139: Desert Scorpion Slayer

The night in the Black Wind Desert was thicker than ink. Deep within Scorpion Gully, the stone fortress of the Sand Scorpion Sect Headquarters resembled a dormant behemoth. Skull banners fluttered on the fortress walls in the night wind, and the faint rustling of Poison Scorpions crawling could be heard inside the stronghold.

West Gate Blows Snow and Duan Yu were hidden behind a dune. Although the white robes were particularly conspicuous in the darkness, none of the Sand Scorpion Sect guards noticed them—this was due to West Gate Blows Snow's Clear Sword Heart being active, his aura retracted to the extreme, making him resemble an inert rock.

"Young Master Duan, proceed as planned." West Gate Blows Snow's voice was colder than the desert night wind. His long sword had quietly left its sheath, the blade reflecting a thin layer of frost under the moonlight.

Duan Yu let out a burp, tucked the empty wine gourd back into his waist, and patted his chest: "Don't worry, leave it to me! But seriously, do those scorpions really bite people?"

Before he finished speaking, the fortress's drawbridge suddenly creaked. Two guards holding scimitars poked their heads out, and the light from their lanterns swept across the dune. West Gate Blows Snow flicked his fingertip against the spine of his sword, shooting out a nearly invisible Sword Qi that precisely severed the guards' throats.

"Go."

The two darted out like civet cats. Duan Yu executed the Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves, his figure flickering erratically, avoiding the scorpion traps on the ground; West Gate Blows Snow, meanwhile, covered several zhang with a single step. As his white robes fluttered, the guards blocking the path silently collapsed.

Inside the stone fortress, Thousand Severances of Sand was sitting on a tiger-skin chair, playing with the Scorpion King Pearl, which was the size of a pigeon egg, held in his brocade pouch. The pearl emitted a dark red light, and the surrounding Poison Scorpions obediently lay on the ground, daring not to approach.

"Sect Leader, there seems to be movement outside." A Protector rushed in, his face showing panic.

Thousand Severances of Sand suddenly stood up, the Scorpion King Pearl tightly clenched in his hand. "What are you panicking about? Which idiot dares to trespass on my Sand Scorpion Sect?" He walked to the window, and just as he was about to peer out, a fierce Sword Qi suddenly smashed through the window, pointing directly at his face!

"Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens!" Thousand Severances of Sand's pupils contracted sharply. He had once seen a record of this move in an ancient text, but he never expected to experience it firsthand today. He dared not be careless. He pushed out his palms, and dark green Poisonous Energy condensed into the phantom image of a giant scorpion, meeting the Sword Qi.

"Boom!" The Sword Qi and the Poison Scorpion collided, erupting in a deafening roar. The fortress window instantly shattered, the phantom scorpion image broke apart piece by piece, and Thousand Severances of Sand was shaken backward repeatedly, black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

West Gate Blows Snow's figure burst through the window, his long sword stabbing straight toward Thousand Severances of Sand's heart: "The Sand Scorpion Sect deserves to be destroyed."

"You're courting death!" Thousand Severances of Sand roared, throwing the Scorpion King Pearl into the air. The pearl exploded, turning into countless red light spots that fell onto the scorpion swarm on the ground. The Poison Scorpions instantly became frenzied, their bodies swelling several times in size, spraying dark green venom from their mouthparts as they surged toward West Gate Blows Snow.

"Now!" Duan Yu's voice came from outside the door. He pointed his fingers repeatedly, "Shaoshang Sword! Shangyang Sword!"

Invisible Sword Qi shot out like a torrential rain, accurately hitting the frenzied Poison Scorpions. The Six Meridians Divine Sword, being supremely Yang and rigid, perfectly countered the scorpions' Yin poison. The Poison Scorpions struck by the Sword Qi exploded and died. Duan Yu moved through the swarm, executing the Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves to the extreme, the venom unable to touch even the corner of his clothes.

"It's the Six Meridians Divine Sword! Are you a member of the Dali Duan Clan?" Thousand Severances of Sand was both shocked and enraged. He hadn't expected Beyond Heaven to be able to invite such a master.

West Gate Blows Snow seized the opportunity to close in, his sword moves continuous. The cold Qi of the "Blowing Snow Style" froze Thousand Severances of Sand's sleeve, causing his movements to stall.

"Die!" A vicious look flashed in Thousand Severances of Sand's eyes. His left arm suddenly swelled several chi, transforming into a dark green scorpion tail that stabbed toward West Gate Blows Snow's back with a tearing sound—this was his ultimate secret technique, the "Scorpion Transformation Technique," powered by his essence blood, doubling its might.

West Gate Blows Snow seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He swept his sword out in a backhand move, cutting precisely at the seven-inch vital point of the scorpion tail. With a "crack," the scorpion tail snapped off, and dark green venom splashed onto the ground, corroding small pits.

Thousand Severances of Sand let out a scream and tried to turn and flee. How could West Gate Blows Snow give him a chance? He shook his long sword, sending out several streams of Sword Qi that pinned Thousand Severances of Sand's limbs to the wall.

"Tell me, where is the heavenly silkworm treasure garment?" West Gate Blows Snow pressed the tip of his sword against Thousand Severances of Sand's throat, his tone icy.

Thousand Severances of Sand looked at the ground covered in dead scorpions and fallen Protectors, his eyes filled with despair. Finally, he pointed with difficulty toward the tiger-skin chair: "It's... in the secret compartment..."

Duan Yu stepped forward and kicked the tiger-skin chair away, revealing a secret compartment. He reached in and pulled out a neatly folded piece of white silk. It felt warm and moist in his hand, with faint flowing light revolving around it—it was indeed the heavenly silkworm treasure garment.

"This is the treasure garment that can block blades and spears? It looks no different from ordinary silk." Duan Yu picked up the treasure garment and held it up to the moonlight.

West Gate Blows Snow pierced Thousand Severances of Sand's heart with his sword, retrieved it, and said: "Go."

As the two walked out of the fortress, the sound of hurried hooves suddenly came from outside. Hundreds of wolf tribe cavalry, riding camels, surrounded the stone fortress. Leading them was a burly man with a full beard, who was none other than the Wolf Tribe Leader, Guduhou.

"That useless Thousand Severances of Sand couldn't even guard a stone fortress." Guduhou's Chinese carried a heavy accent. His gaze fell upon West Gate Blows Snow and Duan Yu. "You killed Thousand Severances of Sand? Good, it saves this Leader the trouble. Hand over the heavenly silkworm treasure garment, and this Leader can let you die quickly."

Duan Yu played with the treasure garment and said with a grin: "You want it? Come and get it."

Guduhou roared in anger, drew the scimitar from his waist, and hacked toward Duan Yu. His strength had already reached the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and the Saber Wind, wrapped in yellow sand, was astonishingly powerful.

Duan Yu tapped his foot, the Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves unfolded, easily avoiding the blade edge. At the same time, he flicked out a Middle Rush Sword from his fingertip, hitting Guduhou's mount. The camel cried out in pain and threw Guduhou off.

"Courting death!" Guduhou flipped up and stood, brandishing his scimitar. Saber Qi crisscrossed, forcing Duan Yu to retreat repeatedly.

West Gate Blows Snow glanced at the sky and pointed his long sword at Guduhou: "Finish this quickly."

His figure flashed, and he was already close to Guduhou. His sword moves were incomparably fierce. Guduhou had to deal with West Gate Blows Snow's long sword while also guarding against Duan Yu's Six Meridians Divine Sword, immediately becoming flustered.

"Wolf Tribe Warriors, attack!" Guduhou roared, trying to get his subordinates to help.

However, as the wolf tribe cavalry rushed forward, they were blocked by an invisible Qi Wall—Duan Yu executed the Beiming Divine Art, gathering the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into a wall, stopping the cavalry outside.

"With just this much ability, you dare to invade the South?" Duan Yu chuckled. He unleashed all Six Meridians Divine Swords simultaneously. The Sword Qi formed a net, shooting down the cavalry's mounts one after another.

West Gate Blows Snow seized the opportunity, his long sword transforming into a streak of flowing light, piercing Guduhou's heart. Guduhou looked disbelievingly at the long sword in his chest and slowly collapsed.

The remaining wolf tribe cavalry, seeing their leader killed, were Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, and they quickly turned their camels and fled.

"Done!" Duan Yu clapped his hands and handed the heavenly silkworm treasure garment to West Gate Blows Snow. "Is this garment yours?"

West Gate Blows Snow shook his head: "This belongs to the Young Lord; we merely retrieved it on his behalf."

The two dared not delay. Following the markings left by The Unruly, they found the carriage hidden beneath the dunes and left the Black Wind Desert overnight.

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, Study.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the heavenly silkworm treasure garment on the table, running his fingertip over the silk surface, and indeed felt a strange resilience. Zhao Gao stood nearby, handing over a battle report: "Young Lord, Mr. Ximen and Young Master Duan have returned safely. The remnants of the Sand Scorpion Sect have been purged by The Net, the wolf tribe cavalry has scattered, and the Northern Border is temporarily stable."

"Very good." Jun Xiaoyao put away the treasure garment. "Give the heavenly silkworm treasure garment to Ouyezi. Have him study it and see if it can be replicated."

"Yes." Zhao Gao continued, "System notification: Due to the destruction of the Sand Scorpion Sect and the heavy damage inflicted on the wolf tribe, the Host has received a large number of Summoning Points, allowing for one Advanced Summon."

A flicker of interest flashed in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes: "Initiate Summon."

[System Notification: Randomly matching character... Match successful!]

[Character Panel generating...]

The pale blue Light Screen unfolded:

[Name: Zhang Sanfeng]

[Originating World: the heaven sword and dragon saber]

[Realm: Late Terrestrial Immortal Realm]

[Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:]

1. Tai Chi Fist: Using softness to overcome rigidity, four ounces deflects a thousand pounds, containing the ultimate principles of Yin and Yang.

2. Tai Chi Sword: The sword momentum is perfectly circular and fluid. It appears slow but secretly contains infinite variations.

3. Nine Yang Divine Art: Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique, supremely Yang and rigid, endlessly regenerating, capable of self-healing injuries.

[Loyalty: 100% (System Forced Binding)]

[Attached Items: true martial sword, Handwritten Copy of Wudang Nine Yang Art]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the panel, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Zhang Sanfeng, at the Late Terrestrial Immortal Realm, was a figure of Jianghu legend. With his addition, Beyond Heaven's strength would rise another level.

"Have him wait in the Front Hall."

[System Notification: Character has been teleported to the Front Hall.]

*** In the Front Hall, an old man wearing a Daoist robe stood with his back to the door. His figure was tall and straight, with the appearance of youthful vigor despite his white hair. He leaned on a staff, possessing an inherent Aura of Immortality and Daoist Virtue. Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his gaze gentle yet profound, seeming capable of seeing through people's hearts.

"Zhang Sanfeng greets the Young Lord." Zhang Sanfeng nodded toward Jun Xiaoyao, his voice peaceful.

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to a chair: "True Man Zhang, there is no need for excessive courtesy. Your Tai Chi martial arts are profound and extensive. Beyond Heaven's Martial Hall happens to lack a Great Master who can guide the Foundation. Would you be willing to accept this position?"

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly: "The Young Lord is too polite. This old Daoist is accustomed to being a free spirit, so having a place to teach martial arts would also be a wonderful thing."

"That is excellent." Jun Xiaoyao nodded. "Guo Jing and Qiao Feng are both in the Martial Hall. You can give them more guidance. Especially Qiao Feng, whose Dragon Subduing Palm Technique is sufficiently rigid but lacks flexibility. If he can learn the essence of Tai Chi, his strength will definitely reach a higher level."

"This old Daoist understands." Zhang Sanfeng stroked his beard and smiled. "Gang Leader Qiao's palm technique is overwhelmingly domineering. If it can incorporate the circular fluidity of Tai Chi, it will certainly be superior."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhang Sanfeng, and the blueprint for the future in his mind became clearer. With True Man Zhang presiding over the Martial Hall, Beyond Heaven's Foundation would be even more stable. With top masters like Qiao Feng and Guo Jing leading the charge; with Zhao Gao and Marshal of the Unruly controlling intelligence and assassination; and with Cheng Lingsu and Kou Zhun handling medical, poison, and governmental affairs... Beyond Heaven's wings were fully fledged.

Outside the window, the sunlight was perfect, scattering across the floor through the window lattice, forming streaks of golden light. Jun Xiaoyao knew that the Sand Scorpion Sect and the wolf tribe were only minor characters. Next, he would face more powerful adversaries—the Vassal Kings of the Great Qian Dynasty, and even the Supreme Sovereign in the capital.

But he was not worried. Beyond Heaven was like a constantly tightening net. No matter who the opponent was, they would ultimately be firmly trapped by this net, with nowhere to escape. And all he had to do was sit in this study, quietly waiting for the day The Net was cast.