184: Black market communications, a tightly woven net to imprison ghosts.

The glow of the summoning array deep within the underground palace had not yet faded. Jun Xiaoyao twirled a dark golden token between his fingertips. The three characters for "Beyond Heaven" on the token were hidden in shadows; only the faint, circulating light proved it was no ordinary object.

Zhao Gao stood bowed at the foot of the steps. The ink on the files in his hands was still fragrant—it was the latest mission list just sent from the black market.

"Young Lord, the sulfur from Black Wind Stockade has been traced. It was purchased by people from 'Ghost Soul Valley'." Zhao Gao spread out the file, which contained a topographical map of Ghost Soul Valley.

A skull was marked in cinnabar at the valley entrance. "The Valley Master, 'Ghost Face', is a Late Stage Great Grandmaster. He is skilled in using poison. Under his command are three hundred 'Ghost Soul Guards', all of whom are killers in the Innate Realm. It is said they are refining a kind of 'Bone-Eroding Smoke' that requires sulfur as a catalyst."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips against the token, the token's faint light flickering in rhythm: "What about the Marshal of the Unruly?"

"The Marshal of the Unruly has already led two hundred of The Unruly to surround the west side of Ghost Soul Valley. As per the Young Lord's instructions, they did not act rashly but instead set up the 'Soul Locking Formation' on the perimeter to prevent them from transporting the sulfur out." Zhao Gao added, "However, on the east side of Ghost Soul Valley is the 'Myriad Gu Cave'. The Valley Master, 'Gu Granny', is an old acquaintance of Ghost Face. She just sent fifty Gu masters to support them. I fear trouble is brewing."

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, and the night-luminescent pearl at the top of the underground palace suddenly dimmed by thirty percent: "Activate the No. 2 summoning array. Let 'him' go meet Gu Granny."

Zhao Gao responded and turned, dripping his vital blood into the groove in the center of the summoning array. Runes spread like water ripples, first lighting up with a spot of cyan, then transforming into a sky full of cyan light. There was a faint sound of rustling bamboo leaves—

[System Prompt: Summoning target locked, matching successful!]

A figure in cyan robes stepped out from the cyan light. His face was handsome, and an iron sword hung at his waist. It was Linghu Chong (from "the smiling, proud wanderer" Wuxia world).

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Linghu Chong; Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster; Martial Skills/Cultivation Technique: 1. Nine Swords of Dugu: Breaks all martial arts in the world, especially effective against weapon-based and poison-based techniques. It has a special sensitivity to Gu arts and can shatter the trajectory of Gu insects with a single sword strike. 2. Star Absorbing Great Technique: Can absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use. When dealing with Gu masters, it can forcibly absorb the True Qi they use to control Gu, causing the Gu insects to lose control. Special Abilities: - Alcohol-Enhanced Defense: After drinking, combat power increases by 30%, sword moves become more agile, and most sneak attacks can be avoided. - Heart of Chivalry: Although he obeys the Young Lord, he does not kill the innocent. If he encounters ordinary Disciples in Ghost Soul Valley, he will spare their lives. Additional Items: - mysterious iron sword (Common Weapon): The blade is quenched in a hundred poisons and can kill Gu insects. The venom it absorbs will backfire on the Gu master. - Drunken Immortal Brew (Wine Flask): The wine aroma from the flask can repel low-level Gu insects, and while drinking, one can briefly see through illusions.]

Linghu Chong held his sword and bowed, his cyan robes moving slightly with the air current: "This subordinate greets the Young Lord." He still carried the scent of alcohol, clearly having just been summoned from a tavern.

"Go to Myriad Gu Cave. Don't let Gu Granny ruin the Marshal of the Unruly's plans." Jun Xiaoyao raised his token, and a glimmer of light shot into Linghu Chong's mysterious iron sword. The blade immediately shimmered with a layer of cyan light. "Tell Gu Granny that if she dares to send another Gu master to Ghost Soul Valley, I will tear down her Myriad Gu Cave."

Linghu Chong accepted the order. As he turned, his scabbard lightly tapped against the stone wall, creating a string of sparks: "Rest assured, Young Lord. Whatever Granny she is, if she dares to block the way, she'll taste my sword first!" Before the words fell, he had already turned into a cyan shadow and disappeared at the exit of the underground palace.

Zhao Gao watched Linghu Chong's back and said in a low voice: "Young Lord, on the north side of Ghost Soul Valley, there is also 'Soul Severing Cliff'. The Cliff Master, 'Soul Severing Hand', is an Early Celestial Being Realm, and he is the sworn brother of Ghost Face. A message just came saying he intends to take one hundred death soldiers to break through from the north side. I fear the Marshal of the Unruly's Soul Locking Formation won't be able to stop them."

The light on the token in Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips grew brighter: "Activate the No. 3 summoning array. Let 'her' go guard Soul Severing Cliff."

This time, the summoning array shone with pink rosy light, and there was a faint sound of jade rings clinking. A woman in red stepped out of the light, holding a long whip. Her brows and eyes carried thirty percent charm and seventy percent ferocity—it was Zhao Min (from "the heaven sword and dragon saber" Wuxia world).

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Zhao Min; Realm: Grandmaster Initial Stage; Martial Skills/Cultivation Technique: 1. Thousand Spiders and Ten Thousand Poisons Hand: Although not practiced to Major Achievement, it can use poison to fight poison. It has miraculous effects against Soul Severing Hand's "Soul Severing Claw" (which carries corrosive poison) and can cause the claw poison to backfire on himself. 2. Orchid Flicking Acupoint Hand: Exquisite technique, specialized in striking Acupoints, capable of instantly sealing Soul Severing Hand's Meridians, rendering him unable to channel energy to break through. Special Abilities: - Countless Schemes: Skilled in layout, can set up a "Chain Strategy" at Soul Severing Cliff, luring the death soldiers to kill each other. - Dignity of a Princess: Once commanded experts of the Ruyang Prince's Mansion, has a natural suppression effect on teams of death soldiers, and can shout to drive away some death soldiers with weak willpower. Additional Items: - Golden Silk Soft Whip (Treasure Artifact): The whip is wrapped with gold thread, can entangle weapons, and releases a hypnotic scent when whipped, causing death soldiers to temporarily lose their minds. - Ruyang Prince's Mansion Token (Token of Trust): Can command some Jianghu people who have received favors from the Prince's Mansion, causing them to create chaos near Soul Severing Cliff and delay time.]

Zhao Min knelt in salute, her red clothes like flames: "Young Lord has an order, Zhao Min will not refuse even at the cost of her life." She took the map of Soul Severing Cliff handed over by Jun Xiaoyao and pointed a fingertip at the map: "There is an 'Echo Valley' on the west side of Soul Severing Cliff. This subordinate can take twenty Luowang Assassins there, use the 'Sound Transmission Array' to imitate Ghost Face's voice, and make the death soldiers think they have been betrayed. This will surely delay them for an hour."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "Go. The Marshal of the Unruly will cooperate with you."

Zhao Min left in response. Before the pink light had dissipated, the underground palace suddenly shook. The file in Zhao Gao's hand fell to the ground, revealing a secret report on the back—news came from inside Ghost Soul Valley that Ghost Face had already refined the Bone-Eroding Smoke and was preparing to use sulfur to catalyze it. It would spread outside the valley in half an hour.

"Young Lord, once the Bone-Eroding Smoke spreads, I fear the The Unruly outside the Soul Locking Formation will..." Zhao Gao picked up the file, his voice tightening.

Jun Xiaoyao stood up, and the three characters "Beyond Heaven" on the token suddenly lit up: "Activate the No. 1 summoning array."

This time, the summoning array did not shine with strong light but fell into pitch darkness. Only a point of starlight emerged at the center of the array, then transformed into a sky full of stars. A figure in white stepped through the stars, holding a folding fan. It was Fragrant Bat (from "Chu Liuxiang Legend" Wuxia world).

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Fragrant Bat; Realm: Early Celestial Being Realm; Martial Skills/Cultivation Technique: 1. Finger Flicking Divine Skill: The Internal Energy flicked from his fingertips can shatter the smoke core of the Bone-Eroding Smoke, making it unable to spread. It has a special suppressive power against gaseous poisons. 2. Fragrant Step on Blood Sea: Footwork is light and agile, can move freely in toxic smoke, and speed is faster than the reaction of the Ghost Soul Guards, suitable for surprise attacks. Special Abilities: - Divine Sense of Smell: Can distinguish the components of Bone-Eroding Smoke, find antidotes, and even smell Ghost Face's hiding place. - Peerless Intelligence: Skilled in disguise, can dress up as a Ghost Soul Guard to sneak into the valley and approach the Pill Furnace refining the smoke. Additional Items: - Folding Fan (Magical Artifact): The fan ribs contain antidote powder. When fanning, it can blow away toxic smoke and protect people within ten zhang. - Disguise Mask (Prop): Can imitate the appearance of any Ghost Soul Guard, perfectly sneaking into the core area.]

Fragrant Bat shook his folding fan lightly, the starlight shining on his face, his smile still dashing: "Does the Young Lord want me to destroy the Pill Furnace?"

"Not only destroy the Pill Furnace," Jun Xiaoyao pointed the token at the red dot on the file, "but also bring back the secret recipe for Ghost Face's 'Bone-Eroding Smoke'. The Net happens to lack a type of toxic smoke that can deal with the Innate Realm."

Fragrant Bat closed his folding fan and tapped it against his palm: "A small matter. But after I return, the Young Lord must treat me to a pot of 'Drunken Immortal Brew'. I heard that kid Linghu Chong brought good wine?"

"Granted."

Fragrant Bat laughed loudly and turned into a white shadow, rushing out of the underground palace. At this moment, Zhao Gao suddenly received a message talisman. After the talisman paper burned out, a line of text appeared: "Gu insects in Myriad Gu Cave are rioting, Linghu Chong is trapped in the 'Gu Formation'!"

A cold light flashed in Jun Xiaoyao's eyes: "Activate the No. 4 summoning array. Let 'him' go save Linghu Chong."

This time, the summoning array shone with golden light, and there was a faint sound of Buddhist chanting. A bald monk in a cassock walked out of the golden light. It was Abbot Xuanci (from "demi-gods and semi-devils" Wuxia world).

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Xuanci; Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster; Martial Skills/Cultivation Technique: 1. Cassock Demon Subduing Technique: When the cassock is spread out, it can form a golden protective shield to resist the biting of Gu insects. The Buddha light has a purifying effect on evil Gu. 2. Great Vajra Palm: The palm wind contains Buddha Power, which can shatter the eye of the Gu formation and has a suppressive power over Gu Granny's life-bound Gu. Special Abilities: - Profound Buddha Dharma: Can chant scriptures to liberate those controlled by Gu insects, allowing them to regain their sanity. - Highly Respected: Many Gu masters in Myriad Gu Cave have been enlightened by him. Seeing him appear will make them feel intimidated and afraid to attack with full force. Additional Items: - purple gold alms bowl (Magical Artifact): Can hold holy water. The holy water sprinkled has fatal damage to Gu insects. - Shaolin Buddhist Beads (Accessory): Each bead is engraved with scriptures. When rotated, it can repel low-level Gu insects.]

Xuanci put his hands together and recited a Buddhist chant: "Amitabha, this poor monk will go immediately."

After Xuanci left, Zhao Gao looked at the constantly lighting up message talisman and said in a low voice: "Young Lord, with battles on three fronts—Ghost Soul Valley, Myriad Gu Cave, and Soul Severing Cliff—the manpower of The Net is likely insufficient. Should we... activate the No. 5 summoning array?"

The light on Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips gradually stabilized: "No need." He looked at the entrance of the underground palace. In the shadows there, more than a dozen Men in Black had appeared at some point; they were core killers of The Net. "Let them go support Zhao Min. Remember, keep them alive."

The Men in Black bowed in unison and turned into black shadows, disappearing into the underground palace. Zhao Gao looked at the empty entrance and suddenly remembered something: "Young Lord, the black market said that Ghost Face has another backer, the Sect Leader Ren of the 'Netherworld Cult', who is in the Middle Stage of the Heavenly Human Realm. It is said he is already on his way to Ghost Soul Valley."

The faint light on Jun Xiaoyao's token suddenly surged: "Then let him come." He walked slowly toward the summoning array, "Activate the final summoning array. I want to see what the Netherworld Cult is capable of."

This time, the summoning array did not light up at all but fell into dead silence, as if even the air had frozen. Zhao Gao held his breath. He knew that this was to summon that existence—the Young Lord would only use this final card when facing an opponent above the Heavenly Human Realm.

A moment later, a faint sigh sounded in the dead silence. A figure in grey robes walked out of the array, holding an iron staff. It was the Sweeping Monk (from "demi-gods and semi-devils" Wuxia world).

[Character Panel Expanded: Name: Sweeping Monk; Realm: Earthly Immortal Early-Stage; Martial Skills/Cultivation Technique: 1. Indestructible Vajra Body: Physical Body comparable to divine weapons, can withstand a full-force blow from the Heavenly Human Realm. The evil techniques of the Netherworld Cult are ineffective against him. 2. Qi Wall: Can set up an invisible Qi wall with a wave of his hand, trapping opponents. No matter how high their cultivation, it is difficult to break through. Special Abilities: - Boundless Buddha Dharma: Can see through the weaknesses of the opponent's Cultivation Technique and break it with one strike, especially effective against the Netherworld Cult's (variant) "Star Absorbing Great Technique". - Withering and Flourishing Art: Can instantly repair his own injuries, making him almost immortal in battle. Additional Items: - Iron Staff (Common Object): Looks ordinary, but actually weighs a thousand catties. One strike can crack mountains and has special destructive power against the Netherworld Cult's altar. - Worn Cassock (Magical Artifact): The patches on the cassock contain Buddha Power and can purify the Netherworld Cult's "Netherworld Fire".]

The Sweeping Monk bowed slightly to Jun Xiaoyao without speaking, but Zhao Gao knew this meant he had accepted the order.

At this time, a loud noise came from the direction of Ghost Soul Valley; clearly, Fragrant Bat had succeeded. In the direction of Myriad Gu Cave, Buddha light soared to the sky; Xuanci's Cassock Demon Subduing Technique had broken the Gu formation. From the direction of Soul Severing Cliff came Zhao Min's laughter; presumably, the chain strategy had succeeded. The token at Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips finally dimmed, and the night-luminescent pearl at the top of the underground palace lit up again, illuminating the cold sneer at the corner of his mouth.

"The rules of Beyond Heaven," he said lightly, "whoever touches my things must pay the price."

Zhao Gao bowed in agreement, but thought to himself: This Ghost Soul Valley is likely to disappear completely from the Jianghu map. And after this battle, the reputation of The Net will likely make the entire continent tremble.