Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian steered the Fleeting Cloud Profound Skyship downwards, the quaint buildings of a small town gradually filling his vision. Nestled in a valley cradled by verdant rice paddies, the town of Jadehaven resembled a splash of ink on a jade scroll. Smoke curled from thatched roofs, painting lazy arcs against the azure sky.

The skyship touched down soundlessly on a dusty landing field at the town's edge. Stepping out, Yun Lintian inhaled the crisp air, invigorated by the subtle presence of spiritual energy that thrummed faintly in the atmosphere.

"Jadehaven," Yun Lintian read from the signboard, nodding slowly. "It truly lives up to its name."

He stowed the skyship away and walked into the town with the others.

Cobbled streets, worn smooth by countless footsteps, snaked between low-rise buildings constructed from weathered wood. Red paper lanterns decorated with auspicious characters swayed gently in the breeze.

The rhythmic clang of a blacksmith's hammer echoed from somewhere within the town, a peaceful counterpoint to the chirping of birds flitting amongst the rooftops.

A lone vendor sat beneath a striped awning, his stall overflowing with an assortment of strange fruits that pulsed with an inner glow. Their exotic scents mingled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked buns wafting from a nearby bakery.

As Yun Lintian's group strolled down the quiet street, a group of children clad in simple tunics darted past them, their laughter echoing in the air. They clutched wooden swords in their hands, their innocent faces flushed with the thrill of mock combat.

Yun Lintian watched the scene thoughtfully. Peaceful atmospheres were a rarity in the profound world.

"There aren't many practitioners here," Yun Yi observed. "Not even a single divinity."

Yun Lintian nodded in agreement. "Considering the environment here, it's quite strange. The strongest one I sense is only at the Monarch Profound Realm."

At this moment, a kindly old woman approached, carrying a bamboo basket. She cast a smile upon Yun Lintian's group and inquired, "First time here?"

"Yes, grandmother," Yun Lintian replied politely.

"You must be looking for information, right?" The old woman's smile widened knowingly. She turned toward the lone vendor and called out, "Second Egg, customers for you!"

The vendor, Second Egg, looked up in surprise at the old woman and Yun Lintian's group. Dusting off his trousers, he trotted over with enthusiasm. "Welcome, esteemed guests! Don't hesitate to ask any questions."

"He's the town's best source of information," the old woman declared, pointing towards a nearby teahouse. "They offer excellent tea and pastries – perfect for a rest. Big Bamboo! Customers!"

Before Yun Lintian could respond, the old woman's booming voice echoed again. "Big Bamboo, come greet your customers!"

Yun Lintian was rendered speechless. He couldn't shake the feeling he'd stumbled upon a nest of eager salespeople.

A young woman, Big Bamboo, quickly approached, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Dear guests, please consider my teahouse first – you won't be disappointed!"

"Alright," Yun Lintian conceded, following her into the teahouse.

Big Bamboo handed Yun Lintian and his companions wooden menus. "Please take your time browsing," she chirped.

Yun Lintian glanced at the menu and inquired, "How do payments work here?"

"We accept both gold and profound stones, though gold is preferred," Big Bamboo replied.

Yun Lintian found this surprising. In most places, profound stones were more valuable than gold.

Sensing his confusion, the old woman, who was now seated at the same table as Yun Lintian's group, elaborated. "Jadehaven is a mortal town. Our daily transactions involve gold and silver. Profound stones hold no value here."

Yun Lintian nodded in understanding. "In that case, please bring us your finest tea and pastries."

"Coming right up!" Big Bamboo beamed, rushing back to the kitchen.

The old woman chuckled. "Don't mind her enthusiasm. We haven't had many guests lately."

Second Egg, fearing Yun Lintian wouldn't buy his services, chimed in hastily. "This is a worship month, you see. Most folks have journeyed towards Mount Kunlun. Our town lies in the opposite direction, so we rarely see travelers."

"A worship month?" Yun Lintian echoed, intrigued.

Second Egg watched Yun Lintian expectantly as if waiting for a payment.

Yun Lintian smiled and produced ten gold coins. "Tell me about it."

Second Egg's face lit up with joy. Before he could snatch the coins, the old woman swooped in and snagged two. "My commission," she declared.

Second Egg offered a wry smile but accepted his fate. He carefully pocketed the remaining eight coins and began his spiel.

"Since you seem new here, esteemed guests, I'll begin from the very beginning."

He launched into the legend of the Kunlun God, weaving a tale of a time before history when chaos reigned and monstrous beasts ruled the land. "From the heart of the Kunlun Mountains," he said, "emerged a single figure – the Kunlun God."

"Some claim he was a celestial being, the first practitioner to breach the veil between the mortal realm and the divine. Others believe him to be a man who defied the heavens, ascending through sheer force of will and forging his own path to immortality."

"For eons, he battled monstrous serpents that coiled around mountains, tamed phoenixes with a fire hotter than a thousand suns, and wrestled dragons that churned the seas into maelstroms. With each victory, the Kunlun God carved order from the chaos, laying the groundwork for the Kunlun Realm as we know it."

"He is said to have established the first sect, passing down his knowledge of martial arts and the manipulation of spiritual energy. His teachings, codified in ancient scrolls, formed the bedrock of all cultivation techniques. Even the divine arts, the most potent and elusive forms of magic, are rumored to have originated from his discoveries."

Second Egg paused for effect, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "Legend has it that his body lies hidden somewhere within the celestial peaks of the Kunlun Mountains, waiting to be rediscovered by a worthy successor."

Yun Lintian and the others couldn't help but notice Second Egg's practiced delivery, suggesting this wasn't his first time sharing the tale.

"Every ten years," Second Egg continued, "practitioners from all over the world journey to Mount Kunlun to worship the Kunlun God. It's also an opportunity to explore the mountain's secrets."

"What kind of secrets?" Yun Lintian inquired, offering another ten gold coins.

Second Egg snatched the coins with a sly grin. "That, I don't know."

Yun Lintian: "…"