146: The Sharpness of the Net

In the underground secret chamber of the Tianwaitian Headquarters, the luminous pearls embedded in the stone walls emitted a faint green light, stretching Jun Xiaoyao's shadow long. He leaned against the cold jade couch, his fingertips tracing a bronze token. The words "The Net" on the token had been rubbed until they shone brightly. The summoning array in the center of the chamber glowed with a pale golden halo, and the Spirit Stones at the array's core were fully charged, awaiting only a command.

"Zhao Gao." Jun Xiaoyao's voice echoed in the secret chamber, carrying a hint of laziness yet brooking no argument.

A hunched figure emerged from the shadows. Zhao Gao bowed and replied, "Your subordinate is here." In his hands, he held a black ledger. The cover of the ledger was embroidered with gold thread reading "The Net Mission Record." Every page was densely packed with mission details—from assassinating aristocratic family disciples to stealing Sect secret manuals. The ink, both fresh and old, chronicled The Net's "achievements" over the past half-year.

"Did The Net accept the 'Seven-Star Mission' from the black market?" Jun Xiaoyao flicked the token with his fingertip; it struck the jade side table next to the couch, making a crisp sound.

Zhao Gao opened the ledger, his fingertip pointing to one page: "Reporting to Young Lord, we have accepted it. The target is Murong He, the Patriarch of the Murong Family in Qingzhou. It is said he hides the other half of the profound iron token. The person who posted the mission gave a deposit of five thousand taels of gold, demanding his head be brought back along with the profound iron token within three days." He paused, adding, "The Murong Family has many guards, including three Grandmaster Realm retainers. They will not be easy to deal with."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes slightly. The light from the luminous pearl fell on his face, obscuring his expression: "Does The Net have enough manpower currently?"

"Currently, The Net has seven 'Heaven' rank killers and twenty-four 'Earth' rank killers. That is more than enough to deal with the Murong Family. However..." Zhao Gao hesitated, "Murong He has a close relationship with the Sect Leader of the Misty Rain Tower. The Misty Rain Tower's influence spans across Jiangnan. If we alarm them, it might affect our medicinal herb business in Jiangnan."

"Medicinal herb business?" Jun Xiaoyao chuckled softly, tapping the cold jade couch with his fingertip. "Beyond Heaven's 'Rejuvenation Hall' just secured the medicinal herb supply rights for Mobei. What does a small loss in Jiangnan matter?" He sat up and looked at the summoning array. "The profound iron token is a clue related to the former dynasty's Treasure Trove. We must obtain it. Initiate the summoning. This time, specify the 'Grandmaster Realm,' and the world... choose the world of 'sentimental swordsman, ruthless sword.'"

[System Prompt: Consuming 1500 points. Specifying Realm and World for summoning...]

[Energy converging... Runes generating...]

The halo of the summoning array suddenly brightened, turning from pale gold to dazzling white. Runes darted through the array like swimming fish, gradually coalescing into a tall, straight figure. The person was dressed in black, with a stern face, and carried a blade without a sheath at his waist. The blade was pitch black, seemingly capable of swallowing light—it was none other than the "Little Lis Flying Dagger," a name that struck terror in the Jianghu.

[Character Panel unfolding:]

Name: Li Xunhuan

Origin World: "sentimental swordsman, ruthless sword"

Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. "Little Lis Flying Dagger": "Little Lis Flying Dagger, never misses." It uses Qi to guide the dagger, ensuring a hit upon release, specifically designed to penetrate Internal Protective Aura.

2. "Primordial Unity Qi Skill": A superior Internal Mind-Cultivation Technique. Internal Energy is condensed, and when circulated, there is a faint sound of a Dragon's roar.

3. "Ghostly Shadow Elusive Steps": The footwork is agile and strange, specializing in evasion and surprise attacks, making one's tracks hard to find.]

[Additional Items: Seven Flying Daggers (forged from specialized cold iron), one wine gourd.]

[Loyalty: 100% (System enforced binding)]

Li Xunhuan cupped his hands toward Jun Xiaoyao. His voice was slightly hoarse, perhaps due to years of drinking. "Li Xunhuan greets the Young Lord." His gaze swept around the secret chamber, finally landing on the ledger in Zhao Gao's hand. A hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing more.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. "Li the Third Flower's Flying Dagger skill is unmatched in the world. I will entrust the matter of the Murong Family in Qingzhou to you." He picked up a scroll of map from beside the couch and threw it to Li Xunhuan. "This is the Murong Family's defense map; the locations of the three Grandmaster retainers are clearly marked. Remember, the profound iron token must be brought back intact. As for Murong He..." He paused, his tone turning cold, "Keeping him alive is useless."

Li Xunhuan caught the map, unfolded it for a quick look, folded it neatly, and tucked it into his pocket. He then untied the wine gourd from his waist, tilted his head back, and took a drink. The liquor ran down the corner of his mouth, but he paid it no mind. "Young Lord, rest assured. I will definitely bring the profound iron token back within three days."

"Wait." Jun Xiaoyao called out to Li Xunhuan, who was about to leave, and pointed at the Flying Dagger at his waist. "One of the Murong Family's retainers specializes in the Indestructible Vajra Body. Ordinary blades and swords can hardly wound him. Your Flying Dagger..."

A faint smile touched Li Xunhuan's lips, carrying a hint of confidence and aloofness. "Young Lord worries too much. Little Lis Flying Dagger never cares what kind of martial arts the opponent practices." His figure flickered, and he darted to the secret chamber entrance like a phantom, leaving only the word "Farewell" before disappearing at the end of the passage.

Zhao Gao looked in the direction where Li Xunhuan had disappeared, a trace of awe flashing in his eyes. "The speed of a Peak Grandmaster Realm expert is nearly double that of an 'Earth' rank killer. With Li the Third Flower taking action, this mission is bound to succeed."

Jun Xiaoyao lay back down on the cold jade couch and closed his eyes. "The Net still lacks manpower, especially experts capable of handling things independently." He pointed at the summoning array. "Summon another one. This time, broaden the scope: anyone above the Grandmaster Realm, regardless of the world."

[System Prompt: Consuming 1200 points. Random summoning underway...]

[Summoning successful!]

The summoning array lit up again. This time, the light carried a faint purple hue. Runes condensed in the air into a blooming purple flower. After the petals scattered, a woman in purple robes was revealed. Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her demeanor was cold and aloof. In her hand, she held a slender sword that glowed purple—it was the Second Palace Mistress of the Yihua Palace.

[Character Panel unfolding:]

Name: Moon Invitation

Origin World: "the proud twins"

Realm: Early Stage Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. "Flower Transfer": Capable of using softness to overcome hardness, neutralizing any attack in the world, and even reflecting the force back onto the opponent.

2. "Bright Jade Skill": The supreme Internal Skill of the Yihua Palace. When the skill is circulated, the skin becomes transparent like jade, the Internal Energy is inexhaustible, and the power is extremely strong.

3. "Moon Moving Flower Shadow Sword": The sword technique is agile and elegant, like a flower shadow under the moon, making it impossible to guard against.]

[Additional Items: Purple Gauze Cloak, three Jade Dew Pills (sacred medicine for healing injuries).]

[Loyalty: 100% (System enforced binding)]

Moon Invitation slightly bent her knee and paid her respects to Jun Xiaoyao. Her voice was cold, like the striking of jade stone. "Moon Invitation greets the Young Lord." She glanced around the secret chamber, her brow furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased with the dark environment, but she said nothing further.

Jun Xiaoyao opened his eyes and looked at Moon Invitation. "Flower Transfer can reflect any attack?"

"Naturally." Moon Invitation's tone carried a hint of arrogance. "In this world, there is no move Moon Invitation cannot handle."

"Very good." Jun Xiaoyao sat up and retrieved a brocade box from under the couch. When he opened it, a jade pendant lay inside, engraved with the three characters "Prince of Zhennan." "The Prefect of Qingzhou is Prince of Zhennan's subordinate. If The Net's actions alarm him, trouble is inevitable. You are to take charge at 'Wangfeng Cliff' outside Qingzhou City. If any government officials interfere, show no mercy."

Moon Invitation took the brocade box. When her fingertip touched the jade pendant, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes—the material of this jade pendant was extraordinary; it could faintly suppress the aura of the Bright Jade Skill within her body. She looked up at Jun Xiaoyao, seeing that he was merely resting with his eyes closed. She put away the jade pendant and softly said, "Your subordinate obeys." As she turned, the Purple Gauze Cloak spread out like butterfly wings, and she instantly vanished at the entrance of the passage.

Zhao Gao watched the summoning array gradually dim and said in a low voice, "Young Lord, now that The Net has Li the Third Flower and Palace Mistress Moon Invitation, even if the Misty Rain Tower intervenes, they won't necessarily gain any advantage."

Jun Xiaoyao did not open his eyes, merely stating faintly, "Shangguan Jinhong, the Sect Leader of the Misty Rain Tower, possesses the 'Dragon Phoenix Rings,' which are rumored to be able to withstand Little Lis Flying Dagger. If he truly dares to show up, it will be a perfect opportunity for Moon Invitation to test if Flower Transfer can handle the Dragon Phoenix Rings." He paused, adding, "Have Marshal of the Unruly keep a close watch on the movements in Jiangnan. If the Misty Rain Tower makes any unusual moves, report it immediately."

"Yes." Zhao Gao opened the ledger and continued, "Also, Young Lord, the manager of the 'Rejuvenation Hall' sent word that the 'Ice Silkworms' from Mobei have arrived and are being refined into medicine. However... people from the Medicine King Valley seem to be secretly tracking the medicinal transport team, likely intending to seize them."

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip paused. "Medicine King Valley? They have some nerve." He pondered for a moment. "Have 'Shadow' among the 'Heaven' rank killers handle it. No need to kill anyone, just break two of their legs. Tell Hundred Herbs Elder that if he wants the Ice Silkworms, he must exchange them for a thousand-year snow lotus. Not a single petal less."

Zhao Gao noted everything down and added, "Your subordinate has followed the Young Lord's instructions and expanded The Net's mission scope to the Western Regions. The area is mixed with bandits and tribal forces, which is perfect for The Net's development. However, there is a 'Thunderbolt Gate' in the Western Regions. The Sect Leader, Lei Qianchi, is at the Mid-Stage Grandmaster Realm. It is said his 'Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Art' is incredibly overbearing. Should we..."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him. "We cannot move against the Thunderbolt Gate for now. They control the trade routes in the Western Regions, and our Ore needs to be transported from there. Have The Net's people infiltrate first, and only move after we understand their true strength." He opened his eyes and looked at a bronze cauldron in the corner of the secret chamber. Concentration Incense was burning in the cauldron, the smoke curling upward. "Beyond Heaven is still developing; we shouldn't make too many enemies. But if anyone dares to block our path..."

In the smoke, his gaze turned cold, chilling to the bone like the cold jade couch. "Then let them know that The Net's blade doesn't just kill people; it destroys their morale."

Zhao Gao bowed in affirmation, closed the ledger, and retreated into the shadows. Only the faint light of the luminous pearls and the subtle sound of the Concentration Incense burning remained in the secret chamber. Jun Xiaoyao closed his eyes again, unconsciously rubbing The Net token with his fingertip. The image of the profound iron token surfaced in his mind—the other half of the token was supposedly in the hands of the Money Bag Gang, and Shangguan Jinhong, the leader of the Money Bag Gang, was also the Sect Leader of the Misty Rain Tower.

The Qingzhou mission was just the beginning. What he wanted was never just one profound iron token, but all the resources on this continent that Beyond Heaven could utilize. The Net was his outstretched hand, and the Jianghu legends he summoned were the sharpest claws on that hand, ready to tear open a bloody path to the Peak.

Three days later, Qingzhou.

The Murong Family guards changed three shifts, yet they still failed to stop the figure in black. Li Xunhuan stood in Murong He's study, looking at the three Grandmaster Realm corpses on the ground. A Flying Dagger was lodged in each of their foreheads, the blade sinking half an inch, the technique clean and decisive. He retrieved the half of the profound iron token from Murong He's chest and fitted it together with the half he carried. They matched perfectly, and the resulting pattern formed the character "Cang" (Hidden/Treasure).

The sound of horse hooves came from outside the window; the Prefect of Qingzhou had arrived with government officers. Li Xunhuan put away the profound iron token, his figure flickering before he vanished into the night. The Prefect rushed into the study with his men, only to see corpses scattered everywhere, a faint scent of liquor lingering in the air, and a note written in fresh blood on the table:

"The Net is handling business. Bystanders beware—Beyond Heaven"

At the same moment, on Wangfeng Cliff, Moon Invitation watched the team of government officers turning back in the distance, a cold sneer curving her lips. She flicked out a thread of Internal Energy with her fingertip, shattering a nearby boulder that attempted to approach into fine dust. Her gaze turned toward the direction of Jiangnan, where the Misty Rain Tower's lanterns shone blindingly.

Meanwhile, in Beyond Heaven's underground secret chamber, Jun Xiaoyao received the complete profound iron token handed to him by Zhao Gao. The token felt cold to the touch. He placed it on the stone platform in front of the cold jade couch, alongside the other collected secret treasures. The summoning array's halo began to flicker again; the next summoning was about to begin.

The Net has been woven; it only awaits the retrieval. The turmoil on this continent has just begun.