154: The Net, the first traces of the Outer Heavens.

Jun Xiaoyao sat in the shadows of Beyond Heaven's secret chamber, his fingertips lightly tapping the cold stone table. A map of continental powers lay flat on the table, with 'The Net' strongholds marked in vermilion, spreading like a spiderweb across the territories of the Seven Kingdoms. The ink-colored mark representing 'Beyond Heaven' still lay dormant in the central, confined area.

"Zhao Gao." He didn't even lift his head, his voice very low, like falling snow on ice, "The Net's 'Cleaner' mission in Chu, failed?"

From the shadows, Zhao Gao stepped out, bowing. His dark robe swept over the dry leaves on the ground, making a faint rustling sound. "Yes, Young Lord. The head of the guards of the 'Nangong Family' in Chu is at the Peak Innate Realm, two minor Realms higher than indicated in the intelligence. Three of the brothers responsible for the assassination were killed, and they were pursued for thirty li, almost exposing The Net's foothold." He handed over a blood-stained secret report. "This is a blood letter sent back from the scene; the last brother used his life to record the Nangong Family's defense map."

Jun Xiaoyao took the secret report, his fingertips tracing the blurry bloodstains, his eyes showing no fluctuation: "Peak Innate Realm? It seems the waters of Chu are deeper than expected." He brought the secret report to the candlelight, watching the flame lick the paper. "Send the Marshal of the Unruly to Chu."

"The Marshal of the Unruly is currently reorganizing the sub-branch in Xuzhou; his 'The Unruly' have just completed their covert deployment at Haoran Academy..." Zhao Gao hesitated, "Should we summon other personnel?"

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, the candlelight casting flickering spots in his eyes. "The Marshal of the Unruly's 'Heavenly Yue Axe' needs to be sharpened. Deliver my order: have him take thirty Shadow Guards and dismantle the Nangong Family's guard camp within three days. And while you're at it... bring back evidence of the Nangong Family colluding with the Demonic Cult."

Zhao Gao bowed in assent, about to retreat, but Jun Xiaoyao stopped him: "Wait. Is the summoning array's energy fully charged?"

"Replying to Young Lord, the 'Star Sand' was replenished yesterday; it is enough to summon a Great Grandmaster Realm expert."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded, rising and walking towards the summoning array in the center of the secret chamber. The seven 'Soul-Suppressing Jades' embedded in the array's core emitted a faint blue glow, and pale golden energy, formed from nearly a hundred missions' accumulated Killing Intent and faith, flowed through the rune patterns.

"This time, I need someone skilled in stealth assassination." His fingertips traced the array's core, and the Soul-Suppressing Jade's light suddenly intensified. "Jianghu rumors say 'Treading Snow Without a Trace, killing with a plucked leaf.' Let's invite him."

Zhao Gao immediately understood, took out a dagger coated with potent poison, cut his palm, and dripped blood into the array's core. The moment the blood seeped into the runes, the entire summoning array came alive, its patterns spreading across the ground, weaving a glowing net in the center of the secret chamber.

[System Prompt: Connecting to Wuxia World coordinates... Matching target: 'Shadowless Sword' Ye Gucheng]

The light in the array flared, and a white-robed figure slowly walked out, treading on the light net. His ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, his face as cold as carved ice and sculpted snow. The longsword at his waist remained sheathed, yet a formidable Sword Intent emanated from it. When he landed, his toes lightly touched the ground, and not a speck of dust stirred, truly embodying the phrase 'Treading Snow Without a Trace.'

[Character Panel]

Name: Ye Gucheng

Origin World: "legend of lu xiaofeng"

Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster

Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:

1. Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens: Sword moves as sharp as an immortal descending to the mortal Realm, speed reaching the extreme. When the sword is drawn, it brings forth a sky full of Sword Qi, capable of simultaneously slaying several Martial Artists of the same rank.

2. Shadowless Steps: Evasive footwork, moving through the air without a sound, skilled at concealing one's figure in chaos to approach targets.

3. Aloof Sword Intent: A solitary and resolute mental state, unaffected by external influences. The sword moves contain 'solitude' and 'arrogance,' mentally suppressing those with wavering resolve.

Ye Gucheng's gaze swept across the secret chamber, finally resting on Jun Xiaoyao. When he cupped his hands, his sleeves fluttered like a white bird spreading its wings: "Ye Gucheng greets Young Lord." His voice was clear and crisp, like fragmented ice striking jade.

"Mr. Ye." Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. "The Nangong Family in Chu, their head guard is at the Peak Innate Realm, and their residence's defenses are tight. The Net's people failed; you are needed to finish the job."

Ye Gucheng's fingertips stroked the sword hilt, and the blade emitted a soft hum: "Killing, or retrieving an item?"

"Both." Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip pointed to the Nangong Family's location on the map. "Kill the head guard and retrieve the 'Nangong Family's secret letter to the Demonic Cult' from his person. Remember, keep the disturbance minimal; don't let anyone detect traces of Beyond Heaven."

"Understood." Ye Gucheng didn't ask further, turned and walked towards the secret chamber's exit. The moment his white robe disappeared into the shadows, it was as if he had never been there, leaving only a faint wisp of sword fragrance.

Zhao Gao looked in the direction he disappeared, and whispered: "Once Ye Gucheng's 'Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens' is unsheathed, it will surely be earth-shattering. Won't that be too flashy?"

"Flashy?" Jun Xiaoyao sneered, sitting back into the shadows. "The Nangong Family dared to harm my Net's people; they should know the cost. Sending Ye Gucheng is to tell those aristocratic families—The Net's backing is not something they can provoke."

Three days later, news arrived from Chu.

The Marshal of the Unruly, leading the Shadow Guards, raided the Nangong Family's guard camp. As the Heavenly Yue Axe split open the camp gate, he encountered Ye Gucheng emerging from the head guard's room. His white robe was unstained by a single drop of blood, and in his hand, he held a secret letter sealed with wax.

"Where is he?" The Marshal of the Unruly asked in a deep voice.

Ye Gucheng pointed his sword tip towards the beam, where the head guard's corpse hung, a hair-thin sword mark on his throat, clearly a single fatal strike. "The secret letter is here." He handed the letter to the Marshal of the Unruly. "The other guards in the residence were not alerted; only three patrol route cards were swapped. They won't detect any abnormality before dawn."

The Marshal of the Unruly took the secret letter, unfolded it, and indeed, it contained transaction records between the Nangong Family Head and a Demonic Cult Elder, involving ten ships of military equipment and five hundred loyalists. "Well done." He put the secret letter into his bosom. "Young Lord asked me to convey a message—if Mr. Ye doesn't mind, he can temporarily stay at the Chu sub-branch; The Net's intelligence network will always provide convenience for you."

Ye Gucheng nodded, then turned and leaped over the wall: "No need. I am accustomed to traveling alone; just summon me when there's a mission." His white-robed figure vanished into the night after a few leaps, with only the sword fragrance in the air proving his presence.

When the news reached the Beyond Heaven secret chamber, Jun Xiaoyao was reviewing the 'Recent Losses of The Net' list compiled by Zhao Gao. Hearing of Ye Gucheng's handling, a subtle arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"As for the Marshal of the Unruly, have him make three copies of the secret letter." Jun Xiaoyao marked an 'X' on the 'Nangong Family' location on the map. "One copy to the 'Demon Purging' yamen of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, one posted on the Nangong Family's main gate, and the last one... leave it for the Demonic Cult Master to see, tell him someone is trying to cause trouble using his name."

Zhao Gao acknowledged and began to record, then suddenly remembered something: "Young Lord, Ye Gucheng's Realm is Late Stage Great Grandmaster, half a stage higher than the Marshal of the Unruly. Should we... integrate him into Beyond Heaven's core?"

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head, his gaze falling on the 'Snow Region Sect' at the edge of the map, where a question mark was circled in red. "Beyond Heaven doesn't need 'cores,' only 'chess pieces.' Summon them when useful, set them aside when not. That is best."

He paused, looking at the now dim Soul-Suppressing Jade in the summoning array: "For the next summoning, wait until the energy is fully accumulated. Currently, The Net's expansion rate is just right; too fast and it's easy to be targeted by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance."

Zhao Gao bowed in assent, his awe growing. This Young Lord seemed to manage nothing, yet he calculated every step precisely—letting The Net fight in the open, letting the summoned experts finish tasks in the shadows, while Beyond Heaven remained hidden in the deepest recesses, like an invisible net slowly tightening, bringing all continental powers under its control.

As night deepened, the candlelight in the secret chamber flickered, illuminating Jun Xiaoyao's calm profile. He picked up the copy of the secret letter Ye Gucheng had brought back, his fingertips tracing the words 'Demonic Cult,' and his eyes grew colder.

"Zhao Gao," he suddenly spoke, "Have The Net investigate the Demonic Cult Master's background. I hear he's recently been searching for a method to Shatter the Void. Perhaps... we can make a deal."

When Zhao Gao looked up, he saw a sharp glint flash in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes, like a sword hidden in its sheath, finally about to reveal its edge. He knew that Beyond Heaven, this dormant net, was nearing the time to reel in its catch.