225: Shattering the Void

Jun Xiaoyao held a transparent white jade chess piece between his fingers, the piece reflecting the flowing clouds outside the window, casting a gentle light in his palm.

In the water mirror, The Net's secret reports appeared line by line—the black markets in the Northern Three Prefectures had all been taken over by the “Shadow” Group, outside the Poisonous Miasma Forest in Southern Xinjiang, the “Poison” Group had established thirteen sentry posts, and on the Ancient Silk Road in the Western Regions...

The caravan escorted by the “Wind” Group, bearing the mark of Beyond Heaven, was continuously transporting spices and Ore back to the Central Hub.

“Young Lord, Zhao Gao requests an audience.” The soft voice of a maid reported from outside the hall.

“Let him in.”

Jun Xiaoyao did not raise his eyes, placing the chess piece on the “Center Palace” position of the board, perfectly suppressing the black piece representing the Imperial Dynasty's influence.

Zhao Gao, dressed in dark robes, walked silently into the hall, holding a roll of parchment map. He bowed and said, “Young Lord, The Net has completed the integration of the Northern Region's black markets as planned. This is the newly drawn map of influence distribution.

Furthermore, news came from Marshal of the Unruly, saying that an ancient ruin was discovered in the Western Regions, possibly related to the Shattering the Void Realm.”

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, his gaze falling upon the dense red markings on the map—each mark represented a hidden agent of The Net.

He pointed a finger at a depression in the Western Regions: “The exact location? What unusual movements has the ruin shown?”

“It is beneath the old site of Loulan Ancient City. Marshal of the Unruly led the ‘Profound’ Group to investigate. The entrance to the ruin is covered by a light barrier inscribed with Ancient Runes, which cannot be deciphered for now.”

Zhao Gao unrolled another Rubbing, which displayed ancient, twisted, snake-like script. “According to the accompanying Ancient Texts Official, this might be the relic site of the ancient Sect, Tongtian Pavilion. Legend says the pavilion contains the method for Shattering the Void.”

Jun Xiaoyao rubbed his finger over the Rubbing. The Runes seemed familiar, faintly echoing the patterns on the Bronze Fragment he carried with him when he Transmigrated.

He pondered for a moment: “Have Marshal of the Unruly seal off the ruin for now. Do not act rashly.

Also, notify the ‘Literary’ Group and dispatch all Scholars proficient in Ancient Script to gather in the Western Regions within three days.”

“Yes.” Zhao Gao responded, then added, “There is one more matter. The Jiangnan Aristocratic Family, Murong Manor, has been acting frequently recently. They have allied with several major aristocratic families in Gusu and Lin'an.

They set up the ‘Misty Rain Gathering’ by the Qiantang River. Ostensibly, it is to discuss canal transport interests, but in reality... they seem to be colluding to resist Beyond Heaven's resource control.”

Jun Xiaoyao curled his lip into a cold, sharp arc: “Murong Fu is certainly more obedient than his ancestors, knowing to use the pretense of ‘discussion’.”

He moved the white jade chess piece to the Jiangnan area: “How many personnel does The Net's ‘Water’ Group have in Jiangnan?”

“Three hundred deathsworn, all above the Grandmaster Realm. The leader is ‘White Stripe in the Waves’ Zhang Shun, who is in the Initial Heaven Human Realm and whose water skills are unmatched under heaven.” Zhao Gao answered fluently.

“That's enough.” Jun Xiaoyao said calmly. “Have Zhang Shun take fifty men to the Misty Rain Gathering. No need to take action; just let Murong Fu know that the blueprint of the secret tunnels in his manor is currently on my desk.”

A look of understanding flashed in Zhao Gao's eyes, and he bowed and retreated. Silence returned to the hall. Jun Xiaoyao took out the Bronze Fragment. When the fragment came into contact with the Runes on the Rubbing...

It spontaneously glowed faintly. The patterns on the fragment slowly overlapped with the Runes on the Rubbing, forming a complete ring.

“Shattering the Void...” he murmured, tracing the fragment with his finger. “It seems this trip to the Western Regions is unavoidable.”

Three days later, at the Old Site of Loulan in the Western Regions.

Yellow sand billowed, and the setting sun was like blood. Marshal of the Unruly, clad in Dark Armor, stood before the ruin entrance, looking at the pale blue light barrier.

The Runes on the light barrier flowed erratically. Occasionally, streams of light spilled out, landing on the sand, causing the yellow sand to solidify into jade.

“Marshal, the Scholars from the ‘Literary’ Group have arrived.” A Subordinate General reported softly.

Marshal of the Unruly turned around and saw a group of elderly men in green robes being escorted by members of The Net. The white-haired elder leading them was Scholar Wang, who had once served in the Imperial Academy of the Former Dynasty.

Scholar Wang held the Rubbing, comparing it with the Runes on the light barrier, and trembled: “It is... the ‘Spirit Guiding Pattern’ of Tongtian Pavilion! Legend says it requires ‘Essence Blood above the Heavenly Human Realm’ as a catalyst to open!”

Marshal of the Unruly frowned slightly: “The Net has seven Heavenly Human Realm cultivators here, including myself. If we use Essence Blood as a catalyst, it might damage our Foundation.”

“Not necessarily.” A clear voice came from behind the sand. Jun Xiaoyao emerged under the protection of The Net members, holding the Bronze Fragment in his hand. “Try using this.”

The fragment was tossed towards the light barrier, bursting into dazzling light the moment it made contact.

The Runes on the light barrier surged towards the fragment like a tide. The previously solid light barrier slowly tore open a gap, behind which a floating jade pavilion was vaguely visible. The plaque on the pavilion was inscribed with three ancient characters—“Tongtian Pavilion.”

“It really opened!” the Scholars exclaimed.

Jun Xiaoyao gestured to Marshal of the Unruly: “Have men guard the entrance; no one is allowed to enter without permission. I will go in first to investigate.”

Marshal of the Unruly hesitated but finally bowed: “Young Lord, please be careful. Your subordinate will wait outside for your return.”

Jun Xiaoyao stepped into the gap, and the light barrier closed behind him. Before him was a corridor paved with jade, the walls on both sides covered with murals depicting ancient people Cultivating, from the Acquired Realm up to Shattering the Void.

The Breakthrough of every Realm was vividly depicted. At the end of the corridor, a figure stood with his back to him, dressed in purple robes, his aura ethereal, seemingly merged with heaven and earth.

“Someone has finally arrived.”

The Purple-Robed Man turned around, his face blurry, yet carrying a familiar aura. “You possess the aura of the ‘Source’. It seems you are the successor chosen by the Heavenly Dao.”

Jun Xiaoyao gripped the Bronze Fragment: “Who are you? What is the connection between Tongtian Pavilion and Shattering the Void?”

“I am the last Pavilion Master of Tongtian Pavilion, trapped here for three thousand years, waiting only for someone who can carry the ‘Source’.” The Purple-Robed Man raised his hand, and a Jade Slip flew toward Jun Xiaoyao.

“This is the Heaven-Reaching Art. It can help you see through the Land Immortal Realm. As for whether you can Shatter the Void... that depends entirely on your own Dao.”

The Jade Slip felt warm upon contact, and a torrent of information flooded his mind—it was a method of Cultivation that surpassed the understanding of the current world, pointing directly to the Origin of heaven and earth.

“Why choose me?” Jun Xiaoyao asked.

“Because, like me, you are not from this world.”

The Purple-Robed Man smiled, his figure gradually turning transparent. “Remember, Beyond Heaven is not just your power base; it is your Foundation for Shattering the Void... Only by guarding it can you tread upon the River of Stars.”

His figure dissipated. The corridor began to shake, and the jade pavilion gradually dematerialized.

Jun Xiaoyao, holding the Jade Slip and the Bronze Fragment, rushed out of the ruin before the pavilion completely vanished.

Outside, Marshal of the Unruly sighed in relief seeing him emerge safely: “Young Lord, inside...”

“The harvest is considerable.”

Jun Xiaoyao raised the Jade Slip. “Notify all core members of Beyond Heaven to return to the Central Hub in three days; there is a major announcement.”

Meanwhile, at Murong Manor in Jiangnan.

Murong Fu looked at the secret report in his hand, his face ashen—the report detailed the routes of the seven secret tunnels in his manor and even marked the shift change times for the secret guards.

He slammed the secret report onto the desk: “Beyond Heaven... what a tactic!”

The Strategist beside him trembled: “Young Master, is the Misty Rain Gathering still on?”

Murong Fu closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was calm: “Yes, why not? But we must change the approach—prepare gifts. I will personally go to the Beyond Heaven Central Hub to pay a visit to that Young Lord.”

Three days later, in the main hall of the Beyond Heaven Central Hub.

Jun Xiaoyao sat in the main seat. Below him stood core members like Marshal of the Unruly, Zhao Gao, Zhang Shun, and Scholar Wang, all powerhouses above the Heavenly Human Realm.

They looked at the young Young Lord in the main seat, their eyes filled with awe.

“I have gathered you all today for two matters.” Jun Xiaoyao's voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.

“First, I will impart the Heaven-Reaching Art to help you Break through your Realms.

Second, Beyond Heaven will no longer remain hidden. Starting today, we officially stand in the world. All members of Beyond Heaven must abide by my rules, expand my territory, and those who defy orders... shall be executed!”

“We respectfully obey the Young Lord's command!” Everyone knelt on one knee, their voices shaking the hall.

Outside the hall, sunlight pierced the clouds, illuminating the three gilded characters “Beyond Heaven.” The light penetrated the clouds, as if announcing to the entire continent—a new era was approaching.