368: Alliance in Flowing Sand City

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips traced across the ice-made map of the Western Regions, the location of Quicksand City heavily circled in cinnabar.

The alliance three days later would be the first step for Beyond Heaven to formally bare its fangs at the Western Regions.

"Zhao Gao."

From the shadows, Zhao Gao bowed and stepped out, his dark robes nearly blending into the darkness of the underground palace. He held a roster in his hands, densely packed with details on the strengths and weaknesses of various forces in the Western Regions.

"Young Lord." Zhao Gao's voice was kept extremely low. "As you ordered, I have had The Net set up three layers of secret sentries in Quicksand City. The outer layer is the 'Shadow' group, responsible for monitoring all forces entering and leaving the city."

"The middle layer, the 'Kill' group, is specifically tasked with watching the secret agents sent by the Holy Land and the Imperial Dynasty; the core layer, the 'Mysterious' group, is personally led by the Marshal of the Unruly to guard the eight corners of the alliance hall."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the mark for "Black Wind Stockade" on the map.

That was the largest horse bandit den in the Western Regions. The Stockade Master, "Black Fiend," was rumored to have reached the Late Stage Great Grandmaster Realm, with three thousand fierce bandits under his command. They plundered merchant caravans year-round, yet never touched the goods of Beyond Heaven, maintaining an ambiguous attitude.

"Is there any movement from Black Wind Stockade?"

"Black Fiend sent his deputy, 'One-Eye,' to attend the meeting. He brought fifty elite cavalrymen and is currently camping outside the city, not having entered yet." Zhao Gao opened the roster. "One-Eye is at the Peak Grandmaster Realm and wields the 'mountain-splitting axe' with extreme ruthlessness. It is said he once split a city gate open with a single axe."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on "Black Wind Stockade": "Tell the Marshal of the Unruly to watch him and not let him play any tricks at the alliance."

"Yes."

At this moment, the summoning array in the center of the underground palace suddenly lit up with a faint glow, the runes rotating like flowing water. This was a sign that a new summoning quota had been triggered—because the Quicksand City alliance involved multiple parties, the System had automatically unlocked new summoning permissions.

[System Prompt: Large-scale faction alliance scenario detected, triggering "Town-Suppressing" type summoning. You can summon a top-tier combatant capable of holding the scene.]

[Candidate List:]

[1. Sweeping Monk (from the world of demi-gods and semi-devils)]

[Realm: Early Stage Void Shattering Realm]

[Martial Skill: Seventy-Two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin (Perfection), Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Profound Buddhism, can suppress malevolence, aura suppresses all Realms below Grandmaster.]

[2. Zhang Sanfeng (from the world of the heaven sword and dragon saber)]

[Realm: Late Stage Land Immortal]

[Martial Skill: Tai Chi Fist (Transcendent), Tai Chi Sword (Transcendent), Pure Yang Limitless Art (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Daoist Protective Aura can cover the entire venue, dissolving conflicts invisibly; excels at overcoming hardness with softness.]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the list and pondered for a moment. Although the Sweeping Monk's Realm was high, the aura of the Void Shattering Realm was too eye-catching and easily aroused the vigilance of the Imperial Dynasty and the Holy Land; whereas Zhang Sanfeng's Dao of Tai Chi was more suitable for controlling the situation—it could hold the scene without being too flashy.

"Select Zhang Sanfeng."

As soon as the words fell, the summoning array glowed brightly, and the runes formed a tai chi diagram that slowly rotated. A figure of an old man in Daoist robes with crane-like hair and a youthful complexion condensed in the light, holding a whisk, his gaze gentle yet deep, as if he understood everything.

When Zhang Sanfeng landed, he swept his whisk gently, and the chill of the underground palace seemed to soften a bit. He bowed to Jun Xiaoyao, his voice as peaceful as a breeze: "This poor Daoist, Zhang Sanfeng, greets the Young Lord."

[Character Panel: Zhang Sanfeng]

[From: the world of the heaven sword and dragon saber]

[Realm: Late Stage Land Immortal]

[Martial Skill: Tai Chi Fist (Transcendent), Tai Chi Sword (Transcendent), Pure Yang Limitless Art (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Aura Suppression (those below Grandmaster Realm will automatically feel pressure when approaching), Dissolve Conflicts (can forcibly stop fights below Grandmaster level)]

[Loyalty: 90%]

"True Man Zhang," Jun Xiaoyao pointed to Quicksand City on the map, "For the alliance in three days, I need to trouble you to sit in the main hall. If anyone acts blindly and causes trouble, there is no need to show mercy."

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly and waved his whisk: "This poor Daoist understands. I will certainly not let petty people disturb the Young Lord's affairs."

Just then, Zhao Gao hurried in, holding a message talisman: "Young Lord, the envoy sent by the Imperial Dynasty has arrived. It is the 'General Who Guards the Nation,' Qin Zhao. He is at the Peak Grandmaster Realm and brought three hundred imperial guards, directly occupying the largest inn in Quicksand City."

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. Qin Zhao was a confidant of the Imperial Dynasty's Emperor, known for his iron-fisted methods. He had just pacified the northern rebellion last year, and his coming in person clearly meant he wanted to secure more benefits for the Imperial Dynasty at the alliance.

"Also," Zhao Gao added, "Ling Shuang, the Young Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, has also arrived. She brought the Sect's 'Mountain-Suppressing Sword Array' diagrams, seemingly wanting to display the strength of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect at the alliance and win over other small forces."

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect was one of the top Sects in the Western Regions, and Ling Shuang was a leader among the younger generation, at the Peak Innate Realm. Her "Falling Snow Sword Technique" was said to have been practiced to the seventh level, and she was hailed as the "Number One Sword Woman of the Western Regions."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the light of the summoning array that had not yet completely subsided. The System prompt indicated there was still one small-scale summoning opportunity, which could supplement a nimble-type combatant.

[System Prompt: Triggering "Nimble-type" summoning, candidates:]

[West Gate Blows Snow (from the world of legend of lu xiaofeng)]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill: Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens (Transcendent)]

[Specialty: Sword drawn means blood will be seen; extremely fast speed; excels in precision sniping.]

"Summon West Gate Blows Snow."

The summoning array lit up again, this time with a sharp, sword-like light. A figure in white condensed instantly, with a cold expression, the sword "Lone Goose" at his waist emitting a chilling glow—it was West Gate Blows Snow.

He nodded slightly to Jun Xiaoyao, his voice as cold as ice: "Young Lord."

[Character Panel: West Gate Blows Snow]

[From: the world of legend of lu xiaofeng]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill: Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens (Transcendent)]

[Specialty: Remote Sniping (can accurately hit targets within a kilometer), Sword Pressure (radiates Sword Intent to suppress Martial Artists of the same rank)]

[Loyalty: 85%]

"Mr. Ximen," Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the location of the inn on the map, "Keep an eye on Qin Zhao's imperial guards. If they dare to bring troops into the alliance hall without permission, there is no need to ask for instructions; directly cripple the captain leading them."

A cold light flashed in West Gate Blows Snow's eyes. He said nothing more, his figure turning into a white shadow and disappearing at the entrance of the underground palace—he never wasted time; action was the best response.

Zhang Sanfeng looked at his retreating figure and stroked his beard with a smile: "What a fast sword."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhao Gao: "What other forces have arrived?"

"The Medicine King Valley Master, 'Poison Fairy' Granny Miao, has brought ten medicine boys, saying they are here to 'exchange medical skills,' but her medicine boys all have hidden poison needles; in addition, Shangguan Fei, the son of the 'Money Gang' Young Gang Master Shangguan Jinhong, has also come, bringing a hundred bank notes, threatening to buy the mineral veins of three small tribes."

Zhao Gao paused, then added: "The most troublesome one is the 'Joyous Sect.' The Sect Master, Mei'er, has arrived in person. It is said that her 'Soul-Seducing Technique' can make Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists lose their minds for a short time. The accompanying Disciples are all female, each beautiful as a flower, yet all have practiced the 'Soul-Destroying Palm'."

Zhang Sanfeng heard this and waved his whisk: "Mei'er's Soul-Seducing Technique originates from the art of dual cultivation, which this poor Daoist's Pure Yang Limitless Art can break. The Young Lord need not worry."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded and looked at the summoning array again—after two summonings, thirty percent of the spiritual power remained in the array, just enough for one auxiliary-type summoning.

[System Prompt: Triggering "Auxiliary-type" summoning, candidates:]

[1. Star Plucker (from the world of legend of lu xiaofeng)]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Stealing Heaven and Changing Sun (Transcendent), Treading Snow Without a Trace (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Infiltration, eavesdropping, swapping items, excels at obtaining intelligence.]

[2. Full of Towers (from the world of legend of lu xiaofeng)]

[Realm: Middle Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Flowing Cloud Flying Sleeve (Transcendent)]

[Specialty: Listening to determine position (can hear heartbeats and breathing within a hundred meters, judge whether the other party is lying), Perceiving Aura (can detect hostility).]

"Summon Full of Towers." Jun Xiaoyao made his decision. The alliance was full of deceitful hearts; Full of Towers' ability to listen and determine positions could help him see through lies, which was more useful than simple infiltration.

The summoning array's light softened, and a gentle figure appeared. Although he was blind, he carried an air of peace and held a jade flute in his hand.

"Full of Towers greets the Young Lord." His voice was gentle, and he tilted his head slightly, as if "listening" to the movement around him.

[Character Panel: Full of Towers]

[From: the world of legend of lu xiaofeng]

[Realm: Middle Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Flowing Cloud Flying Sleeve (Transcendent)]

[Specialty: Listening to determine position (90% accuracy), Aura Perception (can predict hostility)]

[Loyalty: 88%]

"Mr. Full," Jun Xiaoyao said, "During the alliance, please trouble yourself to pay attention to the changes in the aura of all parties. If anyone harbors murderous intent, warn me immediately."

Full of Towers smiled slightly and tapped his palm with the jade flute: "Young Lord, rest assured. As long as there is murderous intent, it cannot escape my ears."

At this moment, a message talisman from the Marshal of the Unruly arrived outside the underground palace. Zhao Gao received it and looked at it, his expression changing slightly: "Young Lord, Black Fiend has come in person, bringing a thousand cavalrymen, blocking the west gate of Quicksand City, saying he wants to 'chat alone' with the Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao flicked his fingertip on the ice table, making a crisp sound: "It seems Black Fiend is no longer satisfied with being a horse bandit. He wants to use the alliance to attach himself to Beyond Heaven, but cannot let go of his pride."

Zhang Sanfeng raised his whisk: "Shall this poor Daoist accompany the Young Lord?"

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao looked in the direction where West Gate Blows Snow had disappeared. "Let Mr. Ximen go and 'chat' is enough."

He stood up, walked to the entrance of the underground palace, and looked at the snowflakes falling outside: "The play in Quicksand City should begin."

Zhao Gao bowed in agreement and turned to pass the order. Zhang Sanfeng looked at Jun Xiaoyao's back, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes—this Young Lord appeared young, yet already understood the essence of "borrowing strength." He did not enter the arena himself, yet could make various forces serve his own purposes. This mindset was far beyond his peers.

Full of Towers stood quietly to the side, listening to the sound of the wind and snow in the distance, and suddenly smiled: "Mr. Ximen has already arrived at the west gate. Black Fiend's heartbeat is chaotic."

Jun Xiaoyao's mouth curled up slightly.

At the west gate of Quicksand City, Black Fiend reined in his horse, looked at the figure in white who had suddenly appeared, and frowned: "Who are you? Let Jun Xiaoyao come out!"

West Gate Blows Snow did not speak, but simply drew his sword.

The sword light flashed and vanished.

The horse beneath Black Fiend suddenly let out a wail, its front hooves severed, throwing him into the snow. And the sword at his waist was already broken into two, falling beside his feet.

"The Young Lord said," West Gate Blows Snow's voice was colder than the wind and snow, "at the alliance, behave yourself."

Black Fiend lay on the snow, looking at the broken sword, his body stiffened—he finally understood that Beyond Heaven's ability to unify the mineral veins of the Western Regions had never relied on luck.

In the wind and sand in the distance, Zhang Sanfeng's voice came vaguely, with a smile: "It seems this alliance will be very 'lively'."

Deep in the underground palace, Jun Xiaoyao picked up the list of the Quicksand City alliance and drew a check mark next to the name "Black Fiend."

Next, it should be the turn of those representatives from the Holy Land and the Imperial Dynasty to taste the "rules" of Beyond Heaven.