244: Xuan Tian Holy Land exerts pressure

The bronze lamp in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace illuminated the files in Jun Xiaoyao's hand. The four golden characters "Xuantian Holy Land" on the file stung the eyes. Zhao Gao had just sent word back from Qingzhou.

Xuantian Holy Land had sent an Inner Sect Elder to lead a team of three hundred Disciples into Qingzhou City. Nominally, they were there to "assist in the investigation," but in reality, they had set up camp ten miles outside the city. The tents stretched on, vaguely facing the direction of Hanyue Valley.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao's voice was extremely low, his fingertip pointing to "Duan Yun Ridge" between Qingzhou and Hanyue Valley on the map.

"The Holy Land Elder 'Holy Land Elder' is in the Middle Celestial Realm. It is said that he has already set up the 'Fen Tian Formation' at Duan Yun Ridge, using three-hundred-year-old fire marrow as the formation core. As soon as our people get close, they will be swallowed by flames."

Jun Xiaoyao closed the file, the gold thread on the cover shimmering under the lamplight: "Holy Land Elder? The one who was famous in the Western Regions twenty years ago for the 'Burning Mountain Palm'?"

"Exactly." Zhao Gao handed over a note, "This is what the Marshal of the Unruly found out. Holy Land Elder is extremely protective of his own. When his Disciple was killed by the Demonic Sect years ago, he personally bloodbathed three branches of the Demonic Sect; his methods were ruthless. Regarding Zhao Kuo's matter this time, he has declared that he wants to 'cleanse the den of filth'."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the desk, making a rhythmic sound: "Cleanse? He is hardly worthy."

He looked up at the summoning array in the center of the underground palace, the spiritual light of the formation core brighter than usual, "Calculating the time, it is time to summon new manpower."

I. summoning array Activated, the Condor Hero Appears

Following Jun Xiaoyao's intent, the summoning array lit up with golden-red light, and the runes leaped like flames.

When the light dissipated, a figure stood in the center of the array, dressed in dark attire, his left arm empty, and a giant eagle with iron-like claws perched on his shoulder. It was Yang Guo from the return of the condor heroes.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Yang Guo]

[From: Jin Yong Wuxia World]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Aran Xiao Hun Palm (Perfection) — Palm technique combining hardness and softness, containing endless loneliness, capable of breaking the world's most rigid and Yang-aligned martial arts; 2. Xuantie Sword Technique (Major Achievement) — Heavy sword without an edge, great skill without craft, the sword body is heavy, specialized in countering nimble Moves; 3. Nine Yin Manual (Fragment) — Proficient in tendon-changing and bone-forging, breath-holding and turtle-breathing techniques, long-lasting Internal Energy]

[Loyalty: 100%]

"Yang Guo greets the Young Lord." Yang Guo cupped his hands in salute, his voice calm. The giant eagle on his shoulder suddenly let out a shrill cry, spreading its wings, which were nearly a zhang wide, causing the candles in the underground palace to flicker violently.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at his empty left arm, then at the pitch-black heavy sword, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "The Condor Hero has come at the right time. The Fen Tian Formation of the Xuantian Holy Land needs you to break it."

Yang Guo gently stroked the eagle's head, and the giant eagle rubbed against his shoulder as if understanding.

"The Fen Tian Formation uses fire marrow as its core, which is extremely Yang and fierce. It is perfect to use the Yin-soft power of the Aran Xiao Hun Palm to restrain it. Young Lord, rest assured, within three days, I will break this formation."

II. The Net Deploys Defense, Hanyue Valley Stands Ready

At the entrance of Hanyue Valley, the Marshal of the Unruly was directing the Luowang Assassins to set up defenses. The Shadow Kill Guards buried horse-blocking stakes made of mysterious iron deep in the snow, the stakes wrapped in iron chains quenched with cold ice poison.

The ends of the chains were connected to crossbow arrays hidden behind ice prisms—this was the "Ice Seal Formation" designed by the Divine Marquis based on the terrain, specifically to counter fire-attribute Cultivation Technique.

"Hide the kerosene in the ice cellar on the east side," the Marshal of the Unruly instructed the messenger, "Holy Land Elder's Burning Mountain Palm fears water. When they rush in, pour kerosene first, then water. The agitation of ice and fire will cause their Internal Energy to become chaotic."

Not far away, Lu Zhishen was carrying a water-grinding Zen staff, leading twenty of The Unruly to reinforce the valley walls.

Although his Frenzied Demon Stick Technique was fierce, it was also adept at defense. Every strike that landed on the ice layer could thicken the valley wall by half a foot, making it as hard as iron.

"Senior Brother," one of The Unruly wiped his sweat and laughed, "With just those few hundred people from the Xuantian Holy Land, why go to such trouble?"

Lu Zhishen grinned, planting his Zen staff on the ground, shaking the snow off the ground.

"The Young Lord said, better to spend more effort than to lose a single brother. Holy Land Elder's Fen Tian Formation is powerful; we have to use a clumsy method to wear him out."

At this moment, Yang Guo landed at the valley entrance with the giant eagle. The giant eagle's sharp eyes swept towards the direction of Duan Yun Ridge and suddenly let out a warning-like cry.

Yang Guo frowned slightly: "Holy Land Elder has injected new fire marrow into the formation, and the formation power has increased by thirty percent. It seems he wants to settle this quickly."

The Marshal of the Unruly nodded: "Just as well. Our Ice Seal Formation has just been completed; we were only worried he wouldn't come."

III. Standoff at Duan Yun Ridge, First Clash

At noon the next day, rolling heat waves came from the direction of Duan Yun Ridge. Holy Land Elder rode a Fire Qilin Beast, leading a hundred Disciples to the valley entrance. He was wearing a blazing robe.

His beard and hair stood on end, flames swirling around him, and he shouted from afar: "Rats of Beyond Heaven, you killed the Outer Sect Disciple of my Holy Land, and now you dare to cower in the valley like turtles?"

Yang Guo stood on the valley wall, the mysterious iron sword stuck in the icy ground. The cold air from the sword body collided with the heat waves opposite, condensing into white mist in mid-air.

"Holy Land Elder, Zhao Kuo forcibly abducted a commoner woman; he deserved to die. If you are sensible, take your people and get back to Xuantian Holy Land, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword."

"Arrogant!" Holy Land Elder shouted angrily, striking out with his Burning Mountain Palm. A flame palm print a zhang long rushed towards the valley wall, "Let you taste the power of the Fen Tian Formation!"

The flame palm print collided with the valley wall but was rebounded by the ice layer. It turned out that the surface of the valley wall had been covered with a layer of Xuantie Sword Technique Qi by Yang Guo, which was extremely Yin and cold, perfectly restraining the flames.

Holy Land Elder was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "A bit of skill, but it's not enough!"

He waved his hand to sacrifice the Formation Flag, and the Fen Tian Formation on Duan Yun Ridge started instantly. Countless fire arrows shot toward Hanyue Valley like meteors. Yang Guo's eyes narrowed, his mysterious iron sword swept across, and the wind brought by the heavy sword actually blocked all the fire arrows. Wherever the sword wind reached, the accumulated snow was crushed into ice crystals.

"What a Xuantie Sword Technique!" A hint of greed flashed in Holy Land Elder's eyes, "It's a pity that such a divine Sharp Weapon is left in the hands of a cripple like you!"

Yang Guo's face sank slightly, and he suddenly struck out with the Aran Xiao Hun Palm. The palm wind looked gentle but carried a destructive force, actually tearing a gap in the incoming flames. "Enough talk, if you want to fight, then fight!"

Just at this moment, the sound of a bronze bell suddenly came from inside the valley, three long and two short—it was the signal from Jun Xiaoyao, telling them to hold their position.

Yang Guo restrained his palm energy, and the mysterious iron sword returned to its sheath: "Holy Land Elder, let's stop here today. In three days, I will wait for you at Duan Yun Ridge, one-on-one, to settle this matter."

Holy Land Elder narrowed his eyes. He couldn't see through the reality of Hanyue Valley and was afraid of falling into an ambush. He snorted coldly: "Fine! Three days later, I want to see what you, a cripple, have to be arrogant about!" After speaking, he took his Disciples and retreated to Duan Yun Ridge.

IV. Planning in the Underground Palace, Borrowing Strength to Strike

In the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao listened to Yang Guo's report and pointed his fingertip at "Luoxia Mountain" on the west side of Duan Yun Ridge on the map: "Although Holy Land Elder is arrogant, he is not stupid. He will definitely set an ambush at Luoxia Mountain, wanting to use the terrain to offset your Aran Xiao Hun Palm."

Yang Guo nodded: "I guessed as much. Luoxia Mountain has many cliffs, which is not conducive to the use of a heavy sword. He wants to force me to use palm techniques."

"Then let it be as he wishes." A cold arc curled up at the corner of Jun Xiaoyao's mouth, "But you must remember, you are only allowed to lose, not to win."

Yang Guo was stunned: "Young Lord?"

"Holy Land Elder has the backing of Xuantian Holy Land. Killing him will only attract more troublesome characters."

Jun Xiaoyao explained, "You deliberately lose to him, making him think that Hanyue Valley is nothing more than this, and lower his guard. At the same time, let the people of The Net spread the news that Holy Land Elder is bullying the small and winning by unfair means."

Zhao Gao added on the side: "There are many factions within the Xuantian Holy Land, and Holy Land Elder has made many enemies. As long as the news spreads, someone will naturally impeach him. By then, we won't need to do anything; the Holy Land will deal with him itself."

Yang Guo suddenly realized: "Young Lord is brilliant!"

V. Undercurrents Surging, All Parties Peering

Within three days, undercurrents were surging in Qingzhou City. The news of the upcoming duel between Xuantian Holy Land and Beyond Heaven spread throughout the streets and alleys.

All forces were watching—some hoping that Xuantian Holy Land could suppress this suddenly emerged "Beyond Heaven," while others were waiting to see the Holy Land suffer a setback.

Black Wind Stockade quietly sent envoys, bringing ten carts of grain and fodder, saying it was "tribute"; the City Lord of Qingzhou Mansion closed its doors tightly, seeing no one; even the remnants of the Myriad Bone Grotto far in the Western Regions had spies appearing near Duan Yun Ridge, obviously wanting to profit from the situation.

Inside Hanyue Valley, Jun Xiaoyao stood in front of the sand table, looking at the markers of various forces, his eyes calm and waveless. Zhao Gao walked in and handed over a message talisman.

"Young Lord, Yang Guo has set off according to the plan. The Marshal of the Unruly is taking the Shadow Kill Guards to meet him on the outskirts of Luoxia Mountain to ensure he won't be truly injured."

Jun Xiaoyao took the message talisman and injected a trace of Internal Energy. Yang Guo's handwriting appeared on the talisman: "Everything is ready."

He crushed the message talisman, and the powder scattered with the wind: "This bone of Xuantian Holy Land is not easy to chew, but as long as it is chewed down, Hanyue Valley's resource line in the Northern Territory can be completely stabilized."

Outside the underground palace, the giant eagle's shrill cry pierced the clouds, carrying a bit of arrogance.

Jun Xiaoyao knew that this seemingly simple duel was actually the first direct collision between Beyond Heaven and an old-established Holy Land.

Winning would mean truly establishing a foothold on the continent's power map; losing would mean all previous layouts would be in vain.

But he never believed in losing.

The light of the summoning array lit up again. This time, the color of the runes was deeper, signaling the arrival of the next powerhouse.

Jun Xiaoyao looked up, a confident arc curling at the corner of his mouth—the era belonging to Beyond Heaven had just begun.