Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian fell silent for a long moment, his mismatched eyes burning with cold intensity. The air in the grand hall grew heavy, as if the void itself held its breath.

"Whether it's Yin or you," he finally said, his voice low and dangerous, "I'll have to eliminate both in the end."

Nian Shi's lips curved into a pleased smile. "Good. That's the correct way of thinking." He leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes gleaming. "To achieve true peace, both Yin and I must be removed from the equation. You understand this well."

Yun Lintian's expression remained impassive.

"But you and I both know," Nian Shi continued smoothly, "that fighting two enemies at once is impossible. Even for me."

A flicker of irritation passed through Yun Lintian's gaze.

Nian Shi chuckled. "In fact, I could easily cooperate with Yin to eliminate you first. He would be more than happy to devour a Primordial God like yourself." His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair. "Yet here I am, offering you a chance. Do you know why?"

Yun Lintian didn't respond.

"Because we share the same ultimate goal," Nian Shi said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It doesn't matter who wins between you and me in the end. But Yin must not be allowed to prevail. If he does, everything—everything—will cease to exist."

Yun Lintian's gaze flickered toward the image of the unconscious Long Qingxuan, still floating above the table.

"Let her go," he said coldly.

Nian Shi smiled. "Oh, but she's already gone."

Yun Lintian's eyes narrowed.

"She's here, yet not here," Nian Shi explained, amused. "I've sent her to another timeline. One you won't be able to find... at least, not for a while."

Yun Lintian's frown deepened. The air around him grew heavy with suppressed power.

Nian Shi raised a hand before he could speak. "Don't worry. She'll return unharmed. Consider it... insurance."

The two gods stared at each other across the endless table, the tension between them thick enough to suffocate.

Finally, Yun Lintian spoke again.

"What do you propose?"

Nian Shi's smile widened. "A temporary alliance. We deal with Yin first. After he's gone... we settle our own battle."

Yun Lintian studied him for a long moment. "And why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't," Nian Shi admitted cheerfully. "Just as I don't trust you. But this isn't about trust—it's about necessity."

He waved his hand, and the image of Long Qingxuan dissolved. "Think carefully, Yun Lintian. You've seen what Yin is capable of. The Devourer was merely a fragment of his power, and even that nearly killed you."

A pause.

"Alone, neither of us can stop him. But together?" Nian Shi's golden eyes gleamed. "We might just stand a chance."

Silence stretched between them.

Outside the hall, the void itself seemed to tremble—as if sensing the weight of this moment.

Then—

Yun Lintian stood.

"One condition," he said coldly.

Nian Shi raised an eyebrow. "Name it."

"Qingxuan returns now. Unharmed. Or this ends here."

Nian Shi sighed dramatically. "Must you be so—"

BANG!

The table between them shattered as Yun Lintian's aura exploded outward. The black stone floor cracked, and the floating lanterns winked out one by one.

"Now," Yun Lintian repeated, his voice like the edge of a blade.

For the first time, Nian Shi's smile faltered. He studied Yun Lintian carefully, then sighed.

"Let me show you something."

Nian Shi waved his hand, and the shattered table reassembled itself instantly, returning to its pristine state. The floating lanterns rekindled, casting flickering light across the hall once more.

Above the table, a new image appeared—a battlefield spanning across countless shattered realms.

Yun Lintian's breath caught.

There, amidst the chaos, stood Yun Wushuang—his mother.

Her silver hair flowed like moonlight as she fought against seven Primordial Gods simultaneously, her movements graceful yet devastating. Among her opponents was another Nian Shi, his golden eyes burning with fury as he manipulated time itself against her.

Yun Lintian stared, his fingers digging into the armrests.

"Mother..."

It had been so long since he last saw her.

Nian Shi observed his reaction with quiet amusement. "Yun Wushuang is, without a doubt, the strongest opponent I've ever faced." He gestured toward the battle. "She was supposed to be the God of Life—a gentle, nurturing existence. But her comprehension ability... defies the heavens."

The scene shifted, showing Yun Wushuang absorbing the power of a fallen Primordial God, her aura growing stronger with each passing second.

"Just like you," Nian Shi continued, "she can devour the power of other Primordial Gods. A secret she and your father, Yun Wuhan, discovered long ago."

Yun Lintian's golden and black eyes darkened.

"Why are you showing me this?"

Nian Shi leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Because I need you to understand something."

He waved his hand again, and the battle faded.

"I've tried countless times to convince your mother that our greatest enemy is Yin—not me. But she, like you, refuses to cooperate." He sighed. "She's been sabotaging my plans across multiple timelines, making it impossible for me to focus on the true threat."

Yun Lintian's lips curled into a sneer. "And you expect me to convince her?"

"Yes." Nian Shi's golden eyes gleamed. "Because there's something else you should know."

He leaned forward slightly.

"I didn't capture Lin Xinyao or Yun Qianxue—your most beloved women. I only took Long Qingxuan because I needed a reason for you to come here without making our relationship irreparable."

Yun Lintian's aura flickered dangerously.

"You think kidnapping one of my women makes our relationship salvageable?"

Nian Shi chuckled. "Compared to what I could have done? Yes." His smile faded slightly. "I could have slaughtered your entire sect. I could have defiled every woman you love. I could have erased your existence from time itself."

He spread his hands.

"But I didn't. Because, in the end, I need you."

Silence.

Then—

Yun Lintian stood.

"Return Qingxuan. Now."

Nian Shi sighed. "Must you be so—"

"NOW."

The hall shook as Yun Lintian's power surged. The lanterns shattered, and the table split down the middle once more.

Nian Shi studied him for a long moment before finally nodding.

"Very well."

A snap of his fingers—

And space rippled beside them.

Long Qingxuan materialized, her body gently lowering to the ground. She was still unconscious, but her breathing was steady.

Yun Lintian was at her side in an instant, his hand brushing against her cheek.

Nian Shi watched quietly. "She's unharmed. Just sleeping."