Myth Beyond Heaven

Yun Lintian and Nantian Fengyu disembarked and put the ark away, their senses overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of the city.

The streets were filled with cultivators of various races and factions, their attire and weaponry reflecting their diverse origins. Stalls overflowing with exotic goods lined the walkways, their vendors hawking their wares with enthusiastic cries.

“This place is even more lively than any other cities,” Nantian Fengyu remarked, her eyes darting from one wonder to the next.

Yun Lintian nodded, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. He could sense the presence of numerous powerful cultivators, their auras hidden beneath layers of concealment. This city was a gathering place for elites, a melting pot of ambition and power.

“We should gather information about the Ancient Battlefield before we proceed,” Yun Lintian said. “There’s bound to be a place where we can learn more.”

They navigated the crowded streets, eventually finding their way to a grand teahouse. The aroma of exotic teas wafted from within, enticing passersby. Yun Lintian and Nantian Fengyu entered, finding a table amidst the chattering patrons.

As they sipped their tea, Yun Lintian discreetly listened to the conversations around them, gleaning bits of information about the Ancient Battlefield.

He learned that the battlefield was a vast and chaotic realm, filled with remnants of ancient battles, powerful artifacts, and dangerous creatures. It was a place of both opportunity and peril, where fortunes could be made and lives easily lost.

He also learned that the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield was heavily guarded by the Xia Dynasty, and only those with sufficient strength or influence were granted access.

“This is a bit troublesome,” Yun Lintian said with a frown.

Yun Lintian didn’t quite understand the restriction. After all, it wasn’t as if they were being hired to enter the battlefield.

“What are you worrying about, Junior Brother?” Nantian Fengyu asked curiously. “We can just smack their heads later.”

Yun Lintian smiled and said, “I’m not worried, but rather annoyed. It seems there’s something unusual inside the battlefield, and they are afraid of it.”

“Perhaps they’re trying to control the number of cultivators entering the battlefield,” Nantian Fengyu suggested, twirling a strand of her hair. “Or maybe they’re looking for specific individuals.”

Yun Lintian nodded, considering the possibilities. “Whatever their reason, we’ll need to play by their rules for now… Let’s find out how we can gain access.”

Leaving the teahouse, they inquired with local cultivators and soon discovered the procedure for entering the Ancient Battlefield. The Xia Dynasty held regular trials, testing the strength and potential of those seeking entry. Only those who passed the trials were granted access.

The trials were held in a grand arena located at the city’s center. Yun Lintian and Nantian Fengyu made their way there, joining a long queue of eager cultivators. The line snaked through the plaza, a colorful tapestry of diverse races and cultivation levels.

As they waited, Yun Lintian observed the other participants, gauging their strength. There were seasoned cultivators with weathered faces and battle-hardened auras, ambitious youths brimming with confidence, and even some enigmatic figures shrouded in mystery. The air crackled with anticipation and a hint of underlying tension.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted further down the line. Two cultivators, a burly man wielding a massive axe and a slender woman with lightning crackling around her fingertips, were engaged in a heated argument.

“This spot is mine!” the man roared, his voice booming across the plaza. “I was here first!” “Strength determines position, not arrival time,” the woman retorted, her eyes flashing with defiance. “If you want this spot, you’ll have to take it from me.”

The surrounding cultivators quickly backed away, forming a circle around the two combatants. The man grinned savagely, hefting his axe. “Very well! I’ll teach you a lesson in respect!”

He charged forward, his axe cleaving through the air with terrifying force. The woman met his attack with a flurry of lightning strikes, the plaza echoing with the clash of energy.

Yun Lintian watched the unfolding fight with a detached interest, analyzing their techniques and cultivation levels. Both were at the early stages of the Low God Realm, their strength considerable but not exceptional.

Nantian Fengyu, however, was itching to join the fray. “Can I go play too, junior brother?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Yun Lintian chuckled, shaking his head. “There’s no need to waste your energy on trivial squabbles. Let them tire themselves out.”

The fight continued for several minutes, neither cultivator gaining a clear advantage. The man relied on brute force, his axe strikes powerful but predictable. The woman was more agile, her lightning attacks swift and precise.

As the battle reached its climax, the man roared, channeling his divine energy into a devastating axe attack. The woman, sensing the danger, gathered her lightning into a concentrated sphere, launching it towards the incoming axe.

BOOM!

The collision of their attacks sent shockwaves rippling through the plaza, forcing nearby cultivators to erect defensive barriers. When the dust settled, both combatants were sprawled on the ground, panting and bruised.

The crowd erupted in cheers and jeers, reveling in the spectacle. The man, his pride wounded, glared at the woman. “This isn’t over,” he growled.

“Whenever you’re ready,” the woman replied with a smirk, wiping a trickle of blood from her

lip.

Yun Lintian, having seen enough, turned his attention back to the queue. The commotion had caused a slight delay, but the line was now moving again.

As they inched closer to the arena entrance, Yun Lintian noticed a group of cultivators clad in luxurious robes, their faces etched with arrogance. They pushed their way to the front of the line, ignoring the protests of those they shoved aside.

“Out of our way, peasants!” one of them sneered. “Do you know who we are?”

A ripple of anger passed through the crowd, but no one dared to challenge them openly. The group’s leader, a young man with a haughty expression and a golden sword strapped to his back, stepped forward.

“We are disciples of the Golden Sun Sect,” he declared, his voice dripping with disdain. “We have no time to waste with the likes of you.”

Yun Lintian’s eyes narrowed slightly. From the information he gathered previously, the Golden Sun Sect was one of the top forces in the Central Region, known for their mastery on

fire technique.

Just as the Golden Sun Sect disciples were about to enter the arena, a figure stepped out from the crowd, blocking their path. It was a tall, slender man with a calm demeanor and a longsword sheathed at his hip.

“There’s a queue for a reason,” the man said, his voice steady and unwavering. “Even the Golden Sun Sect must abide by the rules.”