Myth Beyond Heaven

Feng Jian's voice echoed down the narrowing tunnel, a final threat laced with desperation. Then, with a snap of finality, the passageway closed, leaving Yun Lintian alone in the newly formed cave.

Yun Lintian slumped back against the cool stone wall, exhaustion finally claiming him. Relief washed over him, a wave so powerful it almost masked the throbbing pain in every muscle of his body. He had learned his limit but at a heavy cost.

The air inside the cave was stale and heavy, forcing Yun Lintian to take shallow breaths. He focused on the slow regeneration of his divine energy.

The Tree of Life within Yun Lintian's body glowed faintly, spreading its gentle energy to every corner of his body, sweeping away injuries and fatigue.

As Yun Lintian lay there, recovering, a faint hum resonated through the cave. It was the fragment of the Soul Scepter nestled within his chest. However, the hum felt different. It pulsed with a newfound urgency, directing his attention towards a specific direction within the cave.

Could it be the Soul Scepter was here? Yun Lintian thought.

Intrigued, Yun Lintian pushed himself off the wall, his movements stiff but improving with each passing moment. Following the faint hum, he navigated deeper into the cave, the passage becoming increasingly narrow and twisting.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cave opened into a vast cavern bathed in an ethereal blue light.

In the center of the cavern stood a lone figure, their back turned to Yun Lintian. However, the aura emanating from this figure was unmistakable – pure, unadulterated lightning energy, far exceeding the power Feng Jian wielded. It was the aura of a True God.

Yun Lintian's pupils shrank. His figure morphed into a shadow, retreating instantly.

"Where are you going?"

The voice boomed across the cavern, a crackle of lightning energy accompanying it. Yun Lintian flinched, recognizing the potent power of a True God. He had a fleeting glimpse of escape, but as he turned to flee, the cavern entrance was no more. It was entirely sealed by an extremely powerful lightning cage.

Dian Lei, the figure bathed in blue light, turned, revealing himself to be a man with features as sharp as lightning itself.

His silver hair, like a storm cloud, framed eyes that crackled with an electric intensity. A faint smile played on his lips, a smile that sent shivers down Yun Lintian's spine.

"There's nowhere to run, Yun Lintian," Dian Lei's voice held a playful edge, tinged with an unsettling power.

A cold dread washed over Yun Lintian. This wasn't just any True God, the oppressive aura and the chilling recognition in Dian Lei's voice confirmed his worst fears.

Undoubtedly, Dian Lei was the True God from the Primordial God Tribe!

With Yun Lintian's current condition, it was very dangerous to fight Dian Lei here.

"Are you a member of the Primordial God Tribe?" Yun Lintian asked, trying to buy time.

Dian Lei tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Isn't it obvious?… I am Dian Lei by the way. Strop struggle and obediently come with me."

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow. He glanced at the lightning cage behind and a golden aura immediately burst out.

However, before he could move, Dian Lei responded with a swift flick of his wrist. A crackling web of pure lightning energy materialized in the air, encasing Yun Lintian. This wasn't a simple cage; it was a construct designed to suppress his divine energy and sap his strength.

Yun Lintian was shocked. He tried to invoke the power of the White Tiger God bloodline and the Thunder but discovered that it was futile… What was going on here?

Yun Lintian writhed. His vision blurred, his limbs weakening with every passing second. This True God's power was far beyond anything he'd ever encountered.

But amidst the agonizing pain, a flicker of defiance ignited within him. He couldn't be captured here.

Dian Lei chuckled, a sound like thunder rolling across a barren landscape. "Surprised, are we? My lightning cage isn't just a barrier. It disrupts the flow of divine energy within any cultivator caught in its grasp. Your lightning and White Tiger God bloodline abilities are rendered useless here."

Yun Lintian was surprised. It was the first time he encountered such a strange power. In the next moment, he came to a decision. His eyes flickered with determination.

Buzz—

"ROARRR!!" With a roar that shook the cavern, Yun Lintian channeled the power of the Great Law of Death. A wisp of dark energy flickered into existence, growing steadily within his core.

The air grew thick and oppressive. Yun Lintian reached out with his trembling hand, merging the dark energy with the Dragon God's Soul that resided within him. A brilliant, emerald green light pulsed, clashing with the oppressive darkness.

Dian Lei's amusement vanished, replaced by a flicker of surprise. "The Great Law of Death and the Dragon God's Soul… a reckless combination, Yun Lintian. You court disaster!"

Ignoring the warning, Yun Lintian infused the dark energy further with the light from the Dragon God's Soul. He poured the resulting power into the Heaven Piercing Sword, transforming the once-brilliant blade into a grotesque mockery of its former glory.

Clang!

The weapon pulsed with an unnatural greenish-black light, radiating a chilling aura of death.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Yun Lintian uttered, his voice strained but resolute.

He swung the corrupted blade, unleashing a wave of dark energy infused with the Dragon God's power.

BOOM!!

The cavern trembled as the wave collided with Dian Lei's outstretched palm. A blinding flash of light engulfed the cavern, followed by a deafening boom that echoed through the depths of the earth.

Yun Lintian was thrown back with a sickening thud, the corrupted blade clattering a few feet away. Blood streamed down his face, his vision swimming. Though the Dragon God's Soul amplified his attack, it was still far from enough to overpower a True God like Dian Lei.

Dian Lei, though momentarily surprised by the combined force of the strange combination, stood his ground. A faint black mark marred his palm, the only evidence of the attack. His eyes narrowed at Yun Lintian, the amusement completely gone replaced by a cold fury.

"Your talent is really admirable. It's far higher than Yun Tian's." Dian Lei said, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "No wonder he wants to capture you alive."

"How about this?" He raised a hand, unleashing a barrage of pure lightning bolts towards Yun Lintian. Each bolt carried enough power to vaporize any stars…