Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Qianxue, ever the resolute leader, stepped forward. "Please tell us, Senior. We are willing to pay any price to help Lintian."

Her unwavering resolve mirrored in the faces of the others.

Tian He took a deep look at the group of women in front of him. His mind seemed to drift into the distant memory he had almost forgotten.

He nodded gently and said. "The method I speak of is a forbidden technique known as the 'God Ascension Ordeal.' It delves into the fabric of the Primal Chaos, forcibly extracting raw power and compressing it into your being. This sudden influx of power can propel you to unimaginable heights, even allowing you to be unrivaled in the True God Realm."

"However," Tian He continued, his voice grave, "the God Ascension Ordeal comes with a heavy price. The compressed raw power is incredibly volatile, and surviving the process is akin to walking through a field of heavenly lightning. Even with a successful breakthrough, one risks losing control of this newfound power, succumbing to a violent energy backlash."

"Furthermore, you would face numerous laws. It would be extremely difficult for an ordinary person to survive in such an environment." Tian He paused briefly and continued. "However, all of you are different. Your profound veins have been transformed and tempered by the Crown's power. There is a chance to survive."

Silence reigned supreme. Yun Qianxue and the others exchanged silent glances. They would certainly take a risk but they were reluctant to leave Yun Lintian after the previous long separation.

Tian He seemed to see through their thoughts. He spoke gently. "You can wait for him to wake up and decide it together with him."

His words sparked a renewed sense of urgency. The girls exchanged determined glances, a silent pact forming between them.

Yun Qianxue turned to Tian He, a resolute glint in her eyes. "We will undergo the God Ascension Ordeal. However, we want to see him safe with our own eyes first."

"Are you sure?" Tian He asked. "This could mean a forever separation."

Yun Qianxue replied calmly. "We can't afford to be selfish. From the beginning, we've never done anything but be burdens to him. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn't catch up with him. But even so, we can't stop here. We'll take every opportunity just to be able to stand by his side proudly one day."

Lin Xinyao, Han Bingling, Yun Huanxin, and Yun Meilan nodded silently in agreement with Yun Qianxue's statement. Their eyes, filled with resolute determination, mirrored her conviction.

"Good." Tian He had nothing to say further.

The Cloud Dragon Profound Ark tore through the endless expanse of the Nine Heavens Realm, its white hull a blazing streak against the backdrop of swirling nebulae.

Shi Xuan stood on the observation deck, his gaze fixed on the approaching planet bathed in a warm white light.

"The Western Region," he murmured, a hint of nostalgia lacing his voice. "It's been a long time since I've been here."

Long Qingxuan looked at him and asked, "How strong is the Western Emperor?"

Shi Xuan scoffed. "That coward? Don't even mention him. He couldn't last a hundred moves against me... However, he can be considered a top player among the True Gods of the former Heaven Realm."

Glancing to his right, he added, "Now that the Heavenly Court has returned, he doesn't even dare show his face. Hehe. Perhaps I should pay him a visit."

Long Qingxuan silently digested the information.

Shi Xuan, noticing her niece's contemplation, asked, "Are you worried about that Ren Yuan?"

Long Qingxuan responded with a nod. Denying her concern would be a lie. After all, inheritors of Primordial Gods were destined to reach the pinnacle of the Primal Chaos. She couldn't afford to underestimate him.

"From your description, this generation's God of Heaven's inheritor seems cunning indeed," Shi Xuan spoke calmly. "Unlike the previous ones who were primarily arrogant."

"However, worry less about him. Your true concern should be the inheritor of the God of Mortals. If I'm correct, he's likely fully inherited the God of Mortals' memories."

Long Qingxuan furrowed her brow. "The God of Mortals? Speaking of which, what power did Mo Lianxing use earlier? It manipulated time… Could it be the God of Time's inheritor?"

Shi Xuan fell silent for a moment before replying. "It's the inheritor of the God of Mortals. He's the mastermind behind the Primordial God Tribe. Notably, he's the only first-generation inheritor among the thirteen."

"The first-generation inheritor?" Long Qingxuan's surprise was evident.

Shi Xuan, her expression unusually serious, nodded. "Yes, his name is Fan Shen. Unlike the others who keep perishing and being replaced, he's never risked his life in battle. He's always remained hidden behind the scenes. Old Jiang managed to force him out once but ultimately failed to eliminate him."

Long Qingxuan's frown deepened. Compared to the new inheritors like Ren Yuan, Fan Shen was simply a seasoned veteran. This could be fatal threat to Yun Lintian.

"But how can he wield the power of time?" Long Qingxuan's confusion was clear.

Shi Xuan, hiding nothing from his niece, explained, "He acquired it after killing the God of Time's inheritor and comprehending their power."

Long Qingxuan reeled in shock. In her mind, the God of Time should have been the strongest of the thirteen Primordial Gods. Their inheritor, wielding the power of time itself, should have been nigh-unbeatable.

"Does this mean there's no more God of Time's inheritor?" Long Qingxuan pressed, her concern deepening.

Shi Xuan sighed. "There is one. No one can truly extinguish a Primordial God's power, not even other inheritors. However, each generation of God of Time's inheritor suffers a strange fate. They… don't live long."

Long Qingxuan's confusion etched itself on her face. "What do you mean?"

Shi Xuan offered a helpless shrug. "I don't know. Perhaps the power is simply too much to bear. None of them seem capable of wielding it for long."

Long Qingxuan seemed to understand the crux here. It was probably the reason why the painting of the God of Time inside the Tower of Fate was originally dimmed.

However, she couldn't understand why the painting of the God of Mortals went dimmed as well.

Bang!

Suddenly, the ship lurched as a wave of powerful energy slammed into the profound ark's shields.

"What is it?" Long Qingxuan snapped.

"Another group of lackeys." Shi Xuan scoffed.

Through the observation deck window, a swarm of profound arks emerged from the void, their hulls emblazoned with a symbol of a black sword…