226: Murong Mansion submitted

On the jade steps of the Beyond Heaven's Core Hall, morning dew refracted the rising sun, making the bronze cauldrons within the hall gleam with golden light.

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips held the Jade Slip he had brought from the Tongtian Pavilion. The characters of the Heaven-Reaching Art flowed in his palm, seemingly alive and pulsating.

In the water mirror, Murong Fu, carrying lavish gifts, was traveling north along the Jiangnan waterways in a wupeng boat. The Murong Manor banner at the bow fluttered slightly in the wind, exuding a deliberate sense of low-key humility.

“Young Lord, Murong Fu has brought three gifts: a thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum, a pair of warm jade lions, and... his ancestral Canhe Finger manual.”

Zhao Gao stood by the water mirror, presenting the gift list. “It seems he genuinely wishes for peace.”

Jun Xiaoyao scanned the gift list, his gaze lingering on the “Canhe Finger manual” for a moment.

This finger technique had been lost in the Jianghu for a long time. It was said that upon Major Achievement, it could strike acupuncture points from a distance, its power no less than the One Yang Finger.

“Genuine?” He chuckled softly. “It's just a tactic to break The Net. Have Zhang Shun 'welcome' him at the canal dock. There's no need to be too polite, but don't lose Beyond Heaven's decorum either.”

“Yes.” Zhao Gao bowed in response, then added, “The core members have gathered at the training ground, awaiting the Young Lord to impart the Heaven-Reaching Art.”

Jun Xiaoyao rose, tucking the Jade Slip into his sleeve. “Let's go.”

The training ground was located on the west side of Beyond Heaven's main Peak, spanning ten li, with a surface made of profound iron mixed with fine steel, incredibly hard.

At this moment, Marshal of the Unruly, Qiao Feng, West Gate Blows Snow, Yang Guo, and other summoned figures were all present. Over three hundred core members of The Net stood in a square formation, their auras solemn, awaiting instructions.

Jun Xiaoyao stepped onto the high platform in the center of the field, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “Today I impart the Heaven-Reaching Art not for you to contend for superiority, but for Beyond Heaven to possess enough strength to guard our resources and protect our people.”

He took out the Jade Slip. Driven by spiritual power, the characters on the Jade Slip transformed into golden light, suspended in mid-air. “How much you comprehend depends entirely on your own fortune.”

Within the golden light, the opening chapter of the Heaven-Reaching Art slowly unfolded: “Heaven and Earth are unkind, treating all beings as straw dogs... Qi circulating through the body, drawing in the source, only then can one glimpse the Great Dao...”

Marshal of the Unruly was the first to focus on comprehending. His Tiangang Art Internal Energy resonated with the golden light, and a faint golden glow emanated from his body. Qiao Feng's Dragon Subduing Internal Energy was fierce, emitting a Dragon's roar when it collided with the golden light.

West Gate Blows Snow's Sword Intent, like a sharp sword, pierced into the golden light, attempting to dissect the true meaning within the characters. Everyone had different expressions, yet all were immersed in the profound mysteries of the Cultivation Technique.

Jun Xiaoyao walked down the high platform and said to Zhao Gao, “Has Murong Fu arrived at the dock?”

“Just arrived. Zhang Shun, as instructed, only sent ten Net members to 'welcome' him, blocking all his guards at the dock.”

Zhao Gao handed over a water mirror. In the mirror, Murong Fu stood by the shore, his face somewhat displeased—his thirty guards were being held at crossbow-point by Net members, unable to move.

“Well done.” Jun Xiaoyao watched Murong Fu's forced composure in the mirror. “Let him come to the Core Hall alone. I'll wait for him here.”

Half an hour later, Murong Fu entered the Core Hall under the “escort” of Net members.

He was dressed in a brocade robe, but it couldn't hide the unease in his brows. Upon seeing Jun Xiaoyao seated at the head of the table, he quickly bowed. “Junior Murong Fu greets the Young Master of Beyond Heaven.”

Jun Xiaoyao looked up, his gaze calm yet imposing. “Young Master Murong, there's no need for such formality. Sit.”

Murong Fu thanked him and sat down, immediately getting to the point. “This Junior has come to apologize to the Young Master.

The actions of the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families at the Misty Rain Gathering were due to my oversight. I ask for the Young Master's forgiveness.”

“There's no need for apologies.” Jun Xiaoyao tapped the table with his fingertip. “I only ask you this: Beyond Heaven wants thirty percent of the profits from Jiangnan's water transport. Do you, Murong Manor, agree?”

Murong Fu's heart tightened. Thirty percent of the profits was almost half of the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families' wealth, but he looked at the faintly visible Net members in the hall.

He finally gritted his teeth. “This Junior agrees! Not only water transport, but Beyond Heaven can also take thirty percent of the silk and tea businesses in Jiangnan!”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded in satisfaction. “A wise man knows when to yield. Since Young Master Murong is so sincere, I'll also give you a gift.”

He tossed out a scroll of blueprints. “This is the layout of the secret passages in your manor, and also the evidence of your secret collusion with the Prince of Zhenbei in the Northern Region. Now, it's yours.”

Murong Fu took the blueprints, his face instantly turning pale—the contents on the blueprints were even more detailed than he had imagined.

Even the time and place of his secret talks with the Prince of Zhenbei's envoy were recorded. He finally understood that Beyond Heaven's understanding of Murong Manor far exceeded his imagination.

“Young Master...” Murong Fu's voice trembled. “This Junior...”

“Go back.” Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him. “Manage the businesses in Jiangnan well. Don't disappoint me.”

Murong Fu, as if granted amnesty, bowed and withdrew. When he walked out of the Core Hall, his back was drenched in cold sweat. He knew that from this moment on, Murong Manor had completely become a vassal of Beyond Heaven.

Jun Xiaoyao watched his disheveled retreating figure and said to Zhao Gao, “The matter in Jiangnan is resolved. For the Western Regions, regarding the subsequent investigation of the Tongtian Pavilion ruins, have Marshal of the Unruly send more people. Don't let other forces take advantage.”

“Yes, Young Master. Also, there's some activity at the training ground—Senior Old Urchin seems to have comprehended the first stage of the Heaven-Reaching Art and is now chasing Yang Guo for a spar.” Zhao Gao smiled as he handed over the water mirror.

In the mirror, Old Urchin was indeed pestering Yang Guo, insisting on a sparring match.

Yang Guo reluctantly responded. When their Internal Energy collided, it actually triggered the golden light of the Heaven-Reaching Art, causing the surrounding Net members to exclaim in wonder.

Jun Xiaoyao also smiled. “That Old Urchin has good Comprehension Ability. By the way, are the System's summoning points enough?”

“Enough. We can just summon a new character.” Zhao Gao activated the summoning array, and the runes in the center of the hall lit up.

Summoning successful! Character: Duan Yu

From: Jin Yong's demi-gods and semi-devils world

Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Six Meridians Divine Sword (Major Achievement): Finger force like a sword, can injure people from a distance, contains the essence of Dali Duan Clan's Internal Energy

2. Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves (Perfection): Exquisite footwork, evasion ability unparalleled in the world

3. Beiming Divine Art (Partial): Can absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use, but carries a risk of backlash

Status: Peak

Loyalty: 100%

The light dispersed, and Duan Yu, dressed in a green robe and holding Buddhist beads, cupped his hands to Jun Xiaoyao. “Duan Yu offers his services to the Young Master!”

Jun Xiaoyao looked at this Dali Prince, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

“Young Master Duan, you've come at just the right time. Jiangnan's water transport needs manpower. You will go to Jiangnan with Zhang Shun and help him manage the waterways. Your Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves should be of great use on the water.”

“Gladly!” Duan Yu readily agreed. He already enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, so going to Jiangnan was perfectly to his liking.

At this moment, a cheer erupted from the training ground—Marshal of the Unruly had actually broken through to the Middle Stage of the Celestial Realm with the aid of the Heaven-Reaching Art!

Golden light condensed around him into a phantom, with a faint Dragon shape coiling within it.

Jun Xiaoyao looked towards the training ground, a smile playing on his lips.

With the impartation of the Heaven-Reaching Art, Beyond Heaven's strength would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds, and the resources of this continent would increasingly converge into Beyond Heaven's hands.

He picked up the Heaven-Reaching Art Jade Slip from the table, his fingertip tracing the four characters “Shattering the Void”.

Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he could reach that legendary Realm and see what truly lay beyond this heaven and earth.