347: Young Master Xie

The night in Hanyue Valley was as dark as ink. At the entrance of the secret treasury, the Seven Star Gathering Formation emitted a faint golden shimmer, with runes flowing across the ground like a slumbering golden Dragon.

Xie Xiaofeng stood with his hands behind his back at the center of the Formation's eye. His white robes fluttered slightly in the night wind, and his long sword pointed diagonally at the ground. The cold gleam at the tip of the blade intertwined with the light of the Formation, exuding a chilling aura that warned others to keep their distance.

"Mr. Xie, will the people from the Poison Shadow Cult really come?" the leader of the "Earth" group guarding the treasury couldn't help but ask.

His palms were slightly sweaty as he gripped his Duanshui Sword; after all, the Poison Shadow Cult's methods of using poison were notorious throughout the Jianghu, and the slightest carelessness could lead to total disaster.

Xie Xiaofeng’s gaze remained fixed, his voice as calm as autumn water: "They will come." He could sense a faint, peculiar fragrance permeating the air around the secret treasury.

If not for his Clear Sword Heart, he would never have noticed it—it was the "Soul Bewitching Incense" specially made by the Poison Shadow Cult, colorless and odorless, yet capable of silently eroding one's internal Qi.

As soon as he finished speaking, the chirping of insects suddenly came from the distant mountain forest, the sound abnormally sharp. Xie Xiaofeng's eyes narrowed: "They are here."

Dozens of black shadows swept across the treetops like bats, their toes lightly touching the accumulated snow without leaving a single trace. The leader was clad in a black robe and wore a bronze mask, holding a snake-headed cane in his hand. The snake eyes at the top of the cane flickered with green light—it was none other than the Poison Shadow Cult leader, the Thousand-Faced Poison Lord, Situ Wuchang.

"Xie Xiaofeng?" Situ Wuchang's voice was hoarse, like a broken gong. "I didn't expect Beyond Heaven to actually move you, the world's number one sword. It seems this golden silkworm gu egg is truly worth me personally taking action."

Xie Xiaofeng raised his long sword slightly, pointing the tip at Situ Wuchang: "Trespassing into the Beyond Heaven secret treasury; I will leave your corpse intact."

Situ Wuchang laughed wildly: "Arrogant! I’d like to see whether your sword is faster, or my poison!" He swung his snake-headed cane violently, and a cloud of black mist spewed from its tip. The moment the black mist touched the ground, the snow began to melt, emitting plumes of white smoke.

"It's the 'Bone Melting Miasma'!" The leader of the "Earth" group's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly circulated his internal Qi to protect his body. "Everyone, hold your breath!"

Xie Xiaofeng, however, remained unmoved. He spun his long sword, creating a sword flower, and the Sword Qi swept past like a gale, dispersing the Bone Melting Miasma. His figure flickered, rushing towards Situ Wuchang like a white rainbow. His sword momentum was fierce—it was "Soul Chasing" from the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking!

Situ Wuchang clearly hadn't expected Xie Xiaofeng's sword to be so fast and hurriedly swung his snake-headed cane to block. With a crisp "clang," a notch was carved into the cane by the Sword Qi. Situ Wuchang stumbled backward, his face beneath the mask instantly turning ugly.

"Interesting." A hint of viciousness flashed in Situ Wuchang's eyes as he pulled a porcelain bottle from his bosom and threw it violently onto the ground. The bottle shattered, and dozens of pitch-black poisonous insects crawled out. They were the "Sword Devouring Gu" of the Poison Shadow Cult—specifically designed to gnaw on divine Sharp Weapons.

Xie Xiaofeng frowned slightly, his long sword tracing an arc, and the Sword Qi pulverized the Sword Devouring Gu into dust. But in this momentary delay, Situ Wuchang had already led his subordinates into the Seven Star Gathering Formation.

"Trigger the Formation!" The leader of the "Earth" group roared, pressing the mechanism at the Formation's eye.

Suddenly, the runes on the ground lit up, and golden light shot into the sky, trapping the people of the Poison Shadow Cult within the Formation. The moment the Formation was activated, countless sword shadows shot in from all directions. The Poison Shadow Cult Cultists fell with screams, their bodies pierced by the sword shadows and turned into ashes.

"Small tricks!" Situ Wuchang roared, whipping out dozens of poisonous vines from under his black robe. The poisonous vines coiled around the incoming sword shadows like spirit snakes, actually crushing the sword shadows to pieces. He looked at Xie Xiaofeng at the Formation's eye, a flash of sinister intent in his eyes: "Break the Formation!"

The Poison Shadow Cult Cultists took out poisonous powder and needles, attacking the Formation's runes frantically. The light of the runes flickered unsteadily; it was clearly struggling to hold on.

Seeing this, Xie Xiaofeng no longer held back, unleashing the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking with full force. The sword light fell like a rainstorm, each strike precisely piercing the vital points of the Poison Shadow Cult Cultists. His sword was so fast that one could not see its trajectory; one could only hear the "puchi," "puchi" sounds of Sharp Weapons entering flesh, followed by the incessant screams.

Watching his subordinates fall one by one, Situ Wuchang's eyes flashed with terror. He had originally thought that with the Poison Shadow Cult's poison arts, taking the secret treasury would be as easy as pie, but he hadn't expected Xie Xiaofeng's sword to be so powerful—even his proudest Bone Melting Miasma and Sword Devouring Gu were easily broken.

"Retreat!" Situ Wuchang decided decisively and turned to run.

How could Xie Xiaofeng give him a chance? His figure followed like a shadow, his long sword pointed directly at Situ Wuchang's back. This strike concentrated all ten percent of his power, and the sword momentum was so strong that it caused the air to emit an unbearable humming sound.

Sensing the chill behind him, Situ Wuchang was terrified and turned around to throw his bronze mask. The mask exploded in mid-air, turning into a cloud of dark green poisonous mist. Xie Xiaofeng had no choice but to retract his sword and retreat to avoid the poisonous mist.

In that split second, Situ Wuchang had already led his few remaining subordinates out of the Seven Star Gathering Formation and disappeared into the night.

Xie Xiaofeng looked in the direction Situ Wuchang had fled but did not pursue. He sheathed his sword and said to the leader of the "Earth" group: "Reinforce the Formation and send people to keep a close watch on Situ Wuchang's movements."

"Yes!"

Deep within the underground palace, Jun Xiaoyao watched the entire fight through the water mirror, his fingertips tapping lightly on the cold jade couch. Zhao Gao bowed and said: "Young Lord, although Situ Wuchang has retreated, he will certainly not give up. Should we send the 'Kill' group of The Net to besiege the Poison Shadow Cult's lair?"

Jun Xiaoyao shook his head slightly: "No need. Situ Wuchang is a suspicious person; pushing him too hard will only make him desperate." He looked at the summoning array in the center of the underground palace. Due to the enhancement of the Sword Intent from Xie Xiaofeng breaking the Formation, the spiritual power at the array's eye had risen to 85%. As the runes flowed, faint poison patterns actually emerged.

[System Prompt: High-intensity poison expert aura detected, triggering special summoning.]

[Summonable character: Cheng Lingsu]

[From: "Other Tales of the Flying Fox" world]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm (Martial Dao), Divine-Grade poison master (Skill)]

[Martial Skill: Medicine King Divine Needles (Perfection), seven star begonia Steps (Major Achievement)]

[Expertise: Identifying poisons, refining poisons, detoxifying; especially skilled in using poison needles to subdue enemies; can cure any strange poison in the world]

[Summoning cost: 80% spiritual power]

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on the name "Cheng Lingsu." The summoning array suddenly burst into a soft green light, with runes coiling like vines, and the figure of a young girl in a green shirt slowly condensed. She had delicate features and lively eyes, carrying a medicine basket in her hand filled with various exotic flowers and herbs. It was none other than the successor of the Poison Hand Medicine King, Cheng Lingsu.

"Cheng Lingsu greets the Young Lord." Cheng Lingsu bowed gracefully, her voice as crisp as an oriole's song. "The miasma outside was so thick just now; did people from the Poison Shadow Cult come?"

[Character Panel: Cheng Lingsu]

[Status: Alert]

[Loyalty: 90%]

[Current thought: There is the scent of 'Ice Soul Grass' in the snow water of Hanyue Valley; it is perfect for neutralizing the Bone Melting Miasma.]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "The Poison Shadow Cult wants the golden silkworm gu egg. I must trouble you to deal with them once and for all."

Cheng Lingsu took an ice-crystal-like herb from her medicine basket, a smile flashing in her eyes: "Rest assured, Young Lord. The Poison Shadow Cult's little tricks are not worth mentioning in my eyes. Although Situ Wuchang's Bone Melting Miasma is poisonous, it fears this Ice Soul Grass. As long as he gets a whiff of it, I guarantee he won't be able to muster any internal Qi for half a month."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the Ice Soul Grass in her hand and said to Zhao Gao: "Let Miss Cheng go to the secret treasury to assist Xie Xiaofeng. Also, assign ten 'Earth' group assassins to her, to be under her command."

"Yes."

Cheng Lingsu carried her medicine basket and followed Zhao Gao toward the secret treasury. Passing by the weapons workshop, Ouyezi was raising his hammer to forge iron. Sparks splashed into Cheng Lingsu's medicine basket but were instantly extinguished by a small herb inside. Ouyezi was stunned for a moment, then praised: "Good stuff! The treasures in this little girl's basket are even more amazing than this old man's hammer!"

Cheng Lingsu smiled slightly, said nothing more, and quickened her pace toward the secret treasury.

At the entrance of the secret treasury, Xie Xiaofeng was checking the damage to the Formation. Seeing Cheng Lingsu approach, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes: "And this is?"

Zhao Gao introduced: "Mr. Xie, this is Miss Cheng Lingsu. She is skilled in detoxifying and using poison. The Young Lord sent her to assist you in guarding the secret treasury."

Cheng Lingsu nodded to Xie Xiaofeng in greeting, then took a few herbs from her medicine basket and scattered them evenly around the Formation. The moment the herbs touched the ground, they began to grow rapidly, vines coiling around the runes and emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

"This is 'Seven Star Vine'," Cheng Lingsu explained. "It can enhance the spiritual power of the Formation and emit a scent that keeps poisonous insects from daring to approach. If Situ Wuchang comes again, I guarantee his Gu insects won't be able to take a single step."

Xie Xiaofeng looked at the rapidly repairing Formation, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Thank you, Miss."

At this moment, news came from the "Heaven" group through the water mirror. They had successfully delivered the Dragon Soul Jade to the Northern Territory. After consuming the Dragon Soul Jade, Wu Song's Realm had indeed stabilized significantly, and he was currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Late Grandmaster Realm.

Jun Xiaoyao watched Wu Song's figure meditating in the water mirror and said to Zhao Gao: "The Northern Territory cannot be without an expert to hold the fort. Let Li Xunhuan and Flying stay for the time being, and return only after Wu Song comes out of seclusion."

"Yes."

The underground palace returned to silence, with only the runes of the summoning array still slowly flowing. Jun Xiaoyao leaned on the cold jade couch, his fingertips tapping the armrest unconsciously. The threat of the Poison Shadow Cult was temporarily lifted, and with Xie Xiaofeng and Cheng Lingsu guarding the secret treasury together, it could be said to be foolproof.

He looked out the window; the snow in Hanyue Valley had stopped at some point, and the moonlight shone on the snow-capped peaks, casting a sacred glow. The furnace fire in the weapons workshop was still blazing, Ouyezi's iron-striking sounds came from afar, and together with the refreshing fragrance of herbs from the direction of the secret treasury, they formed a peculiar and peaceful scene.

But Jun Xiaoyao knew this peace was only temporary. As the influence of Beyond Heaven grew, more and more people would covet their resources. The Poison Shadow Cult was just the beginning; there would be more challenges waiting for them in the future.

The spiritual power of the summoning array had recovered to 85%, and as the runes flickered, it seemed to be waiting for the opportunity for the next summoning.

Jun Xiaoyao's eyes were deep; he knew that for Beyond Heaven to truly establish a foothold on this continent, it needed even greater strength. And this strength might be hidden in the next summoning.

As the night deepened, the silence of Hanyue Valley was broken by a crisp sword chime.

It was Xie Xiaofeng practicing his sword under the moon, the sword light spiraling like a silver Dragon, guarding this valley that hid countless secrets, and also guarding the hope of Beyond Heaven's rise.