158: Snowy Region Shows Goodwill

Inside the Cold Jade Secret Chamber of Beyond Heaven, the soul settling pearl floated within a crystal cover, reflecting the demon suppressing token and illuminating the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda map on the four walls with increasing clarity. Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the jade desk with his fingertips, listening to Zhao Gao report on the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult's intelligence: "The Ten Thousand Poisons Cult's headquarters is located in Poison Miasma Valley in the Southern Border Ten Thousand Great Mountains. The Cult Master, 'Poison Hand Medicine King,' is at the Middle Celestial Realm, and he commands eight Grand Elders, all at the Peak Grandmaster Realm. They have recently been purchasing large quantities of 'heart-rotting grass' on the black market, seemingly refining some kind of potent poison."

"heart-rotting grass?" Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow slightly. "That is the main ingredient for refining 'meridian dissolving powder.' It seems they intend to act against a major Sect." He looked toward Mysterious Mechanism Master, "Where is the nine-revolution soul-returning grass located within the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult?"

Mysterious Mechanism Master spread out a hand-drawn map and pointed to the Blood Pool at the center of Poison Miasma Valley: "It is in the sludge at the bottom of the Blood Pool, guarded by the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult's 'mother-child heart devouring gu.' These Gu are interdependent; the child Gu attaches to a person, and once the mother Gu is activated, the child Gu will gnaw at the host's heart meridian, making it extremely difficult to guard against."

Jun Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, his gaze falling upon the summoning array: "It seems we need a master capable of defending against poison Gu. Activate the summoning, limiting the scope to 'those proficient in toxicology and detoxification methods.'"

[System Notification: Consuming 2600 Points, summoning within the specified range... calibrating energy...]

The summoning array emitted a dark green halo, and runes coiled upward like poisonous vines. A figure dressed in Miao border attire slowly materialized. The person wore silver ornaments, had several Medicine Pouches hanging from their waist, and held a Snake-Shaped Staff in their hand. It was exactly "Blue Phoenix" from "the smiling, proud wanderer."

[Character Panel Displayed:

Name: Blue Phoenix

Origin World: "the smiling, proud wanderer"

Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skill Cultivation Technique:

1. Five Poisons Strange Sutra: Proficient in the characteristics of all poisons under heaven, capable of using poison against poison, and especially skilled at refining Antidote Pills.

2. Hundred Poisons Immunity Body: Having been around poisonous creatures for years, the Physical Body possesses extremely strong resistance to toxins, and ordinary Gu Worms cannot approach.

3. Snake Staff Gu Manipulation Technique: Uses the Snake-Shaped Staff to control Gu Worms, capable of commanding Swarms of Gu to form defensive or offensive Formations.

Additional Items:

- Seven-Colored Poison Pouch (contains seven types of Strange Poison, and also seven corresponding Antidotes)

- Golden Silkworm Mother Gu (can suppress low-level Gu Worms and has a restrictive effect on the mother-child heart devouring gu)

Loyalty: 92% (Respects the strong, recognizes the Young Lord's Decisiveness)]

Blue Phoenix bowed gracefully toward Jun Xiaoyao, her silver ornaments clinking with a crisp sound: "Blue Phoenix greets the Young Lord. I hear we are dealing with the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult? Their Gu Techniques are nothing in my eyes."

Jun Xiaoyao pushed the map toward her: "I need you to retrieve the nine-revolution soul-returning grass from the bottom of the Blood Pool, avoiding the mother-child heart devouring gu."

Blue Phoenix took the map, tracing the location of the Blood Pool with her fingertip, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes: "Although the mother-child heart devouring gu is fierce, it fears my Golden Silkworm Mother Gu. Young Lord, rest assured, I will return with the Medicinal Herb within three days."

Three days later, in Poison Miasma Valley, Southern Border.

Blue Phoenix, dressed in black, infiltrated the Headquarters by mixing in with a group of Miao people bringing poisonous offerings to the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult. The Blood Pool was located deep within the Headquarters. Dark green Poisonous Waves churned in the pool water, and dozens of chains extended from the edge to a central Stone Platform. These chains were covered with colorful Gu Worms.

She quietly released the Golden Silkworm Mother Gu. The small, golden Gu circled once in the air, emitting a faint buzz. The mother-child heart devouring gu at the bottom of the pool sensed the pressure and quickly submerged into the sludge, daring not to show their heads. Blue Phoenix seized the opportunity, leaped to the center of the pool, concentrated Internal Energy in her fingertips, plunged them into the sludge, and precisely pulled out a nine-colored leaf herb—it was exactly the nine-revolution soul-returning grass.

"Where did this petty thief come from, daring to trespass into my Ten Thousand Poisons Cult Forbidden Ground!" An angry roar came, and Poison Hand Medicine King appeared by the pool edge with the eight Grand Elders, having already crushed the Poison Powder Pouch in his hand.

Blue Phoenix put the Medicinal Herb into her embrace. When her Snake Staff paused, the Poison Scorpions and Centipedes by the pool edge immediately changed direction and crawled toward the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult members: "You dare call yourselves Ten Thousand Poisons with just these few tricks?"

Tapping her toe, she skimmed across the Poisonous Swamp toward the exit. Behind her came the furious roar of Poison Hand Medicine King: "Chase her! Capture her! Dare to touch what belongs to my Ten Thousand Poisons Cult, and I will make sure she wishes for death but cannot have it!"

In the Beyond Heaven Council Hall, Blue Phoenix handed the nine-revolution soul-returning grass to Jun Xiaoyao, the poison stains on her skirt not yet dry: "Young Lord, I was fortunate not to fail the mission. However, Poison Hand Medicine King has guessed that Beyond Heaven made the move and has sent people rushing here—about fifty people, led by two Initial Heaven Human Realm experts."

Jun Xiaoyao lightly stroked the leaves of the Medicinal Herb and said calmly: "They came at the right time. Marshal of the Unruly, have The Net's 'Di' Character Group go greet the guests. Remember, don't kill them all; keep a few Live Captives to ask who they intended to use the 'heart-rotting grass' on."

Marshal of the Unruly bowed in acceptance of the order, his gaze beneath the Bronze Mask cold as ice. As he turned, the Bone Whip at his waist emitted a dull sound, as if already thirsting for blood.

Mysterious Mechanism Master looked at the nine-revolution soul-returning grass, stroking his beard and smiling: "With this, the Snow Region Holy Land will definitely agree to cooperate. Young Lord, do we need to send someone to deliver the Medicinal Herb?"

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao picked up his Teacup. "Let the people from the Snow Region Holy Land come and retrieve it themselves. Zhao Gao, send a message to the Snow Region, telling them we have the nine-revolution soul-returning grass. Want it? Exchange it for a boundary breaking talisman. The transaction will take place at 'Duan Yun Cliff' on the Border in three days."

Zhao Gao acknowledged the order and picked up his brush. Soon, a Messenger Pigeon flapped its wings and flew out the window.

Three days later, at Duan Yun Cliff.

The Great Priest of the Snow Region Holy Land arrived as scheduled, accompanied by ten White-Robed Guards. The Great Priest was dressed in a Beast Hide Robe, his hair and beard completely white. He held an Ice Crystal Staff in his hand, and his Aura was unfathomable—he was actually a Powerhouse at the Early Earthly Immortal Realm.

"The Young Lord of Beyond Heaven certainly puts on Airs, not coming personally." The Great Priest's voice carried the unique chill of the Snow Region.

Zhao Gao stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant: "The Young Lord is busy with many affairs and asked his Subordinate to conduct the transaction on his behalf. Great Priest, you may inspect the goods first." He opened the Brocade Box, and the nine-revolution soul-returning grass emitted a Nine-Colored Halo under the sunlight.

A flicker of emotion crossed the Great Priest's eyes. He took out a Jade Talisman engraved with runes from his embrace: "This is the boundary breaking talisman, capable of opening the Restriction on the Third Layer of the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda."

Just as the two sides were about to exchange items, a burst of Maniacal Laughter suddenly came from below the cliff: "Hahaha! Snow Region and Beyond Heaven are trading, yet they didn't bring along my Ten Thousand Poisons Cult. Isn't that a bit rude!"

Poison Hand Medicine King appeared at the cliff edge with his men, followed by two Initial Heaven Human Realm Elders, all possessing ferocious Auras. His gaze swept over the Medicinal Herb in the Brocade Box, and flames of greed ignited in his eyes: "The nine-revolution soul-returning grass and the boundary breaking talisman must both be left here today!"

The Great Priest's staff paused, and an Ice Wall instantly condensed at the cliff edge: "You Ten Thousand Poisons Cult riff-raff, how dare you act presumptuously before This Seat?"

The figure of the Marshal of the Unruly quietly appeared beside Zhao Gao, the Bone Whip slowly turning in his hand: "It seems these Live Captives don't need to be kept."

Blue Phoenix emerged from the shadows, the Golden Silkworm Mother Gu on her Snake Staff emitting a deterrent buzz: "Old Poison Hand Ghost, I let you escape last time. You won't be so lucky this time."

The Three Factions confronted each other at Duan Yun Cliff, Killing Intent permeating the air. The Sea of Clouds below the cliff churned, as if presaging an impending Bloody Battle.

Zhao Gao quietly retreated, protecting the Brocade Box in his embrace. He knew that after this battle, Beyond Heaven would not only obtain the boundary breaking talisman but could also leverage the Snow Region Holy Land's momentum to completely resolve the Hidden Threat of the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult. As for the Young Lord, he sat securely behind the scenes, needing only to await the results.

Jun Xiaoyao sat in the Council Hall, observing the situation at Duan Yun Cliff through the water mirror, lightly tapping the soul settling pearl with his fingertips. He didn't care who won or lost; he only cared whether the boundary breaking talisman would ultimately land in his hands. As for those who dared to provoke them, the Marshal of the Unruly would make them understand that things belonging to Beyond Heaven were not easily snatched.

In the water mirror, the Marshal of the Unruly's Bone Whip was the first to be drawn, striking toward Poison Hand Medicine King with a sound that tore through the air. The Great Priest's Ice Crystal Staff also swung out simultaneously, and Ice Cones fell like heavy rain. A Slaughter centered around the nine-revolution soul-returning grass and the boundary breaking talisman had officially begun. And this was merely an appetizer before the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda appeared in the world. Jun Xiaoyao picked up his Teacup, looking at the splashing blood and ice crystals in the water mirror, a faint, indifferent curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. The Era belonging to Beyond Heaven had just begun.