233: Secret Order from Beyond the Heavens

Jun Xiaoyao sat on the sandalwood chair in the core hall of Beyond Heaven, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest.

The hall was brightly lit by candles, yet the light could not penetrate the depth of his eyes.

Zhao Gao held a secret report, bowed, and stood below the steps, his voice lowered to a whisper: "Young Lord, the remnants of the Thunder Hall have gathered North of the River, uniting with three small aristocratic families, claiming they want to take back the Black Iron Mining Area.

The leader is Lei Wanjun, the cousin of Lei Qianzhang; it is said he has already invited an Elder of the 'Blazing Sun Sect' to back him up."

Jun Xiaoyao did not raise his eyelids, his gaze falling on the mysterious iron token that had just been cast on the table. The front of the token was engraved with the words 'Beyond Heaven,' and the back featured the intertwined patterns of The Net.

"Blazing Sun Sect?" He curled his lips into a faint smile. "It's been a while since I've stretched my muscles."

Zhao Gao understood and immediately added: "The Blazing Sun Sect specializes in fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques. The Sect Master is in the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and there are three Grandmaster Realm Elders under his command.

Their mountain-guarding array, the 'Fen Tian Formation,' is said to be able to channel Yang Qi and suppress cold-attribute Cultivation Techniques."

"No matter." Jun Xiaoyao picked up the token, which shimmered with a cold light under the candlelight. "Has The Net been too idle lately?"

Zhao Gao bowed his head and replied: "The assassins of the Shadow Group have already completed the deployment North of the River and are awaiting the Young Lord's command. It's just..." He paused. "The Marshal of the Unruly sent word saying he wants to lead the team personally."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, a glimmer of amusement flashing within them: "He is certainly eager. Let him come; it will be a good chance to test his newly practiced 'Phantom Dragon Art'."

I. summoning array Activated, Marshal of the Unruly Receives Orders

The summoning array in the depths of Beyond Heaven suddenly lit up, and a pale blue light outlined complex runes on the ground. The figure of the Marshal of the Unruly (Yuan Tiangang) slowly condensed in the array, wearing a black python robe and a bronze mask, with the pressure of the Peak Grandmaster Realm radiating from his body.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Yuan Tiangang (Marshal of the Unruly)]

[From: The Unruly World of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]

[Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Phantom Dragon Art (Perfection) — Uses Qi to control form, can manifest a Dragon shadow for protection, extremely fast, excels at surprise attacks. 2. Divination Technique (Major Achievement) — Can predict opponent's Moves, avoid bad luck and seek good fortune. 3. Huayang Needle Technique (Perfection) — Can subdue enemies or heal wounds, silver needles Move as fast as lightning.]

[Loyalty: 100%]

"This subordinate greets the Young Lord." The Marshal of the Unruly knelt on one knee, his voice emanating through the mask with a metallic texture.

Jun Xiaoyao threw the profound iron token to him: "The Blazing Sun Sect North of the River is in the way; take the Shadow Group and clear them out. Remember, do not destroy the Black Iron Mining Area; as for the rest... do as you please."

The Marshal of the Unruly caught the token, and as he stood up, his bronze mask reflected a cold light: "This subordinate understands."

II. The Net Moves Out, Winds Rise North of the River

Three days later, in a small town on the outskirts of the Black Iron Mining Area North of the River, Elder Azure Dragon Gate Master of the Blazing Sun Sect was drinking with his Disciples. Beside the wine table, Lei Wanjun fawningly poured wine: "Elder Azure Dragon Gate Master, as long as we can take back the mining area, we will split that batch of profound iron from Beyond Heaven seventy-thirty!"

Azure Dragon Gate Master tilted his head and finished the wine in his cup, wiping his mouth: "Rest assured, a Beyond Heaven that hides its head and shows its tail dares to compete for food with my Blazing Sun Sect? Tonight, I will let them know whose territory North of the River is!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the doors and windows of the inn were suddenly smashed open with a "bang," and several black shadows surged in like ghosts.

The leading Marshal of the Unruly took off his mask, revealing a face full of wrinkles but with sharp eyes. The Phantom Dragon Art was activated, and a Dragon shadow circled around him.

"Blazing Sun Sect?" The Marshal of the Unruly sneered, his fingertips shooting out silver needles that precisely pinned the Acupoints of two Disciples. "The Young Lord has ordered: those who disturb our Beyond Heaven resources, kill without mercy!"

Seeing this, Azure Dragon Gate Master shouted angrily, flames igniting all over his body: "Insolent! Let you taste the power of the Fen Tian Formation!" He waved his hand to summon the Formation Flags, and the roof of the inn was instantly shrouded in flames, with rolling heat waves.

The Marshal of the Unruly was not afraid in the slightest, his Dragon shadow protecting his body, dodging the flame attacks, while simultaneously ordering the Shadow Group assassins: "Follow the plan, keep some alive to extract the distribution map of the Blazing Sun Sect's mineral veins."

The Shadow Group assassins immediately scattered, their short blades flashing with cold light in the fire. They were all Innate Realm assassins carefully selected by The Net, coordinating perfectly, and in the blink of an eye, they had separated and surrounded the Blazing Sun Sect Disciples.

Lei Wanjun was so scared he hid under the table, but was dragged out by a cold hand. Shadow One's short blade was pressed against his neck: "Hall Master Lei, we meet again. This time, who do you think will come to save you?"

III. Unexpected Gains, Array Map Appears

In the midst of the fierce battle, Azure Dragon Gate Master sacrificed the Sect's secret treasure, the "Blazing Sun Bead." Red light appeared, and the surrounding temperature soared, making even the Dragon shadow somewhat unstable.

The Marshal of the Unruly's eyes narrowed, and his Huayang Needle Technique was unleashed instantly, the silver needles striking directly at Azure Dragon Gate Master's Dantian.

"Pfft—" Azure Dragon Gate Master was struck by the silver needles, the flames were immediately extinguished, and he looked at the Marshal of the Unruly in disbelief, "Your needle technique... is this the skill of The Unruly?"

The Marshal of the Unruly ignored him, backhanded him, and knocked him unconscious. While searching, the Shadow Group found a sheepskin scroll in Azure Dragon Gate Master's arms. Upon unfolding it, it was the array map of the Blazing Sun Sect's mountain-guarding array, the "Fen Tian Formation," with several weak points marked on the side.

"The Young Lord gave instructions to bring back anything useful." The Marshal of the Unruly put away the array map and signaled the Shadow Group to clear the scene. "Take Azure Dragon Gate Master and Lei Wanjun back to Beyond Heaven; deal with the others... cleanly."

IV. Beyond Heaven Hall, New Order Issued

When the Marshal of the Unruly returned with the array map and captives, Jun Xiaoyao was pacing in front of the summoning array.

Seeing the array map, a glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes: "The Blazing Sun Sect hides more than just this. Zhao Gao, investigate the Blazing Sun Sect's mineral veins; I remember there is a hot spring in their back mountain, connected to geothermal resources underneath."

Zhao Gao immediately responded: "Yes, Young Lord. Also, the summoning array just had an anomaly; it seems there is a new summoning opportunity."

Jun Xiaoyao walked to the front of the summoning array, his fingertips brushing over the runes. The light in the array was brilliant, and a figure in white, holding a jade flute, slowly emerged.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Fragrant Bat]

[From: gu long wuxia world]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Lightness Skill "Stepping on the Moon Without a Trace" (Perfection) — Steps on water without a sound, passes through walls as if they were nothing, speed is unrivaled in Jianghu. 2. Finger Flicking Divine Skill (Major Achievement) — Pebbles shot out can break hidden weapons, extremely high precision. 3. Thievery Art (Perfection) — Can take items from people's bosoms without being noticed, especially skilled at snatching items.]

[Loyalty: 100%]

Fragrant Bat bowed and smiled: "I heard Beyond Heaven is looking for good things? Perhaps I can help."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him, then at the Fen Tian Formation map on the table, his lips curling slightly: "Perfect, the Blazing Sun Sect's secret treasury needs a good lock-picker."

Fragrant Bat raised an eyebrow: "Interesting. When do we set off?"

"Tomorrow." Jun Xiaoyao threw the profound iron token to him, "The Net will cooperate with you. Remember, only take useful things; don't alert too many people."

At this moment, Lei Wanjun in the dungeon was wailing at the iron bars: "I know where the Blazing Sun Sect's secret treasury is! Let me out, I'll take you there!"

Zhao Gao reported this to Jun Xiaoyao, and Jun Xiaoyao said indifferently: "Tell him, if he can find the secret treasury, I will spare his life and enroll him in The Net as a servant."

V. Undercurrents Intensify

News from North of the River spread quickly, and the fact that the Blazing Sun Sect had been severely damaged by Beyond Heaven shocked all parties.

In the Murong Manor in the South of the River, Murong Fu looked at the secret report with a solemn expression: "Beyond Heaven actually has a Late Stage Great Grandmaster expert... It seems I underestimated them before."

A strategist beside him whispered: "Young Lord, why not join forces with the 'Ten Thousand Poisons Valley'? Their poison arts are perfect for countering The Net's assassination techniques."

Murong Fu nodded: "Prepare generous gifts; I am going to the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley."

Meanwhile, inside the Beyond Heaven hall, Jun Xiaoyao was looking at the new summoning list.

Fragrant Bat had already set off with the Shadow Group, the Marshal of the Unruly was reorganizing the mining area North of the River, and the light of the summoning array was getting brighter and brighter—the next time, it seemed it would summon an even more powerful character.

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the table, his gaze falling on the location of "Ten Thousand Poisons Valley" on the continent map, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Those who dare to touch his resources must be prepared to bear the consequences. The Net has already been woven; next, it is time to tighten the line.