264: The Code of Conduct of the Outer Heavens

Jun Xiaoyao sat on the black iron throne in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, his fingertips lightly tapping the taotie pattern on the armrest.

The crystal panel in front of him was updating The Net's mission data in real-time: the completion rate for assassination orders in the Qingzhou black market was 98%, and the volume of plundered resources had increased by 47% compared to the previous month.

Thirty-two new assassins had been added—these numbers were like dancing flames, illuminating the cold light in his eyes.

Zhao Gao stood by, holding the newly drafted "The Net's Code of Conduct," his voice lowered to a whisper.

"Young Lord, as you instructed, the principle of 'neither seeking trouble nor fearing it' has been written into the general rules. Anyone who touches upon Beyond Heaven's core interests (resources, territory, summoned members), regardless of their status (Imperial Dynasty royalty, direct descendants of noble families, or successors of a Holy Land), shall be killed without exception. As for those unrelated, we shall not intervene, even if rivers of blood flow."

The crystal panel suddenly popped up a notification for [Summoning Opportunity Triggered], flashing with golden light.

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. Recently, The Net had successively taken down three black market strongholds in Qingzhou that were colluding with Holy Lands, and the plundered resources were enough to support an Advanced summoning.

He tapped his finger, and the summoning array in the center of the underground palace immediately erupted with ghostly blue flames. Within the flames, countless sword shadows appeared, weaving into an invisible net.

"This summoning range: Sword Grandmaster." Jun Xiaoyao said softly. The flames of the summoning array suddenly intensified, and the sword shadows crackled, with the sounds of a Dragon roaring and a Phoenix crying emanating from within.

Zhao Gao tactfully retreated to the corner. He knew that the Young Lord never allowed anyone near when summoning—this was a core secret of Beyond Heaven, and even he, as the chief steward, could only watch from afar.

A figure in white gradually solidified within the flames, holding a long sword with a refined, gaunt face. It was none other than the "Sword Demon" Never Seeking Defeat.

When the flames dissipated, Never Seeking Defeat knelt on one knee, his voice ringing out like gold and stone striking: "Subordinate Never Seeking Defeat greets the Young Lord."

The crystal panel automatically displayed his profile: [Name: Never Seeking Defeat] [Origin: Jin Yong Wuxia World] [Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm] [Martial Skills/Cultivation Techniques: 1. Nine Swords of Dugu (Perfection) — Breaking all martial arts under heaven, anticipating the enemy's Moves, winning without Moves. 2. Zixia Divine Skill (Major Achievement) — Pure Internal Energy, capable of supporting endless sword Moves. 3. Tidal Mind-Cultivation Technique (Perfection) — Absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to convert into Internal Energy, endless and continuous.] [Loyalty: 96%]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the panel, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. Although Never Seeking Defeat's Realm was not as high as the recently summoned Guan Yu (Peak Grandmaster Realm), the "breaking all martial arts under heaven" of the Nine Swords of Dugu was the perfect counter to those Holy Land Martial Artists who relied on fixed Moves, making him a true bane of Sects.

"Rise," he said, his finger sliding across the panel. "The 'Liuyun Sect' in the west of Qingzhou City has been collecting protection fees in our territory. Its Sect Master, Liu Chengfeng, specializes in the 'Thirteen Moves of Flowing Clouds,' which are complex and intricate. They will be perfect for you to practice on."

Battle Intent flashed in Never Seeking Defeat's eyes: "This subordinate will ensure he understands what it means to 'win without Moves'."

Three days later, at the Liuyun Sect headquarters. Liu Chengfeng was furiously reprimanding his Disciples in the hall: "They are just some Luowang Assassins, yet they dare to steal our protection fees! Today, I will let them know that a Sect supported by a Holy Land is not to be trifled with!"

Before he could finish speaking, the hall door was blasted open with a "boom" by Sword Qi. Never Seeking Defeat stood with his sword on his back, his white clothes as pure as snow: "Sect Master Liu, I would like to seek some guidance on your 'Thirteen Moves of Flowing Clouds'."

Liu Chengfeng was both shocked and angry. He lunged with his sword, his sword Moves like surging clouds, layer upon layer, completely shrouding all of Never Seeking Defeat's vital points.

The watching Disciples cheered in unison—this was the Liuyun Sect's signature ultimate technique, said to be approaching the Peak Grandmaster Realm.

But Never Seeking Defeat merely waved his sword casually. The tip of his sword seemed to land aimlessly in the gaps of his opponent's sword Moves, yet every collision made Liu Chengfeng's arm numb.

"The first Move, 'Cloud Rising,' the flaw is in the left rib." "The fifth Move, 'Rain Falling,' insufficient wrist strength, defensive recovery is too slow." "The thirteenth Move, 'Returning to the Sea,' ha, to think you are just copying an old Move from thirty years ago."

Never Seeking Defeat commented while fighting, his tone calm but every word piercing the heart.

Liu Chengfeng's sword Moves became increasingly chaotic, veins bulging on his forehead. Finally, he roared, exhausting all his Internal Energy to unleash his trump card, "Flowing Cloud Union," as the sword shadows gathered into a giant torrent, rushing straight at his opponent.

A sharp light flashed in Never Seeking Defeat's eyes. His long sword traced an untraceable arc—it was the "Sword Breaking Style" of the Nine Swords of Dugu—without any flashy Moves, yet it precisely struck the weak point of the sword torrent.

With a "crack," Liu Chengfeng's long sword snapped in two. The backlash of Sword Qi caused him to spit out a mouthful of blood. "You... why do your sword Moves have no fixed pattern?" he asked in disbelief.

Never Seeking Defeat sheathed his sword: "Because all of your Moves are flaws in my eyes." He turned and left, leaving behind the stunned Liuyun Sect Disciples—to the very end, they had not seen how their Sect Master's sword was broken.

News traveled back to Hanyue Valley. Jun Xiaoyao was looking at the [Liuyun Sect Destroyed] notification on the crystal panel when Zhao Gao hurried in: "Young Lord, the Holy Land 'Xuantian Pavilion' has sent a letter of accountability, saying we touched their affiliated Sect and demanding we hand over the culprit and pay 100,000 taels of gold." He handed over a gold-stamped letter, the seal imprinted with the cloud pattern mark of Xuantian Pavilion.

Jun Xiaoyao glanced at it and tossed it onto the table: "Where is Never Seeking Defeat?"

"Waiting outside the hall, saying he wants to challenge General Guan Yu to spar in swordplay."

"Let him in."

When Never Seeking Defeat walked into the underground palace, Guan Yu was standing there holding his blade. The Saber Qi of the green dragon crescent blade and the Sword Qi of the Nine Swords of Dugu collided in the air, sparking tiny flickers.

"General Guan's blade is peerless under heaven," Never Seeking Defeat said, cupping his hands. "This subordinate would like to request three Moves of guidance." Guan Yu stroked his beard and laughed: "I have long heard of the Sword Demon's name; today is the perfect time for a contest!"

The flashing of blades and swords instantly filled the underground palace. Guan Yu's green dragon crescent blade was as heavy and fierce as Mount Tai pressing down, while Never Seeking Defeat's long sword was as agile as an antelope hanging by its horns.

After three Moves, both withdrew their weapons and smiled at each other. "Guan's blade excels in heavy power," Guan Yu praised, "Your Excellency's sword is wonderful in its lack of traces. I admire it."

Jun Xiaoyao watched the loyalty of both rise to 97% on the panel and said indifferently: "Xuantian Pavilion wants us to hand over the culprit and pay compensation."

Never Seeking Defeat sneered: "If the Young Lord permits, this subordinate is willing to make a trip to Xuantian Pavilion." Guan Yu added in a deep voice: "I am also willing to go, to see who dares to touch my people from Beyond Heaven!"

Jun Xiaoyao shook his head, his fingertips tracing an arc on the crystal panel to bring up Xuantian Pavilion's information. [Xuantian Pavilion, one of the Holy Lands, specializes in Formation. The Pavilion Master, Mysterious Mechanism Master, is at the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and he has eight Great Protectors (Peak Grandmaster Realm) under his command.]

"No need," he said, opening an assassination mission. The target was none other than the grain and fodder officer of Xuantian Pavilion. "The Net just accepted a new order; someone wants Xuantian Pavilion's winter provisions to 'disappear'. Zhao Gao, pass down the order: have the Marshal of the Unruly lead the team personally, use the 'Burning Heaven Tower's' fire oil, and the bigger the commotion, the better."

Zhao Gao accepted the order and left.

Jun Xiaoyao looked out the window; the mist of Hanyue Valley had completely dissipated, revealing the rolling mountains in the distance. He knew that with the addition of Never Seeking Defeat, the sword of Beyond Heaven was finally sharp enough; and Guan Yu's blade had also been honed to a shine. Next, it was time to let those high-and-mighty Holy Lands know who was in charge of this territory in Qingzhou.

On the crystal panel, the words [Beyond Heaven Force Rating: Qingzhou Second-Rate] were flashing. They were only one step away from "First-Rate".

Jun Xiaoyao rubbed the taotie pattern on the armrest, flames and sword shadows reflected in his eyes—it was time to stir the muddy waters of this continent even deeper.