269: Net to catch the wind

Deep within the underground palace of the Xuan Heaven Hall, in a stone chamber with constant temperature, Jun Xiaoyao sat quietly before a water mirror.

The water mirror reflected The Net's recent movements: Marshal of the Unruly was leading ten elites in the Western Regions, investigating a batch of stolen Black Iron.

Zhao Gao was clearing out informants attempting to infiltrate The Net in the Qingzhou black market, and several newly summoned Grandmaster Realm assassins had begun familiarizing themselves with Beyond Heaven's defensive Formations.

"Young Lord, this is the intelligence just brought back from Soul Severing Valley." Zhao Gao pushed open the door, his black robe still stained with the dark red soil unique to Soul Severing Valley. He unrolled a beast hide map on the stone table. "The Soul Severing Valley Master has agreed to cooperate with us, exchanging thirty catties of Black Iron for the nether flower they guard — this flower can enhance an assassin's stealth, greatly assisting The Net in assassination missions."

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip tapped the location of Soul Severing Valley on the map, and the water mirror immediately displayed Soul Severing Valley's terrain: surrounded by mountains on three sides, with miasma filling the valley, and only a narrow plank road accessible. The Valley Master was an Initial Heaven Human Realm Loose Cultivator, skilled in poison, with a perverse temperament, and had no prior record of cooperation.

"What does he want Black Iron for?" Jun Xiaoyao asked, his voice calm and unruffled.

"It's said to be for forging a long saber capable of splitting the Soul Locking Formation; he's been trapped in Soul Severing Valley for a hundred years and wants to escape with it," Zhao Gao added. "Your subordinate has verified that his strength is indeed in the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and his poison mastery is exceptionally high. The Net's anti-poison pills may not fully resist it. Should we..."

"Give him the Black Iron as agreed." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, and the water mirror switched to an image of the nether flower: dark purple petals layered, with a faint glow from the pistil. Upon touch, it would merge into the skin, causing one's aura to assimilate with the surroundings, truly an assassination Divine Artifact. "But add a condition — have him send three Core Disciples to join The Net for one year."

A flash of understanding crossed Zhao Gao's eyes: "Young Lord wants to use this to ascertain his poison techniques?"

"More than that," Jun Xiaoyao looked at the training footage of The Net members in the water mirror, some of whom had already reached the Grandmaster Realm Bottleneck. "Soul Severing Valley's poison techniques are unique; if they can be used by me, The Net's assassination methods will be even more covert."

Just as he spoke, the Formation patterns in the stone chamber suddenly lit up, and Marshal of the Unruly's figure appeared in the communication Formation. He had an arrow in his shoulder, the arrowhead a black-green, clearly poisoned: "Young Lord, the Black Iron in the Western Regions has been intercepted, but we encountered an ambush from the Heaven Sword Villa. The opponent has a Middle Celestial Realm expert overseeing them. Your subordinate broke through with the Black Iron, but three brothers... didn't make it back."

The water mirror instantly switched to the battlefield scene: amidst a sky full of Sword Qi, a white-clad swordsman's Sword Qi soared. It was the Young Master of Heaven Sword Villa, with a Middle Celestial Realm cultivation. His 'Traceless Sword' was so fast that only afterimages could be seen. Although The Net's assassins fought desperately, they could not withstand his sharpness.

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on the stone table, the rhythm growing faster and faster, as if the air in the stone chamber had solidified with it.

"Why did Heaven Sword Villa interfere?"

"They said... they discovered the Black Iron Ore Vein first, and we, The Net, stole their property." Marshal of the Unruly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his voice hoarse. "Your subordinate suspects someone deliberately leaked the information, intending to use Heaven Sword Villa to weaken The Net."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhao Gao: "Investigate the forces that have recently been in contact with Heaven Sword Villa, especially those Sects dissatisfied with our monopoly on black market assassination business."

Zhao Gao immediately responded: "Your subordinate will go now, using the Mechanism Guide (The Net's specially made tracking talisman), guaranteeing results within three hours."

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze returned to the water mirror, the white-clad swordsman's figure particularly glaring. He raised his hand to bring up the summoning panel; the energy value on it had accumulated to its peak, enough to summon a Middle Celestial Realm expert.

"Activate the summoning array," he said in a deep voice.

The Formation in the center of the stone chamber lit up with golden light, runes flowing like water, finally converging into a figure — clad in a green robe, holding a long sword, with a handsome face, it was precisely Little Lis Flying Dagger, Li Xunhuan.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Li Xunhuan]

[From: gu long wuxia world]

[Realm: Middle Celestial Realm]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:]

1. Little Lis Flying Dagger (Perfection) — Never Misses, can break all Divine Artifacts in the world, specifically counters Fast Sword.

2. Traceless Steps (Major Achievement) — Agile movement, skilled in stealth and surprise attacks, harder to detect than The Net's stealth techniques.

3. Flying Dagger Asks of Love (Special Skill) — Interferes with the opponent's mind with Saber Intent, doubling the effect on those with unstable mental states.

[Loyalty: 90%]

Li Xunhuan cupped his hands in a salute, his voice carrying a hint of carefree spirit: "Young Lord, what are your commands?"

Jun Xiaoyao pointed at the white-clad swordsman in the water mirror: "The Young Master of Heaven Sword Villa. Eliminate him as quickly as possible and reclaim the Black Iron Ore Vein rights — spare no effort."

Li Xunhuan smiled, a Flying Dagger already clasped between his fingers, a cold gleam flashing: "Rest assured, Little Lis Flying Dagger never misses." His figure then vanished in the light of the Formation.

Zhao Gao watched Li Xunhuan's departing direction and whispered: "With Li Xunhuan taking action, Heaven Sword Villa is nothing to fear. It's just... could the person who leaked the news this time be targeting Beyond Heaven?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the gradually calming Western Regions battlefield in the water mirror. Marshal of the Unruly had led the remaining people to a safe point, and Li Xunhuan's figure, like a wisp of green smoke, was heading towards Heaven Sword Villa.

"Everyone wants a bite of the fat," he said indifferently. "Beyond Heaven is like a freshly baked flatbread now, hot and satisfying, so naturally, some people are envious."

In the water mirror, Li Xunhuan and the white-clad swordsman had already engaged. The collision of Flying Dagger and Fast Sword created a dazzling light that made it hard to open one's eyes. After just three moves, the white-clad swordsman clutched his throat and fell, the Flying Dagger having struck his vital Qi point — never missing, truly living up to its reputation.

"Notify Marshal of the Unruly to have The Net's elites guard the Black Iron Ore Vein and begin mining immediately." Jun Xiaoyao stood up, and the stone chamber door slowly opened, letting in the snow light from outside. "Also, have the Soul Severing Valley Master prepare the nether flower. In three days, I want to see the first batch of The Net assassins imbued with the nether flower's aura."

Zhao Gao took his leave, and only Jun Xiaoyao remained in the stone chamber. He walked to the water mirror, looking at the faces of The Net members — there were newcomers with a hint of rawness in their eyes, and veterans who had followed for years, scarred but with resolute gazes. These people were Beyond Heaven's claws, his eyes and ears planted throughout the continent.

He raised his hand and caressed the cold stone wall, which was carved with dense names. Some names had been crossed out with cinnabar — those were The Net assassins who had forever remained on their missions.

"What you want, you must seize; those who dare to reach out, you must cut down." Jun Xiaoyao murmured softly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Beyond Heaven's path has never been paved with flowers; it's walked on knife-edges — no one shall stand in the way."

In the water mirror, Li Xunhuan had already returned with the deed to the Black Iron Ore Vein. Marshal of the Unruly was tallying casualties, and Zhao Gao's investigation results had also arrived: the one who leaked the news was the Murong Family, who had intermarried with Heaven Sword Villa and had long coveted The Net's black market share.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the four characters "Murong Family," and with a gentle tap of his fingertip, all the family's information immediately popped up in the water mirror, including the weaknesses of their protective Formation, the routines of their Core Disciples, and even the whereabouts of the family head's most beloved grandchild were clearly marked.

"If you want a bite, you must be prepared to chip your teeth." He said to the empty stone chamber, his voice betraying no emotion. "Zhao Gao, send the Murong Family a 'gift' — use their grandchild's favorite snow ferret. When you send it back, remember to let it bring a 'surprise'."

The stone chamber door closed again, cutting off the wind and snow outside.

The scenes in the water mirror kept switching, The Net's presence extending throughout the continent, like an invisible net slowly tightening, ensnaring all people and matters related to Beyond Heaven's interests.

And at the center of The Net, Jun Xiaoyao's figure was hidden in the shadows, with only an occasional flash of his eyes revealing his absolute control over power and resources — on this continent filled with Imperial Dynasties, aristocratic families, and Sects.

Beyond Heaven intended to be the predator lurking in the dark, silently devouring all desired prey, and no one would be allowed to snatch even a sliver from its grasp.