172: The Eight Trigrams Formation is complete, and the secret orders of the Net are issued.

Jun Xiaoyao sat on the main seat of the Heavenly Outer Palace, his fingertips tapping gently on the armrest, his gaze falling on the water mirror floating before him.

In the water mirror, Kongming stood on the open ground of Sunset Glow Valley, holding the Eight Trigrams Formation Plate, commanding dozens of The Unruly to set up the Formation base.

The Unruly were dressed in black, tight-fitting outfits, moving with efficiency as they embedded bluestones carved with runes into the ground; each stone that fell triggered a subtle ripple of energy.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao walked in from outside, bowing as he handed over a file, "The Net has received news that all strongholds of the Quicksand in the Western Border have been marked. Jing Ke and the Marshal of the Unruly are leading a team, lurking near Wei Zhuang's main camp, waiting only for your order."

Jun Xiaoyao took the file but did not open it, simply saying indifferently: "Tell them to stand by. It is not too late to act after Kongming's Eight Trigrams Formation is set up."

Zhao Gao replied "Yes," and added: "Additionally, the Young Sect Master of the Northern Border's Xuantian Sect, Xuantian Chen, has arrived. He is waiting outside the palace with the Sword Scripture, saying he wants to present it to the Young Lord personally."

"Let him in."

Before long, a youth in white Daoist robes walked into the Heavenly Outer Palace. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features and a thunder-patterned sword hanging at his waist. Upon seeing Jun Xiaoyao, he performed a proper Daoist salute: "Xuantian Chen greets the Young Lord." As he spoke, he took out a yellowed ancient book from his bosom and offered it with both hands, "This is the 'Xuantian Sword Scripture' cherished by my father; please examine it, Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao motioned for Zhao Gao to take the Sword Scripture, tapping his fingertips on the file: "Since you have joined the secret group of The Net, you should follow the rules of The Net. From today on, you are no longer the Young Sect Master of the Xuantian Sect, but simply 'Chen' of The Net."

Xuantian Chen was stunned for a moment, then bowed his head and replied: "Yes, subordinate Chen understands."

"Go down. Find Zhao Gao to receive the standard equipment of The Net, and start learning from the basic assassination techniques."

After Xuantian Chen left, Jun Xiaoyao opened the "Xuantian Sword Scripture," scanned a few pages, and tossed it to General Zhao Yun beside him: "Your spear technique and sword technique are connected; take this sword scripture to study."

General Zhao Yun took the Sword Scripture and bowed, saying: "Thank you, Young Lord."

At this moment, the scene in the water mirror changed—the bluestones laid by Kongming had connected into one, forming a massive Eight Trigrams pattern. Runes flowed between the stones, and the faint sound of wind and thunder emerged. Kongming held a feather fan and tapped it lightly; the entire Formation suddenly lit up, and eight pillars of light shot into the sky, enveloping Sunset Glow Valley.

[Character Panel Updated: Kongming, Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm (under the enhancement of the Formation, can contend with the Land Immortal Realm). Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Eight Trigrams Formation (a trinity of trapping, killing, and maze Formations; one can freely manipulate space within the Formation, weakening the enemy's strength by 30% and boosting one's own combat power by 50%); Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse (Major Achievement in mechanism arts, can create Puppet soldiers within the Formation, simulating the combat power of the Grandmaster Realm). Special Ability: Divine Calculation (100% accuracy in predicting the battle situation within the Formation).]

"It is done." Jun Xiaoyao looked at the water mirror, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

Just then, a secret agent of The Net rushed in and knelt on one knee: "Young Lord, this is bad! Wei Zhuang of the Quicksand seems to have detected our movements and is bringing the Four Heavenly Kings and three hundred death soldiers towards Sunset Glow Valley. It looks like he wants to destroy the Formation!"

"They come at the right time." Jun Xiaoyao tapped a rhythm on the armrest, "Let Jing Ke and the Marshal of the Unruly proceed according to the original plan and hold down Wei Zhuang's death soldiers. General Zhao Yun, take fifty Luowang Assassins, go around from the flank, and cut off their retreat."

"General acknowledges the order!" General Zhao Yun cupped his fists and left.

Jun Xiaoyao looked again at Kongming in the water mirror: "Sir, it is time to let them witness the power of the Eight Trigrams Formation."

In the water mirror, Kongming gently waved his feather fan and shouted to the outside of the Formation: "Activate the Formation!"

In an instant, the light of the Eight Trigrams Formation in Sunset Glow Valley flared intensely. The originally empty valley suddenly filled with countless phantoms—cavalry holding long spears, infantry wielding broadswords, and even archers operating crossbows. They were dense and numerous, totaling several thousand. These phantoms were all Puppet soldiers transformed by the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, and under the enhancement of the Formation, each possessed the combat power of the Grandmaster Realm.

Wei Zhuang rushed to the mouth of the valley with his men and, seeing this scene, his pupils constricted: "An illusion! Break it for me!" He swung the Shark Tooth Sword in his hand, and a jet-black Sword Qi slashed towards the Formation, but it was blocked by an invisible barrier, and the Sword Qi dissipated.

"Master Wei Zhuang, since you have come, you might as well stay." Kongming's voice came from within the Formation, carrying a hint of a smile.

One of the Four Heavenly Kings behind Wei Zhuang, "White Phoenix," flickered and turned into a white shadow, attempting to bypass the Formation from the air, but was blocked by a sudden wall of wind that rose within the Formation, sustaining several wounds. "Leader, this Formation is strange; we can't get in!"

Wei Zhuang's face was gloomy, and just as he was about to order a full-scale attack, shouting came from behind—Jing Ke led the Luowang Assassins out from the shadows, the short daggers in his hands glinting with a ghostly blue toxic light, specifically targeting the isolated death soldiers, knocking down a dozen in the blink of an eye. The Marshal of the Unruly led The Unruly in a frontal assault; the chain-spear in his hand danced with such force that it tightly entangled Wei Zhuang's main force.

"Damn it!" Wei Zhuang did not expect an ambush and was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, General Zhao Yun led his men around to Wei Zhuang's rear and pointed his long spear: "Wei Zhuang, your retreat has been cut off by me."

Wei Zhuang looked around, blocked by the Eight Trigrams Formation in front, intercepted by General Zhao Yun in the back, and with Jing Ke and the forces of the Marshal of the Unruly on the sides, he immediately understood—he had fallen into a net of heaven and earth.

"The methods of Beyond Heaven are indeed stronger than rumored." Wei Zhuang gripped the Shark Tooth Sword tightly, a flash of ferocity in his eyes, "But it won't be so easy to keep me here!" He flashed forward, charging directly into the Eight Trigrams Formation, his Shark Tooth Sword suffused with black energy, clearly exerting his full strength.

Seeing this, Kongming in the Formation pointed his feather fan toward the Gate of Life: "Let him in."

The barrier of the Formation yielded a gap, and Wei Zhuang rushed in without hesitation. However, the moment he stepped into the Formation, the surrounding scene changed—the original valley had turned into a maze, with identical stone walls all around. Sounds of fighting echoed in his ears, but he couldn't see a single person.

"Petty tricks!" Wei Zhuang slashed his sword at the stone wall; the wall shattered upon impact, but after the fragments fell to the ground, they recombined into new stone walls, seemingly endless.

"Master Wei Zhuang, in the Eight Trigrams Formation, space is under my control." Kongming's voice echoed in the maze, "You had better stay put, otherwise, these Puppet soldiers will not be polite."

As soon as the words fell, countless Puppet soldiers rushed out from behind the surrounding stone walls, each wielding weapons, surrounding and attacking Wei Zhuang. Wei Zhuang brandished his Shark Tooth Sword and resisted desperately. Although every sword stroke could kill several Puppets, the Puppet soldiers were endless. Soon, they surrounded him in the center, and he gradually felt overwhelmed.

The battle outside was also drawing to a close. The Four Heavenly Kings were resolved by the joint efforts of the Marshal of the Unruly and Jing Ke; more than half of the three hundred death soldiers were killed or injured, and the rest became prisoners of the Luowang Assassins. General Zhao Yun reined in his horse, watching the constant sounds of collision coming from the Formation, and asked: "Young Lord, should we go in and help?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked through the water mirror at Wei Zhuang, who was trapped in the Formation and in a sorry state, and shook his head: "No need. He is still of use." He said to Zhao Gao, "Pass on my order: incorporate all the remaining forces of the Quicksand. Those willing to submit will be integrated into The Net, and those who resist... deal with them cleanly."

"Yes." Zhao Gao bowed and replied.

In the water mirror, Kongming retracted his feather fan, and the light of the Eight Trigrams Formation gradually dissipated, revealing Wei Zhuang, who was covered in wounds and suppressed by the Puppet soldiers. Kongming walked up to him and said indifferently: "Master Wei Zhuang, are you willing to submit to Beyond Heaven now?"

Wei Zhuang looked up toward the direction of the water mirror, as if he could see Jun Xiaoyao through it. He coughed up blood and sneered: "Beyond Heaven... I suppose I've lost. If you want to kill me, do as you please."

"Kill you? That would be too easy for you." Jun Xiaoyao's voice came through the water mirror, "From today on, you are 'Shark' of The Net. If you dare to disobey, the Eight Trigrams Formation will show you what it means to wish for death."

Wei Zhuang looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief. He did not expect Jun Xiaoyao to actually want to incorporate him.

Kongming seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled: "The Young Lord has always cherished talent. Your strength is not bad; instead of dying here, it is better to join us. Perhaps in the future, you will have the opportunity to witness a higher Realm."

Wei Zhuang was silent for a long time, looking at the threatening Puppet soldiers and Luowang Assassins around him, and finally gritted his teeth: "Fine! I submit! But if you make me do things that go against my principles, I would rather perish!"

"As long as you behave yourself, Beyond Heaven will not treat you unfairly." Jun Xiaoyao's voice carried unquestionable majesty, "General Zhao Yun, take him to see Zhao Gao and handle the procedures for joining The Net."

"General acknowledges the order."

After everyone retreated, Jun Xiaoyao was the only one left in the Heavenly Outer Palace. He watched Sunset Glow Valley in the water mirror gradually return to calm, his fingertips tapping gently on the armrest. The power of the Eight Trigrams Formation exceeded his expectations; with Kongming here, the combat power of Beyond Heaven had been raised to another level. Next, it was time to prepare for the Void Fissure in three months.

He raised his hand and waved; the summoning array lit up again. In the soft white light, a man in white clothes holding a jade flute walked out slowly. His temperament was gentle as jade; it was exactly the "A man as jade, a Young Master peerless in the world" Duan Yu.

[Character Panel Expanded: Duan Yu, from "demi-gods and semi-devils", Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm. Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Six Meridians Divine Sword (using fingers as swords, intangible and formless, capable of long-range attacks); Beiming Divine Art (absorbing others' Internal Energy for one's own use); Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves (exquisite footwork, extremely high evasion rate). Special Ability: Immune to all poisons (due to accidentally eating the Mang Gu Zhu Ha, can be immune to all poisons).]

Duan Yu cupped his fists and saluted Jun Xiaoyao, saying softly: "Duan Yu greets the Young Lord. I do not know what orders you have for summoning me?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him and said indifferently: "Your Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves and Six Meridians Divine Sword just happen to make up for The Net's shortcomings in speed and long-range attacks. From today on, you join The Net, codename 'Jade'."

Duan Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "It is Duan Yu's honor to serve the Young Lord. It's just... I do not like fighting and killing. If I can avoid taking action, could I try not to?"

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: "You may. But when it is time to take action, there must be no hesitation."

"Duan Yu understands."

Watching Duan Yu's retreating back, the corners of Jun Xiaoyao's mouth hooked into an imperceptible arc. The members of The Net were becoming more and more diverse, which was very good. When the Void Fissure opened, no matter what he encountered, Beyond Heaven had the confidence to deal with it.

He looked at the water mirror again, which was displaying news from various strongholds of The Net—the aristocratic families of the Eastern Region had submitted, the Sects of the Southern Region expressed willingness to cooperate, the trade routes of the Western Region were completely controlled, and the Imperial Dynasty of the Northern Border had sent hostages... The shadow of Beyond Heaven had quietly enveloped the entire continent.

And this, was merely the beginning.