217: Burning heart to seek herbs, freezing ice to explore flowers

In the bronze tripod of the Core Hall of Beyond Heaven, dragon saliva incense curled upwards, shrouding Jun Xiaoyao's figure in a hazy mist.

He held half of an incomplete sheepskin scroll between his fingertips; it was the Incomplete Manual for the realm-breaking pill found at Misty Rain Tower. His gaze lingered for a long time on the words: "dragon blood grass grows in the heart of Burning Fire Mountain, Ice Marrow Flower grows in the eye of Cold Ice Valley."

"Burning Fire Mountain is filled with inextinguishable flames all year round, and Cold Ice Valley is bone-chillingly cold; both are dangerous places."

Jun Xiaoyao placed the sheepskin scroll on the table and said to the water mirror, "Zhao Gao, have the Shadow Group split into two teams. One team goes to the Burning Fire Mountain in the Western Regions to find dragon blood grass, and the other goes to the Cold Ice Valley in the Far North to find the Ice Marrow Flower. Tell them that safety comes first. If they can't find it, don't force their way in—these two herbs are important, but not worth losing personnel over."

In the water mirror, Zhao Gao was standing in front of the map at The Net's headquarters. Upon hearing this, he immediately used a vermilion brush to draw a circle around the locations of Burning Fire Mountain and Cold Ice Valley: "Rest assured, Young Lord. The leader of the Shadow Group has already selected the personnel. The one going to Burning Fire Mountain is the Crimson Chain Squad, which specializes in fire control. The leader is Qu Feiyan from "the smiling, proud wanderer" world, who is in the Late Grandmaster Realm. It is said that her 'Blazing Fire Palm' allows her to walk freely within flames. The one going to the Cold Ice Valley is the 'Ice Soul' squad. The leader is Miao Ruolan from "Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain" world, who is in the Middle Grandmaster Realm. Her 'Cold Ice Needle' can freeze water vapor within three feet, which is just the thing to counter the cold energy in the valley."

[Qu Feiyan Panel Expanded: Name: Qu Feiyan; From: "the smiling, proud wanderer" world; Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm; Martial Skill: 1. Blazing Fire Palm (Perfection): The palm wind is scorching, can open paths in flames, and has a restraining effect on fire-type poisonous creatures. 2. Soul-Searching Finger (Major Achievement): The fingertips contain scorching Qi, can penetrate rock, and detect the location of medicinal herbs. Special Ability: - Fire Eyes: Can see in thick smoke, distinguish flame temperature, and avoid the deadly fire currents of Burning Fire Mountain. - Heat-Resistant Body: Refined by the Blazing Fire Palm, can withstand temperatures of a thousand degrees; ordinary flames cannot harm her at all. Additional Items: - Fire-Avoiding Bead (Treasure Artifact): Hanging around the neck can isolate flames, and can ensure safety for half an hour even in the heart of Burning Fire Mountain. - Fire Starter (Special): Can be ignited in heavy rain, can stir up surrounding sparks to form a defensive fire circle.]

[Miao Ruolan Panel Expanded: Name: Miao Ruolan; From: "Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain" world; Realm: Middle Grandmaster Realm; Martial Skill: - Cold Ice Needle (Perfection): Silver needles refined from mysterious ice and fine iron; after being shot, they will condense cold energy and can freeze poisonous creatures. - Treading Snow Without a Trace (Major Achievement): Can walk on ice without sound, can avoid the ice crack traps of Cold Ice Valley. Special Ability: - Cold Breath: The extreme cold Internal Energy nurtured in her body can resist the severe cold, so no extra cold protection is needed in Cold Ice Valley. - Ice Pattern Identification: Can determine if there is an Ice Marrow Flower underground by the patterns of the ice layer—the ice layer around the Ice Marrow Flower will show hexagonal patterns. Additional Items: - Warm Jade Talisman (Treasure Artifact): Can maintain body temperature when worn close to the body, offsetting the cold invasion of Cold Ice Valley. - Ice Pick (Special): The pick head is inlaid with mysterious iron, can chisel through thick ice layers to find the ice eyes where the Ice Marrow Flower grows.]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the two panels appearing in the water mirror and nodded slightly: "Qu Feiyan's Blazing Fire Palm and Miao Ruolan's Cold Ice Needle are perfect for countering the environments of both places. Have them carry enough medicine before they set off, and assign three Great Grandmaster members of the Shadow Group to each—Burning Fire Mountain is guarded by fire lizards, and Cold Ice Valley is occupied by ice silkworms, so do not be careless."

"Yes, Young Lord." Zhao Gao bowed in response and handed over a file, "This is the detailed information on Burning Fire Mountain and Cold Ice Valley that the Shadow Group has investigated. The fire lizards in the heart of Burning Fire Mountain are at the Early Celestial Being Realm, with thick skin and flesh, unafraid of ordinary swords and blades, fearing only 'Mysterious Ice Spikes'; the ice silkworms at the eye of Cold Ice Valley are at the Middle Celestial Being Realm, and the silk they spit can freeze Internal Energy, requiring 'Blazing Fire Oil' to break their silk."

Jun Xiaoyao opened the file, his fingertips sliding over the words "Mysterious Ice Spikes" and "Blazing Fire Oil": "The Beyond Heaven treasury has stock of Mysterious Ice Spikes; have Old Urchin take ten for Qu Feiyan. For the Blazing Fire Oil, have the Marshal of the Unruly prepare it. He used a similar 'combustion upon water' substance at the Cangzhou wharf before; it should be usable if modified."

At this moment, the water mirror on the left lit up, reflecting the scene of Qu Feiyan setting off with the Crimson Chain Squad.

The five were all in red clothes and red boots, with Fire-Avoiding Beads hanging around their waists. Qu Feiyan toyed with a fire starter in her hand and smiled at the team members: "They say the meat of the fire lizards in Burning Fire Mountain is exceptionally fragrant when roasted. If we can hunt one this time, I'll change your palate."

The team members laughed, and one burly man with a beard asked: "Captain, I heard that the scales of that fire lizard are harder than mysterious iron. Can your Blazing Fire Palm break through it?"

Qu Feiyan raised her eyebrows and flicked her finger. A spark flew from the fire starter, actually burning a small hole in a piece of blue stone nearby: "Won't we know if we try?" After saying that, she turned onto her horse, her red clothes rustling in the wind, and led the team galloping towards the Western Regions.

In the water mirror on the right, Miao Ruolan's Ice Soul squad had arrived at the border of the Far North.

The five were wearing thick fur coats. Miao Ruolan was using an ice pick to tap the ground, observing the feedback from the ice layer: "Ten miles ahead is Cold Ice Valley. There is an underground river under the ice layer at the valley entrance. Follow my footprints when walking, and don't step on those places with white frost—that is a sign of an ice crack."

A team member wearing a leather hat asked: "Captain Miao, can the Ice Marrow Flower really allow a Grandmaster Realm to break through to a Great Grandmaster? I have practiced for ten years and am still in the Middle Grandmaster Realm. If I can get it..."

"The Young Lord said that medicinal herbs are prioritized for the core members of Beyond Heaven."

Miao Ruolan interrupted him, her tone calm but carrying unquestionable majesty, "However, if you can harvest a few more, perhaps the Young Lord will reward you with one."

The leather-hatted team member's eyes lit up, and he immediately gripped the ice pick in his hand: "Then we must work hard!"

Jun Xiaoyao, in front of the water mirror, watched these two scenes and said to Zhao Gao: "Have The Net set up support points outside Burning Fire Mountain and Cold Ice Valley. Prepare the Formation Plate. Once the medicinal herbs are found, teleport back immediately. Don't waste time on the road.

Also, notify the Marshal of the Unruly and have him keep an eye on the movements of the Southern Chu Rebel Army—since we are taking action in the Far North and the Western Regions, don't let them take the opportunity to cause trouble in the Central Plains."

"Understood!" Zhao Gao responded and retreated, turning to arrange the matters.

Jun Xiaoyao picked up the realm-breaking pill recipe again, his fingertips tapping lightly on the words: "dragon blood grass must be blended with Ice Marrow Flower juice, otherwise the medicinal properties are dry and hot and easily lead to deviation."

These two medicines complement each other and are indispensable. It seems he will have to wait until both teams have news before he can start Alchemy.

He looked out the window. The peaks of Beyond Heaven shone with a dark green light under the sun, and the laughter of Old Urchin could be vaguely heard from the direction of the treasury—it seems that the Old Urchin is playing some new tricks again.

The corners of Jun Xiaoyao's mouth curled up slightly. With these capable subordinates running around outside, he, as the Young Lord, is indeed quite leisurely. He only needs to strategize in the Core Hall and wait for the harvest.

At this moment, the water mirror in the middle suddenly lit up with red light, indicating a new fluctuation of summoning energy.

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyebrows, watching the summoning array in the center of the hall glow with golden-red light, runes dancing like flames, and finally condensing into a virtual phantom of a broadsword.

The light and shadow dissipated, and a middle-aged man in a green robe appeared in the array, holding a ghost-head broadsword, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's; it was Yang Zhi from the "water margin".

[Yang Zhi Panel Expanded: Name: Yang Zhi; From: "water margin" world; Realm: Grandmaster Initial Stage; Martial Skill: 1. Yang Family Blade Technique (Perfection): The blade momentum is heavy and fierce, good at chopping, has very strong armor-breaking ability, and can cut through fire lizard scales. 2. Overlord Spear (Major Achievement): The spear thrusts like a dragon, can pierce through ice layers, and has significant defensive effects against ice silkworm silk. Special Ability: - Equipment Identification Eye: Can see through the quality of Ore and medicinal herbs, can distinguish the authenticity of dragon blood grass and Ice Marrow Flower. - Calm Heart: Does not panic in times of crisis, is good at commanding team operations, and makes up for the lack of experience of Qu Feiyan and Miao Ruolan. Additional Items: - Pu Dao (Spare Weapon): The blade is quenched with dual ice and fire toxins, which has a restraining effect on both fire lizards and ice silkworms. - Pass Permit (Special): Can pass freely at the borders of various Imperial Dynasties, avoiding unnecessary inspections.]

"Yang Zhi pays respects to the Young Lord." The man in the green robe knelt on one knee, his voice steady and powerful.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "You came just in time. Go to Burning Fire Mountain to support Qu Feiyan. Her nature is jumpy; with you there, it will be more secure. Remember, the roots of the dragon blood grass cannot be damaged, otherwise the medicinal effect will be greatly reduced."

"Subordinate obeys!" Yang Zhi bowed and responded. When he got up, the ghost-head broadsword drew a cold light in the sun. He turned and stepped into the teleportation array, chasing after Qu Feiyan's team.

In the water mirror, Qu Feiyan's Crimson Chain Squad had approached Burning Fire Mountain.

Looking from afar, the mountain was completely red, the top of the mountain was steaming with thick smoke, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur.

Qu Feiyan reined in her horse and took out a Fire-Avoiding Bead from her bosom to hang around her neck: "Dismount and walk. The horse can't walk on the road ahead."

The team members dismounted one after another and followed her towards the foot of the mountain.

Just as they approached the foot of the mountain, the ground suddenly shook, and a stream of fire gushed out from a mountain crevice on the side, bringing with it a pungent heat wave.

Qu Feiyan reacted extremely quickly. Both palms struck out, and the Blazing Fire Palm sent out a wall of Qi, actually blocking the fire stream outside: "Be careful, this is just an appetizer. The real danger is in the heart of the mountain."

In the Far North direction, Miao Ruolan's Ice Soul squad had also entered Cold Ice Valley. The ice layer in the valley glowed with a faint blue light, and the remains of frozen wild beasts could be seen on the ground from time to time.

Miao Ruolan used an ice pick to break open a layer of ice, revealing a hexagonal pattern inside: "There is the aura of the Ice Marrow Flower here. Go this way."

As soon as the words fell, the ice layer in front suddenly cracked, and a snow-white silkworm crawled out from under the ice, as thick as an arm, spitting silver-white silk and rushing over—it was the ice silkworm of Cold Ice Valley!

Miao Ruolan's eyes sharpened, her wrist flipped, and three Cold Ice Needles shot out, accurately nailing the head of the ice silkworm.

The ice silkworm hissed, the silk froze instantly, and its movements slowed down a lot. "Do it!" Miao Ruolan gave a low drink, rushed up first, and smashed the ice pick with cold energy towards the body of the ice silkworm.

Jun Xiaoyao, in front of the water mirror, watched these two conflicts erupting at the same time, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest.

The fire lizards of Burning Fire Mountain and the ice silkworms of Cold Ice Valley are just the first difficulty in finding medicinal herbs. There are more dangerous mountain hearts and valley eyes waiting for them behind.

But he is not worried. Qu Feiyan's Blazing Fire Palm, Miao Ruolan's Cold Ice Needle, plus Yang Zhi's steady assistance are enough to meet these challenges.

What Jun Xiaoyao cares more about is, after getting these two medicines, who should take the realm-breaking pill first—should Zhan Zhao be allowed to break through to the Great Grandmaster, or should the strength of the Marshal of the Unruly be improved?

He picked up the roster on the table, which recorded the Realm and contribution of all summoned characters, hesitated for a moment on the names of "Zhan Zhao" and "Marshal of the Unruly", and finally put down the roster.

"No rush." Jun Xiaoyao said to himself, "Wait until the herbs are in hand."

The wind outside the hall carried the cold air of the Far North and the heat wave of the Western Regions, weaving into an invisible barrier outside the Core Hall.

Jun Xiaoyao leaned on the chair, his eyes deep, as if he had seen the scene of dragon blood grass and Ice Marrow Flower being sent to the treasury, and saw the strength of Beyond Heaven rising to a higher level because of this realm-breaking pill.

This search in the burning fire and cold ice is just another step on the road of expansion of Beyond Heaven, and he, the Young Lord, only needs to wait for the good news.