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

Spirit-patterned battle armor is a treasure that even experts at the Cave Heaven Realm would fight for, and its crafting difficulty is beyond imagination.

Jiang Xuan knew that he was still very far from that point and that he had to accumulate experience and make continuous progress.

This is precisely why spirit pattern masters hold such a transcendent status; a master who can forge spirit pattern battle armor has enough influence to shake up the entire region.

Having received two quests to craft "Thunderfire Balls" and "Concealment Cloaks," Jiang Xuan was about to leave when there was another knock on the door of the secret chamber.

Chu Feng returned with an extremely strange expression on his face, as if he were shocked or puzzled. In his hand, he held a beautifully designed gold-embossed invitation that emitted a faint spiritual light.

“Brother Jiang… Jiang Xuan…”

Chu Feng's voice was a little hoarse as he handed the invitation to Jiang Xuan.

"It was just...it was delivered personally by someone from Shidingzhai, specifically...it was for you."

Jiang Xuan's gaze sharpened, and instead of immediately taking it, he asked astutely.

"Should it be given to 'Jiang Xuan' or 'Master Xun'?"

Chu Feng shook his head vigorously and said firmly.

"It's for you personally, Jiang Xuan! The messenger made it crystal clear! I can guarantee with my life that I absolutely did not reveal your identity as 'Master Xun'!"

His face was also full of confusion.

"I'm wondering the same thing. How does Shi Dingzhai know you? Could it be... Master Liu?"

Jiang Xuan accepted the heavy invitation, made of exquisite materials. He opened it and found that it indeed invited "Young Master Jiang Xuan" to attend the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai in Yanxia City a month later.

He shook his head.

"I haven't visited Master Liu recently."

Chu Feng seemed to remember something and quickly added.

"The servant who delivered the letter specifically mentioned before he left that it was their manager, Ms. Mu Wansu, who specifically requested that it be delivered to you."

"Mu Wansu?"

Jiang Xuan pictured the capable, shrewd, and charming female manager of Shidingzhai in his mind, and a knowing smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"So it was her, that makes sense now."

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest.

"You scared me to death! I thought something had gone wrong. But since it was sent by Manager Mu, it's not surprising. She's well-informed, so it's no surprise she knew about you."

He then looked longingly at the invitation in Jiang Xuan's hand.

"Well...brother, this invitation..."

Seeing the eager look on his face, Jiang Xuan casually tossed the invitation over.

"Since you're so eager to go, then go in my name."

Chu Feng hurriedly accepted the invitation, first stunned, then overjoyed, his face flushed with excitement.

"Really? Bro! You're such a good brother! You're such a true friend!"

He clutched the invitation tightly, as if it were some priceless treasure, and after thanking them repeatedly, he left happily.

……

Meanwhile, inside the magnificent hall of Shidingzhai in Yanxia City.

As dusk fell, Su leaned lazily against the soft couch, listening to a report from a trusted servant.

"Shopkeeper, the invitation has been personally delivered to Young Master Jiang Xuan."

Mu Wansu nodded slightly, a complex and unfathomable look flashing in her beautiful eyes.

The reason she sent out the invitation was partly because she admired Jiang Xuan and believed he had great potential and was worth investing in and befriending.

But the more important reason was a message from the Forbidden City headquarters that secretly alarmed her—

The Third Young Master Shi Yu personally sent a message, specifically requesting that the young man named Jiang Xuan attend the celebration and that he be arranged as a "Chief VIP"!

Mu Wansu knew very well that the Third Young Master Shi Yu was a notorious playboy in the Forbidden City, known for his eccentric and lawless behavior, and for his long-standing discord with the steady and profound First Young Master Shi Xuan.

But surprisingly, these two young men, who were of high status and had different stances, both showed extraordinary interest in this poor boy from a small border town!

"Jiang Xuan, Jiang Xuan... who exactly are you? And when did you manage to get on the Third Young Master's good side?"

As Mu Wansu gazed at the bustling street scene outside the window, her heart was filled with confusion and curiosity.

Just as she was lost in thought, a trusted servant who had followed her for many years seemed to notice her unusual behavior. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of caution.

"Shopkeeper, is it a bit inappropriate to list Jiang Xuan as one of the chief VIPs? Although he has become famous, he is still just a cultivator at the Human Gang Realm, without any prominent background or status."

At the celebration, Grand Commander Liu Wujun, Dean Wei Lingzhen of Yanxia Academy, and Du Dongtu, commander of the Purple Feather Army, are all prominent figures who will undoubtedly be present and will need to be seated in the premier VIP section. Placing Jiang Xuan at the same table as them would likely… easily invite criticism and dissatisfaction.”

Mu Wansu withdrew her gaze from the window, her eyes regaining their usual shrewdness and composure. She glanced at the servant indifferently, but her tone was resolute and unquestionable.

“He’s different. The chief position must be reserved for him.”

This is the order from above, and it's also my order. Arrange everything according to my instructions. Anyone who dares to disobey or speak ill of the event privately will be expelled from the celebration list.

The servant felt a chill run down his spine, immediately realizing how much the manager valued this matter; it was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

He quickly bowed in response.

"Yes, I understand. I'll take care of it right away."

Although he still didn't understand what was so special about the young man that made the shopkeeper and even the Third Young Master of the Forbidden City headquarters value him so much, he dared not ask any more questions and respectfully withdrew.

Mu Wansu remained alone in the hall, her fingertips lightly tapping the table, her doubts still lingering.

She didn't understand why the Third Young Master Shi Yu, whose actions were always unpredictable, would suddenly give Jiang Xuan such a clear instruction. "Chief VIP..."

She murmured to herself, feeling a complex mix of emotions towards Jiang Xuan, this seemingly ordinary young man.

……

After leaving the Spirit Pattern Master Commune, Jiang Xuan did not return directly to his residence, but instead headed to Danzhenfang, the largest and highest-grade first-class elixir shop in Yanxia City.

The Danzhenfang was always bustling with activity, and those who came and went were all either rich or noble. The pills sold here were not only of top quality, but also often included some uniquely crafted rare varieties, which naturally commanded extremely high prices.

Jiang Xuan's goal for this trip was clear—the Cloud Gang Purple Soul Pill.

After being tempered by a series of battles, especially the epic duel with Huang Jianchen, the "Storm Millstone" within his body operated more and more smoothly, and his cultivation was approaching the perfect level of the Human Gang Realm. With only one month left before the opening of the third level, "Hundred Battles," of the Tongtian Secret Realm "Azure Cloud Avenue," he only had three chances to attempt it. Failure would seal the secret realm for a thousand years, putting him under immense pressure.

He must improve his cultivation level as soon as possible to increase his chances of passing the level.

The 10,000 gold coins he received from Granny Feng earlier came just in time to solve his immediate problem.

Without the slightest hesitation, he directly spent a large sum of money to purchase ten bottles of Cloud Qi Purple Soul Pills. This pill is a top-grade medicine for cultivators in the Human Qi Realm to break through bottlenecks and refine their spiritual energy. Its medicinal power is far superior to the Azure Qi Spirit Nourishing Pills he used before, and its price has naturally increased several times over.

Such extravagant spending would surely astound ordinary cultivators if they knew.

Jiang Xuan remained calm. To him, gold coins were merely resources on his cultivation path; spending them and converting them into strength was the only proper course of action. Carrying valuable pills, Jiang Xuan walked out of the Pill Refining Shop, preparing to return, when a commotion by the street caught his attention.

Not far away, in front of a shop called "Jin Yu Tang", more than a dozen thugs with a shady look and unfriendly eyes were gathered, blocking the entrance of the shop and attracting the attention of passers-by.

"Jin Yutang?"

Jiang Xuan's gaze sharpened slightly, feeling that the name was somewhat familiar. After a moment's thought, he remembered.

Back in Donglin City, he had dealt with Gu Yanping, the owner of a shop called "Jinyutang," several times while selling materials from demon beasts.

Gu Yanping was a very kind person, and the price he received was always fair, which was a great help to him.

"Could it be a case of the same name? Or has Boss Gu expanded his business to Yanxia City?"

Jiang Xuan's heart stirred, and he stepped forward.

As he got closer, he saw clearly the man surrounded by the group of thugs.

He was a young man dressed in a brocade robe, slightly plump, with a shrewd face, but at this moment he looked somewhat disheveled and angry. He appeared to be about the same age as him.

"Gu Liang?"

Jiang Xuan recognized the man as Gu Yanping's son.

Back in Donglin City, he was just a teenager, but now he has matured quite a bit.

All that could be heard was a burly man in black, the leader of the thugs, arms crossed, shouting at Gu Liang with an arrogant expression.

"Boss Gu, be smart! Are you going to give up this shop or not? Don't push your luck!"

Gu Liang suppressed his anger and forced a shrewd, businessman-like smile onto his face.

"Brother, let's talk this out. If the brothers are short on cash and need some money for tea, I'm not one to be ignorant of the rules..."

As he spoke, he pulled a money pouch from his pocket, which looked quite heavy.

However, the burly man in black didn't even glance at the money bag. He slapped it away, scattering gold coins all over the ground, and grinned maliciously.

"Who the hell wants your filthy money! I'm taking your shop today! I'm giving you three days to get out of Yanxia City, or I'll beat you up every time I see you!"

Gu Liang's face immediately turned extremely ugly. He realized that this was not an ordinary extortion, but a targeted provocation, with the aim of forcing him to close the door and leave!

"You... are going too far!"

Gu Liang was so angry that he trembled all over.

"So what if I bully you?"

The burly man in black sneered and raised his hand to slap Gu Liang.

"I'll teach you a lesson today!"

Just as his slap was about to land on Gu Liang's face, a long and powerful hand appeared out of thin air, like an iron clamp, and firmly gripped his wrist.

"Robbing shops in broad daylight! Is the law of Yanxia City just for show?"

A calm voice rang out.

The burly man in black was stunned. He felt a sharp pain in his wrist, as if it were about to be crushed. He turned his head in shock and anger and saw a handsome young man in blue with unusually calm eyes.

"Hey kid! Who the hell are you? How dare you meddle in my business? You want to die?!"

The burly man roared and tried to break free, but found that the other man's hand was rooted to the spot and did not move at all.

"It doesn't matter who I am."

Jiang Xuan said calmly.

"The important thing is that you can get out of here."

"Damn it! Let's all go at him and cripple this kid!"

The burly man in black was both shocked and furious, and roared at his men.

Upon seeing this, the group of thugs rushed forward, shouting and cursing.

Jiang Xuan's eyes turned cold, and he twisted the burly man's wrist sharply!
"Crack!"

A teeth-grinding sound of bones cracking was heard!

"what--!"

The burly man in black let out a pig-like scream as his wrist twisted at an eerie angle.

Jiang Xuan didn't even look, and kicked out, sending the burly man, who weighed over a hundred pounds, flying like a sandbag, knocking over several thugs who rushed in from behind.

Immediately afterward, he moved with lightning speed, heading straight for the remaining thugs. With each punch and kick, accompanied by a series of muffled thuds and screams, those thugs who usually bullied and harassed the city were like chickens and dogs in front of him. In just a few breaths, they were all lying on the ground, groaning incessantly.

Jiang Xuan walked up to the burly man in black who was clutching his wrist and looking down at him.

"Go back and tell the person behind you, Jin Yutang, I've protected him. If he dares to attack again, it won't just be his hand that gets cut off."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling killing intent, making the burly man in black shiver. He didn't dare utter any harsh words and, supported by his men, scrambled away in a panic, leaving behind only a mess and scattered gold coins.

Gu Liang stared in disbelief at the scene until the group of thugs had disappeared from sight. Only then did he snap out of his daze, rush forward, and bow deeply to Jiang Xuan, expressing his gratitude.

"Thank you so much for your kind help, sir! I am deeply grateful! May I ask your esteemed name?"

Jiang Xuan turned around, looked at Gu Liang, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Gu Liang, it's been years, don't you recognize me?"

Gu Liang was stunned upon hearing this. He carefully examined Jiang Xuan and looked at his vaguely familiar features. A long-forgotten name suddenly jumped into his mind, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"You...you are...Jiang Xuan?! Jiang Xuan from Donglin City?!"

Jiang Xuan nodded.

Gu Liang immediately became excited and grabbed Jiang Xuan's arm.

"It really is you! Jiang Xuan! We are so grateful to you just now! Please, please come inside and talk!"

He warmly invited Jiang Xuan into the Golden Jade Hall and led him directly to a quiet room in the back hall, where he personally served him fragrant tea.

After sitting down, Gu Liang's excitement gradually faded, replaced by a look of worry. He sighed and smiled bitterly.

“Jiang Xuan, to be honest, those thugs were just small fry on the surface. What I’m really worried about is the people behind them.”

He paused and continued.

"I, Jin Yutang, have only been in Yanxia City for a short time. Thanks to some unique sources of goods and my father's long-standing connections, my business is doing quite well. I suppose it's because some local merchants think we're stealing their business that they resort to such underhanded tactics to try and force us to close down."

This situation is quite similar to when my father first opened Jin Yu Tang in Donglin City.

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Gu Liang's face.

"Unfortunately, I am not as shrewd as my father, and I still ended up looking somewhat disheveled." (End of Chapter)