Myth Beyond Heaven

Lin Feng, momentarily saved from Li Shan's wrath, stood stunned for a moment before quickly grasping the situation. Instinct kicked in, and he retreated towards Yu Xinlan's position.

Meanwhile, Li Shan's spectral form flickered with curiosity as he turned to the newcomers. His gaze swept across them, landing on Lin Yitong.

Lin Yitong, who had arrived alongside Yun Lintian and the others, stared calmly at Li Shan. The air crackled with unspoken tension. Neither made a further move.

Yun Lintian landed in front of Lin Feng's group and inquired, "What happened?"

"Thank you for saving me," Lin Feng cupped his fists and said gratefully. "I was too eager to enter the tower."

Yun Lintian nodded slightly. It was as he expected. He turned his attention to Li Shan, carefully observing him. Through his Eyes of Heaven, he could see a trace of the Great Law of Death within Li Shan, but he still couldn't understand how Li Shan had returned to life in this spectral form.

"The True Wood Spirit?" Li Shan spoke, his voice eerily cold.

"You retain consciousness," Lin Yitong said, surprised. "That's good. We can talk this out."

"No," Li Shan spoke coldly. "It is my duty to protect my lord."

Before Lin Yitong could respond, Li Shan's aura abruptly exploded. The silver spear, charged with renewed intensity, pulsed with a malevolent light that threatened to obliterate everything in its path.

"How stubborn," Lin Yitong sighed, shaking her head. She raised her jade hand gently. Several thick vines erupted from the ground, immediately rushing towards Li Shan from all directions.

Li Shan flicked his wrist, and the malevolent silver light around his spear erupted, cutting down all the oncoming vines.

However, the vines continued to appear, relentlessly rushing towards him.

"Get lost!" A frustrated roar ripped from Li Shan's spectral form, echoing across the battlefield.

The silver spear whirled in a deadly ballet, severing the relentless green tendrils that sprouted from the ground at Lin Yitong's command. Yet, for every vine he destroyed, two more seemed to erupt, their vibrant life force a stark contrast to the necrotic energy swirling around him.

At this moment, two more green vines suddenly appeared beneath Li Shan's feet and wrapped around his skeletal legs, immobilizing him.

Li Shan struggled to free himself, but his arms were soon tightly bound by the surrounding green vines. A few seconds later, his entire body was completely immobilized.

Yun Lintian looked at Lin Yitong in awe. Although her attacks seemed ordinary, he understood how difficult they were for Li Shan to deal with.

Lin Yitong possessed a deep understanding of the Great Law of Life, a natural counter to the Great Law of Death. It could be said that Li Shan had unfortunately met his perfect opponent.

"Can we talk now?" Lin Yitong asked calmly. Li Shan struggled in vain to break free.

Lin Yitong pointed at Yun Lintian and inquired, "Do you remember him?"

The silver lights in Li Shan's eye sockets flickered. He seemed to be examining Yun Lintian. "Who are you?" he rasped.

Yun Lintian was taken aback. He hadn't altered his appearance. It was illogical for Li Shan to forget him.

He stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Junior Yun Lintian greets City Lord Li. We met during the night of the raid."

"City Lord?" Lin Feng and the others exclaimed in surprise.

Li Shan fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I cannot recall anything. I only know that I must protect my lord."

Yun Lintian frowned. "Then do you remember who your lord is?"

"Of course," Li Shan replied without hesitation. "The Yellow Emperor is my lord."

"Senior, do you know why you've become like this?" Yun Lintian inquired further, hoping to jog Li Shan's memory.

"No," Li Shan replied honestly. "I have slumbered for a very long time. This is my second awakening."

Yun Lintian's puzzlement deepened. Li Shan clearly suffered memory loss, only retaining fragments about his master and some general knowledge.

"The second awakening?" Lin Yitong echoed. "Who did you encounter the first time?"

Li Shan remained silent, deflecting with a question, "What is your purpose here?"

"We have no hidden agendas," Yun Lintian replied honestly. "We seek resources and the truth behind the Yellow Emperor's demise."

Desperation laced Li Shan's voice as he inquired, "Do you know how my lord fell?"

"We have some knowledge," Lin Yitong interjected. "Perhaps you should answer our question first."

Li Shan locked eyes with Yun Lintian for a moment before shifting his gaze to Lin Yitong. "A shrouded man and woman, cloaked in white mist. They were incredibly powerful… far stronger than you."

Lin Yitong raised an eyebrow, surprised rather than offended. Many surpassed her in strength, but she hadn't anticipated such a vast gap. Based on Li Shan's description, these individuals were likely several times more powerful than her. Who could they be? The question lingered in her mind.

"What did they do?" she pressed further.

"They simply told me someone would arrive, someone capable of breaking the curse upon me," Li Shan replied without hesitation. He stared at Lin Yitong, a glimmer of hope flickering in his spectral eyes. "Are you the one?"

Lin Yitong furrowed her brow and shook her head regretfully. "I cannot."

Just as Li Shan's disappointment became evident, Lin Yitong continued, "But he might be able to help."

Li Shan turned to Yun Lintian, surprise flickering across his spectral features. "You?"

Yun Lintian met his gaze. "I can't guarantee success, but I'm willing to try."

"What would you ask in return?" Li Shan inquired cautiously.

"Nothing," Yun Lintian replied gently. "I am already indebted to you. Without your intervention during the raid, I might have been trapped by the Asura Gods."

"Then can you tell me what became of my lord?" Li Shan persisted, his voice laced with a newfound urgency.

"Yes," Yun Lintian began, launching into a detailed account of the night of the raid. He naturally omitted any mention of time travel.

Li Shan fell silent for a long time after hearing the tragic tale. The circumstances of his lord's demise were far worse than he had ever imagined.

"The Yellow Emperor's remains should be located on the tower's summit," Yun Lintian resumed. "But where are they now?"

"Within his chambers," Li Shan responded. "I've discovered a significant amount of resources here. Consider them all yours - a token of my gratitude if you can lift the curse."

"Allow me to try it," Yun Lintian declared, soaring towards Li Shan.