Myth Beyond Heaven

BOOOOM—

A deafening boom resonated across the sky, shaking the very heavens and sending shockwaves that ripped through the surrounding water, carving a deep chasm in the lake bed.

Yun Lintian, his vision blurred and his body on the verge of collapse, watched as the beam slowly dissipated. A tense silence descended upon the island, broken only by the ragged gasps escaping his lips.

When the light finally faded, Shi Xuan remained standing. But he was no longer the same. His once pristine scales were marred with cracks and fissures, emanating a faint smoke.

A thin trickle of blood, a color foreign to a True God, flowed from a deep gash on his forehead, the point of impact for Yun Lintian's attack.

Shi Xuan, for the first time in countless eons, looked stunned. He raised a massive claw to touch the wound, his reptilian eyes flickering with a mix of disbelief and grudging respect.

"You… have surpassed my expectations, little sprout," Shi Xuan rumbled, his voice surprisingly subdued. "That was… unexpected."

Yun Lintian, unable to speak due to exhaustion, could only manage a weak smile. His body, pushed to its absolute limit, crumpled to the ground. He had failed to defeat Shi Xuan, but he had accomplished something far greater – he had injured a True God.

Shi Xuan, with a low sigh, watched as Yun Lintian lay unconscious on the ground. He had underestimated the young man's resolve, his willingness to push himself beyond all boundaries. It was a quality Shi Xuan respected, even if it was displayed by a mere mortal.

He looked at Tian He and said, "I think he got a glimpse of his true power."

Tian He smiled and said, "Indeed. But it was still too weak."

It was clear that Shi Xuan deliberately left his defense open, but Yun Lintian's attack could only leave a wound on his body. The gap between him and a powerful True God was still exceedingly large.

Shi Xuan channeled his divine energy, and the wounds on his body vanished entirely, as if nothing had happened before.

"What's next?" Shi Xuan asked.

Tian He said gently, pointing at the invisible ring on Yun Lintian's finger, "We wait."

Instantly, a set of table and chairs materialized on the ground, accompanied by a few jars of wine.

Tian He sat down and said, "Come. It's been a long time since we've had a drink together."

Shi Xuan chuckled. A black light flashed, and his colossal figure immediately shrank, transforming into a dignified old man with long black hair. He was dressed in a black robe with a dragon pattern on it.

Shi Xuan unceremoniously sat down, grabbing a jar and guzzling a mouthful of wine directly.

"Not bad," he commented, "but it lacks something."

Tian He took a sip and said, "The ingredients are young. Ten-million-year-old Thousand Fragrance Fruits would elevate it greatly."

The two continued to indulge in the wine, oblivious to time's passage.

Yun Lintian awoke with no recollection of how long he'd been unconscious. His wounds were miraculously gone.

Sitting up, he saw Tian He perched on a boulder, calmly fishing.

"You're awake," Tian He greeted with a warm smile.

Yun Lintian rose, donned a new robe, and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for the guidance, Senior."

"There's no need for that," Tian He replied gently. He gestured with his chin. "Sit."

Yun Lintian approached and sat on the boulder beside him.

"What are your thoughts on your power?" Tian He inquired.

Yun Lintian pondered for a moment before replying with uncertainty, "Honestly, Senior, I have no idea. In the past, I relied solely on raw elemental power. Nothing, it seems, has allowed me to unlock their true potential. Not even the Beyond Heaven Art itself."

Yun Lintian's words hung heavy in the air, laced with a deep frustration that resonated with Tian He. The young man had glimpsed the immensity of his potential, yet the path forward remained shrouded in mist.

Tian He sighed, the sound echoing softly amidst the gentle lapping of waves against the island shore.

"The answer," he began, his voice a soothing murmur, "lies not just in raw power, but in understanding. You've tasted the power of the Great Laws of Life and Death, a potent cocktail indeed. But remember, these Laws, while foundational to the very fabric of existence, are not omnipotent."

He gestured towards the shimmering lake surrounding them, its surface reflecting the clear blue sky. "Imagine this vast ocean. The Law of Water governs its flow, its very essence. Yet, within this ocean, there exists a multitude of creatures, each with its own unique abilities. A sleek fish darts through the current, a ferocious shark tears through flesh, and a wise old turtle navigates its depths with unparalleled wisdom."

Yun Lintian's brow furrowed in concentration. He understood the essence of Tian He's metaphor. While the Law of Water dictated the ocean's existence, it did not dictate the actions of every creature within it.

Tian He continued, his voice taking on a deeper cadence. "The Great Laws of Life and Death are similar. They represent the fundamental forces of creation and destruction, the yin and yang of the universe. But these forces are not singular; they are vast tapestries woven from countless intricacies."

He pointed towards a nearby flower, its delicate petals a vibrant crimson. "Life may be birthed from the earth, but its growth depends on sunlight, water, and the toil of unseen insects. Death may claim a mighty beast, but its decay nourishes the very soil that gives rise to new life."

Tian He paused, allowing Yun Lintian to absorb his words. "It is not just about wielding the raw power of Life and Death. It is about understanding the delicate balance within them, the intricate dance of creation and destruction that governs every facet of existence."

Yun Lintian's eyes widened with a sudden spark of realization. He hadn't just been utilizing the Great Laws; he had been forcing them, trying to brute force his way to a power he didn't fully comprehend.

"So, the Beyond Heaven Art…" Yun Lintian began, his voice hesitant.

Tian He smiled knowingly. "The Beyond Heaven Art is a powerful tool. But it is a tool, not a master. It is a key that unlocks a vast potential, but it is you who must understand what lies behind the door."

Yun Lintian seemed to understand something and began reflecting on his past. Throughout his journey, he had relied heavily on the Beyond Heaven King's Crown and external powers like divine beast bloodlines.

Indeed, he had no idea about the true nature of the power he wielded…