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

Even Xue Jin, with his vast experience, couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed. Ordinary cultivators at the Gang Realm would find it extremely difficult for their bodies and meridians to withstand such a prolonged surge of spiritual energy. A single misstep could lead to an excess of spiritual energy, causing severe backlash, resulting in either a decline in cultivation or complete destruction of their meridians.

However, this worry only flashed through Xue Jin's mind.

He knew Jiang Xuan was a meticulous and shrewd young man, far from being reckless or impulsive. Since he dared to cultivate in such a way, he must have his own confidence and sense of proportion. "Fine, this kid has many secrets, let him be."

Xue Jin shook her head, suppressing her remaining concerns, and continued to squint, enjoying the rare moment of leisure. However, the occasional glances she cast at the room still carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, sense of protectiveness.

……

Just as Jiang Xuan was in seclusion, making his final push for the Tongtian Secret Realm, the entire Yanxia City was in an uproar because of another grand event—the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai!

The scale of this celebration is unprecedented in Yanxia City in recent years. The City Lord's Grand Commander Liu Wujun, the Dean of Yanxia Academy Wei Lingzhen, and the leader of the Purple Feather Army Du Dongtu… these powerful figures, whose mere presence could shake the southwestern province, have all confirmed their personal attendance.

What has driven cultivators and the general public in the city wild is Liu Qingyan, who is known for her "heavenly voice" and has been officially confirmed to perform at the celebration!

The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of Yanxia City. In restaurants, teahouses, markets, and alleys, almost everyone was enthusiastically discussing the upcoming grand event, speculating about its magnificence, and eagerly anticipating catching a glimpse of Master Liu and the true faces of those elusive and powerful figures.

The whole city was filled with a festive and expectant atmosphere.

However, Jiang Xuan, who was in the small courtyard on the edge of the storm, was completely unaware of this.

His entire being was immersed in honing and mastering his power. All the noise from the outside world was shut out by the faint golden light and his unwavering will. The third stage of the "Azure Cloud Path" in the Heavenly Secret Realm, "Hundred Battles," was about to begin. He had to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, go all out, and bring himself to his peak condition!
……

Cui Ming Xuan, with its swaying bamboo shadows, remains as tranquil as ever.

Inside the attic, Liu Qingyan was bent over her desk, holding a small wolf-hair brush, slowly writing on a piece of Xuelang paper that exuded a faint fragrance. Half a new poem had already been written on the paper, the handwriting was elegant and lively, yet it faintly revealed a trace of melancholy.

"Time flies, beauty fades in the blink of an eye, the path to immortality is vast and desolate, where can one find the bridge to immortality..."

Granny Feng stood quietly to the side, her gaze sweeping over the words on the paper, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

She could sense from between the lines the young lady's sighs and confusion about the fleeting nature of youth and the arduous journey ahead.

This is quite unusual for Liu Qingyan, whose temperament has always been calm and pure.

Liu Qingyan put down her pen, raised her head, looked at the swaying bamboo leaves outside the window, sighed softly, and then smiled. Her smile was as bright and beautiful as the first melting of snow.

“Mother-in-law, what do you think of these new lyrics? They seem a bit too sorrowful, though. Perhaps they are not suitable for reciting at the Shidingzhai celebration.”

"Grandma Wind said in a deep voice."

"Miss, you are already someone that countless people look up to at such a young age. Why make such sentimental remarks? The road ahead may be difficult, but with your talent and temperament, you will surely have a smooth journey."

Liu Qingyan smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying, and then asked.

"By the way, Mother-in-law, has there been any news about Young Master Jiang Xuan recently?"

Her tone suggested it was just a casual question, but her slightly flickering eyes betrayed a hint of concern.

Upon hearing Jiang Xuan's name, Granny Feng's face darkened, and she let out a snort.

"That kid? He's been in seclusion for almost a month, and there's been no movement at all! Miss, there's still no news about the ancient Xun that his master promised to repair. If this delays your important matter..."

Liu Qingyan gently interrupted her.

“Mother-in-law, please don’t make things difficult for him anymore. Although the incident at the arena was not our intention, it was ultimately caused by my invitation to him to repair the spirit flute, which led Xie Yutang to use it as an excuse to put him under such pressure for no reason. In fact, we are the ones who owe him.”

Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of conviction.

"If I can see him at the Shidingzhai celebration... perhaps I can find an opportunity to make amends."

Upon hearing this, Granny Feng's eyes flashed with a hint of wariness, but she remained calm and replied.

"Shi Ding Zhai did indeed send an invitation to that 'Master Xun,' and according to the rules, Jiang Xuan, as a disciple, might accompany him. However, this young man's intentions are unpredictable, and he may not come."

"He will come."

Liu Qingyan said softly, but her tone was quite certain.

She looked down at the words she had just written, but involuntarily, the image of that tall figure standing with a sword amidst thousands of ghostly flames in the arena, ultimately tearing everything apart with a storm, and his final, somewhat mocking, teasing look at Huang Jianchen, floated into her mind.

She was very curious about what this young man, who was well-versed in ancient music and could repair the family's heirloom xun, would think if he heard her perform on stage.
Granny Feng looked at her young mistress, who was slightly lost in thought, with a faint smile on her lips that she herself did not even realize. Her heart tightened, and she thought to herself.

"Miss seems to be paying too much attention to Jiang Xuan... Although this young man is extraordinary, his origins are unknown and he has many connections, making him no good match for her."

She secretly resolved to put Jiang Xuan on the list of people she needed to "keep an eye on," and if necessary, to keep her mistress at a sufficient distance from him.

Although her mind was churning with thoughts, Granny Feng did not show it on her face. Seeing that Liu Qingyan had focused on writing lyrics again, she remained silent, but her eyes became even more profound.

……

Several days later, one early morning, as dawn broke and the thin mist had not yet completely dissipated, Yanxia City awoke earlier than usual, and an unusual restlessness and anticipation filled the air.

In the heart of the city, the magnificent and lavishly decorated headquarters of Shidingzhai was already packed with people.

Countless people, including many low-level cultivators, have been waiting here since last night, hoping to secure a relatively good spot to witness the opening of this once-in-a-century celebration, to catch a glimpse of the legendary figures, and... to hear Liu Qingyan's voice, which is hailed as "heavenly."

The crowd thronged shoulder to shoulder, their voices a cacophony of chatter, laughter, and gasps, creating a massive wave of sound that seemed to soar into the sky. All eyes were fixed eagerly on the magnificent, gilded, and jade-inlaid gate that remained unopened, craning their necks in anticipation of the auspicious hour that would mark the start of the celebration.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in that secluded courtyard, the spirit-gathering array still emitted a pale golden glow, operating silently. Inside the room, Jiang Xuan sat cross-legged, his spiritual energy swirling around him as if it were tangible, his aura as solid as a mountain, or like a volcano about to erupt, making its final accumulation and adjustments.

All the noise and hustle and bustle of the outside world seemed irrelevant to him; his entire world consisted only of the ultimate pursuit of power and the boundless anticipation for the soon-to-be-opened secret realm.

Outside the headquarters of Shidingzhai, a grand and unprecedented scene had already unfolded. A long red carpet stretched from the street corner all the way to the magnificent gate inlaid with gold and jade. On both sides of the red carpet, servants dressed in uniform stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, their expressions solemn.

Further out was a cordon formed by elite guards from Shidingzhai. Their sharp eyes and calm demeanor kept the surging crowds firmly outside the passage, ensuring the VIPs could pass without hindrance.

Outside the cordon, a dense crowd of people, mostly cultivators and ordinary citizens who had not received invitations, blocked the way.

They craned their necks, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation, eager to catch a glimpse of the charisma of those rarely seen nobles and powerful figures.

Among the crowd, some young men and women could even be seen holding eye-catching banners with slightly exaggerated slogans such as "Qingyan's voice is heavenly, unparalleled in the world" and "Master Liu, the bright moon in our hearts," which shows Liu Qingyan's unparalleled influence among the younger generation of the empire.

Holding the gold-embossed invitation from Jiang Xuan, Chu Feng arrived at this place with the flow of people.

He did not rush to enter, but stood a little ahead of the crowd, looking at the magnificent gate and the endless stream of distinguished guests with a complicated expression.

The first to arrive was Wei Lingzhen, the dean of Yanxia Academy.

This highly respected expert of the Cave Heaven Realm in the Southwest Province traveled in an extremely simple manner, riding only a docile blue donkey, wearing a plain-colored robe, with a lean face and a calm and otherworldly demeanor.

Ignoring the surrounding noise, he gracefully dismounted from his donkey, guided by a waiter, and calmly stepped through the gate. A hint of surprise flashed in Chu Feng's eyes; even someone like Wei Lingzhen had made an exception and arrived early, demonstrating the astonishing appeal of Shi Ding Zhai's celebration.

Following closely behind, prominent figures from various powerful families began to appear one after another. Some rode magnificent palanquins, shimmering with light and pulled by rare spirit beasts, while others rode extraordinary spirit beast mounts of various shapes and sizes. Each of them exuded a powerful aura and majesty, eliciting bursts of uncontrollable gasps and exclamations of admiration from the crowd.

These important figures, who are usually rarely seen, have gathered here today, making many low-level cultivators and mortals so excited that their faces glow with excitement.

When Grand Commander Liu Wujun's entourage, with its fluttering banners and gleaming armor, appeared, the atmosphere instantly reached a climax. Liu Wujun himself did not appear, but sat regally in his magnificent carriage, yet the invisible pressure of a regional overlord already enveloped the entire area, inspiring awe in all who beheld him.

Chu Feng silently watched Liu Wujun's group enter Shidingzhai under strict guard. However, his gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared intently at a figure emerging from the end of the group.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in a scholar's robe, with a slightly harsh face and three long wisps of beard.

He appeared frail, but his eyes held a haughty, condescending arrogance.

Upon seeing this person, Chu Feng's pupils contracted slightly, and his previously calm face was instantly covered with a layer of frost. What was hidden deep in his eyes was a cold hatred that had been suppressed for more than ten years.

This middle-aged scholar was named Ruan Lingdu.

He was not only one of Liu Wujun's most trusted strategists, but also had another identity that Chu Feng hated to the bone—a guest elder of the Chu clan in the Forbidden City!
Ruan Lingdu had obviously seen Chu Feng as well. A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips as he slowly walked over, his gaze sweeping over Chu Feng, his tone filled with a strong sense of superiority.

"Oh, who do we have here lingering? It's Chief Steward Chu Feng. What's wrong? Did you fail to receive an invitation from my Shi Ding Zhai and can only watch the ceremony from outside the gate with these commoners?"

He specifically emphasized the words "outside the gate" and "commoners," his humiliation evident in his words.

Chu Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger in his heart, and coldly replied.

"No need for Mr. Ruan to trouble himself."

With that, he stopped looking at Ruan Lingdu's disgusting face and walked straight to the servant at the entrance, handing him the beautifully crafted invitation.

After the attendant verified that everything was correct, a respectful expression immediately appeared on his face, and he bowed.

"Dear guest, please come with me."

Chu Feng straightened his back and, under the gazes of surprise, envy, and Ruan Lingdu's suddenly cold eyes, calmly stepped into the gilded gate that symbolized his status and position.

The moment he stepped through the gate, a deafening roar of cheers and screams erupted behind him, the sound almost lifting the sky. Clearly, Liu Qingyan's carriage had arrived.

However, Chu Feng was so preoccupied with his confrontation with Ruan Lingdu that he failed to notice the scene that was enough to drive countless people crazy.

Ruan Lingdu stared at Chu Feng's retreating figure as he disappeared through the door, the sinister smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by a chilling expression.

He snorted coldly and quickly followed them inside.

This feud dates back more than ten years. Chu Feng was a direct descendant of the Chu clan in the Forbidden City, with extraordinary talent, and should have had a bright future.

However, in a fierce power struggle within the clan, his lineage was ruthlessly plotted against, and Chu Feng was framed, bearing an indelible infamy. He was eventually expelled from the clan and ended up in Yanxia City on the southwestern frontier.

Ruan Lingdu was one of the participants in that scheme back then. Later, he was specially sent to Yanxia City by the powerful faction within the clan to monitor, suppress, and exclude Chu Feng for a long time.

For many years, relying on his status as Liu Wujun's strategist and the background of the Chu clan, Ruan Lingdu has been active in the upper circles of Yanxia City, doing everything he can to exclude others. As a result, although many forces in the city recognize the abilities of Chu Feng, the chief of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune, they keep their distance from him because they are afraid of the trouble behind him. This has made Chu Feng's situation in Yanxia City quite difficult and even somewhat isolated in recent years.

As the head of the Chu Feng Lingwen Master Commune, I should have received a standard invitation for the centennial celebration of Shi Ding Zhai.

However, he ultimately failed to receive it, and it's hard to say that Ruan Lingdu's influence behind the scenes was unrelated. It was precisely for this reason that Chu Feng had to rely on the invitation given by Jiang Xuan to gain entry.

The humiliation contained within this was only known to Chu Feng himself.

However, years of trials and tribulations have forged Chu Feng's mindset to be far more resilient than that of ordinary people.

Although he felt aggrieved, he was not in despair. Especially Jiang Xuan's appearance, like a ray of dawn piercing the darkness, gave him a glimmer of hope to break the current stalemate and even one day clear his name! (End of Chapter)