3: Fierce battle at the ruins, with additional reinforcements.

West Gate Blows Snow and the ten Luowang Assassinss had their formation disrupted by the sudden attack of the Blue Flame Tiger, but they quickly stabilized themselves, forming a circle to confront it. The blue flames surrounding the Blue Flame Tiger burned fiercely, scorching the surrounding air until it warped. Its beastly eyes glittered with a bloodthirsty light, and it let out deep roars, seemingly announcing its territorial sovereignty to everyone present.

"Listen up, everyone. This Blue Flame Tiger is incredibly strong. We cannot fight it head-on. Find the right moment, and strike to kill!" West Gate Blows Snow said calmly, twirling his long sword to create several sword blossoms, scattering Sword Qi everywhere.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Blue Flame Tiger launched its attack first. Kicking off its hind legs, it pounced on a Luowang Assassins like a blue bolt of lightning. The assassin reacted quickly, immediately dodging sideways, while simultaneously slashing his long saber fiercely at the Blue Flame Tiger's flank. However, the flames on the Blue Flame Tiger seemed alive, instantly wrapping around the long saber. The high temperature rapidly turned the saber red and soft. Startled, the assassin quickly abandoned his weapon and retreated.

West Gate Blows Snow seized the opportunity, moving like lightning, closing in, and thrusting his long sword straight toward the Blue Flame Tiger's eye. Feeling the threat, the Blue Flame Tiger turned its head to avoid the fatal blow, while simultaneously swinging its massive claws, trailing a burst of scorching flames, toward West Gate Blows Snow. West Gate Blows Snow flipped in mid-air, cleverly evading the attack, and landed behind the Blue Flame Tiger. He thrust his sword out again, carving a deep wound on the Blue Flame Tiger's back, from which blood mixed with blue flames flowed out.

Taking advantage of the Blue Flame Tiger's injury, the Luowang Assassinss launched their attacks. Some assassins threw specialized ropes, attempting to restrain the Blue Flame Tiger's limbs, while others used hidden weapons in their hands, shooting them at the Blue Flame Tiger's vital points. Although injured, the Blue Flame Tiger remained incredibly fierce. It struggled violently, snapping the ropes, and simultaneously spat out a mouthful of blue flame, forcing the surrounding assassins to retreat.

Just as both sides were locked in a stalemate, West Gate Blows Snow seized the moment and executed his ultimate technique, "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens." His figure leaped high into the air, his long sword glittering with dazzling light under the sun. He truly seemed like an Immortal descending to the mortal world, thrusting toward the Blue Flame Tiger with unparalleled Aura. The Blue Flame Tiger sensed this immense threat but had no time to dodge. The sword strike of "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens" pierced the Blue Flame Tiger's neck, penetrating its vital point directly. The Blue Flame Tiger let out an earth-shattering wail, then crashed heavily to the ground, gradually extinguishing into a ball of blue flame.

"Phew, we finally dealt with this Yao Beast," West Gate Blows Snow let out a long breath and sheathed his sword.

Without time to rest, everyone turned their attention to the stone gate covered in mysterious runes before them. West Gate Blows Snow carefully observed the runes on the stone gate, trying to find a way to open it. After some searching, he finally discovered the pattern of the runes. He input spiritual power according to a specific sequence, and the stone gate slowly opened, releasing an ancient and mysterious atmosphere.

Inside the gate was a narrow passage. The walls on both sides of the passage were inlaid with faintly glowing gems, barely illuminating the path ahead. Everyone proceeded cautiously along the passage, constantly wary of potential dangers lurking around.

As they walked, a huge cavern suddenly appeared ahead. In the center of the cavern sat a stone platform, upon which rested an antique wooden box. Just as the group approached the platform, a sharp whistling sound suddenly echoed within the cavern, and countless black bats surged out from all directions. These bats were enormous, with wingspans taller than a person. Their eyes flashed with eerie red light, and they bared sharp fangs as they lunged at the group.

"Be careful, these bats are not ordinary!" West Gate Blows Snow shouted, drawing his long sword again. Sword Qi crisscrossed, instantly slaying several bats. The Luowang Assassinss also drew their weapons and engaged the bats in a desperate fight. However, the bats were numerous and surged forward relentlessly, and the group gradually fell into a bitter struggle.

At this moment, Jun Xiaoyao, inside Beyond Heaven, was closely monitoring the movements of West Gate Blows Snow and the others. Through the System's special function, he could generally understand the situation within the ruins. Seeing West Gate Blows Snow and the others fall into crisis, he was burning with anxiety.

"System, how many Summoning Points do I have right now?" Jun Xiaoyao asked anxiously.

"The Host currently possesses 500 Summoning Points," the System replied.

"Forget it, initiate the Summon!" Jun Xiaoyao ordered decisively.

"Consuming 500 Summoning Points, initiating random summon..."

Inside the secret chamber of Beyond Heaven, a great light burst forth, and space twisted even more violently. After the light dissipated, a figure appeared before Jun Xiaoyao.

Summoned Character: Thirteen Swallows

From the World of *Third Young Master's Sword*

Realm: Grandmaster Initial Stage

Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Thirteen Swords of Life Taking, whose derived Fifteenth Sword possesses unparalleled power, capable of destroying heaven and earth.

"Greetings, Master," Thirteen Swallows knelt on one knee, his voice steady.

"Thirteen Swallows, West Gate Blows Snow and the others are in danger in the ruins. Go support them immediately!" Jun Xiaoyao said hurriedly.

"Yes, Master!" Thirteen Swallows accepted the order, his figure flashing, disappearing from the secret chamber like a black bolt of lightning.

Relying on his powerful tracking ability, Thirteen Swallows quickly located the ruins. After entering the ruins, he followed the passage all the way forward and soon arrived at the cavern. At this time, West Gate Blows Snow and the others were already exhausted and had sustained various injuries.

Without a word, Thirteen Swallows immediately drew his long sword and executed the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking. Sword shadows flashed, and streaks of fierce Sword Qi crisscrossed, instantly slaying large numbers of bats. Thirteen Swallows' swordsmanship was uncanny and sharp; the bats were completely defenseless against his sword.

"Who are you?" West Gate Blows Snow felt confused seeing the suddenly appearing Thirteen Swallows.

"I am Thirteen Swallows, dispatched by the Master to provide support," Thirteen Swallows replied briefly, his sword not pausing for a moment.

With Thirteen Swallows' help, the group quickly eliminated all the bats. After dealing with the bats, they approached the stone platform and opened the wooden box. Inside the wooden box was a Secret Manual exuding an ancient Aura, with the four large characters "Lingxiao Sword Art" written on the cover.

"This seems to be an extremely profound Sword Art," a hint of surprise flashed in West Gate Blows Snow's eyes.

Just as everyone was preparing to study the Secret Manual closely, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from the depths of the cavern, and the ground began to tremble slightly.

"It seems more trouble is coming," Thirteen Swallows gripped his long sword, vigilantly looking toward the depths of the cavern.

A colossal figure slowly emerged from the darkness. It was a giant covered entirely in sharp thorns, standing over three zhang tall. Its skin had a metallic luster, and it held a huge spiked mace in its hand. Every step it took seemed to shake the mountains and the earth.

"That is the Iron Thorn Giant, possessing at least Mid-stage Grandmaster strength!" West Gate Blows Snow said with a solemn expression.

Facing such a powerful enemy, Thirteen Swallows showed no fear. "Perfect timing! I want to see just how strong this Mid-stage Grandmaster level opponent really is!" Thirteen Swallows said, and was the first to charge toward the Iron Tooth Giant.

Thirteen Swallows executed the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking; every sword strike was fierce, aimed directly at the Iron Thorn Giant's vital points. The Iron Tooth Giant swung its spiked mace, raising a gust of wind, attempting to repel Thirteen Swallows. However, Thirteen Swallows was agile, moving freely through the gaps in the spiked mace's attacks, constantly searching for the Iron Tooth Giant's weakness.

Seeing this, West Gate Blows Snow also joined the fight. He executed "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens," coordinating with Thirteen Swallows to attack the Iron Thorn Giant from the left and right. The Luowang Assassinss watched from the side, looking for opportunities to assist the attack with hidden weapons and traps.

Although the Iron Tooth Giant was powerful, under the combined assault of Thirteen Swallows and West Gate Blows Snow, it gradually began to falter. Wounds were carved across its body, and blood flowed continuously.

"Roar!" The Iron Tooth Giant roared angrily, suddenly exerting force and smashing the spiked mace fiercely into the ground. Cracks instantly appeared in the ground, and the powerful impact forced Thirteen Swallows and West Gate Blows Snow back several steps.

Just as the Iron Tooth Giant prepared to press its advantage, a hint of determination flashed in Thirteen Swallows' eyes. "Fifteenth Sword, emerge!" Thirteen Swallows executed the ultimate killing move of the Thirteen Swords of Life Taking—a streak of Sword Qi containing the power to destroy heaven and earth shot into the sky, stabbing directly toward the Iron Tooth Giant.

The Iron Tooth Giant sensed this immense threat and tried to block it with the spiked mace. However, Thirteen Swallows' Fifteenth Sword was too powerful; it directly severed the spiked mace, and the Sword Qi continued forward, piercing the Iron Thorn Giant's chest. The Iron Tooth Giant let out an earth-shattering shriek, then crashed heavily to the ground, dissolving into a pool of blood.

"It's finally resolved," Thirteen Swallows sheathed his long sword and let out a long breath.

The group successfully obtained the "Lingxiao Sword Art." This trip to the ruins yielded rich rewards. West Gate Blows Snow, Thirteen Swallows, and the others returned to Beyond Heaven with the Secret Manual.

Jun Xiaoyao was overjoyed to see everyone return safely. "You have achieved great merit this time. This 'Lingxiao Sword Art' is vital for the development of Beyond Heaven."

"It is our honor to serve the Master," West Gate Blows Snow and Thirteen Swallows said in unison.

Jun Xiaoyao knew well that as the power of Beyond Heaven gradually grew, it would inevitably attract the attention and apprehension of more factions. Moving forward, Beyond Heaven needed to develop more cautiously and continuously increase its strength to gain a foothold on this ever-changing continent.

"System, what other development directions can enhance the strength of Beyond Heaven?" Jun Xiaoyao asked the System.

"The Host can try establishing your own Trade Alliance to control the continent's economic lifelines, while also obtaining more Cultivation resources. Furthermore, finding talented individuals with special innate abilities and cultivating them into the core strength of Beyond Heaven is also a good option," the System advised.

After pondering for a moment, Jun Xiaoyao decided to follow the System's advice and pursue both options simultaneously. He tasked Marshal of the Unruly with secretly preparing the establishment of the Trade Alliance, while also arranging for West Gate Blows Snow and Thirteen Swallows to look out for talented individuals with special innate abilities in the Jianghu.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the continent, some factions had begun to realize that a more powerful force seemed to be hidden behind The Net. A conspiracy targeting Beyond Heaven was quietly brewing in the darkness... What kind of challenges will Jun Xiaoyao and his Beyond Heaven face next? But no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, Jun Xiaoyao is determined to lead Beyond Heaven step by step towards the Peak, making the name of Beyond Heaven resound throughout the entire continent.