357: Snowstorm Sword Breaks the Formation

On the ice wall of the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, the water mirror reflected the scenery of the Kunlun Mountains in the Western Regions.

Amidst the continuous snow-capped peaks, a hidden valley was shrouded in miasma. Within the miasma, figures in black Daoist robes could be vaguely seen—these were the remnants of the Xuantian Sect. Since the death of the Holy Land Elder, they had been led by Elder Xuanyinzi and had hidden in this "Soul Severing Valley."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the ice table, where a parchment scroll was spread out, marking the defenses of Soul Severing Valley: "Xuanyinzi, Late Heaven-Man Realm, skilled in using the 'Nether Claw,' capable of controlling corpses in battle."

"He has three hundred remnant Disciples under his command, fifty of whom are in the Grandmaster Realm, while the rest are all in the Innate Realm. The valley entrance is set with a 'Soul Bewitching Array,' and the miasma contains 'heart-corroding powder'; those who inhale it will lose their sanity within seven days."

"heart-corroding powder?" Jun Xiaoyao picked up the parchment and traced his finger over the words "Soul Bewitching Array." "Xuanyinzi is certainly better at hiding his clumsiness than the Holy Land Elder; knowing that a head-on collision won't yield any benefits, he hides in this desperate place to linger on."

Zhao Gao stepped out from the shadows, holding a pitch-black Jade Slip in his hand: "Young Lord, this is the array map of Soul Severing Valley that The Net's 'Heaven' unit brought out at the cost of their lives."

"The Soul Bewitching Array is composed of forty-nine 'Ghost Soul Pillars,' with the souls of those who died unjustly sealed within. The array eye is located in the 'Nether Hall' at the heart of the valley, with Xuanyinzi presiding over it personally."

Jun Xiaoyao took the Jade Slip, and the moment he injected his spiritual energy, the array map unfolded in the water mirror.

The forty-nine Ghost Soul Pillars were distributed in a Seven-Star pattern, and the miasma flowed according to the resentment of the souls within the pillars. The array formation changed every moment, making it a truly difficult evil array to break.

"Where is West Gate Blows Snow?" Jun Xiaoyao asked.

"Mr. Ximen is meditating on the 'Snow Gazing Cliff' outside Soul Severing Valley, saying he is waiting for the hour when the miasma is at its weakest." Zhao Gao called up the image on the water mirror. On the Snow Gazing Cliff, West Gate Blows Snow was dressed in white as snow, his long sword, "Blows Snow," slanted into the snow. His eyes were slightly closed, and the cold air around him had almost merged with the snow-capped peak.

[Character Panel: West Gate Blows Snow]

[Origin: "legend of lu xiaofeng" world]

[Realm: Initial Heaven Human Realm]

[Martial Skill: Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens (Perfection), Blows Snow Sword Technique (Major Achievement)]

[Current Status: Gathering Momentum]

[Loyalty: 85%]

Watching the calm figure of West Gate Blows Snow in the image, Jun Xiaoyao said to Zhao Gao: "Tell him to act at the third quarter of the Yin hour; the Soul Bewitching Array's miasma will thin by thirty percent at this time due to the weakening of the moonlight. Also, notify Cheng Lingsu to bring the 'Miasma-Clearing Pill' and wait outside the valley, just in case."

"Understood."

Outside Soul Severing Valley, at the third quarter of the Yin hour. The moon was hidden and the stars had set. The miasma at the valley entrance had indeed thinned significantly, and the outlines of the forty-nine Ghost Soul Pillars could be vaguely seen; the ghost faces carved on the pillars appeared exceptionally ferocious in the faint light.

West Gate Blows Snow slowly opened his eyes, the cold light in them even sharper than the ice on the cliff. He drew the Blows Snow sword, pointing the tip toward the valley entrance, his voice as cold as if tempered in ice: "My sword does not slay nameless ghosts. Xuanyinzi, come out and die."

Before the words had faded, a sinister laugh came from within the valley: "West Gate Blows Snow? You think you can break my Soul Bewitching Array just by yourself? Today, I will let you taste the pain of ten thousand souls devouring your heart!"

As the voice spoke, the forty-nine Ghost Soul Pillars suddenly lit up with green light, and shrill ghost cries emanated from within. Amidst the churning miasma, countless ghost shadows rushed out from the array, baring fangs and brandishing claws as they lunged toward West Gate Blows Snow.

West Gate Blows Snow remained unmoved. The Blows Snow sword twirled, unleashing a burst of Sword Qi like a blizzard. Wherever it passed, the ghost shadows instantly dissipated, and the miasma was torn apart by the Sword Qi, revealing a path leading into the valley.

"Interesting." Xuanyinzi's voice sounded again, "But this is only the beginning!"

The Ghost Soul Pillars suddenly rotated, and the array formation changed into the "Yama Lock." The green light intertwined into a giant net, trapping West Gate Blows Snow in the center. The ghost shadows within The Net grew more numerous, actually coalescing into corpses holding rusted blades and rotten swords, charging toward West Gate Blows Snow without fear of death—these were the "Corpse Soldiers" controlled by Xuanyinzi using the Nether Claw.

West Gate Blows Snow did not change his sword momentum. He unleashed the Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens, the sword light pouring down like the Milky Way, each strike precisely severing the joints of the Corpse Soldiers. Although the Corpse Soldiers did not feel pain, once their joints were severed, they immediately collapsed to the ground, turning into rotten earth.

"Break the array!" With a low shout, West Gate Blows Snow condensed his sword aura into a beam of light, striking directly at the nearest Ghost Soul Pillar. With a crisp "crack," the Ghost Soul Pillar snapped, the green light diminished sharply, and a gap appeared in the giant net.

Just at this moment, inside the Nether Hall at the heart of the valley, Xuanyinzi stood up abruptly, forming hand seals, with black mist emanating from his Nether Claw: "West Gate Blows Snow, you dare to break my array eye? You're courting death!" Dozens of his Disciples in the Grandmaster Realm behind him struck simultaneously, injecting their Internal Energy into the remaining forty-eight Ghost Soul Pillars.

The ghost shadows and Corpse Soldiers in the array suddenly went berserk, rushing toward the gap without fear of death, and actually managed to block the gap by force. Though West Gate Blows Snow's sword was fast, he could not withstand the opponent's relentless attacks. Gradually, several wounds appeared on his body, and the corpse aura eroded the wounds, causing black mist to rise.

"It's my turn to act." Outside the valley, Cheng Lingsu carried her medicine basket. Looking at West Gate Blows Snow's injuries in the water mirror, she took a "Soul Awakening Herb" from the basket, crushed it, and scattered it into the air. The medicinal powder drifted into the valley with the wind, and the moment it touched the black mist, the mist dissolved like snow.

"Here is the Miasma-Clearing Pill!" Cheng Lingsu tossed the Medicinal Pill into the valley. West Gate Blows Snow caught it with a backhand motion. The pill dissolved upon entering his mouth, and a refreshing sensation flowed through his entire body, causing the black mist at his wounds to quickly fade away.

"Thank you." West Gate Blows Snow expressed his gratitude toward the outside of the valley, and his sword momentum rose again. He unleashed the full power of the Blows Snow Sword Technique, the sword light falling like a fine drizzle. Every drop of "rain" was a stream of Sword Qi, precisely striking the base of the Ghost Soul Pillars.

A series of crisp "bang, bang, bang" sounds rang out, and seven more Ghost Soul Pillars were severed. The power of the Soul Bewitching Array was greatly reduced, and the miasma became much thinner.

Inside the Nether Hall, Xuanyinzi watched the continuously breaking Ghost Soul Pillars, his face turning livid: "A bunch of useless trash! You can't even stop one person!" He personally rushed out of the hall, his Nether Claw wreathed in black mist, striking straight at the back of West Gate Blows Snow's heart.

West Gate Blows Snow had long since noticed him and turned around with a sword strike. The moment the sword and claw clashed, sparks flew everywhere. Xuanyinzi felt a vast Sword Intent surge toward him and was actually shaken back three steps, and the black mist on his Nether Claw was also significantly dispersed by the Sword Qi.

"Late Heaven-Man Realm?" West Gate Blows Snow looked at Xuanyinzi, the Battle Intent in his eyes growing stronger, "You are qualified to be my opponent."

Xuanyinzi was shocked and angry: "You are only in the Initial Heaven Human Realm, how can you have such Sword Intent?"

"As long as the sword is here, the intent is here." West Gate Blows Snow pointed his sword tip diagonally toward the ground, "Your claws have been stained with too much blood of the innocent; it's time to wash them."

The two fought fiercely in the array, sword shadows and claw winds intertwining, and the Ghost Soul Pillars were continuously shattered by their Qi. Forty-eight, thirty-six, twenty-four... As the number of Ghost Soul Pillars decreased, the power of the Soul Bewitching Array grew weaker and weaker, and the miasma gradually dissipated, revealing the scene inside the valley—corpses littered the ground, emitting a foul, unbearable stench.

"I can't wait any longer!" A flicker of ruthlessness flashed in Xuanyinzi's eyes. He suddenly bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the Nether Claw. The black mist on the claw surged violently, actually condensing into a skull that emitted a piercing shriek as it struck directly at West Gate Blows Snow's face.

"This is the 'Nether Heart-Devouring,' a Move that burns both jade and stone!" Cheng Lingsu exclaimed from outside the valley, pulling a handful of silver needles from her medicine basket, but she didn't know how to help.

West Gate Blows Snow watched the lunging skull without the slightest fear. He concentrated all his Sword Intent onto the tip of his sword, and the cold light on the Blows Snow sword grew increasingly intense, with the faint sound of a dragon's roar.

"The sword is used to save people, and it is also used to kill people." West Gate Blows Snow's voice seemed to come from the Nine Heavens, "When it should be killed, it must be killed!"

Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens!

The sword light soared into the sky, and the moment it collided with the skull, the world seemed to go silent. Immediately after, a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering loud noise erupted. The sword light tore through the skull and struck toward Xuanyinzi without losing its momentum.

Xuanyinzi's pupils shrank abruptly. He wanted to dodge but it was too late; he could only watch helplessly as the sword light struck his chest. He looked down at the wound on his chest, muttering in disbelief: "How is it possible..." Before his voice died away, his body turned into dust.

With the death of Xuanyinzi, the remaining Ghost Soul Pillars all snapped, and the Soul Bewitching Array was completely broken. Seeing this, the remaining Disciples in the valley were so terrified that they all knelt to surrender.

West Gate Blows Snow sheathed his sword and looked at the mess on the ground before turning to walk out of the valley. Cheng Lingsu hurried to meet him, taking out healing medicine: "Mr. Ximen, your wounds..."

West Gate Blows Snow waved his hand without speaking, just gazing toward the direction of the Snow Gazing Cliff, his figure quickly disappearing into the morning light.

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched this scene and said to Zhao Gao: "Transport all the medicinal herbs and Ore from Soul Severing Valley back to Hanyue Valley. Bring back Xuanyinzi's Nether Claw and the remains of the Ghost Soul Pillars as well; perhaps Ouyezi can make use of them."

"Understood." Zhao Gao paused and added, "Young Lord, the dark scouts of The Net in the Southern Frontier have sent back news that the 'Five Poisons Sect' has been frequently contacting various barbarian tribes, seemingly searching for some 'Gu King.' It is said that the Gu King can control cultivators in the Land Immortal Realm."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, and the water mirror immediately reflected the figure of the Five Poisons Sect leader, Blue Phoenix. The woman was dressed in colorful clothes, holding a snake staff, and was talking to a barbarian priest. The golden snake at the top of the snake staff flicked its tongue, appearing exceptionally eerie.

"Gu King?" Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the ice table, "It seems the Southern Frontier is about to become turbulent again." He looked at the summoning array in the center of the underground palace. The spiritual energy in the array eye had risen to 90% due to the resources just recovered. As the runes flowed, a palm shadow actually emerged.

[System Prompt: Detected threat from Southern Frontier sorcery, triggering restraint-type summoning.]

[Summonable Character: Duan Yu]

[Origin: "demi-gods and semi-devils" world]

[Realm: Middle Celestial Realm]

[Martial Skill: Six Meridians Divine Sword (Perfection), Beiming Divine Art (Major Achievement), Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Profound Internal Energy, Six Meridians Divine Sword can break all sorcery in the world, Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves excels at dodging eerie attacks]

[Summoning Cost: 85% Spiritual Energy]

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip fell, and the summoning array suddenly erupted with seven-colored light. The runes bloomed like flower petals, and the figure of a young man dressed in the attire of a prince condensed within the light. Duan Yu held a folding fan, a smile on his face, looking somewhat naive and cute; it was indeed the Prince of Dali, Duan Yu.

"Is this brother the Young Lord of Beyond Heaven who summoned me?" Duan Yu cupped his hands in a salute, his smile sincere, "I am Duan Yu, greetings to the Young Lord."

[Character Panel: Duan Yu]

[Status: Curious]

[Loyalty: 80%]

[Current Thought: The scenery here is quite nice, just a bit too cold]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "Prince Duan, the Five Poisons Sect of the Southern Frontier intends to find the Gu King, which poses a significant threat. You should go there and investigate their background."

Duan Yu put away his folding fan and said solemnly: "Rest assured, Young Lord. As long as it is to prevent evil arts from harming people, Duan Yu will not shirk his duty!" He turned and stepped into the teleportation array. When his figure disappeared, he did not forget to look back and smile at Jun Xiaoyao.

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched Duan Yu's departing back and said to Zhao Gao: "Regarding the Southern Frontier, let Duan Yu go and scout the path first, we will discuss it in the long run."

"Understood."

The underground palace returned to silence, with only the runes of the summoning array still slowly circulating. Jun Xiaoyao gazed at Hanyue Valley outside the window; the snow-capped peaks shimmered with golden light in the morning sun, resembling the sword of West Gate Blows Snow.

He knew that the remnants of the Xuantian Sect in Soul Severing Valley had been eliminated, and the Foundation of Beyond Heaven in the Western Regions was more stable, but the Five Poisons Sect in the Southern Frontier would be a new contest.

The spiritual energy of the summoning array had recovered to 85%. As the runes flickered, it seemed to be looking forward to the next summoning. Jun Xiaoyao knew that the journey belonging to Beyond Heaven would never have an end.

Every time an obstacle is cleared, every time a new challenge is welcomed, it is making the name "Beyond Heaven" ring even louder on this continent.