147: Xuan Tie Token appears

Inside the library of the Tianwaitian Headquarters, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

Jun Xiaoyao reclined on a rosewood lounge chair, toying with the fully assembled profound iron token in his hand; the character 'Cang' (Hidden) on the token gleamed with a cold metallic luster under the candlelight.

The library was filled with shelves packed with Secret Manuals collected by The Net over the years, ranging from the basic 'Taizu Long Fist' to the rare 'Nether Ghost Claw,' a dazzling array that exuded the scent of accumulated time.

Young Lord, Li Xunhuan has brought back the profound iron token. As per your instructions, the news of the Murong family's extermination has spread throughout Qingzhou.

Zhao Gao walked in softly, holding a scroll of sheepskin map. The edges of the map were yellowed, clearly showing its age. This was found in a secret compartment in Murong He's study. It marks the approximate location of the 'Previous Dynasty's Treasure Trove' in the 'Black Wind Ancient City' of the Northern Desert.

Jun Xiaoyao took the map and unfolded it to examine it closely.

The location of Black Wind Ancient City was circled in cinnabar, with labels like 'Quicksand Formation,' 'Mother-Child River,' and 'Soul-Severing Bridge' marked nearby. Beside them were a few lines of small text, seemingly a warning left by predecessors: 'The ancient city has a spirit; those who enter without permission will suffer Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.'

Black Wind Ancient City...

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his finger lightly on the 'Quicksand Formation.' Legend has it that it is the burial ground of the previous dynasty's royal family, containing enough grain, fodder, and weapons to equip an army of one hundred thousand, as well as half of the 'True Dragon Formula'.

He raised his eyes to look at Zhao Gao. Can the hidden agents of The Net in the Northern Desert infiltrate the outskirts of the ancient city?

Zhao Gao bowed and said: The 'Sand Rat Gang' of the Northern Desert has already been subdued by The Net. The gang leader, Sha Laosan, is a native of the Northern Desert and is familiar with the terrain of Black Wind Ancient City. It is said that his grandfather was a descendant of the ancient city's garrison general, and he possesses a more detailed map of the secret passages. However...

He paused. The Sand Rat Gang recently clashed with the 'Thunderbolt Sect.' The Thunderbolt Sect's Sect Leader, Lei Qianchi, sent people to seize their three carts of water, and Sha Laosan is currently leading his men in a standoff against them in the desert.

Jun Xiaoyao placed the profound iron token on the map, and the token perfectly aligned with the location of the ancient city. The Thunderbolt Sect? They certainly know how to pick their timing.

He looked at the summoning array in the center of the library, where the Spirit Stone at the eye of the array was emitting a soft white light. Initiate the summoning. This time, designate a character 'skilled in the Mystical Arts of Wondrous Gates and Hidden Staves'.

[System Prompt: Consuming 1800 points, summoning within the designated range...]

[Energy gathering... Runes matching... Summoning successful!]

A pale cyan light erupted from the array, and the runes rose like vines, condensing into a figure dressed in Daoist robes.

The man held a whisk, had white hair and a youthful face, and deep eyes. He was the extraordinary character from 'the legend of the condor heroes'.

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Yellow Pharmacist. From World: 'the legend of the condor heroes'. Realm: Mid-stage Terrestrial Immortal Realm. Martial Skills and Cultivation Technique: 1. 'Falling Blossom Sword Palm': The palm technique is agile and elegant, like falling blossoms, containing the principles of the Five Elements' mutual generation and restriction. 2. 'Blue Sea Surging Tide Melody': Uses sound waves to attack, capable of disturbing the opponent's mind; anyone below the Grandmaster Realm will surely fall into chaos upon hearing it. 3. 'Five Turns of the Mystical Arts': Proficient in the Mystical Arts of Wondrous Gates and Hidden Staves, as well as the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams; his skill in setting up Formations is unparalleled in the world.]

[Additional Items: One jade flute, a transcribed copy of the second volume of the 'Nine Yin Manual,' and one Eight Trigrams compass.]

[Loyalty: 100% (System forced binding)]

Yellow Pharmacist cupped his hands toward Jun Xiaoyao, his voice clear and resonant like jade striking stone. Island Master Huang greets the Young Lord.

His gaze swept over the map on the table, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. The Formation of Black Wind Ancient City is somewhat similar to the 'Mystical Formation' of my Peach Blossom Island, only more domineering.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. Yellow Pharmacist, you are proficient in Formations. I shall trouble you to break the Quicksand Formation of Black Wind Ancient City.

Yellow Pharmacist stroked his beard and smiled. Breaking Formations and solving puzzles is an elegant affair. If you trust me, Young Lord, give me three days, and I will surely find the 'Life Gate' of the Quicksand Formation.

He picked up the Eight Trigrams compass and flicked his fingertips lightly on it. However, it is said that Lei Qianchi of the Thunderbolt Sect has practiced the 'Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Technique.' This technique is extremely Yang and rigid, possessing a natural restraining power over Formations. If he interferes, I fear there may be some trouble.

Do not worry about that, Jun Xiaoyao said. Let Li Xunhuan and Moon Invitation go meet him. One has Flying Daggers that never miss, and the other can use Flower Transfer to reflect attacks. That will be enough to give Lei Qianchi a hard time.

Three days later, in the Northern Desert.

The Sand Rat Gang's camp was pitched beside an oasis. Sha Laosan was frowning while holding a water bag; the camp's water jars had hit bottom. If they could not find a water source, his brothers would likely not survive until tomorrow. Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats came from afar. Lei Qianchi led the Thunderbolt Sect Disciples in a charge. Lei Qianchi, who was at the lead, held two bronze hammers and was full of aggressive Aura: Sha Laosan, hand over the map of the secret passage, kneel down, and kowtow three times, and I will return your water!

Sha Laosan gritted his teeth and said: Lei Qianchi, don't go too far! That secret passage map is my Sha family's heirloom; how could I give it to you?

Just then, a figure in black flashed out from behind a sand dune. The Flying Dagger in Li Xunhuan's hand shot out like a meteor, precisely striking Lei Qianchi's bronze hammer. With a crisp 'clang,' the bronze hammer was jarred half an inch off course.

Who is it?! Lei Qianchi roared angrily.

The person who will take your life. Li Xunhuan walked out slowly, his wine gourd swaying gently in his hand. The Net is conducting business. Irrelevant people, get out.

Lei Qianchi recognized the Flying Dagger, and his expression changed drastically. Are you the one who killed Murong He?

He swung his hammers at Li Xunhuan. Daring to touch my people in the Northern Desert? You're courting death!

The bronze hammers struck with the sound of wind and thunder. Li Xunhuan did not retreat but advanced instead. He unleashed the Ghost Shadow Tracking Steps, his figure becoming elusive. At the same time, his fingertips flicked repeatedly, and three Flying Daggers shot out simultaneously, targeting Lei Qianchi's throat, heart, and Dantian. Lei Qianchi was greatly alarmed and hurriedly turned his hammers to block, but heard a 'pfft' sound. One Flying Dagger bypassed the bronze hammer and struck his left shoulder, blood gushing out instantly.

Despicable! Lei Qianchi roared, circulating the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Technique. Golden lightning light emanated from his body, attempting to use his rigid and fierce Internal Energy to repel the Flying Dagger.

Suddenly, a purple shadow flashed by. Moon Invitation appeared behind Lei Qianchi, tapping her fingertips lightly. She activated Flower Transfer, reflecting all of Lei Qianchi's lightning light back at him. Lei Qianchi was caught off guard and was forced to retreat repeatedly by his own Internal Energy, vomiting blood.

The Thunderbolt Sect is nothing more than this. Moon Invitation's voice was cold. If you dare to interfere in the affairs of Black Wind Ancient City again, next time, it will be your head that is severed.

Lei Qianchi looked at the two of them, knowing he was no match. He glared at Sha Laosan resentfully and left in a sorry state with his Disciples.

Sha Laosan hurriedly stepped forward, cupping his hands toward Li Xunhuan and Moon Invitation. Many thanks to both experts for your help! The secret passage map...

We will take the map, Li Xunhuan said. But we won't take it for free. Beyond Heaven will give you ten carts of water and five hundred scimitars, enough for your Sand Rat Gang to establish a foothold in the Northern Desert.

Sha Laosan was overjoyed. Many thanks to the Young Lord! Many thanks to the experts!

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Black Wind Ancient City.

Yellow Pharmacist stood on a sand dune, holding the Eight Trigrams compass, his fingertips moving rapidly over it. Behind him followed ten Luowang Assassins, each carrying engineering shovels and ropes, ready to break the Formation at any moment.

This Formation uses quicksand as its body and earthly fire as its guide. The Life Gate is in the 'Kan' position, but it changes with the time of day. Yellow Pharmacist pointed to the desert ahead. Do you see those three withered trees? Their shadows will form a straight line at three-quarters past noon. Follow this line, and you can avoid the quicksand.

He took out his jade flute and began to play. The sound of the flute was clear and resonant, surprisingly calming the surrounding quicksand. The Blue Sea Surging Tide Melody can temporarily soothe the earthly fire. I will give you half an hour to find the entrance to the secret passage.

The Luowang Assassins acted immediately, following Yellow Pharmacist's guidance and moving along the shadows of the trees; sure enough, they did not sink into the quicksand. Half an hour later, one assassin shouted: Found it! The entrance is under a black stone!

Yellow Pharmacist walked up, looking at the black stone, which was carved with the same 'Cang' character as the profound iron token.

He tapped it lightly with his jade flute, and the black stone moved aside in response, revealing a secret passage that could only accommodate one person. It was pitch black inside, and the sound of wind could be vaguely heard.

There are mechanisms inside; I will accompany you in, Yellow Pharmacist said. The Young Lord is still waiting for our good news.

Tianwaitian Headquarters, library.

Jun Xiaoyao watched the image transmitted on the water mirror; the entrance to the secret passage had been opened, and Yellow Pharmacist was leading his men deep into the ancient city.

He picked up the profound iron token; the 'Cang' character on the token seemed to have become clearer, with faint golden light flowing over it.

Zhao Gao walked in and handed over a secret report. Young Lord, news has come from the Imperial City. The Third Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty wants to recruit us, saying he is willing to trade 'dragon saliva incense' for information about the profound iron token.

Jun Xiaoyao chuckled. dragon saliva incense? He is quite generous.

He put the profound iron token away. Tell the Third Prince that we can give him the information, but he must help us do one thing—wipe out the Thunderbolt Sect's stronghold in the Imperial City.

Zhao Gao bowed and replied: This subordinate will go handle it immediately.

Jun Xiaoyao looked out the window; the wind and sand of the Northern Desert seemed to blow before his eyes through the water mirror.

The Treasure Trove of Black Wind Ancient City was only the first step. Next, what he wanted was the resources of the entire Northern Desert, the power of the Great Qian Dynasty, and everything on this continent that could be used by Beyond Heaven.

The candlelight in the library flickered, reflecting on the shelves full of Secret Manuals, and also reflecting in Jun Xiaoyao's unfathomable eyes.

The Net of The Net was spreading ever wider, and those prey caught in it did not yet know what kind of storm they were about to face.