Myth Beyond Heaven

A portal shimmered into existence outside the ruins of the Ancient Xia Dynasty. Yun Lintian stepped through, followed closely by the God of Death’s skeletal left leg floating behind him.

The moment he appeared, Xia Nongyue let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“You’re back,” she said, her eyes scanning him for injuries.

Yun Lintian gave a small nod. “It’s done.”

Yue Yun, however, wasn’t looking at Yun Lintian. Her sharp silver eyes were fixed on the skeletal leg hovering behind him. “That’s… different from Hei Shou,” she murmured.

Indeed, while Hei Shou—the God of Death’s right hand—was a perfectly preserved flesh-and-blood appendage, this leg was pure bone, its surface etched with intricate dark runes that pulsed with cold energy.

Yun Lintian glanced at the leg. “I guess Senior Si placed his leg in the Abyss for a reason. It’s been absorbing that realm’s energy for millions of years.”

As he spoke, the skeletal leg rotated slightly, as if studying Yue Yun in return. A faint chill spread through the air around them.

Xia Nongyue shivered slightly. “Let’s return to Nine Firmament City first.”

Yun Lintian agreed. With a wave of his hand, the Gate of Beyond Heaven appeared once more, and the three of them—along with the floating leg—stepped through.

The moment they materialized in Yun Lintian’s courtyard, a black blur shot across the sky.

Hei Shou—the God of Death’s right hand—came streaking toward them like an arrow, stopping just inches from the skeletal leg. The two fragments hovered in midair, facing each other.

An eerie silence fell.

Then, something extraordinary happened.

The skeletal leg began to tremble, its bones rattling softly. Dark energy swirled around it, forming ghostly tendons and muscles that hadn’t existed moments before. At the same time, Hei Shou pulsed with power, its fingers twitching as if trying to grasp something.

“They’re communicating,” Yue Yun said, fascinated.

Yun Lintian watched closely as the two fragments circled each other, their movements almost like a dance. The skeletal leg’s transformation continued—more flesh appearing, the dark runes sinking beneath newly formed skin.

Then, without warning, both fragments shot toward Yun Lintian.

Xia Nongyue tensed, but Yun Lintian raised a hand to stop her. “It’s alright.”

Hei Shou attached itself to his right arm as usual, while the newly transformed leg—now covered in dark, deathly flesh—floated to his left side. A pulse of energy passed between them, and Yun Lintian’s body shuddered as the two fragments synchronized their power.

“Interesting,” he murmured as he could feel the power of the God of Death in them had nearly doubled.

Yue Yun stepped closer, examining the leg. “It’s adapting to match Hei Shou’s form. The cold energy it absorbed is being converted.”

Yue Yun crossed her arms, her eyes studying Yun Lintian. “What’s your next move?”

Yun Lintian flexed his fingers, feeling the pulse of power from Hei Shou and the newly transformed leg. “The God of Death’s torso is hidden in the lower realms. That’s our next target.”

He turned to Hei Shou, which was currently attached to his right arm. “Can you sense it?”

Hei Shou detached itself and hovered in front of Yun Lintian. After a brief pause, it gave a firm thumbs-up.

Yun Lintian nodded, then glanced at the leg. “What about you?”

The leg, still floating beside him, bent slightly at the knee—then used its toes to mimic a thumbs-up gesture.

Yun Lintian was speechless.

Xia Nongyue covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Yue Yun snorted. “Well, that’s one way to communicate.”

Qingqing burst into laughter. “Brother Leg is so funny!”

The leg wiggled its toes smugly.

Shaking his head, Yun Lintian sighed. “Alright. Then we’ll—”

“Wait.” Yue Yun interrupted. “Before you go chasing body parts, there’s something else you should take care of.”

Yun Lintian raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Tie Muqiu,” Yue Yun said. “The daughter of Tie Mutian. Remember? You left your Heaven Piercing Sword and the seven elemental swords with her.”

Yun Lintian blinked. “Right. Has she finished refining them into the God Slaying Sword?”

Yue Yun shrugged. “She should have by now. It’s been long enough.”

Yun Lintian considered this for a moment. The God Slaying Sword—a weapon capable of harming even Primordial Gods. It would be a valuable asset against Nian Shi.

But…

“I’ll retrieve it after we find the torso,” he decided. “The God of Death’s fragments are more urgent.”

Yue Yun didn’t argue. “Your call.”

Yun Lintian opened the Gate of Beyond Heaven and headed straight to the Southern Expanse with Hei Shou and Brother Leg.

Soon, Yun Lintian stood in the vast expanse of space, gazing at the countless star realms before him. He turned to Hei Shou. “Lead the way.”

Hei Shou pulsed with dark energy, then shot forward like an arrow. Yun Lintian summoned the Cloud Dragon Ark, boarding it with Brother Leg floating beside him. The ark streaked through the void, following Hei Shou’s guidance.

Days passed as they traveled through the Southern Expanse. The star realms blurred past them, their colors shifting from blue to red to green. Finally, Hei Shou slowed, pointing toward a small green star realm.

Yun Lintian put the Cloud Dragon Ark away and studied the realm. It was vibrant with life, its surface covered in lush forests and sprawling cities. “Are you sure it’s here?” he asked.

Hei Shou gave a thumbs-up. Brother Leg, not to be outdone, wiggled its toes in agreement.

Yun Lintian sighed. “Alright.”

He concealed his aura, masking his divine presence to avoid drawing attention. He also concealed Hei Shou and Brother Leg. With a step, he descended into the star realm.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he was greeted by the bustling energy of a lower realm. Mortals and cultivators filled the streets, their chatter filling the air. The realm was alive—far more than he had expected.

Yun Lintian turned to Hei Shou. “Can you sense the torso now?”

Hei Shou hesitated, then shook its finger. No.

Yun Lintian frowned. Since the torso was hidden as an artifact, it likely had some level of fame or significance in this realm. The best place to start would be the capital city of the strongest faction.

Yun Lintian moved swiftly, his figure blurring as he traversed the land. Within minutes, he arrived at the gates of a massive city—its walls towering, its gates adorned with intricate carvings. The plaque above the entrance read: “Imperial Capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”

“Well, let’s start here.” Yun Lintian said.