back…” She paused, her tone icy.

"Then let him pack his things, get out of Shidingzhai immediately, and never be employed again!"

"hiss!"

The servant trembled violently, his face turning deathly pale! The manager's tone was so resolute, his attitude so forceful, that he had never seen anything like it before! That icy gaze made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave, as if he would be thrown out the door the moment he uttered another word!
He then truly realized that the shopkeeper valued this decision far more than he had imagined!

"Yes...yes! I understand! I would never dare to be negligent! Please rest assured, sir!"

The servant bowed immediately, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his voice trembling.

Mu Wansu waved her hand, signaling him to step back.

The servant felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly bowed as he left the hall. Only after he had walked outside did he dare to let out a long sigh of relief, his back already soaked with sweat.

He was filled with immense doubt and shock.

Young Master Jiang Xuan… what is it about him that makes him so special? That the shopkeeper would break with tradition and even risk offending other important figures in the city to elevate him to the top position?
Inside the hall, Mu Wansu leaned back in her chair, wearily rubbing her temples.

She doesn't understand either.

"Third Young Master... what exactly is your intention?"

She gazed out the window, muttering to herself.

Jiang Xuan seemed to be shrouded in a mist that even she couldn't see through, which tugged at the will of the eccentric third young master in the capital, making her feel an unprecedented pressure and curiosity.

On the other side, after leaving the Spirit Pattern Master Commune, Jiang Xuan did not go directly back to the courtyard, but instead turned into the most bustling commercial district of Yanxia City.

His goal was clear: the most prestigious first-class medicine shop in the city.

"Danzhenfang".

The Danzhenfang storefront was grand, with carved beams and painted rafters, and those who entered and exited were all well-dressed cultivators with an extraordinary aura.

The store is very spacious, with rows of counters made of precious sandalwood, all covered by transparent spiritual light shields.

Inside the light barrier, bottles and pills of various shapes and colors were quietly arranged, emitting a medicinal fragrance that was either refreshing, rich, or fiery, which was soothing to the soul.

From the most basic Qi Gathering Pills and Body Tempering Pills, to the Breakthrough Pills that help break through realms and the Spirit Nourishing Pills that nourish the soul, and even some rare poison pills and special-purpose pills, the variety is dazzling and of top quality, which can indeed meet the needs of the vast majority of cultivators.

Jiang Xuan headed straight for the area where high-level cultivation pills were sold.

He needs a kind of elixir called "Yun Gang Zi Po Dan".

His cultivation, after this period of arduous training and accumulation, especially the tempering and enlightenment gained from the battle in the arena, has come very close to the perfection of the Human Gang Realm.

The "storm millstone" in the dantian and dantian circulates more and more smoothly and freely, and the spiritual energy surges and becomes more and more pure.

To prepare for the upcoming provincial examination and the crucial, perilous challenge of the "Third Gate of the Azure Cloud Path in the Heavenly Secret Realm," he needs even greater power! The "Cloud Aura Purple Soul Pill" is an excellent elixir for breaking through the bottleneck at the peak of the Human Aura Realm, condensing Qi, and stabilizing the foundation. Its medicinal properties are mild and mellow, with a long-lasting effect, which can minimize the risk of breakthrough while greatly increasing the chances of success.

This elixir is difficult to refine, and the materials are precious. In the entire Yanxia City, only Danzhenfang can reliably supply it, and the quality is guaranteed.

"Ten bottles of 'Cloudy Purple Soul Pills'."

Jiang Xuan spoke to an elderly man behind the counter, whose demeanor was calm and composed, clearly a senior alchemist.

One bottle contains three pills, so ten bottles would contain thirty pills, enough for him to use for his all-out sprint for the next period of time.

The old man looked up at Jiang Xuan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The price of the Cloud Gang Purple Soul Pill is extremely high, costing one hundred gold coins per bottle! Ten bottles would cost a full one thousand gold coins! This is enough to bankrupt many small families.

The young man in front of me was dressed plainly, yet he could order ten bottles in one go without batting an eye; he was clearly no ordinary person.

Without asking any further questions, he quickly took out ten simple-looking jade bottles bearing the Danzhenfang logo and carefully placed them on the counter.

"Thank you for your generosity, one thousand gold coins."

The old man's voice was flat.

Without hesitation, Jiang Xuan took out a money pouch he had prepared beforehand from his storage bag, which contained a neatly stacked thousand gold coins.

After verifying that everything was correct, the old man pushed the jade bottle towards Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan didn't feel much pain in putting away the priceless pills.

Strength is fundamental, and these investments are essential.

He turned and left Danzhenfang, preparing to return to his courtyard to seclude himself in seclusion.

Not far from the luxurious and grand gates of Danzhenfang, a fierce argument and shoving sound came from the street corner diagonally opposite, breaking the bustling order of this commercial district.

Jiang Xuan paused slightly and looked in the direction of the sound.

More than a dozen burly men, with menacing faces and dressed in shady clothes, were aggressively surrounding a small shop with a sign that read "Jin Yu Tang" above its door.

These thugs swore and shoved people blocking the shop entrance, causing passersby to give way and point and whisper among themselves.

When Jiang Xuan's gaze swept over the slightly thin young man who was surrounded in the center of the crowd and was trying his best to protect the shop door behind him, his pupils contracted slightly.

He recognized that young man!

Gu Liang!

The son of Gu Yanping, the owner of Jinyutang in Donglin City!

Jiang Xuan's thoughts were instantly pulled back to Donglin City.

At that time, he was new to the art of spirit patterns and was short of money. It was Gu Yanping, the owner of Jinyutang, who bought the spirit patterns he had carved at a fair price and took good care of this unknown young man, never looking down on him.

Jiang Xuan always kept this friendship in his heart.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yanping's Golden Jade Hall has also opened in Yanxia City? Even more unexpectedly, it is now being blocked at the door by a group of thugs causing trouble!

Judging from this situation, it was no accidental street conflict, but a premeditated attack!

Jiang Xuan's eyes turned slightly cold, and he turned and walked towards the entrance of Jin Yutang.

At this moment, Gu Liang, who was surrounded at the core, had a flushed face and was barely suppressing his anger as he spoke to the leader, a burly man in black with a fierce look on his face.

"Brother Black Snake, we, Jin Yutang, are newcomers here. We've given you every penny of the gift money we were supposed to receive according to the rules! Isn't it against the rules for you to block the door like this today? If you have any demands, let's sit down and talk. Why ruin the harmony?"

The burly man in black, known as "Black Snake Bro," grinned maliciously, his spittle almost landing on Gu Liang's face.

"Rules? My word is law! Gu Liang, stop playing dumb with me! I'm here today for one reason only: your Jin Yu Tang shop has a good location, and our boss has his eye on it! If you know what's good for you, hand over the shop and pack your bags and get out! Otherwise..." His eyes flashed with a sharp glint, carrying a blatant threat. (End of Chapter)