Myth Beyond Heaven

Shi Xuan's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? You know the consequences if he's hurt."

"He wouldn't be here if he couldn't handle it," Tian He replied firmly. "Besides, I won't let you kill him. This is training, not an execution."

Shi Xuan sighed, his voice a low rumble as he turned to Yun Lintian. "Prepare yourself, little sprout. This time, you face no playful serpent."

Yun Lintian straightened his back, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Understood, Senior." He sat down, beginning to recuperate.

Shi Xuan glanced at Tian He, telepathically communicating, "What are you trying to do?"

"Repay a debt of gratitude," Tian He replied gently. "I owe her a big one."

Shi Xuan's expression turned curious. "She defeated you and stripped your power. How can that be a debt of gratitude?"

"Freedom," Tian He responded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "She freed me from that vicious cycle."

Shi Xuan fell silent for a long time before asking, "Are you truly content?"

Tian He smiled faintly. "Why wouldn't I be? What do you think of this current me?"

Shi Xuan met his gaze. "You've indeed become more relaxed."

A memory flickered to life in his mind. Tian He, then known as Jiang He the Blood River God, was a bloodthirsty killer. His hands were stained with the blood of countless lives. Wherever he went, a crimson tide followed, leaving a trail of carnage in its wake.

However, the Tian He before him now resembled nothing more than an ordinary old man, one content to bask in the quietude of his twilight years. The contrast was stark, a transformation so profound it defied comprehension.

"What about you?" Tian He regarded his old friend. "Are you going to keep it hidden from him?"

Shi Xuan darted a glance at Yun Lintian. His serpentine eyes flickered briefly with draconic power before returning to normal.

He sighed. "I hadn't anticipated this move from your brother. He's gambled everything. Makes you wonder what kind of potent concoction he procured from that irresponsible fool."

"This is the final opportunity," Tian He said, his gaze fixed on Yun Lintian. "He represents our last hope."

Shi Xuan frowned, shaking his head. "He's far too weak. He's oblivious to the true nature of the power he wields."

"That's precisely why we're here," Tian He said gently. "It's our responsibility to guide him towards that realization."

With a long exhale, he continued, "That's the extent of our influence."

Shi Xuan fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why not reveal everything to him? Transparency seems like the best course of action."

Tian He shook his head. "We cannot. As long as that individual remains, informing Yun Lintian of the truth is akin to surrendering everything."

Shi Xuan's face turned solemn. "I don't really understand what they are trying to do. If that person were easy to kill, we wouldn't have ended up here… Honestly, I don't see a chance."

"But they have to try," Tian He said softly. "Even if it is a pitiful struggle, they have to try."

Shi Xuan sighed and glanced at Yun Lintian. "His fate… I'm afraid it would be the most miserable one."

"It is his destiny. Everything has been set the moment he opened his eyes to the world." Tian He's eyes flickered with a hint of sympathy as he looked at Yun Lintian.

The two fell silent.

Time passed by. A few days later, Yun Lintian opened his eyes and his aura gradually surged. He had recovered all of his energy.

Yun Lintian got up from the ground and looked at Shi Xuan and Tian He. "I'm ready, Seniors."

Tian He retreated to the side and said. "Do not hold anything back."

Yun Lintian nodded and the Heaven Piercing Sword immediately materialized in his hand, followed by the seven elemental swords hovering around him.

"Don't blame me for being ruthless." Shi Xuan said calmly.

The air crackled with anticipation as Shi Xuan unleashed his true form. His serpentine body grew colossally, dwarfing the entire lake. Scales shimmering with an otherworldly light covered his form, and a terrifying aura, heavy with the power of the True God realm, emanated from him.

The water in the lake started to boil, reacting violently to the immense divine energy unleashed by Shi Xuan.

Yun Lintian, despite the crushing pressure bearing down on him, held his ground. He channeled his divine energy, activating the two spheres of life and death energy once again. This time, however, he didn't merge them.

Instead, he spun them rapidly in a synchronized dance around his body, forming a swirling vortex of black and white.

The power radiating from the vortex was significantly less than before, but it was more controlled, more refined.

Shi Xuan watched with narrowed eyes, intrigued by Yun Lintian's tactic. He raised his massive head, an ocean wave forming in its wake.

"Be careful." With a deafening roar, he brought the wave crashing down upon Yun Lintian, unleashing the full force of his True God power.

Yun Lintian didn't flinch. As the wave surged towards him, he channeled the vortex, directing the flow of life and death energy towards the oncoming attack.

The black and white energy clashed with the ocean wave, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and darkness that momentarily illuminated the entire sky.

BOOM—

A deafening boom echoed across the surrounding mountains as the two forces collided. The vortex of life and death energy resisted the onslaught with surprising tenacity, neutralizing the destructive power of the ocean wave.

However, Yun Lintian wasn't strong enough to completely negate it. The residual force slammed into him, sending him hurtling through the air.

"Cough!" He landed hard on the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood. The impact was far more severe than anything he had experienced in the previous spar. Yet, a satisfied grin spread across his face.

His control over the Great Laws had allowed him to withstand a direct attack from a True God, without Tian He's intervention.

Shi Xuan, surprised by Yun Lintian's resilience, coiled around the island, watching him intently. "Not bad, little sprout," he rumbled, a hint of respect lacing his voice. "You managed to block a portion of my attack. That's impressive for a mortal."

Yun Lintian's face turned solemn. He knew this was just the beginning, a taste of the true might a True God wielded.

Shi Xuan, his colossal form still dwarfing the lake, looked at Yun Lintian calmly. "What else do you have? Pull them out now."

"Again," Yun Lintian boomed, his voice hoarse but unwavering.