285: Expansion of power

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao leaned against a soft couch made of profound ice, his fingertips lightly tapping the jade armrest beside the couch.

The water mirror in front of him was divided into dozens of small grids, each flickering with different scenes—some showed the shadows of Luowang Assassinss infiltrating a noble Family's mansion.

Others showed The Unruly gathering intelligence in the streets and alleys, while the central grid reflected the slowly rotating summoning array in the middle of the underground palace.

At the core of the array, a pale golden spiritual liquid slowly flowed along the runic grooves, like a awakened spiritual snake. After Zhang Sanfeng's battle three days ago, the summoning array absorbed the aura of a Heavenly Human Realm expert for nourishment, and its light was now more gentle than ever. The scale on the edge of the array showed that the spiritual power reserve had reached 70%.

"Young Lord, The Net has taken on three new assignments." Zhao Gao walked in, holding a black ledger. On the cover of the ledger, the four characters "Luowang Secret Records" were embroidered in gold thread.

"First, to eliminate the legitimate son of the Li Family, a rival of the Chen Family in Qingzhou, for a reward of a thousand taels of gold; second, to escort a Western Region caravan through Black Wind Ridge, avoiding bandit raids, with a reward of 30% of the caravan's profits; third..." He paused, lowering his voice.

"The Imperial Dynasty Secret Agents want us to assassinate the Nanfeng City garrison commander. It's said that the commander secretly colludes with the Holy Land, and the Imperial Dynasty wants to use our hands to clean house. The reward is three years' tax revenue share from Nanfeng City."

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze shifted from the summoning array to the water mirror. He tapped the name "Nanfeng City garrison commander" with his fingertip, and the water mirror immediately displayed the target's information:

[Target: Nanfeng City Garrison Commander Zhao Lie]

[Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm]

[Background: Formerly a commander of the Imperial Dynasty's forbidden army, later demoted to Nanfeng City for secretly colluding with the Wanfa Holy Land. He holds secret letters regarding transactions between the Imperial Dynasty and the Holy Land.]

[Associated Forces: Wanfa Holy Land (hostile), Imperial Dynasty Secret Agent Division (employer)]

"Take the third assignment." Jun Xiaoyao said indifferently, "Let Marshal of the Unruly go."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Gao's eyes: "Young Lord, Zhao Lie is a Late Grandmaster Realm expert. Although Marshal of the Unruly is also in the Grandmaster Realm, but..."

"He needs a tough battle to establish his prestige." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, and Marshal of the Unruly's panel appeared in the water mirror:

[Character: Marshal of the Unruly (Yuan Tiangang)]

[From: The Unruly World]

[Realm: Mid-Stage Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Tiangang Art (Perfection), Soul-Seizing Palm (Major Achievement), Divination (Minor Achievement)]

[Status: Idle, Loyalty 99%]

[Recent Achievements: Annihilated Black Wind Gang, killed the Late Master Realm leader]

"Assign ten Luowang elites to Marshal of the Unruly, and have True Man Zhang secretly provide support."

Jun Xiaoyao added, "I want the secret letters in Zhao Lie's possession. As for the reward, tell the Imperial Dynasty Secret Agents that we want 50% of Nanfeng City's tax revenue share."

"Yes!" Zhao Gao immediately picked up his brush to record. The "Nanfeng City Garrison Commander" entry in the ledger was marked with a blood-red symbol, with "Executor: Marshal of the Unruly" noted beside it.

At this moment, the summoning array suddenly emitted a faint hum, and the spiritual liquid in the array's core began to surge violently. The originally pale golden light gradually took on a crimson hue.

A prompt popped up above the water mirror: [High-purity spiritual energy fluctuation detected, meeting summoning conditions. Initiate random summoning?]

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. This was the first time the System had actively prompted a summoning; usually, it was manually triggered after the spiritual energy was full. He looked at the surging crimson spiritual energy in the array, vaguely guessing something, and tapped the water mirror with his fingertip: "Initiate."

"Buzz—"

The summoning array suddenly burst forth with dazzling red light. Runes rotated rapidly, forming a giant vortex, from which sounds of clashing weapons and neighing warhorses emanated.

An overwhelmingly powerful aura spread from the vortex, causing subtle cracks to appear in the jade floor of the underground palace.

Zhao Gao's face paled, and he instinctively took a step back: "This aura... it's at least Late Grandmaster Realm!"

In the center of the vortex, a figure clad in silver armor slowly materialized. He held a dragon gallbladder bright silver spear, and beneath him, he seemed to be riding an invisible warhorse.

His face was resolute, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, and a strong aura of slaughter enveloped him—even standing still, he was like an unsheathed peerless divine weapon, making it impossible to look directly at him.

[Summoning successful]

[Character: General Zhao Yun]

[From: Three Kingdoms Wuxia World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix Spear (Perfection), Seven Probes of the Coiling Serpent Spear (Perfection), Dragon Gallbladder Mind-Cultivation Technique (Perfection) — Spear moves like a dragon, agile footwork, skilled at fighting one against a hundred]

[Loyalty: 99%]

[Initial State: High Battle Intent, ready for battle at any time]

General Zhao Yun knelt on one knee, his silver spear propped on the ground, his voice booming like a bell: "Your subordinate Zhao Yun greets Young Lord!"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the information on the panel, his fingertip pausing on the words "Peak Grandmaster Realm" for a moment.

General Zhao Yun's Realm was half a stage higher than Marshal of the Unruly's, perfectly filling the gap in Beyond Heaven's Peak Grandmaster Realm combat power. He nodded slightly: "General Zhao, you may rise. First, familiarize yourself with this environment."

"Thank you, Young Lord." General Zhao Yun stood up, his gaze sweeping over the Luowang mission screen in the water mirror. When he saw the mission to "escort the Western Region caravan," his brow furrowed slightly, "Young Lord, for such a escort mission, why trouble others? Your subordinate is willing to go."

Detailed information on the Western Region caravan immediately popped up on the right side of the water mirror: the goods carried by the caravan included thousand-year snow lotus, a specialty of the Western Regions, and three thousand catties of cold iron. Black Wind Ridge, which they would pass through, not only had bandits.

But also a branch force of the Wanfa Holy Land entrenched there. The bandit leader was a Peak Grandmaster Realm expert, and the leader of the Holy Land branch was even an Initial Heaven Human Realm expert—this was why The Net rated the mission as high risk.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the eager Battle Intent in General Zhao Yun's eyes and said indifferently.

"Understood. But there's one thing: the cold iron in the caravan must be prioritized for Beyond Heaven. As for the snow lotus..." He looked at Famous historical physician, who was studying Medicinal Pills in the water mirror, "Send it to Mister Hua, and have him refine it into a Foundation Strengthening Pill."

[Character: Famous historical physician]

[From: Three Kingdoms Wuxia World]

[Realm: Mid-Stage Grandmaster Realm (Medical skills are divine, combat power is weaker)]

[Skills: Qing Nang Jing (Perfection), Mafei Powder (Major Achievement) — Can refine high-grade healing Medicinal Pills, skilled in surgery]

[Current Mission: Researching an antidote to "meridian dissolving powder"]

"Your subordinate obeys!" General Zhao Yun cupped his fist, his silver spear twirling in his hand, the spear tip drawing a silver arc and stirring up a gust of wind.

At this moment, a red light suddenly flashed on the left side of the water mirror, and Marshal of the Unruly's message talisman flickered urgently.

The scene switched to the dense forest outside Nanfeng City. Marshal of the Unruly, accompanied by ten Luowang Assassinss, was lurking in the bushes. His black robe was stained with blood, and the distant torches on the city wall were reflected in the puddle in front of him.

"Young Lord, Zhao Lie was prepared. There's a Heaven Human Realm Elder from the Wanfa Holy Land hidden in the city!" Marshal of the Unruly's voice was extremely low, carrying a hint of gravity.

"We were ambushed as soon as we entered the city. The Net lost three Assassins, and the enemy is searching this way!"

An alert immediately popped up in the water mirror: [Heaven Human Realm aura detected! Target: Wanfa Holy Land Elder (Initial Heaven Human Realm), Current Location: Inside Nanfeng City East Gate]

Zhao Gao's face turned pale: "Young Lord, should we let True Man Zhang..."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao looked at General Zhao Yun, "General Zhao, dare you fight a Heaven Human Realm expert?"

General Zhao Yun's Battle Intent surged, and he thrust his silver spear forward: "Your subordinate has precisely this intention!"

"Go to Nanfeng City and assist Marshal of the Unruly." Jun Xiaoyao traced a route on the water mirror, "You don't need to kill that Elder, just entangle him until Marshal of the Unruly gets the secret letters." He paused, adding, "Remember, prioritize your own safety."

"Your subordinate understands!" General Zhao Yun turned and rushed towards the underground palace exit, his figure disappearing into the passage in a few leaps, leaving only an afterimage.

In the water mirror, General Zhao Yun's movement trajectory transformed into a silver line, rapidly approaching Nanfeng City.

At the same time, Zhang Sanfeng's figure appeared in the corner of the water mirror. He was leisurely drinking tea in a teahouse.

A game of unfinished chess lay before him. He appeared relaxed, yet his aura was already locked onto Nanfeng City—this was Jun Xiaoyao's hidden trump card; if General Zhao Yun encountered danger, he would intervene.

"Young Lord, The Net's reputation in the black market is growing." Zhao Gao opened another ledger, his face unable to hide his excitement.

"In the past three days alone, seven noble families have inquired about assassination missions, including the three great families of Qingzhou. They also said that if we are willing to accept, the price is negotiable."

The Net's reputation value popped up at the bottom of the water mirror: [Current Reputation: 8500/10000 (1500 remaining until "Top Assassination Organization")]. Adjacent to it, "Beyond Heaven Concealment" showed 90%—meaning the outside world only knew of The Net, not Beyond Heaven, which was precisely the effect Jun Xiaoyao desired.

"Choose the three most valuable ones." Jun Xiaoyao said, "Prioritize those with grievances between noble families and Holy Lands, let them fight among themselves."

Zhao Gao nodded in agreement, then pointed at the summoning array and said, "Young Lord, after General Zhao Yun appeared just now, there's still a lot of spiritual energy remaining in the array. Should we... summon again?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the slowly subsiding red light in the array. The spiritual energy scale stopped at 40%, indicating that the previous random summoning had consumed 30% of the reserve.

He pondered for a moment: "No need. Keep it, and wait until we accumulate enough Heaven Human Realm summoning quota next time."

In the water mirror, General Zhao Yun had arrived outside Nanfeng City. He didn't enter the city directly but circled to a cliff near the East Gate, tapping his silver spear on the cliff face.

He soared onto the city wall like a swallow, landing precisely behind a patrol. His spear moved like a dragon; before the patrol could react, they were knocked unconscious.

"Where is Marshal of the Unruly?" General Zhao Yun grabbed a conscious soldier, his voice cold.

The soldier trembled in fear, pointing towards the granary in the west of the city: "Th-there..."

General Zhao Yun said no more, his figure flashing as he sped towards the granary.

The water mirror followed closely, revealing Marshal of the Unruly being besieged by three Grandmaster Realm experts. His black robe was already stained with blood, but his Soul-Seizing Palm remained fierce, each strike carrying a chilling Protective Aura, forcing his opponents to keep their distance.

Outside the battlefield, an old man in a Daoist robe stood with his hands behind his back. He was the Heaven Human Realm Elder of the Wanfa Holy Land. He did not make a move, merely watched coldly, clearly toying with his prey.

"Old man, have you watched enough?" General Zhao Yun's voice boomed like thunder, his silver spear pointing directly at the old man, "Dare you fight me?"

The old man looked up, seeing the Peak Grandmaster Realm aura emanating from General Zhao Yun. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a cold sneer: "A mere Grandmaster dares to challenge a Heaven Human Realm expert? You're seeking death!"

Before his words finished, the old man's figure swayed, instantly appearing before General Zhao Yun. He unleashed a palm strike, the palm wind carrying a scorching heatwave—it was the Wanfa Holy Land's unique skill, Heaven Burning Palm.

General Zhao Yun did not dodge. His dragon gallbladder bright silver spear trembled, its tip transforming into countless cold stars—it was the opening stance of the Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix Spear.

With a crisp 'clang,' spear and palm met. General Zhao Yun was forced back three steps, but the old man's figure also swayed slightly, his cold sneer freezing on his face—he hadn't expected a Peak Grandmaster Realm expert to be able to withstand 80% of his power.

"Interesting." A more serious look appeared in the old man's eyes, "Today, I'll let you witness the gap between the Heaven Human Realm and the Grandmaster Realm!"

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao raised his teacup, watching the two figures instantly collide in the scene, a faint smile curving his lips.

Zhao Gao nervously clutched the ledger beside him, only exhaling in relief when he saw General Zhao Yun's Seven Probes of the Coiling Serpent Spear forcing the old man to retreat repeatedly.

Outside the underground palace, night deepened. The Net's Assassins were still carrying out their respective missions, and The Unruly were gathering intelligence in the streets and alleys.

The newly joined General Zhao Yun was fiercely battling a Heaven Human Realm expert, while Jun Xiaoyao's gaze had already fallen on the 40% spiritual energy mark on the summoning array—who would be summoned next?

In the corner of the water mirror, Famous historical physician had successfully extracted the essence of the snow lotus and was preparing to refine the Foundation Strengthening Pill; Zhang Sanfeng had put down his teacup, and the unfinished chess game had been solved at some point;

On the distant Western Region trade route, a caravan was slowly advancing, the leading merchant frequently looking behind him, as if expecting something.

Beyond Heaven's net, centered in Hanyue Valley, was silently spreading to every corner of the continent.

And those forces caught in The Net still didn't know what kind of behemoth they were truly facing.