Myth Beyond Heaven

A year. Three hundred and sixty-five rotations of the celestial bodies. For the practitioners of the Nine Firmament City, it was a blink in the grand tapestry of immortality. Yet, for Yun Lintian and Long Qingxuan, who had retreated into the depths of the city's training facility for a hundred years, it was an eternity condensed into a singular focus.

With a synchronized exhale, the double doors of the training chamber rumbled open. Yun Lintian, in a clean white robe, emerged first. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were veiled with a faint mist, the aftereffects of breaking through a monumental barrier.

Long Qingxuan followed, her fiery presence a stark contrast to the composed demeanor of her partner. A year of isolation had only honed her elegance, her every movement imbued with a subtle power that sent shivers down the unseen observers' spines.

Yun Lintian, a smile gracing his lips, spoke, "Has a year truly passed already? I wonder how everyone is doing." He then proceeded towards Linlin's room.

However, he soon discovered that many of the training rooms were occupied.

"It seems they haven't slacked off," Yun Lintian said with a gentle voice. Though he didn't know who these people were, it was encouraging to see everyone diligently practicing.

Arriving at Linlin's room, Yun Lintian cautiously observed any movement from within. Realizing that Linlin was likely engrossed in training, he decided not to disturb her further and turned to leave.

Creak!

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a white figure leaped out, launching itself into Yun Lintian's arms.

Stunned for a moment, Yun Lintian's expression softened into a smile. He returned the hug and spoke softly, "You've worked hard."

Linlin buried her face in Yun Lintian's chest, inhaling his scent with deep breaths. It had been a hundred years since she'd last seen him. It was undoubtedly the longest separation they had ever endured.

"Hmm?" Yun Lintian's eyes widened in shock as he caught something unusual. "You've... broken through to the Middle God Realm?" he spoke.

Linlin's aura undeniably emanated from the Middle God Realm. While Yun Lintian was aware of Linlin's rapid improvement, this progress was truly extraordinary.

One had to consider that Yun Lintian employed a "cheating" technique to cultivate, yet his progress paled in comparison to Linlin's. What could be happening here?

Linlin tilted her head towards him, her voice innocent. "I have no idea."

Yun Lintian was rendered speechless.

"Well, that's certainly positive," he finally managed, a smile gracing his lips. "Congratulations."

Linlin remained silent, nuzzling further into Yun Lintian's neck.

Long Qingxuan's eyes flickered with a hint of intrigue. It seemed she detected something about Linlin, but she kept it to herself.

"Let's head out," Yun Lintian said, leading the way out of the tower.

Still reeling from Linlin's unexpected breakthrough, Yun Lintian emerged from the tower to an unfamiliar scene. The once sparsely populated streets of Nine Firmament City were now teeming with life. Grand, new structures had replaced the open fields that once dominated the landscape.

"The place is crawling with people," Yun Lintian uttered in surprise.

Long Qingxuan smiled. "Welcome back to civilization, it seems."

As they navigated the cityscape, Yun Lintian couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer number of practitioners he encountered. Many wore unfamiliar robes, signifying their affiliation with sects or organizations he hadn't heard of before.

The air crackled with vibrant energy, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude they had grown accustomed to during their seclusion.

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the streets, momentarily silencing the bustling crowd.

"Greetings, esteemed citizens of the Nine Firmament City! Today marks a momentous occasion – the official opening of the Grand Arena!"

The voice belonged to an elder with a long, flowing beard, his aura radiating immense power. He stood atop a newly constructed platform, overlooking the gathered crowd.

Yun Lintian exchanged glances with Long Qingxuan, both equally curious. A Grand Arena? What on earth happened here?

As if sensing their thoughts, the elder continued, "For the past year, under the wise leadership of City Lord Yun, the Nine Firmament City has undergone a period of unprecedented growth. New profound techniques have been unearthed, resources have flourished, and most importantly, our population has expanded!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd, their voices echoing through the streets.

Yun Lintian was dumbfounded by the bustling scene. He didn't know where these people came from. The Divine Realm? Or the Azure Realm?

The elder gestured towards the imposing structure behind him. "The Grand Arena is a testament to this growth. It serves not only as a training ground for our aspiring practitioners but also as a platform for friendly competition and cultural exchange between the newfound sects and organizations within our city walls!"

As the elder explained the purpose of the Grand Arena in detail, a wave of realization dawned on Yun Lintian. It seemed that while he and the others had been focused on training, Yue Hua and the others hadn't been idle. They had been actively recruiting new members, fostering the growth of both the city and its inhabitants.

Yun Lintian naturally had no objections. He granted full authority to Yue Hua and Li Shan, allowing them to manage the city as they saw fit. Since they believed that bringing new people would benefit everyone, he certainly respected their decisions.

"This is good," Yun Lintian said with a nod of satisfaction. While the city's current atmosphere differed significantly from what he had once experienced, it was no longer a desolate place.

Yun Lintian spent the entire day exploring the city before returning to the tower.

Yue Hua and Li Shan were already waiting for him upon his arrival.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Young Master Yun," Li Shan greeted him with a smile.

"Thank you, Senior," Yun Lintian responded politely. "Is everything in order?"

"Indeed," Li Shan confirmed. "Miss Yue and I have brought trustworthy individuals from the Divine Realm and the Azure Realm. We have meticulously screened them to ensure their loyalty."

"They are our people," Yue Hua added. "These people will be valuable assets in the face of the coming calamity."

"I understand. Thank you both for your diligent efforts," Yun Lintian said sincerely.

Suddenly, several figures materialized in the room. Yun Lintian turned around, stunned by the sight before him.

"We're back," Lin Xinyao spoke softly, her gaze filled with longing and tenderness as it met Yun Lintian's.

Yun Qianxue, Han Bingling, and the other women shared their emotions. They had spent a thousand years within the secret realm, a thousand years of separation from their beloved…