Myth Beyond Heaven

Boom!

Xiong Ba’s aura exploded outward, his cultivation surging violently. The arena stones cracked beneath his feet as his muscles bulged, veins popping across his skin.

The crowd gasped.

“He was holding back this whole time?!”

Ling Xuan’s face paled as she realized the truth—Xiong Ba had been toying with her.

“Damn you!” Long Chen shouted from the stands, his voice raw with rage.

Xiong Ba grinned savagely. “This is what happens when you cross the Blood Axe Sect, boy!”

His axe came down with terrifying speed, far faster than before. Ling Xuan barely raised her sword in time—

Clang!

The impact sent her skidding backward, blood trickling from her lips.

Qingqing’s eyes widened. “Oh no! She’s really in trouble now!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

In the arena, Ling Xuan struggled to defend against Xiong Ba’s relentless assault. Each strike sent shockwaves through her body, her arms trembling from the strain.

He swung horizontally, aiming to bisect her at the waist.

Ling Xuan barely twisted away, but the axe still grazed her side, drawing a line of blood. She stumbled, her breathing ragged.

Long Chen roared and tried to leap into the arena, but the guards restrained him.

“Let me go! I’ll kill you, Xiong Ba! I swear it!”

Xiong Ba ignored him, advancing on Ling Xuan like a predator cornering prey. “Time to end this.”

He raised his axe high, the blade humming with deadly energy.

Just as Xiong Ba’s axe descended toward Ling Xuan’s vulnerable form, a soft sigh echoed through the arena.

“Sigh…”

Xiong Ba’s body froze mid-swing, his muscles locking up as if bound by invisible chains. His eyes widened in shock as he realized—he couldn’t move!

Ling Xuan, who had closed her eyes in resignation, suddenly sensed the change. When she opened them and saw Xiong Ba immobilized, she immediately dropped to her knees.

“Disciple begs Master’s forgiveness!” she said hurriedly, her voice trembling.

A woman materialized in the arena, her arrival as effortless as a breeze. She wore simple gray robes, her hair tied back in a severe bun, and her eyes carried the weight of countless years. The aura radiating from her marked her unmistakably as a True God.

Nie Tong.

She glanced at her kneeling disciple with disappointment. “Reckless. You didn’t assess your enemy’s strength properly.”

Ling Xuan kept her head bowed. “This disciple was foolish.”

Xiong Ba gritted his teeth, veins bulging as he struggled against the invisible force binding him. “Nie Tong! This is a life-and-death duel! You dare interfere?!”

Long Chen, still restrained by arena guards, sagged in relief at Nie Tong’s appearance.

Before Nie Tong could respond, a booming laugh shook the arena.

“HAHAHA! Nie Tong, have you no shame?”

A massive figure descended like a falling boulder, shaking the ground upon impact. The newcomer was even larger than Xiong Ba, his bare chest covered in scars, and his aura no less formidable than Nie Tong’s.

Xiong Yu—Xiong Ba’s uncle and fellow True God of the Blood Axe Sect.

He crossed his arms, glaring at Nie Tong. “This duel was sanctioned by Celestial City’s laws. By interfering, you’ve spat on our traditions!”

Nie Tong’s expression remained impassive. “Laws? Traditions? What do I care?” She flicked her sleeve dismissively. “The Celestial Pavilion won’t punish me for this.”

The arena guards, clad in silver armor, stepped forward hesitantly. One spoke up, his voice firm despite the tension. “Elder Nie, you’ve violated the arena’s rules. Please step down.”

Nie Tong’s eyes turned frosty. She slowly turned her gaze toward the guard.

“Who dares order me?”

The guard paled but held his ground. “T-The rules apply to everyone, even True Gods.”

Just as the situation threatened to escalate further, a cold voice cut through the tension.

“Enough.”

Jian Feng strode into the arena, his face dark with displeasure. Though his cultivation was far below the True Gods present, he carried himself with the authority of the Celestial Pavilion.

“Elder Nie,” he said icily, “this may not be your territory, but it is ours. Even as a True God, you cannot act willfully here.”

Nie Tong glanced at him, her lips curling slightly. “Oh? And what will you do about it, little boy?” She waved a hand toward the stands. “Let your brother come speak to me if he dares.”

Jian Feng’s face darkened further at the blatant disrespect. Being mocked in front of so many spectators was unbearable. His hands clenched into fists, but he knew challenging a True God directly would be suicide.

At this moment, Qingqing pouted, her tiny arms crossed as she watched Nie Tong’s arrogant display. “Hmph! This woman is so shameless!”

Though Qingqing’s voice wasn’t loud, Nie Tong—a True God—heard it clearly. Her sharp gaze immediately snapped toward the little spirit girl.

“True Spirit?” Nie Tong’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before narrowing in displeasure. “An ignorant spirit dares to criticize me?”

Her aura flared violently, a crushing pressure descending upon Qingqing. The nearby spectators gasped, scrambling back in fear.

Jian Feng, who had been watching from the side, recognized Yun Lintian’s group. A cold smile curled his lips as he thought, “This is perfect. Let’s see how you handle this, Yun Lintian.”

Yun Lintian, who had been calmly observing the scene, finally raised his head. His voice was indifferent, yet it carried an undeniable weight.

“Withdraw your aura.”

The command was simple, yet it made the entire arena fall silent.

Nie Tong stiffened. Xiong Yu’s eyes narrowed. Even the spectators held their breaths, waiting to see how the True God would react.

Nie Tong opened her mouth to retort—but the moment her gaze met Yun Lintian’s, her instincts screamed at her.

Danger.

Death.

Her heart pounded violently. Without thinking, she immediately withdrew her aura, her face paling slightly.

“Master?” Ling Xuan asked in confusion.

Nie Tong ignored her disciple, instead turning sharply. “We’re leaving.”

Xiong Yu, however, wasn’t willing to let it go. “Nie Tong! You can’t just walk away! According to the rules, Ling Xuan must die today!”

Long Chen, unable to hold back any longer, stepped forward. “Xiong Ba deceived Ling Xuan into this battle! He lied about his true strength! This duel shouldn’t count!”

Xiong Yu sneered. “The rules are clear—once you step into the arena, there’s no backing out.”

Nie Tong’s expression darkened. “Xiong Yu, don’t push your luck.”

“So what?” Xiong Yu chuckled. His aura gradually spread out.

The atmosphere tensed up instantly as a battle between True Gods was about to break out…