203: Unusual Movements in Southern Chu

The water mirror in Beyond Heaven's Core Hall shimmered with cold light, clearly reflecting the scene of the Southern Chu Imperial Capital.

Inside the Secret Hall deep within the Imperial City, the Southern Chu Emperor Zhao Yan was frowning at a diagram for refining soul-eating sand. Beside him stood the Black-Robed State Preceptor, whose fingertips were wreathed in faint black Qi—he was one of the masterminds who had instigated Wang Chongyang to Cultivate forbidden arts back then.

"State Preceptor, the mine in Black Wind Valley has been raided." Zhao Yan's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor. "The Liusha Sect steward has been captured, and the matter of the soul-eating sand likely cannot be concealed anymore."

The Black-Robed State Preceptor sneered, and the black Qi in his palm condensed into a skull: "A bunch of trash. But it doesn't matter, the first batch of heart-eroding gu has been refined. It's time to let the Elders of the various Schools have a taste." He tapped his fingertip, and the skull turned into a black thread that burrowed into a nearby Jade Box, from which a faint buzzing immediately sounded.

Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the armrest of the black iron chair in front of the water mirror, his gaze fixed on the Jade Box. Zhao Gao had just received news from The Net's secret agents that Southern Chu planned to convene a "Martial Forest Alliance Meeting" three days later. Ostensibly, the purpose was to discuss defending against the Northern Barbarians, but in reality, they intended to use the heart-eroding gu to control the various Schools.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao said, bowing while holding the secret report, "Southern Chu has invited the Seven Great Sects and the Four Major Clans of the Central Plains, and even the Demonic Cult from the Western Regions has received an invitation. They specifically sent someone to deliver a formal invitation to The Net, asking us to 'maintain order' for the price of one million taels of gold."

Jun Xiaoyao took the secret report and traced the four characters for "Martial Forest Alliance Meeting" with his fingertip: "Maintain order? They want The Net to be their accomplice." He tossed the secret report onto the desk. "Accept it. Have the Marshal of the Unruly lead the Shadow Group to infiltrate and act according to the situation."

"Yes," Zhao Gao replied, then added, "Furthermore, the summoning array's energy has recovered to sixty percent. Should we..."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array in the center of the hall. Runes flowed within the faint light, and a faint Dragon roar could be heard—a sign of a High-Level Summoning. He raised his hand, signaling Zhao Gao to retreat. The Crystal at the Formation Core suddenly burst forth with dazzling golden light, and a figure stepped out from the radiance: clad in Golden Battle Armor and wielding the dragon gallbladder bright silver spear, it was none other than Ma Chao from the romance of the three kingdoms.

[Character Panel Displayed:]

Name: Ma Chao (From the world of romance of the three kingdoms)

Realm: Heaven-Man Late Stage

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Prairie Fire Spear Technique: Spear momentum is like fire, dominating all directions; once forced Cao Cao to cut his beard and abandon his robe at Tong Pass.

2. Lion Helmet Beast Belt Art: Stimulates one's own vitality and blood; the stronger the Battle Intent, the greater the power, allowing for a temporary Breakthrough of Realm limitations.

Special Abilities:

- Formation Breaker: Proficient in various methods of breaking Military Formations; Southern Chu's City Protection Grand Formation is effectively nonexistent in his eyes.

- Deterrence: The red tassel on the lion helmet can intimidate the minds of enemy troops, causing the Battle Intent of those below the Grandmaster Realm to collapse.

Additional Items:

- dragon gallbladder bright silver spear (Divine Weapon): The spear body is entwined with lightning, capable of shattering the shells of Gu insects and restraining Evil Arts.

- Lion Helmet Beast Belt (Treasure Armor): Impenetrable by blades or spears, capable of resisting Gu insect corrosion; the beast patterns on the armor can warn of poisons.]

Ma Chao knelt on one knee, his voice like thunder: "This subordinate, Ma Chao, greets the Young Lord! I vow to pacify Southern Chu for the Young Lord!"

Jun Xiaoyao pointed at the Southern Chu Imperial Capital in the water mirror: "During the Martial Forest Alliance Meeting three days from now, Southern Chu intends to harm people using the heart-eroding gu. Go to the alliance site. If you see a Gu insect, kill it. Show no mercy."

"This subordinate accepts the order!" Ma Chao raised his bright silver spear, pointing the tip directly at the water mirror. Lightning crackled along the spear body. "How dare they use Evil Arts to harm people! I will surely let them taste the might of the Prairie Fire Spear!"

Watching Ma Chao's figure disappear into the Transfer Light Patterns, Jun Xiaoyao turned to the water mirror—West Gate Blows Snow had already infiltrated the Southern Chu Imperial Capital and was crouching on the roof of the Secret Hall, his black scabbard sword pressed against a roof tile, listening to the movements inside. Zhan Zhao, disguised as a merchant, was surveying the terrain around the alliance venue, the "Assembly of Sages Tower," noting the locations of secret doors and hidden tunnels on paper.

"Are there any updates from the Marshal of the Unruly?" Jun Xiaoyao asked.

Zhao Gao unfolded a map: "The Marshal of the Unruly led the Shadow Group, disguised as Southern Chu Imperial Guards, and has already secured the back kitchen and cellar of the Assembly of Sages Tower. He reported that there are Mechanisms hidden in the rafters of the Assembly of Sages Tower that can release Narcotic Smoke into the main hall, intended to be used alongside the heart-eroding gu."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped the three characters for "Assembly of Sages Tower" on the map: "Have them dismantle the Mechanisms and replace the contents with our 'Gu Cleansing Powder.' Also, notify Red Whip Woman to prepare the Medicinal Pills for detoxifying Gu, just in case."

At this moment, a sound of arguing suddenly came from the Secret Hall in the water mirror. The Black-Robed State Preceptor slammed a Brocade Box in front of Zhao Yan: "This is the 'Heart Devouring Flower' sent by the Demonic Cult of the Western Regions. When used with the heart-eroding gu, it can completely turn the infected person into a Puppet! If you continue to be indecisive, don't blame me for taking your place!"

Zhao Yan's face was ashen, but he dared not refute—the Black-Robed State Preceptor's strength was unfathomable; even he, the Emperor, had to fear him.

West Gate Blows Snow heard everything clearly from the rooftop. He lightly flicked his fingertip against the black scabbard sword. The sound of the sword's hum was coincidentally dispersed by the wind, failing to draw attention inside the hall. He quietly retreated, and after a few leaps, arrived at the Assembly of Sages Tower to rendezvous with Zhan Zhao.

"There is a Black-Robed State Preceptor inside, whose strength is at least Earthly Immortal Early-Stage," West Gate Blows Snow whispered. "And the Heart Devouring Flower. It seems Southern Chu is determined to control the Martial Forest."

Zhan Zhao circled the location of the Secret Hall on the map: "The Marshal of the Unruly said that this State Preceptor goes to the 'Gu Refining Cave' in the suburbs every midnight. We can ambush him there."

West Gate Blows Snow nodded: "It's a good chance to test my sword and see if it can slay this Evil being."

Jun Xiaoyao watched the two men's plan in front of the water mirror, a faint smile playing on his lips. He said to Zhao Gao: "Have Ma Chao go to the Gu Refining Cave as backup, so West Gate Blows Snow and Zhan Zhao don't suffer losses. Additionally, anonymously deliver the evidence of Southern Chu using the heart-eroding gu to control the Elders into the hands of the major Schools."

"Young Lord is wise." Zhao Gao immediately accepted the order, turning to the Shadow Guards: "As per the Young Lord's command, copy the evidence a hundred times and send it via Flying Pigeon to the Mountain Gates of the major Schools."

After the Shadow Guards withdrew, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array. The Formation still had residual energy, and runes flowed across the ground, forming a vortex. He pondered for a moment, then decided to summon one more person: "Summon someone skilled in Tracking to monitor the movements of the Black-Robed State Preceptor."

The light at the Formation Core lit up again, this time a faint green. A figure walked out of the radiance: dressed in coarse linen clothes, carrying a Medicine basket on his back, and holding an Iron Trident in his hand, it was Wu Song from Water Margin.

[Character Panel Displayed:]

Name: Wu Song (From the world of water margin)

Realm: Peak Great Grandmaster

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Jade Ring Steps: Footwork is agile, proficient in mountain pursuit; once chased a Tiger until it had nowhere to run on Jingyang Ridge.

2. Mandarin Duck Kicks: Leg technique is fierce and powerful; continuous kicks can shatter metal and stone, specifically designed to break Protective Aura.

Special Abilities:

- Tracking Technique: Can track targets based on footprints and aura; even if the opponent uses the Disguise Technique, they cannot hide.

- Wrathful Vajra: Eyes can see through illusions and possess natural resistance to Evil Arts; the Black-Robed State Preceptor's black Qi cannot deceive him.

Additional Items:

- Tempered Iron Trident (Treasure Artifact): The trident prongs are quenched with Pure Yang Fire, capable of restraining Gu insects; the handle can eject a short blade.

- tiger skin skirt: Impenetrable by blades or spears, capable of resisting bites from venomous creatures, and comes with a Deterrence effect.]

Wu Song cupped his fists and said: "Wu Song greets the Young Lord! Just tell me who you want me to track!"

Jun Xiaoyao pointed at the Black-Robed State Preceptor in the water mirror: "Keep an eye on him. See what other places he visits besides the Gu Refining Cave. Especially the people he interacts with—don't miss a single one."

"Don't worry!" Wu Song hoisted the Iron Trident onto his shoulder. "As long as he leaves a single trace, I can track him to the ends of the earth!" After speaking, he strode into the Teleportation Formation, and his figure instantly vanished.

At this time, the major Schools in the water mirror had received the anonymous letter. The Sect Head of the Qingcheng Sect looked at the symptoms of the heart-eroding gu described in the letter, recalling that he had suddenly fainted last month and felt a tightness in his chest after waking up. Immediately, cold sweat broke out: "Southern Chu dog thief! How dare you plot against this old man!"

The Elders of the Wudang Sect gathered in the Three Purity Hall, looking at the evidence in the letter, all of them furious: "Martial Forest Alliance Meeting? It's clearly a Hongmen Banquet! We absolutely cannot go!"

The atmosphere in the Southern Chu Imperial Capital suddenly grew tense. Zhao Yan looked at the message transmitted back by the secret agents, his face pale as paper: "State Preceptor, it seems the major Schools know..."

The Black-Robed State Preceptor, however, was unconcerned. Black Qi condensed into a sphere in his palm: "It's even better that they know. If they don't come, we will personally go to their doors and 'invite' them. With the heart-eroding gu in hand, the entire Martial Forest is Your Majesty's prize."

Jun Xiaoyao watched this scene in front of the water mirror, tapping a rhythm of three short and one long beats on the armrest—this was The Net's signal to act.

In the back kitchen of the Assembly of Sages Tower, the Marshal of the Unruly hid the last packet of Gu Cleansing Powder inside the ventilation duct; at the Gu Refining Cave in the suburbs, Ma Chao's bright silver spear was poised for action; surrounding the Secret Hall...

Wu Song was currently lying prone on a rooftop, closely monitoring the Black-Robed State Preceptor's figure; West Gate Blows Snow and Zhan Zhao guarded the inevitable path, the black scabbard sword and the juque sword simultaneously unsheathed, their cold light illuminating the night sky.

Jun Xiaoyao leaned back in the black iron chair, watching the Killing game about to unfold in the water mirror, his eyes completely calm. Southern Chu wanted to interfere with the Martial Forest and use Evil Arts to control people's minds—they had walked right into Beyond Heaven's sights.

He didn't mind using this opportunity to let The Net's name resonate throughout the continent—anyone who dared to touch the interests Beyond Heaven was focused on must be prepared to face the wrath of thunder.

The wind outside the hall carried Killing Intent, lifting a corner of the curtain and revealing the crescent moon in the distance. Jun Xiaoyao knew that the Martial Forest Alliance Meeting three days later would be a bloody storm.

As for him, he merely needed to sit in this Core Hall, watching The Net close The Net, watching Southern Chu's ambition turn to ashes amidst the fierce flames of the Prairie Fire Spear and the cold light of the black scabbard sword.