123: A desperate counterattack amidst lurking danger

The Tianwaitian Headquarters was a scene of bustling activity. Ouyezi directed his subordinates to evenly apply the medicinal liquid refined from the ice spirit grass onto weapons and defensive installations. Waves of icy cold aura and the gleam of metal reflected each other. Inside the Pill Refining Room, the furnace fires blazed, and Alchemists focused intently on refining Medicinal Pills fused with the ice spirit grass. A strange medicinal fragrance permeated the air.

At this moment, an Elite Squad dispatched by the Crimson Flame Tribe was quietly approaching Beyond Heaven. This squad consisted of ten masters skilled in stealth and surprise attacks, dressed in special red night-traveling clothes, resembling ghosts under the moonlight. The squad’s Chieftain was named Crimson Shadow, whose strength had reached the Peak Grandmaster Realm, only one step away from the Heavenly Human Realm. With cold eyes, he led his men to infiltrate the Tianwaitian Headquarters.

“Be careful, Beyond Heaven has many masters. If we make even a small mistake, we will be completely wiped out,” Crimson Shadow warned his team members in a low voice. Everyone nodded, their footsteps becoming even lighter, making almost no sound.

In the Tianwaitian Headquarters, Scouts from The Net were also nervously patrolling everywhere. However, the Crimson Flame Tribe's squad was extremely cunning, cleverly avoiding The Net’s surveillance.

“Strange, I have a feeling something isn’t right,” a Scout from The Net frowned and said to his companion beside him.

“Stop scaring yourself. Maybe you’re just being overly sensitive,” the companion replied dismissively.

Just as the two were talking, the Crimson Shadow Elite Squad had arrived at a patch of woods near the Headquarters. Crimson Shadow observed the defenses of the Headquarters, secretly calculating how to achieve a Breakthrough.

“Look at these defenses, they are tighter than last time. However, we can approach from the Cliff on the Back Mountain; the defenses there are relatively weaker,” Crimson Shadow said to his team members, pointing toward the Back Mountain.

The others looked in the direction he pointed. The Back Mountain Cliff was steep and difficult for ordinary people to climb, but for masters like them, it was not insurmountable.

“Move out!” With Crimson Shadow’s command, the group agilely climbed the Back Mountain Cliff like monkeys.

Meanwhile, inside the Headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao was discussing strategies with the Marshal of the Unruly to counter the Crimson Flame Tribe’s joint offensive.

“Young Lord, according to the intelligence from The Net, the number of tribes uniting with the Crimson Flame Tribe is increasing, and the pressure we face is growing,” the Marshal of the Unruly said with a grim expression.

Jun Xiaoyao frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, “The medicinal liquid and Medicinal Pills refined from the ice spirit grass are our key weapons. We must ensure the Alchemy proceeds smoothly. At the same time, strengthen the Headquarters’ patrols; we cannot afford any slackness.”

“Yes, Young Lord,” the Marshal of the Unruly nodded in response.

Just then, a Scout from The Net rushed into the Council Hall.

“Young Lord, this is bad! Suspicious personnel were spotted on the Back Mountain! They seem to be targeting the ice spirit grass!” the Scout reported anxiously.

“They came, indeed.” Jun Xiaoyao’s face darkened. “Marshal of the Unruly, immediately gather the masters and ensure these people are captured!”

“Understood!” The Marshal of the Unruly quickly turned around, summoning Dark Blade, West Gate Blows Snow, No Fate, and other masters, and hurried toward the Back Mountain.

As soon as the Crimson Shadow Elite Squad climbed the Cliff, they heard a flurry of rapid footsteps.

“Oh no, we’ve been discovered!” Crimson Shadow cried out inwardly, realizing the danger. “Prepare to fight!”

The moment his voice fell silent, the Marshal of the Unruly and his group appeared before them.

“You bandits, how dare you trespass upon my Beyond Heaven!” The Marshal of the Unruly held his Silver Spear, glaring furiously.

Crimson Shadow looked at the Marshal of the Unruly and the others. Although he felt some apprehension, he forced himself to remain calm: “Hmph, Beyond Heaven, today is your unlucky day. If you know what’s good for you, hand over the ice spirit grass and we’ll spare your lives.”

“Wishful thinking!” Dark Blade sneered. His black and white twin swords were unsheathed, and Sword Qi surged forth.

“Kill!” West Gate Blows Snow and No Fate also moved simultaneously. In an instant, the Clash of Blades and Swords flashed, and both sides engaged in fierce combat.

Crimson Shadow, possessing great strength, fought the Marshal of the Unruly. Their spears and swords clashed, neither giving way. Dark Blade battled two other Crimson Flame Tribe masters; his black and white twin swords moved through the enemy ranks like two Flood Dragons, and wherever his Sword Qi reached, enemies retreated.

West Gate Blows Snow’s profound ice sword emitted bone-chilling coldness. Every strike carried powerful Icy Cold Power, making it difficult for his opponents to parry. No Fate moved like a ghost on the edge of the battlefield, his Iron Sword occasionally thrusting out, each strike aimed directly at the enemy’s vital points.

However, the masters of the Crimson Flame Tribe were not ordinary individuals either. They cooperated tacitly, and their Cultivation Techniques were strange. For a time, both sides were locked in a stalemate.

“This stalemate won’t do; we must end the fight quickly.” The Marshal of the Unruly felt anxious. He unleashed the Killing Move of the Tiangang Art with his Silver Spear, and a golden Spear Radiance shot toward Crimson Shadow like lightning.

Crimson Shadow’s expression changed, and he quickly used his Movement Technique to dodge. But the Spear Radiance was too fast; it still grazed his shoulder, leaving a deep wound.

“Ah!” Crimson Shadow cried out in pain, shocked and enraged. He knew that if the fight continued, his side would surely lose. Thus, a plan formed in his mind.

“Retreat!” Crimson Shadow shouted, leading his team members to turn and run.

“You think you can just leave? Not so easy!” the Marshal of the Unruly roared, preparing to pursue them.

“Wait, it might be a trick!” Dark Blade quickly warned.

Just then, Crimson Shadow and his group suddenly stopped, pulled out some red beads from their robes, and threw them toward the Marshal of the Unruly and the others.

“Be careful, they are Fire Spirit Beads!” West Gate Blows Snow recognized these as Fire Attribute Magic Treasures specially made by the Crimson Flame Tribe, possessing immense power.

“Boom!” The Fire Spirit Beads exploded, instantly sending Firelight soaring and Heatwaves rolling. The powerful Impact Force knocked the Marshal of the Unruly and the others back several steps.

“Damn it!” The Marshal of the Unruly looked at the fleeing Crimson Shadow and his group, filled with anger.

“Don’t chase them yet. Check if anyone is injured,” Dark Blade said.

Everyone quickly checked themselves, fortunately finding no serious injuries.

“These guys are too cunning,” No Fate sneered.

“It doesn’t matter, they won’t escape.” A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the Marshal of the Unruly’s eyes. “The Net, immediately track their whereabouts. We must capture them all in one fell swoop.”

“Understood!” The Scout from The Net quickly took the order and left.

Meanwhile, back at the Crimson Flame Tribe Encampment, Crimson Shadow returned in a sorry state with his injured team members.

“Chieftain, we failed. Beyond Heaven’s defenses were too tight; we couldn't even get close to the ice spirit grass,” Crimson Shadow knelt on one knee, speaking with shame.

“Useless!” the Crimson Flame King roared. “If you can’t even handle such a small matter, what good are you!”

“Chieftain, please calm your anger. Beyond Heaven’s strength has greatly increased after obtaining the ice spirit grass this time. If we want to conquer Beyond Heaven, we must think of another way,” an Elder advised.

The Crimson Flame King frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, “It seems we can only accelerate preparations for the joint tribal offensive. Once the United Army is assembled, we will launch a direct, forceful assault on Beyond Heaven. I refuse to believe they can withstand it.”

“But, Chieftain, with the aid of the ice spirit grass, our Flame Power might not be effective against Beyond Heaven,” the Elder worriedly said.

“Hmph, I have my own methods.” A trace of maliciousness flashed in the Crimson Flame King’s eyes. “Go prepare a batch of Poison Smoke Bombs and mix them into the Flame Attack, catching them off guard.”

“Yes, Chieftain!” The Elder took the order and departed.

In Beyond Heaven, after Jun Xiaoyao learned of the Crimson Flame Tribe squad’s attack, he became even more aware of the severity of the situation.

“It seems the Crimson Flame Tribe won’t easily give up on seizing the ice spirit grass. We must speed up the refining of Medicinal Pills and simultaneously strengthen the defensive arrangements for the Headquarters,” Jun Xiaoyao said.

“Young Lord, rest assured, we have already set up more Traps and Defensive Mechanisms around the Headquarters, and The Net has increased the Patrol Intensity,” the Marshal of the Unruly stated.

“Very good. Additionally, have Wu Xingyun quickly research a method to counter the Poison Smoke Bombs,” Jun Xiaoyao continued. “We cannot afford any oversight, or the consequences will be unimaginable.”

“Yes, Young Lord!”

The confrontation between Beyond Heaven and the Crimson Flame Tribe grew increasingly fierce, and a greater storm was approaching. Could the ice spirit grass truly become Beyond Heaven’s decisive Magic Treasure? Facing the Crimson Flame Tribe’s Poison Smoke Bomb conspiracy, how would Beyond Heaven resolve it? The situation in the Jianghu is unpredictable, and everything remains unknown.