Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian’s mind raced. For some reason, he believed the God of Life in Tang Wei’s word was his mother. He seemed to see the pattern here. It must be her who led him to this place and left the Seed of Time behind.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Wei looked at Yun Lintian curiously.

Yun Lintian shook his head and said. “It seems we have to enter the palace to find out.”

Rumble—

All of a sudden, a deep tremor ran through the earth.

In the distance, the Temporal Palace’s gates—previously only faintly glowing—suddenly blazed with silver light. A resonant hum filled the air, as if some ancient mechanism had been triggered.

“It’s opening.” Long Chen cried out.

Qian Jinglei frowned as she spoke. “Strange. It shouldn’t be the time.”

Nie Tong and Xiong Yu also frowned in doubt.

“Let’s go.” Yun Lintian didn’t waste time and quickly rushed to the palace, followed closely by Long Qingxuan and Yue Zhihe.

Qian Jinglei, Nie Tong, and Xiong Yu exchanged glances and quickly brought their disciples to the palace.

Tang Wei stood on the broken lake, watching everyone rushing towards the palace in a deep thought.

He glanced at the tablet and muttered. “Hopefully I am overthinking.”

Without hesitation, his liquid form morphed into a water arrow, shooting towards the palace.

***

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*

Lan Huiqian and the Celestial Pavilion group moved cautiously through the outer corridors of the Temporal Palace, following the shifting pathways on their incomplete map.

The air hummed with unstable temporal energy, and every step had to be measured—one wrong move could send them spiraling into a time distortion.

Jian Feng scowled as he examined a glowing rune barrier blocking their path. “This formation is infused with temporal laws. Breaking it won’t be easy.”

Jian Kun studied the barrier with a deep frown. His fingers traced the air, testing the formation’s fluctuations, but even his vast experience couldn’t immediately decipher its workings.

Lan Huiqian’s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. “We don’t have time to waste. The palace’s layout changes constantly. If we delay, our map may become useless.”

Just as Jian Feng was about to recklessly strike the barrier with his sword—

“Tsk. Still as impatient as ever, Celestial Pavilion.”

A deep, mocking voice echoed from the shadows.

The group whirled, weapons drawn, as a figure clad in golden armor stepped into view. His aura was oppressive, his presence like a blade pressed against their throats.

Lan Huiqian’s eyes narrowed. “Jin Wuyang?”

The Golden Armor Saint smirked, his gaze flickering with amusement. “Oh? Someone actually remembers my name after all these years.”

“You were trapped in the Garden of the Lost Souls. How did you escape?” Lan Huiqian asked. She wanted to know what exactly happened inside the garden.

Jin Wuyang crossed his arms, his golden armor gleaming under the palace’s eerie light. “Why should I tell you?”

Jian Feng’s temper flared. “Elder Lan asked you a question. You will answer.”

A heavy silence fell.

Then—

Jin Wuyang laughed, the sound rich with disdain. “Hah! I didn’t expect to meet someone more arrogant than me in this era.”

His aura exploded outward—a crushing wave of divine pressure that sent dust swirling across the ancient stones. The Celestial Pavilion disciples staggered back, their faces paling. Even Jian Kun and Lan Huiqian had to steady themselves.

Jian Feng, prideful as ever, refused to retreat. His sword gleamed as he channeled his energy, preparing to strike—

“Stand down.” Jian Kun’s voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.

Jian Feng gritted his teeth but obeyed, though his grip on his sword didn’t loosen.

Lan Huiqian stepped forward, her tone measured. “Jin Wuyang, we have no quarrel with you. If you know how to bypass this barrier, share your knowledge. We may yet help each other inside.”

Jin Wuyang studied her for a long moment before his smirk returned. “Fine. Since you asked so nicely…”

He strode past them, his golden gauntlet pressing against the rune barrier. A pulse of golden energy surged from his palm, resonating with the formation’s fluctuations.

Crack.

The barrier shattered like glass.

Jian Feng’s eyes widened. “How—?”

Jin Wuyang chuckled. “This palace was built by the Primordial Gods. Its formations respond to divine power—true divine power, not the diluted scraps you all wield.”

His gaze swept over them dismissively. “You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today. Otherwise, you’d be stuck here until the palace spat you out as dust.”

Lan Huiqian ignored the jab. “You still haven’t answered—how did you leave the Garden?”

Jin Wuyang’s smirk faded slightly. “Don’t mention it.”

He turned, striding down the now-open path.

Lan Huiqian and Jian Kun exchanged glances. Something had indeed happened inside the garden and it made the prideful Jin Wuyang afraid.

“Elder…” the disciple of the Celestial Pavilion spoke up as the formation seemed to slowly mend itself.

“Let’s go.” Lan Huiqian spoke up and quickly followed Jin Wuyang.

Jian Kun stared at Jin Wuyang’s back attentively.

“Brother…” Jin Feng uttered in a deep voice. He wished he could tear Jin Wuyang apart.

“Stop causing trouble.” Jian Kun said indifferently and strode forward.

Jian Kun was angry but he knew there was nothing he could do. He hurriedly followed his elder brother closely.

***

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*

BOOM!

With a thunderous boom, the massive gates of the Temporal Palace slammed shut behind Yun Lintian’s group, sealing them inside. The sound echoed ominously through the grand hallway, its walls shimmering with ancient runes that pulsed like a living heartbeat.

Yun Lintian’s eyes swept across the corridor. To ordinary eyes, it appeared empty—just an ancient passageway of silver stone. But through his Eyes of Heaven, golden light flickering in his irises, he saw the truth.

Temporal traps coiled through the air like invisible serpents. Some would freeze intruders in time, others would age them to dust in seconds. The very ground beneath their feet was laced with formations that could distort space itself, warping them into nothingness.

Tang Wei floated beside him, his liquid form rippling uneasily. “This… this is indeed the Grand Palace of Origin. I recognize this hallway.”

Long Qingxuan’s fingers tightened around Yun Lintian’s arm. “Can we pass through?”

Yun Lintian nodded. “The traps are dense, but they have patterns.” He turned to Tang Wei. “Can you lead us deeper?”

Tang Wei hesitated, then nodded. “If we avoid the traps, yes. But one misstep…”

Linlin, perched on Yun Lintian’s shoulder, flicked her tail impatiently. “Just tell us the way already!”

Qingqing sat on Yun Lintian’s shoulder, her green eyes wide. “Big Brother Yun won’t let us get hurt!”

Yun Lintian exhaled sharply. His Eyes of Heaven traced the energy flows, mapping a safe path through the deadly maze. “Follow me exactly. Don’t touch anything.”