171: Sword Tomb Summoning, Sword Demon Appears

In front of the summoning array of the Heavenly Outer Palace, the purple-gold sword-shaped light became increasingly solid. The sound of sword ringing pierced through gold and cracked stone, causing the stalactites on the ceiling of the palace to rustle.

Jun Xiaoyao stood with his hands behind his back outside the array. The power of the Dragon was faintly visible around his body, echoing the Sword Intent within the light—it was a sword Dao aura that was aloof, domineering, yet filled with endless loneliness, as if it had spanned thousands of years, seeking a home at this very moment.

"Young Lord, this Sword Intent... is so powerful!" Zhao Gao stood to the side, his face pale, the documents in his hand almost slipping away. "The Sword Cultivator assassins of The Net said that this aura alone made their swords dare not leave their sheaths."

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze fell on the center of the light, where a blurry figure was slowly condensing. He wore tattered hemp clothes, a straw rope tied around his waist, yet he held a rusty iron sword in his hand. Although the sword was rusty, it exuded an arrogance of "Among all heroes under heaven, only I am supreme."

[System Prompt: Top-tier sword Dao will detected, meeting summoning conditions. Consuming 30% of Dragon power, summoning begins...]

The purple-gold light suddenly shrank, turning into a stream of light that poured into the figure.

The rusty sword suddenly let out a dragon's roar, and the rust peeled off inch by inch, revealing a sword body like water. There were no decorations on the sword, yet it seemed capable of reflecting all things in heaven and earth. The figure slowly raised his head, his face aged but his eyes sharp, as if they could pierce through the human heart. It was exactly that "Sword Demon" who "sought defeat but could not find it."

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Never Seeking Defeat. From World: "the return of the condor heroes", "the smiling, proud wanderer" (Legendary). Realm: Land Immortal Middle Stage (Sword Dao attainments far exceed the same level, Sword Intent can sever the Void Realm barrier). Martial Skills/Cultivation Techniques: 1. Nine Swords of Dugu (Breaks all martial arts under heaven, anticipates the enemy's moves, winning without moves). 2. Xuantie Sword Technique (Heavy sword has no edge, great skill is not clumsy, one force overcomes ten meetings). 3. No-Sword Realm (Controlling swords with Qi, the sword is invisible, killing from a thousand miles away). Special Abilities: - Sword Dao Enlightenment: Can instantly see through any martial arts flaws, regardless of the Realm, can always find the Opportunity to win. - Sword Intent Manifestation: Condenses one's own Sword Intent into substance, forming a "Sword Domain," within which no one can block his sword. Additional Items: - Ziwei Soft Sword (Used in early years, extremely sharp, can wrap around fingers, later discarded due to accidentally injuring a righteous man). - black iron heavy sword (Used in middle age, weighs eighty-one catties, contains peerless power). Loyalty: 92% (Recognizes the Young Lord's potential, willing to assist with Sword Dao, but his aloof nature is hard to change).]

Never Seeking Defeat raised his hand to gently stroke the black iron heavy sword. The sword body reflected his aged yet spirited face, his voice flat as an ancient well without waves: "Young Master of Tianwaitian? An interesting place." His gaze swept across the palace and finally landed on Jun Xiaoyao. "Your Dragon power is enough to take a sword from me."

Jun Xiaoyao smiled slightly: "The name of the Sword Demon is thunderous to the ears. I have a Sword Tomb here that might catch your eye." He pointed his fingertip, and the water mirror revealed the scene of Sunset Glow Valley—the valley was filled with chaotic stones, countless broken swords and blades inserted into the ground, and the words "Sword Demon buried sword here" carved on the giant rock in the center.

A trace of surprise flashed in Never Seeking Defeat's eyes, then it turned into fanaticism: "Good place! Good place!" His figure flickered, and he appeared in front of the water mirror, his fingers gently stroking the broken swords in the image. "These sword bones still retain the Sword Intent from back then. If I can refine them, my No-Sword Realm might be able to advance further!"

"Sunset Glow Valley is gifted to the Sword Demon." Jun Xiaoyao's tone was indifferent. "Three months later, the Void Fissure in the Forbidden Land will open. There might be an opponent there who can let you 'seek defeat'."

Never Seeking Defeat turned around, and the black iron heavy sword tapped lightly on the ground, cracking the palace floor with several sword marks: "Void Fissure? Is there anyone there who can take three of my swords?"

"It's hard to say." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head. "But at least there are existences that can make you draw your sword."

Never Seeking Defeat said no more. His figure turned into a sword light, rushed out of the palace, and headed straight for Sunset Glow Valley. His voice came from afar: "Three months later, I will appear on time. If you let me down by then, I will tear down this Beyond Heaven with one sword."

Watching the direction where the sword light disappeared, Zhao Gao clicked his tongue: "Young Lord, this Sword Demon's temper is really tough..."

"The strong naturally have their own pride." Jun Xiaoyao didn't mind. "As long as he can contribute in the Forbidden Land, what does a little temper matter?" He looked at the summoning array. "Calculating the time, General Zhao Yun should also be back from the Southern Domain."

As soon as the words fell, the sound of horseshoes came from the entrance of the palace. General Zhao Yun, covered in blood in silver armor, flipped off his horse, the dragon gallbladder bright silver spear in his hand still dripping with poison: "Young Lord, Myriad Gu Cave has been eradicated. The cave master 'Gu King' was killed by my spear, and those prisoners who practiced Gu were all handled according to the rules." He handed over a black wooden box. "This is the 'Myriad Gu Secret Record' found on the Gu King, which records the cultivation methods of the world's strange Gu, and also..."

He paused and added: "I found this in the secret room of the Myriad Gu Cave." He took out a crystal-clear jade bottle, inside which was a small golden insect, its body covered with patterns, which actually looked somewhat similar to the Dragon mark.

[Item Panel Expanded: Name: Golden Silkworm King Gu. Grade: Legendary Gu insect. Effect: Devours all poisons, purifies all evil, can merge into the human body, enhances cultivation speed, invulnerable to swords and spears. Characteristic: Follows life and death after recognizing its master, obeys orders, but has a large appetite and needs to be fed with Heaven And Earth Treasure. Note: Cultivated by Myriad Gu Cave with a thousand years of effort, originally intended to control various forces on the continent, destroyed before success.]

Jun Xiaoyao picked up the jade bottle. The Golden Silkworm King Gu wiggled in the bottle, seemingly sensing the Dragon power, and actually knelt down in his direction. "It's a treasure." He handed the jade bottle to Zhao Gao. "Give it to Divine Doctor Hua, let him study how to fuse it with the Dragon power. Perhaps we can refine a 'Vajra Indestructible Pill'."

"Yes." Zhao Gao took the jade bottle and handed over a secret report. "Young Lord, Xuantian Sect in the Northern Territory has replied, saying they are willing to hand over the Sword Classic, but they hope to let their Young Sect Master join Beyond Heaven and train with the Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao opened the secret report. The portrait of Xuantian Sect's Young Sect Master "Xuantian Chen" came into view—the boy was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features, and the sword at his waist was a rare "Thunder Pattern Sword." His Realm had already reached the Late Stage Great Grandmaster, and his talent was indeed good.

"Can." Jun Xiaoyao picked up his pen and wrote "Approved" on the secret report. "Let him bring the Sword Classic to Beyond Heaven, join the secret group of The Net, and start from the bottom."

Just as Zhao Gao was about to retreat, the Marshal of the Unruly walked in hurriedly, bloodstains on his black python robe: "Young Lord, the Liusha organization in the Western Territory is not honest. Not only did they not hand over the three cities in the Western Regions, but they also killed our three envoys who were persuading them to surrender." He threw a blood-stained alliance agreement on the ground. "Their leader 'Wei Zhuang' said that if Beyond Heaven has the ability, just go and take his head."

The Dragon power at Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips suddenly surged, and the temperature of the palace rose instantly: "Wei Zhuang? That leader of 'Liusha' from 'The Legend of Qin'?"

"Exactly." The Marshal of the Unruly nodded. "This person is in the Late Heaven-Man Realm, the Shark Tooth Sword in his hand is peerlessly sharp, and the 'Four Heavenly Kings' under his command are all Peak Grandmaster Realm, which is not easy to deal with."

The light of the summoning array lit up again, this time with a dark purple light, carrying a cold and strange aura. A cold light flashed in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes: "Since he wants to die, then grant his wish."

[System Prompt: Hostile force provocation detected, meeting the principle of "returning with thunder," triggering random summoning...]

In the dark purple light, a figure slowly walked out, wearing black night clothes, his face covered by a bamboo hat, revealing only a pair of cold eyes, holding a short dagger in his hand, the blade glowing with a faint blue toxic light.

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Jing Ke. From World: "Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Assassins", "The Legend of Qin". Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm (Assassination skills are unmatched, can assassinate across Realms to kill Heavenly Human Realm). Martial Skills/Cultivation Techniques: 1. Jing Ke Stabs Qin (Desperate technique, unexpected, one-hit kill, 99% success rate). 2. Ghost Shadow Step (Strange movement technique, shape like a ghost, good at hiding and surprise attacks). Special Abilities: - Killing Intent Manifestation: Condenses one's own Killing Intent into needles, stabs into the opponent's Sea of Consciousness, making them instantly lose their mind. - Throat-Sealing with Blood: The dagger is quenched with unique deadly poison, even if it is a Heavenly Human Realm, the victim will die within three breaths. Additional Items: - Canhong Sword (Made from extraterrestrial meteorites, extremely sharp, carries violenceqi, later recast into Yuanhong). - Night Clothes (Water and fire resistant, can hide aura, avoid detection). Loyalty: 97% (Admiring the Young Lord's thunderous means, willing to serve with assassination skills).]

Jing Ke knelt on one knee, his bamboo hat slightly tilted: "Subordinate Jing Ke, willing to go to the Western Territory and take Wei Zhuang's head."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him and then at the Marshal of the Unruly: "Wei Zhuang's Liusha is colluding with the remnants of the Qin state. The Unruly know the Qin court best. You take Jing Ke there, and you must be clean and neat."

"Subordinate obeys!" The Marshal of the Unruly and Jing Ke looked at each other. Both were decisive people, and they already had a plan in mind.

After the two left, the palace returned to silence. Jun Xiaoyao walked to the water mirror, looking at the scene of Never Seeking Defeat refining sword bones with Sword Intent in Sunset Glow Valley, and then looked at the distribution map of the Liusha organization in the Western Territory, finally landing his eyes on the mark of the Forbidden Land.

Never Seeking Defeat in the Land Immortal Realm, the assassination-unmatched Jing Ke, plus General Zhao Yun, Li Yuanba, Yang Jian, and others, the strength of Beyond Heaven is enough to sweep across the continent, but he knows this is not enough. Behind the Void Fissure, there may be stronger existences, or even other "Systems" or "Transmigrators."

He tapped the summoning array with his fingertips, and the Dragon mark at the eye of the array became more brilliant: "It's time to summon another one who can strategize."

[System Prompt: Consuming 20% of Dragon power, designating "Strategy Type" character summoning in progress...]

The summoning array lit up with soft white light, and an old man in a plain Confucian shirt walked out slowly, holding a feather fan, with a scholarly appearance. It was the "Wolong" gentleman who "exhausted his energy until death."

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Kongming. From World: "romance of the three kingdoms". Realm: Grandmaster Realm Peak (Strategy converted into combat power is equivalent to Earthly Immortal Early-Stage, can strategize and win thousands of miles away). Abilities: 1. Mystical Arts of Wondrous Gates and Hidden Staves (Proficient in Formation, can set up "Eight Trigrams Formation," trapping and killing Land Immortal Realm). 2. Divine Calculation (Insight into human hearts, predicting the situation, calculating without error). 3. Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse (Proficient in mechanism techniques, can manufacture transportation tools and war machines). Additional Items: - Zhuge Repeating Crossbow (Can fire ten arrows at once, power comparable to a full-force blow of Grandmaster Realm). - Eight Trigrams Formation Plate (Used for deducing Formations and battle situations, 99% accuracy). Loyalty: 98% (Admiring the Young Lord's potential, willing to assist with lifelong learning, only seeking to display his ambitions).]

Kongming held the feather fan and bowed deeply to Jun Xiaoyao: "Kongming has met the Young Lord. Hearing that the Young Lord intends to plot against the Forbidden Land, Kongming has a strategy that can help Beyond Heaven stand in an invincible position."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at this legendary strategist, and anticipation flashed in his eyes: "Sir, please speak."

Kongming shook his feather fan lightly, and the map in the water mirror instantly reorganized, with countless light spots flashing, representing various forces: "Three months later, the fissure will open, and all major forces will gather in the Forbidden Land. At that time, we can let Never Seeking Defeat, Yang Jian, and others attack head-on to attract attention; General Zhao Yun and Jing Ke will lead The Net to sneak attack and seize resources; I will use the Eight Trigrams Formation to protect the core to ensure the Young Lord enters the fissure safely..."

He spoke eloquently, every step was extremely precise, bringing the advantages of Beyond Heaven into full play, and even listed countermeasures for possible variables one by one.

Jun Xiaoyao listened quietly, becoming more and more certain in his heart that with Kongming, the actions of Beyond Heaven in the Forbidden Land would surely be twice the result with half the effort.

Outside the palace, the sword ringing in Sunset Glow Valley echoed with the Killing Intent in the Western Territory, and the medicine fragrance in the Southern Domain intertwined with the wind and snow in the Northern Territory to form a net. Jun Xiaoyao knew that with the addition of Never Seeking Defeat, Jing Ke, and Kongming, this net of Beyond Heaven was already tough enough and sharp enough.

The three-month period passed in a flash. The situation in the Forbidden Land was about to become more turbulent due to the intervention of Beyond Heaven. And he, Jun Xiaoyao, would sit in the center of The Net, watching the heroes of the world compete for the deer, and finally, take all the opportunities and resources into his pocket.