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

"Do not act impulsively! Master Xun is a true master of spirit patterns, and his temperament is inevitably somewhat... aloof. We should treat him with courtesy and must not be impolite or offend him. He is indispensable for repairing the Ancient Law Spirit Xun. Everything... should be focused on repairing the spirit Xun."

She knew Granny Feng's temper and how protective she was of herself, and was afraid that Granny Feng might ruin things in a moment of impulsiveness.

Seeing the determination in Liu Qingyan's eyes, Granny Feng could only suppress her dissatisfaction and mutter in a low voice.

"Yes, Miss. I understand and will be mindful of my behavior."

Liu Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief, hesitated for a moment, and asked seemingly casually.

"By the way, Grandma, do you think... Jiang Xuan... will attend the Shi Ding Zhai celebration?"

Grandma Wind paused for a moment, then answered.

"It's said that Shi Ding Zhai also sent an invitation to Master Xun, and it's quite a high-level invitation. If Master Xun goes, he'll probably bring his 'apprentice' Jiang Xuan with him, right? After all, it's normal to bring someone to help out on an occasion like this."

She automatically categorized Jiang Xuan as Master Xun's follower.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyan gave a soft "oh" and didn't ask any more questions. She turned her gaze back to the manuscript on the table, but deep in her eyes, there seemed to be a hint of...expectation.
Several days later, at dawn.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the thin mist over Yanxia City, the entire city seemed like a sleeping giant, slowly awakening and quickly becoming bustling.

However, in the most bustling area of ​​the city center, the grand gate of Shidingzhai, which was magnificent, newly decorated, and exuded a festive and luxurious atmosphere, was already crowded with people.
Countless onlookers, cultivators who had come after hearing the news, city guards maintaining order, and servants and carriages from various factions filled the wide street to the brim.

All eyes, filled with excitement, curiosity, envy, and awe, were focused on the door that was about to open to the empire's top nobles and celebrities.

A festive atmosphere of excitement and anticipation filled the air.

The grand opening of Shi Ding Zhai's centennial celebration, a grand feast that has caused a sensation throughout the city, is about to begin!
Outside the gate of Shidingzhai.

A magnificent carpet, as red as blood and as smooth as a mirror, stretched from the imposing vermilion gate all the way to the center of the long street, showcasing unparalleled nobility and luxury.

On either side of the carpet, the Shi Dingzhai guards, dressed in uniform brocade robes, exuding a sharp and capable aura, stood solemnly, like two rows of silent statues, firmly separating the surging crowds on both sides of the road, clearing an unobstructed passage for the arriving distinguished guests.

The roadsides were already packed with people, making it impossible to move! The clamor was like boiling water, soaring into the sky.

Most of those crowded here are cultivators from Yanxia City and some ordinary wealthy merchants and common people.

Although they were not qualified to step into the threshold of Shidingzhai, which symbolized the top circle, none of them wanted to miss this once-in-a-decades event. They hoped to catch a glimpse of the charisma of those big shots who were usually elusive and to get a taste of the festive atmosphere of this top-tier elite family.

Among the crowd, groups of well-dressed, excited young men and women were particularly eye-catching.

They held aloft huge, brightly colored, and exquisitely crafted banners with exaggerated and eye-catching lettering.

"Fairy Qingyan, the rosy clouds are radiant because of you!"

"A heavenly voice that captivates the empire! Miss Liu, we love you!"

"Welcome to the Imperial Pearl, Miss Liu Qingyan!"

Banners were everywhere, slogans were deafening, and a frenzied atmosphere permeated the air.

Liu Qingyan's unparalleled influence among the younger generation of the empire was on full display at this moment.

Holding the ornate invitation with its dark gold patterns, Chu Feng followed the crowd to the vicinity of Shidingzhai.

Looking at the grand scene before him, with its throngs of people, red carpets, and heavy guards, even he, as the head of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune who had seen many such sights, couldn't help but marvel at the scale and profound heritage of Shi Ding Zhai.

He didn't rush to show his invitation and enter. Instead, he chose to stand on the periphery of the crowd in a relatively open position, scanning the end of the red carpet.

He wanted to see how the top dignitaries of Yanxia City would make their appearance today.

"Look! It's Dean Wei!"

"My goodness! Dean Wei Lingzhen actually came in person!"

A stir ran through the crowd, with gasps of surprise rising and falling.

At the end of the long street, an old man dressed in a faded blue scholar's robe, with white hair and beard and a gaunt face, rode a small, inconspicuous gray-blue donkey slowly onto the red carpet.

The old man looked relaxed, as if he were on a spring outing visiting friends, completely out of place with the surrounding luxury and noise.

It was none other than Wei Lingzhen, the dean of Yanxia Academy and a powerful expert at the Cave Heaven Realm!
This academy tycoon, who usually lived a secluded life and rarely participated in worldly social events, actually rode a donkey to the meeting today. This unexpected appearance immediately attracted countless cultivators' respectful gazes and murmurs.

Wei Lingzhen's appearance seemed to ignite a fuse. Immediately afterwards, one after another, powerful figures from wealthy families who could shake Yanxia City with a stomp of their feet, riding in various luxurious carriages or driving rare and exotic beasts, stepped onto the red carpet. Amid the bows of the guards on both sides and the exclamations and praises of the crowd, they strode confidently into the gate of Shidingzhai.

Du Dongtu, the leader of the Purple Feather Army, was dressed in military uniform and rode a magnificent dragon-scale horse. His aura was solemn and his iron-blooded spirit was overwhelming!

Shi Ding Zhai's owner, Mu Wansu, dressed in formal attire, exuded both shrewdness and competence, and personally greeted guests with a smile at the entrance.

The great cultivator Yao Tuohai, with his aura as deep as an abyss, rode in a bronze chariot pulled by four fiery griffins, making an astonishing impression!

The head of the Spirit Pattern Masters' Guild? No, Chu Feng saw that several senior elders of the guild had also arrived, but their status was clearly not comparable to the previous ones.

The atmosphere grew stronger with each passing wave, like a constantly accumulating tide.

at last!

When a hundred elite Purple Feather Army soldiers, exuding fierce aura and gleaming armor, led the way and escorted a magnificent carriage made entirely of sandalwood, inlaid with gold and jade, and radiating powerful spiritual energy, it appeared at the end of the red carpet, the atmosphere of the entire scene was instantly pushed to its climax!

"Grand Commander! It's the Grand Commander's carriage!"

"Grand Commander Liu has arrived!"

A deafening roar of cheers and awe swept through the entire stadium!
The carriage stopped, and the curtains were lifted.

Dressed in a python robe, with a dignified face and an imposing presence, Liu Wujun slowly stepped down from his carriage under the watchful eyes of countless people filled with awe. His gaze swept across the entire scene like lightning, and the invisible pressure silenced the noisy crowd.

As the most powerful regional official in the southwestern province of the empire, his arrival symbolized that the celebration had reached its zenith!

Liu Wujun nodded slightly, and accompanied by Manager Su of Muwan and surrounded by a group of Purple Feather Army soldiers, he walked on the red carpet toward the gate of Shidingzhai.

Wherever he went, the crowds held their breath, silent with awe.

Chu Feng stood in the crowd, watching Liu Wujun's seemingly all-powerful figure disappear into the vermilion gate, his heart filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

Power, strength, status... all of these were the core pursuits of the Chu clan in the Forbidden City, and also the root cause of his expulsion from the clan.

at this time!

Chu Feng's pupils suddenly contracted!
He saw that from the very end of the line where Liu Wujun had just entered Shidingzhai, a figure did not immediately follow. Instead, he broke away from the line, turned around, and scanned the crowd with eyes like a venomous snake, finally locking onto him precisely!

The man was dressed in a scholar's robe, with a fair complexion and a long beard, giving him a refined and scholarly air.

But in those slender eyes, there gleamed a repulsive, sinister, and calculating light.

Ruan Lingdu!
One of the most trusted advisors of Grand Commander Liu Wujun! Also... a guest elder sent by the Chu clan of the Forbidden City to the southwestern province!
Chu Feng's expression instantly turned icy cold, a deep-seated hatred flashing uncontrollably in his eyes! More than ten years ago, it was this very person who, through a meticulously planned conspiracy, framed him, ultimately leading to him being falsely accused and ruthlessly expelled from his position as a direct descendant of the Chu clan! After ending up in Yanxia City, he was repeatedly subjected to this person's covert suppression and humiliation, making it extremely difficult for him to even move forward in the Spirit Pattern Master Commune! This person was a knife hanging over his head, the culprit behind his more than ten years of humiliation!

With a fake smile on his face, Ruan Lingdu parted the crowd and walked straight up to Chu Feng, his voice carrying an arrogant condescension and undisguised sarcasm.

"Oh, isn't this Chu Feng, the former eldest young master of our Chu clan? What? You also want to come to the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai to broaden your horizons? What a pity..." He deliberately dragged out his words, his eyes sweeping over Chu Feng with contempt.

"This kind of grand feast for the elite isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry is qualified to participate in. As long as I'm in Yanxia City, you, Chu Feng, will never be able to hold your head high again!"

Faced with this blatant humiliation and threat, Chu Feng's chest heaved violently, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

But he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger, and met Ruan Lingdu's smug gaze with icy eyes, his voice as cold as ice.

"No need for that. I, Chu Feng, have come here today with an invitation from Shi Ding Zhai, with all due respect! Unlike some people who can only get through this door by relying on their master's connections."

"Invitation card?"

Ruan Lingdu chuckled as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"You? Chu Feng, don't even dream about it! A stray dog ​​like you, expelled from your clan, would Shi Ding Zhai send you an invitation? That's utterly ridiculous!"

Chu Feng stopped wasting words and directly showed the gorgeous invitation with dark gold patterns in his hand, waving it in front of Ruan Lingdu.

Just then, a manager at the entrance of Shidingzhai glanced over and immediately noticed the invitation in Chu Feng's hand. His expression changed instantly! That was... the highest-level Purple Jade Chief VIP Letter!
The manager immediately jogged over, bowed respectfully to Chu Feng, and spoke with utmost politeness.

"Distinguished guest, please come this way! Please follow me!"

He personally led the way, his attitude extremely humble, quite unlike how he treated other guests.

Chu Feng didn't even glance at Ruan Lingdu, whose face instantly froze. He snorted coldly and, under the respectful guidance of the steward, walked with his head held high onto the red carpet that symbolized nobility. Under the gaze of countless surprised, curious, and envious eyes, he entered the magnificent gate of Shidingzhai.

Ruan Lingdu stood rooted to the spot, watching Chu Feng's retreating figure disappear through the door. The fake smile on his face vanished, replaced by a deathly pale expression and utter disbelief! That invitation… that manager's respectful attitude… how could this be?! How could Chu Feng, that good-for-nothing, possibly obtain an invitation from Shidingzhai? And of that caliber at that?!

He was filled with doubt and unease, but then a deeper resentment and a cold laugh welled up inside him.

"Hmph! So what if you got lucky and managed to get in? The people sitting inside are all real big shots! You're just a worthless exile; sitting there will only subject you to more neglect and contempt! You're just humiliating yourself!"

He straightened his clothes, his face grim, and quickly followed them inside.

Shortly after Ruan Lingdu entered, the crowd outside Shidingzhai erupted once again in unprecedented, almost roof-lifting cheers!

"Miss Liu! It's Miss Liu's car!"

"Fairy Qingyan has arrived!"

"Ah! My goddess!"

A magnificent carriage, pulled by four pure white, exceptionally swift and spirited beasts known as "Snow-Treading Steeds," slowly approached, drawing countless fervent gazes.

The carriage curtain was slightly drawn, but even just a fleeting glimpse of the carriage and the experts from the Purple Bamboo Courtyard guarding it were enough to ignite everyone's enthusiasm! Liu Qingyan's arrival pushed the atmosphere to its most frenzied peak!
However, Chu Feng, who had just stepped into the magnificent gate of Shidingzhai, turned a deaf ear to the deafening cheers behind him.

Ruan Lingdu's appearance and those vicious words cast a dark cloud over his heart, completely extinguishing any excitement he might have felt at the prospect of attending the grand event, leaving only a heart full of gloom and utterly terrible emotions.

He had no interest in paying attention to that world-renowned jewel of the empire anymore.

Inside Shidingzhai, the main hall for the celebration.

The main hall was extremely luxurious, with carved beams and painted rafters, pearls embedded in the ceiling, and countless lamps illuminating the vast space as bright as day, yet without being glaring at all.

The air was filled with a delicate fragrance, and the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments drifted through the air.

The seats, covered with brocade, were arranged in a fan shape. The closer to the center of the stage, the fewer the seats there were, and the more luxurious the decorations became.

Chu Feng was led by the steward through the bustling crowd of guests who were exchanging pleasantries and chatting.

He could feel countless gazes falling on him, filled with inquiry, curiosity, and even disdain.

After all, although Chu Feng had some fame in Yanxia City, he seemed somewhat insignificant in this gathering of the city's top dignitaries.

Without pausing, the steward led him directly to the very front, the best view, and the core area almost parallel to the stage! There were only a dozen or so seats there, each spaced far apart, made of precious sandalwood, covered with snow-white cloud-patterned animal hides, and exquisite spirit fruits and immortal wines were placed on the tables.

Only a handful of powerful figures who truly wield authority in Yanxia City, including Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen, Du Dongtu, Mu Wansu, and Yao Tuohai, are seated here! (End of Chapter)