252: Cold Moon Valley

The bronze lamp in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace illuminated the secret letter at Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips. The edges of the letter were scorched—this was the ultimatum sent by the Xuantian Holy Land.

Written in the own hand of Mysterious Dust Master, it stated that if Yue Fei was not handed over and The Net disbanded within three days, they would use the full might of the Holy Land to flatten Hanyue Valley.

Young Lord, the vanguard camp of the Holy Land has passed Duan Yun Ridge. It is led by Mysterious Dust Master's closing Disciple, the Initial Heaven Human Realm Xuan Zhen, with five hundred elites.

Every single one of them is at least at the Grandmaster Realm. Zhao Gao's voice was extremely low as his fingertips pointed to the One-Line Sky between Qingzhou and Hanyue Valley on the sand table. The terrain here is treacherous. General Yue says we can set an ambush, but I'm afraid...

Afraid of alerting the enemy? Jun Xiaoyao threw the secret letter onto the desk, the ink on the paper shimmering coldly under the lamp light. Mysterious Dust Master dares to let an Initial Heaven Human Realm cultivator serve as the vanguard because he is certain we wouldn't dare to clash head-on.

He looked up at the summoning array. Spiritual light flowed within the array, and there seemed to be a hidden Dragon roar. Yue Fei's Yue Family Military Tactics excel at large Formations; it is the perfect time to let Xuan Zhen taste their might.

I. The Dragon Roar of the summoning array

The summoning array deep in the underground palace suddenly lit up with golden-red light, even more intense than when Yue Fei descended. A deafening Dragon roar came from within the light, and a figure with green scales stepped out from the waves, wielding twin maces, with a face like a red date—it was General Qin Qiong from the Shuo Tang world.

Summoning Successful. Character: General Qin Qiong. From: Shuo Tang World. Realm: Initial Heaven Human Realm. Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Qin Family Twin Mace Technique (Perfection) — Combines hardness and softness, can break any divine weapon in the world. 2. Gate Guardian Prison Suppressing Technique (Major Achievement) — Internal Energy as thick as a prison, unparalleled defense. 3. Wagang Army Formation (Major Achievement) — Excels in battlefield melee, can overcome strength with weakness. Loyalty: 90%.

General Qin Qiong, this subordinate greets the Young Lord! General Qin Qiong knelt on one knee. The clashing sound of the twin maces hitting the ground made the stone tiles of the underground palace tremble.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly and pointed to the One-Line Sky on the sand table: General Qin, you have come just in time. Xuan Zhen's vanguard camp will pass through One-Line Sky tomorrow at noon. I need you and General Yue to cooperate to stage a defeat.

A hint of doubt flashed in General Qin Qiong's eyes: Young Lord, do you intend to...

Make Xuan Zhen believe we are vulnerable and lower his guard. Jun Xiaoyao traced an arc on the sand table with his fingertip. You are only allowed to lose, not win. Retreat to three miles outside Hanyue Valley. The traces you leave must look like a panicked flight.

Yue Fei appeared beside the summoning array at some point. Hearing this, he cupped his hands and said: A brilliant plan, Young Lord! General Qin and I can deliberately expose a flaw in our left flank, making Xuan Zhen think he can break the Formation in one blow, but in reality...

In reality, lead him into the Ice Seal Formation of Hanyue Valley. Jun Xiaoyao took over, pulling up the Formation blueprint designed by the Divine Marquis. The ice cellar in the valley is already stocked with fire oil. Once they enter, we will pour fire oil first, then water. The clash of ice and fire will disrupt their Internal Energy.

II. The Rout at One-Line Sky

The next day at noon, a cold wind howled through the mountain pass of One-Line Sky. Xuan Zhen rode a Snow Qilin Beast in the center of the vanguard camp, his black Daoist robe fluttering in the wind. The five hundred elites behind him all had composed auras, and the swords at their waists shimmered with spiritual light—these were the Law Enforcement Guards, the trump card of the Xuantian Holy Land, which ordinary Sects would avoid at all costs.

Report! Traces of the Yue Family Army have been discovered ahead, about three hundred men, setting up defenses on both sides of the mountain road! The scout flew back to report, the signal flag in his hand still trembling.

Xuan Zhen sneered, shaking his folding fan: Yue Fei is nothing but a motley crew, yet he dares to block the Holy Land's path? Pass down the order: after breaking the Formation, there is no need to kill everyone. Leave a few survivors to go back and report, so Jun Xiaoyao knows the might of the Holy Land!

The Law Enforcement Guards surged toward the mountain road like a tide, but they saw the Yue Family Army suddenly change Formation. General Qin Qiong's twin maces danced like a copper wall and iron fortress, while Yue Fei's Li Quan Spear was like a poisonous snake emerging from its hole, specifically targeting the gaps in the Formation. However, under the third wave of the Law Enforcement Guards' attack, the left flank of the Yue Family Army suddenly collapsed. Yue Fei fought hard but was outmatched, was struck in the shoulder by Xuan Zhen's palm, and retreated while vomiting blood.

General Yue! General Qin Qiong roared and stepped forward to cover him. The twin maces collided with Xuan Zhen's whisk and were actually shaken so hard that the webbing between his thumb and index finger split. The two fought and retreated. The three hundred Yue Family Army soldiers fled in defeat, throwing away their armor and weapons along the way, and even General Qin Qiong's gold mace was accidentally dropped on the mountain road.

Xuan Zhen looked at the gold mace on the ground and then at the direction in which Yue Fei had fled, laughing loudly: Beyond Heaven is nothing more than this! Pass down the order: pursue the victory and strike straight at Hanyue Valley!

III. The Ice Seal Formation of Hanyue Valley

When the vanguard camp chased to the outside of Hanyue Valley, the setting sun was dyeing the ice at the valley entrance golden-red. Xuan Zhen looked at the empty valley entrance, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes: Something is wrong. Why isn't there even a single guard?

Before he could finish speaking, a loud rumbling sound suddenly came from inside the valley. The ice cliffs on both sides collapsed, blocking the retreat. Immediately after, countless barrels of fire oil were poured from the hidden openings of the ice cellar, instantly spreading past the feet of the vanguard camp.

Not good! It's a trap! Xuan Zhen waved his palm to release flames, wanting to ignite the fire oil and perish with the opponent, but he heard Yue Fei's voice coming from the top of the valley: Xuan Zhen, taste the feeling of ice and fire!

As soon as the words fell, countless buckets of water were poured from the ice cliffs. The cold water met the fire oil, instantly stirring up a sky full of white mist. The Law Enforcement Guards felt their Internal Energy being pierced by ice awls, their circulation sluggish. Disciples below the Grandmaster Realm collapsed on the spot. Even Xuan Zhen felt his Dantian turning cold, and a thin layer of ice formed on the silver threads of his whisk.

Shoot! At Yue Fei's command, the Luowang Assassins on the top of the valley shot crossbow bolts quenched with cold ice poison. The rain of arrows was like locusts, and the vanguard camp immediately screamed in agony.

Xuan Zhen roared and soared into the sky, but was blocked by General Qin Qiong's twin maces. Your opponent is me! General Qin Qiong's Gate Guardian Prison Suppressing Technique was pushed to the limit, and golden light bloomed on the twin maces, actually taking Xuan Zhen's full-strength blow head-on.

In Hanyue Valley, amidst the white mist interwoven with ice and fire, Xuan Zhen's screams, the wails of the Law Enforcement Guards, and the shouts of the Yue Family Army were mixed together, and only gradually subsided when the moon was in the middle of the sky.

IV. The Secret Report of Inquirer of All Matters

At the third watch, Inquirer of All Matters stumbled into the underground palace, the secret letter in his hand stained with blood: Young Lord! The main force of the Xuantian Holy Land has arrived! Mysterious Dust Master is leading the team personally, bringing three Heaven Human Realm Elders and two thousand Law Enforcement Guards. They have already set up camp at Duan Yun Ridge and have also invited the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect from the Western Regions to assist!

Jun Xiaoyao took the secret letter, on which was drawn the poison Formation blueprint of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, which had a similar effect to the Bone-Eroding Formation of the Myriad Bone Grotto. The Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is a Late Stage Heaven Human Realm poison master. It is said that he can refine Power-Dissolving Powder, and those who are hit will lose all their Internal Energy. Inquirer of All Matters added, Mysterious Dust Master is determined to destroy us!

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array. The spiritual light in the array was even more prosperous than when General Qin Qiong descended, and there was a faint appearance of Buddha light. Where are Yue Fei and General Qin Qiong?

They are counting the captives. Xuan Zhen had his right arm broken by General Qin Qiong and is locked in the ice prison. Less than a hundred of the five hundred vanguard camp soldiers survived. Zhao Gao said, General Yue says that if the main force of the Holy Land really attacks, our Black Armor Elite Soldiers can block them for a while, but they cannot stop the poison Formation of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.

V. The Reinforcements in the Buddha Light

Just at this moment, the summoning array suddenly lit up with dazzling golden light. A Buddha's name came from the light, and a figure in a cassock descended on a lotus throne, holding a purple gold alms bowl—it was Xuanzang from journey to the west (Note: Here, the Great Master image of his Buddhist practice is taken, not the pilgrim monk).

Summoning Successful. Character: Xuanzang. From: journey to the west World. Realm: Late Stage Heaven Human Realm. Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Great Mercy Mantra (Perfection) — Buddha light shines everywhere, can resolve strange poisons in the world. 2. Vajra Indestructible Body (Major Achievement) — Physical Body like Vajra, impenetrable by blades and guns. 3. Tight-Band Mantra (Minor Achievement) — Uses Buddha Power to restrain the mind, specifically counters the Evil Path. Loyalty: 85%.

This monk, Xuanzang, greets the Young Lord. Xuanzang put his palms together and saluted, his voice gentle but carrying unquestionable Buddha Power. I heard that there are evil spirits and crooked ways causing trouble, so I have come to help.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the can resolve strange poisons in the world on the panel, and a flash of understanding flashed in his eyes: Great Master, you have come just in time. The poison master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect probably won't expect what will happen when his Power-Dissolving Powder meets Buddha light.

Xuanzang smiled slightly, and a Buddha light flew out of the purple gold alms bowl, landing on the poison Formation blueprint brought by Inquirer of All Matters. The poison patterns on the blueprint actually gradually faded: Poison arises from the heart, and Buddha light can naturally purify it. If the Young Lord trusts this monk, you can let this monk go meet that poison master.

VI. The Chess Game Under the Undercurrent

The night in Hanyue Valley was colder than usual. Jun Xiaoyao stood on the Star Observation Platform, looking at the campfires in the direction of Duan Yun Ridge. Yue Fei and General Qin Qiong were reinforcing the defense line in the valley, while Xuanzang was chanting scriptures beside the ice prison, the Buddha light passing through the ice and shining on Xuan Zhen's terrified face.

Young Lord, Inquirer of All Matters says that Mysterious Dust Master and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect have agreed to attack Hanyue Valley from both sides tomorrow at noon. The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect will go around to the back from the poisonous miasma forest on the west side.

Zhao Gao handed over a bowl of hot tea. Great Master Xuanzang says he can set up a Ten Thousand Character Buddha Formation in the poisonous miasma forest, so that the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect will have no return.

Jun Xiaoyao took the hot tea, the steam blurring his side profile: Let Yue Fei lead the Black Armor Elite Soldiers to face the enemy head-on. General Qin Qiong's Wagang Army Formation will guard the valley entrance.

Great Master Xuanzang will go to the poisonous miasma forest, and let Li Xiaoyao's Sword Control Technique harass them from the air. He paused and added, Leave Xuan Zhen alive. Let him watch with his own eyes how Mysterious Dust Master is defeated.

The wind on the Star Observation Platform rolled up Jun Xiaoyao's robes, and the distant campfires flickered like ghost fires in the night.

He knew that the decisive battle with the Xuantian Holy Land was inevitable.

And this battle, not only must be won, but must be won in such a way that the entire continent remembers—Beyond Heaven is not someone who can be provoked.

The light of the summoning array lit up behind him, and a new powerhouse was about to descend. Jun Xiaoyao looked back, a cold arc curling up at the corner of his mouth.

The chess game has begun, and the rest is to make the move without regret.