Myth Beyond Heaven

The woman—no, the Creator—smiled. “This is our second meeting.”

Yun Lintian frowned. “Second? This is clearly the first time I’ve seen you.”

The Creator’s smile deepened, as if amused by a private joke. “Time is… fluid, for ones like us. You just don’t remember yet.”

Before Yun Lintian could question further, she continued. “But that’s not why I’m here. Yin has awakened. Nian Shi’s plans are nearing completion. And you… you now hold nine of the thirteen original authorities.”

Yun Lintian exhaled deeply, putting the God Slaying Sword away. The weight of his recent battles pressed heavily upon him—the fight with Fan Shen, the terrifying display of Nian Shi’s power, and now this encounter with the Creator herself.

Yun Lintian exhaled deeply, his mismatched eyes reflecting a rare moment of vulnerability. “I still feel weak,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Compared to Nian Shi and Yin… it’s like we exist in different worlds. Even with all this power, I don’t know if I can defeat them.”

The Creator regarded him with an inscrutable gaze. The void around them seemed to pulse with her presence, as if the very fabric of reality responded to her emotions.

“Strength is not measured solely by power,” she said gently. “You’ve grown more than you realize. Others believe in you—your family, your friends, those who have fought beside you. Shouldn’t you believe in yourself as well?”

Yun Lintian clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. “Belief alone won’t close the gap between us. Nian Shi can manipulate time itself. Yin is an existence that rivals you, the Creator. What chance do I have?”

The Creator’s form shimmered, her robes flowing like liquid starlight. “You ask the wrong question, Yun Lintian.” Her voice carried the weight of ages. “Instead of asking what chance you have, ask yourself—why were you chosen?”

Yun Lintian’s brow furrowed. “That’s what I don’t understand. Why me? Out of all the beings in existence, why was I the one destined to inherit your legacy?”

The Creator did not answer immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, as if considering something profound. Then, she asked, “What do you truly want, Yun Lintian?”

The question caught him off guard. His thoughts scattered, memories flashing through his mind—his childhood in Earth and the Azure World, the battles he had fought, the people he had lost, and those he had sworn to protect.

For a long moment, he was silent.

Then, he spoke, his voice softer than before. “In truth… all I’ve ever wanted was to live a carefree life with my family and friends. To have peace.”

A wry smile tugged at his lips. “But I learned long ago that without strength, there can be no peace. So I fought. I grew stronger. And yet… my goal has never changed. I still just want that simple life.”

The Creator’s expression softened. “That is why it had to be you.”

Yun Lintian frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Power without purpose is hollow,” she explained. “Nian Shi seeks dominion over all existence. Yin seeks to unmake it. But you? You fight for something far simpler—and far more profound. You fight for the right to live in peace. To protect those you love.”

She stepped closer, her presence enveloping him like a warm embrace. “That is why you are the only one who can end this cycle. Because your heart has never been corrupted by ambition. Even now, after all you’ve gone through, your desire remains pure.”

Yun Lintian exhaled, his shoulders sagging slightly. “But is that enough?”

The Creator smiled. “It has always been enough.”

Silence stretched between them, the weight of her words settling in his mind.

Then, she reached out, her fingers brushing against his forehead. A surge of warmth spread through him, and suddenly, his mind was filled with visions—countless possibilities, branching paths of fate, and at the center of it all, a single glowing seed.

“The Seed of Creation,” the Creator whispered. “The key to defeating Yin and Nian Shi both. It lies hidden, waiting for you to find it.”

Yun Lintian’s eyes widened. “Where?”

But the vision faded, and the Creator’s form began to dissolve. “You will know when the time comes,” she said, her voice growing distant. “Trust in yourself, Yun Lintian. As others trust in you.”

The white void shattered, and Yun Lintian found himself back in the training chamber, his body trembling with residual energy. The nine divine authorities within him pulsed in harmony, their power now fully integrated.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself.

The path ahead was still uncertain. Nian Shi loomed like an insurmountable peak, and Yin’s awakening was inevitable. But for the first time in a long while, Yun Lintian felt something he had nearly forgotten—hope.

He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.

“Then… I’ll keep moving forward.”

With that, he cleaned himself up and walked out.

The moment Yun Lintian stepped out of the training chamber, two small figures pounced on him with delighted cries.

“Big Brother Yun!”

Linlin landed on his left shoulder, her fluffy tail flicking excitedly. Qingqing, the wind spirit in her green robes and twin-tails, latched onto his right, her tiny hands clutching his robes.

“You finally came out!” Qingqing chirped, her emerald eyes sparkling.

Yun Lintian chuckled, ruffling their heads. “How long was I inside?”

“A whole month!” Linlin huffed, swatting his ear lightly with her paw. “We were so bored!”

“A month?” Yun Lintian frowned. Time inside the chamber had felt like mere hours. The refinement of the divine authorities must have taken longer than he realized.

He strode down the hall, Linlin and Qingqing perched comfortably on his shoulders. The war council room on the first floor was his destination—he needed to assess the current situation.

As he pushed open the doors, a familiar haughty voice greeted him.

“Took you long enough.”

Hongyue stood with her arms crossed, her crimson eyes sharp. Despite her petite frame, her presence was commanding, her red robes flowing like liquid fire.

Yun Lintian raised an eyebrow. “Something happened?”

Hongyue smirked. “You could say that. I caught someone interesting.”

“Who?”

“Jian Yun.”

Yun Lintian’s expression darkened. Jian Yun—the former spirit of the God Slaying Sword, now corrupted by Nian Shi’s power and turned into his pawn.

“Where is he?” Yun Lintian asked, his voice low.

Hongyue gestured toward the inner chamber. “Follow me.”