290: Soul-Nourishing Jade in Bag

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, the pearly white light of the summoning array had climbed to 99%, needing only the final sliver to reach Perfection.

Jiang Jing held his black jade abacus, his fingertips hovering over the beads, his gaze locked intensely on the scene of the Qingzhou auction house in the water mirror—the Marshal of the Unruly was currently blending into the crowd.

He spun three copper coin darts between his fingertips, a faint, elusive smile playing on his lips.

"Young Lord, the auction house has reached the bidding stage for the Soul-Nurturing Jade; the current price has reached 30,000 taels of gold, bid by the Qingzhou Li family."

Jiang Jing's voice carried a hint of nervousness, and the abacus beads grew slightly warm from his grip. "Behind the Li family is the Wanfa Holy Land; their venerated Elder is right there in the second-floor private room, possessing Peak Grandmaster Realm cultivation. I fear it will be difficult for the Marshal of the Unruly to make a move."

Jun Xiaoyao leaned back on the Black Ice Throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze falling on the data stream in the corner of the water mirror. It displayed the real-time status of the Marshal of the Unruly.

[Marshal of the Unruly, Middle Stage Grandmaster Realm, 87% Spiritual Power remaining, carrying hidden weapons: 20 copper coin darts, 3 soul-bewitching smokes, current disguised identity: Qingzhou medicinal herb merchant]. He spoke indifferently, "Tell him to proceed with the second plan."

In the water mirror, upon receiving the command, the Marshal of the Unruly quietly retreated to the back alley of the auction house. Three copper coin darts were suddenly released, precisely striking the three lanterns at the alley entrance. The moment the light dimmed, his figure blurred, and he had already changed into the attire of a grey-clad servant. By the time he reappeared at the second-floor staircase, a tray had appeared at his waist, holding a pot of hot tea—this was the identity he had obtained using the Disguise Technique.

"Elder Li, the Biluochun you requested." The Marshal of the Unruly kept his head low as he presented the tea tray, his peripheral vision sweeping across the bidding placard on the private room table. The Li family Elder was impatiently tapping the table, saying to the steward beside him, "Increase it to 50,000 taels! This Soul-Nurturing Jade is crucial for the Young Master's Breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm; we must secure it today!"

The moment the Marshal of the Unruly set down the teapot, a wisp of almost invisible green smoke flickered from his fingertips—it was the "Drunken Immortal Powder" he had newly refined. It was colorless and odorless, capable of causing a person to fall into a deep sleep after half an hour. The higher one's spiritual power, the faster they would wake, but it was enough to buy time. As he bowed and retreated, he deliberately bumped into the servant standing at the door, and a copper coin dart slipped into the other person's sleeve—this was the signal for the Luowang Assassins.

On the auction stage below, the host was holding the Soul-Nurturing Jade high: "50,000 taels, going once! Is there any higher bid?" The Soul-Nurturing Jade in the jade cup emitted a gentle white light, with Soul Power faintly circulating within it, causing the breathing of everyone below the stage to grow heavy.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the auction house, and someone shouted, "Fire! The west wing is on fire!"

The crowd fell into chaos, and many rushed toward the entrance. The Li family Elder frowned and stood up, just about to order the steward to investigate, when he felt dizzy—the Drunken Immortal Powder was taking effect. He grasped the edge of the table and roared, "Who is causing trouble?"

Just then, three black shadows burst through the window; they were the Luowang Assassins. The leader, Li Hu, swung his blade at the steward, while the other two lunged directly at the Li family Elder. The Marshal of the Unruly appeared at the door of the private room at some unknown moment, his copper coin darts flying out to knock the sword from the Elder's waist: "Elder Li, this jade belongs to our Young Lord now."

The Elder struggled to circulate his spiritual power to resist, but due to the effects of the drug, his movements were half a beat slow, and his arm was entangled by the Luowang Assassin's chain. The Marshal of the Unruly seized the opportunity to snatch the Soul-Nurturing Jade from the table. As his fingertips grazed the jade surface, feeling the pure Soul Power within, a smile curled on his lips: "Many thanks for the gift."

[System Prompt: Obtained Heaven And Earth Treasure · Soul-Nurturing Jade, can be converted into 10% summoning array Spiritual Power]

By the time the Li family guards arrived, the Marshal of the Unruly had already disappeared into the night with the assassins, leaving behind only the unconscious Elder and the knocked-out steward. The water mirror scene switched, and the figure of the Marshal of the Unruly appeared at the entrance of the underground palace. He knelt on one knee, holding the Soul-Nurturing Jade: "Young Lord, I have fulfilled the mission."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his hand, and the Soul-Nurturing Jade transformed into a streak of white light that flew into the summoning array. The original 99% gauge was instantly filled, and visible energy ripples surged within the array. The prompt [summoning array Spiritual Power 100%, high-level summoning can be performed] flickered on the water mirror.

"Begin." Jun Xiaoyao's voice was calm and waveless.

The runes in the center of the summoning array spun crazily, forming a bottomless vortex. Gradually, a figure emerged from the vortex—dressed in white, holding a folding fan, a jade pendant hanging at his waist, his face handsome, with a touch of cynicism between his brows.

[Character: Fragrant Bat]

[Origin: gu long wuxia world]

[Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: 1. Lightness Skill · Treading Snow Without a Trace (Perfection) — Treading on water without a sound, passing through walls without a trace, speed unmatched in the Jianghu. 2. Palm Technique · Blood Sea Fragrant (Major Achievement) — Palm wind is gentle yet hides sharpness, capable of neutralizing force and injuring opponents. 3. Thievery · Empty Hand (Perfection) — There is nothing in the world that cannot be taken; taking items from someone's possession is as easy as reaching into a pocket.]

[Loyalty: 96%]

Fragrant Bat lightly waved his folding fan, cupped his hands toward Jun Xiaoyao, and smiled: "I have long heard of the reputation of the Young Master of Tianwaitian; seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary." His gaze swept across the underground palace and landed on the distribution map of The Net. "It seems the Young Lord is lacking a good hand for 'retrieving things.' I, Marshal Xiang, have no other skills, but when it comes to petty theft... oh no, the art of retrieving items, I can certainly be of help."

Jiang Jing's eyes lit up, and his abacus clattered: "Marshal Xiang! You are a famous figure in the Jianghu! With you here, those treasures hidden in the secret chambers of noble families and the treasuries of Holy Lands will be ours for the taking!" He flipped through a list, "For example, at next month's Wanfa Holy Land treasure auction, the finale 'Cloud-Piercing Arrow' would be very suitable for our The Net's long-range assassinations..."

Fragrant Bat took the list and lightly tapped it with his folding fan: "Cloud-Piercing Arrow? That thing is hidden in the underground secret chamber of the auction house, locked with profound iron; that is rather interesting." He looked up at Jun Xiaoyao, "If the Young Lord trusts me, leave this matter to me."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to another screen in the water mirror—Zhao Gao was auditing the assassin roster at The Net headquarters. Since Zhao Gao took over management, the efficiency of The Net had increased by 30%; not only was the ranking of assassins clearer, but the mission failure rate had dropped to an unprecedented 15%.

[The Net Latest Data: Total Assassins: 120 (30 Acquired Realm, 60 Innate Realm, 30 Grandmaster Realm) This Month's Tasks: 28 (25 completed, 3 failed) Revenue: 120,000 taels of gold, various medicinal herbs, 3 martial arts Secret Manuals]

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao's voice came from the water mirror; he was holding a secret report, "The Wanfa Holy Land has sent an envoy to Qingzhou, saying they want to discuss cooperation, offering three scrolls of the 'Wanfa Heart Scripture' in exchange for the antidote formula for the Rebirth Pill in our possession."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the armrest: "The 'Wanfa Heart Scripture' is their sect's foundational Cultivation Technique; they are willing to pay a high price." He looked at Jiang Jing, "Calculate the value."

Jiang Jing's abacus clicked rapidly: "The market price of the Rebirth Pill antidote formula is about 80,000 taels of gold. If the three scrolls of the 'Wanfa Heart Scripture' were the Complete Manual, they would be worth 200,000 taels, but they will certainly only give the Incomplete Manual... estimated value is 100,000 taels, it's a good deal!"

"Tell them," Jun Xiaoyao said, "The formula can be given, but with one additional condition—have them withdraw the caravan guards at Black Wind Ridge; Beyond Heaven wants that territory."

Zhao Gao bowed and acknowledged: "Yes, Young Lord."

At this moment, Fragrant Bat suddenly closed his folding fan and pointed to an inconspicuous corner of the water mirror—it was an abandoned post station outside Qingzhou City. In the image, several soldiers wearing black armor were burying something, their movements furtive. "Young Lord, please look. Those are the Imperial Dynasty's secret agents. In the box they are burying is a 'profound iron token,' which is said to be able to mobilize the garrison troops near Qingzhou."

Jun Xiaoyao flashed a hint of interest: "profound iron token? Interesting."

Fragrant Bat smiled: "This thing is useful for expanding our influence; shall I go retrieve it tonight?"

Jiang Jing immediately added: "According to intelligence, there are three Heavenly Human Realm hidden guards around the post station. Although Marshal Xiang is strong, I fear it will take some effort... perhaps send the Marshal of the Unruly to assist?"

Fragrant Bat lightly waved his folding fan, his smile widening: "Heavenly Human Realm? Perfect, let them see what it means to be the 'Thieving Marshal'."

The light of the summoning array gradually subsided, and Fragrant Bat's figure merged into the shadows of the underground palace, leaving only one sentence: "Young Lord, just wait for the good news."

Jun Xiaoyao watched the movements of various forces in the water mirror—the envoy from the Wanfa Holy Land was on the way.

The profound iron token buried by the Imperial Dynasty's secret agents seemed eerie, and the Li family was gathering manpower to search due to the Soul-Nurturing Jade being snatched... He picked up the cold tea on the table, his fingertips grazing the rim of the cup.

The Net of Beyond Heaven had only just begun to tighten. And those fish and shrimp caught in The Net did not yet know what kind of invincible The Net they were facing.

The sound of Jiang Jing's abacus, the whispers of Zhao Gao reporting tasks, the shouts of the Luowang Assassins training in the distance... all kinds of sounds intertwined.

This composed the rhythm of Beyond Heaven's expansion, and the beat of this rhythm was always held at the fingertips of the figure on the Black Ice Throne.