186: Seven Star Pavilion's Bounty

The bronze lamp in the depths of the underground palace flickered with a faint light, casting Jun Xiaoyao's shadow long. His fingertips toyed with an ebony token, on which the three characters "Beyond Heaven" were carved so shallowly that one would mistake it for an ordinary wooden plaque if not for a close look.

A black market map lay spread on the table. A cinnabar pen had circled the characters "Hundred Herbs Valley" in red, with a small annotation beside it: "Remnants of the Poppy Field, coveting star marrow."

"Zhao Gao," Jun Xiaoyao said without raising his head, his voice drifting through the lamplight with a hint of nonchalance.

A hunched figure emerged from the shadows; it was Zhao Gao. He held a bronze tray with three Jade Slips on it and bowed, saying, "Young Lord, these are the recent black market missions accepted by The Net. Among them is a bounty from the 'Seven Star Pavilion,' targeting the 'worry-forgetting grass' secret manual of Hundred Herbs Valley, priced at five thousand taels of gold."

Jun Xiaoyao glanced at the Jade Slips and tapped his finger on the characters "Hundred Herbs Valley." "Interesting, they've come knocking first." He picked up one of the Jade Slips, injected a trace of Internal Energy, and the Jade Slip glowed faintly, revealing the phantom image of a summoning array—this was the token to activate the System's summon.

[System Prompt: Host's demand detected, random summoning initiated, energy matching...]

The flame of the bronze lamp suddenly shot up half an inch, casting a blurred silhouette in the center of the underground palace. The silhouette gradually solidified, revealing a figure dressed in black, with an iron ruler hanging at his waist, a resolute face, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Zhan Zhao (from the world of three heroes and five gallants)

Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster

Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:

1. Zhanlu Sword Technique: Sword moves are steady, capable of breaking seventy percent of all hidden weapons in the world. Once used this sword to slay eighteen black-clad assassins outside Kaifeng Prefecture.

2. Sleeve Arrow Technique: Twelve bone-piercing nails hidden in the sleeve, range of three zhang, hits every time, specifically designed to break Protective Aura.

Special Abilities:

- Imperial Cat Aura: Possesses a natural suppression against evil faction Martial Artists. Jianghu ruffians will be terrified at the sight of his iron ruler.

- Official Status Blessing: Can mobilize local constables with a Kaifeng Prefecture token, allowing unimpeded travel within the Imperial Dynasty.

Additional Items:

- zhanlu sword (Divine Weapon): Subtle Dragon patterns on the sword body, glows brightly when slaying demons and devils.

- Kaifeng Prefecture Waist token: Proves identity and deters aristocratic youths.]

Zhan Zhao knelt on one knee, his iron ruler pressed against the ground, and said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate, Zhan Zhao, greets Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. "Rise. Do you know Hundred Herbs Valley?"

"I know a little," Zhan Zhao rose, sheathing his iron ruler. "The valley is skilled in using poison. Their 'Worry-Forgetting Powder' can drive people insane, earning them the nickname 'Silent Killers' in the Jianghu. Recently, I heard they colluded with Exquisite Pavilion and seem to be searching for 'star marrow.'"

"The star marrow is in my summoning array, it's the core for maintaining energy." Jun Xiaoyao's finger traced the map. "If they want it, they'll have to see if The Net agrees. Zhao Gao, assign ten Luowang Assassinss to Guard Zhan. Tonight, go to Hundred Herbs Valley and burn their 'worry-forgetting grass' medicinal field—remember, leave no survivors. Let them know that touching Beyond Heaven's property comes at a price."

Zhao Gao responded, "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."

Zhan Zhao took his leave and turned. As his black clothes swept past the lamplight, a cold wind stirred—this was his Treading Snow Without a Trace light footwork, silent upon landing, perfect for assassination.

After Zhan Zhao left, Jun Xiaoyao picked up the second Jade Slip. This Jade Slip emanated black Qi; it was a mission from Soul Severing Cliff, with an anonymous bounty hunter, targeting the head of Heavenly Thunder Hall, Lei Xiaotian, for ten thousand taels.

[System Prompt: Energy matching successful, random summoning initiated...]

The runes on the stone wall of the underground palace suddenly glowed red. From the red light emerged a red-robed old man, holding a blood scythe, with a faint scent of blood lingering around him.

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Blood Saber Old Ancestor (from the world of 《A Deadly Secret》)

Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster

Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:

1. Blood Saber Scripture: Blade moves are vicious. Each strike absorbs the opponent's vital blood, making him stronger with every battle. Once slew three Innate Realm masters with a single strike.

2. Blood Escape Technique: When in danger, can transform blood into mist, taking an enemy's head from a thousand li away. Known in the Jianghu as the 'Blood Mist Assassin.'

Special Abilities:

- Bloodlust Sense: Can smell blood within ten li, accurately locating injured targets.

- Fiendish Qi: Ordinary Martial Artists will lose their composure at the sight of his blood saber, collapsing without a fight.

Additional Items:

- Blood Saber (Evil Weapon): The more blood it drinks, the stronger its power. Cuts through gold and jade like tofu.

- Blood Silkworm Gu: Can be placed in an opponent's wound, activating after seven days, causing them to die in torment.]

Blood Saber Old Ancestor cackled strangely, spinning his blood scythe. "Young Lord wants this Old Ancestor to cut off whose head?"

"Lei Xiaotian of Heavenly Thunder Hall." Jun Xiaoyao tossed the Jade Slip to him. "His armory poses too great a threat to The Net. Eliminate him tonight."

"A trivial matter." Blood Saber Old Ancestor licked his lips. "I heard Lei Xiaotian's son cultivated the Iron Cloth Shirt; it'll be a good warm-up for this Old Ancestor's blood saber." With that, he transformed into a blood shadow and vanished at the entrance of the underground palace.

At this time, Zhao Gao returned, followed by Marshal of the Unruly. The blood on Marshal of the Unruly's armor had solidified into a purplish-black. He knelt on one knee: "Young Lord, the outer armory of Heavenly Thunder Hall has been destroyed. We captured three alive, who confessed that Hundred Herbs Valley will send people to Exquisite Pavilion tomorrow at Chen Shi to retrieve a 'star marrow' replica—they want to lure The Net to Exquisite Pavilion to ambush the underground palace."

Jun Xiaoyao sneered, "Luring the tiger away from its mountain? They haven't figured out Beyond Heaven's true strength." He picked up the third Jade Slip. This was a blank Jade Slip, a "mysterious summon" randomly triggered by the System, with energy fluctuations far exceeding the previous two.

[System Prompt: Special summon triggered, matching top-tier combat power...]

The luminous pearls on the ceiling of the underground palace suddenly burst forth with intense light. From the light emerged an old man in a green robe, holding a wooden sword. He seemed ordinary, yet the iron ruler left by Zhan Zhao trembled slightly—this was the aura of a supreme Martial Dao expert.

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Zhang Sanfeng (from the world of the heaven sword and dragon saber)

Realm: Earthly Immortal Early-Stage

Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:

1. Tai Chi Sword Technique: Uses softness to overcome hardness, capable of neutralizing the world's most rigid forces. Once repelled over a hundred first-rate masters with a wooden sword.

2. Tai Chi Fist: Smooth and adaptable, capable of transforming an opponent's Internal Energy for one's own use, invincible in close combat.

Special Abilities:

- Daoist Protective Aura: Three-foot Qi wall surrounds the body, impenetrable by blades and spears, poisons dissipate upon approach.

- Wisdom Eye: Can see through all illusions and disguises. The poisonous mist of Hundred Herbs Valley is nowhere to hide in his eyes.

Additional Items:

- true martial sword (Dao Artifact): When the sword is drawn, winds and clouds change color, possessing absolute suppression over evil Cultivation Techniques.

- tai chi diagram (Incomplete Manual): Can set up a small Tai Chi Array, trapping Martial Artists below the Heavenly Human Realm.]

Zhang Sanfeng bowed, his voice like a great bell: "This old Daoist, Zhang Sanfeng, greets Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao rose and returned the bow—this was the first time he had risen for a summoned individual, showing the importance of the Land Immortal Realm: "Daoist Sanfeng, Hundred Herbs Valley and Exquisite Pavilion have colluded, seeking to seize the star marrow. I ask Daoist to take charge."

"This old Daoist was just looking to stretch his muscles." Zhang Sanfeng stroked his long beard, spinning the wooden sword at his fingertips. "I heard Hundred Herbs Valley's poison techniques originated from the Five Poisons Sect. This old Daoist's Tai Chi energy happens to counter their sinister arts."

At this moment, an urgent report from a Luowang Assassins came from outside the underground palace: "Young Lord, the Valley Master of Hundred Herbs Valley has personally led a hundred poison masters and is already three li outside the underground palace!"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhao Gao: "Give the order, Luowang Assassinss to guard the entrance of the underground palace, The Unruly to go around the back and cut off their retreat." Then he said to Zhang Sanfeng, "Daoist, I'll trouble you with the front gate."

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly, lightly waving his wooden sword. A soft white Qi shot towards the underground palace gate. The originally heavy stone gate became transparent like paper, clearly revealing the dense crowd outside—the Valley Master of Hundred Herbs Valley held a poisonous banner, covered in colorful centipedes, which was their valley's treasure, the "Myriad Poison Banner."

"Perfect timing." Zhang Sanfeng stepped out of the stone gate, his green robe fluttering in the wind. "This old Daoist will act on behalf of heaven today and clean up these poison-wielding ruffians."

The moment the wooden sword and poisonous banner collided, white Qi and black mist exploded, forcing the Hundred Herbs Valley poison masters to retreat repeatedly. Zhan Zhao and Blood Saber Old Ancestor charged out from left and right; black clothes and iron rulers broke through the poison array, red robes and blood scythes severed heads. Luowang Assassinss moved like specters through the shadows, and the horn blast of The Unruly sounded on the horizon—that was the signal for encirclement.

Jun Xiaoyao stood by the bronze lamp, watching the enemy positions on the map being continuously crossed out by a red pen. The ebony token in his fingertips finally glowed faintly. He knew that after this battle, although the name "Beyond Heaven" had not yet spread, The Net's fierce reputation would make the entire Jianghu remember—some things should not be touched.

The lamps in the underground palace flickered again, reflecting a slight curve at the corner of Jun Xiaoyao's mouth. The next Jade Slip was already in his hand. Who would be summoned this time? He looked down at the Jade Slip, on which the characters "Demonic Cult" faintly appeared. It seemed the storms of the Jianghu had only just begun.