Myth Beyond Heaven

Lin Feng felt an oppressive aura emanating from the tower. He was convinced the remains of the Kunlun God lay within.

"I don't think we should enter," Yue Shen interjected suddenly. Her eyes shimmered with a silver light. "Something feels amiss."

"We can't abandon our mission," Lin Feng declared solemnly. As a devoted follower of the Kunlun God, mere danger wouldn't deter him.

Without waiting for anyone, Lin Feng waved his hand, clearing a path through the skeletons and striding purposefully towards the tower.

Huo Jinyang wavered for a moment before following him. Although he acknowledged that any treasures found here belonged to Yun Lintian according to their agreement, the possibility of something left behind by the Kunlun God was too tempting. Finders keepers, he thought.

"Sister Yue?" Yu Xinlan inquired hesitantly.

"The choice is yours," Yue Shen replied calmly. "I won't be joining you inside."

Yu Xinlan glanced back and forth between Lin Feng and Huo Jinyang, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Finally, she spoke up. "I'll wait outside as well."

Preserving her life took precedence over the Kunlun God's remains. At the very least, she would wait until Yun Lintian's group arrived.

Lin Feng and Huo Jinyang reached the tower's entrance. Both men meticulously scanned the gate and surrounding area, vigilant for any potential traps.

Satisfied that it was safe, Lin Feng took a deep breath and reached out to touch the gate.

A resounding bang echoed through the city as a tremor surged through the ancient tower. High atop the structure, a monstrous skeleton emerged. Runes etched into its ribcage pulsed with a faint jade luminescence, the residual energy of a forgotten spell.

For millennia, the skeletal guardian had slumbered, its spirit tethered to this place by a powerful enchantment. However, the wards protecting the tower today detected an intrusion.

Lin Feng and Huo Jinyang's expressions contorted in shock. The skeleton's aura was unmistakable - a True God!

A sudden glint of silver light emanated from the skeleton's empty sockets. In its hand, a silver spear materialized, radiating an eerie silver glow.

The monstrous skeleton's spear vibrated with power, its tip aimed squarely at Lin Feng, the one who dared desecrate the tower's entrance. Panic flooded Lin Feng's veins. He hadn't considered such a powerful guardian. All his bravado vanished, replaced by a primal terror of annihilation.

Huo Jinyang, ever the pragmatist, bellowed, "Run!" and bolted back towards Yue Shen and Yu Xinlan, hoping they could somehow outrun a True God's wrath.

Lin Feng, however, fueled by his fanaticism, stood rooted to the spot. This was the Kunlun God's remains! How could he turn back now? A blue sword, dwarfed by the spectral spear, materialized in his hand, radiating a daunting aura.

"S-Sister..." Yu Xinlan whimpered. Though everyone present had reached the God Ascension Realm, the chasm between it and the True God Realm was unimaginable. Resistance was futile.

As the spear intensified its tremor with a chilling effect, a voice, ancient and ethereal, resonated through the air.

"Who dares disturb my lord's slumber?!"

The voice vibrated with power, shaking the very foundation of the tower. Lin Feng and the others stumbled back, ears ringing…

***

**

*

Bang!

Yun Lintian slammed his foot onto the ground, shattering the jade tiles. However, the divine stone he'd expected to find was missing. To verify his time travel, Yun Lintian had buried a divine stone imbued with his aura here. Now, it was gone.

Yun Lintian scanned the surroundings with the Eyes of Heaven, but his aura was undetectable. What was happening?

"What's the matter?" Zhang Yu inquired curiously.

"I buried a divine stone here to confirm the situation," Yun Lintian explained, furrowing his brow deeply. "But it's vanished... I can't tell if someone took it or if it never existed in the first place."

Perched on his shoulder, Linlin's eyes flickered subtly. She had clearly seen her mother, signifying their successful journey back in time. But where was the stone?

Linlin considered telling Yun Lintian but ultimately held back.

"They definitely saw you over there, right?" Zhang Yu questioned, frowning. "Someone must have removed it."

Yun Lintian was momentarily speechless. The bloodstains in those rooms were undeniably his doing, confirming his past presence. The possibility of someone taking the stone held more weight... But who could it be? And how did they know?

"Who dares disturb my lord's slumber?!"

A booming voice shattered the air, grabbing everyone's attention. They collectively turned towards the distant tower.

"A True God," Lin Yitong said calmly. "Very powerful one."

Yun Lintian narrowed his eyes, observing the scene unfold from afar. He recognized the voice – Li Shan, the former city lord, a True God presumed long dead. Confusion gnawed at him. How was this possible? The Great Law of Death had eradicated him… or so he thought.

"Those fools," Zhang Yu muttered coldly. Lin Feng's group had undoubtedly triggered some kind of trap.

"Should we intervene?" Yun Yi inquired.

Yun Lintian turned to Lin Yitong. "Senior, can you restrain him?"

"While formidable, his current state likely hinders his full potential. However, the question remains: why should we intervene?" Lin Yitong replied calmly.

The fate of Lin Feng's group held no significance for her. Lin Yitong saw no advantage in aiding them.

"Even if they perish, we'll still have to face Li Shan," Yun Lintian argued. "It's in our best interest to keep them alive for now. Additionally, I'm curious about Li Shan's current state. He should be definitively deceased."

Lin Yitong pondered his words, her gaze fixed on the distant commotion. While Lin Feng's fate held no personal significance, the enigma surrounding Li Shan's return piqued her curiosity.

According to her knowledge, anyone facing the Great Law of Death would be utterly obliterated, leaving no possibility of returning in any form.

"Let's go," Lin Yitong declared, leading everyone towards the tower.

High atop the tower, Li Shan's spectral form crackled with potent energy. He hurled the silver spear with unimaginable force, aiming directly at Lin Feng. The spear tore through the air, a streak of silver light streaking towards Lin Feng.

Lin Feng's expression turned grim. He roared and prepared to unleash his aura. However, before he could move, several thick green vines erupted from the ground, forming a massive shield in front of him.

BOOM!

A colossal explosion erupted as the silver light slammed into the shield. A shockwave rippled outward, blasting away all the skeletons on the plaza...