Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian’s voice carried across the deck like a calm breeze.

“Those who still have homes to return to, stay here. I will send you to the nearest shore.”

His gaze swept over the thousands of captives.

“Those who wish for a peaceful life, step through the gate.”

The Gate of Beyond Heaven shimmered, revealing the prosperous streets of Nine Firmament City—a place untouched by slavery or war.

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then—

A flood of people surged forward, rushing toward the gate with tears in their eyes. Most had no homes left, no families waiting. Nine Firmament City was their only hope.

Only about a hundred people remained behind—those with loved ones to return to.

Su Xinyue and Xiao Lan stood among them.

Yun Lintian turned to them. “Where do you wish to go?”

Su Xinyue bowed deeply. “Senior, there is an island called Blue Tide Island. It’s outside the Black Sea God’s territory and relatively safe.”

Yun Lintian nodded. With a wave of his hand, the massive pirate ship lurched forward, cutting through the waves toward Blue Tide Island.

The ship sailed smoothly, the sea calm under Yun Lintian’s influence. He stood at the bow, his divine sense scanning the depths for traces of the Storm God’s inheritor.

Behind him, soft footsteps approached.

Su Xinyue, now washed and dressed in clean robes salvaged from the pirates’ plundered supplies, bowed respectfully. Xiao Lan followed, her expression grateful but cautious.

“Senior,” Su Xinyue began, her voice steady despite the lingering tremble in her hands. “This one thanks you for saving us.”

Yun Lintian glanced at her. “No need.”

The more he looked at her, the stronger the sense of familiarity was. Yun Lintian was certain that he had never met her or her alternative before. Where did it come from? Why did he feel this way?

Su Xinyue hesitated, then continued. “This one is Su Xinyue of the Su Clan from Azure Mist Divine City. I was traveling to Stormborn Island for a competition when the Black Sea Pirates intercepted our ship.”

Xiao Lan’s face darkened with anger. “My mistress fought to buy time for others to escape, but those cowards abandoned her! Not a single one looked back!”

Su Xinyue placed a calming hand on her maid’s shoulder. “Enough, Xiao Lan. It’s in the past.”

Yun Lintian studied her. “You stayed behind to protect them, yet they left you.”

It wasn’t a question.

Su Xinyue smiled bitterly. “Such is the way of the world, Senior. In the face of death, loyalty often crumbles.”

Yun Lintian remained silent. It was a common thing in this world. When facing a fatal threat, everyone would choose to save themselves first.

Linlin, perched on the railing, yawned. “Humans are so complicated.”

Qingqing nodded sagely. “Yeah! Just eat when hungry, sleep when tired. Easy!”

Yun Lintian ignored them, his gaze returning to the horizon. “What are you going to do in Stormborn Island?”

Su Xinyue straightened. “The Stormborn Sect was hosting a tournament for young talents. The winner would gain entry to their secret realm, where the Storm God’s legacy is rumored to reside.”

Yun Lintian’s fingers twitched.

The Storm God’s legacy.

Exactly what he was looking for.

Su Xinyue noticed his reaction and quickly added, “Senior, if you seek the Storm God’s inheritance, the tournament is unnecessary. The sect elders guard the secret realm jealously, but…” She hesitated. “For someone like you, rules mean nothing.”

Yun Lintian almost smiled. “True.”

Just as Yun Lintian was about to speak further, Xiao Lan suddenly gasped and pointed toward the horizon.

“Look! The Celestial Pavilion’s fleet!”

Yun Lintian turned his gaze to where she indicated. A grand fleet of white-jade ships cut through the waves, their sails emblazoned with a celestial sigil. The lead vessel was massive—easily three times the size of the pirate ship they stood on—and radiated an aura of righteousness.

“The Celestial Pavilion?” Yun Lintian asked, curious.

Su Xinyue nodded quickly. “They are a righteous faction that patrols the Eastern Sea, often rescuing people from pirates.” She sighed, a hint of wonder in her voice. “To think we would encounter both you and them… It’s as if fate itself wanted us saved.”

Yun Lintian remained silent.

Fate?

If he hadn’t intervened, none of these people would be alive right now.

His divine sense stretched outward, covering the entire fleet in an instant. To his surprise, a pleasant but sharp female voice suddenly echoed through his divine sense.

“How rude to peek at others so brazenly.”

Yun Lintian’s eyebrows rose slightly.

He hadn’t concealed his divine sense, but detecting it should have been nearly impossible for an ordinary True God. This woman’s perception was exceptional.

The voice continued, now laced with amusement. “I didn’t expect the Black Sea Pirates to have someone like you among them.”

Yun Lintian didn’t respond.

The fleet drew closer, and several figures emerged from the lead ship, soaring through the air toward them. At the forefront was a tall, handsome man clad in silver-white robes, his aura at the peak of the God Ascension Realm.

He landed gracefully in the air above the pirate ship, his sharp eyes sweeping over the deck. His gaze paused on the bloodstains and the freed captives before finally settling on Yun Lintian.

“Strange,” the man murmured. “The Black Sea Pirates are usually far more… lively.”

Su Xinyue hurried forward and bowed. “Senior, we are not pirates! We were captives. This senior here eliminated the pirates and saved us.”

The man’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied Yun Lintian. “Is that so?”

Before Yun Lintian could respond, a melodious voice drifted from the fleet.

“Of course it is.”

A woman descended from the sky, her white robes fluttering like lotus petals. Her features were exquisite, her eyes sharp yet serene. The moment she appeared, the air itself seemed to still in reverence.

A True God.

The handsome man immediately bowed. “Elder Lan!”

The woman—Elder Lan—ignored him, her gaze locked onto Yun Lintian.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

Yun Lintian met her eyes. “No.”

Elder Lan smiled faintly. “I thought so. The Black Sea Pirates could never produce someone like you.” She glanced at the freed captives. “You saved them?”

“Mn.”

“And the pirates?”

“Dead.”

A flicker of approval passed through her eyes. “Good.”

The handsome man frowned. “Elder Lan, we should verify—”

“Silence, Jian Feng,” Elder Lan said without looking at him. “This senior’s strength is beyond your comprehension. If he wished harm, none of us would be standing here.”

Jian Feng’s face darkened, but he dared not argue. However, there was a hint of murderous intent in his eyes for a brief moment and it was clearly direct at Yun Lintian…