223: Dragon Saliva Spring Shadow

In the bronze lamp of the Beyond Heaven's core hall, dragon saliva incense slowly burned, its smoke like threads, coiling around the cold iron chains suspended in the hall.

Jun Xiaoyao sat behind a Zinan wood desk, his fingertips tapping a freshly delivered secret report. The edges of the report were still stained with fresh blood—it was a message Qiao Feng had sent back from Wild Wolf Valley.

"The Dragon Saliva Spring is indeed deep within Wild Wolf Valley, hidden by a thousand-year-old Profound Ice Cave."

Zhao Gao stood by the desk, unrolling a cross-section map of the Ice Cave. "Although most of the three sects' people have been captured by us, Qingyun Sect Master 'Master Qingxu' led his Core Disciple to infiltrate the Ice Cave in advance, seemingly setting up some Formation."

Jun Xiaoyao looked up, his gaze falling on the core of the cross-section map, where a strange rune was drawn in cinnabar.

"This is the marker for the 'Dragon Locking Formation's' core." His fingertip traced the rune. "Master Qingxu wants to use the Dragon Qi of the Dragon Saliva Spring to activate the Formation. He's probably not trying to suffer Qi Deviation, but to forcefully Break through to the Land Immortal Realm."

Zhao Gao bowed and said, "Qiao Feng has already led the Xuan Group to surround the outer perimeter of the Ice Cave, but Master Qingxu has set up the 'Seven Star Fierce Formation' inside the cave, with seven Grandmaster Realm dead soldiers hidden within. Forcing entry would likely result in casualties."

Jun Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then raised his hand to open the summoning System. A light blue screen unfolded in the hall, displaying information about characters to be summoned, finally stopping on a name.

[Character: West Gate Blows Snow]

[From: gu long wuxia world]

[Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill: Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens (Perfection) — Sword strikes like an immortal descending, breaking all defenses in the world; Treading Snow Without a Trace (Major Achievement) — Superb light footwork, capable of borrowing strength in the Void Realm.]

[Compatibility: 95%]

[Summoning Requirement: 8000 energy points]

[Summoning Condition: Requires a thousand-year cold iron as an lead, placed in the center of the summoning array.]

"He's the one." Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip tapped the screen. "Zhao Gao, go to the treasury and retrieve that 'Profound Ice cold iron' to draw him out."

Zhao Gao acknowledged and withdrew, returning moments later with a half-human-tall piece of cold iron. White frost condensed around the cold iron, and when it landed, it actually froze a thin layer of ice on the golden brick floor. He placed the cold iron in the summoning array in the center of the hall and stepped aside.

Jun Xiaoyao rose and walked to the array. His fingertips gathered Internal Energy and carved West Gate Blows Snow's name onto the cold iron. As the runes lit up, the cold iron suddenly burst forth with dazzling white light, and within the white light, the faint sound of a sword's cry echoed, like a crane crying out in the Nine Heavens.

As the light dissipated, a white-clad figure stood within the array. He wore a plain white robe, his hair tied with a white ribbon, and in his hand, he held a scabbardless longsword. The blade was as pristine white as frost—it was West Gate Blows Snow.

"Greetings, Young Lord." His voice was clear and cold, like ice beads dropping onto a jade plate. His gaze swept over the hall's furnishings, finally resting on Jun Xiaoyao, carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny—he was clearly assessing the

Jun Xiaoyao wasn't annoyed; he simply pushed the Ice Cave cross-section map over. "Wild Wolf Valley's Profound Ice Cave, Master Qingxu is using the Seven Star Fierce Formation to protect the Formation's core. You need to break the Formation."

West Gate Blows Snow glanced at the cross-section map, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised. "The Seven Star Fierce Formation, with seven people corresponding to the Big Dipper, mutually supporting each other, is indeed somewhat tricky." He ran his fingertip along the sword blade. "But with the sword in my hand, what Formation cannot be broken?"

[Character Panel: West Gate Blows Snow]

[Status: Activated, Loyalty 100%]

[Current Command: Follow Qiao Feng into the Profound Ice Cave to break the Seven Star Fierce Formation and contain Master Qingxu.]

As West Gate Blows Snow departed to carry out his orders, Zhao Gao handed over another scroll: "Young Lord, Marshal of the Unruly has interrogated them and found results. The alliance of the three sects was secretly instructed by the 'Prince of Zhenbei' from the Northern Border. The Prince of Zhenbei wants to use the Dragon Qi from the Dragon Saliva Spring to refine 'dragon essence pill' to help him Break through to the Heavenly Human Realm."

Jun Xiaoyao scoffed, "Prince of Zhenbei? The late Emperor granted him to guard the Northern Border, yet he dares to covet the Dragon Saliva Spring." His fingertips tapped a rhythm on the desk. "Have Marshal of the Unruly lead The Net's 'Di' Group to infiltrate the Prince of Zhenbeis Estate and 'borrow' all his hidden Cultivation resources. Remember, keep the commotion small; don't let anyone know we did it."

"Yes." Zhao Gao bowed in response, then added, "Additionally, the 'Essence Devouring Scripture' that Li Xunhuan found from Black Wind Stockade has been deciphered. Those who Cultivate this technique must constantly devour others' Internal Energy, but will eventually suffer Internal Energy backlash and explode. Master Qingxu probably doesn't know this drawback and still thinks it's a shortcut."

Jun Xiaoyao picked up the copied Essence Devouring Scripture and tossed it aside, "Ignorant."

He looked out of the hall. "How long until we hear news from Qiao Feng and West Gate Blows Snow?"

"According to the journey, they should arrive at the Ice Cave by midnight tonight," Zhao Gao said.

"Qiao Feng's Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms are the most powerful for breaking Formations, and West Gate Blows Snow's Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens can precisely eliminate the dead soldiers at the Formation's core. Their cooperation should be foolproof."

Just as he was speaking, a message whistle from the Xuan Group came from outside the hall. Zhao Gao received the message, his expression slightly changing: "Young Lord, Master Qingxu seems to have noticed the commotion outside.

He actually activated the Dragon Qi of the Dragon Saliva Spring inside the Ice Cave ahead of time. Now, the cave is filled with mist, even Qiao Feng's perception is being interfered with."

Jun Xiaoyao's brows furrowed slightly. He opened the System screen and brought up another character panel.

[Character: Fragrant Bat]

[From: gu long wuxia world]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill: Bandit Chief's Lightness Skill (Perfection) — Treading Moon Without a Trace, capable of seeing through mist; Orchid Finger Acupoint Striking Hand (Major Achievement) — Precise acupoint striking, subduing enemies without killing them.]

[Compatibility: 90%]

[Summoning Requirement: 5000 energy points]

[Summoning Condition: Requires South Sea pearls ground into powder, sprinkled into the summoning array.]

"Summon another one," Jun Xiaoyao said. "Have Fragrant Bat go to the Ice Cave; his lightness skill and perception are perfect for countering the mist."

Zhao Gao immediately retrieved the South Sea pearl powder and sprinkled it into the summoning array.

A flash of light, and a man holding a folding fan with a carefree smile appeared in the array—it was Fragrant Bat.

"I am Fragrant Bat, greetings, Young Lord." He gently fanned himself, his eyes sharp and intelligent, instantly comprehending the situation in the hall.

"Go to the Profound Ice Cave, assist Qiao Feng and West Gate Blows Snow, break through the mist and find the Formation's core," Jun Xiaoyao ordered directly.

"Gladly." Fragrant Bat closed his fan, and his figure flickered, disappearing outside the hall, leaving only a faint scent of tulip.

Zhao Gao looked at the empty doorway and whispered, "Young Lord, isn't using three Great Grandmaster Realm experts at once too energy-intensive?"

Jun Xiaoyao sat back down at the desk, took a sip of tea, and said, "The Dragon Qi from the Dragon Saliva Spring is greatly beneficial to Beyond Heaven's Cultivation chambers; it's worth it."

He looked out the window as night deepened. "There will be results from both the Prince of Zhenbeis Estate and the Profound Ice Cave tonight. Zhao Gao, keep a close eye on the message talisman and report any news immediately."

"Yes."

Silence returned to the hall, with only the smoke from the dragon saliva incense slowly drifting.

Jun Xiaoyao closed his eyes, but his Divine Sense had quietly spread out, covering the two directions in the Northern Border—though he did not personally act.

He could clearly perceive The Net's sharp blades being unsheathed in the shadows, and Beyond Heaven's influence, following the footsteps of these summoned powerhouses, was slowly engraving itself into the very bones and blood of the Northern Border.

As midnight approached, the first sword cry came from the direction of the Profound Ice Cave, clear and sharp like tearing silk—it was West Gate Blows Snow's Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens breaking the Formation.

Immediately after, a black shadow flashed from the direction of the Prince of Zhenbeis Estate, a signal that Marshal of the Unruly had succeeded.

Jun Xiaoyao's lips curved slightly. He tapped the desk with his fingertip, engraving the words "Dragon Saliva Spring" into Beyond Heaven's resource list.