205: The Curse Cave Shocks

The water mirror in the Core Hall of Beyond Heaven glowed with a faint green light, reflecting the scene of the Gu Refining Cave in the city outskirts like a ghost domain.

Thick miasma filled the cave. The rock walls were embedded with densely packed clay jars, from which the rustling sound of insects crawling could be heard. Occasionally, drops of dark green liquid seeped out, corroding coin-sized pits in the ground.

Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the armrest of the black iron chair with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the center of the water mirror—from Water Margin was crouching behind a stalactite. The miasma clinging to his tiger skin skirt condensed into dew, but was evaporated into white mist by the beast patterns on the skirt.

The prongs of the bintie fork in his hand trembled slightly, clearly having locked onto a target.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao's voice came through the message talisman, carrying a hint of suppressed tension. "The Black-Robed State Preceptor just entered the Gu Refining Cave, accompanied by eight 'Gu Raisers.' Each is at the Late Grandmaster Realm, and the clay jars they carry contain 'Seven Steps to Death.' If the jar is broken, all people and livestock within three steps will perish."

Jun Xiaoyao pulled a bronze token from his robes. The character "Heaven" was engraved on the token, and a faint golden light flowed within its patterns. He flicked his finger, and the token turned into a streak of light, crashing into the water mirror and landing in a crack beside from Water Margin. "Have from Romance of the Three Kingdoms proceed according to plan. from Water Margin is responsible for keeping a close eye on the Black-Robed State Preceptor; don't let him escape."

Zhao Gao immediately responded from the other end of the message talisman: "Understood! from Romance of the Three Kingdoms has been notified to set up the 'Dragon Locking Formation' outside the cave. As soon as the Black-Robed State Preceptor steps out of the Gu Refining Cave, the Black Iron Net at the Formation's core will drop. Even if he is in the Land Immortal Realm, he will be trapped for half an hour."

In the water mirror, the Black-Robed State Preceptor was standing in front of the altar deep inside the Gu Refining Cave. The hem of his black robe swept over the bones on the ground, making a light 'krak' sound. He lifted his hand and unveiled the black cloth on the altar, revealing a half-person-tall bronze cauldron. Immersed within the cauldron was a blood-colored exotic flower with layered petals. A one-inch-long centipede, entirely golden yellow, lay on the pistil—it was the Heart-Devouring Gu Mother, fed with a hundred types of poison.

"In three more days, the Gu Mother will be fully mature," the Black-Robed State Preceptor's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing. "At that time, the territory of Southern Chu and the lifeblood of the Martial Forest will all be grasped in this old man's hand."

from Water Margin, hiding behind the stalactite, his pupils suddenly contracted. He thrust the bintie fork forward fiercely, the tip accurately piercing a clay jar on a Gu Raiser's waist. With a crisp 'snap,' the jar shattered. The 'Seven Steps to Death' poisonous insect inside had only crawled out half an inch before being burned to ashes by the Pure Yang Fire on the fork's prongs.

"Who?!" The Black-Robed State Preceptor turned abruptly. His black robe billowed without wind, and eight black shadows appeared in the stirred-up miasma—they were the eight Gu Raisers. They simultaneously pressed down on the clay jars at their waists, their knuckles turning white from the force.

from Water Margin let out a low roar and swept the bintie fork horizontally. The fork's shadow struck the two nearest Gu Raisers like a wall. Just as the two were about to break their jars, the handle struck their wrists, sending the clay jars flying. They shattered against the rock wall, but before the poisonous Gu could spread, they were swept into dust by the Protective Aura kicked out by from Water Margin.

"Seeking death!" The Black-Robed State Preceptor flicked his sleeve, and a stream of black Qi coiled toward from Water Margin like a long snake. Wherever the black Qi passed, the stalactites were instantly corroded into dust, clearly containing potent venom.

from Water Margin advanced instead of retreating, his Jade Ring Steps kicking up rock fragments. He narrowly avoided the black Qi, simultaneously unleashing a flurry of Mandarin Duck Kicks that struck one Gu Raiser squarely in the chest. With a 'crack,' the man's chest collapsed, and the black blood he spat out condensed into poisonous beads in the air, only to be scattered by the golden light shooting from from Water Margin's eyes.

"Somewhat interesting." The Black-Robed State Preceptor sneered. "A mere Peak Grandmaster Realm dares to trespass into the Gu Refining Cave?" He formed a hand seal with his fingertips, and the bronze cauldron on the altar suddenly vibrated. The Heart-Devouring Gu Mother immersed inside abruptly lifted its head, and a scarlet gleam flashed in the golden centipede's eyes.

Outside the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao frowned slightly and looked at the summoning array in the center of the hall. The Formation runes flowed across the floor, and the energy had recovered to seventy percent, enough to support one high-level summon. "It seems I need to add someone who can counter poisonous Gu."

He raised his hand and pressed it on the core of the Formation. The crystal instantly burst into dazzling golden light, and a figure walked out of the radiance: dressed in yellow robes, carrying a medicine basket on his back, and holding an iron shovel—it was Yellow Pharmacist from the legend of the condor heroes.

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Yellow Pharmacist (From the world of the legend of the condor heroes)

Realm: Heavenly Human Realm Late Stage

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Finger Flicking Divine Skill: Finger force combines hardness and softness, capable of flicking away hidden weapons, poisonous insects, and even striking acupuncture points from a distance

2. Blue Sea Surging Tide Melody: Activated by flute sound, the sound waves can disturb the Gu insects' minds, causing them to turn against their masters

Special Abilities:

- Mystical Arts of Wondrous Gates and Hidden Staves: Proficient in Formations, capable of setting up the 'Inverted Five Elements Formation' in the Gu Refining Cave to trap the Gu Raisers

- Peerless in Medicine and Poison: Can neutralize all exotic poisons under heaven. The seven star grass in the medicine basket can counteract the Heart-Devouring Gu Mother's toxicity

Attached Items:

- jade flute (Treasure Artifact): When played, it emits a Heart-Cleansing Sound, purifying miasma and suppressing the agitation of Gu insects

- Soft Hedgehog Armor (Treasure Armor): Impenetrable by blades and spears, unbreakable by Gu insect bites, and the spikes on the armor can even reflect damage back to poisonous creatures.]

Yellow Pharmacist cupped his hands in greeting, his voice clear and resonant like clashing jade. "Island Master Huang greets Young Lord. The miasma in this Gu Refining Cave is mixed with heart-rotting grass, which must be countered with the sound of the jade flute. Otherwise, even someone in the Heavenly Human Realm would suffer mental confusion within half an hour."

Jun Xiaoyao pointed at the water mirror: "The Black-Robed State Preceptor has the Heart-Devouring Gu Mother, and the Gu Raisers use Seven Steps to Death. Go and lend from Water Margin a hand, and while you're at it..." A cold light flashed in his eyes. "Bring back that exotic flower from the bronze cauldron. It might be useful to Beyond Heaven."

"Easy enough." Yellow Pharmacist picked up the jade flute, and his figure transformed into a yellow shadow, disappearing into the Transmission Light Patterns. The leaves of the seven star grass in the medicine basket trembled slightly, emitting a faint fragrance.

In the water mirror, the battle situation had become increasingly perilous. Although from Water Margin was fierce, he was entangled by four Gu Raisers. The Pure Yang Fire on the bintie fork gradually dimmed, and the beast patterns on his tiger skin skirt lost their luster. The Black-Robed State Preceptor stood before the altar, black blood continuously dripping from his fingertips into the bronze cauldron. The Heart-Devouring Gu Mother inside the cauldron was slowly growing in size, and a pair of fleshy horns gradually sprouted on the centipede's head.

"Hahaha, in just a moment, the Gu Mother will acknowledge its master!" The Black-Robed State Preceptor laughed maniacally, extending a greenish-black hand from beneath his black robe. His fingernails were long like eagle talons, reaching straight for the Gu Mother's head.

Just then, a burst of flute music suddenly drifted in from outside the cave. Initially, it flowed like a clear spring, but gradually became turbulent like a tide. The clay jars on the rock wall trembled violently, and the poisonous insects inside frantically slammed against the jar walls. More than half of them smashed the jars directly, yet upon landing, they immediately changed direction and pounced on the nearest Gu Raiser!

"It's the Blue Sea Surging Tide Melody!" The Black-Robed State Preceptor's face instantly changed. "Who is outside?!"

Yellow Pharmacist's figure appeared at the entrance of the Gu Refining Cave. He held the jade flute horizontally and blew; the flute sound transformed into Invisible Qi Blades, slashing towards the Gu Raisers restraining from Water Margin. "Mere poisonous creatures dare to act presumptuously before this old man?"

from Water Margin's spirits lifted. He wielded the bintie fork like a violent storm, coordinating with the rhythm of the flute music, and instantly took down two more Gu Raisers. The remaining two saw the situation turn dire and tried to flee, but Yellow Pharmacist used the Finger Flicking Divine Skill to strike their knees. They plopped onto the ground, shattering the clay jars at their waists. The Seven Steps to Death insects had just crawled out when they were shaken into pus and blood by the flute sound.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, the Black-Robed State Preceptor abruptly grabbed the bronze cauldron and turned to rush out of the cave. "Trying to run?" from Water Margin roared. He hurled the bintie fork, which shot through the air and pinned itself into the rock wall behind the Black-Robed State Preceptor. The Pure Yang Fire between the prongs instantly ignited, forming a Wall of Fire.

Yellow Pharmacist seized the opportunity to play the jade flute. The flute sound suddenly intensified, stabbing toward the Black-Robed State Preceptor like a sharp blade. The Black-Robed State Preceptor was forced to turn back and defend. The black Qi he unleashed from his robe collided with the Qi blades of the flute sound, resulting in muffled explosions that shook the entire Gu Refining Cave.

"from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, act now!" Yellow Pharmacist shouted loudly.

from Romance of the Three Kingdoms's reply came from outside the cave, sounding like thunder: "Dragon Locking Formation, activate!"

Suddenly, eight beams of light lit up at the entrance of the Gu Refining Cave. The light beams intertwined into a net, and the mesh flickered with the cold light unique to black iron. Seeing this, a ruthless glint flashed in the Black-Robed State Preceptor's eyes. He fiercely hurled the bronze cauldron toward the light beams—the Heart-Devouring Gu Mother inside the cauldron suddenly surged out, transforming into a streak of golden light and shooting toward Yellow Pharmacist with lightning speed!

"Perfect timing!" Yellow Pharmacist was prepared. He took a seven star grass leaf from his medicine basket, flicked his finger, and the leaf turned into a streak of green light, accurately wrapping around the Heart-Devouring Gu Mother. The golden light and green light collided. The Gu Mother let out a sharp shriek, and its size rapidly shrank, finally being wrapped into a green ball by the seven star grass leaf, landing in Yellow Pharmacist's hand.

Seeing this, the Black-Robed State Preceptor roared and charged toward the light beams. He fully activated his black robe, and the black Qi condensed into a Massive Shield, which he slammed hard into the Black Iron Net. With a deafening 'clang,' the Black Iron Net trembled violently but remained firmly locked onto the light beams. The Black-Robed State Preceptor was shaken back three steps, black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Surrender now." Yellow Pharmacist put away the jade flute, holding the green ball between his fingertips. "Your Gu Mother has been subdued, and the poisonous insects in the Gu Refining Cave have been drawn toward the Gu Raisers by the flute sound. Any further struggle is futile."

The Black-Robed State Preceptor looked at the path blocked by the Black Iron Net and then at the pressing figures of from Water Margin and Yellow Pharmacist. He suddenly let out a tragic laugh: "Even if this old man dies, I won't let you succeed!" He slammed his chest fiercely, and a mass of black mist suddenly burst from beneath his black robe. Countless tiny black shadows faintly flew out of the black mist—it was the mother-son gu he had fed with his own essence blood!

"Be careful!" Yellow Pharmacist's expression changed. He held the jade flute horizontally across his chest, and the flute sound suddenly rose, forming a Wall of Sound. from Water Margin raised the bintie fork, and the Pure Yang Fire at the prongs surged, burning the approaching Son Gu into ashes.

But the number of mother-son gu was too great, covering a small portion of the Gu Refining Cave like a black cloud. Just then, a streak of golden light suddenly shot in from outside the cave. The spear tip was wrapped in thunder and lightning, instantly tearing a gap in the black cloud—it was from Romance of the Three Kingdoms arriving!

"Prairie Fire Spear Technique!" from Romance of the Three Kingdoms roared. The bright silver spear transformed into a fiery Dragon, weaving through the Gu swarm. Thunder and lightning intertwined with flames, quickly burning most of the mother-son gu.

The Black-Robed State Preceptor was repeatedly forced back by the golden light, crashing into the Black Iron Net and spitting out a large mouthful of black blood. from Water Margin seized the chance to step forward, resting the bintie fork on his neck. The Pure Yang Fire from the prongs scorched his black robe, emitting a burnt smell.

"He's captured," from Water Margin said gruffly. The Gu insect corpses clinging to his tiger skin skirt were being purified by the beast patterns. "This old fellow still has a breath left. How does Young Lord wish to deal with him?"

Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertip in front of the water mirror: "Bring him back. I want to know the forces behind him. Also, Yellow Pharmacist, put away the bronze cauldron and the remaining exotic flower. That flower is called the Heart-Devouring Flower. Adding a bit when refining Medicinal Pills can enhance the pill's potency."

Yellow Pharmacist replied: "Young Lord, rest assured, the cauldron and flower have been secured. The miasma in this Gu Refining Cave must be dealt with, or it will spread to nearby villages." He took a porcelain bottle from his medicine basket and scattered the powder inside into the air. The powder immediately turned into white mist upon encountering the miasma, and wherever it passed, the miasma quickly dissipated.

from Romance of the Three Kingdoms hoisted the bound Black-Robed State Preceptor onto his shoulder, carried the bronze cauldron on his bright silver spear, and walked out of the Gu Refining Cave with from Water Margin and Yellow Pharmacist. As they left, the Black Iron Net gradually retracted into the ground, leaving behind only the scorched corpses of poisonous insects, proving that a fierce battle had taken place here.

Jun Xiaoyao, standing before the water mirror, watched the three figures disappear into the night and said to Zhao Gao: "Have the Marshal of the Unruly lead the Shadow Group to clean up the Gu Refining Cave. All clay jars and bones must be thoroughly incinerated; not a single hidden danger can remain. Also, notify the major Schools that Southern Chu's conspiracy has been foiled, and the Martial Forest Alliance Meeting can be canceled."

"Understood, Young Lord." Zhao Gao paused, then continued, "Some items were found in the Black-Robed State Preceptor's Storage Pouch: half a map, and a token engraved with the character 'Ming.' Its material seems similar to The Net's tokens."

A trace of surprise flashed in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes: "Ming Character token?" He pondered for a moment. "Send the map and the token back to the Core Hall. Additionally, strengthen surveillance of the Imperial Dynasty capital. With the Black-Robed State Preceptor fallen, Marquis Zhenbeis formal name will definitely make a move."

After Zhao Gao received the order and withdrew, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array in the center of the hall. The Formation runes flowed across the ground, and the energy had recovered significantly, showing faint signs of breaking through to high-level summoning.

He lightly stroked the taotie pattern on the armrest with his fingertips, already having formed a plan in his heart—the "Ming" Character Force behind the Black-Robed State Preceptor might be more troublesome than the Southern Chu Dynasty. Beyond Heaven's strength must be increased further.

At this moment, Yellow Pharmacist's voice came from the water mirror: "Young Lord, a jade talisman was hidden in the roots of this Heart-Devouring Flower. It is engraved with 'Western Regions: Myriad Gu Valley.' It seems the Black-Robed State Preceptor learned his Gu techniques there."

Jun Xiaoyao looked up at the water mirror. The jade talisman in Yellow Pharmacist's hand emitted an eerie red light, and the runes were identical to the patterns on the rock walls of the Gu Refining Cave.

"Myriad Gu Valley..." A cold, sharp smile curled his lips. "It looks like the Western Regions will have more trouble now."

He took a black jade token from his robes, flicked it lightly, and the token transformed into a streak of light, flying out of the hall—this was a Summoning Order, meant to call the core members of Beyond Heaven responsible for intelligence.

The wind outside the hall carried the residual poison of the Gu Refining Cave, but it was blocked by the Core Hall's Energy Wall, leaving only a faint, fishy smell. Jun Xiaoyao leaned back on the black iron chair, his gaze deep as an abyss.

In the water mirror, the lights of the Southern Chu Imperial Dynasty capital were gradually lighting up, while in the direction of the Western Regions, black mist was faintly churning, signaling that a new storm was quietly brewing.

The Net has been woven, awaiting new prey to fall into the trap. And he, the Young Master of Tianwaitian, only needed to sit quietly in this Core Hall, watching the pieces fall into place, waiting for the truth capable of shaking the continent to surface bit by bit.