227: Smoke signals rise in the northern border, swords pointed at the Prince of Zhenbei

The morning mist of Beyond Heaven had not yet dispersed, and the shouts from the martial arts practice field were already deafening.

Jun Xiaoyao stood on the Star-Gazing Platform, looking down—the shockwaves from the collision between Qiao Feng’s Dragon Subduing Palm and Yang Guo’s Aran Xiao Hun Palm created layers of air currents, while West Gate Blows Snow’s sword light split the morning mist.

The golden light of Marshal of the Unruly’s Tiangang Art intertwined with the phantom images of Old Urchin’s Kongming Fist, and over three hundred core members were practicing breathing techniques according to the "Tongtian Art," making the entire Beyond Heaven seem like a giant beast ready to strike.

"Young Lord, urgent report from the North." Zhao Gao walked over, stepping through the dew, the edges of the secret report in his hand curled from the haste of its delivery. "Prince of Zhenbei has allied with the remnants of Wild Wolf Valley, gathering fifty thousand armored cavalry outside Yanmen Pass, claiming they want to retake Dragon Saliva Spring and threatening to flatten our stronghold in the North."

Jun Xiaoyao took the secret report, his fingertips tracing over the four characters "fifty thousand cavalry."

His eyes remained calm: "Prince of Zhenbei certainly has some mettle, knowing he is outmatched yet still attempting a counterattack. Does Marshal of the Unruly have a response?"

"Marshal of the Unruly has already taken the 'Xuan' and 'Di' groups and rushed to Yanmen Pass, and has also mobilized all the cavalry battalions of The Net in the North, totaling eight thousand men."

Zhao Gao unfolded the map of the North, pointing to a canyon on the west side of Yanmen Pass.

"He said he plans to set an ambush at 'Wild Wolf Ravine'; the terrain there is treacherous and suitable for a smaller force to defeat a larger one."

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze fell on Wild Wolf Ravine on the map; the canyon was flanked by hundred-foot cliffs, and the passage in the middle could only accommodate five horses abreast, making it an excellent place for an ambush. "Eight thousand against fifty thousand, the disparity is still too great."

He pondered for a moment, opened the System light screen, and a name on the summoning list was flickering with a faint light.

[Character: Yue Fei]

[From: Historical Romance World]

[Realm: Heaven-Human Middle Stage]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Yue Family Spear (Perfection): The spear strikes like a Dragon, capable of breaking ten thousand troops, containing the Evil Qi of the battlefield. 2. Man Jiang Hong · Battle Intent (Special Cultivation Technique): Can boost morale, increase friendly combat power by 30%, and suppress enemy Aura. 3. Art of War · Shaking Mountains (Major Achievement): Proficient in various battle formations, especially skilled in using a small force to defeat a large one.]

[Summoning Requirement: 15,000 Energy Points]

[Summoning Condition: Requires a battle flag as a catalyst, stained with the blood of a hundred battles.]

"It will be him." Jun Xiaoyao pointed his fingertip, "Go to the treasury and get that 'Flag of Defeating Barbarians'; it was captured from the northern barbarians back then, and the bloodstains on it are enough."

Zhao Gao accepted the order and left, returning a moment later holding a tattered battle flag.

The battle flag was dark red, its edges severely worn, and the fierce tiger pattern on it was blackened by smoke, yet it still exuded a chilling Aura.

He placed the battle flag in the center of the summoning array and stepped aside.

Jun Xiaoyao walked to the front of the array and injected spiritual power into the battle flag. In an instant, the battle flag moved without wind, and the bloodstains on it seemed to come alive, weaving with the runes of the summoning array into a blood-colored light screen.

In the light screen, a figure wearing silver armor and a resolute expression slowly condensed, holding the Li Quan Divine Spear, with the tassel of the sword at his waist still stained with undried "blood"—it was exactly Yue Fei.

"General Yue, this subordinate, greets the Young Lord!" The silver armor clanked, and Yue Fei knelt on one knee, his voice like a bell, the Evil Qi of the battlefield surrounding him causing the surrounding air to stagnate.

Jun Xiaoyao helped him up: "General Yue, there is no need for such formalities. The North is in an emergency; you must immediately rush to reinforce Yanmen Pass and assist Marshal of the Unruly in defeating the enemy."

Yue Fei took the map, his gaze sweeping over the location of Wild Wolf Ravine, and said in a deep voice: "Fifty thousand cavalry may seem fierce, but they are actually a motley crew. This subordinate is willing to sign a military pledge: within three days, I will definitely defeat the enemy army and capture Prince of Zhenbei alive!"

[Character Panel: Yue Fei]

[Status: Activated, Loyalty 100%]

[Current Order: Lead a portion of The Net cavalry battalion to reinforce Yanmen Pass and assist Marshal of the Unruly in setting an ambush at Wild Wolf Ravine.]

When Yue Fei left, his silver-armored figure turned into a stream of light in the morning mist. Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhao Gao: "Have Qiao Feng and Yang Guo take the 'Tian' group and follow them; their combat power is enough to deter the enemy commander."

"Yes."

Wild Wolf Ravine · Ambush on All Sides

Three days later, outside Yanmen Pass.

Prince of Zhenbei’s fifty thousand cavalry surged toward Wild Wolf Ravine like a black tide, the sound of hooves making the earth tremble. Prince of Zhenbei, clad in black armor, stood at the front of the formation, looking at the canyon entrance.

His eyes were full of the flames of revenge: "Pass the order, break through Wild Wolf Ravine and head straight for Dragon Saliva Spring! Whoever can behead Marshal of the Unruly will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and titled a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

The fifty thousand cavalry shouted in unison, the sound wave rushing straight to the clouds. As the vanguard troops entered the canyon, countless giant rocks suddenly rolled down from the cliffs on both sides, blocking their retreat.

Immediately after, arrows rained down from the cliff tops, the cavalry fell, and the formation was instantly thrown into chaos.

"There's an ambush!" Prince of Zhenbei roared, just as he was about to order a retreat, a gunshot suddenly came from deep within the canyon—Yue Fei’s Li Quan Divine Spear pierced the sky, knocking his deputy general off his horse.

"Prince of Zhenbei, your death date has arrived!" Yue Fei’s voice exploded like thunder. Driven by the Man Jiang Hong · Battle Intent Cultivation Technique, the momentum of The Net cavalry soared, and blood-red light appeared in everyone's eyes.

Marshal of the Unruly stood on the cliff top, his Tiangang Art fully activated, the golden light as dazzling as the sun: "Release the fire oil!"

The prepared fire oil flowed down from the cliffs, ignited by fire arrows, instantly setting the canyon ablaze.

The cavalry were blocked by the wall of fire, unable to advance or retreat, and could only wail in the sea of flames.

"General Yue, leave the left flank to you!" Marshal of the Unruly shouted loudly.

"Understood!" Yue Fei spurred his horse, dancing his Yue Family Spear like blooming pear blossoms; wherever he went, enemy cavalry fell off their horses one after another.

The Net cavalry behind him formed a "cone formation," like a sharp knife, piercing directly into the enemy's left flank.

Just at this moment, Prince of Zhenbei personally led his elite middle army, attempting to break through the wall of fire.

At the critical moment, two figures descended from the sky—Qiao Feng’s Dragon Subduing Palm dispersed the wall of fire, and Yang Guo’s heavy sword swept across, instantly killing dozens of personal guards.

"Prince of Zhenbei, surrender!" Qiao Feng’s dragon-roaring palm wind made Prince of Zhenbei’s eardrums ache.

Prince of Zhenbei looked at the two who entered the land of no one, and then looked at the army swallowed by the sea of fire, despair finally appearing in his eyes.

He swung his sword intending to commit suicide, but his weapon was flicked away by Yang Guo’s heavy sword. With a "thud," Prince of Zhenbei knelt on the ground, his face ashen.

This battle took only one hour from start to finish.

Fifty thousand cavalry were annihilated, Prince of Zhenbei was captured alive, and The Net lost only about three hundred men.

Core Hall · Dust Settles

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched the scene of Yue Fei escorting Prince of Zhenbei and said to Zhao Gao: "Lock Prince of Zhenbei in the dungeon of Beyond Heaven."

"All resources from his princely mansion are to be transferred to the Northern stronghold. Additionally, send a message to Yue Fei, telling him to act as the Northern Protector and integrate the remaining forces of Prince of Zhenbei."

"Yes, Young Lord." Zhao Gao bowed and replied, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

"With General Yue guarding the North, our Dragon Saliva Spring and Black Iron Mining Area will be completely safe."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, his gaze turning back to the martial arts practice field.

At this time, the morning sun had fully risen, and the golden light of the "Tongtian Art" converged into a beam of light above everyone’s heads, shooting straight into the clouds.

He knew that with the addition of Yue Fei, Beyond Heaven not only had top-tier Jianghu combat power but also a commander capable of leading ten thousand troops.

The smoke of war in the North had dispersed, but the struggle for resources on this continent had only just begun.

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the railing, his next target becoming clear in his mind—the "Penglai Island" entrenched in the East Sea, which is said to hide the "Nine-Turn Golden Core" that can allow one to break through to the Land Immortal Realm.