Myth Beyond Heaven

Gu Tianyi’s void-like eyes seemed to deepen, swirling with ancient secrets. “I cannot tell you. But know this—this person is the hidden enemy you are not yet aware of. And he is strong. Strong enough to stand equal to you, to Nian Shi, even to the Chasm itself.”

Yun Lintian’s mind raced. He had faced countless foes, but none matched that description. The Chasm was destruction incarnate. Nian Shi was a god who defied time. Who else could possibly stand on that level?

Gu Tianyi smiled faintly, as if reading his thoughts. “It’s good that you’re troubled. It means you haven’t grown arrogant, even after obtaining the Seed of Time.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “But there’s no need to dwell on it. This enemy will reveal himself in due time.”

Yun Lintian’s gaze hardened. “And until then?”

“Until then,” Gu Tianyi said, his voice turning solemn, “you will stay here.”

Before Yun Lintian could react, the Overseer raised his hand—

And irresistible power descended.

Space folded like paper, time grinding to a halt as an unseen force clamped down on Yun Lintian’s body. His muscles locked, his bones creaking under the pressure. His divine energy, vast enough to shatter mountains, refused to answer his call.

This was no ordinary restraint.

This was a law—an absolute decree woven into the fabric of the palace itself.

Gu Tianyi watched, his expression unreadable. “Do not resist. This is not my will, but the will of the one who bound me here.”

Yun Lintian strained against the invisible chains, his veins bulging. “Who… is he?”

The Overseer did not answer. Instead, he turned away, his form flickering like a dying candle. “I have done my duty. The rest… is up to you.”

With those final words, his body dissolved into golden dust, scattering into the air like embers.

Silence.

Then—

The chamber trembled.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls, the ceiling groaning as debris rained down. The Temporal Palace, its purpose fulfilled, was collapsing.

“Senior Yun!” Long Chen’s voice cut through the chaos as time resumed for the others.

Long Qingxuan’s draconic pupils constricted as she saw Yun Lintian immobilized. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her World Ender Sword gleaming—

But before she could reach him, the ground beneath them split apart.

A chasm opened, swallowing the chamber whole.

Yun Lintian’s vision darkened as he fell—

Into nothingness…

***

**

*

At the deepest part of the Endless Abyss, the World Tree gently wavered, producing a soothing rustling sound.

Ning Yue’s eyes snapped open beneath the World Tree.

Her long black hair cascaded down her back, shimmering with traces of emerald energy—the essence of the World Tree itself.

She had been sitting here, motionless, comprehending the ancient power for what felt like an eternity. Time held no meaning in this sacred space between realms.

The first words that left her lips were soft, yet carried the weight of divine revelation:

“Big Brother Yun…”

Her delicate fingers pressed against her chest, where the World Tree’s branch had taken root within her body. No longer a mere fragment, it had grown into a sturdy sapling, its leaves pulsing with the same primordial rhythm as the Tree of Life within Yun Lintian.

Through this connection, she could feel it—his presence, suppressed and imprisoned somewhere beyond her reach.

A rustle.

The World Tree’s branches stirred, their luminous leaves brushing against her shoulders like a gentle caress. Encouragement. A silent promise.

Ning Yue rose slowly, her movements fluid yet deliberate. The air around her shimmered, reality itself bending subtly to her will.

“Little girl, you—”

Long Yi, the First Dragon Ancestor in human form, stood nearby, his golden eyes widening as he sensed the transformation in her. The aura radiating from Ning Yue now dwarfed even the World Tree’s own presence, carrying an unfathomable depth that made his ancient bloodline tremble.

Ning Yue turned to him, her jade-green eyes glowing with newfound wisdom. “Thank you, Senior Long, for protecting me all this time.”

Long Yi swallowed hard, his usual arrogance subdued. “Where are you going?”

Her gaze drifted toward the shimmering barrier separating this sanctuary from the Realm of Chaos. “Big Brother Yun needs me.”

Before she could take a step—

“Keke…”

A laugh, light and mocking, slithered through the air.

Ning Yue froze.

Long Yi’s body locked up entirely, his muscles refusing to obey. His pupils contracted in horror—Time itself had stopped for him.

A figure emerged from the void, his presence warping the fabric of reality. Silver hair, robes of frozen starlight, and eyes that held the weight of eternity.

Nian Shi.

“Finally awake, I see,” the God of Time mused, his lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

His gaze locked onto Ning Yue with predatory hunger.

“The perfect vessel to claim the World Tree.”

Long Yi strained against the temporal prison, veins bulging—but it was futile. Against Nian Shi’s authority, even the First Dragon was nothing more than a statue.

Yet—

Ning Yue simply waved her hand.

Snap.

Time resumed for Long Yi. He gasped, staggering back, his face pale with disbelief. She had broken Nian Shi’s control with a gesture.

Nian Shi’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before returning, sharper now. “Oh? Impressive.”

Ning Yue regarded him calmly, her voice soft but unyielding:

“There are many things in this world you cannot possess, Nian Shi. The World Tree is one of them.”

A pause.

The air grew heavy.

“And you will never become the Creator.”

Her words struck like a divine decree, resonating with a truth so fundamental that the World Tree itself shuddered in agreement.

“Heh.” Nian Shi chuckled playfully, his silver eyes glimmering with amusement. The sound was light, almost musical—the laugh of a man who had played games with fate for eons and found endless entertainment in it.

“Ah, little tree spirit,” he said, tilting his head as he studied Ning Yue with newfound interest. “Tell me, do you truly understand my grand scheme?”

Ning Yue met his gaze without flinching. Her jade-green eyes, now glowing with the wisdom of the World Tree, held a depth that seemed to pierce through time itself.

“You will never be able to possess Big Brother Yun either.”

The moment those words left her lips, the air itself stilled…