306: Immortal Sect

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao sat on the main seat crafted from mysterious iron, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

The armrest was carved with intricate The Net patterns, each mark corresponding to a Luowang Assassins's number—at this moment.

Three hundred and seventy-two marks glowed faintly, indicating that these assassins were currently on a mission.

"Young Lord." Zhao Gao emerged from the shadows, bowing as he handed over a black-bound ledger. "This is The Net's mission list for the month. News from the black market suggests that.

The 'Golden Blade Alliance' wants us to take on a big job: intercepting the Wang Family of Lingnan's caravan. The reward is three carts of mysterious iron."

Jun Xiaoyao opened the ledger, his gaze sweeping over the characters for "Wang Family of Lingnan," his fingertips pausing on the page. The Wang Family of Lingnan controlled the pearl mines in the South China Sea. Last month, they had just rejected Beyond Heaven's invitation for cooperation, acting quite arrogantly.

"Take it." He closed the ledger, his voice calm. "Have the 'Xuan' group act; leave no trace."

"Yes." Zhao Gao responded, about to withdraw, but Jun Xiaoyao stopped him.

"What about Marshal of the Unruly's side?"

"Marshal of the Unruly has already led The Unruly into the Western Regions, setting up an inescapable net at Black Wind Stockade as per your instructions, just waiting for the Blood Shadow Cult's people to deliver themselves." Zhao Gao lowered his head and said, "However... Marshal of the Unruly sent word that Heavenly Dao Sect's scouts were discovered near Black Wind Stockade, seemingly also monitoring the Blood Shadow Cult's movements."

Jun Xiaoyao's eyebrow slightly twitched. Heavenly Dao Sect, a top Sect in the Jianghu known as "neutral," why would it suddenly pay attention to the Blood Shadow Cult? His fingertip drew a simple map on the table, pointing at the location of Black Wind Stockade: "Tell Marshal of the Unruly to ignore Heavenly Dao Sect. First, intercept that batch of bone-corroding powder from the Blood Shadow Cult. Remember, this shipment is crucial for our refining of realm-breaking pills; no mistakes can be made."

"Your subordinate understands."

After Zhao Gao retreated, the underground palace fell silent. Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array in the center; the spiritual light in the array's core had accumulated to 40%, enough for a mid-tier summoning. He rose and walked to the array, his fingertip tracing across the light screen, and lines of names and information appeared:

[Summonable Character: Yang Guo]

[From: the return of the condor heroes World]

[Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Aran Xiao Hun Palm (Perfection), Xuantie Sword Technique (Major Achievement)]

[Loyalty: ???]

[Summoning Cost: Spiritual Power 35%]

[Summonable Character: Xu Zhu]

[From: demi-gods and semi-devils World]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill: Beiming Divine Art (Major Achievement), Minor Formless Art (Perfection), Tianshan Six Yang Palms (Major Achievement)]

[Loyalty: ???]

[Summoning Cost: Spiritual Power 30%]

[Summonable Character: Fragrant Bat]

[From: the legend of chu liuxiang World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Movement Technique 'Treading Moon, Leaving Fragrance' (Perfection), Palm Technique 'Fragrance of the Sea of Blood' (Major Achievement)]

[Loyalty: ???]

[Summoning Cost: Spiritual Power 25%]

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze lingered on Fragrant Bat's name for a long time. Although The Net excelled at assassination, it lacked a top master capable of infiltrating, scouting, and tracking intelligence. Fragrant Bat's movement technique and perceptiveness were undoubtedly the best choice. More importantly, his 'thieves also have their Dao' nature might help The Net avoid some unnecessary trouble.

"He's the one."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his hand and pressed it onto the crystal at the center of the summoning array. Spiritual power flowed from his palm, and the array's core instantly burst forth with a pale golden light. Runes flowed as if alive, weaving an invisible net in the air. A figure gradually condensed in the center of The Net—

Dressed in white like snow, holding a folding fan, a lazy smile played on his lips. Although he had just appeared in this sunless underground palace, he seemed to carry the gentle breeze and moonlight of Jiangnan. He lightly fanned himself, his gaze sweeping around before settling on Jun Xiaoyao. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, you are the one who summoned me? This is quite an interesting place."

[Character Panel: Fragrant Bat]

[From: the legend of chu liuxiang World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Treading Moon, Leaving Fragrance (Perfection), Fragrance of the Sea of Blood (Major Achievement), Disguise Technique (Perfection)]

[Loyalty: 80%]

[Current Status: Curious]

"Fragrant Bat, I've long admired you." Jun Xiaoyao sat in the main seat, gesturing for him to sit. "I know you have three things you don't steal, but I didn't invite you here to steal things this time."

Fragrant Bat raised an eyebrow, lightly tapping his palm with the folding fan: "Oh? Then what do you want me to do? Surely not just to drink tea with Your Excellency?"

"The Net needs an eye that can see through people's hearts." Jun Xiaoyao tapped a finger on the light screen, bringing up the information on the Wang Family of Lingnan's caravan. "The Golden Blade Alliance has asked us to intercept their caravan, but I need to know if the Wang family has had any private dealings with the Heavenly Dao Sect recently. The Net's people can't handle this; they are too good at killing but not at understanding 'living' people's thoughts."

Fragrant Bat looked at the information on the light screen and suddenly smiled: "Young Miss Wang Ruotong, the eldest daughter of the Wang family, saved a Taoist who called himself 'Yun Youzi' last month while boating in Jiangnan. And that Taoist's sword was a standard Heavenly Dao Sect issue. Is this what Your Excellency wants to know?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes. He hadn't expected Fragrant Bat, having just arrived, to already grasp the key information from a few words—this perceptiveness truly lived up to its reputation.

"How did you know?"

"A guess." Fragrant Bat closed his fan and stood up. "But now I can go verify it. The South of the Ranges caravan will rest at the Drunken Immortal Tower tomorrow. I'll go meet that Young Miss Wang." He walked to the entrance of the underground palace, then suddenly turned back. "Oh, and for the reward, I don't want mysterious iron. Just save me a pot of good peach blossom wine."

Jun Xiaoyao watched his disappearing back at the entrance, a slight smile playing on his lips. With Fragrant Bat, The Net, this blade, finally had an eye that could discern direction.

The next afternoon, on the third floor of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Wang Ruotong was sitting by the window, sipping tea. She wore a simple dress, her brows carrying a hint of the heroic spirit of a Jianghu woman. A peach blossom petal suddenly drifted in from outside the window, landing in her teacup. Immediately after, a white-clad figure appeared out of nowhere beside the table, carrying a wine pot.

"Young Miss Wang, allow me to borrow your tea to sober up." Fragrant Bat smiled, poured a cup of tea, and sat down uninvited.

Wang Ruotong's eyes narrowed, and the soft sword at her waist instantly unsheathed: "Who are you, Your Excellency?"

"A passerby." Fragrant Bat raised his cup in a gesture. "I merely heard that Young Miss recently made a friend from an 'Immortal Sect,' and I came specifically to ask for a celebratory drink."

Wang Ruotong's expression changed slightly: "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh?" Fragrant Bat pointed his fan out the window. "The old woman selling flowers at the street corner has Heavenly Dao Sect's cloud patterns embroidered on her sleeve; the night watchman downstairs walks with Heavenly Dao Sect's 'Flowing Cloud Steps'; even the maid behind you has a hairpin made of white jade supplied specifically by Heavenly Dao Sect. Young Miss, your caravan, I'm afraid it's hiding quite a few 'monks,' isn't it?"

Wang Ruotong tightened her grip on the sword hilt, then suddenly smiled: "Your Excellency's observation skills are astonishing. May I ask which friend you are?"

"Friend is too strong a word. I'm just entrusted by someone to ask a question." Fragrant Bat leaned closer, lowering his voice. "The 'goods' that Heavenly Dao Sect asked you to transport, they're for the Blood Shadow Cult, aren't they?"

Wang Ruotong's pupils constricted. Just as she was about to call for help, Fragrant Bat lightly tapped his fan, and the maid behind her softly collapsed to the ground—her acupoints had been sealed.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not interested in your transaction." Fragrant Bat drained his cup of tea and stood up. "Just a reminder, some people are not to be offended by your Wang family." He swayed, and his figure had already vanished by the window, leaving only a light, airy remark, "Mysterious iron is good, but don't be too greedy."

In the evening, Fragrant Bat returned to the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace and placed a stack of notes in front of Jun Xiaoyao. On them were the detailed transaction records between the Wang family, Heavenly Dao Sect, and the Blood Shadow Cult, even marking the hidden compartment locations for each batch of goods.

"Indeed, the Wang family, under the guise of a caravan, is transporting raw materials for refining bone-corroding powder to the Blood Shadow Cult, with Heavenly Dao Sect pulling strings behind the scenes, intending to use the Blood Shadow Cult to weaken other forces in the South of the Ranges." Jun Xiaoyao looked at the notes, his fingertip pressing hard on the words "Heavenly Dao Sect." "They certainly play a good game."

Fragrant Bat poured a cup of peach blossom wine and leisurely said, "Young Miss Wang said she's willing to give The Net those three carts of mysterious iron, only asking that we not interfere in their dispute with the Golden Blade Alliance."

"Alright." Jun Xiaoyao nodded. "Tell her to leave the goods meant for the Blood Shadow Cult, and I can overlook this matter for her."

Fragrant Bat raised an eyebrow: "Is Young Lord planning to go head-to-head with the Blood Shadow Cult?"

"They seized our mine and killed three of our Luowang Assassins; this debt must be settled." Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array, the spiritual light in its core glowing a little brighter. "Besides, I've just unlocked new summoning permissions."

On the light screen, a new name was flickering:

[Summonable Character: Qiao Feng]

[From: demi-gods and semi-devils World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms (Perfection), Dragon Capturing Skill (Perfection)]

[Loyalty: ???]

[Summoning Cost: Spiritual Power 50%]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the words "Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms," and suddenly thinking of the Blood Shadow Cult's sinister Blood Shadow Demonic Art, the corner of his mouth curved into a cold arc.

Head-to-head? He was waiting.

Fragrant Bat looked at the sharpness in the Young Lord's eyes and suddenly felt that what was hidden in this Hanyue Valley Underground Palace might not just be The Net's blades, but also a storm capable of overturning the entire Jianghu. He drank the wine in his cup; in the scent of peach blossoms, he tasted a fierce flavor of an impending storm.

Meanwhile, in Black Wind Stockade in the Western Regions, Marshal of the Unruly stood on the mountaintop, watching the Blood Shadow Cult's Team step into the ambush, a cold sneer on his lips. Behind him, The Unruly held bows and crossbows, their arrowheads gleaming coldly in the moonlight, waiting for a single command.

The Net was tightly woven, and the shadow of Beyond Heaven was finally about to cast its first true shadow upon the Jianghu.