138: New Summoning

Jun Xiaoyao sat in the deepest secret chamber of the Tianwaitian Headquarters, tracing his finger across the water mirror before him. The water mirror reflected The Net's recent operational trajectory—from intercepting secret correspondence of the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families to dismantling the strongholds of the Mobei Bandits. Dense red dots formed a spiderweb on the map, each representing a life ended or a resource controlled.

"Young Lord, The Net completed thirty-seven assassination missions this month, seizing 120,000 taels of gold and silver and seventeen volumes of Martial Skill Secret Manuals." Zhao Gao's voice came from the shadows. He held a black ledger, his finger pausing on the 'Unfinished' column. "Only the mission in Mobei concerning the 'Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe' went awry, and the team responsible lost three men."

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze did not leave the water mirror. He said calmly, "Compensate the fallen according to the highest standards. Are the clues for the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe broken?"

"Not entirely broken." Zhao Gao opened the ledger, revealing a piece of parchment tucked inside. "According to the confession of a survivor, the robe was stolen by the 'Sand Scorpion Sect' of the Western Regions. Sand Scorpion Sect Leader Sha Qianjue is at the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and he commands seven Grandmaster Realm Protectors. Their stronghold is located in Scorpion Gully, deep within the Black Wind Desert."

Ripples suddenly appeared in the water mirror, reflecting a blurry figure. Jun Xiaoyao raised his hand, the ripples dissipated, revealing the patterned mask of Marshal of the Unruly, Yuan Tiangang.

"News from The Unruly indicates that the Sand Scorpion Sect is colluding with the 'Wolf Tribe' of the Northern Territory." Yuan Tiangang’s voice was hoarse, like metal grating. "The Wolf Tribe Leader, Gudu Hou, has recently gathered thirty thousand cavalry on the border, seemingly intending to move south."

Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the water mirror with his fingertip, and the maps of the Black Wind Desert and the Northern Territory border simultaneously lit up. He suddenly smiled. "Sand Scorpion Sect, Wolf Tribe... quite a coincidence. Zhao Gao, retrieve the detailed information on Sha Qianjue."

Zhao Gao acknowledged and flipped through the ledger, quickly pulling out a yellowed page bearing Sha Qianjue's portrait drawn in Cinnabar—a full beard, a scorpion-shaped scar on his left cheek, and eyes as sinister as a Poison Scorpion.

[The character panel automatically surfaced on the water mirror:

Name: Sha Qianjue

Origin World: *Record of Lone Smoke in the Great Desert*

Realm: Initial Heaven Human Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Scorpion Tail Needle: Condenses Venomous Force through finger strength, releasing dark green poisonous smoke upon stabbing. Those struck will have their Meridians corroded.

2. Sand Evasion Technique: Can transform into a stream of sand to sneak through the desert, making movements mysterious and unpredictable.

3. Myriad Scorpions Array: Controls swarms of Poison Scorpions in the desert, with a range up to a Hundred Zhang.]

"Initial Heaven Human Realm..." Jun Xiaoyao tapped the words "Myriad Scorpions Array" with his fingertip. "It sounds a bit more interesting than dealing with those Grandmaster Realm riff-raff. Marshal of the Unruly, can your Unruly infiltrate Scorpion Gully?"

Yuan Tiangang's mask flickered in the water mirror. "The Sand Scorpion Sect's defenses focus on open sentries, so planting secret agents is not difficult. However, deep inside Scorpion Gully is 'Spirit Devouring Sand.' Once stepped on, Internal Energy circulation is hindered. My men can only reach the Outer Camp at most."

"That's enough." Jun Xiaoyao suddenly looked at the summoning array in the center of the secret chamber. The light spots on the array patterns were flickering—a sign that the accumulated summoning points had reached the threshold. "Zhao Gao, initiate the summons."

Zhao Gao bowed in assent and embedded a token engraved with the character “Summon” into the array's core. Instantly, the summoning array erupted in dazzling golden light. Countless light spots condensed within the array, gradually forming a tall, slender figure.

[System Prompt: Summon successful.]

[The character panel unfolded:

Name: West Gate Blows Snow

Origin World: *legend of lu xiaofeng*

Realm: Middle Celestial Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens: Wields Sword Wielding Qi, the sword light is like a meteor streaking across the sky, unmatched in sharpness, capable of slicing through Protective Aura.

2. Clear Sword Heart: When the heart is still as water, sword speed increases by thirty percent, and flaw-detection ability doubles.

3. Snow Blowing Style: The sword carries biting cold Qi upon striking, capable of freezing the opponent's Meridians.]

West Gate Blows Snow landed on the ground, his white robes whiter than snow. The long sword in his hand pointed diagonally at the ground, a chilling light condensed on its tip. He nodded slightly toward Jun Xiaoyao, his voice cold as ice: "Greetings, Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at this Sword God renowned for his "solitude," a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "Mr. Ximen's Sword is perfect for testing the Sand Scorpion Sect's poisons."

West Gate Blows Snow said nothing more, merely raising an eyebrow—this was his tacit agreement.

"Marshal of the Unruly," Jun Xiaoyao turned to the water mirror, "Have your men keep a close watch on the Wolf Tribe. If they dare cross the border, do not ask for instructions, attack immediately."

"Understood." Yuan Tiangang's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Do you need to borrow your 'Beyond Heaven' name?"

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao denied. "The Net's intervention is enough. Zhao Gao, dispatch ten 'Heaven' Rank Assassins to coordinate with The Unruly in eliminating the Wolf Tribe scouts on the border."

Zhao Gao immediately picked up his brush and recorded it in the ledger. "Yes. Also, the Sand Scorpion Sect's Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe is said to be woven from the silk of the Snow Mountain Heavenly Silkworm. It can withstand attacks below the Heavenly Human Realm and can even repair itself automatically..."

"Withstand attacks below the Heavenly Human Realm?" Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, drawing an arc on the water mirror with his fingertip, connecting the Sand Scorpion Sect's stronghold with West Gate Blows Snow's position. "That's perfect. Let Mr. Ximen's Sword test whether it can withstand an attack from the Heavenly Human Realm."

West Gate Blows Snow tightened his grip on his sword, his shoulders beneath the white robe tensing slightly—for a Swordsman, nothing was more exciting than "testing one's sword."

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao suddenly remembered something. "Sha Qianjue's Myriad Scorpions Array requires the 'Scorpion King Pearl' to command the scorpions. The pearl is in his personal pouch. If we could seize the pearl first..."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head. The Sand Scorpion Sect's deployment map gradually became clear in the water mirror. "Mr. Ximen's Sword is fast enough; simply behead Sha Qianjue. As for the Myriad Scorpions Array," he looked at the summoning array, where the light spots had not completely dissipated, "we'll summon another one to clean up."

Zhao Gao understood and injected Spiritual Energy again. The summoning array's light turned deep blue, and a figure stepped out, walking on water patterns, the Wine Gourd at his waist jingling clearly.

[System Prompt: Summon successful.]

[The character panel unfolded:

Name: Duan Yu

Origin World: *demi-gods and semi-devils*

Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Six Meridians Divine Sword: Uses fingers as swords; invisible Sword Qi can attack remotely, divided into six forms such as Shaoshang, Shangyang, and Zhongchong, making it unpredictable.

2. Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves: The footwork is exquisite, evasion ability is extremely strong, allowing free movement through dense attacks.

3. Beiming Divine Art: Can absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use, especially effective against Poison-type Cultivation Techniques.]

Duan Yu burped, his eyes lighting up when he saw Jun Xiaoyao. He cupped his hands and said, "Hello, Young Lord! I... I didn't mean to come, this array pulled me in." He scratched his head, then looked at West Gate Blows Snow. "Oh, this gentleman's Sword is so shiny!"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Duan Yu, the corner of his mouth curving upwards—Beiming Divine Art counters poison, Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves avoids scorpion swarms, and West Gate Blows Snow's Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens kills the commander. This combination happens to perfectly counter the Sand Scorpion Sect.

"Duan Yu, your mission is to tie down those Poison Scorpions and prevent them from getting close to Mr. Ximen."

"Alright!" Duan Yu drank the wine in his gourd in one gulp. "As long as I don't have to fight and kill, I'm good at running errands and hiding!"

West Gate Blows Snow glanced at Duan Yu, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed—clearly disdainful of such a "distracted" Martial Artist, but he said nothing.

"Marshal of the Unruly," Jun Xiaoyao spoke again, "Have your men prepare Carriages outside Scorpion Gully for extraction. Return directly to the Headquarters after the task is complete."

"It has been arranged." Yuan Tiangang's voice faded. "Also, the Sand Scorpion Sect's Secret Passage Map will be delivered to The Net in half an hour."

The water mirror dissipated. Jun Xiaoyao leaned back in his chair, looking at the two figures before him—the white-robed Sword God and the tipsy Heir, suddenly feeling that this trip to the desert would be very interesting. Zhao Gao placed the organized Sand Scorpion Sect data on the desk and handed him a message talisman. "Young Lord, this is for communicating with Mr. Ximen and Young Master Duan. Crushing it allows communication."

Jun Xiaoyao took the message talisman and slightly activated the Spiritual Energy at his fingertip. The talisman paper turned into two streams of light, which shot into West Gate Blows Snow and Duan Yu respectively.

"Depart." He waved his hand. "Mr. Ximen, when cutting weeds, you must remove the roots. Duan Yu, don't let your drinking delay the mission."

West Gate Blows Snow's figure flashed, and he disappeared at the entrance of the secret chamber, leaving only a cold "Understood." Duan Yu excitedly followed, muttering, "Don't worry, Young Lord, I can hide faster than anyone."

Zhao Gao watched the direction they left and whispered, "Young Lord, should The Net send another team to follow? After all, the opponent is at the Heavenly Human Realm..."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head, his gaze returning to the annotation of "Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe" in the ledger. "West Gate Blows Snow's Sword, coupled with Duan Yu's restraint, is enough. All we have to do is wait and watch the show."

He opened another ledger, which recorded the remaining forces of various Holy Lands—Xuantian Sect still had three Sub-branches uncleaned, the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley had fled with remnants into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and the Fire Worker Monk of Vajra Temple was rumored to have escaped to Tubo... All these had to be dealt with one by one.

"Zhao Gao," Jun Xiaoyao suddenly said, "Mark the locations of the Xuantian Sect's Sub-branches. When Mr. Ximen and the others return, it will be time for the next stop."

Zhao Gao responded by picking up his brush, placing a bright red mark on the map with its tip. The secret chamber fell silent, with only the rustling sound of the ledger pages turning and the occasional shouts from The Net Assassins training outside the window.

Jun Xiaoyao gazed at the residual glow of the summoning array, where West Gate Blows Snow's Sword Qi and Duan Yu's Wine Qi still lingered. He knew that Beyond Heaven's net was being woven tighter and tighter, and the prey hiding in the shadows would soon discover that they had long fallen into the center of this net, with nowhere to escape.