263: Net of Shadows

On the Black Iron Long Desk in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, the Qingzhou map was spread out. Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip rested on the intersection of the "Mist Forest" and the "Shadow Sect Headquarters," where a green dot representing Feng Qingyang was flashing.

On the panel, the notification [Shadow Sect Anomaly] kept flashing, showing that Shadow Without Trace had received the evidence brought back by the assassin. The headquarters was brightly lit, clearly indicating an emergency deployment.

“Young Lord, the number of sentries outside the Shadow Sect has tripled. Elder Feng sent back word that the 'Mechanism Guide' has been placed in all seven formation cores, waiting only for them to activate the illusion.”

Zhao Gao held the secret report, his voice extremely low, afraid of disturbing the pre-war silence. A spark popped from the bronze lamp wick on the desk, reflecting the intensified cold light in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes.

I. Illusion Backlash, Sword Breaks Thousand Faces

At the third quarter of the Yin hour (3:45 AM), gray-purple miasma suddenly rose in the Mist Forest. The Shadow Sect's seven-layered illusion started as planned—the first layer, "Mirror Flower Water Moon," caused disorientation; the second, "Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood," triggered Heart Demons; and the third, "Hometown Bonds," was the trickiest, capable of making people drown in memories unwilling to wake up. Shadow Without Trace stood atop the headquarters, watching the faint screams coming from the miasma (those were The Net's scouts who had strayed into the illusion), a smug smile playing on his lips: "Old fogeys of the Holy Land, when you break into this illusion, that will be the moment the Shadow Sect makes its name!"

However, he failed to notice that the silver threads on the formation core banners were quietly melting in the miasma and merging into the thick fog. When the illusion's power reached its peak, the "Mechanism Guide" suddenly erupted—the Hundred Poisons Spider Silk turned into venom upon encountering the miasma, seeped into the formation cores through the banners, and collided with the illusion's energy. The originally deceptive phantasms instantly twisted: the beauties in "Mirror Flower Water Moon" turned into poisonous spiders, what crawled out of the "Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood" were actually the corpses of the Shadow Sect Disciples themselves, and the relatives in "Hometown Bonds" opened their mouths to spray poisonous fog.

“What is going on?!” Shadow Without Trace was horrified. The force of the illusion's backlash caused the headquarters to tremble. Many Disciples were injured by their own Heart Demon phantasms, screaming incessantly.

Just then, a white figure, like a clear breeze passing through the forest, swept out of the fog. It was Feng Qingyang. The long sword in his hand remained sheathed; relying only on the "Clear Breeze Steps," he moved through the chaos. Wherever he passed, the distorted phantasms automatically dissipated. "Sect Master Shadow, your illusion is utterly vulnerable."

Shadow Without Trace was both shocked and enraged. He personally raised his saber to meet the opponent: "Feng Qingyang? Didn't you already retire from the world? Why interfere in the grievances between my Shadow Sect and Beyond Heaven!" He swung his saber, leaving afterimages. It was the starting move of "Thousand Faces Kill." The saber light instantly split into seven streaks, each carrying a different Saber Intent (some fierce, some gentle, some bizarre), making it hard to distinguish the real from the fake.

Feng Qingyang smiled faintly, and his long sword finally left its sheath. The sword light was like silk, executing the "Sword Breaking Style" of the "Nine Swords of Dugu." "A thousand changes do not depart from the fundamental principle. Your weakness is your left shoulder!" Before his voice faded, the sword tip had already pointed toward the exposed area on Shadow Without Trace's left shoulder. Shadow Without Trace hurriedly pulled his saber back to block, only to find that the opponent's sword seemed spiritual, sliding down the length of the saber toward his wrist, forcing him to abandon his saber and retreat.

“Impossible!” Shadow Without Trace refused to believe it and executed "Thousand Faces Kill" again. This time, he switched between seven different movement techniques, sometimes like a civet cat close to the ground, sometimes like a fierce eagle swooping down, the saber light enveloping Feng Qingyang's vital points. But Feng Qingyang's sword remained completely at ease, every move aimed at the gaps between his shifts in movement, as if he could predict his next action.

After fifty moves, Shadow Without Trace had accumulated several sword wounds, the most fatal one being near his throat, missing by only an inch. He finally understood that the gap between himself and the Great Grandmaster Realm could never be bridged by "Thousand Faces Kill." "What benefit did Beyond Heaven give you?" he gasped, his eyes full of resentment.

Feng Qingyang returned his sword to its sheath: "Not for benefit, but simply to eliminate scoundrels like you who harm others using illusions." Having said that, he turned and melted into the fog, leaving only the words: "The Net has arrived. Take care of yourself."

II. The Net Closes In, Blood Washes the Headquarters

With the illusion backlash and Feng Qingyang's restraint, the Shadow Sect's defenses were in chaos. The Marshal of the Unruly led the Luowang Assassinss, breaking in from three directions. Black figures swept past like ghosts; saber light flashed, and Shadow Sect Disciples fell instantly. These assassins were all highly trained death warriors by Zhao Gao, specializing in "Silent Assassination"—daggers slit throats faster than lightning, leaving no time for screams.

“First squad clear the perimeter, second squad block the retreat, third squad follow me to take Shadow Without Trace's head!” The Marshal of the Unruly's black cloak was quickly splattered with blood. The Iron Chain Spear in his hand was wielded with fierce power; the chain could whip people in half at the waist, while the spear tip specifically targeted joints, rendering opponents unable to resist.

Just as Shadow Without Trace stabilized his mind, he was surrounded by Luowang Assassinss. Relying on the movement technique of "Thousand Faces Kill," he barely managed to dodge, but he couldn't withstand the sheer numbers. The assassins cooperated seamlessly: one feigned an attack to draw attention, and another ambushed from a blind spot, quickly leaving a saber wound on his leg, slowing his movements.

“Jun Xiaoyao! You dare to let The Net slaughter my entire Shadow Sect. Aren't you afraid of the Holy Land holding you accountable?” Shadow Without Trace roared, trying to use the Holy Land to intimidate them.

The Marshal of the Unruly's Iron Chain Spear was his answer: "The Young Lord said that when the Shadow Sect tried to snatch The Net's business, they should have foreseen this day." The chain wrapped around Shadow Without Trace's wrist, and the spear tip pressed against his heart. "In your next life, remember: you cannot touch anything belonging to Beyond Heaven."

Pfft—The spear tip entered his body, and the resentment in Shadow Without Trace's eyes turned into deathly silence.

III. Post-War Clearance, Profits Secured

At the Mao hour (5-7 AM), the miasma in the Mist Forest dispersed, and there were no survivors left in the Shadow Sect Headquarters. The Marshal of the Unruly led the assassins in clearing the scene, tallying the Shadow Sect's gold, silver, Secret Manuals, and territory maps one by one, handing them over to Zhao Gao for registration.

“Young Lord, the Shadow Sect had a total of thirteen black market channels, seven of which were snatched from our Net, and they have all been recovered; the captured 'Thousand Faces Kill' Secret Manual, whose technique I find unique, has been placed in the Beyond Heaven treasury; there are also three chests of gold hidden in their secret room, enough for The Net's expenses for three months.” Zhao Gao held the ledger, reporting item by item, unable to hide his excitement.

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip slid across the [Shadow Sect Annihilation] notification on the panel. He looked at Feng Qingyang: "Elder Feng, you've worked hard. This 'Shadow Sect Secret Treasure Map' is a token of my gratitude." The map marked the hidden locations of treasures Shadow Without Trace had accumulated over the years, including many Heaven And Earth Treasures that could help Martial Artists achieve a Breakthrough in their Realm.

Feng Qingyang cupped his hands: "Young Lord, you are too kind. Eliminating this menace is a piece of Karma." He did not accept the map. "What this old man seeks is only advancement in the Dao of the Sword; these mundane things are useless to me."

Jun Xiaoyao did not press the matter, turning instead to the Marshal of the Unruly: "Divide the Shadow Sect's territory among The Net's meritorious assassins, and hand the black market channels to Zhao Gao for reorganization. Focus on the three lines bordering the Holy Land—the Holy Land's Enshriners are arrogant; we won't provoke them, but don't let them take advantage either."

“Understood!” The two replied in unison.

IV. System Summon, New Aid Enlists

Just then, the panel suddenly popped up with the notification [Summon Opportunity Triggered]—the "Influence Expansion Value" gained from the Shadow Sect's annihilation had met the standard, allowing for one Advanced Summon. Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow and tapped the "Summon" button with his fingertip.

The summoning array in the center of the underground palace lit up with golden-red light, more intense than any previous time, and the faint sound of a Dragon's roar could be heard. Within the light, a figure clad in golden armor, holding the green dragon crescent blade, slowly materialized. His face was resolute, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. It was Guan Yu.

[Summoned Character: Guan Yu]

[Origin: romance of the three kingdoms World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Azure Dragon Crescent Blade Technique (Perfection) — The Saber Aura is heavy and fierce, capable of splitting mountains and shattering stones; the "Saber Dragging Strategy" is an ultimate kill.

2. Spring and Autumn Blade Technique (Major Achievement) — Contains the Qi of Loyalty and Righteousness; the Saber Intent can shock the mind.

3. Red Hare Horsemanship (Perfection) — Unmatched in mounted combat; the Red Hare can travel a thousand miles a day.]

[Loyalty: 95%]

“I, Guan, greet the Young Lord!” Guan Yu knelt on one knee, his voice like a great bell, his Aura overwhelming.

A flash of satisfaction appeared in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes. Guan Yu's arrival undoubtedly elevated Beyond Heaven's combat power to a new level—Peak Grandmaster Realm strength was enough to deal with the Holy Land's Innate Realm Enshriners; furthermore, his "Qi of Loyalty and Righteousness" could rally the hearts of The Net's assassins, making it more effective than simple military suppression.

“Yunchang, there is no need for such ceremony.” Jun Xiaoyao stood up. "From now on, you will be Beyond Heaven's 'Dao Protector,' leading The Net's elite and guarding Qingzhou."

“I, Guan, obey your command!” Guan Yu clasped his fists, his voice shaking the underground palace.

V. Beyond Heaven's Next Step

Zhao Gao looked at Guan Yu's profile panel, his voice trembling with excitement: "Young Lord, with General Yunchang here, let alone Qingzhou, even the forces in the surrounding three provinces will have to think twice! Can we perhaps..."

“No rush.” Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, circling the “Holy Land Perimeter” on the map with his fingertip. "The Land Immortal old monsters of the Holy Land haven't made a move yet. The Shadow Sect incident is just a warning to them. What The Net needs to do is use this victory to stabilize the black market business and accumulate sufficient resources."

He looked at the newly unlocked [Influence Ranking] on the panel. Beyond Heaven's name had jumped from "Nameless" to "Qingzhou Third-Rate." Although the ranking was low, it was a Breakthrough from nothing.

“Tell The Net's people that for the next three months, the focus is on 'defense'—holding the Shadow Sect's territory and guarding Beyond Heaven's secrets. If anyone dares to leak a single word, don't blame The Net's rules for being merciless.”

The Marshal of the Unruly and Zhao Gao responded in unison, both clearly understanding that with Guan Yu's addition, Beyond Heaven's game of chess was about to move toward a much wider stage.

Outside the underground palace, the sky was slightly bright. The fog in Hanyue Valley gradually dispersed, revealing the inconspicuous stone tablet at the mouth of the valley.

The tablet was blank, yet it seemed to silently declare: This place is the starting point of Beyond Heaven, and the beginning of countless factions' nightmares.