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

"Miss!"

Granny Feng's expression changed drastically, and she flashed to Liu Qingyan's side.

His withered hand quickly pressed against her back, channeling his pure spiritual energy to examine her injuries.

Xue Jin's heart tightened, and he strode over, asking in a gruff voice.

"Old woman, how is this girl? Is she alright?"

Granny Feng examined the situation carefully for a moment, and her expression softened slightly.

But his worries hadn't subsided, and he sighed.

"Fortunately, the injuries are not too serious. The main problem is that the mental energy was overused, which damaged my vital energy. However... I probably won't be able to use my cultivation for a while and will need to recuperate. Moreover, this damage to my vital energy is quite troublesome to repair."

Upon hearing this, Xue Jin felt both grateful and guilty.

He glared fiercely at Jiang Xuan, who was still sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed but whose breathing had become steady, and cursed in a muffled voice.

"It's all this brat's fault! When he wakes up, I'll teach him a lesson! Girl, I really have to thank you this time!"

"I, Xue Jin, will remember this favor for this lad!"

Just then, in the center of the courtyard, Jiang Xuan slowly and deeply exhaled a long breath of stale air.

This breath seemed to carry the gloom and resentment accumulated from forty-six deaths.

His tightly closed eyes trembled slightly, and then slowly opened.

Those eyes, though still bearing the weariness of a great battle.

But the crimson and chaos have faded, restoring its former clarity and depth.

It even possesses a greater sense of calm and perseverance than before, a result of having endured hardship.

He successfully erased most of the shadow of death.

Although the inner demons have not been eradicated.

But the biggest crisis has passed; what remains will require a slow and steady process to resolve.

Jiang Xuan stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff body, his bones making soft cracking sounds.

His gaze immediately fell on Liu Qingyan, who was being supported by Granny Feng, her face pale and her lips stained with blood.

He strode forward, ignoring Xue Jin, who was glaring at him from the side.

He bowed deeply to Liu Qingyan, his tone full of sincerity and gratitude.

"Miss Liu, I will never forget your life-saving grace today! If it weren't for your timely intervention and the profound music that helped me calm my mind, I would probably have fallen into the demonic path and be doomed forever!"

Liu Qingyan shook her head slightly and took out a silk handkerchief to gently wipe away the bloodstains from her lips.

The voice was somewhat weak.

But it remained quiet and calm.

“Young Master Jiang, you flatter me. Qingyan’s actions are nothing more than retribution. If it weren’t for me that day, which put you in danger, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way… Never mind, let’s not dwell on the past. It’s best that you’ve escaped danger today.”

She downplayed her act of selflessly helping, attributing it to making amends for the previous incident.

At this moment, Granny Feng looked at Jiang Xuan and suddenly spoke.

“Young Master Jiang Xuan, there’s no need for words of thanks. If you are truly grateful to my young lady, there is indeed something I can do to help you with.”

Jiang Xuan immediately became serious and said.

"Please speak, Mother-in-law. As long as it is within Jiang Xuan's power, he will not refuse!"

With a flick of her wrist, Granny Feng revealed a small, palm-sized object with an antique design and a dark color.

However, the xun-shaped musical instrument with a clear crack in the middle is the "Ancient Musical Xun".

She handed the xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument) to Jiang Xuan and said.

"This item is called the Ancient Musical Xun, which is my young lady's beloved possession and an important auxiliary magic tool for cultivating the Way of Music."

Unfortunately, it was damaged some time ago, and its internal spiritual patterns collapsed, making it impossible for ordinary weapon refiners to repair. I've heard that you seem to have met a reclusive master weapon refiner? I wonder if you could help me find that master to repair this xun? What is the reward?

But simply by speaking.

Jiang Xuan's gaze fell on the ancient xun covered in cracks.

Almost subconsciously, relying on the heightened perception he had gained after battling countless profound realms of meaning at the conscious level, he blurted it out.

"This xun possesses a restrained spiritual resonance, and its structure seems to be connected to the ancient principles of music. This crack... the problem must lie at the core spiritual rune node that transforms the 'Gong' and 'Shang' notes! Don't worry, leave it to me, I'll definitely..."

Jiang Xuan suddenly realized what he was saying and stopped abruptly, his face instantly showing embarrassment.

He was so engrossed in observing the ancient xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument) and basking in the confidence of his newly breakthrough in perception that he almost let slip what he had said.

He quickly tried to explain.

"Oh no, Grandma, you've misunderstood! What I mean is, I'll go ask my master right away! He knows a reclusive Master Xuan who is an expert in restoring ancient musical instruments like this! I promise I'll get Master Xuan to help restore this xun within three days!"

His hasty explanation only made things worse.

Combined with his highly professional and accurate judgment just now.

This immediately caused the three pairs of gazes present to become somewhat subtle.

Grandma Feng's eyes held a knowing and inquisitive look, a half-smile playing on her lips.

A faint look of surprise crossed Liu Qingyan's pale face. She glanced at Jiang Xuan with her purple eyes but said nothing.

Xue Jin scratched his head, looked at Jiang Xuan, then at the ancient xun, with a suspicious expression that seemed to say, "When did you learn about this, kid?"

The atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became somewhat quiet and strange.

Liu Qingyan's amethyst-like eyes gazed silently at Jiang Xuan, then she suddenly spoke softly, breaking the silence.

"Young Master Jiang, your observation of the ancient xun just now was remarkably accurate. Could it be... that you not only saw the problem, but also... are capable of repairing this xun yourself?"

Her voice remained cold and aloof.

Granny Feng immediately looked intently at Jiang Xuan, awaiting his answer.

Jiang Xuan sighed inwardly.

Knowing that things have come to this point, trying to hide it any longer would only seem pretentious.

Moreover, since the other party had saved my life, it was only right to tell them the truth.

He met the gazes of Liu Qingyan and Granny Feng, and readily nodded in acknowledgment.

“Miss Liu, you are wise. To be honest, I can indeed repair this xun.”

He paused, and amidst the slightly astonished looks of the two, continued.

"Because the reclusive master craftsman you speak of, 'Master Xuan'... is none other than myself."

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, even though Liu Qingyan was aloof and cold-hearted, she couldn't help but show an expression of disbelief on her beautiful face.

Grandma Wind gasped in shock, her wrinkled face filled with astonishment.

"You? You're Master Xuan? This...this is impossible! Young Master Jiang, how old are you? This Ancient Law Spirit Ocarina is an ancient artifact, its spirit patterns are complex and exquisite, and it cannot be touched by anyone without a master's level of skill! Moreover...I've heard that Master Xuan is capable of refining spiritual treasures!"

A boy of fourteen or fifteen years old is not only a martial artist with considerable skill.

He can also repair ancient treasures, and may even be a master craftsman who can refine spiritual treasures?

This is simply unbelievable, like something out of a fairy tale!

Grandma Feng subconsciously turned her gaze to Xue Jin, who was standing to the side with her arms crossed, and asked in a questioning tone.

"Your Excellency Xuejin, regarding this matter..."

Xue Jin scratched his messy hair and confirmed in a muffled voice.

“Old woman, don’t let his young age fool you, he’s incredibly cunning! He’s right, that so-called ‘Master Xuan’ is himself. I only found out later, and I was shocked when I found out.”

Even Xue Jin herself confirmed it, so Granny Feng had no choice but to believe it.

Having received Xue Jin's affirmative reply, she looked Jiang Xuan up and down again, as if trying to see through him, and finally let out a long sigh.

"Alas... I am truly old and my eyesight has failed me. I never imagined that Young Master Jiang would be such an unparalleled genius! In the art of weapon crafting, those who have mastered it come first; I was too attached to appearances." The surprise in Liu Qingyan's eyes gradually subsided, transforming into a deep curiosity.

She looked at Jiang Xuan and said softly.

"I see. No wonder you were able to see through the Golden Flame Fan's true nature at a glance that day. To have such amazing spiritual rune skills at such a young age, Qingyan is truly impressed."

She had previously remembered that Jiang Xuan was able to see through the flaws in the Golden Flame Fan's spiritual patterns.

Now that the two sides are corroborated, it's actually easier to accept this unbelievable fact.

Jiang Xuan was shocked to see the two of them.

But without delving deeper or showing malice, he felt somewhat relieved and explained.

"It's not that I intend to hide it, but I'm still young and my cultivation is shallow. If my identity as a weapon refiner is exposed too early, it might cause countless unnecessary troubles and disturbances, which would be detrimental to my cultivation. I hope Miss Liu and Granny Feng can understand and keep it a secret."

Upon hearing this, Granny Feng nodded, her expression softening considerably.

“Young master’s concerns are valid. Possessing a treasure is a crime, let alone such an extraordinary talent. If word gets out, the consequences could be dire. Rest assured, young master, my wife and I will keep quiet about what happened today.”

As Liu Qingyan's guardian, she deeply understood the principle of "a tree standing out in the river," and was quite understanding of Jiang Xuan's choice.

Liu Qingyan nodded slightly.

"As it should be."

Seeing this, Xue Jin laughed and stepped forward to pat Jiang Xuan on the shoulder, trying to smooth things over in a gruff voice.

"Alright, alright, that's enough! Kid, that girl Liu saved your life, so you'd better take good care of this xun and fix it quickly!"

Jiang Xuan made a solemn promise.

“Of course. Miss Liu, Granny Feng, please hand over the Ancient Law Spirit Ocarina to me. In three days, at most three days, I will definitely restore it to its perfect condition.”

Liu Qingyan gently handed the ancient xun to Jiang Xuan and said.

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Jiang."

Granny Feng looked at Liu Qingyan, whose face was still pale, and said with heartache.

"Miss, your injuries are quite serious. You need to go back and rest immediately. It's not safe for you to stay here any longer."

She turned to Jiang Xuan and Xue Jin.

“Young Master Jiang, Your Excellency Xue Jin, since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave now. I’ll come back to retrieve the xun in three days.”

Liu Qingyan also bowed slightly and, supported by Granny Feng, walked out of the courtyard.

As she reached the courtyard gate, she paused slightly, glanced back at Jiang Xuan, and said softly.

"I hope to see your miraculous healing skills again in three days."

Having said that, she boarded the precious carriage with Granny Feng and disappeared into the fading night.

After seeing the two off, Xue Jin winked at Jiang Xuan and teased him.

"Hehe, kid, not bad! You've managed to steal the soul of the Imperial Pearl without making a sound... Ouch!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xuan kicked him in the butt.

"Stop talking nonsense! Go to sleep!"

Jiang Xuan laughed and cursed, but his mood was one of relief, as if he had survived a disaster.

He looked up towards the east, where the sky was beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn. The long and perilous night was finally over, and dawn was approaching.

As Xuejin lay back down in the corner, her snoring gradually began.

Jiang Xuan stood alone in the courtyard, taking a deep breath of the cool morning air.

He felt the gradually calming aura within his body and the remnants of the inner demons in his consciousness, which, although still present, no longer posed a fatal threat.

An unprecedented sense of ease welled up inside me.

……

Three days passed in a blink of an eye.

For the past three days, Jiang Xuan has stayed indoors.

While consolidating his cultivation, he also absorbed the new insights into the Star Gathering Style gained from the battle at the consciousness level.

He focused on repairing the ancient Xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument).

Just as he had previously determined, the core damage to the Xun lay in several key nodes of ancient musical patterns.

Thanks to his increasingly refined mastery of spirit runes and his precise control over power, the repair work, though complex, was made possible.

But it went quite smoothly.

By the evening of the third day, the cracks on the ancient Xun had disappeared.

The overall color becomes warm and restrained, with a subtle and mysterious spiritual charm flowing within the xun.

It even seems to have become more harmonious than before it was damaged.

The one who came to retrieve the xun was Granny Feng alone.

She carefully examined the ancient Xun, which had been restored to its original state and even surpassed its former spiritual charm.

A satisfied expression appeared on his face, and he no longer doubted Jiang Xuan's weapon-refining skills.

"Young Master Jiang is indeed a master healer, I admire him greatly."

Granny Feng put away the spirit flute, looked at Jiang Xuan, and suddenly said something meaningful.

“Young master, do you remember what I said when we first met at the Hundred Beasts Hall? Some scenery is best admired from afar; getting too close may not be a good thing.”

Jiang Xuan was slightly taken aback, then realized that Granny Feng was hinting at his relationship with Liu Qingyan and reminding him to keep his distance.

He felt a little helpless.

But knowing that Granny Feng was acting out of concern for Liu Qingyan, she nodded.

"Junior understands."

Grandma Wind seemed to want to say something more.

But in the end, he only sighed softly and said in a low voice.

“Miss… has a special identity, far more than just the ‘Pearl of the Empire’ you see. Young master, you are a wise man, so please be careful.”

After saying that, she turned and left without saying another word.

Watching Granny Feng's departing figure, Jiang Xuan stood there, feeling a pang of melancholy.

Grandma Feng's vigilance left him helpless.

But what made him even more inexplicably disappointed was...

Liu Qingyan did not come in person.

Perhaps it was because of her unhealed injuries, perhaps it was because of Granny Feng's dissuasion, or perhaps... this parting might be the last time they would meet.

He suddenly remembered the celebration at Shidingzhai that night, and a sense of regret arose in his heart.

"If I had gone that night, I might have been able to hear her sing 'Flying Light Melody' with my own ears; it must have been absolutely wonderful..."

At this moment, Xue Jin, who was lying in the corner pretending to sleep, suddenly started chanting in a strange, raspy voice.

"...Flying light, flying light, let me offer you a cup of wine. I know not the height of the blue sky, nor the thickness of the yellow earth, but only the cold moon and warm sun, which come to scorch human life..."

It was a line from the song "Flying Light" that Liu Qingyan played that night.

The rough, burly man's recitation, though devoid of any elegance, only stirred up the regret in Jiang Xuan's heart.

……

Four more days passed.

Jiang Xuan felt that he had adjusted his state to its peak, and he had digested and consolidated his understanding of the Star Gathering Style. His inner demons were also suppressed within a controllable range.

Without further hesitation, he decided to attempt the Hundred Battles Secret Realm challenge a second time! (End of Chapter)