Myth Beyond Heaven

A jolt ran through Yun Lintian’s arm; the sheer strength of the Snow Leopard nearly wrenched the sword from his grasp. He furrowed his brow, channeling the power of the Primordial Sun God, his body radiating intense heat that melted the surrounding snow into a steaming mist.

“Roar!” The Snow Leopard roared, its emerald eyes widening in surprise as it felt the searing heat. It tried to leap back, but Yun Lintian pressed his advantage, his sword a blur of golden light, his attacks relentless, each strike infused with the scorching power of the sun. The air crackled with energy, the clash of fire and ice creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

The Snow Leopard found itself battling an inferno, its fur singed, its flesh burning. It roared in fury, its attacks growing more desperate, its movements less precise. Yun Lintian, however, remained calm, his movements fluid, his strikes precise, each aimed at exploiting the beast’s growing weakness.

He weaved and dodged, his agility enhanced by the White Tiger God bloodline, avoiding the leopard’s desperate lunges, his sword flashing like lightning, leaving trails of fire in its wake. The Snow Leopard, its strength waning, its body scorched, its spirit broken, finally faltered. Yun Lintian seized the opportunity, channeling his remaining strength into a final, devastating attack.

He poured his divine energy into the Heaven Piercing Sword, the blade glowing with incandescent light, the flames dancing with renewed vigor. He raised the sword high above his head, the golden light illuminating the blizzard, casting long, dancing shadows across the snow.

With a powerful downward swing, he unleashed a Phoenix Strike, a wave of fire erupting from the blade, taking the form of a majestic phoenix, its wings spread wide, its eyes burning with the intensity of a thousand suns.

Scree-

The phoenix soared toward the Snow Leopard, its fiery wings engulfing the beast, its talons tearing into its flesh, its beak piercing its heart. The Snow Leopard let out a final, agonizing roar, its body consumed by the flames, its life force extinguished in a blaze of glory.

The phoenix dissipated, leaving behind a smoldering carcass, the smell of burnt fur and flesh filling the air. Yun Lintian stood amidst the dissipating smoke, his body radiating heat, his sword dripping with the blood of his fallen foe.

He quickly scanned the surroundings and discovered that the wolf pack had long escaped.

Yun Lintian let out a long breath and prepared to take a short rest.

“The power of the Primordial God? Interesting…”

Suddenly, an ancient female voice echoed.

Yun Lintian tensed and raised his head to look ahead.

A pair of ice-blue eyes materialized in the sky, staring at Yun Lintian with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. The eyes belonged to a colossal ice dragon, its scales shimmering like diamonds, its wings outstretched, casting a shadow over the entire battlefield.

Yun Lintian’s pupils shrank. With a glance, he could clearly see this was a True Dragon God… But how could it be possible? As far as he knew, there was no such dragon left.

The ice dragon descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the snow-covered ground. She transformed into a beautiful woman with long, flowing blue hair and eyes that sparkled like sapphires. She wore a flowing blue dress that seemed to shimmer with the light of the aurora borealis.

“You are the one who has disturbed the peace of my domain,” the woman said, her voice as cold as the winter wind.

Yun Lintian met the woman’s gaze, his expression calm and unwavering. “I am,” he stated simply.

The woman’s lips curved into a slight smile, a hint of amusement in her sapphire eyes. “You are a bold one,” she observed, her voice laced with an ancient power that resonated through the air. “To venture this deep into the northern region… You possess remarkable resilience, young man. And your aura… a fascinating blend of fire and death, with a touch of something older, something primal.”

She paused, her gaze piercing through Yun Lintian’s facade. “You wield the power of the Primordial Sun God, yet you bear the bloodline of the Divine Phoenix. Tell me, what is your purpose here?”

Yun Lintian’s voice remained steady, devoid of any unnecessary politeness or deference. “I seek the legacy of the Ice Phoenix.”

The woman’s smile widened, a glint of challenge sparking in her eyes. “The legacy of the Ice Phoenix?” she echoed, her voice laced with a hint of mockery. “A lofty ambition for a mere God Ascension Realm cultivator. Do you truly believe yourself worthy?”

“Worth is not determined by realm alone,” Yun Lintian countered, his voice unwavering. “It is earned through action, through perseverance, through the unwavering pursuit of one’s goals.”

The woman’s smile transformed into a genuine expression of approval. “Well said,” she conceded, a hint of admiration coloring her tone. “I haven’t encountered such spirit in -centuries.”

She gestured toward the vast expanse of ice and snow with a sweep of her hand. “This land is my domain. I am Long Bing, guardian of Phoenix Lake. Prove your worth. Show me the strength and will befitting the legacy you seek.”

As the words left her lips, Long Bing’s form shimmered, her blue dress transforming into icy armor that clung to her curves. An ice sword materialized in her hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling light that seemed to drain the warmth from the air.

Swoosh!

Instantly, Long Bing lunged, her movements a blur of icy grace and deadly precision. Her ice sword sliced through the air, leaving trails of frost in its wake.

Yun Lintian parried the blow, his sword meeting hers in a clash of fire and ice that sent shock waves through the frozen wasteland.

BANG!!

The impact reverberated through his arm; the sheer power of Long Bing’s attack nearly disarmed him. He frowned, channeling his divine energy, the flames on his sword intensifying, pushing back against the icy blade. He countered with a swift thrust, aiming for Long Bing’s exposed flank.

But she was too quick, too agile. She twisted her body, evading his attack with effortless grace. Her ice sword spun, deflecting his blow, sending it wide.

Long Bing pressed her attack, her movements a whirlwind of ice and snow. Her sword flashed, a blizzard of icy strikes raining down on Yun Lintian. He parried and dodged, his agility enhanced by the White Tiger God bloodline, his sword a golden shield against the relentless

onslaught.

As he distanced himself from Long Bing, her voice suddenly echoed from behind him.

“Too slow.”