Myth Beyond Heaven

BANG!!

With a deafening bang, an explosion erupted above the lake. Yun Lintian was flung back to the shore, his tattered white robe fluttering in the air, marred by blossoming stains of blood.

Meanwhile, Shi Xuan's colossal form bore the brunt of the attack, its surface marred with black wounds, a testament to the fierce battle.

"Cough!" Yun Lintian coughed, a metallic tang filling his mouth. He wiped the blood trickling down his chin, his eyes burning with a fierce determination that belied the exhaustion etched on his face.

Across the vast lake, Shi Xuan, the colossal manifestation of the Great Law of Death, stood panting slightly. Its form, once brimming with an aura of absolute power, was now riddled with cracks, emanating a faint, sickly sweet stench of decay.

Shi Xuan's voice boomed, echoing across the desolate landscape, "Impressive, little sprout. You've surpassed my initial expectations. Your grasp on the Great Law of Life and Death has grown considerably."

Yun Lintian chuckled, a dry rasp that echoed in the stillness. "Is that all you have to offer, Senior? Backhanded compliments from a withering husk won't save you."

The battle had been a crucible, forging him anew. He had pushed himself to the brink, wielding the dual forces of the Great Law in a way he never imagined possible. Yet, Shi Xuan remained a formidable opponent, its immense power a wall he desperately needed to break through.

"A withering husk?" Shi Xuan scoffed, a tremor running through its colossal form. "Don't be so proud, little sprout. This form is merely a sliver of my true might. Even with your newfound control, you are but a gnat buzzing around a raging inferno."

Yun Lintian laughed slightly. After battling Shi Xuan several times, the relationship between them gradually grew closer. For some reason, Yun Lintian could feel a hint of kindness from Shi Xuan, akin to the regard an elder might hold for a younger one.

"Rest well. I'll be back." Shi Xuan spoke and plunged into the lake, disappearing from Yun Lintian's sight.

Yun Lintian took a deep breath and sat on the ground tiredly.

Tian He walked over and said. "Your perseverance is commendable."

Yun Lintian chuckled, wincing slightly as the movement aggravated his injuries. "Although every fight brings me closer to understanding both the Law and myself, I still feel like it's far away from being qualified, Senior."

Tian He nodded. "The path you walk is one of your own making. It will be arduous, filled with challenges neither I nor Shi Xuan, can fully predict. But know this, your growth has been nothing short of phenomenal."

He gestured towards the lake, which shimmered with the last rays of the setting sun. "Shi Xuan is a being of immense power. Even in this weakened state, he serves as a formidable training partner. Yet, you were able to push him back."

"It's Senior Shi's mercy that allowed me to exploit an opening," Yun Lintian admitted gently. "Clearly, I have a long way to go before I reach his level."

Tian He chuckled and settled onto the boulder, casting his line into the water.

Yun Lintian popped a few pills into his mouth and focused his divine energy, accelerating the healing of his wounds. Glancing towards Tian He, he inquired, "Senior, have you identified your inheritor?"

Tian He shook his head. "No, unfortunately. I was defeated by someone, and she forcefully took the River God's power away."

"Forcefully took it away?" Yun Lintian echoed, surprised. "Who is she, Senior?"

Tian He offered a gentle smile. "You'll meet her soon. Rest assured, she's the least likely person to cause you harm. In fact, she'll do everything in her power to ensure your well-being."

Yun Lintian furrowed his brow. Who could this woman be? Perhaps there was a connection to the Beyond Heaven King or the God of Fate?

Pushing his doubts aside, he inquired, "Senior, what about the other inheritors?"

"Most should have awakened their powers by now," Tian He said calmly. "The one you should be wary of isn't the inheritor of the God of Death, but the God of Mortals."

"The God of Mortals? Why?" Yun Lintian frowned. "Is it because he initiated the war?"

Tian He didn't answer directly. Instead, he spoke. "The war you speak of… it's a vicious cycle that has been repeating itself for millennia. Each inheritor of the Thirteen Primordial Gods is chosen because they possess a powerful will, a unique resonance with the power they inherit."

He cast his line further into the lake, the lure disappearing beneath the shimmering surface. "However, this resonance comes at a cost. Each inheritor embodies a fundamental aspect of existence, a power that both creates and destroys. The God of Mortals, for instance, represents not just creation but also decay, the inevitable cycle of life and death within the mortal realm."

Yun Lintian furrowed his brows. "So, the inheritors are destined to clash?"

"It becomes almost inevitable," Tian He said solemnly. "The power they wield, the very essence of their being, pushes them towards conflict."

"The God of Life seeks to nurture and expand, while the God of Death craves to break down and rebuild. The God of Darkness thrives on conflict, while the God of Light seeks to maintain harmony. It's a delicate balance, easily broken."

A cold realization washed over Yun Lintian. This wasn't just about him inheriting a legacy; it was about being thrust into a cosmic game of power. A game where the fate of countless worlds hung in the balance.

"But... is there no way to break this cycle?" Yun Lintian asked, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. "Can't the inheritors find a way to coexist?"

Tian He remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the tranquil surface of the lake. "There have been attempts," he finally spoke, his voice tinged with sadness.

"Yun Tian himself tried to forge a path of unity, understanding that true power lies not in dominance, but in harmony. He sought to unite the inheritors, to create a world where all thirteen aspects coexisted peacefully."

"But what happened?" Yun Lintian pressed, his voice filled with urgency.

Tian He sighed deeply. "The task proved too monumental. The inherent nature of the power, the very foundation of the inheritors' beings, created a constant push towards conflict. Some inheritors, power-hungry and driven by their own ambitions, refused to cooperate."

Yun Lintian reeled back in shock. No one had ever hinted at these hidden truths. He'd been utterly oblivious...