Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian exhaled slowly, steadying himself under the God of Death’s gaze. “I’ll find the other fragments first. We can… discuss the rest later.”

The colossal eye seemed to gleam with something akin to approval.

“This is why I have always favored you, Yun Lintian.”

The voice echoed like distant thunder, yet carried an unexpected warmth.

“Others see your kindness as weakness. But to me, it is your greatest strength.”

Yun Lintian froze. No one had ever called his compassion a strength before. In the ruthless world of cultivation, mercy was often a fatal flaw. He had been mocked, betrayed, and exploited for it countless times.

Yet here was one of the most ancient and formidable beings in existence, praising him for the very trait others despised.

He didn’t know how to respond.

The God of Death continued, his voice resonating deeper.

“You must wish to know what truly happened during the Primordial War.”

Yun Lintian gathered his thoughts. “I’ve pieced together fragments of the truth. But I’d like to hear it from you.”

A low hum filled the hall as the eye’s pupil dilated slightly.

“Very well.”

The God of Death’s voice rumbled like distant thunder, carrying the weight of ancient history.

“The Primordial War did not begin with open conflict… but with whispers in the dark.”

Yun Lintian stood motionless, his entire focus locked onto the colossal eye before him.

“Nian Shi was cunning. He knew he could not challenge all twelve Primordial Gods at once. So he chose the weakest link—Fan Ren, the God of Mortals.”

Si Junyi’s fingers tightened around the Book of Death, his expression darkening.

“Fan Ren was ambitious. He resented being the weakest among us, bound to the fleeting lives of mortals while the other gods wielded cosmic authority. Nian Shi fed that resentment… nurtured it.”

The eye’s pupil contracted slightly, as if recalling the past.

“He whispered to Fan Ren that mortals were not weak—they were the foundation of all creation. That if Fan Ren united their faith, their collective will could rival even the Creator itself.”

Yun Lintian’s eyes narrowed. “He tricked Fan Ren into believing he could become a Creator.”

The God of Death’s colossal eye pulsed with ancient power as the truth unfolded.

“Fan Ren knew me too well,” the voice echoed through the hall. “As my oldest friend, he understood that I would never allow him to harvest the other Primordial Gods’ authorities. So he made me the enemy first.”

Yun Lintian’s breath hitched. “By accusing you of hiding clues about the Creator’s disappearance.”

“Yes.” The eye’s gaze grew heavier. “A perfect scheme. The Creator’s vanishing was the greatest mystery to all Primordial Gods. Claiming I hoarded answers made me a target instantly.”

A beat of silence.

Then—

“What he didn’t know… was that his accusation held truth.”

Yun Lintian’s pupils constricted. “You mean…?”

“I did possess the answer.”

The revelation struck like thunder. Even Si Junyi’s usually impassive face showed shock.

The God of Death’s voice softened, carrying unimaginable weight.

“Before she vanished, the Creator came to me alone.”

The hall seemed to hold its breath.

“She explained that birthing thirteen Primordial Gods had destabilized the universe’s foundation. Her continued existence would unravel creation itself.”

Yun Lintian’s mind reeled. “So she had to disappear… to maintain balance?”

“Precisely.” The eye dimmed slightly. “She entrusted this truth only to me because Death is the only force that transcends even creation’s cycles.”

Linlin, who had been quietly clutching Yun Lintian’s robe, whispered, “Then… the Creator sacrificed herself?”

“Not sacrifice,” the God of Death corrected. “Acceptance. Just as day yields to night, her departure was necessary for existence to continue.”

Qingqing sniffled. “That’s so sad…”

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow. “Fan Ren never knew this truth. His ambition blinded him to the greater balance.”

“Worse,” the God of Death intoned. “Nian Shi twisted his desire into a weapon. Fan Ren genuinely believed collecting all authorities could transform into a new Creator—which isn’t wrong but it will destroy the balance of the universe. And he isn’t aware of this.”

Yun Lintian spoke up. “Why do you let yourself be framed, Senior? Let the war happen.”

“I had no choice.” The eye’s gaze turned to Yun Lintian. “Just as Yun Tianming foresaw, sometimes apparent defeat is the only path to victory.”

Yun Lintian nodded slowly. The God of Death had also tried to finish Nian Shi and was almost successful, but Fan Ren took advantage of it.

Suddenly, a realization struck Yun Lintian. He looked up at the God of Death’s eyes. “Senior, could it be that you…?”

“Yes,” the eye gleamed with approval. “I allowed myself to be defeated by Nian Shi to inflict injuries on both Nian Shi and Fan Ren simultaneously. I also used that chance to secretly divide my body and send the pieces away.”

Yun Lintian immediately understood everything. The God of Death had simply weakened Nian Shi on purpose to let Fan Ren finish him. And before Nian Shi died, he also caused a fatal injury to Fan Ren, forcing Fan Ren to pass his legacy down to his disciple, Fan Shen.

Even if Fan Shen inherited Fan Ren’s will, it would take him a long time to be able to fight against the other Primordial Gods.

What a brilliant move.

Yun Lintian calmed down and asked, “I’ve always been curious about this, Senior. Do none of the other Primordial Gods know about this at all?”

“Tai Ying did.”

The name of the God of Life carried a rare note of respect in the Death God’s voice.

“She was the first to see through Nian Shi’s schemes. But when she warned the others…” The eye seemed to harden. “They refused to listen. To admit they had been fooled would mean admitting their own flaws.”

A bitter truth settled in Yun Lintian’s chest. Pride had blinded them.

“She could have intervened,” the God of Death added quietly. “But the God of Life abhors violence. She withdrew to her gardens, sealing herself away rather than stain her hands with blood.”

“Compassion without action is meaningless.” Si Junyi said indifferently. He himself had also experienced the Primordial War. He was aware of how the progress went.

“Perhaps,” the eye looked at his disciple. “But her neutrality served one purpose—it preserved the Seed of Creation, which would later pass down to Yun Lintian’s mother.”

“Seed of Creation?” Yun Lintian was puzzled. He had never heard such a thing before.