Myth Beyond Heaven

"You see, while the Azure Dragons embody the essence of life and creation, we, the Death Dragons, represent the inevitable cycle of death and decay." Shi Xuan spoke further.

He locked eyes with Yun Lintian, his gaze unwavering. "Our power isn't about destruction, but rather transformation. We usher in the end so that new life can blossom. It's a delicate balance, one that the Azure Dragons often fail to understand. They view us as harbingers of doom, a blight upon their perfect existence."

Yun Lintian's mind raced. This revelation explained so much. No wonder Shi Xuan's aura resonated with his Great Law of Life and Death. Their powers were two sides of the same coin.

"So, that's why you're here, Senior." Yun Lintian finally spoke, the pieces falling into place. "You were exiled because of your power?"

Shi Xuan shook his head. "My elder brother tried his best to keep me there but I chose to leave myself. My unique aura clashed with the Azure Dragon lineage. I was deemed an outcast, a threat to their 'purity.' So, I left, choosing to forge my own path."

Yun Lintian sipped his wine thoughtfully, absorbing the information. After a moment, he inquired, "Senior, was it you who left a lineage on a barren star?"

Shi Xuan's eyes widened in surprise. "A lineage? I wouldn't do such a thing. It must have been my elder brother who arranged for Qingxuan. He left the legitimate lineage for her."

"Speaking of her," Shi Xuan continued, a hint of concern flickering in his gaze, "how is Qingxuan doing?"

Yun Lintian, sensing genuine care from Shi Xuan, reassures him, "She's doing well."

Shi Xuan's eyes narrowed. "Do you have any idea how close I came to killing you? Defiling my niece? Unforgivable!" A cold edge crept into his voice.

Yun Lintian felt a shiver run down his spine. This was the first genuine killing intent he'd felt from Shi Xuan.

Straightening his back, he declared, "Qingxuan is my woman. I wouldn't let her face danger."

Shi Xuan's gaze held Yun Lintian captive, seemingly weighing his options.

Tian He's chuckle broke the tension. "Enough, Old Long. Don't frighten your nephew-in-law. Leaving her out of this proves his point, wouldn't you say?"

Shi Xuan scoffed. "It's Shi Xuan now. Don't address me by that name anymore."

Tian He chuckled, continuing to drink.

Shi Xuan turned back to Yun Lintian, his voice cold. "You treat her well. Dare to make her cry, and I'll ensure a horrific death for you."

Yun Lintian met his gaze with a calm smile. "I will."

Seeing Yun Lintian unfazed, Shi Xuan clicked his tongue in disapproval and took a direct swig of wine from the jar.

Curiosity piqued, Yun Lintian inquired, "Senior Shi Xuan, what happened to Senior Long and the others? How did they end up in the Divine Realm, and why can't some of them remember their past?"

Shi Xuan and Tian He exchanged a silent glance, each taking another solemn sip of wine.

A moment later, Shi Xuan spoke up. "During the Primordial War, the Divine Realm, once the center of the Primal Chaos, became the primary battlefield. To protect it, my elder brother and the others, led by the God of Life, sacrificed themselves."

"Sister Yan, the Vermilion Bird God, lost her physical form, barely escaping with a remnant soul. Sister Jin, the Golden Crow God, perished, though fortunately, her anticipated clone was later found."

"Brother Gui's fate remains unclear, but he likely guarded the bridge to the Netherworld at that time. Sister Bai suffered critical injuries, barely clinging to life."

"As for my elder brother, everyone believed him gone. However, I knew it was deliberate. At that time, I was trapped in the battle between the God of Heaven and the God of Fate, I couldn't return to the Divine Realm in time."

Yun Lintian nodded slowly. His understanding was that the Primordial Azure Dragon God and the other Seniors later fought against the Primordial God Tribe, where they met their true demise.

Everything aligned with his conjectures, except for the Primordial Azure Dragon God's motive for concealing his death at the beginning.

"The God of Life used a portion of her power to seal the Divine Realm, restricting entry. However, the seal weakens with time, allowing those wretched beings from the so-called Primordial God Tribe to exploit it," Shi Xuan explained with a growl of frustration.

Intrigued, Yun Lintian inquired, "And how did you end up here, Senior?"

Shi Xuan shot Tian He a pointed glare. "Simple. I perished in the Primordial War and was laid to rest here. Over countless eons, I gradually recovered my body and planned my escape. Unfortunately, this scoundrel took advantage of the situation and sealed me within."

"Look, you can't pin this on me," Tian He said, spreading his arms with a feign of innocence. "I was completely unaware at the time and mistook you for a primordial beast."

Yun Lintian chuckled, finding amusement in the bickering between Shi Xuan and Tian He. Despite the tense revelation of Shi Xuan's identity, the playful banter eased some of the initial shock.

Intrigued, Yun Lintian pressed further, "Senior, why did Senior Long choose to conceal his demise from the Dragon Clan?"

Shi Xuan scoffed. "Naive question. Do you honestly believe those ungrateful bastards held my elder brother in true respect? What use would he be to them if they knew he was wounded and vulnerable?"

Yun Lintian's surprise was evident. He had always held the belief that the Primordial Azure Dragon God commanded universal reverence within the Dragon Clan. This revelation shattered his assumptions.

Shi Xuan let out a humorless chuckle. "Little Sprout," he said, "my brother wouldn't simply accept the destruction of his creation. He's biding his time, regaining his strength, and strategizing to reclaim what's rightfully his through Qingxuan, my little niece. And I'll be by her side."

A glint of murderous intent flickered in Shi Xuan's eyes as he continued, "I can barely contain my eagerness to be unleashed. Those ingrates will face the full brunt of my wrath."

Yun Lintian's eyes hardened. "Don't worry, Senior. They won't get away with it either."

His thoughts drifted back to Dongfang Hao's description of the current Dragon God Clan. Apparently, they were a bunch of arrogant bullies who exploited their association with the revered Primordial Azure Dragon God to manipulate others.

"So," Shi Xuan took a deep look at Yun Lintian. "You better hurry up and let us go out."