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

He really didn't want to stay there and endure all sorts of strange looks and endless gossip.

However, when he stepped out of the magnificent gates of Yanxia Academy, he discovered that the outside world was just as turbulent. The area outside the academy gates was packed with people, even more crowded than before! Clearly, news of what had happened inside the examination hall had spread like wildfire.

"Have you heard? Jiang Xuan is advertising for a trading company called Jin Yutang on the arena!"

"Really? Advertising during the provincial exam? That's so bizarre!"

"It's absolutely true! Many people saw it! He even said that from now on he will only use Jin Yutang's weapons!"

"What benefits did Jin Yutang give him that made him disregard his own reputation?"

"I think he's obsessed with money! I used to admire him so much!"

"You can't say that. Maybe the things from Jin Yutang are really good?"

"What's so good about it? It's just an unknown little trading company!"

The discussion was in an uproar. Some mocked Jiang Xuan for damaging his reputation, some were curious about Jin Yutang's abilities, and some were simply enjoying the spectacle.

Jiang Xuan mingled in the crowd, listening to the discussions, speechless. Fortunately, no one recognized him, and he managed to escape this troublesome place "narrowly."

Instead of returning directly to the small courtyard in the south of the city, he turned and headed towards Jin Yutang.

Before even reaching the street where Jin Yutang was located, we could see from afar that it was completely surrounded by people! The area in front of the door was packed with a dense crowd, several times more crowded than the busiest market!
Among them were curious onlookers who came purely out of curiosity, as well as many indignant cultivators who came to criticize Jiang Xuan's inappropriate behavior. There were also some who came after hearing the news, wanting to see what kind of magical potential customers this "Golden Jade Hall" had.

Gu Liang, accompanied by a group of servants, was sweating profusely as he maintained order. His voice was almost hoarse from shouting, but his face wore a complex expression of pain and pleasure.

Jiang Xuan watched from a distance, already having a clear understanding of the situation. "After this incident, it's hard for Jin Yutang not to become famous. Its reputation has already been established; now it's up to Gu Liang to manage it. However, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow. Jin Yutang's rise will inevitably attract the vigilance and suppression of other chambers of commerce, and these troubles need to be dealt with in advance."

He didn't go up to greet Gu Liang; showing up at this moment would only make the situation more chaotic.

He believed that Gu Liang was capable of handling the current situation.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Xuan turned and walked in another direction—the Spirit Pattern Master Commune.

After finding Chu Feng, Jiang Xuan directly explained his purpose.

"Brother Chu Feng, I have a favor to ask of you. There are too many people and too many eyes around Jin Yutang now, and I'm afraid that some people with ill intentions might take the opportunity to cause trouble. I would like to ask you to send some of the commune's guards over there to help maintain order and deter any troublemakers."

Chu Feng had already heard about what happened at the assessment site, and when he saw Jiang Xuan, he had a mischievous smile on his face.

"Haha, Brother Jiang Xuan, your 'arena advertisement' is truly groundbreaking! The whole city is talking about you and Jin Yutang now! Don't worry, leave this little matter to your brother!"

Without any hesitation, he immediately summoned his trusted confidants and dispatched three elite squads of guards to quickly maintain order in the area where Jin Yutang was located. Given the status and strength of the Spirit Pattern Masters' Guild in Yanxia City, their presence was enough to make most troublemakers think twice about the consequences.

After finishing this matter, Jiang Xuan felt somewhat relieved. He thanked Chu Feng and then left the Spirit Pattern Master Commune.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the commune's grand gate, before he had taken more than a few steps, his gaze casually swept across the street corner and suddenly fixed on a certain spot.

At the edge of the bustling crowd, a familiar, exquisitely beautiful figure stood quietly, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as Jiang Xuan stepped out of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune, his gaze was drawn to a beautiful figure standing quietly at the street corner.

She was a woman dressed in a well-tailored black dress, with a graceful and slender figure, snow-white skin, and a charming face that carried a hint of mature competence.

She simply stood there quietly, yet she seemed to gather all the light around her, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

It was dusk in Su.

This woman, who comes from Donglin City, is now the manager of Shidingzhai in Yanxia City, wielding immense power and resources.

Nearly two years later, when they met again, Jiang Xuan looked at the familiar face that seemed to have gained a bit more dignity and charm. The memories of his time in Donglin City flashed through his mind, and a slight ripple rose in his heart.

Back then, he was just a fledgling cultivator struggling to find resources, while Mu Wansu had only recently taken over the Stone Cauldron Pavilion in Donglin City. Time has passed, and both of them are now vastly different from what they once were.

Mu Wansu also saw Jiang Xuan. A subtle, complex emotion flashed in her charming eyes. Then, a perfectly curved smile appeared on her lips as she took the initiative to greet him, her voice carrying a hint of languor and familiarity.

"Young Master Jiang Xuan, what a coincidence! May I have a word with you in private?"

Jiang Xuan composed himself and nodded.

"Since Manager Mu has invited me, how could I dare to refuse?"

The two walked side by side, strolling slowly along the relatively quiet street. Mu Wansu did not immediately get to the point, but asked as if it were a casual conversation.

"Last time, for the centennial celebration of my Shidingzhai, I sent you an invitation as the chief VIP, but you were unable to attend, which greatly disappointed everyone at Shidingzhai."

Jiang Xuan remained calm and said indifferently.

"I was unable to attend the event due to urgent matters that day, which is truly regrettable."

He was only half telling the truth; at the time, he was fully focused on preparing for the battle at the Tongtian Secret Realm and had no time to spare for anything else.

Mu Wansu glanced at him, seemingly not going to delve into it, and changed the subject directly, her tone carrying a hint of confusion and a subtle complaint.

"I have come to you today because of the matter of the Golden Jade Hall."

Jiang Xuan, with your mastery of spirit patterns from the "Seeking the Master" competition, if you were to cooperate with my Shi Ding Zhai, how could you not reap both fame and fortune, enjoying endless glory? Why would you tarnish your reputation by advocating for an obscure little merchant guild in such a solemn setting as the provincial examination?

She paused, her beautiful eyes fixed on Jiang Xuan, as if trying to discern his true thoughts, before making her own deductions.

"However, based on my understanding of you, you are not someone who speaks without reason. There must be a deeper meaning behind this action, right?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan couldn't help but nod in approval of Mu Wansu's keen insight. He smiled and said frankly.

"Manager Mu is indeed discerning. To be honest, Gu Liang, the owner of Jin Yu Tang, saved my life and is a close friend who has gone through thick and thin with me. Helping him this time is a matter of righteousness and reason."

A look of realization flashed across Mu Wansu's eyes.

She had vaguely felt that the name "Jin Yutang" sounded familiar, as it seemed to be the same as the name of the first shop opened by Gu Yanping in Donglin City, which was already a bit strange. Now that Jiang Xuan explained that it was to repay a debt of gratitude, her doubts were greatly reduced.

She glanced at Jiang Xuan with a hint of surprise and said.

"I never expected you to be such a loyal and affectionate person. You've really impressed me."

Jiang Xuan shrugged, his tone slightly mocking.

"I have many other strengths, which Manager Mu can discover gradually in the future."

Mu Wansu smiled at his words, gave him a charmingly reproachful look, and said coquettishly.

"It's been almost two years since I last saw you, and you've become even more shameless and brazen than before."

After laughing, Mu Wansu's expression returned to its usual shrewdness and composure. She looked at Jiang Xuan, her tone carrying a hint of regret and decisiveness.

"Originally, I was thinking of inviting you to join my Shidingzhai as a specially appointed spirit pattern master."

Now it seems impossible. Oh well, everyone has their own ambitions. I only hope that in the future, we might have the opportunity to cooperate again.

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"If the time is right, then of course."

“However,” Mu Wansu changed the subject again, her tone becoming serious.

"As a friend, I still have to remind you. The business world is like a battlefield, far more treacherous and complex than the fighting and killing in the cultivation world. Jin Yutang has certainly gained fame by riding on your coattails, but its foundation is ultimately shallow. Without its own high-quality, unique products to support it, it will be difficult to stand firm for long under the joint suppression of those established merchants, relying solely on its reputation."

It must quickly develop its own unique products that others cannot easily imitate in order to carve out a path in the fierce competition; otherwise, its current prosperity will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.

Her analysis was insightful and meticulous, revealing her as a shrewd and capable businesswoman. Perhaps because she rarely encountered a young person with whom she could have an equal dialogue, and even someone she subtly admired, she unconsciously spoke much more than usual.

Jiang Xuan listened attentively, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and said sincerely.

"Manager Mu's words are indeed golden advice and insightful observations. I have learned a great deal from them."

Seeing that he had taken her words to heart, Mu Wansu didn't say anything more. The two chatted casually for a few more minutes before parting ways at a street corner.

……

When I bid farewell to Mu Wansu, the night was already deep.

However, Yanxia City did not fall silent as a result. In particular, news about the provincial examination continued to circulate through various channels, sparking wave after wave of discussion.

Those young cultivators who won in the first round of assessments naturally became the focus of attention for all parties.

Even those who failed, being under eighteen years old, possessing cultivation levels above the Human Realm, and having qualified for the provincial examination, demonstrated their considerable potential and were thus favored by many small and medium-sized forces in the Southwest Province, who extended offers to recruit them. For these forces, recruiting such young geniuses was undoubtedly a profitable long-term investment.

However, Jiang Xuan was not concerned about these external disturbances.

His goal was clear and pure: to keep moving forward in the assessment until he achieved his objective.

What he needs to do is focus on himself.

Instead of returning to his residence, he went to Jin Yutang again. Although Jin Yutang was still brightly lit, the congestion in front of the gate was much more orderly thanks to the guards of the Spirit Pattern Master Commune.

He bypassed the front door and entered the secret chamber in the backyard of Jin Yutang through a hidden passage.

Inside the secluded room, Gu Liang rubbed his throbbing temples, frowning at the mountain of orders and intelligence piled up on the table. He had built a reputation and attracted customers, but just as Mu Wansu had predicted, he was struggling with the fact that Jin Yutang lacked a unique, signature product that could command respect.

Without core competitiveness, relying solely on the fame brought by Jiang Xuan, it will sooner or later be suppressed, eroded, and eventually destroyed by other covetous established merchants through various means.

Just then, Jiang Xuan pushed open the door and entered.

"Jiang Xuan! You've arrived!"

When Gu Liang saw him, he quickly got up.

Jiang Xuan didn't say much. He took out a thick stack of papers filled with writing and intricate patterns from his pocket and placed them on the table in front of Gu Liang.

"This is……"

Gu Liang picked up the stack of papers with a puzzled look, and his eyes widened instantly after just one glance!
On the paper, he saw seven magical artifact designs he had never seen before! From their appearance and structure to detailed descriptions of the materials used and the core spiritual patterns, everything was clearly marked! Each magical artifact was ingeniously designed and had a unique function, completely different from any magical artifact he knew that was circulating in the market!
"These are the design blueprints for seven brand-new magical artifacts."

Jiang Xuan explained calmly.

"I have listed the specific refining methods and steps in as much detail as possible. All you need to do is find a trustworthy and skilled spirit pattern master to refine it according to the blueprints."

The source of these brand-new magical artifact designs was the mysterious animal skin notebook left to him by Lu Bo! Although the animal skin notebook disappeared along with the Tongtian Secret Realm, the vast amount of knowledge and ingenious ideas recorded on it had already been deeply imprinted in Jiang Xuan's mind.

At this moment, he had merely selected and improved seven relatively suitable and absolutely novel spiritual weapon designs based on the current material level and refining conditions of the world.

Gu Liang held the stack of blueprints in trembling hands, flipping through them page by page. His eyes widened with each page, and his breathing became increasingly rapid! He had been frantically searching for unique products, but what Jiang Xuan had delivered wasn't just blueprints; it was a godsend! A life-saving windfall!
He knew all too well what a brand-new, never-before-seen magical artifact meant to a merchant guild. It was like a secret recipe! It was a cash cow that could serve as the store's prized possession, attracting countless customers and bringing in long-term, stable profits! It was the greatest source of confidence that allowed Jin Yu Tang to stand firm and even crush many established merchants in the face of their attacks!
And now, Jiang Xuan has given him seven at once! Seven brand-new spiritual weapon designs!
Gu Liang felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and he was so excited that his whole body was trembling. His brain was so excited that he was even a little dazed and couldn't speak for a moment. He just clutched the blueprints tightly, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world!
Excitement, joy, disbelief... a mix of emotions made his heart pound wildly, almost bursting out of his chest! He could almost see Jin Yutang sweeping the market with these seven unique magical artifacts, rising to prominence in Yanxia City, and even becoming famous throughout the entire Southwest Province!

This sudden and enormous surprise almost drove him mad! (End of Chapter)