Myth Beyond Heaven

The moment Yun Lintian’s fingers closed around the wooden box, the world around him shattered like glass. The ruins, the serpent, his companions—everything vanished in an instant.

When his vision cleared, he found himself standing before a colossal tree that dwarfed mountains. Its trunk stretched endlessly into the heavens, its branches spanning the horizon like a celestial canopy.

Each leaf shimmered with a different hue—silver, gold, azure, crimson—radiating an aura that was both soothing and terrifying. It was as if the weight of the entire world pressed down upon him just by standing near it.

“Young man, don’t stand too close to the World Tree.”

A voice called out from behind.

Yun Lintian turned to see an elderly man in plain gray robes, his face lined with age but his eyes sharp and knowing.

The old man chuckled at Yun Lintian’s puzzled expression. “First time here, isn’t it? Everyone reacts the same way.” He gestured toward the tree. “The World Tree’s presence is overwhelming. Stay too long, and it’ll drain your mental strength dry.”

Yun Lintian glanced back at the tree, his gaze lingering on the silvery branches mixed among the others.

This is the same tree.

The one from the ruins—the one he had just been standing beneath moments ago. And yet, it was also unmistakably similar to the World Tree in his own realm, where Ning Yue resided.

But how?

“Where is this place?” Yun Lintian asked.

The old man smiled. “The Sacred City of Origin. Don’t tell me you wandered here without knowing?”

Yun Lintian’s eyes swept across the surroundings. The World Tree stood atop a hill, overlooking a sprawling city below. Countless cultivators and mortals moved about—some kneeling in prayer, others simply admiring the view.

The air thrummed with spiritual energy so dense it was nearly tangible.

This isn’t an illusion.

At least, not a simple one. The details were too vivid, the energy too real. Had he been transported somewhere—or somewhen else?

“You look lost, young man,” the old man remarked. “Come, let’s move away from the tree. I’ll treat you to some tea.”

Yun Lintian hesitated but followed.

The old man led him to a small tea house at the base of the hill. The moment they sat, a server brought over a steaming pot without needing to be asked.

“You’re a regular,” Yun Lintian observed.

The old man laughed. “I’ve lived here for centuries. Everyone knows Old Man Li.” He poured the tea with practiced ease. “Now, tell me. What brings someone like you to the Sacred City?”

Yun Lintian studied the old man carefully. “What do you mean, ‘someone like me’?”

Old Man Li’s smile didn’t waver. “Your aura is… unusual. Like you don’t quite belong here.” He took a slow sip. “And those eyes of yours—they see more than most, don’t they?”

A pause.

Then Yun Lintian asked bluntly, “Is this the past?”

Old Man Li’s cup froze mid-air. For the first time, his expression turned serious. “An interesting question. Why do you ask?”

“The World Tree,” Yun Lintian said. “In my time, it’s weaker. Dormant.”

“Ah.” Old Man Li set his cup down. “So you are from another time.” He exhaled slowly. “Then you already know what’s coming.”

Yun Lintian’s fingers tightened around his cup. “The war.”

The old man nodded grimly. “The one that shattered the World Tree and split reality itself.” His gaze turned distant. “We’re living in the final days of peace, young man. Soon, the gods will turn on each other, and the tree… well.” He gestured to the towering branches visible through the window. “This glory won’t last.”

Yun Lintian’s mind raced. If this was truly the past—if he was standing in the era before the Primordial War—then the wooden box must have sent him here.

But why?

“How do I return?” he asked.

Old Man Li studied him for a long moment. Then, reluctantly, he said, “You can’t. Not unless the tree wills it.”

Before Yun Lintian could respond, the ground suddenly shook violently. Outside, screams erupted as the sky split open, revealing a swirling vortex of chaotic energy.

Old Man Li’s face paled. “No… it’s starting already?”

Yun Lintian shot to his feet. Through the window, he saw the World Tree’s leaves wilting at an alarming rate, their vibrant colors fading to gray.

A deafening roar echoed across the city as figures clad in divine armor descended from the vortex, their weapons gleaming with killing intent.

The old man grabbed Yun Lintian’s arm, his voice urgent. “Listen carefully. The box you touched—it’s a memory of the World Tree. A fragment of its consciousness. To leave, you must—”

BOOM!

The tea house’s roof caved in as a blast of energy struck it. Yun Lintian barely had time to react before everything went black.

“Senior Yun! Wake up!”

Yun Lintian’s eyes snapped open to see Yue Zhihe’s panicked face hovering above him.

He was back in the ruins, lying at the base of the stone pillar where the serpent still coiled.

The wooden box floated in the air before him, its runes now glowing faintly.

Zhou Xuan let out a relieved breath. “Thank the heavens! You’ve been unconscious for hours, Senior!”

Qingqing and Linlin immediately pounced on him, their tiny forms trembling.

“Big Brother Yun! You scared us!” Qingqing wailed.

Yun Lintian sat up slowly, his mind still reeling from the vision—no, the memory—he had experienced.

The silver serpent let out a low, mocking laugh, its voice slithering through the air like cold mist.

“Failed on your first try, I see.” Its glowing eyes gleamed with amusement. “How disappointing.”

Yun Lintian raised a brow slightly, his expression unreadable. He glanced at the wooden box, then back at the serpent.

“What kind of test is this?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.

The serpent’s laughter deepened, its massive body coiling tighter around the stone pillar.

“Figure it out yourself,” it taunted. “Or are you not as clever as you think?”

Linlin bristled, her golden eyes flashing. “Hey! Don’t talk to Big Brother Yun like that!”

Qingqing nodded furiously. “Yeah! You’re just a big, scaly worm!”

The serpent ignored them, its gaze fixed solely on Yun Lintian. “Well? Do you dare try again?”

Yun Lintian exhaled slowly, then turned to Linlin, Qingqing, and Yue Zhihe.

“Guard this place well,” he instructed.

Yue Zhihe gripped her sword tightly. “Senior Yun, be careful.”

Linlin and Qingqing, though clearly worried, nodded in determination.

Without hesitation, Yun Lintian reached out and touched the wooden box once more…

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