Myth Beyond Heaven

Lan Huiqian's expression turned icy. "Jian Feng, if you speak one more word, I will throw you overboard myself."

Jian Feng stiffened but wisely kept silent this time.

Yun Lintian, however, seemed entirely unbothered. He glanced at Jian Feng as one would glance at a buzzing fly before turning back to Lan Huiqian.

"The Black Sea God is nothing."

Jian Feng's face twisted in suppressed fury, but he dared not retort again.

Lan Huiqian, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject. "Senior Yun, if you are heading to the Eastern Abyss, our Celestial Pavilion may be able to provide some assistance. We have been monitoring the Black Sea God's movements for some time."

Yun Lintian considered this. "What do you know?"

Lan Huiqian leaned forward slightly. "The Black Sea God has recently allied himself with a mysterious figure—a man clad in black armor, wielding a sword darker than the void itself."

Yun Lintian's fingers stilled around his teacup.

Abyssal Ghost Knight.

The name echoed in his mind.

Lan Huiqian continued, unaware of the significance. "This man is terrifyingly powerful. Even the Black Sea God seems to defer to him. If Senior Yun intends to confront the Black Sea God, you may have to face this enemy as well."

Yun Lintian's lips curled slightly.

Good.

He had been looking for him.

Just then, the ship trembled violently, as if struck by an enormous force. The delicate teacups rattled on the table, and the lanterns swayed wildly.

Lan Huiqian's expression darkened. "What is happening?!"

A disciple burst into the room, his face pale with panic. "Elder Lan! We're under attack!"

Jian Feng frowned. "Who dares?!"

The disciple swallowed hard. "It's—it's the Black Sea God's fleet!"

Yun Lintian was surprised slightly and took a sip of tea as if nothing had happened.

Jian Feng saw Yun Lintian's utterly unbothered expression and couldn't help but sneer.

"Tch. These Black Sea Pirates are definitely coming after you," he said mockingly. "After all, you were the one who slaughtered their people. It seems you aren't as capable as you boast—leaving traces behind like an amateur."

Lan Huiqian's eyes flashed with anger, but she suppressed it quickly. Now was not the time for emotions.

"Senior Yun, please remain here," she said calmly. "Our fleet will handle this."

Jian Feng curled his lips but said nothing further.

Lan Huiqian stood and strode out of the room, her robes fluttering with purpose. Jian Feng followed, but before leaving, he paused at the door and turned back to Yun Lintian, his voice low and threatening.

"Listen here. Even if you're a True God, I'm not afraid of you. If you're smart, you'll leave as soon as possible."

Linlin's golden eyes flashed with killing intent. Her small paw twitched, and a terrifying aura began gathering around her. She wanted nothing more than to tear this arrogant man apart.

But before she could act, Yun Lintian reached out and gently rubbed her head.

"Don't bother," he said, his tone indifferent.

Jian Feng scoffed, waiting for some retort—some sign that his words had struck a nerve.

But Yun Lintian didn't even glance at him. Instead, he took another sip of tea and spoke as if commenting on the weather.

"A man like you will never win the favor of a woman like Lan Huiqian."

Jian Feng stiffened.

"Especially not someone who can only rely on his elder brother's influence," Yun Lintian added casually.

Jian Feng's face darkened, veins bulging at his temples. His fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword, trembling with the urge to strike.

But he didn't dare.

Lan Huiqian wasn't here to shield Yun Lintian. If he attacked now, there would be no one to stop Yun Lintian from retaliating—and Jian Feng wasn't foolish enough to test a True God's patience alone.

"Hmph!" With a final furious snort, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

***

**

*

Lan Huiqian stood at the bow of the ship, her gaze sweeping across the horizon. Dozens of black-sailed pirate ships surrounded them, their decks crawling with armed cultivators. At the forefront was a massive vessel adorned with bones and jagged metal—the flagship of the Black Sea God's fleet.

A towering figure stood at its helm, his muscular frame clad in dark armor, his aura oppressive enough to make the weaker disciples tremble.

"Where is he?!" the man bellowed, his voice shaking the sea. "The one who slaughtered my men! Hand him over, and I'll spare your lives!"

Lan Huiqian's expression remained cold. "You overestimate yourself, Mo Yongcun. The Celestial Pavilion does not bow to pirates."

Mo Yongcun grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. "Then you'll all die with him!"

He raised his hand, and the pirate ships unleashed a barrage of flaming projectiles—trebuchets hurling boulders wreathed in black fire.

Lan Huiqian flicked her sleeve. A shimmering barrier of blue light erupted around the Celestial Pavilion's fleet, deflecting the attacks effortlessly.

"Prepare for battle!" she commanded.

Jian Feng, standing beside her, clenched his fists. "Elder Lan, we should just hand that Yun Lintian over! Why risk our lives for an outsider?"

Lan Huiqian shot him a glare. "Are you suggesting we betray a guest under our protection?"

Jian Feng gritted his teeth. "He brought this upon himself!"

Before Lan Huiqian could retort, a calm voice drifted from behind them.

"No need for theatrics."

Yun Lintian stepped onto the deck, Linlin and Qingqing perched on his shoulders, while Yue Zhihe, Su Xinyue, and Xiao Lan followed closely. His expression was as indifferent as ever, as if the approaching armada was nothing more than a minor nuisance.

Lan Huiqian frowned. "Senior Yun, you shouldn't—"

Yun Lintian raised a hand, cutting her off.

Then, he took a single step forward.

BOOM!

An invisible force exploded outward.

The sea beneath the pirate ships split apart, a massive chasm tearing through the water. Ships tilted violently, some capsizing instantly, their crews screaming as they plunged into the abyss.

Mo Yongcun's eyes widened in horror as his flagship was lifted into the air by an unseen hand, the hull groaning under the pressure.

"W-what—?!"

Yun Lintian flicked his finger.

CRACK!

The flagship imploded, crushed into a ball of twisted metal and flesh. Mo Yongcun didn't even have time to scream before he was reduced to a bloody mist.

Silence.

The remaining pirate ships froze, their crews paralyzed with terror.

Lan Huiqian and the Celestial Pavilion disciples stood in stunned disbelief. Even Jian Feng's face had gone deathly pale.

Yun Lintian turned to Lan Huiqian and then gazed at Jian Feng.

"How is it? An amateur work like this should be able to catch your eye, right?"